| GB2466209A | 2010-06-16 | |||
| FR2690129A1 | 1993-10-22 | |||
| US6877690B1 | 2005-04-12 | |||
| FR2541964A1 | 1984-09-07 |
| Claims 1. A wind-assisted parachute propulsion system, in particular for propelling boats, watercrafts and other vessels, characterized in that a self-supporting mast pole (1) is attached to the vessel surface (10) with a base plate (2)wherein said mast pole is preferably lowered below the base plate, a mechanical or manual winch, preferably with air blower (3) attached to the lower section of said mast pole, wherein a swivel (5) with a tether (4) led through said swivel is attached to the upper section of the mast pole; bridle lines (6) are attached to the distal end of said tether forming a wind-assisted parachute propulsion system. 2. The wind-assisted parachute propulsion system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the parachute is made of flexible material Fig. 4, wherein a canopy is substantially shaped as an equilateral triangle (11) with semi-ellipses (13) attached to the sides of said triangle, wHSrein the smaller diameter of the half-ellipse has the same length as the triangle side (12), wherein the extreme vertex (7) of the triangle has a point for attaching the bridle line (6), wherein the distal ends of said bridle line and the remaining bridle lines converge at the same point on the tether (4). An emergency line (9) attached with its distal end to the outside of the mast pole is attached to one of three canopy sides in its extreme vertex (7). |
This invention relates to a wind-assisted parachute propulsion system for boats, watercrafts and yachts.
Due to the environmental issues and cost-effectiveness of the sea freight, wind is gaining increased attention as an auxiliary or main source of propulsion, especially in watercrafts.
SkySails - Wind-Powered Watercraft - US20070272141 and
ParachuteShip - Wind Power for Ships - US 7093803 B2 and US 3987746 A propulsion systems are known in the art, however, both solutions feature a complex kite or sail control system using long lines which in variable gusty wind conditions makes safe and correct operation impossible. A launch and recovery system for those kite rigs is complex and can be unpredictable in gusty and variable weather conditions. The wind-assisted parachute propulsion system in accordance with the invention allows to eliminate these drawbacks.
The key features of the wind-assisted parachute propulsion system include a parachute used as a main or auxiliary source of propulsion in boats, wherein the parachute canopy, preferably tri-radial, is attached with a limited number of bridle lines (three) in its extreme points, wherein the distal ends of the bridle lines converge at a single point of a tether led through a swivel, preferably rotatably attached to the upper section of the mast, led inside the mast and wound on the drum of a winch attached inside the lower section of the mast pole. The parachute is retracted inside the mast pole by winding the tether- its surface area is reduced or it is fully retracted - and by loosening the tether, the parachute is launched from the mast pole. The self-supporting mast pole is fixed to the deck or in an alternative embodiment according to Fig. 3, the mast pole is a telescopic mast extending upwards over the deck or vessel surface. The parachute is launched from the mast pole using compressed air generated by a winch blower or by pulling the emergency line with one end attached to the parachute canopy and the other end attached to the outside of the mast pole. The surface area of the parachute can be adjusted by launching or retracting the parachute from and to the mast pole, wherein the edge of the swivel pushes the bridle lines to reduce the parachute diameter. The swivel at the mast pole allows to position the parachute canopy down the wind and prevents tearing and twisting of the tether. Fig. 1 shows a side view of an embodiment of the propulsion system according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows a vertical section of the mast with the parachute recovery and control system; Fig. 3 shows the second embodiment according to the description with the telescopic mast; Fig. 4 shows the shape of parachute canopy.
The invention relates to a vessel with a wind-assisted parachute
propulsion system (Fig. 1) comprising a self-supporting mast pole (1) attached to the vessel deck (10) with a base plate (2), wherein a mechanical or manual winch (3) is attached inside the bottom section of the mast pole for winding the parachute tether (4).
A pole (5) bend in form of a knee is rotatably attached to the mast in its upper section, wherein a tether (4) is led through said pole, bridle lines (6) are attached with distal ends to the extreme points (7) of the parachute canopy (8) and converge at a single point at the tether. The emergency line (9) is attached on one end to one of the extreme points (7) of the parachute canopy, and on its distal end, it is attached to the outside of the mast pole (1).
The surface area of the parachute is reduced by partially winding the tether (4) with a winch (3), and as a result reducing the length of the bridle lines (6) and thus reducing the diameter of the parachute canopy. A complete winding of the tether (4) results in retracting the parachute inside the mast pole (1), Fig. 2, with the emergency line (9) left outside the pole.
The parachute is launched from the pole using compressed air generated by the winch blower (3) or an auxiliary source with simultaneous loosening of the tether and, in emergency, by pulling the emergency line (9) until the parachute catches wind.
The mast pole (1) is preferably a telescopic pole retracting inside the boat or vessel (10), Fig. 3.
The parachute comprises a canopy, substantially in the shape of an equilateral triangle (11) with two semi-ellipses (13) attached to both sides (12), wherein the shorter diameter of the ellipse is equal to the length of the triangle side and is joined with said side. At the extreme vertices of each semi-ellipse, a bridle line or strap (6) is attached in point (7) and joined with its distal end with the tether (4), wherein three bridle lines of the canopy converge at the same point of the tether.
An emergency line (9) is attached to the canopy in one of the extreme vertices (7), wherein the emergency line can be used to launch the parachute from the mast pole in emergency.