FR2559449A1 - Aeolian propulsion system composed of several orientable flaps mounted on a frame which is itself orientable, intended for any marine or land vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a system consisting of a movable orientable frame supporting several profiled flaps, themselves orientable with respect to their respective axis. It comprises a frame 1 movable in rotation about the axis A-A' and it consists of a base and of an apex with a fairing. This base and this apex are securely fastened via spindles supporting the flaps. These profiled flaps (which are rigid or semi-rigid) are orientable about their respective axis X-X', Y-Y', A-A'. When the system receives wind at a correct incidence and due to the profile of the flaps, an aerodynamic force reinforced by a slit effect is produced. The simultaneous orientation of the flaps allows: the corridor between each one of them to be adjusted as a function of the wind conditions; their position to be reversed so as to change their leading edge 3-4 during tacking or changing of direction. The rotation of the frame about the axis A-A' enables overall action on the incidence of the sails to be taken and the apparent surface-area to be varied so as to present a profile which is appropriate to the wind and route conditions. This Aeolian propulsion system is intended more particularly to boats and to land vehicles.

Description

 Wind propellant system made up of several adjustable flaps mounted on a frame that can be rotated, intended for any marine or land vehicle.

 Conventional propulsion systems using wind energy consist of complex and bulky rigging, and sails with flexible structure (fabrics or other) whose maneuvers are relatively delicate; which excludes their use on fishing and commercial vessels.

 The proposed system overcomes these drawbacks, simplifies maneuvers and in addition, improves performance. I1 comprises: a movable orientable frame supporting several flaps which are themselves orientable along their respective axes as shown in FIG. 1.

The frame is made up
- a base (2) and a top (5) preferably faired
to eliminate the harmful effects of disturbances which
occur at the ends of the flaps and constitute
a buoyancy reserve for boats in the event of
capsizing.

- uprights (4) connecting the base and the material top
frame) and serving as axes for the vertical shutters
XX 'YY' A A '
- a pivot (1) with a vertical axis AA 'of large diameter for
to withstand compression and tensile forces
(device comparable to that of crane pivots but
made of modern and light materials)
- possibly, a guying device ensuring
the frame's undeformability.

 The flaps (3) have a symmetrical profile (in the form of a cylindrical cup or blade) with respect to their axis but it is possible to envisage deformable profiles; They are either of identical profile and dimensions or of different profile and dimensions within the same system. They have 2 leading edges; They are therefore reversible and can rotate around their axis. A mechanical control (6) makes it possible to simultaneously or separately orient all of the flaps.

 The system has two types of essentially rotary maneuvers which can be carried out by manual or automated controls.

The orientation of the flaps relative to the frame allows
-adjust the aerodynamic corridor between each of them by
according to wind conditions and to favor the flow
laminar effect by split effect (effect comparable to
that found in gas turbines).

-in the case of a change of direction of the vehicle or
tack, reverse the position of the flaps
so as to present the other leading edge of their profile.

 The orientation of the movable frame makes it possible to globally adjust the incidence of the system according to the wind direction and the road of the vehicle. It also makes it possible to vary the apparent surface so as to present the profile appropriate to the wind and road conditions.

How to use this propulsion system?
The vehicle (Fig. 2) moving on the axis (7), closest to the wind (frame oriented along the axis of movement) and which must make a change of tack by tack, must perform the maneuvers following:
-modify the route followed from axis 7 \ to axel8lde
to receive the wind on the other tack.

-Invert the position of the flaps so as to present the
be the leading edge of the profiles.

 FIG. 3 shows an example of adjustment of the flaps and of the frame for a wind received through the axis of movement (7) of the vehicle. The shutters have an angle o (relative to the frame, the frame an angle relative to the wind; the incidence is equal to e-.

 The advantage of the system lies in the fact that the apparent surface can be varied so as to present the lowest profile in the event that the wind speed becomes too high, or to stop the vehicle, or else when the vehicle is moving in the tail wind (Fig. 4); the apparent surface is therefore at most e = 900 oC = 0a.

 The system is perfectly reversible and can be used to reverse the vehicle.

 According to preferred embodiments more suited to the type of vehicle, the frame can be made of modern and light materials such as: fiberglass, carbon fiber, aluminum alloy type AP, 4 ...

 I1 can be more or less wide depending on the interest of wanting to lower the center of thrust.

 The number of shutters can be variable but at least equal to two.

Various solutions can be envisaged
- Fig. 5: frame articulated around a guyed support including
orientation is ensured by a simple system such as
hoists.

- Fig. 3: self-supporting frame whose rotation is effected by
a large diameter pivot like cranes and whose
the construction is described above.

- Fig. 6: the self-supporting flaps are mounted on a flat
mobile circular shape whose axes form a plane re
presentation of a framework following the same principles as pre-.

cédemment and can be controlled by automatisms utili
health of microprocessors (M) associated with sensors (F)
for wind strength, (D) for direction and (C) for
cap. This system would be more particularly intended for large tonnage vessels.

 The shape of the flaps can be variable: dawn, cylindrical cut, profile made asymmetrical by deformatian or addition of moving parts on the edges.

 The elongation and the hollow of the flaps depend on the conditions of use sought.

For the realization, we will preferably use rigid and light materials (aluminum, honeycomb structure, resin, fiber ...) or semi-rigid structures (canvas wood, fabric on shaped slats ...)
It is possible to envisage a reduction in the area of the shutters
- sliding panels on supports
- panels fitting into each other
- fabric on slats in sliding shape on 2 supports
'semi-rigid profile).

 The shutters can be operated by various systems: rods, drums with cables, mechanical connections by means of gears, motors ...

 FIG. 7 represents an example of application of the system on a catamaran type vessel.

Claims (9)

 ]) Wind propellant system for marine or land vehicle characterized in that it comprises a movable frame orientable around the axis AA 'by a rotation mechanism and that this frame supports several profiled flaps, themselves orientable relative to their respective axis (X X ', Y Y', A A ').  2) System according to claim 1 characterized in that the axes of the flaps form a plane representative of a frame.  3) System according to claims 1 and 2 characterized in that the upper and lower parts of the frame are ca  renées to improve aerodynamic performance.  4) System according to claim 1 characterized in that the flaps are simultaneously or separately adjustable and will be at least 2 in order to obtain the slit effect.  5) System according to claims 1 and 4 characterized in that the flaps are profiled and have at least one rigid internal structure and pivot about an axis.  6) System according to claims 1 and 4 characterized in that all of the rotational movements necessary for the maneuver can be executed by manual commands using hoists or mechanical means) or automatésfasservisements and microprocessor) .  7) System according to claims 1 and 5 characterized in that the profile and dimensions of the flaps are different within the same system.  8) System according to claims 5 and 7 characterized in that the flaps consist of several elements with sliding devices to allow the reduction of their surface.  9) System according to claim 3 characterized in that  that the faired upper part (5) constitutes a reserve of buoyancy for the boats in the event of capsizing.