초록 ▼

In an improved sail for a sailboat, the trailing edges of a pair of serrated flaps of sailcloth are attached to the trailing edge of the sail, one on each side; the leading portions of corresponding members making up the serrated flaps are not fixed to the sail, but are connected to one another by s

In an improved sail for a sailboat, the trailing edges of a pair of serrated flaps of sailcloth are attached to the trailing edge of the sail, one on each side; the leading portions of corresponding members making up the serrated flaps are not fixed to the sail, but are connected to one another by short sections of line extending through holes in the sail. When the boat is tacked from one tack to the other, the leading portions of the members on the new windward side are pulled away from the surface of the sail by the wind, so that a serrated flow-impeding lip is provided on the windward side of the leech. At the same time, the lines pull the leeward members against the main body of the sail, so that drag is not increased substantially. Substantial improvements in sailing performance are realized, while no control action is required to cause the flaps to be suitably reconfigured upon tacking, and while ordinary sailing manuevers and all normal sail handling operations may be carried out without complication.

대표청구항 ▼

In an improved sail for a sailboat, the trailing edges of a pair of serrated flaps of sailcloth are attached to the trailing edge of the sail, one on each side; the leading portions of corresponding members making up the serrated flaps are not fixed to the sail, but are connected to one another by s

In an improved sail for a sailboat, the trailing edges of a pair of serrated flaps of sailcloth are attached to the trailing edge of the sail, one on each side; the leading portions of corresponding members making up the serrated flaps are not fixed to the sail, but are connected to one another by short sections of line extending through holes in the sail. When the boat is tacked from one tack to the other, the leading portions of the members on the new windward side are pulled away from the surface of the sail by the wind, so that a serrated flow-impeding lip is provided on the windward side of the leech. At the same time, the lines pull the leeward members against the main body of the sail, so that drag is not increased substantially. Substantial improvements in sailing performance are realized, while no control action is required to cause the flaps to be suitably reconfigured upon tacking, and while ordinary sailing manuevers and all normal sail handling operations may be carried out without complication. o thinner lateral regions of the array cross-section. 10. A transportation system as recited in claim 6, wherein at least one of the two distinct guideway arrays has a lateral cross-sectional configuration that provides a stronger magnetic field in the center of the lateral cross-section of the array, relative to the lateral portion of the lateral cross-section of the array. 11. A transportation system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one vehicle permanent magnet comprises at least one array of magnets having a lateral cross-sectional configuration of rotating magnetizations, wherein the magnetization vector rotates in a consistent direction when viewed from one side of the lateral cross-section toward the other side of the lateral cross-section. 12. A transportation system as recited in claim 11, wherein each vehicle array of magnets defines an active surface and wherein the direction of rotation of the magnetization vector is counterclockwise when viewed from the left side of the lateral cross-section toward the right side of the lateral cross-section, with the active surface facing upward. 13. A transportation system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one vehicle permanent magnet comprises at least one Halbach array of magnets. 14. A transportation system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one vehicle permanent magnet comprises at least one array of magnets having a lateral cross-sectional configuration that provides a stronger magnetic field in the center of the lateral cross-section of the array, relative to the lateral portion of the lateral cross-section of the array. 15. A transportation system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one vehicle permanent magnet comprises at least one array of permanent magnets, and wherein the lateral cross-sectional area of the at least one vehicle array is greater than the lateral cross-sectional area of the at least one guideway array. 16. A transportation system as recited in claim 1, wherein the guideway comprises a tube-shaped structure. 17. A transportation system as recited in claim 16, wherein the tube-shaped structure is partially evacuated. 18. A transportation system as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one vehicle controllable magnet comprises at least one electromagnet arranged on the vehicle. 19. A transportation system as recited in claim 18, wherein the at least one vehicle electromagnet comprises an array of conductive coils coupled to at least one electrical power source. 20. A transportation system as recited in claim 18, wherein the at least one vehicle electromagnet comprises an array of three conductive coils, including a coil for interaction with at least one guideway array of magnets to provide a lift force on the vehicle and a pair of coils for interaction with the at least one guideway array to provide a lateral control force on the vehicle. 21. A transportation system as recited in claim 18, wherein the at least one vehicle permanent magnet is disposed between the at least one vehicle electromagnet and the guideway, when the vehicle is located relative to the guideway for levitation. 22. A transportation system as recited in claim 18, wherein the at least one vehicle electromagnet is disposed between the at least one vehicle permanent magnet and the guideway, when the vehicle is located relative to the guideway for levitation. 23. A transportation system as recited in claim 20, wherein the at least one vehicle permanent magnet comprises an array of magnets and the at least one vehicle electromagnet comprises an array of electromagnets. 24. A transportation system as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one vehicle controllable magnet comprises at least one magnet arranged on the vehicle and movable relative to the vehicle and the guideway, to change the physical orientation of the magnet relative to the guideway for providing and controlling a lateral force on the vehicle. 25. A transportation system as recited in claim 1