Sailing propulsion element comprising a watertight bulkhead separating lower and upper inflatable boxes, and lower and upper air injection devices

Abstract

This sail propulsion element (6) comprises: - a mast (8); - an inflatable sail (10) internally delimiting an inflatable cavity; - a head (12); - a sail receptacle (14); - at least one watertight partition (22) separating in the inflatable cavity a lower inflatable box (28) and an upper inflatable box (24); - at least one upper air injection device (32) capable of injecting air into the upper inflatable box (24); and - at least one lower air injection device (30) capable of injecting air into the lower inflatable box (28). Figure for the abstract: Fig 2

Description

Title of the invention: Sailing propulsion element comprising a watertight partition separating lower and upper inflatable boxes, and lower and upper air injection devices Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle with sail propulsion and is in the field of sail propulsion or hybrid sail propulsion.

[0002] In particular, the invention relates to a sail propulsion element. Previous techniques

[0003] A sail propulsion element intended to equip a sail-powered vehicle and described in document WO 2022 / 248812 is known from the state of the art.

[0004] The sail propulsion element described in this document comprises a mast, an inflatable sail provided with a plurality of cells spaced apart by ribs made of a flexible material allowing air to pass through, at least one air duct arranged between the inside and the outside of the inflatable sail, at least one means for injecting air into the inflatable sail, a headpiece and a sail receptacle.

[0005] The lowering, consisting of lowering the sail, and the hoisting, consisting of raising the sail, of the sail propulsion element described in document WO 2022 / 248812 have proven to be improvable. Indeed, checking the correct positioning of the inflatable sail during these two operations has proven necessary.

[0006] The invention aims at better control of the lowering and hoisting of an inflatable sail. Statement of the invention

[0007] The invention relates to a sail propulsion element comprising:

[0008] a mast;

[0009] an inflatable sail internally delimiting an inflatable cavity, the sail comprising an upper part, a lower part, a leading edge and a trailing edge, the sail comprising different curves forming bulges,

[0010] a headboard arranged on the upper part of the sail;

[0011] a sail receptacle disposed on the lower part of the sail;

[0012] at least one watertight partition separating an inflatable box in the inflatable cavity lower and an upper inflatable box;

[0013] at least one upper air injection device capable of injecting air into the upper inflatable box; and

[0014] at least one lower air injection device capable of injecting air into the lower inflatable box.

[0015] Said lower and upper air injection devices make it possible to independently inflate the upper and lower inflatable boxes which are separated by said watertight bulkhead, and therefore to better control the hoisting and lowering of the inflatable sail, in particular by carrying out the hoisting and lowering of the inflatable sail sequentially, inflatable box by inflatable box.

[0016] The leading edge is the forward portion of an airfoil. The leading edge hosts the stopping point where the flow of an incident fluid separates into two.

[0017] The trailing edge is the rear part of the aerodynamic profile considered in the direction of fluid flow.

[0018] The headpiece at least partially matches the upper contour of the sail.

[0019] The sail receptacle is capable of receiving the lowered sail. It can integrate other functions such as the absorption of tension forces provided by the sail, the housing of actuators, sensors, or a control unit for the inflatable sail.

[0020] Optionally, said watertight bulkhead may comprise a rigid racket. Said rigid racket makes it possible to place said watertight bulkhead in the sail receptacle.

[0021] Said watertight bulkhead provided with said rigid racket allows reefing by folding the inflatable sail from below up to said watertight bulkhead.

[0022] A reefing consists of reducing the surface area of ​​a sail by folding it partially from the bottom, in order to adapt the surface area of ​​the sail to the force of the wind.

[0023] The mast can be telescopic or inextensible.

[0024] When the mast is telescopic, it is made up of different elements capable of sliding successively relative to each other to deploy or retract.

[0025] When the mast is telescopic, the head is integral with the upper element of the telescopic mast and is capable of retaining a degree of freedom in rotation around a longitudinal axis of the mast, the upper element of the mast being capable of rotating around the longitudinal axis or the head being capable of rotating around the mast.

[0026] When the mast is inextensible, the head is movable along the mast.

[0027] The telescopic or inextensible mast may be free to rotate relative to said hull. Alternatively, the mast may be fixed at least in rotation relative to said hull.

[0028] The inflatable sail is attached to the headboard so as to descend or rise at the same time as the headboard.

[0029] The headboard has sufficient rigidity to transmit various physical forces from the inflatable sail to the mast and to support the weight of the inflatable sail.

[0030] The sail rotation control unit may be configured to control the angle of the sail relative to the wind.

[0031] The control unit may also be capable of controlling the hoisting and lowering of the inflatable sail.

[0032] The inflatable sail may comprise two canvases connected together around their perimeter and forming the inflatable cavity.

[0033] Each canvas of the inflatable sail can have a weight between 50 and 300 g.m2.

[0034] Advantageously, the sail propulsion element comprises at least one intermediate air injection device arranged in an opening formed in said watertight partition, said intermediate air injection device being capable of circulating air between the lower inflatable box and the upper inflatable box through said watertight partition.

[0035] Advantageously, the sail propulsion element comprises at least one additional watertight partition defining in the inflatable cavity at least one intermediate inflatable box, and at least one additional intermediate air injection device arranged in an opening formed in said additional watertight partition, said additional intermediate air injection device being capable of circulating air between the inflatable boxes lower and upper than said additional watertight partition through said additional watertight partition.

[0036] Thus, the upper, intermediate and lower inflatable boxes can be inflated independently, and therefore the hoisting and lowering of the inflatable sail can be better controlled.

[0037] Optionally, at least one of said air injection devices is provided with a valve capable of preventing the circulation of air through said air injection device.

[0038] Optionally, at least one of said air injection devices is reversible.

[0039] Advantageously, the sail propulsion element comprises at least one pressure detector means arranged in one of said inflatable boxes.

[0040] The control unit may be capable of controlling the operation of the air injection devices as a function of signals from said pressure detector means.

[0041] The control unit may also be capable of controlling the hoisting and lowering of the inflatable sail as a function of signals from said pressure detector means.

[0042] The present invention also relates to a vehicle with sail propulsion or hybrid propulsion comprising at least one hull, at least one sail propulsion element as defined above, the mast of said sail propulsion element being integral with said hull, the inflatable sail of said sail propulsion element being free to rotate.

[0043] The present invention also relates to a method for hoisting an inflatable sail of a sail propulsion element as defined above, comprising at least:

[0044] injecting air into the upper inflatable box by means of the upper air injection device;

[0045] hoisting a part of the inflatable sail;

[0046] injecting air into the lower inflatable box by means of the lower air injection device; and

[0047] the complete hoisting of the inflatable sail.

[0048] In an embodiment in which the sail propulsion element comprises at least one intermediate air injection device disposed in an opening formed in said watertight bulkhead, the method may comprise injecting air into the upper inflatable box by means of the upper and intermediate air injection devices.

[0049] Optionally, the intermediate air injection device allows air to circulate through said watertight bulkhead when the inflation sail is fully hoisted.

[0050] Thus, the pressure is uniform between the inflatable box lower than said watertight partition and the inflatable box upper than said watertight partition.

[0051] Optionally, the method comprises injecting air into the upper inflatable box by means of the upper air injection device and / or injecting air into the lower inflatable box by means of the lower air injection device when the inflatable sail is fully hoisted.

[0052] The present invention also relates to a method for lowering an inflatable sail of a sail propulsion element as defined above, comprising at least:

[0053] extracting air from the lower inflatable box by means of the lower air injection device;

[0054] lowering a part of the inflatable sail;

[0055] extracting air from the upper inflatable box by means of the upper air injection device; and

[0056] the complete lowering of the inflatable sail.

[0057] In an embodiment in which the sail propulsion element comprises at least one intermediate air injection device disposed in an opening formed in said watertight bulkhead, the method may comprise extracting air from the lower inflatable box by means of the lower and intermediate air injection devices. Brief description of the drawings

[0058] The present invention will be better understood upon studying the detailed description of embodiments, taken as non-limiting examples and illustrated by the appended drawings in which:

[0059] [Fig.l] is a front view of a sail-powered vehicle according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention;

[0060] [Fig.2] is a side view of the inflatable sail of the sail-powered vehicle of [Fig.l];

[0061] [Fig.3] is a schematic representation of a hoisting method according to the invention; and

[0062] [Fig.4] is a schematic representation of a lowering method according to the invention. Detailed description

[0063] [Fig.l] illustrates a sail-powered vehicle 2, for example a sailboat or a ship, comprising a hull 4 and a sail-powered element 6. Alternatively, the sail-powered vehicle 2 could comprise several hulls 4, for example when the sail-powered vehicle 2 is a catamaran or a trimaran.

[0064] The sail propulsion element 6 comprises a self-supporting mast 8 secured to the hull 4 by a support (not shown), an inflatable sail 10, a head 12 and a sail receptacle 14.

[0065] The inflatable sail 10 internally delimits an inflatable cavity. The inflatable sail 10 here comprises two canvases 16 connected to each other around their periphery so that the mast 8 extends longitudinally between the two canvases 16. The inflatable sail 10 comprises an upper part, a lower part, a leading edge and a trailing edge.

[0066] The head 12 is arranged on the upper part of the inflatable sail 10, the sail receptacle 14 being arranged on the lower part of the inflatable sail 10. The head 12 is supported by the mast 8. The head 12 is here fixed to the upper end of the mast 8. The sail receptacle 14 is fixed to the support.

[0067] The sail receptacle 14 is fixed to the support. As will be described in more detail later, the head 12 is movable relative to the sail receptacle 14 which is fixed.

[0068] The sail receptacle 14 extends from the leading edge to the trailing edge. The sail receptacle 14 is intended to receive all or part of the inflatable sail 10 when it is lowered.

[0069] The inflatable sail 10 is made free to rotate relative to the hull 4 of the sail-powered vehicle 2 by any suitable means. In particular, the sail-powered element 6 comprises a control unit 17 (shown schematically) of the inflatable sail 10 capable of modifying the orientation of the inflatable sail 10 relative to the hull 4 of the sail-powered vehicle 2 in order to optimize or regulate the aerodynamic thrust generated by the inflatable sail 10.

[0070] Each of the two canvases 16 is, for example, made of a material, in particular textile, coated to meet conditions of mechanical resistance, sealing, and protection against fire and UV radiation.

[0071] The two canvases 16 connected together form a closed inflatable cavity. The inflatable sail 10 comprises a plurality of partitions 18 made of a flexible material and each extending in the inflatable cavity from the leading edge to the trailing edge. The partitions 18 delimit in the inflatable cavity a plurality of cells 20 in the direction of the span of the inflatable sail 10. The partitions 18 are fixed to the inflatable sail 10, for example by sewing, welding or gluing, and give the inflatable sail 10 different curves forming bulges. At least one partition 18, and here three partitions 18, are made of a waterproof material so as to form waterproof partitions 22. The waterproof material of the waterproof partitions 22 is, for example, a material, in particular textile, coated to meet conditions of mechanical strength, waterproofing, and fire protection.The other partitions 18 are made of a permeable material so as to allow air to circulate through the other partition 18 in question.

[0072] Optionally, at least one or each watertight bulkhead 22 may comprise a rigid racket, in order to press the watertight bulkhead 22 concerned into the sail receptacle 14 and to allow reefing.

[0073] The inflatable sail 10 here has a profile which remains permanently symmetrical when it is inflated, and this independently of the movement of the sail-powered vehicle 2, the orientation of the inflatable sail 10, the direction and intensity of the wind. Alternatively, an asymmetrical profile of the inflatable sail 10 could be provided when it is inflated.

[0074] As illustrated more visibly in [Fig.2], the three watertight partitions 22 separate the cavity into an upper inflatable box 24, two intermediate inflatable boxes 26, and a lower inflatable box 28.

[0075] The sail propulsion element 6 comprises a lower air injection device 30, in particular reversible, for example a reversible fan, mounted on the sail receptacle 14 and in fluid communication with the lower inflatable box 28. The lower air injection device 30 is capable of injecting air into the lower inflatable box 28. When the lower air injection device 30 is reversible, it is capable of extracting air from the lower inflatable box 28.

[0076] The sail propulsion element 6 comprises an upper air injection device 32, in particular reversible, for example a reversible fan, mounted on the sail receptacle 14 and in fluid communication with the upper inflatable box 24. The upper air injection device 32 is capable of injecting air into the upper inflatable box 24. When the upper air injection device 32 is reversible, it is able to extract air from the upper inflatable box 24.

[0077] Each watertight partition 22 is provided with an opening in which is arranged an intermediate air injection device 34, in particular a reversible one, for example a reversible fan. The intermediate air injection device 34 is mounted in a watertight manner through the opening. The intermediate air injection device 34 of each watertight partition 22 is able to circulate air through the opening of the watertight partition 22 considered between the inflatable box 26, 28 lower than the watertight partition 22 considered and the inflatable box 24, 26 upper than the watertight partition 22 considered.

[0078] The sail propulsion element 6 comprises a plurality of pressure detector means (not shown) each arranged in an inflatable box 24, 26, 28 of the inflatable sail 10 and capable of measuring the air pressure in the inflatable box 24, 26, 28 concerned.

[0079] The control unit 17 is capable of controlling the operation of the lower air injection device 34, the upper air injection device 32, and each intermediate air injection device 34 as a function of signals from the pressure detector means. The control unit 17 is also capable of controlling the hoisting and lowering of the inflatable sail 10 as a function of signals from the pressure detector means.

[0080] Each of the lower air injection devices 30, upper air injection devices 32, and intermediate air injection devices 34 is provided with a valve 36 capable of preventing the circulation of air through the air injection device 30, 32, 34 in question.

[0081] The control unit 17 is capable of controlling each valve 36 as a function of signals from the pressure detector means.

[0082] In the example shown, the inflatable sail 10 comprises three watertight partitions 22. Alternatively, the inflatable sail 10 could comprise a single watertight partition 22 separating in the inflatable cavity an upper inflatable box 24 and a lower inflatable box 28. The single watertight partition may comprise an opening for an air injection device or be devoid of an opening for an air injection device. Alternatively, the inflatable sail 10 could comprise a different number of watertight partitions 22, for example two watertight partitions 22 or four or more.

[0083] In the example shown, each watertight partition 22 is provided with an opening for an air injection device. Alternatively, each watertight partition 22 could comprise two openings each provided with a non-return valve, the two non-return valves allowing air to circulate in opposite directions in order to regulate the pressure in the inflatable cavity.

[0084] [Fig. 3] schematically illustrates a method of hoisting the inflatable sail 10 of the sail propulsion element 6.

[0085] In a step 38, we begin by injecting air into the upper inflatable box 24. In step 38, the upper air injection device 32 injects air into the upper inflatable box 24.

[0086] Optionally, during step 38, the intermediate air injection device 34 of the watertight reefing bulkhead 22 separating the upper inflatable box 24 from the intermediate inflatable box 26 adjacent thereto also injects air into the upper inflatable box. Thus, the intermediate and lower inflatable boxes 26, 28 remain pressed into the sail receptacle 14.

[0087] In step 38, a portion of the inflatable sail 10 is hoisted by continuing to inject air into the upper inflatable box 24 so that the air pressure in the upper inflatable box 24 is sufficient to maintain the upper inflatable box 24 in shape without risk of collapse. The hoisting of the inflatable sail 10 is controlled by the control unit 17 and is obtained by deploying the mast 8 which in the illustrated embodiment is telescopic. When hoisting the inflatable sail 10, the head 12 is movable relative to the fixed sail receptacle 14.

[0088] Then, during a step 40, the injection of air into the intermediate inflatable box 26 which is adjacent to the upper inflatable box 24 is carried out. For example, each intermediate air injection device 34 carries out an injection of air into the intermediate inflatable box 26 which is adjacent to the upper inflatable box 24. During step 40, the partial hoisting of the inflatable sail 10 is also continued and the injection of air into the upper inflatable box 24 is continued by means of the upper air injection device 32 in order to maintain constant the pressure in the upper inflatable box 24.

[0089] In a manner identical to step 40, the intermediate inflatable box 26 which is adjacent to the lower inflatable box 28 is then inflated.

[0090] Then, during a step 42, air is injected into the lower inflatable box 28. During step 42, the lower air injection device 30 injects air into the lower inflatable box 28.

[0091] Optionally, during step 42, the intermediate air injection device 34 of the watertight reefing bulkhead 22 separating the lower inflatable box 28 from the intermediate inflatable box 26 adjacent thereto also injects air into the lower inflatable box 28, the upper air injection device 30 injects air into the upper inflatable box 24 in order to maintain constant the pressure in the upper inflatable box 24. Alternatively, the valve 36 of the intermediate air injection device 34 of the watertight bulkhead 22 separating the lower inflatable box 28 of the intermediate inflatable box 26 adjacent to it is closed during step 42.

[0092] During step 42, the hoisting of the inflatable sail 10 continues until the inflatable sail 10 is completely hoisted.

[0093] When the inflatable sail 10 is fully hoisted, the injection of air into the upper inflatable box 24 is continued by means of the upper air injection device 32 and the injection of air into the lower inflatable box 28 by means of the lower air injection device 34 in order to maintain the air present in each inflatable box 24, 26, 28 at a nominal pressure, the nominal pressure corresponding to the pressure expected in the inflatable cavity when the inflatable sail 10 is fully hoisted and inflated. Thus, any possible air leakage from the inflatable cavity is compensated. Alternatively, the valves 36 of the lower and upper air injection devices 30, 32 are closed when the inflatable sail 10 is fully hoisted and inflated to the nominal air pressure.Alternatively, the injection of air into the upper inflatable box 24 is continued by means of the upper air injection device 32 when the inflatable sail 10 is fully hoisted and inflated, the valve 36 of the lower air injection device 34 being closed, or the injection of air into the lower inflatable box 28 is continued by means of the lower air injection device 34 when the inflatable sail 10 is fully hoisted and inflated, the valve 36 of the upper air injection device 32 being closed.

[0094] When the inflatable sail 10 is fully hoisted, the valve 36 of each intermediate air injection device 34 is open in order to allow air to circulate through the intermediate air injection device 34 in question. Thus, a constant air pressure is maintained in the inflatable cavity.

[0095] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates a method of lowering the inflatable sail 10 of the sail propulsion element 6.

[0096] In a step 44, air is first extracted from the lower inflatable box 28. In step 44, the lower air injection device 30 extracts air from the lower inflatable box 28.

[0097] Optionally, during step 44, the intermediate air injection device 34 of the watertight reefing bulkhead 22 separating the lower inflatable box 28 from the intermediate inflatable box 26 adjacent thereto also extracts air from the lower inflatable box. Alternatively, the valve 36 of the intermediate air injection device 34 of the watertight reefing bulkhead 22 separating the lower inflatable box 28 from the intermediate inflatable box 26 adjacent thereto is closed during step 44.

[0098] During step 44, a portion of the inflatable sail 10 is lowered by continuing to extract air from the lower inflatable box 28. The lowering of the sail inflatable sail 10 is controlled by the control unit 17 and is obtained by the retraction of the mast 8. When lowering the inflatable sail 10, the head 12 is movable relative to the fixed sail receptacle 14.

[0099] Next, in a step 46, air is extracted from the intermediate inflatable box 26 which is adjacent to the lower inflatable box 28. For example, each intermediate air injection device 34 extracts air from the intermediate inflatable box 26 which is adjacent to the lower inflatable box 28. In step 46, the partial lowering of the inflatable sail 10 is also continued and air is extracted from the lower inflatable box 28 by means of the lower air injection device 30 in order to keep the lower inflatable box 28 pressed against the sail receptacle 14.

[0100] In a manner identical to step 46, the intermediate inflatable box 26 which is adjacent to the upper inflatable box 24 is then deflated.

[0101] Then, during a step 48, air is extracted from the upper inflatable box 24. During step 48, the upper air injection device 32 extracts air from the upper inflatable box 24.

[0102] During step 48, the lowering of the inflatable sail 10 is continued until the inflatable sail 10 is completely lowered.

[0103] In the embodiments which have just been described, the mast 8 is telescopic and made up of different elements which slide successively against each other to deploy or retract. The head 12 is integral with the last element of the mast 8. Alternatively, the mast 8 could be inextensible, the head 12 then being movable along the mast 8. In another alternative, it could also be possible to combine a telescopic mast 8 and a head 12 which slides along this telescopic mast 8.

Claims

Claims

1. Sailing propulsion element (6) comprising: - a mast (8); - an inflatable sail (10) internally delimiting an inflatable cavity, the sail (10) comprising an upper part, a lower part, a leading edge and a trailing edge, the sail (10) comprising different curves forming bulges, - a head (12) arranged on the upper part of the sail (10); - a sail receptacle (14) arranged on the lower part of the sail (10); characterized in that it comprises: - at least one watertight partition (22) separating in the inflatable cavity a lower inflatable box (28) and an upper inflatable box (24); - at least one upper air injection device (32) capable of injecting air into the upper inflatable box (24); and - at least one lower air injection device (30) capable of injecting air into the lower inflatable box (28).

2. A sail propulsion element (6) according to claim 1, comprising at least one intermediate air injection device (34) arranged in an opening formed in said watertight partition (22), said intermediate air injection device (34) being capable of circulating air between the lower inflatable box (26, 28) and the upper inflatable box (24, 26) through said watertight partition (22).

3. Sailing propulsion element (6) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising at least one additional watertight partition (22) defining in the inflatable cavity at least one intermediate inflatable box (26), and at least one additional intermediate air injection device (34) arranged in an opening formed in said additional watertight partition (22), said additional intermediate air injection device (34) being capable of circulating air between the lower (26, 28) and upper (24, 26) inflatable boxes at said additional watertight partition (22) through said additional watertight partition (22).

4. A sail propulsion element (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one of said devices air injection device (30, 32, 34) is provided with a valve (36) capable of preventing the circulation of air through said air injection device (30, 32, 34).

5. Sailing propulsion element (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one of said air injection devices (30, 32, 34) is reversible.

6. Sailing propulsion element (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising at least one pressure detector means arranged in one of said inflatable boxes (24, 26, 28).

7. A sail propulsion element (6) according to claim 6, further comprising a control unit (17) capable of controlling the operation of the air injection devices (30, 32, 34) as a function of signals from said pressure detector means.

8. Vehicle (2) with sail propulsion or hybrid propulsion comprising at least one hull (4), at least one sail propulsion element (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the mast (8) of said sail propulsion element (6) being integral with said hull (4), the inflatable sail (10) of said sail propulsion element (6) being free to rotate.

9. Method for hoisting an inflatable sail (10) of a sail propulsion element (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising at least: - injecting air (38) into the upper inflatable box (24) by means of the upper air injection device (32); - hoisting (38) a portion of the inflatable sail (10); - injecting air (40) into the lower inflatable box (28) by means of the lower air injection device (30); and - hoisting the entire inflatable sail (10) (42).

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the sail propulsion element (6) comprises at least one intermediate air injection device (34) disposed in an opening formed in said watertight bulkhead (22), the method comprising injecting air into the upper inflatable box (24) by means of the upper and intermediate air injection devices (32, 34).

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the intermediate air injection device (34) allows air to circulate through said watertight bulkhead (22) when the inflation sail (10) is fully hoisted.

12. A method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, comprising injecting air into the upper inflatable box (24) by means of the upper air injection device (32) and / or injecting air into the lower inflatable box (28) by means of the lower air injection device (30) when the inflatable sail (10) is fully hoisted.

13. Method for lowering an inflatable sail (10) of a sail propulsion element (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising at least: - the extraction of air (44) from the lower inflatable box (28) by means of the lower air injection device (30); - the lowering (44) of a part of the inflatable sail (10); - the extraction of air (48) from the upper inflatable box (24) by means of the upper air injection device (32); and - the complete lowering (48) of the inflatable sail (10).

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the sail propulsion element (6) comprises at least one intermediate air injection device (34) disposed in an opening formed in said watertight bulkhead (22), the method comprising extracting air from the lower inflatable box (28) by means of the lower and intermediate air injection devices (30, 34).

Images