Ship's sail made up of articulated panels and ship equipped therewith

Abstract

A sail includes at least three sides, namely two longitudinal sides respectively called luff and leach, as well as a lower transverse side called foot consisting of an assembly of panels having transverse edges parallel to the foot and longitudinal edges parallel to the luff and the leach, each panel being hinged to the adjoining panel around an axis parallel to the foot. Each of the panels includes reinforcing elements distributed into the two following groups: (a) a first group in which they extend parallel and in proximity to said transverse edges, and (b) a second group in which they extend parallel and in proximity to the longitudinal edges of the panel. They are connected two by two by connection parts in the continuation of the reinforcing elements of the second group, so that the forces assumed by the reinforcing elements are transmitted longitudinally from one panel to another.

Claims

1. A sail of a vessel, said sail comprising: a luff side, a leach side, and a foot side, said sail comprising an assembly of panels having transverse edges substantially parallel to said foot side and longitudinal edges which are substantially parallel respectively to said luff side and said leach side, each of said assembly of panels being hinged to an adjoining said panel around an axis parallel or substantially parallel to said foot side; each of said assembly of panels including a plurality of reinforcing elements each having the shape of an elongated strip; said reinforcing elements being distributed at least into the following two groups: (a) a first group in which said reinforcing elements extend parallel and in proximity to said transverse edges of said assembly of panels; and (b) a second group in which said reinforcing elements extend parallel and in proximity to the longitudinal edges of said assembly of panels; said assembly of panels being connected two by two by connection parts which are situated in continuation of said reinforcing elements of said second group, so that forces assumed by said reinforcing elements are transmitted longitudinally from one of said panels to another, without discontinuity, via said connection parts.

2. The sail according to claim 1, wherein said panels include a rigid material and each of said panels forms with said reinforcing elements that it includes a single-piece assembly.

3. The sail according to claim 1, wherein said reinforcing elements are applied to each panel, by sewing or gluing.

4. The sail according to claim 3 wherein said reinforcing elements are a material selected from the following group: fabric, composite material, high-strength fibers, resin, metal or associations of at least two of these materials.

5. The sail according to claim 1, wherein said connection parts also constitute hinge parts of one of said panels with respect to an adjoining panel.

6. A sail of a vessel, said sail comprising: a luff side, a leach side, and a foot side, said sail comprising an assembly of panels having transverse edges substantially parallel to said foot side and longitudinal edges which are substantially parallel respectively to said luff side and said leach side, each of said assembly of panels being hinged to an adjoining said panel around an axis parallel or substantially parallel to said foot side; each of said assembly of panels including a plurality of reinforcing elements each having the shape of an elongated strip; said reinforcing elements being distributed at least into the following two groups: (a) a first group in which said reinforcing elements extend parallel and in proximity to said transverse edges of said assembly of panels; (b) a second group in which said reinforcing elements extend parallel and in proximity to the longitudinal edges of said assembly of panels; said assembly of panels being connected two by two by connection parts which are situated in continuation of said reinforcing elements of said second group, so that forces assumed by said reinforcing elements are transmitted longitudinally from one of said panels to another, without discontinuity, via said connection parts; and wherein said connection parts also constitute hinge parts of one of said panels with respect to an adjoining panel and wherein said hinge parts comprise a link rod at opposite ends which are hinged to two adjoining of said panels via pivots oriented perpendicularly to said reinforcing elements of said second group.

7. The sail according to claim 6, wherein each of said panels includes, along its longitudinal edge closest to said luff side and at least over a portion of a length of said longitudinal edge, a guide rail in which is arranged a sliding panel dolly, displacement of said panel dolly being limited by ends of said guide rail.

8. The sail according to claim 6, wherein said reinforcing elements are present on only one of two opposite faces of each of said panels.

9. The sail according to claim 6, wherein said reinforcing elements are present on both opposite faces of each of said panels and face each other two by two.

10. A vessel comprising a mast which is equipped with a sail, said sail comprising: a first longitudinal side, a second longitudinal side, and a lower transverse side, said sail comprising an assembly of panels having transverse edges substantially parallel to said lower transverse side and longitudinal edges which are substantially parallel respectively to said first longitudinal side and second longitudinal side, each of said assembly of panels being hinged to an adjoining said panel around an axis parallel or substantially parallel to said lower transverse side, each of said assembly of panels including a plurality of reinforcing elements, said reinforcing elements being distributed at least into the following two groups: (a) a first group in which said reinforcing elements extend parallel and in proximity to said transverse edges of said assembly of panels; and (b) a second group in which said reinforcing elements extend parallel and in proximity to the longitudinal edges of said assembly of panels; said assembly of panels being connected by connection parts situated in continuation of said reinforcing elements of said second group, so that forces assumed by said reinforcing elements are transmitted longitudinally from one of said panels to another, without discontinuity, via said connection parts.

11. The vessel according to claim 10, wherein each of said panels of said sail is connected to said mast by: a sliding mast dolly which is configured to slide along said mast; and a connection which is connected, on one hand, to said mast dolly and on another hand to said panels, said connection allowing displacement of said panels with respect to said mast dolly in a direction of said first longitudinal side.

12. The vessel according to claim 11, wherein said connection comprises a flexible connection means attached to said panel.

13. The vessel according to claim 11, wherein said connection comprises a panel dolly configured to slide in a guide rail positioned along a longitudinal edge closest to said first longitudinal side, and a connection and hinge part connecting said panel dolly to said mast dolly.

14. The vessel according to claim 10, wherein at least one portion of said panels of said sail includes, along its longitudinal edge closest to said first longitudinal side and at least over a portion of a length of said longitudinal edge, a guide rail in which is arranged a sliding panel dolly, displacement of said panel dolly being limited by ends of said rail, and said panel dolly and mast dolly are hinged with respect to one another by a connection and hinge part, said assembly, including said panel dolly and said connection and hinge part constituting a connection device, so that they are movable between a first position in which they extend substantially in a same plane when said sail is raised, and a second position in which they extend along substantially perpendicular planes when said sail is furled.

15. A sail of a vessel, said sail comprising: a luff side, a leach side, and a foot side, said sail comprising an assembly of panels, each panel comprising: a transverse edge substantially parallel to said foot side; a first longitudinal edge substantially parallel to said luff side; a second longitudinal edge substantially parallel to said leach side; a first reinforcing element extending parallel to and in proximity to the first longitudinal edge; and a second reinforcing element extending parallel to and in proximity to the second longitudinal edge; each panel being hinged to an adjoining said panel around an axis parallel to said foot side by a first connection part and a second connection part, wherein said first connection part is aligned with said first reinforcing element and said second connection part is aligned with said second reinforcing element, and wherein said first connection part is configured to transmit luff forces and said second connection part is configured to transmit leach forces longitudinally from one panel to another panel in said panel assembly; and wherein said first connection part and said second connection part permit pivoting of each panel with respect to an adjoining panel.

16. The sail according to claim 15, wherein each panel further comprises: a guide rail along said first longitudinal edge; and a slide dolly configured to move along said guide rail.

17. The sail according to claim 16, wherein each slide dolly is configured to be coupled to a corresponding mast dolly and wherein said slide dolly is configured to rotate with respect to said mast dolly.

18. The sail according to claim 15, further comprising a synchronization assembly between each panel and an adjoining panel, wherein each synchronization assembly is configured to allow tilting of each panel and an adjoining panel in a first direction and to prevent tilting of each panel and adjoining panel in a second direction.

19. The sail according to claim 15, wherein said first connection part has a first longitudinal axis and said second connection part has a second longitudinal axis, and wherein said luff forces have a transmission axis corresponding to said first longitudinal axis and said leach forces have a transmission axis corresponding to said second longitudinal axis.

20. The sail according to claim 19, wherein said second longitudinal axis is angled with respect to said first longitudinal axis.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Other features and advantages of the invention will appear upon reading the detailed description that follows. It will be made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a very schematic front view of a sail of a vessel formed with hinged panels, in conformity with an embodiment of the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view, also very schematic, of the sail of FIG. 1 shown in the almost completely folded position;

(4) FIG. 3 is a partial front view of three adjoining panels, constituting the sail of FIG. 1, this figure being more particularly intended to illustrate the reinforcing elements which they include;

(5) FIG. 4 is a partial front view of two adjoining panels showing specifically one of the connection parts which connects them, this part being situated on the side of the leach of the sail;

(6) FIG. 5 is also a partial front view of the two adjoining panels of FIG. 4, showing specifically one of the connection parts which connects them, this part being situated on the side of the luff of the sail, specifying that there is also visible in this figure a pair of dollies for guiding the panels of the sail relative to the mast of the vessel which is equipped with them;

(7) FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of two panels like those shown in the foregoing figures, these panels being partially folded over one another, this figure being more particularly to show the positioning of one of the connection parts;

(8) FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of two panels of the sail, these panels being provided with so-called synchronization straps;

(9) FIGS. 8A to 8D are schematics illustrating different positioning of the panels of FIG. 7 and of the straps that are associated with it;

(10) FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of two panels which occupy a partially folded position; and

(11) FIG. 10 is a schematic showing a variant of the means which connect the panels of the sail to the mast of the vessel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(12) The sail which is shown in FIG. 1 is shown in the raised position, in place on a mast 2 provided with a boom which equips the deck of a vessel 1. This vessel will no longer be shown in detail because it does not really constitute the core of the invention. At all events, it can be a liner, a freight transporting vessel, a fishing vessel, a cruising sailboat, a yacht, etc.

(13) In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the sail has the shape of a quadrilateral which is inscribed inside a right triangle. More precisely, this sail includes two longitudinal sides 40 and 41 which are respectively denominated, in the terms of the trade, luff and leach, a lower transverse side called a foot 42 attached to the boom, as well as an upper transverse side 43. In an embodiment not described here, the sail could be inscribed within a rectangle like that defined by the dotted lines R, or in a right triangle such as that delimited by the mixed lines T, these lines being visible in the aforementioned figure.

(14) In conformity with the invention, this sail consists of an assembly of panels 5. In FIG. 1, ten panels 5 are shown but this number may be different, i.e. lesser or greater. The sail 4 of FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 2 in the furled position so that the different panels 5 constituting it are superimposed alternately on one another at a lower position on the mast, in a zigzag or accordion arrangement.

(15) Referring more specifically to FIG. 3, the structure of the aforementioned panels 5 is described hereafter. This description is made for a particular panel 5 and its immediately adjoining panels 5sup and 5inf. However, this description also applies to the assembly of the panels 5 of the sail 4. These panels have upper 50 and lower 51 transverse edges, as well as longitudinal luff edge 52 and leach edge 53, these last two edges being called luff edge and leach edge because they are next to the luff, respectively the leach of the sail 4.

(16) Each panel is formed from material such as fabric, a composite material, a metal, or associations of at least two of these materials. A material which is particularly suited is that known under the trademark MYLAR and which consists of polyethylene terephthalate.

(17) These panels 5 include a plurality of reinforcing elements 6 and 6, each element 6 and 6 having the shape of an elongated strip. The reinforcing elements 6 and 6 are preferably present on each of the two opposite faces of the panel 5 but they could be considered be on only one face.

(18) These reinforcing elements are distributed into two groups. The first group consists of reinforcing elements 6 which extend parallel and in proximity to the upper 50 and lower 51 transverse edges of the panel. These reinforcing elements are shown schematically in FIG. 3, but it is necessary to consider that these elements extend until the immediate proximity of the longitudinal edges 52 and 53 of the panel 5. The second group of reinforcing elements consists of the elements 6 which extend parallel and in proximity to the longitudinal edges 52 and 53 of the panel 5. Just as for the reinforcing elements of the first group, the reinforcing elements 6 of the second group extend preferably to the immediate vicinity of the transverse edges 50 and 51 of the panel 5.

(19) When the panel consists of a rigid material such as metal, these reinforcing elements can be integrated into the panel itself so as to constitute a single-piece assembly. This is then a panel which, to some degree and by way of a simple comparison, resembles a door panel which would be equipped with a peripheral molding. This signifies that the panel 5 has additional peripheral thicknesses which are embodied in the reinforcing elements 6 and 6. This type of panel preferably equips vessels subjected to strong loads, such as commercial vessels, liners and fishing boats.

(20) In all other specific cases, where the reinforcing elements 6 and 6 do not form a single-piece assembly with the panel 5, these reinforcing elements 6 and 6 are then applied to each panel 5, particularly by sewing, gluing, welding mechanical assembly, etc. In the same manner as for the material which constitutes the panel itself, the reinforcing elements can consist of fabric, of composite material, of metal or of associations of at least two of these materials, a list to which can also be added high-strength fibers such as those formed by carbon or aramid. The value of the presence of the reinforcing elements 6 which extend parallel to the lateral edges 50 and 51 of the panel 5 is that the transverse forces to which the sail is subjected during navigation are transmitted essentially to the mast 2 of the vessel 1.

(21) As for the reinforcing elements 6 of the second group, they withstand the longitudinal forces which are retransmitted from top to bottom along the sail 4, as well be seen later. This assumption of forces by the reinforcing elements 6 is made from one panel to the adjoining panel by connection parts which are labeled with reference symbol 7 in FIGS. 4 and 5. In this particular embodiment, the parts 7 also have the function of allowing relative hinging of the panels 5.

(22) More precisely, these connection parts are situated in the continuation of the reinforcing elements 6 of the second group. Thus, when referring to FIG. 4, the transmission axis of the leach forces has been labeled Y-Y. This axis corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the reinforcing elements 6 which equip the panel 5 and the panel 5inf situated immediately below. The reinforcing element 6 have not been embodied in FIGS. 4 and 5 for the simple purpose of simplification.

(23) The connection part 7 which is visible in FIG. 4 includes a link rod 70 which is situated on the aforementioned axis Y-Y. This axis forms with the transverse axis X-X (parallel to the transverse edges of the panels) where two panels are hinged, an angle slightly greater than 90. The value of this angle is equal to that which the foot 42 forms with the leach 41 of the sail 4.

(24) The link rod 70 is hinged around two pivots 71 which are integrated into each of the panels 5, pivots which extend along an axis Z-Z perpendicular to the axis of transmission Y-Y. To facilitate the movement of the hinge of the two panels 5 with respect to each other, notches are provided in these panels to accommodate the link rod 70 and its pivots 71, as shown in FIG. 4.

(25) In an entirely similar manner, the reinforcing elements 6 which are disposed on the longitudinal side of the luff 52 are separated from each other by an identical connection part 7. However, in this particular case, the angle which the axis of transmission of the leach forces Y1-Y1 forms is perpendicular to the hinge axis X-X of the panels 5. There too, notches are provided at this point to facilitate the hinging motion.

(26) Of course, although there exists a free space between the panels 5 to allow folding of the sail 4, a person skilled in the art will know how to reduce this space to a minimum to affect as little as possible the aerodynamics of the assembly. Observing FIG. 6, it is understood that the link rod 7 is dimensioned in such a manner that even when the panels 5 and 5inf are folded one upon the other, it does not generate any protruding additional thickness which would be contrary to proper stacking of the other panels to be folded. Adding other reinforcing elements not visible in the appended figures to the aforementioned elements 6 and 6 cannot be excluded. Assuming this, these additional elements are preferably disposed substantially vertically inside the panel, and have as their main function to assume forces generated by the sail if the reinforcing elements 6 and 6 mentioned above are not sufficient alone to assume the longitudinal forces generated in the sail or if the two connection parts described above, situated vertically above the aforementioned sole reinforcing elements 6 and 6, are not sufficient to ensure the integrity of the sail.

(27) To facilitate folding of the sail 4, it is advantageous to synchronize the relative movement of two adjoining panels 5 so that the link rods 70 constantly remain normal to the bisector of the angle formed by the two planes of the concerned panels 5. To this end, it is possible to consider installing between the two adjoining panels a tilt-proof link rod assembly or gear assembly which will allow tilting of two panels with respect to one another in one direction, and prevent it in the opposite direction.

(28) Another simple and practical solution to implement is shown in FIG. 7 as well as in FIGS. 8A to 8D. It uses crossed straps. In this particular case, and as shown more specifically in FIG. 7, these are pairs of straps 9 and 9 which are disposed on the transverse edges of the panels 5 and parallel to the longitudinal edges of these same panels. In the case shown here, these are panels 5 made of metal including single-piece reinforcing elements 6 which generate a very visible additional thickness.

(29) These pairs of straps 9 and 9, numbering two in the example illustrated, are arranged in such a manner that they begin for the pair 9 on the front face of a panel 5 and extend to the opposite face of the immediately lower panel 5inf. In this manner, they pass around the lower transverse edge 51 of the panel 5 as well as the upper edge 50 of the panel 5inf. In a similar manner and on the second face of the panel 5, straps 9 begin and extend to the front face of the lower panel 5inf. These are non-extendable straps, so that the developed length of their path is invariable, which ensures folding without slipping of the straps 9 and 9 on the panels 5, the center distance between panel is conserved, as shown more particularly by FIGS. 8A to 8D.

(30) To allow the sail to be raised or to bring it back into the furled position, each panel 5 is provided along its longitudinal edge 52 closest to the luff 40, with a guide rail 520 in which is arranged a sliding dolly 8 called a panel dolly, this dolly 8 being formed to move freely along the rail while still having its displacement limited by the opposite ends of this rail 520. This rail extends for example only over a portion of the edge 52. Moreover, and in known fashion, the mast 2 to which is associated the sail 4 is also provided with a dolly 8 called the mast dolly, which is formed to slide in a longitudinal groove formed in the mast.

(31) A hinge part forming a ball joint 80 is visible between these two dollies in FIG. 5, which is formed so as to allow the dolly 8 to occupy either a position parallel to the dolly 8, as shown in FIG. 5, or a position perpendicular to that of the dolly 8, so that this double dolly 8-8 allows longitudinal sliding of the panels 5 along the mast 2 without however impeding the maneuvers of deployment and folding of the sail. Of course, in an optimized configuration of the invention, all the panels of the sail will not be provided with a guide rail 520 along their longitudinal edge 52 closest to their luff 40. A person skilled in the art will be able to determine the number of mast dollies needed to affect as little as possible the aerodynamic properties of the assembly and/or the kinematics of folding/unfolding the sail.

(32) Two panels 5 and 5inf are visible in FIG. 9 in an intermediate folding position in which said dollies 8 and 8 form an acute angle between them. In the variant embodiment of FIG. 10, and as in the previous embodiments, the mast 2 is equipped with a dolly 8. On the other hand, the connection to each panel 5 is accomplished by a connection device 80 which consists for example of a textile or polymer material cord. It is solidly attached to the aforementioned dolly 8, as well as to the panel 5, in at least one point 8.