Maritime Drone Wing Sail Segmentation for Stability and Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Maritime drones with wing sails face issues of tip-over in strong winds and damage due to harsh weather, and their retractable designs inefficiently use hull space for electronics and components, with complex movement mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A maritime drone with a wing sail that can be moved between operative and inoperative positions without fully retracting, allowing partial exposure to wind for reduced thrust requirements and simpler movement mechanisms, utilizing a centerboard with a containment volume for the sail to maintain stability and optimize hull space for components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the wing sail is fully retractable into the hull, then the drone can avoid damage in harsh weather, but the hull space for electronics and components is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The wing sail is divided into multiple segments that can be independently retracted. The first wing sail segment can be retracted into the first recess, while the second wing sail segment remains extended or is retracted into the second recess, allowing partial protection while maintaining sailing capability and optimizing space usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The wing sail segments are designed to nest within recesses in the hull when retracted. The first wing sail segment nests in the first recess, and the second wing sail segment nests in the second recess, allowing the sail to be stored compactly within the hull structure without increasing overall hull volume.
2Strength
If the wing sail is made robust to withstand strong winds, then the drone can operate in harsh weather, but the movement mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The wing sail is segmented into multiple independent sections that can be controlled separately. This allows the drone to extend only the necessary portions for sailing while retracting others for protection, reducing the complexity of controlling a single large movable structure and enabling simpler individual segment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The wing sail segments are designed to be dynamically adjustable during operation. The segments can be extended or retracted based on sailing conditions, allowing the structure to adapt its configuration rather than requiring a permanently robust design for all conditions.
3Productivity
If the wing sail is extended to maximize wind capture, then the drone achieves better sailing performance, but the risk of damage in strong winds increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wing sail segments can dynamically adjust their extension state based on wind conditions. In favorable conditions, segments extend to maximize wind capture and sailing performance. In strong winds, segments can be retracted to reduce the sail area and minimize damage risk, allowing the system to optimize performance while managing risk.
Solution Approach 2:
By dividing the wing sail into separable segments, the drone can selectively extend or retract specific portions based on wind conditions. This allows partial extension to maintain sailing performance while reducing overall exposure to damaging forces, rather than requiring full extension or full retraction.
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 enhances operational efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness by allowing partial wing sail exposure to wind, reducing the risk of damage, and optimizing hull space for electronics, while simplifying movement mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
a wing profile (8) connected to said mast (7) and suitable for intercepting the wind to move the maritime drone (1)
Implementation Method 2
a centerboard (5) projecting from a lower face (4) of the hull (2) in order to give sailing/navigating stability to the maritime drone (1)
Data Source
AI summary
Maritime drone (1) comprising a hull (2) provided with an upper face (3) and a lower face (4), a centerboard (5) extending projecting from the lower face (4) of the hull (2) in order to give sailing/navigation stability to the maritime drone (1) and at least one wing sail (6). The wing sail (6) comprises a mast (7) connected to the hull (2) and a wing profile (8) connected to the mast (7) and it is suitable to intercept the wind in order to move the maritime drone (1). The centerboard (5) internally defines a containment volume (9) for the wing sail (6), which is movable between an operative position, in which it extends at least partially above the upper face (3) of the hull (2), and an inoperative position, in which it is at least partially housed in the containment volume (9) of the centerboard (5).