Compact self-trimming wingsail
US5622131A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 28, 1996 |
| Grant date | Apr 22, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 28, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB63H9/061
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A wingsail assembly in which at least one thrust wing is mounted for free rotation about an upright axis and defining by its free rotation a trimming circle. The assembly includes a first control airfoil freely pivoted on a first boom extended upstream of a thrust wing, the first boom being of a length such that the first auxiliary control airfoil is within the trimming circle and a second control airfoil mounted downstream of the first control airfoil within the trimming circle and settable for controlling the angle of attack of the first control airfoil to the wind which in turn provides a turning moment for controlling the angle of attack of the thrust wing to provide thrust levels required for all normal sailing conditions. The assembly further moves the thrust wing to bring the instantaneous center of pressure of the thrust wing at different angles of attack into closer proximity to the upright axis and reduces the turning moment required of the first control airfoil, and in which the first control airfoil is freely pivoted about an axis ahead of all combined center of pressure locations for the first and second control airfoils.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.