WING RIG AND KITE

Abstract

A hand-held wing rig includes an inflatable front tube forming a leading edge and a rigid or inflatable center strut which together span a canopy. A radially projecting spoiler profile is formed approximately in the lower region of the leading edge. In use, the spoiler profile is tangentially flowed against, facing a user. Further disclosed is a kite including a spoiler profile formed approximately in the lower region of the leading edge, which is tangentially flowed against.

Claims

1. A hand-held wing rig comprising: an inflatable front tube forming a leading edge; and a rigid or inflatable center strut on which a handle can be arranged; wherein: the inflatable front tube together with the rigid or inflatable center strut span a canopy; and a radially projecting spoiler profile is formed at least along a partial region of the leading edge/front tube.

2. The hand-held wing rig according to claim 1, wherein the spoiler profile is formed on an underside of the leading edge, facing a user, and in use is flowed against approximately tangentially, and/or the spoiler profile follows a contour of the leading edge in its longitudinal direction at least section-wise.

3. The hand-held wing rig according to claim 1, wherein the spoiler profile has a height of more than 5 mm.

4. The hand-held wing rig according to claim 3, wherein an outer skin of the front tube is made of a textile material or a laminate/foil material or a hybrid material, wherein the height of the spoiler profile is lower when using a textile material than when using a laminate/foil material, wherein the height is ?5 mm, when a textile material is used and is ?7 mm when a laminate/foil material is used and, in a case of a hybrid material, corresponds at least to the height assigned to a base material in a seaming area.

5. The hand-held wing rig according to claim 1, wherein the spoiler profile is formed as a seam or as an attached profile body, and/or wherein the spoiler profile is covered by a cover.

6. The hand-held wing rig according to claim 1, wherein the spoiler profile extends substantially between tips of the wing rig.

7. The hand-held wing rig according to claim 1, wherein the spoiler profile is adapted to generate a stall or a flow reversal (laminar/turbulent) at a wing rig's underside, and/or wherein the spoiler profile forms a stalling edge.

8. The hand-held wing rig according to claim 1, wherein the spoiler profile has a widened base provided with an adhesive layer, and/or wherein a plurality of spoiler profile sections are arranged spaced apart from each other and/or are designed with different heights.

9. A kite comprising an inflatable front tube forming a leading edge and at least one strut, wherein: the inflatable front tube and the at least one strut together span a canopy, and a radially projecting spoiler profile is formed at least along a partial region of the leading edge/front tube.

10. The kite according to claim 9, wherein the spoiler profile is formed on an underside of a leading edge facing a user, and in use is flowed against approximately tangentially, and/or the spoiler profile follows a contour of the leading edge in a longitudinal direction thereof at least section-wise.

11. The kite according to claim 9, wherein the spoiler profile has a height greater than 3 mm.

12. The kite according to claim 11, wherein an outer skin of the front tube is made of a textile material or a laminate/foil material, wherein the height of the spoiler profile is less in a case of a textile material than in a case of a laminate/foil material, wherein the height is ?3 mm when using a textile material and is ?5 mm when using a laminate/foil material and, in the case of a hybrid material, corresponds at least to the height assigned to a base material (textile/laminate/foil) in a seaming area.

13. The kite according to claim 9, wherein the spoiler profile is formed as a seam or as an attached profile body, and/or wherein the spoiler profile is covered by a cover.

14. The kite according to claim 9, wherein the spoiler profile extends substantially between tips of the kite.

15. The kite according to claim 9, wherein the spoiler profile is adapted to create a stall or a flow reversal (laminar/turbulent) an underside of the kite, and/or wherein the spoiler profile forms a stalling edge.

16. The kite according to claim 9, wherein the spoiler profile has a widened base provided with an adhesive layer, and/or wherein a plurality of spoiler profile sections are arranged spaced apart from each other and/or are designed with different heights.

17. The hand-held wing rig according to claim 3, wherein the height of the spoiler profile is ?6 mm when a textile material is used, and ?8 mm when a laminate/foil material is used.

18. The kite according to claim 12, wherein the height of the spoiler profile is ?5 mm when using a textile material and ?7 mm when using a laminate/foil material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] Advantageous further examples of the disclosure are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings. Those show:

[0060] FIG. 1 shows the principle of a wing rig used to propel a foil board:

[0061] FIG. 2 a partial bottom view of a wing rig according to an example:

[0062] FIG. 3 shows a detailed representation of the example wing rig according to FIG. 2:

[0063] FIG. 4 shows a second example of a wing rig with a spoiler profile overstretched by a cover:

[0064] FIG. 5 shows an example in which the spoiler profile is formed by a seam construction,

[0065] FIG. 6 shows a detailed illustration of an example spoiler profile with radially adjusted seam construction,

[0066] FIG. 7 shows the principle of a kite:

[0067] FIG. 8 a partial bottom view of an example kite according to the disclosure: and

[0068] FIG. 9 shows a detailed view of an example spoiler profile with radially adjusted seam construction.

DESCRIPTION

[0069] FIG. 1 shows the use of a wing rig 1 (also called wing, foil wing or wing foil) according to the disclosure to propel a foil board 2. A surfer 4 usually holds the wing rig 1 with his hands and adjusts it with respect to the wind depending on the desired direction of travel (upwind, half-wind, downwind) or the uplift to be set, for example when jumping or adjusting the ride height.

[0070] The wing rig 1 has an inflatable front tube 6 with an upstream leading edge 7, which in plan view (from above in FIGS. 1 and 2) is approximately arc-shaped, preferably approximately delta-, C- or U-shaped, and extends with its tips 8, 10 up to a trailing edge 12 of a canopy 14 of the wing rig 1. As explained in the following, this canopy 14 is spanned on the one hand by the front tube 6 and on the other hand by a boom/center strut 20 (see FIG. 2), which will be explained in more detail in the following. The surfer 4 thereby holds the wing rig 1 mainly at the boom/center strut 20, which cantilevers downwards (view according to FIG. 1). The front tube 6 is preferably set in an approximately V- or U-shape both in the top view and in a front viewseen in the direction of inflowwith the V/U widening upwards, i.e., away from the surfer 4, in the front view. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the trailing edge 12, and thus, the entire canopy surface is also V- (or U-) shaped in the front view.

[0071] The reference sign 16 is exemplarily used to indicate a handle which is arranged centrally in the area of the front tube 6. This handle 16 is gripped, for example, when the wing rig 1 is held downwind while sailing on a wave without propulsion. This handle 16 is also used when handling the wing rig 1 on land or when launching or terminating a trip (water landing). As explained below, other handles may be positioned on the wing rig 1.

[0072] In the illustration according to FIG. 1, a safety leash 18 is still shown, which is attached to the wrist of the surfer 4, for example, and whose other end section engages the front tube 6.

[0073] FIG. 2 shows a bottom view of the wing rig 1, in which a center strut 20 is visible, which is connected to the front tube 6 in the area of an apex 22 of the latter. In this example, the center strut 20 is designed to be inflatable, with inflation taking place via a one-pump system 25, via which the front tube 6 is also inflated. Removable handles 24 are attached to the center strut 20, the basic structure of which is described in the DE 10 2020 121 553 mentioned at the beginning. These handles 24 are made of a dimensionally stable material, for example fiber-reinforced plastic, and are detachably screwed to the center strut 20 via adapters 26. In the exemplary example shown, two handles 24 are provided. Of course, further handles can be arranged. In principle, it is also possible to attach a larger handle which, in the manner of a continuous boom, covers the area which is overstretched by the handles 24.

[0074] As explained at the beginning, a further handle 16 is attached in the area of the apex 22, whereby this is made of a flexible material and is attached to the front tube 6. Of course, a replaceable handle 24 can also be arranged in this area.

[0075] In the view shown in FIG. 2, the front tube 6 curves in an approximately U- or C-shape towards two tips 8, 10, which in the wing rig 1 shown are not curved, or are much less curved than the curved front tube section 34 running towards the apex 22. Of course, the wing rig 1 can also be designed with a different front tube geometry.

[0076] According to the disclosure, a spoiler profile 36also known as a bead or boundary layer trip strip (BLTS)is arranged on the front tube section 34 in the region in which the front tube 6 bulges out most with respect to the canopy 14, i.e., in FIG. 2 in the region of the front tube 6 facing the viewer, and in the representation according to FIG. 2 projects towards the viewer beyond the outer skin 38 of the front tube 6. In the example shown, the spoiler profile 36 is designed as a plastic profile which is suitably connected to the front tube 6, in particular to the outer skin 38 of the front tube 6. This connection can be made, for example, by bonding, sewing or by suitable design of the front tube 6. The spoiler profile 36 may be continuous or formed from spoiler profile sections spaced apart from one another.

[0077] In principle, the spoiler profile 36 can also be designed with different heights to optimize the stall.

[0078] In the example shown, this spoiler profile 36 extends from the apex 22 to the tips 8, 10, as mentioned above. No spoiler profile 36 is provided in this region, since these tips 8, 10 are arranged more or less in the direction of flow.

[0079] Section X-X of FIG. 2 schematically shows the cross-section of the spoiler profile 36. The outer skin 38 of the front tube 6 can be seen, which preferably surrounds a bladder 40 in a generally known manner. In the case of a gas-tight design of the outer skin 38, the bladder 40 can also be skipped. The cross-sectional profile of the front tube 6 is approximately circular or oval. In the area away from the canopy 14, the spoiler profile 36 is attached. In the example shown, this is formed as a plastic profile body with a comparatively wide base 42 along which the spoiler profile 36 is connected to the outer skin 38. As explained, this connection can be made by gluing, sewing or the like.

[0080] The spoiler profile 36 tapers from the base 42 to a stalling edge 44/stream, stalling edge, which, in the example shown, is of relatively sharp-edged design, so that when the wing rig 1 is in use, the incident flow marked with the reference sign 46, which runs approximately tangentially to this region of the leading edge 7, breaks off and/or changes from a largely laminar flow to a turbulent region and/or the flow separates downstream of the spoiler profile 36. Surprisingly, it was found that this change in the flow in the area of the underside of the leading edge 7 significantly improves the aerodynamics of the wing rig 1 compared to conventional solutions, so that on the one hand higher cruising speeds can be achieved and on the other hand the flight stability is significantly improved during maneuvers in which the wing rig 1 is only held or pivoted at the leash 17 or the handle 16, so that these maneuvers are easier to perform.

[0081] In the example shown, the height h of the spoiler profile 36 is preferably higher than 5 mm for an outer skin 38 made of Dacron?. In principle, other dimensions can also be used. In the illustrated exemplary example, the stalling edge 44 is formed with a relatively sharp edge. In principle, this can also be somewhat rounded. The profile of the spoiler profile 36 is also by no means limited to the shape shown, but the profiling can also be carried out in other ways to achieve the desired effect (for example, stall, separation or reversal laminar/turbulent flow).

[0082] FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of the wing rig 1, in which it can be clearly seen that the spoiler profile 36 extends only as far as tip 8 (or 10). FIG. 3 again schematically shows the inflow 46 with the stall caused by the spoiler profile 36. In this illustration, the widened base 42 and the tapered stalling edge 44 can also be seen.

[0083] FIG. 4 shows an example of a wing rig 1 which in principle has the same structure as the wing rig 1 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The essential difference between the two variants is that in the example according to FIG. 4, the spoiler profile 36, which protrudes approximately towards the observer and causes, among other things, a stall, is covered by a cover 48. This can be designed, for example, in the form of a tape which fixes the spoiler profile 36 in position on the outer skin 38 of the front tube 6 and covers the latter. Also in this example, the spoiler profile 36 extends into the region of the two tips 8, 10. Such a variant is particularly well suited for retrofitting conventional wing rigs 1, for which, for example, the spoiler profile 36 can be integrated into the cover 48, so that the spoiler profile 36 according to the disclosure can be attached in the manner of an adhesive tape. Of course, sewing or other fixing can also be carried out additionally or alternatively.

[0084] FIG. 5 shows an example in which the spoiler profile 36 is integrated, so to speak, into the outer skin 38 of the front tube 6. In this example, a seam 50 of the outer skin 38 is formed in the area of the front tube 6 where the stall (or other flow change) is to occur. As explained, this region is formed on the underside of the leading edge 7 facing the viewer in FIG. 5, at a distance from the canopy 14. As explained above, this seam 50 is located in the approximately tangentially impinged area of the leading edge 7. The seam 50 can be formed by material doubling or adjustment as shown in FIG. 6, and the corresponding design of the seam geometry can be such that a spoiler profile 36 is formed projecting away from the outer skin 38, approximately in the radial direction, which generates the stall. Accordingly, the seam 50 is selected to produce a deliberate stall or other flow reversal.

[0085] In the example shown in FIG. 6, sewn-together longitudinal edge regions 52, 54 of the outer skin 38 are set outwards in an approximately radial direction, so that the spoiler profile 36 is formed by the radially projecting, set-on longitudinal edge regions 52, 54. These may still be covered with a cover to prevent damage.

[0086] The outer skin 38 may be made of a textile material, such as Dacron? or a laminate or foil construction, such as Aluula?. In the case of a laminate/foil structure, it is preferred that the height h of the spoiler profile 36 be slightly greater than that of textile materials.

[0087] As explained above, typically the front tube 6 and/or canopy 14 is formed from multiple panels/segments that are also sewn together. In the region of this segment transition, the spoiler profile 36 may then have a greater height than in the adjacent regions. These protrusions formed due to the segment transitions are, for example, in the range between 0.5 mm and 1 mm or more (depending on the material thickness). For example, if a spoiler profile height of about 5 mm were selected for a textile material, the height in the segment transition area would then be 5.5 mm or more. In the case of a foil material or in the case of laminate, the spoiler profile 36 is preferably designed with a somewhat greater height, this then being approximately in the range of 7.0 mm, so that there is correspondingly a profile height of 7.5 mm or more in the region of the segment transition. In the case of front tubes made of a hybrid material, the front tube 6 consisting, for example, of a laminate/foil material reinforced in the seaming area by textile strips (for example Dacron?), the seam height, and thus, the height h of the spoiler profile 36 corresponds at least to the height of the base material in the seaming area.

[0088] As explained above, the spoiler profile 36 is optimally arranged in the lower region, preferably in the approximately tangentially impinged region of the front tube 6, so that the stall occurs in the predetermined manner.

[0089] A seam course in the lower area of the front tube 6 with a profiling creating a spoiler profile 36 is also without precedent in the prior art. In the example shown, this seam 50 also extends into the tips 8 (10). In all other respects, the example according to FIG. 5 corresponds to the examples described above, so that further explanations are unnecessary.

[0090] In the above-described examples, the center strut 20 is designed to be inflatable. Of course, an example with a rigid boom or a hybrid form with center strut 20 and boom can also be used.

[0091] In the above-described examples, a trapeze rope or handle can be attached to the two handles 24, so that the wing rig 1 can then also be guided/held via a trapeze harness or with one hand.

[0092] Disclosed is a hand-held wing rig 1 having a spoiler profile 36 formed approximately in the lower, tangentially impinging region of the leading edge 7.

[0093] FIG. 7 illustrates the basic structure of a tube kite, hereinafter referred to as a kite 101. Such a kite 101 has a support structure 102 with a front tube 104, which forms a leading edge 103. Attached to this front tube 104 in the illustrated example (Rebel?) are a plurality of struts 108 extending toward a trailing edge 106. This support structure 102 with the front tube 104 and five struts 108 spans a canopy 110 forming the actual kite surface. In the illustrated example, a plurality of sail batten-shaped stiffening elements 112 are provided in the area of the trailing edge 106. To stabilize the profile, profile stabilizing elements 114 may also be provided in the area of the front tube 104 to profile the leading-edge area. Such stabilizing elements are disclosed, for example, in DE 20 2005 018 317 U1 of the applicant.

[0094] The kite 101 is connected to the surfer by two front lines, not shown, and two control lines tied to tips 115 of the kite 101, and by a bar, not shown.

[0095] According to the disclosure, a spoiler profile 116also called a bead or boundary layer trip strip (BLTS)is formed in the kite 101 in a region of the front tube 104 which is flowed against approximately tangentially. It is particularly preferred if this spoiler profile 116 is formed in the lower region of the front tube 104 facing the bar. In principle, such a spoiler profile 116 can also be additionally or alternatively designed on the canopy side.

[0096] FIG. 8 shows a bottom view of the kite 101, in which a center strut 108 is seen tethered to the front tube 104 in the region of an apex 118 of the front tube 104. The front tube 104 and the struts 108 are inflated via a one-pump system 136, which is also used to inflate the front tube 104.

[0097] According to the partial bottom view in FIG. 8, in the example shown, the spoiler profile 116 is formed as a plastic profile which is connected in a suitable manner to the front tube 104, in particular to the outer skin 120 of the front tube 104. This connection can be made, for example, by gluing, sewing or by suitable design of the front tube 104. The spoiler profile 116 may be continuous or formed from spoiler profile sections spaced apart from one another.

[0098] In principle, the spoiler profile 116 can also be designed with different heights to optimize the stall.

[0099] In the illustrated example, this spoiler profile 116 extends from an apex 118 (arc) to the tips 115, as described above.

[0100] Section X-X of FIG. 8 schematically shows the cross-section of the spoiler profile 116. The outer skin 120 of the front tube 104 can be seen, which preferably surrounds a bladder 122 in a generally known manner. If the outer skin 120 is gas-tight, the bladder 122 may be skipped. The cross-sectional profile of the front tube 104 is approximately circular or oval in shape. In the area away from the canopy 110, the spoiler profile 116 is attached. In the example shown, this is formed as a plastic profile body with a comparatively wide base 124 along which the spoiler profile 116 is connected to the outer skin 120. As explained, this connection can be made by gluing, sewing or the like.

[0101] The spoiler profile 116 tapers from the base 124 to a stalling edge 126, which in the example shown is relatively sharp-edged, so that when the kite 101 is in use, the incident flow marked with the reference sign 128, which is approximately tangential to this region of the leading edge 103, breaks off and/or changes from a largely laminar flow to a turbulent region and/or the flow separates downstream of the spoiler profile 116. Surprisingly, it was shown that this flow change in the area of the underside of the leading edge 103/front tube 104 significantly improves the aerodynamics of the kite 101 compared to conventional solutions, so that, on the one hand, higher driving speeds can be achieved and, on the other hand, the flight stability is significantly improved.

[0102] In the example shown, the height h of the spoiler profile 116 is preferably higher than 3 mm for an outer skin 120 made of Dacron?. In principle, other dimensions can also be used. In the illustrated example, the stalling edge 126 is designed with a relatively sharp edge. In principle, this can also be somewhat rounded. The profile of the spoiler profile 116 is also by no means limited to the shape shown, but the profiling can also be carried out in other ways to achieve the desired effect (for example, stall, separation or reversal laminar/turbulent flow).

[0103] FIG. 9 shows an example in which the spoiler profile 116 is integrated, so to speak, into the outer skin 120 of the front tube 104. In this exemplary example, a seam 130 of the outer skin 120 is formed in the area of the front tube 104 where the stall (or other flow change) is to occur. As explained, this region is formed on the underside of the leading edge 103 facing the viewer in FIG. 8, at a distance from the canopy 110. As described, this seam 130 is located in the approximately tangentially impinged area of the leading edge 103. The seam 130 can be designed by material doubling or adjustment and corresponding design of the seam geometry in such a way that a spoiler profile 116 is formed projecting away from the outer skin 120, approximately in the radial direction, which generates the stall. Accordingly, the seam 130 is selected to create a deliberate stall or other flow reversal.

[0104] In the exemplary example shown in FIG. 9, sewn-together longitudinal edge regions 132, 134 of the outer skin 120 are set outwards in an approximately radial direction, so that the spoiler profile 116 is formed by the radially projecting, set-on longitudinal edge regions 132, 134. These may still be covered with a cover to prevent damage.

[0105] The outer skin 120 may be made of a textile material, such as Dacron? or a laminate or film construction, such as Aluula?. In the case of a laminate/foil construction, it is preferred if the height h of the spoiler profile 116 is slightly greater than that of textile materials. In particular, when using a laminate/foil structure (for example Aluula?), a bladder 122 can be omitted.

[0106] As explained above, typically the front tube 104 and/or canopy 110 is formed from multiple panels/segments that are also sewn together. In the region of this segment transition, the spoiler profile 116 may then have a greater height than in the adjacent regions. These protrusions formed due to the segment transitions are, for example, in the range between 0.5 mm and 1 mm or more (depending on the material thickness). For example, if a spoiler profile height of about 3 mm were selected for a textile material, the height in the segment transition area could then be 3.5 mm or more. In the case of a foil material or in the case of laminate, the spoiler profile 116 is preferably designed with a somewhat greater height, this then being approximately in the range of 5.0 mm, so that there is correspondingly a profile height of 5.5 mm or more in the region of the segment transition. In the case of front tubes made of a hybrid material, the front tube 104 consisting, for example, of a laminate/foil material reinforced in the seaming area by textile strips (for example Dacron?), the seam height, and thus, the height h of the spoiler profile 116 corresponds at least to the height of the base material in the seaming area.

[0107] As explained above, the spoiler profile 116 is optimally arranged in the lower region, preferably in the approximately tangentially impinged region of the front tube 104, so that the stall occurs in the predetermined manner.

[0108] A seam course in the lower region of the front tube 104 with a spoiler profile 116 creating profile is without precedent in the prior art. In the illustrated example, this seam 130 also extends into the tips 115. In principle, the spoiler profile 116 can also end in front of the tips 115.

[0109] Disclosed is a kite 101 having a spoiler profile 116 formed approximately in the lower, tangentially impinged region of the leading edge 103.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0110] 1 wing rig [0111] 2 foilboard [0112] 4 surfer [0113] 6 front tube [0114] 7 leading edge [0115] 8 tip [0116] 10 tip [0117] 12 trailing edge [0118] 14 canopy [0119] 16 handle [0120] 18 safety leash [0121] 20 center strut [0122] 22 apex [0123] 24 handle [0124] 25 one-pump system [0125] 26 adapter [0126] 34 front tube section [0127] 36 spoiler profile [0128] 38 outer skin [0129] 40 bladder [0130] 42 base [0131] 44 stalling edge [0132] 46 inflow [0133] 48 cover [0134] 50 seam [0135] 52 longitudinal edge area [0136] 54 longitudinal edge area [0137] 101 tubekite [0138] 102 support structure [0139] 103 leading edge [0140] 104 front tube [0141] 106 trailing edge [0142] 108 strut [0143] 110 canopy [0144] 112 stiffening element [0145] 114 profile stabilizer element [0146] 115 tip [0147] 116 spoiler profile [0148] 118 apex/Arc [0149] 120 outer skin [0150] 122 bladder [0151] 124 base [0152] 126 stalling edge [0153] 128 inflow [0154] 130 seam [0155] 132 longitudinal edge area [0156] 134 longitudinal edge area [0157] 136 one-pump system