The instant invention describes devices and methods of measuring the differential air pressure at numerous representative points across the surface of the sail and providing visual feedback of areas of ideal laminar flow and areas of less than optimal airflow with an indication of how the sail must be adjusted to create the maximal differential in airflow. The invention utilizes an array of sensors that detect minute variations in barometric pressure and other data on each side of the sail surface. These sensors are connected together to form a network or net across the sail. This connection can be physical, using wires, or it may be wireless, using for example, but certainly not being limited to, Bluetooth LE 5.0 or other wireless topologies or technologies. Finally it may utilize a combination of wired and wireless connections to fit individual situations and may couple with existing terrestrial and satellite ship networks.

Various embodiments of a submerged submersible sailing vessel are disclosed. Such a submerged sailing vessel may comprise a submersible hull assembly, a keel coupled to and extending upwards from hull assembly towards a water surface, and a wind-catching assembly coupled to and extending upwards into the air from the keel for propelling the submerged sailing vessel. The hull assembly and the keel are submerged below the water surface as the vessel is propelled by the wind-catching assembly above the water surface.

Various embodiments of a submerged submersible sailing vessel are disclosed. Such a submerged sailing vessel may comprise a submersible hull assembly, a keel coupled to and extending upwards from hull assembly towards a water surface, and a wind-catching assembly coupled to and extending upwards into the air from the keel for propelling the submerged sailing vessel. The hull assembly and the keel are submerged below the water surface as the vessel is propelled by the wind-catching assembly above the water surface.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a steering arrangement for steering a kite driven watercraft (14) which includes a mounting member (base, 20) which is configured to be mounted on a watercraft (14), a first connecting member for connecting a leading edge region (16) of a canopy (12) of the kite to the mounting member, a second connecting member for connecting a trailing edge region (18) of the canopy (12) to the mounting member and a control device for controlling the displacement of the canopy relative to the watercraft via at least the second connecting member.

A shipping container includes a container configured to be secured onto a vessel or a vehicle. The shipping container further includes at least one wingsail stored in the container and configured to be unfolded to deploy from the container and folded to be stowed in the container,

One embodiment of a deployable structural system having sandwich-like shell stiffness and strength properties constructed of an outer elastic sheet (11) and an inner elastic sheet (12) connected by a plurality of parallel elongated substantially rigid webs (13) wherein hinges (14) constitute the connections. The hinge connection spacing dimensions on the inner and outer elastic sheets are differing such that the resulting assemblage may be elastically bent into a compact cylindrical configuration. Deployment is achieved through reversal of the bending process and application of sufficient external supports such that the deployed configuration is statically stable. Additional embodiments are described.

A method for detecting the form of sails and the like wherein in the form detection is brought about by means of a three-dimensional measurement of a plurality of locations of the surface of the sail, which measurement is carried out by means of measurement of the time-of-flight of an optical signal.

A method for detecting the form of sails and the like wherein in the form detection is brought about by means of a three-dimensional measurement of a plurality of locations of the surface of the sail, which measurement is carried out by means of measurement of the time-of-flight of an optical signal.

The present invention relates to a trimaran and, more specifically, to a variable trimaran using natural power, the variable trimaran having an outer hull, which is capable of ensuring stability with respect to a center hull in the middle thereof, can be selectively expanded and contracted in the horizontal and vertical directions thereof, a sail unit, which uses wind power, and a solar power generation unit so as to enable efficient long-term sailing without the use of fossil fuel. To this end, a horizontal adjustment unit and a vertical adjustment unit are provided for adjusting the position of the outer hull, and the solar power generation unit and the wind power sailing unit are used such that the position of the outer hull can be freely adjusted with respect to the center hull and efficient long-term sailing is enabled without the supply of an oil energy source due to the use of sunlight and wind power as power sources.

The present invention relates to a trimaran and, more specifically, to a variable trimaran using natural power, the variable trimaran having an outer hull, which is capable of ensuring stability with respect to a center hull in the middle thereof, can be selectively expanded and contracted in the horizontal and vertical directions thereof, a sail unit, which uses wind power, and a solar power generation unit so as to enable efficient long-term sailing without the use of fossil fuel. To this end, a horizontal adjustment unit and a vertical adjustment unit are provided for adjusting the position of the outer hull, and the solar power generation unit and the wind power sailing unit are used such that the position of the outer hull can be freely adjusted with respect to the center hull and efficient long-term sailing is enabled without the supply of an oil energy source due to the use of sunlight and wind power as power sources.