Inflatable air foil
US4722498A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 29, 1985 |
| Grant date | Feb 2, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 29, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB64B1/50
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A non-rigid, gas inflatable airfoil having a bulbous inflatable forward body and three spaced-apart rearwardly extending inflatable tails. The tails are attached to the rearward portion of the body and form with the body a single inflatable chamber. The central tail is yieldably biased into an upwardly inclined position, and a pair of sheets extend between the tails. The airfoil has a generally delta shape and provides a positive lift when exposed to wind. The airfoil is connected to a single tie down line by a single attachment member and swivel attached to a central portion of the underside of the body. The body and tails have sufficient interior gas containing volume that when filled with a lighter-than-air gas will offset the weight of the airfoil. The bulbous body contains enough lighter-than-air gas that the airfoil assumes a vertical orientation with the body above the tail when in the water or in the air without wind. The body exits the water first and assists in pulling the tails free of the water to allow the airfoil to be inflated underwater and overcome the adhesive force and the weight of the water on the airfoil to allow it to fully exit the water without assistance.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.