Apparent wind indication device
US4080826A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 4, 1977 |
| Grant date | Mar 28, 1978 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 4, 1997 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01P13/02
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A device for mounting on a sailboat to provide a visual indication of the optimum boat-to-wind angle to achieve maximum distance per unit of time to windward. A pivotally mounted wind vane includes a pair of flexible struts extending outwardly at equal angles on each side of the vane centerline and are deflected from a normal, unflexed position inwardly in proportion to apparent wind velocity. A flexible elongated member is affixed at one end to the support upon which the vane is pivotally mounted and is likewise flexed in accordance with apparent wind direction and velocity. Steering the boat to bring the flexible member into predetermined positional relationship to one of the flexible struts provides the desired optimization, for upwind travel, of boat-to-wind angle. The device is also useful in downwind sailing by aligning one of the struts on the windvane with either the transverse or longitudinal axis of the boat, depending on apparent wind velocity.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.