Assembly Comprising a Profiled Sail; a Mast and a Plurality of Cambering Devices for a Profiled Sail

The present disclosure relates to an assembly comprising a profiled sail; a mast and several cambering devices for a profiled sail.

The present disclosure also relates to a method for hoisting and securing a profiled sail of an assembly according to the present disclosure.

The present disclosure relates to the field of rigging, and more particularly to profiled sails, also called “wing sails” or “thick sails”, “double-skin thick sail”, or “double-skin flexible thick wing” by a person skilled in the art, and more particularly mechanisms, internal to the sail, allowing changing the profile of the sail.

An assembly is known from the document WO2021/148734A1 of the present Inventor comprising a profiled sail; a mast and several cambering devices for a profiled sail, the cambering devices comprising:

According to the document WO 2021/148734, actuating means connect together, on the one hand, the two free ends of the semi-rigid structure, or at least one of the two free ends, and, on the other hand, the U-shaped connecting section, configured to camber the first length section and the second length section of the semi-rigid structure by tensioning the two free ends with the U-shaped connecting section of the semi-rigid structure, or at least by tensioning one of the two free ends with the U-shaped connecting section of the semi-rigid structure, and the generation of an offset between the two free ends. In such an assembly, the mast extends inside the semi-rigid structure, between the two length sections formed by the first length section and the second length section of the semi-rigid structure.

The cambering devices according to WO 2021/148734 are configured to be easily movable along the mast, which allows easily hoisting the profiled sail or, on the contrary, sprawling it in a low position.

When the assembly is used as a rigging for navigation, the profiled sail is free to move around the mast, and according to the travel left for the mast inside the inter-space between the two length sections of the semi-rigid structure. The section, namely the first length section or the second length section of the semi-rigid structure, presses against either one of the sides of the mast according to the direction of the force exerted by the profiled sail on the mast. For example, and at each tack (or gybe), the pressure of the mast on the cambering devices changes sides, namely from the first length section onto the second length section, and vice versa.

According to the findings of the Inventor, because of the repeated impacts on the semi-rigid structure, this freedom of movement around the mast within the semi-rigid structure might be at the origin of breakage and degradation of the structure. Such impacts are also amplified when the wind is irregular and makes the sail shake laterally. Such a problem is also described in paragraph 152 of WO 2021/148734 A1 for the impacts between the mast and spacers connecting the first length section and the second length section. To address them, WO 2021/148734 A1 suggests removing the spacers as these are elements that are damageable in the event of repeated impacts with the mast. Nonetheless, the removal of the spacers is made to the detriment of the rigidity of the profiled sail.

The present disclosure improves the situation.

An assembly is provided comprising a profiled sail; a mast and several cambering devices for a profiled sail, all or part of the cambering devices comprising:

According to the present disclosure, all or part of the cambering devices has an activatable/deactivatable securing system configured to ensure securing of the cambering device on the mast, the securing system comprising:

Thus, the securing system advantageously allows holding the mast in a stable position inside the inter-space of the semi-rigid structure, and in particular at a distance:

Optionally, the features disclosed in the next paragraphs may be implemented. They may be implemented independently of one another or in combination with one another.

According to one embodiment, the actuator system of the securing system comprises at least one girding actuating member having two longitudinal ends, said girding actuating member, activatable, being retractable when activated with its two longitudinal ends approaching one another.

According to one embodiment, the first strand comprises a first girding actuating member and the second strand comprises a second girding actuating member. Alternatively, the first strand and the second strand comprise a common girding actuating member.

According to one embodiment, the cambering devices comprise all or part of a spacer system comprising a first spacer, interconnecting the first length section and the second length section, as well as a second spacer interconnecting the first length section and the second length section, parallel to said first spacer.

Preferably, the longitudinal ends of the first strand are secured at two attachment points on the first length section respectively at the junction areas between the first and second spacers and the first length section. Similarly, the longitudinal ends of the second strand are preferably secured at two attachment points on the second length section respectively at the junction areas between the first and second spacers. Thus, the mast extends between the spacers formed by the first spacer and the second spacer, the first strand and the second strand clasped on the mast advantageously ensuring remote holding of the mast with the first spacer, on the one hand, and of the mast with second spacer, on the other hand.

According to one embodiment, each spacer formed by the first spacer and the second spacer of the spacer system is pivotably hinged at its ends, respectively to the first length section according to an axis perpendicular to the plane of the semi-rigid structure and to the second length section according to an axis perpendicular to the plane of the semi-rigid structure, the or each spacer being configured to pivot relative to the two length sections, the first length section and the second length section during cambering and offset of the free ends; under the effect of the actuating means the cambering device comprising hinged connectors, comprising a first portion secured to the first length section or to the second length section, and a second portion receiving one end of the spacer, the second portion being hinged to the first portion according to a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the semi-rigid structure to pivot relative to the two length sections during cambering and offset of the free ends; under the effect of the actuating means.

In particular, according to one embodiment, the longitudinal ends of the first strand are attached on the first portions of the connectors secured to the first length section and the longitudinal ends of the second strand are attached on the first portions of the connectors secured to the second length section.

According to one embodiment, the actuating means configured to camber the first length section and the second length section of the semi-rigid structure comprise at least one actuator, having two longitudinal ends, said actuator, activatable, being retractable when activated with its two longitudinal ends approaching one another, said at least one actuator extending along one of the two length sections of the semi-rigid structure, the first length section or the second length section, said actuator being internal to the semi-rigid structure, contained in a plane of the semi-rigid structure,

and wherein one of the longitudinal ends of said at least one actuator is connected to one of the two free ends by an internal tendon while the other one of the two longitudinal ends of said at least one actuator is connected either to an anchor point secured to the U-shaped connecting section, or to the other one of the two free ends via a deflector secured to the U-shaped connecting section by an external tendon, the flexible external tendon passing outside the semi-rigid structure, and the profiled sail between the deflector and respectively said other one of the two free ends.

According to one embodiment, the actuating means are configured to selectively camber the semi-rigid structure:

According to one embodiment, said at least one actuator of the actuating means comprises:

According to one embodiment, said assembly comprises a control means configured to selectively:

In the case of a fixed mast, i.e. non-pivoting, in particular with a round profile, the first strand and the second strand clasped onto the surface of the mast, the profiled sail and the cambering devices are configured to pivot about the mast by slipping of the first strand and of the second strand over the surface of the mast, and in order to enable a change in the orientation of the profiled sail around the mast. In particular, such a change in the orientation of the sail allows setting the orientation of the sail about the axis of the mast according to the same edge, and/or the changes in the orientation of the profiled sail around the mast during edge changes, in particular tacks or gybes.

According to another variant, the mast itself may be a profiled mast (with a non-circular profile in particular water drop like shaped) and pivotably mounted about its axis typically by means of a pivot at the base of the vehicle, in particular of the sailboat. In such a case, the first strand and the second strand clasped onto the surface of the mast, the profiled sail and the cambering devices are configured to pivot together with the mast which pivots relative to the vehicle in particular to the hull of the sailboat, and therefore without slipping of the first strand and of the second strand over the surface of the mast, and in order to enable a change in the orientation of the profiled sail around the axis of the mast. In particular, such a change in the orientation of the sail allows setting the orientation of said sail, and/or the changes in the orientation of the profiled sail around the mast during edge changes, in particular tacks or gybes.

According to one embodiment, said at least one girding actuating member of the securing system and/or said at least one actuator of the actuating means is an artificial muscle, being contracted when supplied with pressure by a fluid, and being relaxed when the pressure of the fluid decreases, said artificial muscle having an envelope receiving inside a balloon supplied with or discharged from the fluid, the flexible envelope in particular in the form of a braid, being configured to retract in length when its section increases under the increase of the balloon supplied with fluid, and being deployed lengthwise when its section decreases when the balloon is discharged from the fluid.

According to one embodiment of said assembly, the profiled sail is configured to be:

According to one embodiment, the artificial muscles of the actuators and/or of the actuating members of the plurality of cambering devices are supplied with fluid by one or more flexible, serpentine-like shaped, elastic hoses extending in the direction of the height of the mast, the flexible elastic hose(s) being configured to deploy by spacing the turns of the serpentine in the high position of the profiled sail, and to retract by bringing the turns of the serpentine close to one another under the elasticity of the serpentine, in the low position of the profiled sail.

According to a second aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for hoisting and securing a profiled sail of an assembly according to the present disclosure from a sprawled position of the profiled sail along the mast at the low position of the profiled sail, the cambering devices in positions close to one another, into the deployed state of the actuator system, the method having the following steps:

According to a third aspect, the present disclosure relates to a vehicle such as a sailboat or a sailcart comprising an assembly according to the present disclosure.

The drawings and the description hereinafter essentially contain elements of a certain nature. Hence, they could not only be used to better understand the present disclosure, but also contribute to the definition thereof, where appropriate.

Thus, the present disclosure relates to an assembly comprising a profiled sail; a mast and several cambering devices for a profiled sail.

All or part of the cambering devices comprise (for each cambering device):

The cambering devicealso comprises, according to a first possibility (illustrated in particular in), actuating meansconnecting together, on the one hand, the two free ends,of the semi-rigid structure, and, on the other hand, the U-shaped connecting section, configured to camber the first length section and the second length section of the semi-rigid structure by tensioning the two free ends,with the U-shaped connecting sectionof the semi-rigid structure, and the generation of an offset d between the two free ends,.

According to a second possibility (not illustrated in the present application, but illustrated in particular in FIG. 11 or 12 of the document WO2021/148734A1), the cambering devicecomprises actuating meansconnecting together, on the one hand, at least one of the two free ends,and, on the other hand, the U-shaped connecting section, configured to camber the first length section and the second length section of the semi-rigid structure by tensioning one the two free ends,with the U-shaped connecting sectionof the semi-rigid structureand the generation of an offset d between the two free ends,.

As illustrated for indication in, a profiled sail may be provided with several cambering devices in accordance with the present disclosure, in particular internal to the profiled sail. The cambering devices are distributed over the height of the profiled sail. The semi-rigid structureof each cambering devicecomprises the first length sectionsecured to a first surface Sof the profiled sail V, and the second length sectionsecured to a second surface Sof the profiled sail V, as well as the U-shaped connecting section, connecting together the first length sectionand the second length sectionwhile extending them at the leading edge BA of the profiled sail, the two length sections terminating at the trailing edge BF of the sail by two free ends,.

The flexible profiled sail extends from one of the free ends,to the other, passing in front of the connecting section; a U-like shape forming the leading edge BA. The profiled sail may be fastened by two sail edges to the free ends,via fastening means, in particular by pinching the sail edges. Over the length of the two length sections, the first length sectionand the second length section, removable fasteners, such as loop/hook strips may be provided to secure the sail along the length sectionsand.

Control means are configured to control, together in the same direction, the different actuating meansof the cambering devices to camber the first surface Sof the profiled sail and the second surface Sof the profiled sail. For example, the cambering devices may take on a (in particular first) cambered position for which the first length sectiontakes on a concave profile when the second length section takes on a convex profile and/or a (in particular second) cambered position in which said second length sectionhas a concave profile when said first length sectionhas a convex profile.

It should also be noted that an assembly in particular a rigging according to the present disclosure advantageously allows sprawling the sail, along the mast M, the cambering devices (with the possible exception of that one forming the boom); secured to the profiled sail, descending with the profiled sail along the mast, in particular when the halyard is relieved namely in the direction opposite to that of hoisting of the profiled sail.

The present disclosure also relates to a vehicle comprising such a rigging: and in particular a sailing ship or sailing boat or sailboat, or a sailcart.

The cambered position can be set during manoeuvres, for example by switching from the first cambered position Pcinto the second cambered position Pcof the cambering devices (with opposite concavity) during edge change manoeuvres, whether tack manoeuvres or gybe manoeuvres.

The actuators used for the actuating means may be progressive (and not all or nothing) and take on several positions allowing cambering more or less strongly the first and the second sail surface, in either direction. It is possible to set the concavity of the surface of the sail engaged with the wind in order to maximise the force necessary for advancing the vehicle according to the wind conditions.

The lowest cambering device may simultaneously form a boom, in particular hinged to the mast in the case of a non-pivoting mast), allowing orienting the profiled sail. The boom is oriented according to wind condition in the direction of travel of the ship.

The semi-rigid structurecomprising the connecting sectionand the two length sections,, may be formed by a semi-rigid element made in one-piece, kept bent by the spacer system; and where appropriate, a flexible connection system, which is described hereinafter.

For example, said one-piece element is a rod, in particular rectilinear at rest and bent to form the semi-rigid structure, or a blade in particular planar at rest and bent to form the semi-rigid structure. The rod or the blade is bent to form the first length section, the second length sectionand the U-shaped connecting sectionFor example, the semi-rigid structure may be formed by a bent blade for the boom of the rigging and bent rods for the semi-rigid structures of the other cambering devices (located above the boom).

Alternatively, the different sections of the semi-rigid structure, including the first length sectionand the second length sectionand the connecting section, may be formed by several structural elements assembled together.

According to one embodiment, the cambering devices comprise all or part of the spacer systemwhich may comprise a first spacer, interconnecting the first length sectionand the second length section, as well as a second spacer, interconnecting the first length sectionand the second length section, parallel to said first spacer. The spacers have fixed or possibly telescopic lengths as described in WO2021/148734A1 of the present Inventor. It should be noted that the mast extends between the spacers formed by the first spacer and the second spacer. The spacers (first and second) are configured to work in tension and in compression.

The features previously described in the detailed description are known per se from the document WO2021/148734A1. In use, and according to the findings of the Inventor, there might be risks of breakage when subjected to the fluctuations of wind, in particular when the sail is shaken laterally, because of the repeated impacts between the mast and the semi-rigid portions of the cambering devices, and for example because of the impacts between the mast and the spacers. Such a problem ais actually described in paragraph 152 of WO 2021/148734 A1 which describes, in order to address it, removing the spacers which are damageable elements in the event of repeated impacts with the mast.

The present disclosure allows reliably overcoming this problem.