SkySails GmbH & Co. KG Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20120111251 | Aerodynamic Wind Propulsion Device Having Active And Passive Steering Lines And Method For Controlling Of Such A Device - The invention relates to an aerodynamic wind propulsion device, particularly for watercrafts, comprising an aerodynamic wing being connected to a steering unit located below the aerodynamic wing via a plurality of tractive lines, at least one pair of two active steering lines being connected to the aerodynamic wing at two points in distance and being coupled to a drive unit at the steering unit, a tractive cable, a first end of the tractive cable being connected at the steering unit to at least two of the tractive lines and a second end of the tractive cable being connected to a base platform, the aerodynamic wing having an aerodynamic profile which generates an uplift force, and, according to a first aspect of the invention, is characterized by a pair of two passive steering lines, wherein each of the two passive steering lines comprises a lower section and an upper section, wherein a second end of the lower section of each passive steering line is connected to a first end of the upper section of the respective passive steering line via a connecting member, second ends of the upper sections of the two passive steering lines are connected to the aerodynamic wing at two points in distance, and first ends of the lower sections of the two passive steering lines are connected to each other to form a continuous passive steering line section passing through the steering unit in order to passively follow a deformation of the aerodynamic wing. A further aspect of the invention is related to a method for controlling an aerodynamic wind propulsion device. | 05-10-2012 |
20120060736 | AERODYNAMIC WIND PROPULSION DEVICE HAVING BIELASTIC LINE COUPLING - The invention relates to an aerodynamic wind propulsion device, particularly for watercrafts, comprising an aerodynamic wing being connected to a steering unit located below the aerodynamic wing via a plurality of tractive lines, a tractive cable, a first end of the tractive cable being connected to the steering unit and a second end of the tractive cable being connected to a base platform, the aerodynamic wing having an aerodynamic profile which generates an uplift force in the direction of the tractive cable when the airflow direction is about perpendicular to the tractive cable. According to the invention, an aerodynamic wing is provided being coupled to a steering unit located close below the wing via a plurality of tractive lines of different elasticity. | 03-15-2012 |
20110052391 | INDEPENDENT CONTROL OF SHORTENING LINES IN AN AERODYNAMIC WING - The invention relates to an aerodynamic wind propulsion device, particularly for watercraft, comprising an aerodynamic wing being connected to a steering unit located below the aerodynamic wing and coupled to the aerodynamic wing via a plurality of lines, particularly steering lines and/or fixing lines, a tractive cable, wherein a first end of the tractive cable is connected to the steering unit and a second end of the tractive cable is connected to a base platform, the aerodynamic wing having an aerodynamic profile which generates a lifting force in the direction of the traction cable when the air stream direction is about perpendicular to the tractive cable, a plurality of reefing lines located across the aerodynamic wing for increasing and decreasing the lifting force by changing the shape and/or dimension of the aerodynamic wing. According to a first aspect of the invention, such an aerodynamic wind propulsion device is provided, characterized by a guiding arrangement for guiding the reefing lines, wherein at least two of the reefing lines are guided by the guiding arrangement such that said at least two reefing lines can be controlled and/or activated, particularly hauled in and veered out, independently from each other, in particular during starting and landing manoeuvres. | 03-03-2011 |
20110041747 | Aerodynamic wind propulsion device and method for controlling - The invention relates to an aerodynamic wind propulsion device, particularly for watercrafts, comprising an aerodynamic wing being connected to a steering unit by a tractive cable, having a first end of the tractive cable connected to the steering unit and a second end of the tractive cable connected to a base platform, a guiding line having a first end connected to the aerodynamic wing or to the steering unit, a pole being connected to the base platform. According to the invention, an aerodynamic wind propulsion device as mentioned above is provided, characterized in that a second end of the guiding line is connected to the base platform during and between starting and landing maneuvers wherein the guiding line is guided through or along the pole and is capable of transferring a tensile force onto the aerodynamic wing at least during starting or landing. | 02-24-2011 |
20100282153 | Steering Unit for Free Flying, Confined Wing Element - The invention relates to a steering unit for a wind propulsion system, the steering unit comprising a first fixed attachment means for securing a first end of a tractive cable the second end of which is secured to a device or a vehicle to which a tractive force shall be transferred, a second attachment means for attaching a number of tractive lines, the second end of which being secured to an aerodynamic wing element, a mechanical support frame connecting the first attachment means to the second attachment means for transferring a tractive force. The invention aims at providing such a steering unit with improved design for better maneuverability and stability. According to the invention the second attachment means of the improved steering unit comprise at least one upper fixed attachment point, a left moveable attachment point, a right moveable attachment point, and steering actuator means for varying the distance between the upper fixed attachment point and the left moveable attachment point and for varying the distance between the upper fixed attachment point and the right moveable attachment point. | 11-11-2010 |