Aeronautics and astronautics – Aircraft sustentation – Sustaining airfoils
Patent
1991-01-08
1993-01-26
Focarino, Margaret A.
Aeronautics and astronautics
Aircraft sustentation
Sustaining airfoils
244 16, 244101, 114273, B64C 3102
Patent
active
051816741
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
DESCRIPTION
The present invention relates to a wind driven craft.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a wind driven craft which may travel on water.
With modifications, the craft may be arranged to travel on substantially solid surfaces.
Further, the present invention provides a craft which can be arranged for flight, either as a glider or under motor power.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a wind driven craft characterised in that it comprises a body and a pair of wings pivotally attached to and extending from said body to provide lift and thrust to said craft such that said craft may move under influence of the wind, wherein said wings are pivotable individually about at least one substantially longitudinal axis of said body and are lockable in a selected relative position such that they are pivotable in unison about said axis.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the craft of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the craft shown in FIG. 1 showing an analysis of forces acting on the craft 10 for a particular orientation of the wings with the wind direction being into the page;
FIGS. 3a and 3b show the positions of the wings and hulls for a starboard tack;
FIGS. 4a and 4b show the positions of the wings and hulls for travel into the wind;
FIGS. 5a and 5b show the positions of the wings and hulls for a port tack; and
FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the craft of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In FIG. 1 there is shown a wind driven craft 10 for use on water.
The craft 10 comprises a body 12 and a pair of wings 14 and 16 attached thereto. The body 12 is substantially of fuselage form and comprises a tail boom 17 and a cockpit or operator/passenger compartment 18.
The wings 14 and 16 are connected to a rigid joint 20. The rigid joint 20 is pivotally connected to the body 12 about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body 12. The pivotal directions of the craft 10 are shown by arrows in FIG. 1.
The wings 14 and 16 may be provided with control surfaces or ailerons 21.
The wings 14 and 16 are driven into the required position by mechanical means or may be flown into the required position by the ailerons 21.
The wings 14 and 16 may be retained in their required relative position by suitable means, e.g. struts, latches and/or cables.
An air rudder 22 and elevators 24 are provided at the rear of the body 12. The air rudder 22 consists of a vertical steering fin assembly whilst the elevators 24 consist of horizontal airfoil plane structures.
Alternative tail configurations are also possible, e.g. a vee tail.
The air rudder 22 and elevators 24 control pitch and yaw of the craft 10. The angle of attack and hence the lift/thrust of the wings 14 and 16 are controlled by control surfaces 28 attached to each of the wings 14 and 16. Two aerodynamic control surfaces 28 are pivotably held by struts 26 which are attached to each wing 14 and 16. In this case, each of the wings 14 and 16 is also able to pivot about an axis substantially parallel to its longitudinal axis.
Accordingly, the ailerons 21 (and/or conventional flap means) may be used to alter the lift characteristics of each wing for purposes of trim and control.
The ailerons 21 and control surfaces 28 provide aerodynamic control such that wing loading is controllable separately. The craft 10 further comprises an outrigger 30 extending from each side of the body 12. A hull 32 is pivotally attached at the distal end of each of the outriggers 30 by a connection 34 which allows the hulls 32 to pivot about a substantially vertical axis.
The outriggers 30 are attached to the body 12 by suspension elements (not shown). These suspension elements allow vertical motion of the hulls 32. The pivotal connections 34 allow steering motion of the hulls 32 relative to the remainder of the craft 10.
The outriggers 30 support the body 12 and allow
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Focarino Margaret A.
Hale John S.
Mattix Carla
Sea Shelf Engineering Pty Ltd.
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