Rotatable Aerofoil Sail Spar Control for Ship Fuel Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial shipping faces high fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, necessitating a reduction in these factors.
Innovation Solution
An automated aerofoil sail system for waterborne vessels, comprising a leading and trailing aerofoil portion with a spar structure, where at least one aerofoil portion is rotatably positionable and controlled by a controller using feedback signals from sensors, allowing for efficient wind harnessing and reduced manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If an automated control system with sensors and rotatable aerofoil portions is implemented, then fuel consumption and emissions are reduced through optimized wind power utilization, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sail system incorporates automated control with sensors that enable the aerofoil portions and spar to self-adjust their positions based on wind conditions, reducing the need for manual intervention and optimizing energy capture without proportionally increasing operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The control system uses feedback signals from sensors to continuously monitor wind conditions and automatically adjust the angular position of aerofoil portions and spar orientation, creating a closed-loop system that optimizes fuel efficiency through real-time adaptation
2Power
If multiple rotatable and pivotable aerofoil portions are used to maximize wind power capture, then propulsive power is optimized, but ease of operation decreases due to reduced manual control
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical control with an automated electronic control system that uses sensors and actuators to position the aerofoil portions and spar, transferring control from human operators to an automated mechanism that can continuously optimize propulsive power
3Ease of repair
If the spar structure is made accessible for maintenance with internal ladders and hatches, then ease of repair is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spar structure is designed with segmented access points including hatches and internal ladders that divide the maintenance access into manageable sections, allowing technicians to reach different components without requiring complete disassembly or complex external rigging
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 significantly reduces fuel consumption and emissions by maximizing wind power utilization, with the ability to self-balance and adjust to optimize propulsive power, while maintaining safety and ease of maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
an aerofoil sail for providing motive power to a waterborne vessel, the sail comprising a leading aerofoil portion and a trailing aerofoil portion
Implementation Method 2
maximizing wind power utilization
Data Source
AI summary
An aerofoil sail (30) for providing motive power to a waterborne vessel, the sail comprising a leading aerofoil portion (35a) and a trailing aerofoil portion (35b), and the sail comprising a spar (32), at least one of the aerofoil portions rotatably positionable, and the sail comprising a controller to control individually the angular position of at least one of the aerofoil portions relative to the spar, and the spar rotationally positionable about its longitudinal axis.