Ships – Spars – Masts and masting
Patent
1995-08-31
1996-10-01
Avila, Stephen
Ships
Spars
Masts and masting
114124, B63B 1500
Patent
active
055603106
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The subject invention concerns a control unit incorporated in a stabilizing system in yachts and sailing vessels. The unit is intended to automatically control the movements of a weight, which is movable transversely across the vessel, said weight being connected with a mast of a kind which is tiltable athwartships, in such a manner that the weight is displaced transversely across the vessel in a direction opposite to the mast tilting direction.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional yachts or sailing vessels often heel over to a comparatively large degree, often about 15.degree.-40.degree., during sailing in heavy wind, with consequential discomfort and safety hazards to the crew. In addition, the heeling-over increases the vessel propelling resistance and reduces keel efficiency as regards the ability of the latter to counter-act the drift of the vessel. This means that the heeling-over reduces the vessel sailing speed, particularly when beating to windward. The hull configurations of the vessel also need adaptation so as to be relatively efficient during sailing both with and without heeling-over.
In view thereof various sailing vessel stabilizing systems have been developed. One such prior-art stabilizing system is disclosed in Applicant's patent specifications SE 456 237 and EP 0 232 359. This system includes a tiltable mast the shrouds of which are arranged to displace a movable weight in the opposite direction across the vessel to that of the mast tilting direction. The stabilizing force thus created makes it possible to substantially eliminate heeling during normal sailing conditions. To the obvious advantages from the point of view of comfort, safety and performance that are thus created could be added the advantage of making it possible to construct and configure the hull essentially for upright sailing. Consequently, the inner space of the hull could be inreased and its performance characteristics be improved under conditions of upright sailing or travel by motor.
However, also this type and similar types of vessels meet with difficulties as regards the stabilizing systems. If a sailing vessel equipped with the stabilizing system turns sharply to one side, the centrifugal force will displace the mobile weight outwards, athwartships, with the result that during the turning movement the vessel will heel outwards in a most uncomfortable manner. When the vessel is motor operated during heavy sea and heels over alternately to one side or the other by the waves, the heel will become more pronounced because of the displacement in the direction downwards and outwards of the movable weight. This intensifies the vessel rolling motions even further in a non-desirable manner. The same is true when the boat, during spinnaker sailing, starts to oscillate, i.e. to roll from side to side. This rolling motion may then be amplified by the stabilizing system and the broach which often ends an oscillating motion could be more serious than in a conventional sailing vessel.
THE PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION
The purpose of the subject invention is to reduce to a significant degree the problems outlined above so as to ensure that the advantages achieved by a stabilizing system during normal sailing conditions essentially do not lead to disadvantages during more specific sailing conditions. According to the, invention the possibilities to design the hull optimally for upright sailing may be made use of in a more rational and consistent manner, and allow an increase of the inner space and further improved performance characteristics.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above purposes are achieved in that the control unit in accordance with the invention exhibits the characteristic features defined in the appended claims.
More specifically, the control unit in accordance with the invention is essentially characterised in that it comprises stop means designed to stop the movement of the weight in a direction outwards, away from the centre of the vessel athwartships so as to eliminate undesired movemen
REFERENCES:
patent: 3903827 (1975-09-01), Marcil
patent: 3985106 (1976-10-01), Ross
patent: 4094263 (1978-06-01), Marcil
patent: 5392727 (1995-02-01), Christensen et al.
Christensen Jan A.
Ohrn Carl O.
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