Modular system of panels made of flexible or semi-rigid material, and vessel constructed using said system

Abstract

Modular system of panels made of flexible or semi-rigid material, each panel (1, 3, 5; 9, 109, 209, 309) being provided with a substantially rigid polygonal frame comprising, on at least one side, coupling means (2) oscillating with at least one other panel (1, 3, 5; 9, 109, 209, 309), said coupling means comprising articulation means (102, 112, 122, 202, 302, 402, 502, 602) and control means (8).

Description

[0001] TITLE OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Modular system of panels made of flexible or semi-rigid material , and vessel constructed using said system.

[0003] TEXT OF THE DESCRIPTION

[0004] The present invention relates to a modular system of panels made of flexible or semi-rigid material , in particular for the construction of boats or parts thereof .

[0005] In recent years , many alternative technologies to strictly conventional ones have been developed for the construction of boats ; in particular , several designs have been developed for boats , mainly small ones , which can be folded or easily assembled and dismantled, so as to facilitate their transport and / or storage . In a number of cases , the vessel is composed of a plurality of panels of flexible or semi-rigid material , which are assembled together in a stable and reversible manner .

[0006] The research that led to the development of the present invention started from a rather different premise , which involves an innovative approach to boat construction and sail propulsion , essentially halfway between a conventional structure with a rigid keel and flexible sails , and the rigid sails that have recently been developed to assist in the propulsion of large boats .

[0007] One aim of the present invention is therefore a modular system of panels made of flexible material , in particular for the construction of boats or parts thereof , which is capable of assuming numerous different configurations even after assembly, so as to be able to actively react to environmental conditions and ensure optimal boat maneuvering .

[0008] A further aim of the present invention is a modular system capable of creating structures whose geometry can be modified in a simple and controllable manner , thus allowing a wide range of applications not only in shipbuilding but also in field structures such as tents , gazebos , or the like .

[0009] The object of the present invention is therefore a modular system of panels made of flexible or semirigid material , each panel being provided with a substantially rigid polygonal frame comprising , on at least one side , oscillating coupling means with at least one other panel , said coupling means comprising articulation means and control means .

[0010] In a preferred embodiment , said articulation means comprise hinge means , comprising an axis for each panel engaged in the coupling , and a plurality of joint means cooperating in an oscillating manner with said axes .

[0011] The connecting means may comprise an ellipsoidal element provided at its ends with through holes capable of housing the axes engaged in the coupling .

[0012] In an alternative embodiment , said connecting means comprises a roller element fitted respectively on each axis and facing in contact with a similar roller element .

[0013] In another variant , these connecting devices include a roller fitted on each axle , with a belt on the two facing rollers that can transfer movement from one axle to the other . The rollers can be different in size , which is convenient for changing the rotation effect caused by the movement of the axles .

[0014] In a further embodiment , coupling means are provided for interconnecting three panels of the modular system in an interdependent manner .

[0015] Control means are also provided to enable or inhibit the oscillation of one panel relative to another . Advantageously, these means comprise releasable locking means comprising at least one magnet capable of cooperating with a portion of one of the axes involved in the coupling , so as to block its rotation .

[0016] In addition , at least one corner of each panel includes cardan joint means , so as to conveniently guide the movements of the respective ends of the frame elements of the aforementioned panel .

[0017] Another object of the present invention is a closed polyhedral structure , made with the modular system according to the present invention , capable of extending and retracting along its vertical axis , acting on the articulated coupling means between the different panels by means of appropriate control means . This type of structure can be adapted both as a means of sail propulsion for large boats and, by conveniently pivoting it along its vertical axis , as a rotor in a wind energy converter .

[0018] A further object of the present invention is a boat made using the modular system of flexible or semirigid panels described above , in which the aforementioned panels are shaped in such a way as to form the hull of the boat . In an alternative version , the boat is equipped with a sail , which is also made from the panels of the modular system described above and is attached to the hull of the boat along one of its sides by means of a suitable fastening . Advantageously, said sail extends in height below the waterline and is provided, at the end intended to be submerged, with a hydrofoil , commonly known as a hydrofoil or simply foil . Alternatively, a sail is provided coupled to each side of the boat .

[0019] In another embodiment of the invention , the modular panel system described above is used to make the sail or sails of a traditional hull boat .

[0020] Further advantages and features of the modular system according to the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some embodiments thereof , given by way of example and not limitation , with reference to the accompanying drawings , in which :

[0021] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of the hull of a boat made with the modular panel system according to the present invention ;

[0022] Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the hull of Figure 1 equipped with a sail ;

[0023] Figure 3 is a front perspective view of the hull of Figure 1 equipped with an alternative sail ;

[0024] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a detail of Figure 2 ;

[0025] Figure 5 is a sectional perspective view of the detail of Figure 4 ; Figure 6 is a plan view of an extended structure using the system according to the present invention ;

[0026] Figure 7 is a partially open perspective view of the structure of Figure 4 ;

[0027] Figure 8 is a perspective view of an extendable and retractable polyhedral structure made using the system according to the present invention ;

[0028] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a detail of the modular system according to the present invention , relating to the exit edge of a single panel ;

[0029] Figure 10 is a perspective view of a detail of the modular system of the invention , relating to the articulation means between three panels connected to each other ;

[0030] Figure 11 is a perspective view of another detail of the modular system according to the invention , relating to the articulation means between two panels coupled to each other ;

[0031] Figure 12 is a perspective view of a first connecting element of the articulation means illustrated in Figure 11 ;

[0032] Figure 13 is a perspective view of a second connecting element of the articulation means illustrated in Figure 11 ;

[0033] Figure 14 is a perspective view of a third connecting element of the articulation means illustrated in Figure 11 ;

[0034] Figure 15 is a perspective view of a fourth connecting element of the articulation means illustrated in Figure 11 ; Figure 16 is a perspective view of a fifth connecting element of the articulation means illustrated in Figure 11 ;

[0035] Figure 17 is a perspective view of a connecting and control element of the articulation means illustrated in Figure 11 ;

[0036] Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view of the connecting element of Figure 17 ;

[0037] Figure 19 is a perspective view with sections of the connecting and control element of Figure 17 , in a first configuration ; and

[0038] Figure 20 is a view similar to that of Figure 19 , in a second configuration .

[0039] Figure 1 shows the hull of a boat built using the modular system according to the present invention ; 1 designates the keel panels of the boat , which are connected to each other and to the deck panels 3 by means of articulated couplings 2 , while some panels have free edges 4 ; deflector panels 203 are provided at the stern . The shape of the hull suggests that of origami art-like , as will be highlighted below. Figure 2 shows a boat similar to that in Figure 1 , on which two sails are mounted, formed by sail panels 5 , arranged both above and below the deck 3 , connected to the deck panels by means of articulated couplings 6 ; foils 7 are provided at the ends of the sails facing below the waterline . Between the two sails , both above and below the hull and the waterline , rigid tie rods 405 are provided, in which the shock-absorbing bars 505 are positioned, which are better illustrated and described below . Figure 3 shows a variant of the boat shown in Figure 2 ; identical parts are marked with the same numbers . The figure highlights the fact that the sail panels 5 have a freeboard with indentations 205 both above and below the waterline . In addition , a large opening 305 is formed in the panel connected at its lower end to the respective foil 7 .

[0040] Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a shockabsorbing bar 505 , already mentioned in the description of the sailing boat in Figure 2 . The bar comprises a hollow cylindrical body 515 , in which another hollow cylindrical body 525 slides , provided on the wall with a plurality of axial slots 535 ; at the free ends of the two cylindrical bodies there are brackets 545 which allow the bar to be connected to the ends of the rigid tie rods 405 .

[0041] In figure 5 , equal parts correspond to equal numbers ; the figure highlights the presence of two springs 575 and 585 inside the cylindrical bodies 525 and 515 , respectively . As can be seen , when bar 505 extends , spring 575 is compressed between walls 565 of body 515 and 555 of body 525 , while when it contracts , spring 575 expands and spring 585 is compressed . By this way, the movements of the two sails connected by the tie rods 405 are adequately controlled and compensated, thus allowing the forces involved to be transferred effectively .

[0042] Figure 6 shows an extended structure using the modular system according to the present invention ; in this case , the triangular panels 9 are arranged around the central square panel 309 and connected to each other by the triangular panels 109 and 209 ; articulated couplings 2 are arranged between the different panels , and free edges 4 are positioned along the outer perimeter of the structure . As can be seen from Figure 5 , by acting on the coupling means 2 , in the manner better described and illustrated below, the structure can be organized into a square-based pyramid such as that illustrated in Figure 7 , in which equal parts correspond to equal numbers .

[0043] Figure 8 shows an extendable and retractable polyhedral structure made using the modular system of the present invention ; equal parts are indicated by the same numbers . The structure comprises two pentagonal panels 9 arranged at the ends of a plurality of triangular panels 109 , coupled to form rhombuses with the side corresponding to that of the pentagonal panels 9. The rhombuses are arranged so that the polyhedral structure has a helical development , and the articulated couplings 2 can be operated to allow the structure to be extended by rotation in the direction of arrow b , and the corresponding retraction occurs by rotation in the direction of arrow a .

[0044] The polyhedral structure thus created can be used as a sail surface in large shipbuilding , taking advantage of its stability, lightness , and the possibility of being retracted and extended in a completely controlled manner , thanks to the articulated couplings 2 and their control means , which are better illustrated and described below . In addition , the same polyhedral structure can be associated with a rotating mast arranged along its vertical axis c, and therefore be used both as a sail propulsion system and in an electricity generation system that exploits wind energy . Figure 9 shows a detail of a free edge 4, which can be part of a deck panel 3 or a sail panel 5, as well as the free edge of the structure shown in Figures 4 and 5. In all cases, this edge comprises a substantially parallelepiped profile 104 with a rounded finish 114 facing outwards.

[0045] Figure 10 shows a detail of the articulated coupling means 6, i.e. , the means that allow three panels to be coupled together. The articulated coupling means comprises three profiles 106, 206, and 306, provided with their respective axes 116, 216, and 316, on which the joints 326, 126 are arranged, free to oscillate in a controlled manner, so as to allow the oscillation of the panels connected to the coupling means .

[0046] Figure 11 shows a detail of the coupling between panels 1, 3, 5, or 9; for example, the joint 2 comprising the two half-hinges 102 with their respective axes 122, houses in the cavities 112 all types of connecting means that can be used in the modular system according to the present invention. Joint 202, better illustrated in Figure 12, comprises an ellipsoidal body in which two parallel through holes 212 are made to allow the passage of the axes 122. The joint 302, illustrated in Figure 13, on the other hand, provides two rollers 312, which in this case will be keyed onto their respective axles 122, and which are connected to each other by means of the belt 332. The joint 402, illustrated in figure 14, consists of two rollers in contact with each other, also fitted on their respective shafts 122. The joint 502, illustrated in figure 15, comprises a roller 512 provided with a through hole for fitting it on a shaft 122; the roller 512 is connected, by means of belt 532 , to an intermediate shaft 562 provided with bearings 572 , and the assembly thus formed is in contact with roller 542 , which has a smaller diameter than roller 512 and is provided with a through hole for coupling with a shaft 122 . The joint 602 shown in Figure 16 comprises a roller 612 , provided with an axial hole 622 , and cooperating with the roller 632 , also provided with an axial hole 642 and with a diameter smaller than that of the roller 612 , by means of the belt 652 .

[0047] Figure 17 shows a perspective view of a detail of joint 8 shown in Figure 8 . The two half-hinges 102 provide , arranged in the cavities 112 , the connecting and control joint 8 , which cooperates with the shafts 122 and is coupled, in its central portion , as best described below, with the shaft 108 , whose gear 118 meshes at 90° with the gear 152 of the auxiliary shaft 142 .

[0048] Figure 18 shows a cross-section of the joint illustrated in Figure 11 ; identical parts are indicated by the same numbers . The figure highlights the boxshaped body 208 , comprising the two end portions 218 that rotate integrally with the shaft 122 , while the central portion 228 , as will be better understood below, is fixed, since it contains the magnetic rings 128 , 138 that rotate integrally with the shaft 108 . The joint 8 also includes the roller 308 which is coupled, by means of the two belts 408 , to each of the two end portions 218 of the box-shaped body 208 . On the shaft 122 passing through the box body 208 there are two half-shells 162 , integral with this shaft and able to cooperate , as better described below, with the magnetic rings 128 , 138 of the shaft 108 . Figures 19 and 20 illustrate the operation of the connection and control joint 8 described above ; identical parts are identified by the same numbers . As can be seen in Figure 13 , when the magnetic rings 12 and 138 are arranged so as to be located in the free space between the two half-shells 162 , they are unable to interfere with the rotation of shaft 122 , which will therefore be affected by any direct action applied to its ends , or indirect action resulting from the rotation of shaft 122 cooperating with roller 308 . On the contrary, when the rotation imparted to the shaft 108 by the actuation of the auxiliary shaft 142 causes the magnetized elements 128 and 138 to move to the position shown in Figure 14 , they interfere with the movement of the half-shells 162 and therefore stop the rotation of the shaft 122 .

[0049] The operation and structure of the modular system of flexible or semi-rigid panels according to the present invention will be explained below . As mentioned above , the joints between two adjacent panels can be subject to different types of adjustment , depending on the overall effect desired . In general , it can be said that joint 202 in Figure 6 allows the two axes 122 of two semi-hinges 102 to be coupled without actually affecting their relative positions ; conversely, the two rollers 312 are coupled by means of belt 332 in such a way that the rotation of one axis is replicated in the same direction on the adjacent axis .

[0050] Conversely, the rotation of one of the two rollers 412 causes the other to rotate in the opposite direction ; the same effect is observed, but with the added effect of multiplication , in joint 502 in Figure 9 , where the bearing roller 572 multiplies the rotation in the opposite direction of roller 542 in contact with belt 532 . A simple multiplication effect occurs in joint 602 , with roller 632 rotating in the same direction as roller 612 , driven by belt 652 .

[0051] This wide variety of joints can be used both in two-shaft couplings such as the one shown in Figure 5 , and in three-shaft couplings such as the one shown in Figure 4 . Each joint should be equipped with a connecting and control joint of the type shown in Figures 11 to 14 .

[0052] The frame of the panels is made of flexible , resistant, and lightweight profiles , such as aluminum, low-density thermoplastic polymers , Kevlar , composite materials such as carbon fiber , ceramic fibers , or similar . The structure of the frame profiles is proportionate to the dimensions of the panels and will generally be as small as possible to ensure stability and maneuverability for the various panels . The frame can be assembled around the perimeter of the panel in a very simple manner with a cut in the middle of the corner and connected by threaded studs secured with bolts . The panels can be made of natural or synthetic fiber fabric , but plastic or wood sheets can also be used; it is also possible to make the panels from different materials arranged in multiple layers .

[0053] The modular system according to the present invention is applicable , as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 , to the construction of a boat , and in particular a sailing boat . The structure , which is completely adaptable and responsive to the conditions of use , makes this system particularly interesting for this application , since the system ’ s ability to transfer load from one panel to another is exploited to the maximum. In this implementation of execution , panels with structurally stronger profiles will preferably be made for the submerged parts and lighter ones for the emerged parts , considering that the stress to which the former are subjected is significantly greater than that acting on the latter .

[0054] As mentioned above , the boat has a structure similar to that of origami art , and this feature allows the panels to be designed to provide the entire boat with the desired degrees of freedom, varying the cooperation capabilities of one panel with respect to another by modifying the transmission of oscillation , or simply inhibiting , with the appropriate control means , the relative rotation of two adjacent panels .

[0055] In the design shown in Figure 2 , the absence of masts supporting the sail system is evident ; the panels are connected to each other and are shaped in the angle between them through movement transfer systems . In this way, the sail system can take on a wide variety of shapes , and it will be up to the boat ’ s operator to maneuver it to find the shape that performs best in relation to the wind ’ s strength and direction and the water ’ s strength and direction . The boat operator can only act on the angle between one panel and another through the movement system; therefore , they can completely block the movement or direct it clockwise or counterclockwise , and can act either directly through a multiplication or reduction of the movement .

[0056] As shown in Figure 3 , the free edge of the sail panels 5 can be created with indentations 205 , which reduce fluid turbulence , both air and water , on the surface of the panels , thus improving the fluid dynamics of the boat . For the same purpose , panel 5 , to which the foils 7 are connected, has a wide opening 305 .

[0057] It should be borne in mind that water is a thousand times more dense than air ; therefore , with this system, it is possible to regulate the two movements , for example , as well as to regulate one panel with respect to the other , all in order to provide the skipper with as many tools as possible . The skipper can use appropriate controls to activate one type of joint over another , acting on the joint , which may be magnetic or of another type . The position of the panels can be controlled by means of a hydrodynamic or hydraulic system with electric motors or even manually in small boats , by means of grips acting directly on the joints .

[0058] A sailing system designed in this way makes it much easier to handle a boat and also allows two , three or even four sailing systems to be installed on the same boat , which would not be feasible or possible by transferring the force using masts .

[0059] The panels can be controlled and steered using management software for all the joints , which can also be connected wirelessly to the drive mechanisms and operated by the boat ’ s driver using pre-set parameters or by directly intervening on the drive mechanisms .

[0060] The modular system designed in this way allows the construction of lightweight but extremely resilient structures , whose configuration can be easily controlled and varied at will , and whose assembly and disassembly requires very little time and resources . With reference to the structure shown in Figures 6 and 7 , it is very simple to construct a three-dimensional shape from a flat structure that can be closed and then opened by simply controlling the articulated coupling devices . This makes it possible to create structures such as camping tents , temporary shelters for obj ects and / or people , and furniture designed to be suspended from the ceiling using appropriate means , thanks to the lightness of their structure .

[0061] In particular , the use of the modular system of the invention in shipbuilding opens up a whole new frontier , especially with regard to the construction and control of sailing rigging .

Claims

CLAIMS1. Modular system of panels made of flexible or semirigid material, each panel (1, 3, 5) being provided with a substantially rigid polygonal frame comprising, on at least one side, coupling means (2) oscillating with at least one other panel (1, 3, 5) , said coupling means comprising articulation means (102, 112, 122, 202, 302, 402, 502, 602) and control means (8) .

2. Modular system according to claim 1 , wherein said articulation means comprise hinge means (102) comprising an axis (122) for each panel engaged in the coupling, and a plurality of joining means (202, 302, 402, 502, 602) cooperating with said axes .

3. System according to claim 3, wherein the joining means comprise an ellipsoidal element (202) provided at its ends with through holes (212) capable of freely rotating and housing the axes engaged in the coupling.

4. System according to claim 3, wherein said joining means (402) comprise a roller element (412) fitted respectively on each axle and facing in contact with a similar roller element.

5. System according to claim 3, wherein said joining means (302) comprise a roller (312) fitted on each shaft, a belt (332) being arranged on the two facing rollers and capable of transmitting movement from one shaft to the other shaft.

6. System according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the rollers may be of different sizes, so as to modify the rotational effect induced by the mutual movement of the axes .7 . System according to anyone of the preceding claims 1 to 6 , wherein coupling means ( 6) are provided for interconnecting three panels of the modular system in an interdependent manner .8 . System according to anyone of the preceding claims from 1 to 7 , wherein control means (8) are provided which are capable of enabling or inhibiting the oscillation of one panel with respect to the other .

9. System according to claim 8 , wherein said control means (8) comprise releasable locking means comprising at least one magnet ( 128 , 138) capable of cooperating with a portion (162) of one of the axes involved in the coupling , so as to block its rotation .10 . Vessel made using the modular system of flexible or semi-rigid panels according to any of the previous claims 1 to 9 , wherein the said panels are shaped so as to form the hull of the vessel .11 . Vessel according to claim 10 , wherein said vessel is provided with a sail , and the sail is also made with the panels of the modular system according to any of the previous claims 1 to 9 , and is coupled to the hull of the vessel along one of its sides by means of appropriate coupling means .12 . Vessel according to claim 11 , wherein said sail extends in height below the waterline and is provided with a hydrofoil at the end intended to be submerged .

13. Vessel according to claim 11 or 12 , wherein a sail is provided coupled to each side of the vessel .14 . Vessel according to claim 13 , wherein the two sails coupled to the sides of the vessel are connected to each other by rigid tie rods (405) provided with suitable shock-absorbing bars (505) .15 . Vessel according to any of claims 11 to 14 , wherein the free edge of the sail panels is made with an indented profile .

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