Captive Sail Mast with Dedicated Mooring Conveyors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing traction systems for ships with captive sails require extensive space for deploying, mooring, and folding multiple sails, which is not compatible with the limited space available on the deck of commercial cargo ships.
Innovation Solution
A compact traction system with a single mast that carries multiple mooring and folding means, including conveyors with sliders, allows for the deployment, retrieval, and storage of multiple sails using a single fixed station, enabling efficient use of deck space by using two sails that can be deployed and recovered sequentially, with a drive motor and winches for controlled operation and steering to maximize traction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sails are deployed with separate mooring and folding means for each, then the capability to deploy and recover multiple sails is improved, but the space occupied on the deck increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple mooring means and folding means onto a single shared mast structure. Instead of having separate masts for each sail, the invention integrates mooring means for multiple sails (first mooring means, second mooring means, etc.) and folding means (first folding means, second folding means, etc.) on one common mast, thereby reducing the total space occupied on deck while maintaining the capability to deploy and recover multiple sails
Solution Approach 2:
The shared mast serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the support structure for multiple sails, provides mooring points for different sails through multiple mooring means, and incorporates multiple folding means to enable folding of different sails. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated structures for each sail operation
2Area of stationary object
If a single shared mast with multiple mooring means is used, then the deck space is reduced, but the complexity of the fixed station increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the functional elements (mooring means, folding means) into modular units that can be independently configured on the shared mast. Each sail has its own dedicated mooring means and folding means, allowing for standardized modular components that simplify manufacturing and maintenance despite the overall system integration
Solution Approach 2:
The invention arranges multiple mooring means and folding means vertically along the height of the shared mast, utilizing the vertical dimension to accommodate multiple sails without increasing horizontal deck space. This spatial arrangement in the vertical dimension reduces the horizontal footprint while organizing complex functionality along the mast's height
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system optimizes the use of deck space by allowing simultaneous or sequential deployment and recovery of multiple sails, reducing fuel consumption and maintaining optimal traction while minimizing space requirements, with phased steering to reduce cumulative traction fatigue on the fixed station.
Implementation Method 1
a traction system comprising at least two captive sails, intended in particular to fit a ship in order to tow it
Data Source
AI summary
A traction system, notably for a ship, includes a fixed station, at least one first sail and one second sail, the first sail comprising a wing and being connected to a winch of the fixed station by a first hauling cable, the second sail includes a second wing and being connected to a winch of the fixed station by a second hauling cable. The fixed station includes a mast which is equipped with a first conveyor dedicated to mooring the first wing to this mast and with a second conveyor dedicated to mooring the second wing to this mast.