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US20110168072A1 - Sail shape control device - Google Patents

Sail shape control device Download PDF

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Publication number
US20110168072A1
US20110168072A1 US13/005,360 US201113005360A US2011168072A1 US 20110168072 A1 US20110168072 A1 US 20110168072A1 US 201113005360 A US201113005360 A US 201113005360A US 2011168072 A1 US2011168072 A1 US 2011168072A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
sail
tensioning
control device
members
cunningham
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US13/005,360
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Wally Cross
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
FLAP Tech LLC
Original Assignee
FLAP Tech LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by FLAP Tech LLC filed Critical FLAP Tech LLC
Priority to US13/005,360 priority Critical patent/US20110168072A1/en
Priority to PCT/US2011/021101 priority patent/WO2011088189A2/fr
Assigned to FLAP TECHNOLOGY, LLC reassignment FLAP TECHNOLOGY, LLC ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: CROSS, WALLY
Publication of US20110168072A1 publication Critical patent/US20110168072A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
    • B63H9/00—Marine propulsion provided directly by wind power
    • B63H9/04—Marine propulsion provided directly by wind power using sails or like wind-catching surfaces
    • B63H9/08—Connections of sails to masts, spars, or the like
    • B63H9/10—Running rigging, e.g. reefing equipment
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
    • B63H9/00—Marine propulsion provided directly by wind power
    • B63H9/04—Marine propulsion provided directly by wind power using sails or like wind-catching surfaces
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
    • B63H9/00—Marine propulsion provided directly by wind power
    • B63H9/04—Marine propulsion provided directly by wind power using sails or like wind-catching surfaces
    • B63H9/06—Types of sail; Constructional features of sails; Arrangements thereof on vessels
    • B63H9/067—Sails characterised by their construction or manufacturing process
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
    • B63H9/00—Marine propulsion provided directly by wind power
    • B63H9/04—Marine propulsion provided directly by wind power using sails or like wind-catching surfaces
    • B63H9/08—Connections of sails to masts, spars, or the like
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
    • B63H9/00—Marine propulsion provided directly by wind power
    • B63H9/04—Marine propulsion provided directly by wind power using sails or like wind-catching surfaces
    • B63H9/08—Connections of sails to masts, spars, or the like
    • B63H2009/088—Means for tensioning sheets, or other running rigging, adapted for being guided on rails, or the like mounted on deck, e.g. travellers or carriages with pulleys
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
    • B63H9/00—Marine propulsion provided directly by wind power
    • B63H9/04—Marine propulsion provided directly by wind power using sails or like wind-catching surfaces
    • B63H9/06—Types of sail; Constructional features of sails; Arrangements thereof on vessels
    • B63H9/067—Sails characterised by their construction or manufacturing process
    • B63H9/0678—Laminated sails

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for use in controlling the shape of a sail.
  • Sails are used to propel craft such as sailing vessels, sailboards, wheeled land sailers and the like.
  • the sails are airfoils which function like an airplane wing to create lift and drag force to propel the vessel.
  • Sails are designed to have a desired shape and to maintain that shape through a range of wind speeds. It is also desirable for the sails to be lightweight and durable.
  • sails have been formed of panels of material such as canvas or Dacron.
  • Current high-performance sails are formed by laminating load-bearing materials such as Kevlar, carbon fiber, or Vectran between layers of film such as Mylar. Despite the use of these techniques, it is frequently desirable to alter the shape of the sail for power or lift in accordance with the sailing angle or wind speed.
  • Current controls include tensioning the tuff of a sail with a Cunningham, the foot of the sail with an outhaul, or changing the bend or shape of a mast supporting the sail.
  • the Cunningham typically includes a ring which is spaced upwardly from the tack or clew of a sail and tensioning device such as a strap or line with a purchase which are pulled downwardly to move the eye toward the tack or clew to tension the luff of the sail.
  • tensioning device such as a strap or line with a purchase which are pulled downwardly to move the eye toward the tack or clew to tension the luff of the sail.
  • the bending of the mast flattens the mainsail by pulling the luff curve out of the sail making the sail much flatter.
  • the rear portion of the sail towards the leech falls off to the leeward side of the sail.
  • the invention relates to a sail control device on a sailboat, in particular for triangular sails having a head, tack and clew and a main body portion.
  • the sail control device includes at least one flexible tensioning member which extends across the body of the sail and attaches to an after portion of the sail.
  • the tensioning member is slidable along the body to change the shape of the after portion of the sail.
  • One or more of the flexible members may be mounted to a batten pocket or leech.
  • the at least one tensioning member is a plurality of flexible members radiating from the forward portion of the sail to the after portion of the sail.
  • the plurality of flexible members are mounted in tubes which are affixed to the outer surface of the body of the sail.
  • the tensioning members are sandwiched between outer layers of material forming the outer surfaces of a laminated sail.
  • the forward ends of the tensioning members may be mounted to a Cunningham line. Movement of the Cunningham and tensioning lines results in a change of shape in the after portion of the sail.
  • FIG. 1 is a side view of a sail control device in place on a jib and main of a sailboat in accordance with the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a mainsail taken from the cockpit of a sailboat showing the change in shape occurring when the sail control device is tensioned in accordance with the invention
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a sail showing a line movable between outer layers of the sail;
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a sail showing a flexible member inside a tube which is positioned between outer layers of the sail;
  • FIG. 5 is a partial side view of a sail showing a line affixed to a leech tape of the after portion of the sail;
  • FIG. 6 is a side view of an after end of the line attached to a force spreading device affixed to the leech of the after portion of the sail in accordance with the invention
  • FIG. 7 is a side view of a portion of a front part of the sail showing a Cunningham and tack;
  • FIG. 8 is a side view of a mainsail showing lines extending along the curvature of the sail
  • FIG. 9 is an adjustment device for adjusting the individual lines in accordance with the invention.
  • FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a mainsail showing a tensioning member mounted to an outer surface of a sail;
  • FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a mainsail showing a tensioning member mounted within a sleeve.
  • FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of laminated panels and a tensioning member.
  • a sail control device 10 for a sailboat includes at least one tensioning member 12 which is attached to an after or rear portion 14 of the sail.
  • the tensioning member 12 When the tensioning member 12 is tensioned, the rear portion 14 of the sail adjacent a leech is flattened.
  • the after portion 14 is tensioned to prevent the exit of the sail from falling off to leeward to improve the performance of the sailboat 16 .
  • the sail control device 10 is shown in FIG. 1 on a mainsail 18 or jib 20 as shown in FIG. 1 .
  • the sail control device may be used on any triangular fore and aft sail such as a main, jib, or stay sail.
  • the main sail 18 has a head 22 , a tack 24 at a forward lower corner portion 26 of the mainsail, a clew 28 at the after portion of the foot of the sail, and a main body 30 with rear portion 14 .
  • the sail may also be provided with a Cunningham.
  • the Cunningham is a device which places tension on a luff 32 of the sail.
  • the Cunningham includes a line 34 which extends through a ring 36 mounted in the lower corner portion 26 of the sail slightly above the tack 24 .
  • One end of the line 34 is secured to a tack fitting or eye 38 on the mast as shown in FIG. 7 .
  • the sail may include battens. Battens are inserted into batten pockets 42 on the sail to stiffen the after portion 14 of the sail and to control the shape of the after portion 14 and leech 44 of the sail.
  • the sail control device 10 includes one or more tensioning members 12 of strong, lightweight, flexible material such as a yarn of Tarwon or Vectran.
  • Each of the tensioning members has a forward end 12 a, a rear end 12 ( a ), and a middle portion 12 b.
  • One end 46 of each of the tensioning members 12 is attached to an after portion 14 of the sail such as the leech 44 or a batten pocket 42 . If a plurality of tensioning members 12 are used, the tensioning members 12 radiate outwardly from a lower forward portion 12 c of the sail at or adjacent the tack 24 such as the Cunningham ring 36 best shown in FIGS. 1 and 7 .
  • the tensioning members 12 may be mounted on the external surface of the body 30 of the sail as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 , or sandwiched between layers of film which form a molded sail or the panels of a laminate sail as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 .
  • tensioning members 12 When the tensioning members 12 extend across the outer surface of the sail, tensioning members are slidably mounted to the surface. As shown in FIG. 10 , a tube 48 is secured to the outer surface 66 of the sail by an adhesive 49 . The tube 48 has an inner diameter large enough to freely accept the tensioning member 14 . Alternatively, the tensioning member 12 may be guided by a sleeve 68 of flexible material affixed to the outer surface 66 of the sail. The flexible members 14 may extend on a straight line to the after portion of the sail (as shown in FIG. 1 ) or aligned to follow the curvature of the sail along a great circle route ( FIG. 11 ).
  • the tubes could be located on the sail to extend horizontally across the sail to the luff or vertically to the foot of the sail where the ends are attached to a strap which extends either along the leech or along the foot of the sail to the clew (not shown).
  • Mounting the tensioning members 12 on the outer surface of the sail allows the system to be used after the sail has been manufactured or on sails which are woven, such as Dacron.
  • the tensioning members 14 may be alternated on opposing sides of the sail.
  • an after end 43 of the tension member is secured to a suitable part of the after portion of the sail such as a leech tape 44 or batten pocket 42 .
  • a patch 45 or other device to spread the load along the after portion of the sail as shown in FIG. 6 .
  • the face spreading patch 45 is sewn to the leech tape 44 and the after end of the tensioning member 12 is sewn to the strap 45 .
  • a cam cleat or hook and ball arrangement can be used to permit the length of the tensioning member to be adjusted at the after end.
  • Laminate sails may be formed in one piece or of panels of laminate material which are sewn together as shown in FIG. 12 .
  • the laminates of these sails include a load bearing inner substrate of strands or monofilaments 50 of Kevlar, carbon fiber, Tarwon, or Vectran.
  • the monofilaments 50 may be aligned along the force lines of the sail.
  • the monofilaments are sandwiched between a pair of outer layers 52 of a plastic film such as Mylar and adhesive 54 ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ). As shown in FIG.
  • the tensioning member 12 may be mounted in a passage 55 formed in the laminate void of any adhesive 54 .
  • the tensioning member 12 may be mounted in a tube 48 which is sandwiched between the outer layers 52 of the sail as shown in FIG. 4 .
  • the tube 48 has an inner diameter which is large enough to allow the tensioning member 12 to move freely within. In such construction the tube 48 is positioned with the fibers of the substrate in a mold and then covered with outer layers 52 and bonded as part of the sail during the sail forming and molding process.
  • the tube 54 is bonded within the outer layer 52 of film.
  • the lead line is used to fish the tensioning member 12 through tubes 48 after the panels have been assembled and sewn together.
  • each end of the tube 48 is brought through a slit or opening 72 in the outer layer 52 a distance from the edge of the panel 64 near a tape 56 that is used to form the seam.
  • the tensioning member 14 is fished through the tubes in the panels. The tensioning member 14 passes over the seam or tape 56 where the tubes 48 exit the opening 72 as shown in FIG. 12 and then returns into the tube 48 of the next panel 64 .
  • forward ends 58 of the tensioning members are bundled in a stop device and attached to a line such as the Cunningham line 34 .
  • a line such as the Cunningham line 34 .
  • the tensioning members 12 may be affixed to a dedicated line for pulling, so that adjustment can be made separate from the Cunningham (not shown).
  • the stop device is a series of cam cleats 60 or grippers may be mounted to a plate 62 so that the tension on each line can be adjusted so that the desired shape can be maintained.
  • the lines may be color coded for easy identification of the associated part of the sail.
  • a visual scale may be placed at the clew for quick reference on the amount of Cunningham tension being placed on the tensioning lines.
  • the Cunningham line 34 is tensioned pulling the lines through the tubes to flatten the sail in the area along the leech to prevent the exit of the sail from falling off. (See FIG. 2 .)
  • the after portion is moved from an untensioned position shown by dashed curvature lines 64 , to a flattened position indicated by the dot-dot-dash lines 66 .
  • the Cunningham strap is released to permit the lines to be eased and to permit a fuller shape in the sail at the midleech and exit positions.
  • the control acts like a flap on an airplane wing which is positioned downwardly at takeoff to create increased drag and increased lift for takeoff and then straightened to reduce the drag to permit faster flight.
  • This also to sail maker to design and make a sail with less lull curve and add to the roach of the sail. This elongates the working sail plan and generates more power.
  • the sail changes from high lift to low drag shape without bending the mast. Consistent mast bend means a consistent slot permitting more jib in hauler or sheet to be applied.
  • the sail is easier to trim.
  • One simple element controls the sail depth.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Sustainable Energy (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)
  • Looms (AREA)
US13/005,360 2010-01-13 2011-01-12 Sail shape control device Abandoned US20110168072A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US13/005,360 US20110168072A1 (en) 2010-01-13 2011-01-12 Sail shape control device
PCT/US2011/021101 WO2011088189A2 (fr) 2010-01-13 2011-01-13 Dispositif de modification de la forme d'une voile

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US29473310P 2010-01-13 2010-01-13
US13/005,360 US20110168072A1 (en) 2010-01-13 2011-01-12 Sail shape control device

Publications (1)

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US20110168072A1 true US20110168072A1 (en) 2011-07-14

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ID=44257504

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US13/005,360 Abandoned US20110168072A1 (en) 2010-01-13 2011-01-12 Sail shape control device

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US (1) US20110168072A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2011088189A2 (fr)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD664493S1 (en) * 2010-12-09 2012-07-31 International Laser Class Association Sail
ITGE20130021A1 (it) * 2013-02-19 2014-08-20 Ing Andrea Dogliotti Apparato per la regolazione rapida e di precisione delle vele delle imbarcazioni
US8973512B2 (en) 2012-01-24 2015-03-10 Gilbert D. Dunn Wind gust dampening system for sailing vessel
US9481432B2 (en) 2014-07-24 2016-11-01 Saes Getters S.P.A. Boat sail comprising shape memory material elements, apparatus and method for its operation
CN108146603A (zh) * 2018-02-11 2018-06-12 向荣游艇港供应链开发（深圳）有限公司 一种帆装
USD928688S1 (en) * 2018-08-24 2021-08-24 Velum Limited Sailboat

Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2378877A (en) * 1944-02-05 1945-06-19 Kenyon Instr Co Inc Batten
US2620760A (en) * 1948-12-20 1952-12-09 Melges Harry Sail control device
US3557733A (en) * 1967-11-08 1971-01-26 Francois Joseph Henri Hubert M Apparatus for changing the curvature of a sail
US4625672A (en) * 1984-11-23 1986-12-02 Jackson Gregg B Sail tension control mechanism
US5097782A (en) * 1990-11-20 1992-03-24 North Sails Group, Inc. Sail with reinforced batten pocket ends
US5327842A (en) * 1993-06-14 1994-07-12 Bailey Richard B Sail control system
US6106649A (en) * 1998-10-02 2000-08-22 North Sails Group, Inc. Continuous method of making a three dimensional sail
US6425337B1 (en) * 1996-05-08 2002-07-30 Rudiger Knaak Sail battens
US6971430B1 (en) * 2003-03-19 2005-12-06 Thomas Ward Omohundro Cast composite sail and method
US20070034132A1 (en) * 2005-08-15 2007-02-15 Stevenson William H Iv Batten control for sailboats
US8168703B2 (en) * 2004-01-21 2012-05-01 Veleria Marco Holm S.R.L. Flexible panel with interrupted sheaths for tie rods

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS53165499U (fr) * 1977-05-26 1978-12-25
JPH0781673A (ja) * 1993-09-10 1995-03-28 Yamaha Motor Co Ltd ワンラインリーフシステム
JP2002127989A (ja) * 2000-10-24 2002-05-09 Zaisei Fudosan:Kk ヨットのセール操作用装置

Patent Citations (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2378877A (en) * 1944-02-05 1945-06-19 Kenyon Instr Co Inc Batten
US2620760A (en) * 1948-12-20 1952-12-09 Melges Harry Sail control device
US3557733A (en) * 1967-11-08 1971-01-26 Francois Joseph Henri Hubert M Apparatus for changing the curvature of a sail
US4625672A (en) * 1984-11-23 1986-12-02 Jackson Gregg B Sail tension control mechanism
US5097782A (en) * 1990-11-20 1992-03-24 North Sails Group, Inc. Sail with reinforced batten pocket ends
US5327842A (en) * 1993-06-14 1994-07-12 Bailey Richard B Sail control system
US6425337B1 (en) * 1996-05-08 2002-07-30 Rudiger Knaak Sail battens
US6106649A (en) * 1998-10-02 2000-08-22 North Sails Group, Inc. Continuous method of making a three dimensional sail
US6971430B1 (en) * 2003-03-19 2005-12-06 Thomas Ward Omohundro Cast composite sail and method
US8168703B2 (en) * 2004-01-21 2012-05-01 Veleria Marco Holm S.R.L. Flexible panel with interrupted sheaths for tie rods
US20070034132A1 (en) * 2005-08-15 2007-02-15 Stevenson William H Iv Batten control for sailboats

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD664493S1 (en) * 2010-12-09 2012-07-31 International Laser Class Association Sail
US8973512B2 (en) 2012-01-24 2015-03-10 Gilbert D. Dunn Wind gust dampening system for sailing vessel
ITGE20130021A1 (it) * 2013-02-19 2014-08-20 Ing Andrea Dogliotti Apparato per la regolazione rapida e di precisione delle vele delle imbarcazioni
WO2014128599A1 (fr) * 2013-02-19 2014-08-28 Andrea Dogliotti Voile de bateau comprenant des éléments en matériau à mémoire de forme, appareil et procédé de fonctionnement associés
CN104955726A (zh) * 2013-02-19 2015-09-30 安德烈亚·多廖蒂 包括形状记忆材料元件的船帆、用于其操作的装置及方法
US9327813B2 (en) 2013-02-19 2016-05-03 Andrea DOGLIOTTI Boat sail comprising shape memory material elements, apparatus and method for its operation
AU2014220365B2 (en) * 2013-02-19 2017-04-20 Andrea Dogliotti Boat sail comprising shape memory material elements, apparatus and method for its operation
US9481432B2 (en) 2014-07-24 2016-11-01 Saes Getters S.P.A. Boat sail comprising shape memory material elements, apparatus and method for its operation
CN108146603A (zh) * 2018-02-11 2018-06-12 向荣游艇港供应链开发（深圳）有限公司 一种帆装
USD928688S1 (en) * 2018-08-24 2021-08-24 Velum Limited Sailboat

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2011088189A3 (fr) 2011-11-24
WO2011088189A2 (fr) 2011-07-21

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AS Assignment

Owner name: FLAP TECHNOLOGY, LLC, MICHIGAN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CROSS, WALLY;REEL/FRAME:025815/0247

Effective date: 20110126

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION