Deployable Reversible Camber Sail System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sail designs face inefficiencies in wind direction changes, lack of ease in furling and stowing during dangerous conditions, and require significant human labor for operation, which hinders their use in commercial and recreational sailing.
Innovation Solution
A deployable sandwich-like shell sail system with a central mast-sail assembly, control and guide assemblies, and a sail module support and rotation assembly, allowing for automatic and quick configuration changes, high lift and low drag forces, and modular design for easy construction and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional fabric sails attached to spar or standing rigging are used, then the sail structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the sail efficiency in deriving driving force from wind velocity is low
Solution Approach 1:
The sail is divided into multiple rigid airfoil-shaped panels that can be independently configured and adjusted. Each panel maintains a precise airfoil cross-section for optimal aerodynamic performance while allowing modular assembly and disassembly for manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sail structure incorporates movable panels and adjustable rigging that allow dynamic reconfiguration of the sail shape and angle of attack in response to changing wind conditions, maximizing aerodynamic efficiency while maintaining structural integrity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid or nearly rigid single sails are used, then the sail maintains stable shape and aerodynamic performance, but the ability to quickly furl or stow during dangerous wind conditions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid sail is segmented into multiple detachable panels connected by hinges or quick-release mechanisms. This allows the sail to be rapidly disassembled and stowed by separating individual panels rather than manually furling a continuous fabric sail, combining structural stability with quick emergency deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the sail structure have specialized properties - the airfoil panels maintain rigid aerodynamic shapes for performance, while the connection points and rigging elements are designed for rapid deployment and easy operation by crew members.
3Device complexity
If conventional sails require significant human labor for operation, then the sail system is simple in design, but the operability and automation potential is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sail system incorporates standardized, modular components with uniform connection interfaces and control mechanisms that can be operated manually or integrated with automated control systems. The same rigid panel structure and rigging mechanisms serve both traditional manual operation and modern automated sail management.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional complex system of ropes, blocks, and manual reefing is replaced with a rigid panel structure that can be controlled by simpler mechanical actuators or electronic systems, reducing the need for extensive human labor while maintaining sail control capabilities.
4Ease of manufacture
If symmetrical airfoil cross-section is used, then the sail construction is simple, but the efficiency for both starboard and port tacks is decreased due to lack of camber
Solution Approach 1:
The airfoil cross-section is designed with asymmetric camber that can be oriented in two opposite configurations. This allows the sail to generate optimal lift and drag characteristics for both starboard and port tacks by simply reversing the camber orientation, rather than using a symmetrical section that would be equally inefficient for both directions.
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 sail system achieves high efficiency in various wind conditions, quick and safe stowing, and reduced labor requirements, enabling its use in commercial and recreational applications with automated operation and modular flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
the shape of the sail horizontal cross-section becomes important. All of the patent and patent application references cited above disclose sail designs that have a more-or-less 'airfoil' horizontal cross-sectional shape. In this context, an airfoil shape is that of a typical low-speed airplane wing cross-section. For wind speeds encountered for normal sailing conditions, the low-speed airfoil shape is efficient in that it generates large lift and low drag aerodynamic forces
Implementation Method 2
the low-speed airfoil shape is efficient in that it generates large lift and low drag aerodynamic forces for normal angles of attack
Implementation Method 3
Airfoils with reversible camber designs are important so that they are equally efficient for both relative wind tack directions (relative wind direction from either the right or left, respectively, for an observer looking forward)
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment of a deployable reversible camber sail system, based on a deployable shell (58) contained within a mast-sail assembly (11, 12) and supported and controlled by additional assemblies (13-15), is disclosed. The embodiment may be easily and quickly configured into the furled, feathered, port tack and starboard tack sail forms. In addition, this embodiment represents a highly efficient sail module which may be controlled by a single human operator or automated computer-based control system. Additional embodiments, utilizing assemblages of the first embodiment sail system module, are described.