Ships – Watercraft with means used in providing sailpower – Multiple hulls
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-22
2002-05-14
Morano, S. Joseph (Department: 3617)
Ships
Watercraft with means used in providing sailpower
Multiple hulls
C114S039280, C114S124000, C114S363000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06386130
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to improved control systems for sailing vessels.
There has long been a need for an integrated control system for commanding small sailing vessels that offers comfort, high performance and ease of operation. The effects of various wind and water conditions on sailing vessels can create a variety of situations where a quick and accurate response is critical. Such a need can be met by an integrated approach at vessel control. The ability of making changes to such variables as steering, sail control and ballast in an independent and simultaneous fashion from a comfortable seat is desirable.
To better understand and appreciate the features of this invention it would be useful to discuss some of the basic aspects about the control of small sailing vessels.
The control of a small sailing craft requires swift and independent control of three primary variables. Other variables, such as the control of lateral resistance and sail shape, are useful for controlling a sailing vessel and can be controlled in a similar fashion using the control mechanisms disclosed in this invention, but they are not essential and are therefore not discussed.
The first of the three primary control variables is control over a steering system that effects changes in the course of the vessel. Steering is typically controlled by the pivoting of a rudder or rudders located substantially toward the aft of the vessel.
The second primary vessel control variable is control over the angle of the sail/airfoil assembly to the wind known as the angle of attack. A sail assembly can have a mast and boom and sail or various other configurations that act substantially together like a wing to provide power to the sailing craft. Limiting the sail's natural tendency to pivot or “vane” away from the wind most commonly accomplishes this control means. A single line, known as the mainsheet, can be used to control a sail. The main sheet is typically rigged such that the pulling, or tightening of the free end of the main sheet draws the aft portion of the sail to a position substantially parallel with the hulls. Because the forward end of the sail is fixed laterally and longitudinally but is allowed to pivot freely, limiting the displacement of the aft end of the sail will provide the angular control of the sail relative to the wind direction.
Thirdly, it is necessary to control ballast on the vessel to counteract the forces of the wind that tend to tip the vessel. This tendency to tip is caused by the force of the wind acting upon the sail and other exposed surfaces of the vessel. The greater the wind force acting on the sail and other surfaces, the greater the tendency to tip the vessel depending on the angle of the wind to the vessel. The forces created by the wind will also affect the pitch of the vessel forward and backwards in addition to the heeling of the vessel to either side. To counteract this rotation of the vessel, a counterweight in the form of moveable ballast can be used to balance these forces fore and aft and port and starboard (front and back and left and right).
An increase in wind power translates into more driving power. Therefore, if one can use moveable ballast to counteract the wind forces that cause extreme changes in pitch and heeling, one can accommodate additional force exerted by the wind causing the vessel to move faster. If the wind forces are not counteracted, the wind force will cause excessive changes in pitch and heeling, reducing sailing efficiency, thus causing the vessel to lose velocity, and in extreme cases causing the vessel to capsize.
A sailing vessel will move more efficiently and will have better performance if it is lighter. On a small sailing vessel it is therefore advantageous to use the helmsperson's weight as moveable ballast to counteract the overturning wind forces. This is preferable to using fixed weights, such as stationary or mechanical ballast as is common with larger sailboats. Using the helmsperson's weight as ballast traditionally requires the helmsperson to travel from one side of the boat to the other and forward and back, whenever he or she needs to counteract the overturning wind forces. These gymnastic type moves have helped portray the sport of small vessel sailing as difficult if not dangerous. This situation is compounded by the fact that the helmsperson must also be addressing all the other control variables at the same time with the failure to control any one of the three primary variables will result in loss of power, loss of directional control, or excessive tipping that can lead to capsizing or a combination of all three. Effects of momentum, waves and intermittently changing wind direction and power further complicate the dynamics of sailing vessel control.
It is therefore necessary to have swift and independent control over all these variables alone and in combination to improve response and comfort while increasing performance and safety. For example, during a common sailing maneuver known to sailors as “tacking”, the course of the vessel relative to the direction of the wind is altered, such that it causes the sail to substantially change sides of the vessel. To accomplish this maneuver the helmsperson makes a course correction by affecting a change on the rudder, or rudders, while simultaneously adjusting the position of the sail. Depending on the strength of the wind and the rapidity at which the course correction is made, the helmsperson will adjust his or her weight as ballast before, during or after the final course correction has been completed. During the course correction the sail will assume a new position relative to the vessel effectually switching the side upon which the lateral wind force acts.
Traditional sailing vessels without movable seats generally require ballast to be moved from one side of the boat to the other and forward or aft to optimize performance in a maneuver such as tacking. On small sailing vessels this ballast consists almost exclusively of the helmsperson and crew. Using built-in mechanisms such as substantially wider hulls or weighted keels, limit the portability and maneuverability of a small sailing vessel. Therefore, it is desirable to make use of the helmsperson's weight as ballast to reduce the overall weight of the vessel.
Continual corrections are needed to all of the primary control variables even when sailing substantially straight since the waves, momentum of the vessel, and the wind's direction and strength are constantly changing. It is therefore essential that a helmsperson have the ability to make any and all of these changes swiftly and independently to more efficiently control the sailing vessel. A control system that allows a helmsperson to manage the primary control functions independently and in a timely manner is imperative to maximize performance.
This present invention integrates each of these primary control variables into a comfortable moving seat. This present invention is more than just the sum of its parts, since only when all control means are integrated into the moving seat are the full benefits realized.
One partial attempt at controlling a vessel is identified in U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,236 to Sinden. In that patent, the sail, boom and seat form a fixed assembly that can pivot about the mast. As the assembly pivots, it changes the horizontal position of the helmsperson sitting on the seat portion to counter the force of the wind. The helmsperson's seat is on a track and can move inward and outward in relation to the mast. The helmsperson uses rudder lines to control the rudders. There is also a control mechanism that the helmsperson can use to pivot the seat/sail/boom assembly about the lateral axis of the mast.
The Sinden control arrangement has numerous drawbacks. The helmsperson must always be facing perpendicular to the sail boom and is forced to pivot when the sail moves. The seat's position is not independent, but rather is directly tied to the motion of the sail assembly. Thus, the ballast control
Morano S. Joseph
Vasudeva Ajay
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