Adjustable frame device for a profiled sail device, and adjustable profiled sail device

Abstract

An adjustable frame device for a profiled sail device includes a fixed luff-sided first frame portion and a leech-sided second frame portion. The second frame portion includes a first flexible sail batten and a second flexible sail batten that are movable with respect to one another in a sail-batten longitudinal direction to adjust the frame device, with one of the sail battens serving as a compression batten and the other of the sail battens serving as a tension batten. An adjustable profiled sail device includes a first profiled surface against which air can flow, a second profiled surface against which air can flow, with the first profiled surface and the second profiled surface being spaced apart from one another, and an adjustable skeleton device disposed between the profiled surfaces. The skeleton device includes at least one adjustable frame device.

Claims

1. An adjustable frame device for a profiled sail device, the frame device comprising: a fixed first frame section on a luff side of the sail device; a second frame section on a leech side of the sail device; the second frame section having a first flexurally flexible sail batten and a second flexurally flexible sail batten; wherein the first sail batten and the second sail batten are movable relative to each other along a sail batten longitudinal direction thereby adjusting the frame device; wherein one of the first or second sail battens serves as a pressure batten and the other of the first or second sail battens serves as a pull batten; and two sleeve-shaped second connecting elements interconnecting the first frame section and the second frame section.

2. The adjustable frame device of claim 1, further comprising: a first force transmission element on the leech-end side of the first sail batten; a second force transmission element on the first sail batten and spaced apart from the first force transmission element in the longitudinal direction of the first sail batten; a third force transmission element on the leech-end side of the second sail batten; and a fourth force transmission element on the second sail batten and spaced apart from the third force transmission element in the longitudinal direction of the second sail batten.

3. The frame device of claim 2, wherein the first force transmission element and the third transmission element each comprise an inner part configured to be positioned at a sail inner side, and an outer part configured to be positioned at a sail outer side.

4. The frame device of claim 2, further comprising: a first control tie that is active between the first force transmission element of the first sail batten and the fourth force transmission element of the second sail batten; and a second control tie that is active between the third force transmission element of the second sail batten and the second force transmission element of the first sail batten.

5. The frame device of claim 4, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth force transmission elements each comprise at least one idler pulley.

6. The frame device of claim 4, wherein: the first control tie is guided chordally at the second sail batten; and the second control tie is guided chordally at the first sail batten.

7. The frame device of claim 2, further comprising: a first pulley configured between the first force transmission element of the first sail batten and the fourth force transmission element of the second sail batten; and a second pulley configured between the second force transmission element of the first sail batten and the third force transmission element of the second sail batten.

8. The frame device of claim 1, further comprising: at least one rod element articulatedly connected to the first sail batten and the second sail batten; and at least one pull element situated between the first sail batten and the second sail batten.

9. The frame device of claim 1, wherein the first frame section comprises: an arch element; a rod element; and two first connecting elements interconnecting the arch element and the rod element.

10. An adjustable, profiled sail device, comprising: a first profiled surface that can be flown against, the first profiled surface having a sail outer side and a sail inner side; a second profiled surface that can be flown against, the second profiled surface having a sail outer side and a sail inner side; wherein the first profiled surface and the second profiled surface are spaced a distance from each other; and an adjustable skeleton device disposed between the first and second profiled surfaces; wherein the skeleton device comprises at least one frame device according to claim 1.

11. The profiled sail device of claim 10, wherein the skeleton device comprises at least one actively adjustable frame device and at least one passively adjustable frame device.

12. The profiled sail device of claim 10, further comprising a sailcloth, the sailcloth guided in an abutting manner at the skeleton device.

13. The profiled sail device of claim 12, wherein the sailcloth comprises openings for the passage of control ties of the at least one frame device.

14. An adjustable frame device for a profiled sail device, the frame device comprising: a fixed first frame section on a luff side of the sail device; a second frame section on a leech side of the sail device; the second frame section having a first flexurally flexible sail batten and a second flexurally flexible sail batten; wherein the first sail batten and the second sail batten are movable relative to each other along a sail batten longitudinal direction thereby adjusting the frame device; wherein one of the first or second sail battens serves as a pressure batten and the other of the first or second sail battens serves as a pull batten; wherein the first frame section comprises: an arch element, a rod element, and two first connecting elements interconnecting the arch element and the rod element; and wherein: the two first connecting elements each comprise at least one idler pulley, or the frame device further comprises two third connecting elements having hinge joints articulatedly connecting the rod element to the first sail batten and the second sail batten.

15. An adjustable, profiled sail device, comprising: a first profiled surface that can be flown against, the first profiled surface having a sail outer side and a sail inner side; a second profiled surface that can be flown against, the second profiled surface having a sail outer side and a sail inner side; wherein the first profiled surface and the second profiled surface are spaced a distance from each other; and an adjustable skeleton device disposed between the first and second profiled surfaces; wherein the skeleton device comprises at least one adjustable frame device, the frame device comprising: a fixed first frame section on a luff side of the sail device, a second frame section on a leech side of the sail device, the second frame section having a first flexurally flexible sail batten and a second flexurally flexible sail batten, wherein the first sail batten and the second sail batten are movable relative to each other along a sail batten longitudinal direction thereby adjusting the frame device, and wherein one of the first or second sail battens serves as a pressure batten and the other of the first or second sail battens serves as a pull batten; first force transmission elements on the leech-end sides of the first and second sail battens of the at least one frame device; each first force transmission element comprising an inner part configured to be positioned at a sail inner side, and an outer part configured to be positioned at a sail outer side; and a sailcloth that, in sections, is held between the inner parts and the outer parts of the first force transmission elements.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and, together with a general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

(2) FIG. 1 shows an adjustable profiled sail device having outside lying sail surfaces and an inside lying skeleton structure;

(3) FIG. 2 shows an adjustable frame device for a profiled sail device comprising a fixed luff-sided frame section, a leech-sided frame section having sail battens and a control tie;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of a luff-sided frame section having an adjustable frame device;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a detailed view of sail battens of a leech-sided frame section of an adjustable frame device having force transmission elements and a control tie; and

(6) FIG. 5 shows in a longitudinal-sectional view and a cross-sectional view a rod element articulatedly connected with a sail batten.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) FIG. 1 shows an adjustable profiled sail device 100 having outside lying profiled surfaces 102, 104 and an inside lying skeleton device 106. Profiled sail device 100 serves for the actuation of a sailing craft here not shown in greater detail. Skeleton device 106 dictates the shape of the profiled sail device. Profiled surfaces 102, 104 form sail surfaces of profiled sail device 100 and are stretched over skeleton device 106. Profiled sail device 100 comprises a first profiled surface 102 and an opposite lying second profiled surface 104. Between profiled surfaces 102, 104, an interior 108 is formed, in which skeleton device 106 is disposed. Profiled sail device 100 comprises a hydrofoil profile, by which a dynamic propulsion can be generated with the aid of a wing profile effect. The hydrofoil profile of profiled sail device 100 is adjustable between two end positions. Operating positions for an advancing flow against first profiled surface 102 and operating positions for an advancing flow against second profiled surface 104 can be adjusted. For this purpose, the sail surface to be flown against has a convexly cambered surface. The opposite lying sail surface has a cambered surface in an s-shape. Profiled sail device 100 has a profile nose 110 having a nose radius and a profile trailing edge 112 having a trailing edge angle. The longest line from profile nose 110 to profile trailing edge 112, which is identical to the profile chord, determines the profile depth. The profile camber results in the maximum deviation of a skeleton line from the profile chord. Skeleton line refers to the line which in a cross section of profiled sail device 100 is positioned exactly between profiled surfaces 102, 104. The profile contour of profiled sail device 100 is also symmetrical around the skeleton line. A different definition is: The skeleton line is the connecting line of centers of a circle inscribed into a profile. The profile thickness is the maximum diameter of a circle on the skeleton line within the profile. The profile camber decisively determines the maximum propulsion and is substantial for a moment coefficient.

(8) Profiled surfaces 102, 104 can also be made of a woven cloth made from synthetic fibers. Profiled surfaces 102, 104 can be made from a laminated sail, in which fibers are adhesively bonded with foils or a woven fabric. Profiled surfaces 102, 104 can be formed by a membrane sail, in which reinforced fibers are introduced already during manufacture of the sail according to an expected load line. Profiled surfaces 102, 104 can comprise synthetic fibers, for example of polyamide, polyester, polyethylene naphthalate, aramid, and/or carbon fiber.

(9) Skeleton device 106 comprises a plurality, presently 19, adjustable frame devices, such as 114. Frame devices 114 each are actively or passively adjustable. Frame devices 114 each comprise a fixed luff-sided frame section and a leech-sided second frame section including flexible sail battens. As a result, profiled sail device 100 can be adjusted.

(10) Profiled sail device 100 is disposed at a mast 116. Mast 116 extends when profiled sail device 100 is hoisted into interior 108 and through openings in frame devices 114. There is a play between the edges of the openings and the mast. Frame devices 114 in a limited manner are displaceable at mast 116 in the direction of the mast axis. Frame devices 114 are movable at mast 116 in the direction of the mast axis. Frame devices 114 are pivotable about mast 116. For this reason, profiled sail device 100 is pivotable about mast 116. Mast 116 extends in the hydrofoil profile behind profile nose 110, so that a smaller section of profiled sail device 100 extends between mast 116 and profile nose 110, and a larger section of profiled sail device 100 extends between mast 116 and profile trailing edge 112. Mast 116 in the present case is fixedly connected, in particular in a rotationally fixed manner, to a vessel body such as a hull. Mast 116 can stand on a keel and be guided through a deck. Alternatively, mast 116 can stand on the deck and be braced from below on the keel.

(11) FIG. 2 shows an actively adjustable frame device 200, for example frame device 114 according to FIG. 1, for a profiled sail device, for example profiled sail device 100 according to FIG. 1, having a fixed luff-sided frame section 202, a leech-sided frame section 204 including sail battens 206, 208 and a control tie 210. For reasons of clarity, in the present case only one control tie 210 is shown and described but, in fact, frame device 200 has a further symmetrically situated and effective control tie for adjusting frame device 200 in an opposite direction.

(12) Frame device 200 comprises a longitudinal axis 212, which extends between a luff side 214 and a leech side 216, and a width oriented transversely thereto. Frame device 200 starting from a neutral center position is adjustable optionally into a first end position or into a second end position. In the neutral central position, longitudinal axis 212 is straight. When adjusting in the direction of the end positions, the longitudinal axis 212 is bent. FIG. 2 shows frame device 200 in an end position.

(13) FIG. 3 shows luff-sided frame section 202 of frame device 200 in a detailed view. Luff-sided frame section 202 is fixed with regard to an adjustability of frame device 200 and comprises an arch element 218, a rod element 220 and two first connecting elements 222, 224 to interconnect arch element 218 and rod member 220. Arch element 218 comprises a clip-like bent shape and forms a luff-sided end of frame device 200. Rod element 220 serves for receiving and/or transmitting pressure forces and extends by its rod longitudinal axis transversely to longitudinal axis 212. Arch element 218 and rod element 220 form a triangular frame. First connecting elements 222, 224 each have a triangular shape, are disposed at arch element 218 and comprise respectively one receptacle for one end of rod element 220.

(14) Frame device 200 comprises two shell-shaped second connecting elements 226, 228 for interconnecting luff-sided frame section 202 and leech-sided frame section 204. Second connecting elements 226, 228 comprise respectively one receptacle for one end of arch element 218 and for one end of a sail batten 206, 208.

(15) Sail battens 206, 208 are respectively connected by one end to connecting element 226 or 228 and respectively extend starting from luff-sided frame section 202 to leech-side 216. Sail battens 206, 208 each are pressure-resistant and tension-resistant. Sail battens 206, 208 each serve as pressure batten for receiving and/or transmitting pressure forces and/or as pull batten for receiving and/or transmitting tensile forces. Sail battens 206, 208 each are elastically flexurally flexible.

(16) Frame device 200 comprises a rod element 230 articulatedly connected to first sail batten 206 and second sail batten 208. Rod element 230 serves for receiving and/or transmitting pressure forces and extends by its rod longitudinal axis transversely to longitudinal axis 212. Rod element 220, sail battens 206, 208 and rod element 230 form a quadrangular frame, by which frame device 200 is disposed at a mast 232. Frame device 200 comprises a control tie 234 acting between sail battens 206, 208, which in the tensioned state extends transversely to longitudinal axis 212 and serves for transmitting tensile forces.

(17) For the articulated connection of rod element 230 to sail battens 206, 208, frame device 200 comprises two third connecting elements 236, 238 having hinges, for example 240, for articulatedly connecting rod element 230 with sail battens 206, 208. Third connecting elements 236, 238 comprise respectively one hinge part, for example 242, assigned to a sail batten 206, 208, and one hinge part, for example 244, assigned to rod element 230. FIG. 5 shows rod element 230 articulatedly connected to sail batten 208 in a longitudinal sectional view and in a cross sectional view. Hinge part 242 is fixedly connected to sail batten 208, in the present case, is clamped. Hinge part 244 is fixedly connected to rod element 230.

(18) Sail battens 206, 208 extend along longitudinal axis 212 and starting from rod element 230 have a distance from each other which diminishes in the direction of leech side 216. The leech-sided ends of sail battens 206, 208 are each free and in particular are movable toward each other in the longitudinal direction of the sail battens. Sail battens 206, 208 serve for mounting a sail and each can be connectable to the sail.

(19) Frame device 200 at sail battens 206, 208 comprises first force transmission elements 246, 248 at the end sides and two force transmission elements 250, 252 at a distance from the first force transmission elements. Force transmission elements 246, 250 are fixedly connected to first sail batten 206. Force transmission elements 248, 252 are fixedly connected to second sail batten 208.

(20) First force transmission elements 246, 248 comprise respectively one inner part for positioning at a sail inside and an outer part for positioning at a sail outside. The inner parts are fixedly connected to sail battens 206, 208. An inner part and an outer part are screwed to each other. Respectively one sail can be clamped between an inner part and an outer part.

(21) Respectively one attachment hole, for example, 254, and one idler pulley, for example 256, are situated at the inner parts of first force transmission elements 246, 248. Respectively one idler pulley, for example 258, is situated at the outer parts of first force transmission elements 246, 248. Idler pulleys 256, 258 comprise rotary axes which are parallel to each other. Respectively two idler pulleys, for example 260, 262, are situated at two force transmission elements 250, 252. Idler pulleys 260, 262 comprise rotary axes which are perpendicular to each other.

(22) Control tie 210 acts between first force transmission element 246 of first sail batten 206 and second force transmission element 252 of second sail batten 208 and serves for transmitting tensile forces. Control tie 210 is tension-resistantly attached at the inside of the sail at attachment hole 254 of first force transmission element 246, guided around idler pulley 260 of second force transmission element 252, idler pulley 256 of first force transmission element 246 and idler pulley 262 of second force transmission element 252. In so doing, a pulley is formed at the inside of the sail. Subsequently, control tie 210 is guided at idler pulley 256 to an outside of a sail and around idler pulley 258 of first force transmission element 248. FIG. 4 shows sail battens 206, 208 of leech-sided frame section 204 of frame device 200 having force transmission elements 246, 248, 250, 252 and control tie 210 in a detailed view.

(23) Subsequently, control tie 210 is guided in a chordally at second sail batten 208 in the direction of luff side 214. First connecting elements 222, 224 comprise respectively two idler pulleys, for example 264, 266, having rotary axes which are perpendicular to each other. At idler pulley 264, control tie 210 is subsequently guided toward an inside of the sail and around idler pulley 266 toward a boat deck.

(24) For adjusting frame device 200 into the end position shown in FIG. 2 starting from a neutral center position, a tensile force is applied to control tie 210, so that first force transmission element 246 of first sail batten 206 and second force transmission element 252 of second sail batten 208 are pulled toward each other. In this instance, a pressure force is applied to first sail batten 206 and a tensile force is applied to second sail batten 208, the ends on the leech side of sail battens 206, 208 are shifted toward each other, sail battens 206, 208 and longitudinal axis 212 are flexurally bent, as it is shown in FIG. 2. In the bent state, sail battens 206, 208 are pre-biased and serve as mechanical energy store. If control tie 210 is again released, frame device 200 returns elastically into the neutral center position.

(25) While the present invention has been illustrated by a description of various embodiments, and while these embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. The various features shown and described herein may be used alone or in any combination. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and method, and illustrative example shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit and scope of the general inventive concept.

REFERENCE CHARACTERS

(26) 100 profiled sail device 102 profiled surface 104 profiled surface 106 skeleton device 108 Interior 110 profile nose 112 profile trailing edge 114 frame device 116 Mast 200 frame device 202 luff-sided frame section 204 leech-sided frame section 206 first sail batten 208 second sail batten 210 first control tie 212 longitudinal axis 214 luff side 216 leech side 218 arch element 220 rod element 222 first connecting element 224 first connecting element 226 second connecting element 228 second connecting element 230 rod element 232 Mast 234 control tie 236 third connecting element 238 third connecting element 240 hinge 242 hinge part 244 hinge part 246 first force transmission element 248 first force transmission element 250 second force transmission element 252 second force transmission element 254 attachment hole 256 idler pulley 258 idler pulley 260 idler pulley 262 idler pulley 264 idler pulley 266 idler pulley