LIFT GENERATING SYSTEM AND BOAT EQUIPPED WITH SUCH A SYSTEM

Abstract

The invention relates to a lift generating system (101), comprising a wing (1) having at least one suction opening (12), adapted to communicate the exterior of the wing with the interior (102) of the wing (1); and a suction device. The lift generating system (101) comprises a support (4) on which the wing (1) is pivotally mounted about an axis substantially parallel to the axis (A1). The suction device comprises a fan (3) located outside the wing (1) and in fluid communication with the interior (102) of the wing (1) for sucking air through said at least one suction opening (12) of the wing and discharging the sucked air through an outlet of the fan (3).The fan (3) comprises a wheel (30), surrounded by a casing (31) which defines around the wheel a conduit for guiding the air discharged by the wheel, and a motor for driving the wheel (30) in rotation around an axis substantially parallel to the axis (A1) of the wing, the casing (31) of the fan (3) having an outlet (32) with an axis (A32) substantially orthogonal to the axis (A30) of the wheel (30) of the fan. The invention also relates to a corresponding boat. Figure for abstract: Fig.5.

Description

Title of the invention: LIFT GENERATING SYSTEM AND BOAT EQUIPPED WITH SUCH A SYSTEM FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to systems intended to be placed in moving air to produce lift, or lift generators. In the case of wind-powered vehicles, these systems are also called wind thrusters. PREVIOUS ART

[0002] Wind turbines are known from the state of the art, and in particular from document FR2503286A2, which comprise an elongated hollow body, suction zones arranged along the peripheral wall of the hollow body and suction means housed inside the hollow body. The suction at the peripheral wall of the turbine makes it possible to limit the separation of the air flow from the wall of the turbine.

[0003] It is however desirable to be able to improve the performance of the thrusters. Summary of the invention

[0004] For this purpose, the invention relates to a lift generating system, intended to be placed in moving air, in order to produce a lift force, the lift generating system comprising: - a hollow body, called a wing, elongated along an axis, the peripheral wall of the wing having at least one opening, called a suction opening, adapted to connect the exterior of the wing with the interior of the wing; and - a suction device for sucking air through said at least one suction opening; characterized in that the lift generating system comprises a support on which the wing is pivotally mounted about an axis substantially parallel to the axis, and said suction device comprises a fan located outside the wing and in fluid communication with the inside of the wing for sucking air through said at least one suction opening of the wing and discharging the sucked air through an outlet of the fan, the fan comprising a wheel, surrounded by a casing which defines around the wheel a conduit making it possible to guide the air discharged by the wheel, and a motor for driving the wheel in rotation around an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the wing, the casing of the fan having an outlet with an axis substantially orthogonal to the axis of the fan wheel.

[0005] Positioning the suction device outside the wing (also called hollow body or supporting profile) makes it possible not to constrain the size of the suction device to the dimensions of the inside of the wing for the choice of the suction device, unlike the solutions of the state of the art which house the suction device inside the wing. In this way it is possible to choose a fan whose efficiency is maximized by selecting a particularly efficient diameter / rotation speed pair and which makes it possible to ensure the suction flow rate of the entire wing.

[0006] The main function of the fan is to ventilate the wing. Preferably, the fan is located as close as possible to the lower end of the wing.

[0007] The system according to the invention thus makes it possible to use a centrifugal or helico-centrifugal type fan in order to obtain the desired propulsion performance of the lift generating system, without having to increase the section of the wing.

[0008] To obtain the operating point of the lift generating system with the same efficiency and suction means located inside the wing, it would be necessary to divide the suction means into several modules distributed along the wing, which would increase the complexity of the system, the manufacturing and maintenance costs.

[0009] The centrifugal fan can be placed at the foot of the wing.

[0010] In the mounted state of the system according to the invention on the deck of a boat, the fan frame is fixed relative to the deck of the ship. In this way, it is possible to discharge the air parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ship by orienting the corresponding air outlet of the fan along this axis, towards the rear of the boat. The discharged air then participates in the propulsive effort by a jet effect.

[0011] In the known solutions of the state of the art where the suction means are placed inside the wing, the direction of the air discharge depends on the orientation of the propeller, so that the discharged air does not necessarily contribute to the propulsive force of the boat in the axis of the boat.

[0012] The pivoting mounting of the wing relative to the support intended to be fixed on the deck of the boat allows the wing to rotate, preferably around its vertical axis, so as to orient itself relative to the direction of the apparent wind.

[0013] Advantageously, an orifice located in the lower part of the wing allows direct communication between the fan and the interior of the wing. This arrangement makes it possible to reduce the pressure losses which would be present in intermediate pipes. According to a particular embodiment, it is possible to provide, between the wing and the fan, a pipe of length less than the diameter of the fan, for example of a length of a few tens of centimeters for a fan diameter of the order of two meters.

[0014] The fan represents a significant mass of the system. Placing this fan at the base of the wing has many advantages.

[0015] The on-board masses are subject to the ship's accelerations. Placing the fan outside and at the foot of the wing makes it possible to significantly reduce the forces exerted on the wing. Indeed, two types of forces are combined here with the ship's accelerations. On the one hand, the inertial forces, directly linked to the mass of the centrifugal fan and on the other hand, the gyroscopic forces resulting from the rotation of the fan. Thus, the structure of the system can be lightened. Manufacturing costs are reduced.

[0016] Placing the fan at the base of the wing makes it easier to access so that maintenance operations are facilitated.

[0017] According to a particular aspect, in the state mounted on the deck of the boat, the suction device is located under the wing, between the deck of the boat and the wing.

[0018] The generator system may also comprise one or more of the following characteristics taken in any technically admissible combination.

[0019] According to an optional feature, the lower end of the wing is provided with an adaptation wall in which an opening is provided which communicates with the fan.

[0020] According to an optional characteristic, the adaptation wall is provided with an annular element which extends around the opening of the adaptation wall and on the inside of the wing, the section of said annular element having a curved profile, for example convex, to limit the pressure losses of the air flow between the wing and the fan.

[0021] According to an optional feature, the fan is contained in an imaginary envelope which surrounds the support.

[0022] According to an optional feature, the fan is a centrifugal fan.

[0023] According to an optional feature, the fan is a propeller fan. centrifugal.

[0024] According to an optional characteristic, the wing is provided with a vertical lift generating device, mounted near one and / or the other of the ends of the wing.

[0025] According to an optional characteristic, the vertical lift generating device comprises at least one part which is mounted to move around an axis substantially orthogonal to the axis of the wing.

[0026] According to an optional characteristic, the vertical lift generating device comprises a suction system making it possible to suck the outside air towards the inside of the wing.

[0027] According to an optional feature, the peripheral wall of the wing is provided with a flap movable relative to the peripheral wall to allow separation of the flow extrados airflow and intrados airflow.

[0028] According to an optional feature, the peripheral wall of the wing has two suction openings, and a closing system, such as a flap, to allow one of the suction openings to be selectively closed and the other suction opening to be freed.

[0029] According to an optional characteristic, the fan casing is extended by a discharge pipe of variable section, the section preferably decreasing towards the outlet end of the discharge pipe.

[0030] According to an optional characteristic, the system comprises a tilting system making it possible to tilt the wing, and possibly its support, around an axis substantially orthogonal to the axis of the wing, preferably substantially horizontal.

[0031] The invention also relates to a boat comprising at least one lift generating system as proposed above, in which the fan is located between the wing and the deck of the boat.

[0032] According to an optional characteristic, the axis of the outlet of the fan casing is directed towards the rear of the boat, preferably substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the boat. Brief description of the drawings

[0033] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description, which is purely illustrative and non-limiting and must be read in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:

[0034] - [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is a perspective view of a boat equipped with several lift generating systems according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0035] - [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a view of detail area II of [Fig.l];

[0036] - [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of a lift generating system according to one embodiment of the invention, showing an incident air flow, part of which is sucked into the wing by the fan and then discharged;

[0037] - [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a top view of the lift generating system of the [Fig.3] ;

[0038] - [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a view along section AA of the lower part of the system lift generator of [Fig.4];

[0039] - [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is an exploded view of the lower part of the generator system of lift of [Fig.4]. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The concept of the invention is described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the concept of the invention are shown. In the drawings, the size and relative sizes of the elements may be exaggerated for clarity. Like numerals refer to like elements throughout the drawings. However, this inventive concept may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Instead, these embodiments are provided so that this description is complete, and communicates the scope of the inventive concept to those skilled in the art.

[0041] A reference throughout the specification to "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the occurrence of the phrase "in an embodiment" at various locations throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0042] With reference to [Fig.l], several lift generating systems 101 are shown mounted on the deck 111 of a boat 100.

[0043] The following description is made for a lift generating system 101, but also applies to several lift generating systems 101.

[0044] As illustrated in [Fig.2], the lift generating system 101 is placed in a moving airflow FI which makes it possible to produce a lift force. As detailed below, this lift generating system 101 has a higher propulsion performance, without having to increase the dimensions of the wing.

[0045] Wing

[0046] The lift generating system comprises a hollow body 1 elongated along an axis AL. The hollow body is commonly called a wing.

[0047] The wing has an aerodynamic profile. Different profile shapes can be used. In the example illustrated in the figures, the profile is ovoid in shape.

[0048] The peripheral wall 10 of the wing has at least one opening 12, called a suction opening, capable of communicating with the interior 102 of the wing 1. In the example illustrated in the figures, the peripheral wall 10 has two suction openings 12, preferably distributed symmetrically with respect to an axis of symmetry of the profile of the wing.

[0049] The hollow body is provided with a movable flap 14. The flap makes it possible to modify the camber of the wing profile in order to increase the lift, whether the wind comes from one side or the other of the ship. The ship can sail on both tacks - port tack or starboard tack. According to one embodiment, it can be provided that the movement of the flap makes it possible to close one suction opening 12 and to free the other suction opening 12.

[0050] The lower end of the wing 1 is provided with an adaptation wall 13 having an opening which makes it possible to adapt the air flow passage section from the interior of the hollow body to the opening 301 of the wheel 30 (or rotor) of the centrifugal fan 3 presented below. The wheel may be a bladed wheel. As explained below, the fan may also be of the helico-centrifugal type.

[0051] Suction device

[0052] The lift generating system comprises a suction device in communication with the interior 102 of the wing 1 for sucking air through said at least one opening 12 provided in the peripheral wall of the wing.

[0053] It may be provided that each suction opening 12 has a variable opening dimension or porosity along the wing, for example to vary the quantity of air sucked in depending on the position along the wing. Each opening 12 may be produced in the form of a grid.

[0054] As illustrated more particularly in Figures 4 to 6, said suction device is formed by a fan 3 which comprises a wheel 30, a motor (not shown) for driving the wheel 30 in rotation, and a casing 31 (part fixed around the wheel) which extends around the wheel 30. The casing 31 (also called a volute or collector) is in the form of a body which defines around the wheel, a conduit, preferably of spiral shape, making it possible to guide the air discharged by the wheel, to an outlet 32. The geometry of the casing 31 makes it possible to improve the suction efficiency of the fan.

[0055] The fan 3 is configured to discharge the drawn air flow into the open air. The fan 3 has an air inlet with an axis A30 substantially orthogonal to the axis of the outlet 32 ​​of the casing 31 of the fan 3. In other words, the air suction direction is substantially orthogonal to the air outlet direction of the casing 31 of the fan. It is understood that the air inlet axis A30 is preferably orthogonal to the axis of the outlet 32, but that there may also be a slight angle of inclination of one or a few degrees, for example an angle of less than 5°, of the outlet axis A32 of the outlet 32 ​​of the casing 31 relative to the plane orthogonal to the axis A30. It can be provided that the outlet 32 ​​of the casing 31 is equipped with a discharge pipe, preferably configured to accelerate the discharged air.

[0056] In the example illustrated in the figures, the fan is a centrifugal fan. According to the illustrated embodiment, the wheel 30 is a bladed wheel 30. The bladed wheel 30 has an air inlet 301 which communicates with the interior 102 of the wing. In particular, the air inlet 301 communicates with the interior 102 of the wing via the opening of a steering mechanism, such as a steering ring 2 (presented below), and the opening of the adaptation wall 13 of the wing. Alternatively, the fan may be of the helico-centrifugal type. A helico-centrifugal fan differs from a centrifugal fan in that, in a helico-centrifugal fan, the air leaving the wheel enters the casing, in a direction forming an angle of 30° to 80° relative to the air inlet axis. In a centrifugal fan, the air leaving the wheel enters the casing, in a direction orthogonal to the air inlet axis.

[0057] It will be noted that in the lift generating system 101 according to the invention, whether the fan is of the centrifugal or helico-centrifugal type, the air which leaves the outlet 32 ​​of the casing 31 leaves orthogonally to the suction axis.

[0058] The centrifugal fan 3 is located outside the wing 1 and is in fluid communication with the interior 102 of the wing 1 to suck in air through each opening 12 provided in the peripheral wall 10 of the wing 1 and discharge the sucked in air, through the outlet 32 ​​of the casing 31 of the centrifugal fan 3. The air flow thus discharged FE participates in the propulsion of the boat 100 on which the lift generating system 101 is mounted.

[0059] The outlet 32 ​​of the centrifugal fan 3 is directed towards the rear of the boat. Advantageously, the frame of the fan 3 is fixed relative to the support 4 and therefore relative to the deck of the boat, so that the outlet 32 ​​is also fixed.

[0060] The opening of the adaptation wall 13 is bordered by a peripheral element 130 which extends towards the inside of the wing, and whose section has a curved shape, preferably convex (curved) with reference to a view from the inside of the hollow body. In the example illustrated in the figures, this element 130 has a generally toric shape. The adaptation wall 13 thus makes it possible to guide the flow of the drawn air flow by limiting the pressure losses of the drawn air flow during its circulation between the inside of the hollow body and the centrifugal fan 3.

[0061] Support

[0062] The system 101 comprises a support 4 on which the wing 1 is pivotally mounted. Preferably, the wing is pivotally mounted on the support 4 around an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis A1 of the wing. It is understood that the pivot axis is preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis A1 of the wing, but that the pivot axis may have a slight angle of one or a few degrees relative to the axis A1, for example an angle of less than 5°. The axis A1 is preferably coincident with the axis of rotation of the wing.

[0063] Thus, in the mounted state of the system 101 on the deck 111 of the boat 100, the wing 1 can rotate around its longitudinal (vertical) axis so as to orient itself relative to the direction of the apparent wind.

[0064] In the configuration of use of the system where the wing 1 is erected on the deck of the ship by means of its support 4, the support 4 is fixed relative to the deck. In the example illustrated in the figures, the support is in the form of a set of several feet. The support can be covered with a hood or cladding.

[0065] The system comprises an orientation mechanism, such as an orientation ring 2, interposed between the wing 1 (preferably the lower face 103 of the wing) and the support 4, and configured to allow the wing 1 to rotate, around its pivot axis, which is substantially parallel to the axis A1, relative to the support 4. In the example illustrated in the figures, the orientation mechanism comprises a central opening which is positioned opposite the air inlet opening 301 of the centrifugal fan 3, i.e. the air inlet opening of the impeller 30.

[0066] In the example illustrated in the figures, the centrifugal fan 3 is contained in the imaginary envelope which surrounds the support 4. In other words, the fan 3 is located in the overall size of the support 4, which makes it possible to limit the size of the system 101 on the deck of the boat.

[0067] According to an embodiment not illustrated in the figures, the wing is provided with a vertical lift generating device, mounted near one and / or the other of the ends of the wing. Preferably, the vertical lift generating device has a flat or profiled surface generating vertical lift. The vertical lift generating device may comprise at least one part which is mounted to move around an axis substantially orthogonal to the axis of the wing to allow at least one part of the vertical lift generating device to be inclined relative to the wing.

[0068] It can be provided that the system 101 comprises a tilting mechanism which allows the wing, and possibly its support, to be tilted around a horizontal axis.

[0069] The tilting system allows the wing, and possibly its support, to be moved between an upright position, in which, in the mounted state of the system on the deck of the boat, it extends perpendicular to the deck of the boat, and a tilted position, in which, in the mounted state of the system on the deck of the boat, the wing extends substantially parallel to the deck of the boat.

[0070] The invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings.

[0071] Furthermore, the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps. Furthermore, features or steps that have been described with reference to one of the embodiments set forth above may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other embodiments set forth above.

Claims

Claims

1. 1. A lift generating system (101) intended to be placed in moving air (FI) in order to produce a lift force, the lift generating system (101) comprising: - a hollow body, called a wing (1), elongated along an axis (Al), the peripheral wall (10) of the wing having at least one opening (12), called a suction opening, adapted to communicate the exterior of the wing with the interior (102) of the wing (1); and - a suction device for sucking air through said at least one suction opening (12);characterized in that the lift generating system (101) comprises a support (4) on which the wing (1) is pivotally mounted about an axis substantially parallel to the axis (A1) of the wing, and said suction device comprises a fan (3) located outside the wing (1) and in fluid communication with the inside (102) of the wing (1) to suck air through said at least one suction opening (12) of the wing and discharge the sucked air through an outlet of the fan (3), the fan (3) comprising a wheel (30), surrounded by a casing (31) which defines around the wheel a conduit for guiding the air discharged by the wheel, and a motor for driving the wheel (30) in rotation about an axis substantially parallel to the axis (A1) of the wing, the casing (31) of the fan (3) having an outlet (32) of axis (A32) substantially orthogonal to the axis (A30) of the fan wheel (30).;

2. 2. System (101) according to claim 1, in which the lower end of the wing (1) is provided with an adaptation wall (13) in which an opening is formed which communicates with the fan (3).

3. 3. System (101) according to claim 2, wherein the adaptation wall (13) is provided with an annular element (130) which extends around the opening of the adaptation wall (13) and on the inside of the wing (1), the section of said annular element (130) having a curved profile, for example convex, to limit the pressure losses of the air flow between the wing (1) and the fan (3).

4. 4. A lift generating system according to any preceding claim, wherein the fan (3) is contained in a imaginary envelope which surrounds the support (4).

5. 5. System (101) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fan (3) is a centrifugal fan.

6. 6. System (101) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fan (3) is a helico-centrifugal fan.

7. 7. System (101) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the wing (1) is provided with a vertical lift generating device, mounted near one and / or the other of the ends of the wing.

8. 8. System (101) according to claim 7, in which the vertical lift generating device comprises at least one part which is mounted to move around an axis substantially orthogonal to the axis (Al) of the wing.

9. 9. System (101) according to any one of claims 7 or 8, in which the vertical lift generating device comprises a suction system for sucking outside air towards the inside of the wing.

10. 10. System (101) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the peripheral wall (10) of the wing (1) is provided with a flap (14) movable relative to the peripheral wall (10) to allow the separation of the extrados air flow and the intrados air flow.

11. 11. System (101) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the peripheral wall (10) of the wing (1) has two suction openings (12), and a closing system, such as a flap (14), to allow one of the suction openings (12) to be selectively closed and the other suction opening (12) to be released.

12. 12. System (101) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the casing (31) of the fan (3) is extended by a discharge pipe of variable section, the section preferably decreasing towards the outlet end of the discharge pipe.

13. 13. System (101) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the system (101) comprises a tilting system making it possible to tilt the wing, and possibly its support, around an axis substantially orthogonal to the axis (Al) of the wing, preferably substantially horizontal.

14. 14. Boat (100) comprising at least one lift generating system (101) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the wind- The fan (3) is located between the wing (1) and the deck (111) of the boat.

15. 15. Boat (100) according to the preceding claim, in which the axis (A32) of the outlet (32) of the casing (31) of the fan (3) is directed towards the rear of the boat, preferably substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the boat.

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