MULTIPURPOSE SAIL SYSTEM AND METHOD OF ITS OPERATION Russian patent published in 2000 - IPC

FIELD: shipbuilding; sail systems with rigid sails for ships of various types. SUBSTANCE: each rigid sail has unsymmetrical aerodynamic profile. Bent side surfaces of opposite sails of each pair are located in parallel. These sails are interconnected by means of common yard which is mounted on mast rotatable around vertical axis. Central section of yard is provided with member for its rotation. Mechanism for hoisting and lowering the rigid sails is made in form of mechanism for inclination of mast or its upper part together with sails. Drive for rotation of common yard may be made in form of reversible double-acting hydraulic cylinder. It contains piston with toothed surface thrown into engagement with gear in central zone of yard. Drive for its rotation may be made in form of rope system with sprocket which may be secured in central zone of yard and may be connected with winch by means of rope; winch is provided with reversible electric drive. Method of operation of this sail system is characterized by rotation of mast in shifting the sails from working position to inoperative position. Planes passing through chords of sails are located in parallel with fore-and-aft axis of ship. Then mast or its upper part is inclined together with sails till edges of sails reach the deck. In tacking, yard with sails is rotated through 180 deg by means of its drive and mast is rotated about its vertical axis positioning the sails in accordance with ship's course and direction of wind. EFFECT: simplified construction of sail system units enhanced efficiency due to automation of working procedures. 12 cl, 12 dwg