초록 ▼

A sailboat includes a fixed keel whose lateral profile is adjustable to create lift that counteracts the leeward drift of the boat when sailing upwind. The keel structure supports side panels that are selectively deflected outwardly to form an airfoil. Deflection of the panels is accomplished by the

A sailboat includes a fixed keel whose lateral profile is adjustable to create lift that counteracts the leeward drift of the boat when sailing upwind. The keel structure supports side panels that are selectively deflected outwardly to form an airfoil. Deflection of the panels is accomplished by the inflation of bladders positioned between the fixed structure and the inner surface of the panels. As the bladders inflate, the forward and aft ends of the panels pivot on hinge supports to the fixed structure, and the length of the panels increases to accommodate the deflection. With the panel on one side of the keel displaced, the keel becomes a lifting body that generates a force acting to force the sailboat in the upwind direction, thereby counteracting the leeward drift caused by the wind acting on the sails.

대표청구항 ▼

A sailboat comprising: a hull having a mast extending in an upward direction from said hull, and sails; and a stabilization structure extending in a downward direction from said hull and having two laterally facing sides, said structure including panel means for forming the outer sides of said stabi

A sailboat comprising: a hull having a mast extending in an upward direction from said hull, and sails; and a stabilization structure extending in a downward direction from said hull and having two laterally facing sides, said structure including panel means for forming the outer sides of said stabilization structure, said panel means including a pair of deformable panels, one forming each outwardly facing lateral surface of said structure in direct contact with the water, each of said panels being independently deflectable under a deflection force to alter the shape of said structure to form in cross section a lifting body, structural support means for supporting said panel means, said structural support means including reaction surface means for reacting against the deflection force, and means for controllably and selectively applying the deflection force to each of said panels without the use of a mechanical linkage within said structure, the degree of deflection of each panel being independent of the degree of deflection of the other panel, said means for applying acting to return both panels to a neutral, undeformed position upon failure.