Wing mast with wind turbines for a ship

Abstract

A wing mast for a ship, in particular a yacht, is presented. The wing mast comprises at least one profiled element having a leading edge and a trailing edge extending in a span-wise direction between a tip and a root of the wing mast, the root being configured to be pivotably coupled to the ship. The wing mast further comprises at least one wind turbine comprising a rotor, wherein the rotor is rotatable around a rotor axis extending in a chord-wise direction of the at least one profiled element and is arranged at or upstream of the leading edge and / or at or downstream of the trailing edge of the at least one profiled element.

Description

[0001] WING MAST WITH WIND TURBINES FOR A SHIP

[0002] The present invention relates to a wing mast with wind turbines for a ship, a ship comprising such a wing mast and a method of operating such a ship.

[0003] Sailing ships use wind power for their propulsion and therefore present more sustainable transport solution than contemporary motorized ships depending on fossil -fuel. Some sailing ships have been equipped with wind turbines to generate electricity for use on board when the ship is or is not sailing. However, disadvantages are encountered in such situations. For example, wind turbines may interfere with rigging and / or sails of a ship. Various solutions have been proposed, including arranging a separate wind turbine at the bow or stem of the ship, or folding systems to prevent wind turbine rotors from cutting into other equipment of the ship when in use.

[0004] An objective of the present invention is to provide a ship capable of generating electricity from wind power that is improved over available technologies, or at least provides an alternative.

[0005] This object is achieved with a ship comprising a wing mast. The wing mast comprises at least one profiled element having a leading edge and a trailing edge extending in a span-wise direction between a tip and a root of the wing mast. The root is pivotably coupled to the ship to pivot about a span-wise direction of the wing mast. The wing mast further comprises at least one wind turbine comprising a rotor, wherein the rotor is rotatable around a rotor axis extending in a chord-wise direction of a first profiled element of the at least one profiled element of the wing mast and is arranged at or upstream of the leading edge and / or at or downstream of the trailing edge of the first profiled element.

[0006] As the ship is equipped with a wing mast comprising a profiled element and the rotor of the wind turbine is arranged at or upstream of the leading edge and / or at or downstream of the trailing edge of said profiled element, the rotor does not conflict with any conventional sail or rigging. Further, as the wing mast is pivotably coupled to the ship, or at least configured to be pivotably coupled to a ship, the rotor of the wind turbine can readily be turned to the wind, even without actively pivoting the wing mast about the span-wise direction when the at least one profiled element of the wing mast acts as a weather vane. In particular when anchoring the ship, the present wing mast may thus efficiently generate electricity (i.e. electrical power) from wind without forcing the ship into undesired directions. The arrangement of the rotor(s) with the mast positions the rotors at a higher elevation, where winds are generally stronger. Further, no separate support is needed for the wind turbines, in which case the separate mast for sailing would present an obstacle for the wind from which the wind turbines are to generate electricity and the separate supports for the wind turbines would present an obstacle for catching wind in the sail of the ship.

[0007] The ship may further comprise a battery chargeable by electricity generated by the at least one wind turbine. To this end, the ship can be equipped with electric equipment and cables that are known as such in the field of power generation by wind turbines.

[0008] It is preferred that the ship is a yacht. However, other ships are also contemplated, such as transport vessels, ferries and cruise ships. The ship may comprise one or more than one hull. Multiple hulls may for example be employed in a catamaran. Each hull of the ship may be provided with one or more than one wing mast as disclosed herein. For example, a multi-hull ship may have one or more than one wing mast for each of its hulls. Whatever the number of hulls of a ship, multiple wing masts may be employed for the or each hull of the ship and may for example be arranged behind each other, next to each other or in a staggered pattern when viewed in a direction from bow to stem of the ship.

[0009] The present disclosure also relates to the wing mast on its own, which can be provided with a new ship or be arranged in retrofit on a pre-existing ship. The wing mast comprises:

[0010] - at least one profiled element having a leading edge and a trailing edge extending in a span-wise direction between a tip and a root of the wing mast; and

[0011] - at least one wind turbine comprising a rotor, wherein the rotor is rotatable around a rotor axis extending in a chord-wise direction of a first profiled element of the at least one profiled element and is arranged at least one of:

[0012] - at or upstream of the leading edge of the first profiled element; and

[0013] - at or downstream of the trailing edge of the first profiled element.

[0014] A wing mast is thus provided with at least one rotor arranged at or upstream of the leading edge of the first profiled element (such a rotor may be termed a leading -edge rotor). Further, a wing mast is provided with at least one rotor arranged at or downstream of the trailing edge of the first profiled element (such a rotor may be termed a trailing -edge rotor). Finally, a wing mast is provided which has both one or more than one leading-edge rotor as well one or more than one trailing-edge rotor. The number of leading -edge rotors and trailing -edge rotors on a single wing mast may be the same or may differ.

[0015] The profiled element may refer or be referred to as an aerofoil. Likewise, the rotor blade may refer or be referred to as an aerofoil. In an embodiment, the root is configured to be pivotably coupled to a ship. In this context, the axis about which the wing mast is pivotable extends parallel the span-wise direction of the wing mast. In other words, the root is pivotably couplable to the ship to pivot about the span-wise direction of the wing mast.

[0016] The span-wise direction is in an elongation direction of the wing mast from the root to the tip. A chord-wise direction extends between the leading and trailing edges of the wing mast.

[0017] It is preferred that at least the first profiled element is coupled to the root, though it is also possible that, when multiple profiled elements are employed, another profiled element or all of the at least one profiled element is / are coupled to the root.

[0018] Preferably, the (or each) rotor is arranged between the tip and the root of the wing mast. In such an arrangement, rotor blades of the rotor do not protrude beyond the tip and / or the root of the wing mast. Protruding rotor blades may disrupt the aerodynamics of the profiled element(s) of the wing mast.

[0019] Preferably, the rotor has two rotor blades arranged at diametrically opposite positions relative to the rotor axis. In this configuration, both rotor blades of the rotor can be positioned aligned with the span-wise direction of the wing mast, e.g. along the leading edge or the trailing edge of the first profiled element. These may then catch less wind and improve sailing efficiency of the wing mast. The rotor may comprise only these two rotor blades.

[0020] The wing mast may further comprise an alignment mechanism configured to lock the rotor in a position in which at least one of its rotor blades is aligned with the span-wise direction, e.g. the leading edge and / or the trailing edge of the first profiled element. When the rotor has the two rotor blades arranged at diametrically opposite positions relative to the rotor axis, both rotor blades can be aligned with the span-wise direction, e.g. the leading edge and / or the trailing edge of the first profiled element, and locked in this position using the alignment mechanism.

[0021] The at least one wind turbine may comprise a plurality of wind turbines distributed in the spanwise direction, e.g. along the leading and / or trailing edge of the first profiled element. The wing mast may thus comprise multiple wind turbines.

[0022] The wind turbine may comprise a feathering mechanism configured to adjust a pitch of the rotor blades. For example, the rotor blades may be set to a neutral position (e.g. a feathered position) when sailing and / or when these are not employed to generate electricity. Said neutral position may be employed for a rotor blade that is aligned with the span-wise direction, in particular the leading and / or trailing edge, e.g. by means of the alignment mechanism. The feathering mechanism also enables use of the rotor blades to optimise air flow around the at least one profiled element of the wind mast, especially when aligned with the leading and / or trailing edge.

[0023] One or more than one rotor blade of the rotor may be configured to act as a slat or a flap to the first profiled element of the wing mast. Preferably, the feathering mechanism is configured to adjust a pitch of each of the rotor blades independently. The rotor blades may perform a function similar to a slat and / or a flap of an airwing to improve propulsion. When the rotor blades are positioned upstream of the leading edge, a leading-edge slot is defined between the leading edge and the rotor blades. Similarly, when the rotor blades are positioned downstream of the trailing edge, a trailingedge slot is defined between the trailing edge and the rotor blades.

[0024] In an embodiment, the rotor comprises symmetric or uncambered rotor blades. A rotor blade has a front surface and a rear surface that may be symmetric relative to a centre line of the rotor blade, said centre line extending from a leading edge to a trailing edge of the rotor blade. A straight camber line can then be drawn between the front and rear surfaces of such a rotor blade. Front and rear surfaces refer to the acting surfaces of the rotor as an aerofoil. Symmetric front and rear surfaces may be preferred for the rotor blades to act as a slat and / or a flap for the first profiled element of the wing mast.

[0025] In another embodiment, the rotor comprises asymmetric or cambered rotor blades. The front surface and the rear surface of the rotor blade defined different curves relative to a centre line of the rotor blade, said centre line extending from a leading edge to a trailing edge of the rotor blade. A curved camber line can be drawn between the front and rear surfaces of such a rotor blade. Asymmetric front and rear surfaces may be preferred for the rotor blades to generate power from wind.

[0026] It is conceived that the rotor comprises both symmetric and cambered rotor blades. For example, two rotor blades arranged at diametrically opposite positions relative to the rotor axis may be symmetric to act as the slat when sailing the ship aligned with the leading or trailing edge of the (first) profiled element of the wing mast, while additional rotor blades with a camber may be positioned between these symmetric rotor blades. All rotor blades of the rotor, whether cambered or not, may be used to harvest power from wind when employing the wind turbines to generate power. The first profiled element may comprise a plurality of ribs, wherein at least one of the ribs is configured to accommodate one of the at least one wind turbine. Preferably, each wind turbine is accommodated in a rib of the wing mast. Following conventional terminology, a rib of the wing mast extends in the chord-wise direction, while a beam of the wing mast extends in the span-wise direction.

[0027] The at least one profiled element may comprise a second profiled element. The leading edge of the second profiled element may be pivotally coupled to the trailing edge of the first profiled element or the trailing edge of the second profiled element being pivotally coupled to the leading edge of the first profiled element. This can further improve propulsion generated by the wing mast. The second profiled element may be pivotally coupled to the plurality of ribs of the first profiled element.

[0028] The wing mast may further comprise a pivot mechanism configured to adjust a pivot angle between a chord-wise direction of the second profiled element relative to the chord-wise direction of the first profiled element. The second profiled element may perform a function similar to a flap or a slat of airwing to improve propulsion. Such second profiled element may be employed in stead of or in addition to the rotors of the wind turbines at either the leading edge, the trailing edge or both edges of the first profiled element.

[0029] The wing mast and / or the ship of the present disclosure may further comprise a controller. The controller is configured to generate instructions for, and to be communicatively connectable to, various elements of the wing mast, in particular one or more than one of the following:

[0030] - the root of the wing mast for adjusting a pivotal position of the wing mast about the span-wise direction;

[0031] - the alignment mechanism for locking and / or releasing at least one rotor of the wing mast;

[0032] - the feathering mechanism for adjusting the pitch of the rotor blades; and

[0033] - the pivot mechanism for adjusting the pivot angle of the second profiled element relative to the first profiled element.

[0034] The controller may further be configured to generate the instructions based on navigation data obtainable from a board computer of the ship indicative of at least one navigation parameter from a group comprising geographical location, speed, direction and / or sailing route of the ship. Alternatively or additionally, the controller may further be configured to generate the instructions based on environmental data obtainable from a board computer of the ship indicative of at least one environmental parameter from a group comprising wind speed, wind direction, water flow speed and / or water flow direction at the ship.

[0035] To this end, the controller may be communicatively connected by wire or in a wireless way to any of the board computer, a remote server, sensors on the ship and / or wing mast. The controller may be configured to communicate the instructions based on sensor values received from at least one of such sensors. The sensors may include a wind sensor and a water flow sensor. The controller may also receive input from a user interface, e.g. as part of the board computer, for the ship’s personnel.

[0036] Alternatively, the controller may be comprised by the ship to which the wing mast is coupled. It is also conceived that the controller is distributed between wing mast and ship, for example when implemented by a plurality of processors of which at least is positioned in the wing mast, e.g. processors related to the alignment mechanism and / or feathering mechanism, the other controller functions being performed by a board computer or other processor in the ship.

[0037] The present disclosure also relates to a method of operating a ship, or at least a wing mast of or for a ship, according to the present disclosure. The method comprises use of the wing mast to sail the ship and / or to generate electricity with the wind turbines of the wing mast. It is preferred that the method is computer-implemented.

[0038] The method may involve adjusting a pivotal position of the root of the wing mast about the spanwise direction, e.g. for sailing the ship or for positioning the rotors of the wind turbines to a wind direction.

[0039] The method may involve adjusting a pivot angle of the second profiled element relative to the first profiled element, e.g. to align the first and second profiled elements when the wing mast acts as a weather vane for the wind turbines or to set an appropriate wing mast profile when sailing.

[0040] The ship may employ the wing mast for sailing while at the same time employing the wind turbined to generate electricity. However, it is preferred to lock the rotors of the wind turbined when sailing and adjust the pitch of the rotor blades to improve sailing propulsion.

[0041] The method may thus comprise locking the rotor of the at least one wind turbine when a sailing instruction is received. Preferably, this involves locking the rotor in a position in which at least one rotor blade of the rotor is aligned with the span-wise direction, in particular the leading and / or trailing edge of the first profiled element, of the wing mast. Alternative or additionally, the method may comprise releasing the rotor of the at least one wind turbine when an anchoring instruction is received. This may allow electricity production by means of the wind turbine(s) when the ship is anchored.

[0042] Further, the wing mast may be pivoted about the span-wise direction when sailing and may be locked in a fixed pivotal position when anchoring (i.e. not sailing). A fixed wing mast position may act as a weather vane to direct the wind turbines to the wind. The ship may also drift due to the wind (and water flow) when anchored. When the ship is docked or in harbour, it may not be free to drift and the leading edge or the trailing edge of the first profiled element of the wing mast may be pivoted to the wind by means of the pivotably coupled root so that the wind turbines at or upstream of said leading edge and / or at or upstream of said trailing edge can generate electricity efficiently.

[0043] The method may comprise adjusting a pitch of at least one rotor blade of the rotor of the at least one wind turbine. This adjusting is preferably performed in dependency of whether the ship is sailing or not sailing, e.g. anchored.

[0044] The disclosure further provides a computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer of or for a ship as disclosed herein, cause the computer to carry out the method as disclosed herein.

[0045] Aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure are further explained with references to the following figures:

[0046] FIG. 1 shows an example of a wing mast with wind turbines;

[0047] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the wing mast of FIG. 1 ;

[0048] FIG. 3 shows a frontal view of the wing mast of FIG. 1 and 2;

[0049] FIG. 4A shows a frontal view of adjusting a pitch of the two rotor blades of a rotor of a wind turbine of a wing mast;

[0050] FIG. 4B shows the rotor of FIG. 4A in which the pitch of the two rotor blades has been adjusted to a neutral position;

[0051] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a wing mast with a rotor having two rotor blades;

[0052] FIG. 6A shows the cross-sections I and II of FIG. 5;

[0053] FIG. 6B shows the cross-sections of FIG. 6A in which the pitch of only the lower rotor blade has been adjusted;

[0054] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a further example of a wing mast with a rotor having two symmetric rotor blades in a wing slat orientation;

[0055] FIG. 8 shows the cross-sections III and IV of FIG. 7; FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the wing mast of FIG. 7 with the rotor blades in a power generation orientation;

[0056] FIG. 10 shows the cross-sections V and VI of FIG. 9;

[0057] FIG. 11 shows a ship with a wing mast comprising wind turbines;

[0058] FIG. 12 shows another example of a wing mast with wind turbines;

[0059] FIG. 13A shows the cross-sections VII and VIII of FIG. 12;

[0060] FIG. 13B shows the cross-sections of FIG. 13A in which the pitch of the two rotor blades has been adjusted;

[0061] FIG. 14 shows yet another example of a wing mast with wind turbines;

[0062] FIG. 15A shows the cross-sections IX and X of FIG. 14 in which the two rotor blades of the rotor at the leading edge act as slats of the wing mast; and

[0063] FIG. 15B shows the cross-sections of FIG. 15A in which the rotor blades of the rotor at the trailing edge act as flaps of the wing mast.

[0064] The following reference signs are used throughout.

[0065] 1 wing mast 14 rotor blade

[0066] 2 ship 15 rib

[0067] 3 profiled element. 16 second profiled element

[0068] 4 leading edge 17 pivot mechanism

[0069] 5 trailing edge IS pivot angle

[0070] 6 span-wise direction 19 alignment mechanism

[0071] 7 tip 20 feathering mechanism

[0072] 8 root 21 pitch angle

[0073] 9 wind turbine 22 controller

[0074] 10 rotor 23 bow

[0075] 11 rotor axis 24 stein

[0076] 12 chord- wise direction 25 front surface of rotor blade

[0077] 13 first profiled element 26 rear surface of rotor blade

[0078] In FIG. 1 - 3, a wing mast 1 is illustrated, in particular a wing mast 1 for a ship 2. The wing mast 1 comprises at least one profiled element 3 having a leading edge 4 and a trailing edge 5 extending in a span-wise direction 6 between a tip 7 and a root 8 of the wing mast 1, the root 8 being configured to be pivotably coupled to the ship 2. The wing mast 1 further comprises at least one wind turbine 9 comprising a rotor 10. The rotor 10 is rotatable around a rotor axis 11 extending in a chord-wise direction 12 of a first profiled element 13 of the at least one profiled element 3 and is arranged at or upstream of the leading edge 4 of the first profiled element 13. In the illustrated example, the rotor 10 has two rotor blades 14 arranged at diametrically opposite positions relative to the rotor axis 11. It is preferred that only two rotor blades 14 are provided for each rotor 10. Multiple wind turbines 9 are illustrated and these are distributed along the leading edge 4 of the wing mast 1 in the span-wise direction 6. In particular, a plurality of wind turbines 9 is arranged at or upstream of the leading edge 4 of the first profiled element 13. The wing mast 1 may also be implemented with one wind turbine 9.

[0079] Each wind turbine 9 is preferably accommodated in a rib 15 of the first profiled element 13. The rib 15 forms a housing of each wind turbine. This saves space and improves aerodynamic design of the wing mast 1.

[0080] The wing mast 1 is illustrated as comprising two profiled elements 3: the first profiled element 13 and a second profiled element 16. The leading edge 4 of the second profiled 16 element is pivotally coupled to the trailing edge 5 of the first profiled element 13. The second profiled element 16 can be seen as a flap of the wing mast 1. The wing mast 1 can further comprise a pivot mechanism 17 configured to adjust a pivot angle 18 between the chord-wise direction 12 of the second profiled element 16 relative to the chord-wise direction 12 of the first profiled element 13 (see also FIG. 5 - 6B). Pivoting mechanisms as such are known in the field of wing masts and therefore not further explained in detail here.

[0081] As particularly clear from the side view in FIG. 2, the wing mast 1 can further comprise an alignment mechanism 19 configured to lock each rotor 10 in a position, e.g. an aligned position, in which the two rotor blades 14 are aligned with the leading edge 4 of the first profiled element 13. Though only two rotor blades 14 are preferred, it is also possible to have a rotor 10 with three or more rotor blades 14, in which case the alignment mechanism 19 may be configured to lock the rotor 10 in a position in which at least one rotor blade 14 is aligned with the leading edge 4 of the first profiled element 13.

[0082] In the frontal view presented in FIG. 3, the rotors 10 are shown to rotate freely, i.e. unlocked or without the alignment mechanism 19 being activated or being present. In the side view of FIG. 2, all rotors 10 are the aligned position.

[0083] As is also clear from the viewpoint of FIG. 3, a width of the rotor blades 14 is preferably selected to be no larger than a width of the leading edge 4 of the first profiled element 13. The rotor blades 14 can then be aligned with the leading edge 4 without protruding beyond it. FIG. 4A and 4B show a frontal view of adjusting a pitch of the two rotor blades 14 of a rotor 10 of a wind turbine 9 of a wing mast 1. In FIG. 4A, the rotor 10 may be locked in the aligned position. The arrows indicate adjustment of the pitch of the two rotor blades 14. FIG. 4B shows the result of this adjustment: the two rotor blades 14 are in a neutral pitch position, also termed a feathered position.

[0084] To implement pitch adjustment functionality, the wind turbine 9 can comprise a feathering mechanism 20 configured to adjust a pitch of the rotor blades 14. It is particularly preferred that the feathering mechanism 20 is configured to adjust a pitch of each of the rotor blades 14 independently. Such configuration is further addressed in relation to FIG. 5 - 6B.

[0085] It is noted that feathering mechanisms 20 as such are known in the field of wind turbines and therefore not further explained in detail here.

[0086] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a wing mast 1 with a rotor 10 having two rotor blades 14. Two cross-sections are indicated: cross-section (I) through the rotor blade 14 nearest the tip 7 of the wing mast 1, further referred to as the top rotor blade 14, and cross-section (II) through the rotor blade 14 nearest the root 8 of the wing mast 1, further referred to as the bottom rotor blade 14. The rotor 10 is in the aligned position.

[0087] FIG. 6A shows the cross-sections I and II of FIG. 5 with the rotor 10 and its top and bottom rotor blade 14 as illustrated in FIG. 5. No adjustment of pitch of these rotor blades 14 has yet been performed. Arrows schematically indicate wind flow past the wind mast 1, from the rotor blades 14, via the first profiled element 13 to the second profiled element 16. The second profiled element 16 is set at a pivot angle 18 relative to the first profiled element 13. Though the wind profile is favourable in cross-section (I), turbulence is seen around the bottom rotor blade 14 in cross-section (II).

[0088] FIG. 6A shows the same cross-sections of FIG. 6A, but now the pitch of the lower rotor blade 14 has been adjusted. The pitch angle 21 has changed from FIG. 6A to that of FIG. 6B. All other positions and angles are the same as in FIG. 6A. The turbulence observed in cross-section (II) of FIG. 6A has now been reduced by adjusting the pitch of the bottom rotor blade 14 independently from the top rotor blade 14 of the same rotor 10. Both top and bottom rotor blades 14 can now perform a function similar to that of slats on airwings. Note that the top and bottom rotor blades 14 are not in a neutral or feathering position, but in an active position deliberately influencing air flow. The same or a similar feathering mechanism 20 may be employed for this pitch adjustment as for the pitch adjustment described above in relation to feathering of rotor blades 14.

[0089] As is clear from the example illustrated in FIG. 6A and 6B, independent pitch adjustment of rotor blades 14 of rotors 10 arranged on wing masts 1 for ships 2, enables optimisation of air flow around such wing masts 1. The rotors 10 of the wind turbines 9 then not only perform the valuable function of generating electricity when rotating, but may also be useful when not rotating, namely as slats for the wing mast 1 when sailing.

[0090] It is further considered to automate the pivot mechanism 17 of the second profiled element 16 and the alignment mechanism 19 of the rotor blades 14, separately or in combination, to optimise propulsion generated by the wing mast 1 when sailing or to optimise power generation by the wind turbines 9 of the wing mast 1 when anchoring or at least not sailing.

[0091] The rotor blades 14 of the rotors 10 shown in the figures discusses above, have a front surface 25 that is different from a rear surface 26. That is, these rotor blade 14 exhibit a camber. In contrast to such asymmetric or cambered rotor blades 14, symmetric or uncambered rotor blades 14 are illustrated in FIG. 7 - 10.

[0092] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a wing mast 1 with a rotor 10 having two symmetric rotor blades 14 in a wing slat orientation. FIG. 8 shows the cross-sections III and IV of FIG. 7. In these figures, the two rotor blades 14 of the rotor 10 are aligned with the leading edge 5 of the first profiled element 13 of the wing mast 1. Further, both rotor blades 14 are adjusted in pitch, e.g. by means of the feathering mechanism 20, to act as slats for the first profiled element 13 of the wing mast 1. The second profiled element 16 is pivoted over a pivot angle 18 to further improve propulsion generated by the wing mast 1 for sailing the ship 2.

[0093] As is particularly clear from FIG. 8, both rotor blades 14 are adjusted in pitch to have the same pitch angle 21 relative to the chord-wise direction 12. Both the upper and the lower rotor blade 14 may thus serve as slats.

[0094] FIG. 9 shows the same perspective view of the wing mast 1 of FIG. 7, but now with the rotor blades 14 in a power generation orientation. FIG. 10 shows the cross-sections V and VI of FIG. 9. The two rotor blades 14 of the rotor 10 each have an opposite pitch angle 21, e.g. the pitch angle of one of the rotor blades 14 being positive and the other being negative relative to the chord-wise direction 12. The second profiled element 16 may be aligned with the first profiled element 13 to further improve power generation by the wind turbine(s) 9 of the wing mast 1. The at least one profiled element 13, 16 may favourably serve as a weather vane to direct the wind turbines 9 to the wind.

[0095] The configuration of FIG. 7 and 8 may be referred to as a sailing mode of the wing mast 1 preferred when sailing with the wing mast 1. In contrast, the configuration of FIG. 9 and 10 may be referred to as a power generation mode of the wing mast 1 preferred when generating power with the wind turbine 9 of the wing mast 1.

[0096] It may further be observed that the pitch angle 21 of both rotor blades 14 may be adjusted, even independently, from the wing slat orientation of FIG. 6B or 8 to the power generation orientation of FIG. 6A or 10, and vice versa, in combination with or separately from any adjustment of the pivot angle 18 of the optional second profiled element 16 of the wing mast 1.

[0097] In FIG. 10, a wing mast 1 is shown as arranged on a ship 2, here illustrated as a yacht. The ship 2 comprises a board computer or controller 22. Alternatively, the controller 22 can be implemented remotely, e.g. for autonomous navigation of the ship 2. The wing mast 1 of the ship 2 may conform to any embodiment of the wing mast 1 disclosed herein.

[0098] The ship 2 comprises the wing mast 1 arranged between a bow 23 and a stem 24 of the ship 2. Multiple wing masts 1 on one ship 2 are also conceivable, for example arranged behind each other or next to each other, seen in a direction extending from the bow 23 to the stem 24 of the ship 2.

[0099] The root 8 of the wing mast 1 is pivotally coupled to the ship 2 to pivot about the span-wise direction 6 of the wing mast 1.

[0100] The controller 22 of the ship 2 may be variously configured to generate instmctions for, and to be communicatively connectable to, the root 8 of the wing mast 1 may be controlled by the controller 22 for adjusting a pivotal position of the wing mast 1 about the span-wise direction 6.

[0101] When the wing mast 1 includes the alignment mechanism 19, the controller 22 may alternatively or additionally be configured to generate instmctions for, and to be communicatively connectable to, the alignment mechanism 19 for locking or releasing at least one rotor 10 of the wing mast 1. When at least one of the wind turbines 9 of the wing mast 1 includes the feathering mechanism 20 configured to adjust a pitch of the rotor blades 14, the controller 22 may alternatively or additionally be configured to generate instructions for, and to be communicatively connectable to, the feathering mechanism 20 for adjusting the pitch of the rotor blades 14.

[0102] When the wing mast 1 includes the first and second profiled elements 13, 16 with the pivot mechanism 17 configured to adjust the pivot angle 18, the controller 22 may alternatively or additionally be configured to generate instructions for, and to be communicatively connectable to, the pivot mechanism 17 for adjusting the pivot angle 18 of the second profiled element 16 relative to the first profiled element 13.

[0103] The controller 22 may optimize propulsion generated by the wing mast 1 by adjusting one or more than one of the pivot angle 18 of the second profiled element 21 relative to the first profiled element 14 and the pitch angle 21 of each rotor blade 14 of each rotor 10. The controller 22 can thus control the wing mast 1 as if it were an air wing, the rotor blades 14 defining a slat and the second profiled element 16 defining a flap of such an airwing. The controller 22 and its optimisation algorithms may be implemented using technology that is as such known from the field of airplane autopilot control.

[0104] In each case, the controller 22 may further be configured to generate the above instructions based on at least one of:

[0105] - navigation data indicative of at least one navigation parameter from a group comprising geographical location, speed, direction and / or sailing route of the ship; and

[0106] - environmental data indicative of at least one environmental parameter from a group comprising wind speed, wind direction, water flow speed and / or water flow direction at the ship.

[0107] The navigation data and / or the environmental data may be obtainable from a board computer of the ship 2 or from a remote device, such as a server, communicatively coupled to the controller 22.

[0108] FIG. 1 - 11 show wing masts 1 with wind turbines 9 having rotors 10 at or upstream of the leading edge 4 of the first profiled element 13 of the wing mast 1, the rotor blades 14 of which may advantageously act as slats to the first profiled element 13. Alternative embodiments are shown in FIG. 12 - 15B, in which the wing mast 1 is provided with one or more than one wind turbine 9 having a rotor 10 with its rotor blades 14 at or downstream of the trailing edge 5 of the first profiled element 13 of the wing mast 1. Such rotor blades 14 may advantageously act as flaps to the first profiled element 13. Moreover, a wing mast 1 having rotor blades 14 of rotors 10 of wind turbines 9 arranged at, or respectively upstream / downstream of, both the leading edge 4 and the trailing edge 5 of the first profiled element 13 is also presented. The wing masts 1 in these various embodiments may have like features already explained above, including the configuration of wind turbine 9, rotor 10, rotor axis 11, rotor blades 14, alignment mechanism 19 and / or feathering mechanism 20, details of which are not repeated here for conciseness though these may equally apply to the following embodiments.

[0109] FIG. 12 shows another example of a wing mast 1 with one or more than one wind turbine 9. The wing mast 1 comprises at least one profiled element 3 having a leading edge 4 and a trailing edge 5 extending in a span-wise direction 6 between a tip 7 and a root 8 of the wing mast 1, the root 8 being configured to be pivotably coupled to a ship 2. The wind turbine 9 comprises a rotor 10 that is rotatable around a rotor axis 11 extending in a chord-wise direction 12 of a first profiled element 13 of the at least one profiled element 3 and is arranged at or downstream of the trailing edge 5 of the first profiled element 13.

[0110] The wing mast 1 of FIG. 12 may have all features also explained for the wing mast 1 of FIG. 1, except for the arrangement of the rotor blades 14 of the one or more rotor 10 of the or each wind turbine 9 now arranged at or downstream of the trailing edge 5 rather than at or upstream of the leading edge 4. For example, the wind turbine 9 may be accommodated in a rib 15 of the first profiled element 13. Further, the wind turbine 9 can comprise the feathering mechanism 20 configured to adjust the pitch of the rotor blades 14, preferably each of the rotor blades 14 independently. This facilitates the rotor blades 14 to function as flaps to the first profiled element 13 of the wing mast 1, in particular when the rotor 10 is also locked (e.g. with the alignment mechanism 19) in alignment with the first profiled element 13 in the span-wise direction 6 (as illustrated in each of FIG. 12 - 15B).

[0111] Alternatively or additionally, the leading edge 4 of a second profiled 16 element may be pivotally coupled to the trailing edge 5 of the first profiled element 13. In this way, the rotor blades 14 may be arranged between the first and second profiled elements 13, 16. It is also contemplated to arrange the second profiled element 16 at the leading edge 4 of the first profiled element 13, for example to form a slat, while the rotor blades 14 of the one or more than one rotor 10 at or downstream of the trailing edge 5 of the first profiled element 13 may act as flaps.

[0112] FIG. 13A shows the cross-sections VII and VIII of FIG. 12 with the rotor 10 and its top and bottom rotor blade 14 as illustrated in FIG. 12. The pitch of these rotor blades 14 has been adjusted into a neutral or feathered position. FIG. 13B shows the same cross-sections, but now both top and botom rotor blades 14 have been adjusted by a pitch angle 21 to act as a flap to the first profiled element 13. Arrows again schematically indicate wind flow past the wing mast 1 in each case. The rotor blades 14 at or downstream of the trailing edge 5 of the first profiled element 13 may thus take the place of any second profiled element 16, though such element may still be provided, for example behind the rotor blades 14 and / or in front of the leading edge 4 of the first profiled element 13.

[0113] FIG. 14 shows yet another example of a wing mast 1 with wind turbines 9, in this case having rotors 10 with their rotor blades 14 both at or upstream of leading edge 4 as well as at or downstream of the trailing edge 5 of the first profiled element 13 of the wing mast 1. An alignment mechanism 19 and / or a feathering mechanism 20 may be provided with the rotors 10 of the leading edge 4, the trailing edge 5 or both. The rotor blades 14 of the leading edge 4 may act as slats to the first profiled element 13 and the rotor blades 14 of the trailing edge 5 may act as flaps to the first profiled element 13. In this way, wind flow past the wing mast 1 can be even further optimised according to sailing circumstances. Yet, especially when anchored, the wind turbines 9 are available for power generation. A choice can then even be made between using the leading-edge rotors 10 or the trailing -edge rotors 10, each for example having their own characteristics such as span-wise or chord-wise dimensions, form of blades, position at the wing mast 1, etc.

[0114] Though both sets of rotor blades 14, at the leading edge 4 as well as at the trailing edge 5 of the first profiled element 13, are here illustrated as symmetric or uncambered, it is contemplated to have only one of these sets designed as symmetric or uncambered while the other set is designed asymmetric or cambered.

[0115] Further, the dimensions of the rotor blades 14 nearest the leading edge 4 may differ from that of the rotor blades 14 nearest the trailing edge 5. In particular, rotor blades 14 at the trailing edge 5 may comprise a larger dimension in the span-wise direction 6 and / or the chord-wise direction 12 than the rotor blades 14 at the leading edge 4 (as seen when the rotor blades 14 are in the neutral or feathered position of the rotor blades 14 and aligned with the span-wise direction 6 of the first profiled element 13), or the other way around. To beter function as flaps, the rotor blades 14 of the trailing edge 5 are preferred to extend further from trailing edge 5 than that the rotor blades 14 of the leading edge 5 extend from the leading edge 4 (as seen in the chord-wise direction 12 when the rotor blades 14 are in the neutral or feathered position of the rotor blades 14 and aligned with the span-wise direction 6 of the first profiled element 13). As is also illustrated in the figures, trailing- edge rotors 10 may be of a larger dimension than leading -edge rotors 10, in particular regarding length and / or width of their rotor blades 14. Even in the absence of any rotor blades 14 at or upstream of the leading edge 4 of the first profiled element 13, it is preferred that the rotor blades 14 of the trailing edge 5 exhibit a maximum chord length that is from about 0. 1 to 0.9 times, more preferably 0.2 to 0.8 times, the chord length of the first profiled element 13 at the rotor axis 11 of the respective rotor 10. The rotor blades 14 of the leading edge 4, irrespective of any rotor blades 14 being arranged at the trailing edge 5, preferably exhibit a maximum chord length that is from about 0.05 to 0.5 times, more preferably 0.1 to 0.3 times, the chord length of the first profiled element 13 at the rotor axis 11 of the respective rotor 10. The span length of each rotor 10, irrespective of where it is arranged at the wing mast 1, may range from 0. 1 to 0.9 times, preferably 0.15 to 0.5 times, the span length of the first profiled element 13 of the wing mast 1 and is selected in dependency of the number of wind turbines 9 arranged at one edge of the first profiled element 13. It is noted that the number of wind turbines 9 arranged nearest the leading edge 4 need not equal the number of wind turbines 9 arranged nearest the trailing edge 5. Further, as is also illustrated in the figures, the rotors 10 are preferably arranged between the tip 7 and the root 8 of the wing mast 1 so that the rotor blades 14 do not extend beyond said tip 7 and / or root 8.

[0116] As illustrated in FIG. 14, rotors 10 of the leading edge 4 and the trailing edge 5 may be arranged along the same axis in the chord-wise direction 12, and may even share a common rotor axis 11, in which case these two rotors 10 may be comprised by a single wind turbine 9 (e.g. as illustrated with the lower pair of rotors 10 nearest the root 8 in FIG. 14). In general, whether axes align or not, wind turbines 9 may be arranged in ribs 15 of the first profiled element 13 and pairs of wind turbines 9 arranged opposite each other in chord-wise direction (i.e. one at the leading edge 4 and another at the trailing edge 5 as illustrated with the upper pair of rotors 10 nearest the tip 7 in FIG. 14) may be accommodated in a single rib 15 of the first profiled element 13, which may improve aerodynamics of the wing mast 1.

[0117] In any embodiment where rotors 9 are arranged both at or upstream of the leading edge 4 as well as at or downstream of the trailing edge 5, these rotors 9 may comprise one or more than one pair of rotors 9 forming a counter rotating pair of rotors 9, one rotor 9 of the counter rotating pair being arranged at or upstream of the leading edge 4 and the other rotor 9 of the counter rotating pair being arranged at or downstream of the trailing edge 5, preferably at the same height, more preferably at the same rib 5 of the first profiled element 13. The one rotor 9 may be configured to rotate clockwise when generating power while the other rotor 9 may be configured to rotate counter-clockwise when generating power (when viewed in the chord-wise direction 12 of the first profiled element 13 from either the leading edge 4 or the trailing edge 5). A higher power generation efficiency and stability of the wing mast 1 can be achieved with such counter-rotating rotors 9.

[0118] FIG. 15A shows the cross-sections IX and X of FIG. 14 in which the two rotor blades 14 of the rotor 9 at the leading edge 4 act as slats to the first profiled element 13 of the wing mast 1. FIG. 15B shows the same cross-sections of FIG. 15A, but now the rotor blades 14 of the rotor 9 at the trailing edge 5 have been set to a pitch angle 21 relative to the chord-wise direction 12 and act as flaps to the first profiled element 13 of the wing mast 1. In FIG. 15A and 15B, the conformation of the rotor blades 14 of the leading edge 4 may reflect that of FIG. 6A and 6B or that of FIG. 8 and 10, respectively, while the conformation of the rotor blades 14 of the trailing edge 5 may reflect that of FIG. 13A and 13B. Arrows again schematically indicate the effect on wind flow past the wing mast 1 in each case.

[0119] Though FIG. 14 - 15B are illustrated without second profiled element 16, is it contemplated to arrange such second profiled element 16 at the leading edge 4 and / or at the trailing edge 5 of the first profiled element 13 in such a way that the rotor blades 14 may rotate between the two profiled elements 13, 16. The same applies to the wing mast 1 of FIG. 1 - 11, in which a (further) second profiled element 16 may be arranged at the leading edge 4 of the first profiled element 13. As described above, any such second profiled element 16 may be configured to pivot relative to the first profiled element 13 to adjust its pivot angle 18 relative to the chord-wise direction 12 of the first profiled element 13.

[0120] The wing mast 1 and / or ship 2 as described and illustrated enable a method of operating a ship to be performed. The method may be implemented by controller 22 (e.g. a board computer of the ship 2, or a remote computer for autonomous navigation of the ship 2) or and comprises use of the wing mast 1 to sail the ship 2 and / or to generate electricity with the wind turbines 9 of the wing mast 1.

[0121] The method may additionally or alternatively involve locking the rotor 10 of the at least one wind turbine 9 when a sailing instruction is received. Said locking may involve locking the rotor 10 in a position in which at least one rotor blade 14 of the rotor 10 is aligned with the leading edge 4 and / or the trailing edge 5 of the first profiled element 13 of the wing mast 1 at or upstream from which and / or at or downstream from which, respectively, the rotor 10 is arranged.

[0122] The method may additionally or alternatively involve releasing the rotor 10 of the at least one wind turbine 9 when an anchoring instruction is received. The method may additionally or alternatively involve adjusting a pitch angle 21 of at least one rotor blade 14 of the rotor 10 of the at least one wind turbine 9. For example, the pitch angle 21 may be set to a neutral or feathered position when upon receiving the sailing instruction. Finally, a computer program product may comprise instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer or controller 22 of a ship 2, cause said controller 22 to carry out steps of the above method. As previously indicated, the computer or controller 22 may be comprised by or remote from the ship 2. In summary, the disclosure in particular relates to subject-matter defined in the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Wing mast for a ship, in particular a yacht, the wing mast comprising:- at least one profiled element having a leading edge and a trailing edge extending in a span-wise direction between a tip and a root of the wing mast, the root being configured to be pivotably coupled to the ship; and- at least one wind turbine comprising a rotor, wherein the rotor is rotatable around a rotor axis extending in a chord-wise direction of a first profiled element of the at least one profiled element and is arranged at or upstream of the leading edge of the first profiled element.

2. Wing mast of claim 1, wherein the rotor has only two rotor blades arranged at diametrically opposite positions relative to the rotor axis.

3. Wing mast of claim 2, further comprising an alignment mechanism configured to lock the rotor in a position in which the two rotor blades are aligned with the span-wise direction, in particular the leading and / or trailing edge of the first profiled element.

4. Wing mast of any preceding claim, wherein the wind turbine comprises a feathering mechanism configured to adjust a pitch of the rotor blades.

5. Wing mast of claim 4, wherein the feathering mechanism is configured to adjust a pitch of each of the rotor blades independently.

6. Wing mast of any preceding claim, wherein the rotor comprises symmetric or uncambered rotor blades.

7. Wing mast of any preceding claim, wherein the rotor comprises asymmetric or cambered rotor blades.

8. Wing mast of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one wind turbine comprises a plurality of wind turbines distributed in the span-wise direction, in particular along the leading and / or trailing edge of the first profiled element.

9. Wing mast of any preceding claim, wherein the first profiled element comprises a plurality of ribs, wherein at least one of the ribs is configured to accommodate one of the at least one wind turbine.

10. Wing mast of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one profiled element comprises a second profiled element, the leading edge of the second profiled element being pivotally coupled to the trailing edge of the first profiled element or the trailing edge of the second profiled element being pivotally coupled to the leading edge of the first profiled element.

11. Wing mast of claim 10, further comprising a pivot mechanism configured to adjust a pivot angle between a chord-wise direction of the second profiled element relative to the chord-wise direction of the first profiled element.

12. Wing mast of any preceding claim, the root being pivotably couplable to the ship to pivot about the span-wise direction of the wing mast.

13. Wing mast of any preceding claim, wherein one or more than one rotor blade of the rotor is configured to act as a slat to the first profiled element.

14. Wing mast of any preceding claim, wherein the rotor is arranged between the tip and the root of the wing mast.

15. Wing mast of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one wind turbine further comprises a rotor that is rotatable around a rotor axis extending in the chord-wise direction of the first profiled element and arranged at or downstream of the trailing edge of the first profiled element.

16. Wing mast for a ship, in particular a yacht, the wing mast comprising:- at least one profiled element having a leading edge and a trailing edge extending in a span-wise direction between a tip and a root of the wing mast, the root being configured to be pivotably coupled to the ship; and- at least one wind turbine comprising a rotor, wherein the rotor is rotatable around a rotor axis extending in a chord-wise direction of a first profiled element of the at least one profiled element and is arranged at or downstream of the trailing edge of the first profiled element.

17. Wing mast of claim 16, wherein the rotor has only two rotor blades arranged at diametrically opposite positions relative to the rotor axis.

18. Wing mast of claim 17, further comprising an alignment mechanism configured to lock the rotor in a position in which the two rotor blades are aligned with the span-wise direction, in particular the leading and / or trailing edge of the first profiled element.

19. Wing mast of any of the claims 16 - 18, wherein the wind turbine comprises a feathering mechanism configured to adjust a pitch of the rotor blades.

20. Wing mast of claim 19, wherein the feathering mechanism is configured to adjust a pitch of each of the rotor blades independently.

21. Wing mast of any of the claims 16 - 20, wherein the rotor comprises symmetric or uncambered rotor blades.

22. Wing mast of any of the claims 16 - 21, wherein the rotor comprises asymmetric or cambered rotor blades.

23. Wing mast of any of the claims 16 - 22, wherein the at least one wind turbine comprises a plurality of wind turbines distributed in the span-wise direction, in particular along the leading and / or trailing edge of the first profiled element.

24. Wing mast of any of the claims 16 - 23, wherein the first profiled element comprises a plurality of ribs, wherein at least one of the ribs is configured to accommodate one of the at least one wind turbine.

25. Wing mast of any of the claims 16 - 24, wherein the at least one profiled element comprises a second profiled element, the leading edge of the second profiled element being pivotally coupled to the trailing edge of the first profiled element or the trailing edge of the second profiled element being pivotally coupled to the leading edge of the first profiled element.

26. Wing mast of claim 25, further comprising a pivot mechanism configured to adjust a pivot angle between a chord-wise direction of the second profiled element relative to the chord-wise direction of the first profiled element.

27. Wing mast of any of the claims 16 - 26, the root being pivotably couplable to the ship to pivot about the span-wise direction of the wing mast.

28. Wing mast of any of the claims 16 - 27, wherein one or more than one rotor blade of the rotor is configured to act as a slat to the first profiled element.

29. Wing mast of any the claims 16 - 28, wherein the rotor is arranged between the tip and the root of the wing mast.

30. Wing mast of any of the claims 16 - 29, wherein the at least one wind turbine further comprises a rotor that is rotatable around a rotor axis extending in the chord-wise direction of the first profiled element and arranged at or upstream of the leading edge of the first profiled element.

31. Ship, in particular a yacht, comprising a wing mast of any preceding claim, wherein the root of the wing mast is pivotally coupled to the ship to pivot about the span-wise direction of the wing mast.

32. Ship of claim 31, further comprising a controller configured to generate instructions for, and to be communicatively connectable to, at least one of:- the root of the wing mast for adjusting a pivotal position of the wing mast about the span-wise direction;- the alignment mechanism for locking or releasing at least one rotor of the wing mast, when dependent on claim 3 or 18;- the feathering mechanism for adjusting the pitch of the rotor blades, when dependent on claim 4 or 19; and- the pivot mechanism for adjusting the pivot angle of the second profiled element relative to the first profiled element, when dependent on claim 11 or 26.

33. Ship of claim 32, wherein the controller is further configured to generate the instructions based on at least one of:- navigation data obtainable from a board computer of the ship indicative of at least one navigation parameter from a group comprising geographical location, speed, direction and / or sailing route of the ship; and- environmental data obtainable from a board computer of the ship indicative of at least one environmental parameter from a group comprising wind speed, wind direction, water flow speed and / or water flow direction at the ship.

34. Method, preferably a computer-implemented method, of operating a ship according to any of the claims 31 - 33, the method comprising use of the wing mast to sail the ship and / or to generate electricity with the wind turbines of the wing mast.

35. Method of claim 34, comprising locking the rotor of the at least one wind turbine when a sailing instruction is received.

36. Method of claim 35, comprising locking the rotor in a position in which at least one rotor blade of the rotor is aligned with the span-wise direction, in particular the leading and / or trailing edge of the first profiled element, of the wing mast.

37. Method of any of the claims 34 - 36, comprising releasing the rotor of the at least one wind turbine when an anchoring instruction is received.

38. Method of any of the claims 34 - 37, comprising adjusting a pitch of at least one rotor blade of the rotor of the at least one wind turbine.

39. Computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer of a ship according to any of the claims 31 - 33, cause the computer to carry out a method of any of the claims 34 - 38.

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