Placement system for a flying kite-type wind-attacked element in a wind-powered watercraft

Abstract

Disclosed is a placement system for a free-flying kite-type wind-attacked element in a watercraft in which the kite-type wind-attacked element comprising a profiled wing is connected to the vessel body via a traction rope. Said wind-attacked element can be guided from a neutral position on board the watercraft into a raised position that is free from obstacles located at the same or a higher level. An azimuthally pivotable fixture is provided by means of which the wind-attacked element can be brought into a position in which the same is exposed to a sufficient wind effect. Furthermore, a docking receiving device is provided which is to be removably connected to the docking adapter of the wind-attacked element on the side facing away from the wind while also allowing the wind-attacked element to be furled with the aid of automatically engaging holding means.

1 . A deployment system for a freely flying kite-like element on which wind acts, for a watercraft in which the element on which wind acts and which has a wing profile is connected via a hawser to the craft body, in which case the element on which wind acts can be moved from a rest position on-board the watercraft to a raised launch position, which is free of obstructions at the same level or at a higher level, characterized in that a holder which can be pivoted in azimuth is provided, by means of which the element on which wind acts can be moved to a position in which it is subject to sufficient wind effect, with a docking receptacle apparatus being provided for detachable connection to the docking adapter of the element on which wind acts on the side facing away from the wind and also allowing the element on which wind acts to be stowed by holding means, which preferably engage automatically.  
   
   
       2 . The deployment system as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the launch position is arranged offset in the horizontal and/or vertical direction with respect to the location of the cable guide when the element on which wind acts is in the deployed state, with the location of the cable guide being formed by the winch or being located in the vicinity of the winch  
   
   
       3 . The deployment system as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that, in the case of the element on which wind acts, a hawser which spreads out into a number of holding cables is connected to the craft, with a connecting cable being provided, which bridges the spreading point and is passed from the docking device on the element on which wind acts to a connecting point, which—seen from the element on which wind acts—is located beyond the spreading point, to the main part of the hawser, and in that a lifeline or a trap is provided, which originates from the docking receptacle apparatus and whose free end is guided such that it can move with a force fit on the hawser at least in the area of the connecting cable.  
   
   
       4 . The deployment system as claimed in  claim 3 , characterized in that the lifeline is connected to the hawser via a cable junction which has means in order to move a guide apparatus, which is in the form of a cable slide and is connected to the end of the lifeline, from its position on the hawser onto the connecting cable when the element on which wind acts is being stowed, while the element on which wind acts is connected to the cable junction via a further line part.  
   
   
       5 . The deployment system as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the element on which wind acts exerts a minimal load in the vertical direction in the docked state.  
   
   
       6 . The deployment system as claimed in  claim 4 , characterized in that the cable junction has an essentially T-shaped profile, which is surrounded in an Ω-shape by the guide apparatus.  
   
   
       7 . The deployment system as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the docking receptacle, which can rotate in azimuth, has an apparatus which automatically places the active direction of the receptacle on the lee side, in particular in the form of a wind vane.  
   
   
       8 . The deployment system as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the apparatus has a guide roller, which is attached eccentrically to the docking receptacle, for the lifeline the trap.  
   
   
       9 . The deployment system as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the element on which wind acts is curved over its width extent.  
   
   
       10 . The deployment system as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the element on which wind acts is caught via an attachment which forms a point for which wind forces acting symmetrically on the element on which wind acts compensate vertically and horizontally.  
   
   
       11 . The deployment system as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the element on which wind acts has a reefing device, and in that the deployment and stowage of the flexible element on which wind acts take place from a reefed state.  
   
   
       12 . The deployment system as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the element on which wind acts has a fixed, unreefed center part.  
   
   
       13 . The deployment system as claimed in  claim 11 , characterized in that the reefing mechanism has tension strips which can preferably be operated by a winch.  
   
   
       14 . The deployment system as claimed in  claim 11 , characterized in that the reefing process takes place in a side extension of the wing profile.  
   
   
       15 . The deployment system as claimed in  claim 11 , characterized in that folds which are created during the reefing process are wrapped in between areas with a fixed profile cross section.  
   
   
       16 . The deployment system as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that an identical profile cross section is provided essentially over the entire wing length.  
   
   
       17 . The deployment system as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that at least one inflatable element is provided in the area of the wing leading edge and/or between the areas with a fixed wing cross section, in order to increase stability.  
   
   
       18 . The deployment system as claimed in  claim 17 , characterized in that the inflatable element occupies the entire hollow area of the element on which wind acts.  
   
   
       19 . The deployment system as claimed in  claim 17 , characterized in that the inflatable element is open at the front and can be filled by ram-air pressure.  
   
   
       20 . The deployment system as claimed in  claim 17 , characterized in that a connecting element having a cross section through which a medium which enters or emerges from the inflatable element can pass is provided in the docking receptacle.  
   
   
       21 . The deployment system as claimed in  claim 20 , characterized in that a powerful fan is provided on or in the vicinity of the docking receptacle, in order to fill or empty the inflatable element.  
   
   
       22 . The deployment system as claimed in  claim 21 , characterized in that a mast of the docking receptacle has a hollow area which extends essentially over its length and is connected to the fan.  
   
   
       23 . The deployment system as claimed in  claim 11 , characterized in that a reefing process can be initiated when the element on which wind acts is flying freely, via a remote control or by means of the output signal from at least one sensor element, in which case the deflating process can also be initiated at the same time for an element on which wind acts and which has an inflatable element.  
   
   
       24 . The deployment system as claimed in  claim 17 , characterized in that an emergency reefing process can be initiated by rapid opening of a closure area which closes the inflatable element.  
   
   
       25 . The deployment system as claimed in  claim 24 , characterized in that rapid opening for the emergency reefing process is carried out by means of a parachute which can be deployed as the hawser is pulled in quickly.  
   
   
       26 . The deployment system as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the docking receptacle is arranged at the upper end of a crane.  
   
   
       27 . The deployment system as claimed in  claim 26 , characterized in that the crane is telescopic with hydraulic cylinders being connected to adjacent or successive telescopic segments, for drive purposes.  
   
   
       28 . The deployment system as claimed in  claim 26 , characterized in that the mobile crane has or comprises a body which can be inflated by means of a compressed gas.  
   
   
       29 . The deployment system as claimed in  claim 28 , characterized in that the compressed gas is compressed air.  
   
   
       30 . The deployment system as claimed in  claim 24 , characterized in that the holder which can pivot in azimuth has a connecting element for the compressed gas, which connecting element can be connected to the inflatable element of the element on which wind acts.  
   
   
       31 . The deployment system as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the stowage of the element on which wind acts can be initiated automatically in the event of a malfunction of the controller or of a connected appliance which is important for control of the element on which wind acts.