WINCH SYSTEM FOR SAILING BOATS

Description

Winch system for sailing boats DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a winch system for boats sailing. In sailing boats, especially racing boats. 5 It is known to use a winch drive system through columns equipped with cranks that are quickly rotated by hand by one or two sailors. These columns, also known by the English term coffee grinders (coffee grinder) can be equipped with equipment to accumulate energy sufficient to meet particular energy peaks required for the 10 winch drives. An example of such devices is described in DE102008044010A1. In the document it is presented a winch system in which the columns can be selectively connected to a hydraulic pump which in turn accumulates energy in the form of fluid in pressure through a spring-loaded pressure accumulator. As needed 15 the pressure accumulator can discharge energy towards the winches by powering them pressurized fluid discharged from the accumulator one or more hydraulic motors. A major drawback of this technology is that the system hydraulic energy storage involves increasing resistance as the pressure in the storage tank. As normally in the operation of a 20 winches the first few meters of recovered rope or sheet offer modest resistance while the subsequent meters involve an increasing resistance this system implies that the increasing resistance opposed by a rope retrieved from the drum the winch adds to the increasing resistance opposed to the hydraulic pump from the pressure accumulator. It follows that the use of this system is anything but 25 which is optimal. In other systems, described for example in WO1996011841A1, EP1650124A1, EP2058225A1, US20020098930A1 or DE102008043388A1, the motion is transmitted from the column to the winch drum via mechanical transmission means. solution has the disadvantage that the mechanical means must be designed in 5 function of the specific geometry of each vessel. Furthermore, the presence of obstacles or large distances between the column and the winch considerably increases the complexity, weight and size of the vehicles making up the kinematic chain of transmission of motion. The technical problem underlying the present invention is to provide a 10 winch system for sailing boats structurally and functionally designed to at least partially overcome the drawbacks mentioned with reference to to the known technique cited. In the context of this problem it is an object of the invention to develop a winch system particularly suitable for use in regattas. 15 Another object of the invention is to provide a system of winch in which the resistance opposed by the energy storage system decreases as increase the resistance offered by the winch drum. A further object of the invention is to enable rapid accumulation of significant quantities of energy and an equally massive and rapid release of 20 energy on demand. Another object of the invention is to provide a winch system energy efficient. This problem is solved and these goals are achieved at least in part by a winch system for sailing vessels made in accordance with some 25 at least of the characteristics which are the subject of the attached claims. According to a first embodiment of the invention a winch system for sailing boats includes at least one winch, preferably at least one means of manually operating a winch drum, preferably at least one motor for non-manual operation of the winch drum, and preferably 5 at least one power generator connectable to said at least one means of manual and / or winch drum operation. Preferably, the winch system further comprises at least one accumulator of energy, preferably connectable to the generator to accumulate at least part of the energy generated by said manual drive means and / or by the drum of the 10 winch and supply it as needed to the non-manual drive motor. Preferably the non-manual motor is an electric motor. Preferably the generator is an electric generator. Preferably the energy storage device is a electric accumulator. It will be appreciated that the electric generator drive is better balanced 15 compared to that provided by hydraulic energy storage systems in which the resistance increases as the pressure of the compressed fluid increases. Furthermore, the engine, the generator and the possible accumulator can be connected between them via electrical wiring that can be easily adapted to the specific geometry of each vessel, with minimum weight and size. 20 In a further preferred solution the accumulator comprises a super capacitor or a battery of super capacitors. According to an important aspect of the invention the generator is of the current type continues or includes a DC converter. Alternatively, the converter in direct current it can be integrated into the electric motor or into a circuit that 25 connects the generator to the electric motor. In embodiments, the winch system includes a column at the which can be associated with at least one manual operating means. Preferably, the electric generator is housed in the column. In this way you get a compact system and simplify the installation of the system on board 5 of the vessel. In embodiments, the column extends longitudinally between a first end to which at least one manual operating means and a second end configured for attachment to the deck of the boat. Preferably, the electric generator is housed in the first end of the 10 column. In this way the generator can be placed close to the vehicle. manual operation. Alternatively, the electric generator can be mounted on the second end of the column, preferably in a position such that - when the column is fixed to the blanket – the generator is located under the blanket. This way 15 the center of gravity of the system is lowered. In embodiments, the at least one manual actuation means comprises a pair of cranks mounted at opposite ends of a shaft Rotatable support on the column. The electric generator can be connected to the tree, preferably with the interposition of a multiplier. These 20 features contribute to a compact and easy-to-use system installation. In a preferred example, the generator or any multiplier is keyed to the tree. Alternatively, the generator or any multiplier can be connected to the shaft by mechanical transmission means, for example of the type 25 belt or chain. In one aspect of the invention, the electric motor is of the reversible regenerative type. configured to act as an auxiliary electric generator when towed by the winch drum. Preferably, the electric battery can be connected to the engine electric to store at least part of the energy generated through the engine 5 electric when the electric motor acts as an auxiliary electric generator. In This way it is possible to recover at least part of the energy released by leaving the top or sheet, and deliver it to the electric motor as needed. It is specified that, in this context, "manual operation" means preferably a hand-operated or foot-operated operation. 10 The features and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the description. detailed description of one of his favorite but not exclusive examples of his realization illustrated, for illustrative but not limiting purposes, with reference to the attached drawings in which: - Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a winch system for 15 sailing vessels according to an embodiment of this invention; - Fig. 2 is a sectional view of a particular part of a winch system for sailing vessels according to an embodiment hereof invention. 20 In the figures a winch system for sailing boats 10 is overall indicated with 1. It preferably comprises one or more winches 2 on whose drum 3 a sheet or rope 20 can be wrapped to hold, haul in or release the the aforementioned sheet or rope, depending on the maneuver desired for the government of the vessel 10. A winch drum 3 is preferably connected to a 25 transmission 4, for example a mechanical transmission with rotating shafts 5, which does end of a column 6 of the coffee grinder type. Column 6 comprises preferably connecting means 18, for example of the bolted type, for the fixing to the deck of the boat 10. It is understood that each winch can be connected to multiple columns or that a 5 the same column can be connected to multiple winches according to construction schemes known in themselves in the specific technical sector. It is also understood that winch 2 can be at a or more speeds, preferably via a mechanical gearbox housed in the transmission 4 and which can be of the one-way rotation type or reversible, also in this case according to schemes known in the technical sector 10 reference. Preferably each column 6 is provided with an actuation means manual 7, for example a pair of cranks mounted opposite each other end of a shaft 8 rotatably supported on its respective column. One or two crew members working on the coffee grinder, turning the 7 cranks in 15 one direction or the opposite one rotate the drum 3 by means of the transmission 4. In the columns 6 there is also housed an energy generator electric 13, preferably connected to the shaft 8 with the interposition of a multiplier 11 preferably of the epicyclic type. Generator 13 may be always engaged on shaft 8 or selectively excludable via a coupling. 20 An example of a suitable generator is an alternator with a magnet stator permanent or inductive winding, capable of generating as a function of rotation alternating current electricity. In this case, it is preferable for the embodiment of the present invention that the current generated is of the type continuous, a rectification circuit may be provided downstream of the alternator 25 or DC converter 14. Each winch 2 is also equipped with a motor 15, non-manual, preferably an electric motor, for example, of the reversible regenerative type, that is, capable of act as a DC generator when towed by the winch drum 2. Alternatively, the 6-motor could be made more traditionally with a 5 gearmotor preferably with worm screw or similar type capable of unidirectional rotation and locking if conducted in counter rotation. In a preferred embodiment the power generator 13 is connectable to at least one energy accumulator 16 for accumulating at least part of the energy generated through manual operation of generator 13. In a solution 10 preferred the accumulator is made of one or more super capacitors 17 connected in parallel. The choice of this storage system is preferred because the super capacitors accept very high charging and discharging currents and therefore allow you to absorb and above all supply high energy peaks in short times reduced. Furthermore, when a capacitor is connected to a voltage source, 15 begins to accumulate electrostatic charge. During charging, a static charge circulates in the circuit. current that decreases over time. This is because the internal electric field of the capacitor opposes the passage of charges. The more the capacitor is charged (i.e., the more the potential difference between its plates increases), the more the electric field is intense. 20 Once the potential difference between the plates of the capacitor equals the value of the potential difference provided by the generator, the current cancels out completely and the capacitor behaves as an energy “reservoir”, which can be returned during the download process. The decrease in charging current as the charge accumulated on the batteries increases 25 armatures leads to a decrease in the torque resisting the rotation of the cranks of the column. It follows that the maximum resistant torque is opposite to the cranks in the initial phase of charging the capacitor, while they recover meters of rope without it offering any effective resistance. on the contrary, in the next phase of adjusting the tension of the rope wrapped around the 5 drum, when the resistance opposed by the top is maximum, the torque drops resistance opposed by generator 13 due to the decrease in the current capacitor charging. The column's operation is therefore much better balanced with respect to that expected through energy storage systems hydraulics in which the resistance increases as the pressure of the compressed fluid increases. 10 The energy thus accumulated can be returned by the capacitor during this phase in which there may be voltage peaks in the top to be regulated which are thus absorbed in whole or in part by the electric motor through the current capacitor discharge. In embodiments, the winch system includes a winch device 15 control, preferably of an electronic type. The control device may include a button, keypad, or other human-machine interface. Preferably, the control device is configured to control the engine electric winch depending on an input. The input can come from a user by operating the control device. 20 In embodiments, the control device is configured to control the electric motor of the winch, for example to adjust the tension of the rope, according to a automatic mode based on parameters detected by one or more sensors. for example, the winch may include a sensor configured to detect the load transmitted from the top. Additionally, one or more configured sensors may be provided 25 to detect the direction and / or speed of the wind, the course, the sailing speed and / or the inclination of the vessel. This way you get feedback on control that can be used to control the winch according to the mode automatic. Preferably, the automatic mode can be activated via an input from the control device. This reduces the need for human intervention, thus obtaining a 5 high comfort in steering the vessel and at the same time increases the speed and repeatability of maneuvers. Management of the charging and discharging current of the electric battery (in the preferred example, the super capacitor bank), is preferably parameterized as follows. 10 Preferably, the control device is configured to compare a indicative parameter of the electrical energy produced by the electric generator and a indicative parameter of the electrical energy required by the electric motor. Preferably, the electric accumulator is configured to store energy electric when the electric energy produced by the electric generator is greater than 15 that required by the electric motor. Preferably, the winch system is configured to haul a line in function of an input from the control device. The electrical energy to screw the top can be delivered under conditions of electric motor triggering and / or in electricity compensation conditions to compensate for the generator in 20 particular in conditions of peak electrical power required (power boost). Preferably, the winch system is configured to release the line in operation of an input from the control device. During the release, the electric motor is preferably dragged by the winch drum rotating opposite to the rotation produced to pull the top. In embodiments, the system of 25 winch is configured to control the slack, for example in terms of speed of rotation of the winch drum and / or in terms of drag resistance of the drum. Preferably, the electric winch motor is configured to generate electrical energy when it is dragged by the winch drum during the easing. In other words, when the winch operates in release control, the electric motor 5 of the winch can act as an electric generator. Preferably, the winch system is configured to recover energy electric generated by the electric motor when the winch is dragged during the The electrical energy thus generated can be stored in the battery.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Winch system (1) for sailing boats, comprising at least one winch (2), at least one manual drive means (7) of a winch drum, at least one non-manual drive motor (15) of the winch drum, and at least one power generator (13) connectable to said at least one manual drive means (7), wherein said non-manual drive motor (15) is an electric motor, and said power generator (13) is an electric generator.

2. Winch system (1) according to claim 1, comprising at least one energy accumulator (16) connectable to the energy generator to accumulate at least part of the energy generated through said manual actuation means (7) and supply it as needed to the non-manual actuation motor (15), wherein said energy accumulator (16) is an electrical accumulator.

3. Winch system (1) according to claim 2, wherein said electrical accumulator comprises a super capacitor (17).

4. Winch system (1) according to claim 3, wherein said electric accumulator comprises a super capacitor bank (17).

5. Winch system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said electric generator is of the direct current type.

6. Winch system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said electric generator or said electric motor or a circuit connecting said electric generator to said electric motor comprises a direct current converter (14).

7. Winch system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a column (6) with which said at least one manual operating means (7) is associated, said electric generator being housed in the column (6).

8. Winch system (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said at least one manual operating means (7) comprises a pair of cranks mounted at the opposite ends of a shaft (8) rotatably supported on the column (6), said electric generator being connected to said shaft (8).

9. Winch system (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said electric generator 10 is connected to said shaft (8) with the interposition of a multiplier (11).

10. Winch system (1) according to any of the preceding claims when dependent on claim 2, wherein said electric motor is of the reversible regenerative type configured to act as an auxiliary electric generator 15 when towed by the winch drum (2), said electric accumulator being connectable to said electric motor to accumulate at least part of the energy generated through said electric motor when said electric motor acts as an auxiliary electric generator.