초록 ▼

The present invention entails a variable camber airfoil assembly mounted on a vessel and having a pivotably mounted rigid leading edge member. The rigid leading edge member includes an elongated generally V-shaped member that extends substantially the entire length or height of the airfoil assembly.

The present invention entails a variable camber airfoil assembly mounted on a vessel and having a pivotably mounted rigid leading edge member. The rigid leading edge member includes an elongated generally V-shaped member that extends substantially the entire length or height of the airfoil assembly. A mast forms a part of said airfoil assembly and extends between a tip member and a root member and wherein said leading edge member is mounted forwardly of the mast. Extending between said tip member and root member rearwardly of the mast is a flexible cable. The variable camber feature of the present invention is formed by a pliable skin having two opposed sides that are interconnected between the leading edge member and the flexible cable. To limit the extent of pivotable movement of the leading edge member, the mast is extended between two sides thereof that form its general V-shape. By the provision of the leading edge member being pivotable, it is appreciated that the same can easily pivot with respect to the boat or vessel for a more effective and efficient entry into the wind.

대표청구항 ▼

A vessel including a wing type airfoil with a rigid leading edge member that is movable independently of a mast and which is mounted on said vessel for powering said vessel through water therein said wing type airfoil comprises: a. a stationary elongated mast having upper and lower portions; b. a ti

A vessel including a wing type airfoil with a rigid leading edge member that is movable independently of a mast and which is mounted on said vessel for powering said vessel through water therein said wing type airfoil comprises: a. a stationary elongated mast having upper and lower portions; b. a tip member mounted to the top portion of said mast; c. a root member secured to the lower portion of said mast; d. rear connecting means disposed rearwardly of said mast and extending between said tip member and said root member; e. an elongated vertical rigid leading edge member disposed generally forwardly of said stationary mast and extending vertically between said tip and root members and adjacent said mast throughout a substantial portion of its height; f. said rigid leading edge member including a leading edge and a pair of spaced apart sides that extend rearwardly from said leading edge toward said mast wherein said sides include terminal rear edges that terminate forwardly of said rear connecting means so as to define a space between said terminal rear edges of said leading edge member and said rear connecting means; g. a skin covering operatively interconnected between said rigid leading edge member and said rear connecting means and including first and second opposite pliable sides that extend from said rigid leading edge member and said rear terminal edges thereof to where they connect with said rear connecting means to effectively form a variable camber wing portion; and h. mounting means associated with said wing type airfoil assembly independent of said mast for movably mounting said leading edge member and the sides thereof for side to side movement relative to said stationary mast, and wherein said leading edge member and said skin covering form an integral airfoil wing assembly having a rigid leading edge and a pliable variable camber wing portion extending rearwardly from the rear terminal edges of said rigid leading edge member and wherein said rigid leading edge member enables the leading edge of the wing type airfoil assembly to assume a predetermined shape for efficient and effective entry into the wind.