METHOD"

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a device to control sails.

In particular the present invention concerns a device designed to gather a great deal of information connected to the use of a sail, particularly for ships and sailing vessels. The present invention is particularly but not exclusively intended for application on regatta sails.

The present invention also concerns the respective method to control the sails.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known that in ships, boats or sailing vessels, in order to exploit the wind energy available correctly, the control and precise planning of the sails is decisive.

It is known that regattas, even club regattas, have reached considerable levels of professionalism, and the collecting, cataloging, processing and study of the data related to every component of a regatta boat has reached considerable levels of sophistication.

It is also known that during a regatta changing sails, or rather changing tack that entails at least a different trimming of the sails, can be a winning factor so that such maneuvers are studied and repeated many times in order to satisfy the sailing technique.

It is also known that regatta sails are calibrated for a particular speed and within a defined range, also dimensionally, of the air stream affecting the sail.

It is also known that a sail can be used advantageously within a certain angle of incidence of the wind and that, within said angle, the sail can be stressed by sudden changes in intensity of the fluid flow, or by sudden and/or continuous changes in tack.

It is also known that a sail can rapidly wear, and therefore does not perform as it should, either because of wrong maneuvers or because of unsuitable or too intense fluid flows.

A device is also known which cooperates with the halyard, or with the angle of application of the halyard, which is suitable to detect the draw which the sail exerts on the halyard and therefore supplies this datum to suitable instruments of memorization and use.

One disadvantage of this instrument is that it detects a condition of tension in the sail even when the latter is wound up and therefore is put in a non-operating condition; furthermore, it does not indicate the operating conditions of the sail.

A further disadvantage of this instrument is that, in order to detect conditions of use or non-use of the sail, it must cooperate with the memorization instrument which must be located on board the vessel. This means that greater management is required of the operator, given the need to intervene both on the detection instrument and also on the memorization instrument.

One purpose of the present invention is therefore to obtain a device to be combined with a sail, which supplies data, also possibly by means of memorization, associating said data only with the phase of actual use of the sail.

It is also a purpose of the present invention to obtain a device which is able to identify the conditions of use of a sail even in relation to maneuvers of tacking and/or trimming.

It is also a purpose of the present invention to obtain a device which allows to correctly define the interval between hoisting and lowering the sail, that is, between the total unfurling and the winding up of the sail. It is also a purpose of the present invention to detect the various conditions of a sail between hoisted and lowered.

It is also a purpose of the invention to obtain a device which is able to maintain, for every condition detected, a determination of the time according to a desired or conventional scale.

The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

In accordance with the above purposes, an autonomous device is advantageously combined in proximity to the head angle of a sail. The device comprises energy feed means, timing means to determine the conventional time and connected fractions, a pressure sensor, and detection means suitable to define when the sail is hoisted or open.

The detection means are suitable to define the interval, with beginning and end, of each use of the sail.

According to a first variant, the pressure sensor, or barometer, is read continuously during the period of use of the sail. In particular, because the device is associated in correspondence to the head angle of the sail, when the sail is hoisted the pressure sensor detects a variation in pressure due to the variation in the height of the device. When this variation is detected, it is therefore possible to identify a hoisted condition of the sail and therefore to start the timing means to detect the time during which the sail remains in use.

In accordance with a variant, the pressure sensor is read periodically at a pre- established time interval of less than 180 seconds.

According to a supplementary form of embodiment, the device comprises memorization means to memorize important events to which the sail is subjected during use. The memorization means can be associated with data transfer means to transfer the data memorized onto other supports or, alternatively, they keep in their memory at least the series of data previously downloaded.

It is also an evolutionary solution of the invention to provide that the device also comprises data transmission means, associated with or in replacement of the memorization means, of the by-air type, such as normal telematic transmission means.

According to a further integration, the device has temperature detection means.

The data detected by the temperature detection means are advantageously associated to data detected by the pressure sensor, or barometer, in order to compensate the altimetric height detected also depending on the meteorological conditions. Indeed, given that the altimetric height of the hoisted sail is determined using pressure detection, the temperature detection allows to avoid sending false signals by the pressure sensors because of variations in atmospheric pressure due to meteorological phenomena.

The temperature detection means can supply compensatory, mean or point-by- point data, in connection with the reading of the datum supplied by the pressure sensor.

In one form of embodiment, the device comprises means suitable to determine the orientation and movements to which the sail is subjected. These means can be an electronic gyroscope or a triaxial accelerometer or other type, that is, a mean which defines the position of the sail in relation to the median vertical plane of the vessel. In the case of a triaxial accelerometer, it can be used by itself or in association with the pressure sensor.

It is advantageous to provide to use the triaxial accelerometer in association with the pressure sensor to prevent the device from wrongly detecting a hoisting or lowering operation of the sail due to sudden variations of direction or sudden maneuvers.

In other variants of the invention, the device comprises detection means suitable to detect the tacking maneuvers and/or to control the hoisting of the sail. In this case the detection means can advantageously be the compass type, such as for example a three-dimensional magnetometer, which measures the magnetic field in three main directions of space and determines the angle of the sail with respect to the axis of the craft.

In accordance with another variant, the detection means comprise a gyroscope to detect and determine the orientation of the device in space.

According to a supplementary variant a compass can be combined with the sail, for example in connection with the sheet angle, the compass dialoging with the device.

In order to be certain that the sail is actually unrolled, or to determine the precise adjustment condition of the sail, the device is equipped with one or more flexion sensors.

The flexion sensors can supply a unitary value, or a series of values per unit of length of the sensor or series of sensors.

It is within the spirit of the invention to provide that the device is provided with data processing means suitable to process the signals or data coming from one or more components of the device, according to an algorithm which allows to identify the instant of time in which the phenomenon occurs and the precise duration of the phenomenon. It is also within the spirit of the invention to provide possible means to control and signal the correct functioning of the various components present in the device.

According to the invention the algorithm used supplies the data according to the formula d=f(t, p, T)

where the value of the resultant datum "d" is a function of the time "t", such as instant of start, end and/or duration of an event, of the pressure "p" detected by the pressure sensor which therefore determines, the hoisting and lowering, and which datum is then possibly corrected by the temperature value "T" detected by the temperature detection means.

According to some supplementary variants, the algorithm can be implemented with one or more of the following parameters:

- "o": orientation of the sail obtained for example using the triaxial accelerometer and/or with the compass, which also supplies information relating to the sails which provide a wound condition, this by counting the unwinding turns and detecting the condition of the sail in correct use;

- "m": detection of the tacking through the data supplied by the three- dimensional magnetometer;

- "b": flexion condition of the sail through one or more flexion sensors.

Factor "b" can be a value in itself, or a plurality of values along a preferential line of the sail, which values can be integrated or point-by -point.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of one form of embodiment, given as a non- restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

- fig. 1 shows schematically a vessel with the mainsail hoisted and the jib rolled up;

- fig. 2 shows schematically a block diagram of the device according to one solution of the invention.

To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF ONE FORM OF EMBODIMENT

With reference to fig. 1, a vessel 16 comprises a mast 14 with the boom 13 and the roll-up stay 15.

The mainsail 11 is applied on the mast 14 and the boom 13.

On the stay 15, around which the sails are wound, a jib 12 or other roll-up bow sail is bent.

It is within the spirit of the invention to provide sets of more complex and articulated sails, as the sail shown here is only an example representation of the invention.

The device 10 according to the present invention is installed near to or in association with the halyard eye of the sails 11, 12.

It is also possible to instal, as an integration to this application, a device 1 10 possibly with more reduced components, in connection with the exit edge of the sails, in this case of the jib 12 or the mainsail 11.

It is also possible to provide a device 210, with reduced components with respect to the device 10, applied in relation to the entrance edge of the sails and/or in relation to the bending eye.

By reduced equipment we mean, for example, that in the device 1 10 and 210 there is no transmission and/or memorization system and/or source of energy, because the device 10 can comprise reading means, also continuous, to read the parameters supplied by the passive components present in the devices 110 and/or 210.

The device 10, in the case shown, comprises electric feed means 23 such as a battery, a solar cell or similar means.

In the case of batteries, these can be the replaceable or rechargeable type, using the energy received from the solar cell for example. This configuration allows to render the device 10 completely independent of physical electric feed means such as for example cables, so as to render it completely autonomous to carry out its functions as described hereafter.

It must be noted that the devices 10, 1 10 and 210 can be applied to the sails 11, 12 by means of Velcro, clips, belts, buttons or similar attachment means and allow the device to be removed from the sail in conditions of non-use, for maintenance and for downloading the data as will be described hereafter.

In other forms of embodiment, the sails 1 1, 12 can be provided with a pocket or a support element on which the device 10, 1 10, 210 is applied stably or temporarily.

The device 10 also comprises transmission means 25 suitable to transmit and receive data continuously from and toward external data processing devices.

The device 10 also comprises data memorization means, in this case a memory 20 in which data are gathered which can possibly be transferred toward suitable processing devices to carry out suitable controls, and to monitor the conditions of use of the sails and for safety. The memorization means 20 can be associated to data communication ports, for example of the USB type or radio antennas, in order to transfer the data from the memory 20 to an external processing device suitable to process the data detected using suitable calculation programs and possibly to correlate them to data coming from the instruments on board the vessel.

There are also data processing means 24 of the device 10, which is provided to control the correct functioning of each component of the device and signal possible malfunctions. The data processing means 24 are also suitable to process the individual signals coming from each of the components of the device 10, to possibly memorize them or transmit them to external sources.

In the case shown, the device also comprises other auxiliary apparatuses.

In particular, the device 10 is provided with at least an apparatus chosen from a group comprising an accelerometer 27, a compass 21, a magnetometer 22.

The accelerometer 27, or equivalent element, is suitable to continuously define the position of the sail in space, and in particular, with respect to the longitudinal median vertical plane of the vessel 16. In particular, the accelerometer 27 detects the accelerations along the three coordinated axes and determines the orientation and the movements of the sail and the device 10.

The compass 21 allows to continuously define both the winding/unwinding of the jib 12, possibly also of the mainsail 1 1, and the positions of the sails 11, 12 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vessel 16.

The magnetometer 22, advantageously of the three-dimensional type, reads the magnetic field in space and allows to obtain information on the position of the sails 11, 12. The data detected by the magnetometer 22 are suitably correlated with those of the accelerometer 27 so as to determine the orientation assumed by the device 10. In particular, the accelerations and the magnetic field in the three coordinated axes are determined.

The device 10 is also provided with timing means, in this case a clock 28 which identifies the instant of time in which each event occurs, such as the detection of a datum by one of the components of the device 10.

In other forms of embodiment, the clock 28 is suitable to identify only the length of time of a determinate event.

The device 10 comprises a barometer or pressure sensor 18 and, in this case, also temperature detection means 19 which allow to control both the hoisting or lowering of the sails 11 and 12, and also any listing.

The pressure sensor 18 measures the atmospheric pressure and allows to determine the altimetric height to which the sail 1 1 and 12 is hoisted. During the hoisting and lowering operations of the sail 11 and 12, the pressure sensor 18 detects a variation in pressure due to the variation in the altimetric height. The variation in pressure is identified as a condition of hoisted or lowered sail 1 1 and 12, and therefore determines the start, or respectively the suspension, of the time count by the clock 28.

By correlating the information detected by the pressure sensor 18, that of the accelerometer 27 and at least that of the temperature detection means 19, it is possible to avoid sending false signals of a hoisted or lowered sail by the pressure sensor 18 due to sudden maneuvers of the boat or sudden variations in direction.

The components of the device 10, 1 10, 210 identified above are advantageously contained in a single hermetically sealed container 29 which is applied as indicated above to one or the other or to both the sails 1 1 and 12.

In one form of embodiment of the invention, a solar cell to feed the components of the device 10 or possibly to charge electric batteries is installed on the external surface of the container 29, which faces toward the outside during use.

Flexion sensors 17 can be applied at least on one of the sails 11 and 12, in several zones and according to preferential orientations, in order to determine the tension conditions to which the considered sail 1 1 and 12 is subjected during use.

The flexion sensors 17 can be single or consist of a sequence of unitary sensors 117.

The flexion sensors 17, 1 17 can supply both mean and point-by -point values corresponding to the curvature (adjustment) of the sails 1 1 and 12. The flexion sensors 17, 117 are connected with the device 10 through the connection 26. The connection 26 can be the cable type or wireless type. In the latter case reading or transmitter means 217 of the data detected by the flexion sensors 17, 1 17 are associated to the latter, which can be read or detected by the device 10, 110, 210 or by another station present on the vessel 16.

The flexion sensors 17, 1 17 allow to detect and verify the belly of the sail.

The device 10, 110, 210 according to the present invention is solidly associated to the sails, it does not need auxiliary means for installation and functioning, no other installation is required on board the vessel, except possible subsequent transmission of data to other devices so they can be processed. Indeed, in order to carry out its functions, the device 10, 110, 210 does not need to interact with other antennas or data measuring or data acquisition devices which must be installed aboard the vessel.

It is obvious that the various components of the devices 10, 1 10, 210 can be independent, or more or less integrated with respect to each other.

It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the device and the method as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.