Variable Profile Sail with Inflatable Stiffenable Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sail technologies for aquatic navigation lack efficiency and simplicity in operation, particularly in changing wind conditions, leading to complex and hazardous control and regulation issues, and mechanical drawbacks during furling and unfurling.
Innovation Solution
A sail with a variable, inflatable, and stiffenable profile, divided into sections around a shaft with a supporting structure and inflatable bags, allowing for easy adjustment and rotation, mimicking an aircraft wing profile, and covered by a technical fabric that adapts to shape changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid sails with articulated aerodynamic profiles are used, then aerodynamic efficiency is improved, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sail is divided into multiple independent inflatable cells or chambers that can be inflated or deflated separately. This segmentation allows the sail to achieve complex aerodynamic shapes through simple inflation/deflation actions, avoiding the need for complex articulated rigid structures while maintaining high aerodynamic efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pneumatic inflation systems to create and maintain the aerodynamic profile of the sail. By injecting air into inflatable cells, the sail achieves a rigid-like aerodynamic shape without requiring heavy rigid structures, thus improving aerodynamic efficiency while reducing structural complexity and operational difficulty.
2Reliability
If rigid sails are used to maintain aerodynamic profile, then aerodynamic efficiency is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complex control and regulation
Solution Approach 1:
The sail transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic inflatable structure that can be easily adjusted by controlling air pressure in different cells. This allows the sail to adapt its aerodynamic profile in real-time based on wind conditions, maintaining high aerodynamic efficiency while greatly simplifying operation through simple inflation/deflation controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The aerodynamic profile is maintained by changing the physical state (inflation/deflation) of the sail cells rather than mechanically adjusting rigid components. This parameter change approach allows for simple operational control while preserving the aerodynamic efficiency needed for effective wind energy conversion.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sails need to rotate 180° to change wind direction, then adaptability to wind direction is improved, but ease of operation and safety deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The sail is divided into multiple independently controllable cells that can be inflated or deflated on different sides. This allows the sail to pivot or reorient its aerodynamic profile by selectively inflating/deflating specific cells, enabling adaptation to wind direction changes without requiring a full 180° rotation of the entire sail structure, thus improving safety and operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflatable structure allows for dynamic reconfiguration of the sail profile in response to wind direction changes. By rapidly inflating or deflating specific cells, the sail can adapt its orientation to face the wind effectively without the need for hazardous mechanical rotation, maintaining adaptability while greatly improving ease of operation and safety.
4Adaptability or versatility
If complex furling mechanisms are used, then sail storage capability is improved, but device complexity and mechanical reliability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The sail uses pneumatic deflation to achieve compact storage. By simply releasing air pressure from the inflatable cells, the sail collapses into a compact form that can be easily stored, eliminating the need for complex mechanical furling mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining full storage capability.
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 achieves efficient energy conversion from wind to electrical and hydrogen production, with improved predictability and safety by maintaining aerodynamic efficiency and adaptability without needing to rotate 180° with wind direction changes, and allows for versatile and economical operation.
Implementation Method 1
at least one inflatable and stiffenable sail element, operable by an inflating and stiffening means
Implementation Method 2
the profile of the sail and therefore the aerodynamic surface in contact with the wind
Implementation Method 3
a system to convert the force of the wind over seas and oceans into electrical energy and into non-fossil fuel, thanks to the electrolysis of the seawater into H2 and/or O2
Implementation Method 4
the electrolysis of the seawater into H2 and/or O2
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The sail can vary between a folded non-operative position and an unfolded operative position, wherein they determine the profile of the sail (2) and therefore the aerodynamic surface for contacting with the wind, characterised in that the sail comprises at least one sail element (24) which is inflatable and stiffenable, and which can be actuated by inflation (30) and stiffening means (29), between a folded position corresponding to said folded non-operative position and said unfolded operative position, in which the sail (2) is inflated. The profile of the sail is divided into sections (21, 22) on both sides of a shaft (20), and comprises a support structure (23) on which said inflatable sail elements (24) are disposed, said inflatable sail elements being formed by inflatable pockets (24) which can be actuated by said inflation (30) and stiffening means (29).