Inflatable Sail Guide for Abrasion-Free Collapse
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sail guides for collapsing and storing sails are often dangerous and damaging to vessels and crew, and do not facilitate convenient storage due to their rigid nature, which can cause abrasion and damage to the sail and rigging.
Innovation Solution
A resilient inflatable bladder with a flexible abrasion-resistant lining is used, configured to crimp the sail and secured to up-haul and down-haul lines, allowing for safe and efficient collapse and storage of sails by being inflatable and deflatable, thus reducing weight and risk of damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid guides are used for sail collapse, then the guide structure is strong and durable, but it causes abrasion damage to the sail and rigging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid guide structures with flexible inflatable bladders that can conform to the sail surface. The bladder is made of flexible material that provides guidance during collapse without causing abrasion damage to the sail or rigging, directly resolving the contradiction between structural strength and abrasion prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide structure uses composite construction combining an inflatable bladder with protective lining. This composite approach provides both the structural integrity needed for guide function and the soft, non-abrasive surface that protects the sail, simultaneously achieving strength and abrasion prevention.
2Reliability
If rigid guides are used for sail collapse, then the guide provides stable collapse force, but it creates danger to crew and damage to vessel
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure transitions from a static rigid form to a dynamic inflatable system. The bladder can be inflated to provide collapse force and deflated when not in use, eliminating the persistent hazard of rigid structures while maintaining reliable collapse function when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide structure changes its physical state between inflated (rigid-like for collapse) and deflated (soft and safe) conditions. This parameter change allows the system to provide stable collapse force during operation while eliminating danger to crew and vessel when stored or not in use.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid guides are used for sail collapse, then the guide maintains its shape and function, but it is difficult to store compactly
Solution Approach 1:
The guide structure is designed to be dynamically configurable - maintaining a stable inflated shape during collapse operation but collapsing to a compact deflated state for storage. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction between shape stability for function and compactness for storage.
4Weight of moving object
If lightweight materials like Kevlar or carbon fibre are used for guides, then the guide is lighter and easier to handle, but it may still cause damage to rigging
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable bladder is constructed from flexible material that provides a soft, non-abrasive surface. This flexible shell approach maintains lightweight construction while eliminating the rigging damage problem associated with even lightweight rigid materials like Kevlar or carbon fibre.
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 solution provides a lightweight, safe, and efficient means to collapse and store sails, reducing the risk of injury and damage to the sail and rigging, while allowing for compact storage and easy handling, even in heavy weather conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient inflatable bladder configured and dimensioned to receive a sail at least partially through it, thereby causing the collapse of said sail
Implementation Method 2
the resilient inflatable bladder is protected against abrasion by said sail by a flexible abrasion resistant lining formation disposed at least partly around the inside of the aperture
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides for an inflatable sail guide arrangement for use in a sail collapsing arrangement. The sail collapsing arrangement is used for collapsing (also called “dousing” or “snuffing”) a sail such as a spinnaker. The sail guide arrangement can be deflated for convenient storage and handling.