Roro Sailing Vessel Duplex Rig and Retractable Stabilizers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high-tonnage ships face challenges in using wind propulsion due to the need for large sail areas, which increase structural mass, restrict access to ports with bridges, and complicate maneuvering, especially in strong winds, while maintaining efficient navigation and cargo capacity.
Innovation Solution
A monohull cargo ship design featuring a duplex rig with two transversely spaced masts, stabilizer fins, and a pivot connection to the hull, allowing for a larger sail area with reduced mast height, facilitated by retractable stabilizers and a furling staysail, and incorporating mechanical propulsion for harbor maneuvers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a large sail area is used for wind propulsion, then propulsive force is improved, but structural mass increases and access to ports with bridges is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The sail area is segmented into multiple sails distributed across two masts rather than concentrated in a single tall mast. This allows the total sail area to be maintained while reducing the height of individual masts, enabling passage under bridges while preserving propulsive force.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigging system transitions from a single vertical dimension (one tall mast) to a two-dimensional arrangement (two spaced masts with multiple sails). This dimensional change distributes the sail area across a broader horizontal footprint, reducing the vertical height requirement while maintaining total propulsive surface area.
2Force
If a large sail area is used for wind propulsion, then propulsive force is improved, but the vessel's maneuverability in port areas deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizing fins are made retractable, allowing them to be deployed when wind propulsion is needed for stability and retracted when maneuvering in port areas. This dynamic adjustment enables the vessel to optimize its characteristics for different operational phases, maintaining both maneuverability and wind propulsion effectiveness.
3Stability of the object's composition
If stabilizing fins are deployed to prevent heeling, then vessel stability is improved, but air draft and water draft increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stabilizing fins are designed to be retractable, allowing the vessel to deploy them only when needed for stability during wind propulsion, and retract them when passing under bridges or maneuvering in confined port areas. This dynamic deployment resolves the contradiction between stability and draft requirements.
4Area of moving object
If duplex rigging with two masts is used, then sail area is doubled at equal air draft, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The two masts are structurally linked by standing rigging to form a unified gantry structure. This merging of the two masts into a single structural system simplifies the overall rigging architecture compared to two independent masts, reducing complexity while maintaining the doubled sail area benefit.
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
Enables efficient close-hauled navigation, reduced structural mass, and increased propulsive force while maintaining cargo capacity and hydrodynamic efficiency, allowing for consistent travel times and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Implementation Method 1
stabilizing fins under the submerged part of the hull
Implementation Method 2
the use of sail or, more generally, wind as a supplementary or primary propulsion method
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a single-hull vessel (11), especially a cargo vessel, comprising: a) a so-called duplex rig (110) comprising two transversely interspaced masts (111, 112), each one provided with a boom (130) for respectively carrying a sail (141, 142) extending between said mast and the boom (130), said two masts (111, 112) being connected by structural elements (121, 122), so-called standard rigging, so as to form a portal; and b) stabilising bilge keels (161, 162) below the submerged part of the hull; c) characterised in that the connection from the portal (110) to the hull of the vessel comprises a pivoting connection along a transverse axis (220) and the stabilising bilge keels (161, 162) are retractable.