Abstract: A novel rotatable hull that generally includes a hull that is capable of rotating around an attachment point where it is connected to a vessel. In preferred embodiments, an outdoor motor mounted to the rotatable hull will turn to vector thrust and apply a moment to rotate the hull around a nominally vertical axis where the hull connects to the vessel. The invention also is directed to a vessel, which employs a plurality of rotatable hulls. A plurality of rotatable hulls can be arranged into a tripod, square or other stable geometric configuration and connected by a structure to form a vessel that can move in any direction along the plane of the surface of the water with or without changing the yaw axis orientation of the connecting structure. This may be useful in applications such as catching objects that are descending from the sky.

Abstract: A traction system, notably for a ship, includes a fixed station, at least one first sail and one second sail, the first sail comprising a wing and being connected to a winch of the fixed station by a first hauling cable, the second sail includes a second wing and being connected to a winch of the fixed station by a second hauling cable. The fixed station includes a mast which is equipped with a first conveyor dedicated to mooring the first wing to this mast and with a second conveyor dedicated to mooring the second wing to this mast.

Abstract: Reversible camber wings are disclosed herein. A reversible camber wing includes a first body portion that defines a trailing edge of the reversible camber wing and a second body portion that defines a leading edge of the reversible camber wing. The second body portion is configured to be selectively pivoted about a pivot axis relative to the first body portion between a first position and a second position. The reversible camber wing additionally comprises a flexible skin that extends around the first and second body portions and conforms to the body portions when the second body portion is in the first position and the second position. When the second body portion is in the first position, the reversible camber wing has a first camber, and when the second body portion is in the second position, the reversible camber wing has a second camber that is opposite the first camber.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus, optionally mounted on a stand up paddle board, or surfboard, to lift the board above the water surface and support the board in a stable position above the water surface while a rider standing on the board and maintaining a speed in the water via paddling. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a strut; a fuselage connected to said strut; a back foil portion connected to an aft end of said fuselage wherein the back foil portion includes two back wings extending outwardly from said aft end of said fuselage; and a forward foil portion connected to a fore end of said fuselage wherein the forward foil portion includes two front wings extending outwardly from said fore end of said fuselage and wherein the forward foil portion has a maximum thickness located at first distance from the fore edge of the forward foil portion.

Abstract: An airborne wind energy system with a rotational wing, comprising at least two airfoil blades of rigid, soft or mixed type, with appropriate controls, with a launch/landing perch and/or lighter than air balloon. An AWES blade, getting wider and thicker toward the external tip. A method of launching a pair of airborne wings.

Abstract: A vehicle-based airborne wind turbine system having an aerial wing, a plurality of rotors each having a plurality of rotatable blades positioned on the aerial wing, an electrically conductive tether secured to the aerial wing and secured to a ground station positioned on a vehicle, wherein the aerial wing is adapted to receive electrical power from the vehicle that is delivered to the aerial wing through the electrically conductive tether; wherein the aerial wing is adapted to operate in a flying mode to harness wind energy to provide a first pulling force through the tether to pull the vehicle; and wherein the aerial wing is also adapted to operate in a powered flying mode wherein the rotors may be powered so that the turbine blades serve as thrust-generating propellers to provide a second pulling force through the tether to pull the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle-based airborne wind turbine system having an aerial wing, a plurality of rotors each having a plurality of rotatable blades positioned on the aerial wing, an electrically conductive tether secured to the aerial wing and secured to a ground station positioned on a vehicle, wherein the aerial wing is adapted to receive electrical power from the vehicle that is delivered to the aerial wing through the electrically conductive tether; wherein the aerial wing is adapted to operate in a flying mode to harness wind energy to provide a first pulling force through the tether to pull the vehicle; and wherein the aerial wing is also adapted to operate in a powered flying mode wherein the rotors may be powered so that the turbine blades serve as thrust-generating propellers to provide a second pulling force through the tether to pull the vehicle.

Abstract: An unmanned ocean-going vessel including a primary hull, a rigid wing rotationally coupled with the primary hull where the rigid wing freely rotates about a rotational axis of the rigid wing, a controller configured to maintain a desired heading, a control surface element configured to aerodynamically control a wing angle of the rigid wing based on a position of the control surface element, where the controller is configured to determine a control surface angle and generate a signal to position the control surface element based on the control surface angle, a rudder, where the controller is further configured to determine a rudder position and generate a signal to position the rudder to the rudder position, and a keel including ballast sufficient to provide a positive righting moment sufficient to cause the primary hull to passively right from any position.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention feature a device having aerodynamic lift surfaces that is capable of rotation about a stayed mast.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to devices and methods for powering a craft by aerodynamic forces. The device features a fairing member and flap element in which the flap element has a first flap position which creates a aerofoil contour on one face of the fairing member, and a second position in which the flap element presents an interrupted surface on both sides of the aerofoil to direct the fairing member in a non-power position without oscillation.

Abstract: A set of rigid sails that have an aerodynamic profile and that may be secured to a boat.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention feature a device having aerodynamic lift surfaces that is capable of rotation about a stayed mast.

Abstract: A wingsail assembly comprises a main symmetrical aerofoil which is freely rotatable about an upright axis and a control vane which is settable about an upright axis spaced from the axis of the main aerofoil to cause the main aerofoil to adopt an angle of attack to the direction of the wind. A pivoted aerodynamic slot-forming vane assembly is rotatable in response to wind pressure to open and close respective slots, one on each side of the leading region of the main aerofoil. A linkage inhibits movement of the slot-forming vane assembly away from a neutral position when the control vane is set to a neutral position.

Abstract: A wind-propelled vehicle, includes: a vertical mast assembly having a lower end rotatably mounted about a vertical axis on the vehicle; and a wing sail carried by the vertical mast assembly for propelling the vehicle, including a fore sail panel defining the leading edge of the wing-sail, and a pair of aft sail panels attached to a pair of booms defining the sides and trailing edge of the wing-sail. The vertical mast assembly includes a pair of vertically-extending posts connected together at their upper ends, diverging apart at their lower ends, and connected together at the diverging lower ends to define an “A” configuration frame. The diverging lower ends of the pair of posts are rotatably mounted on the vehicle.

Abstract: A sail propulsion system for boats and the like comprises at least one mast (A) and a jib (F) controlled by sheets and secured to the head of the mast (A), as well as at least two mainsails (RS, RD) rove on two shrouds (S; SR) located one to the right and one to the left of the mast (A) and arranged each on a boom (B) mounted on one of said shrouds (S; SR).

Abstract: A steerable wing-type sail system for a wind powered craft. The system includes first and second secondary airfoils and that are spaced outwardly to the sides of the plane of the main wing, and that are positioned rearwardly of the trailing edge of the wing. The secondary airfoils are selectively pivotable so as to steer the main wing in one direction or the other. The main wing is also provided with a pivoting flap at its trailing edge, which pivots simultaneously with and in the same direction as the secondary airfoils. The secondary airfoils are carried on elongate horizontal booms mounted near the mid-span height of the main wing. The secondary airfoils pivot about vertical axes at the distal ends of the booms, and are operated by control cables that are retracted and paid out by linear actuators or similar mechanisms. The craft may be multi-hull vessel, such as a catamaran.

Abstract: An aerodynamic lift enhancing gate valve assembly comprising an airfoil blade disposed at a leading edge of a sail, forming a gate between the trailing edge of the airfoil blade and the leading edge of the sail. The airfoil blade captures wind and redirects it over the cambered surface of the sail to enhance the aerodynamic lift of the sail. The pressure of the wind captured by the airfoil blade is regulated by springs or elastic bands. In operation, the chord of the airfoil blade remains substantially parallel to the chord of the sail.

Abstract: A wind propelled vehicle comprising: (a) an assembly of airfoils fixedly joined; (b) all-moveable rudder and horizontal stabilizer, or suitable substitute, for aerodynamic yaw and pitch control; and (c) pontoons and hydrofoils, skis, skates, runners or wheels. The vehicle is wind-propelled by controlling the angle of the relative wind to produce a sideways lift force on the airfoil assembly and controlling the angle of the pontoons, etc. to use that force to cause forward motion. Airborne operation is achieved by changing the angle of the relative wind to produce an upward lift force on the airfoil assembly. Water rudder is absent. Orientation is always controlled aerodynamically.

Abstract: A sailing craft including a single hydrofoil assembly, an aerofoil assembly, and a hull assembly with a rigid beam interconnecting the hydrofoil assembly, the aerofoil assembly, and the hull assembly. The hull is separate and displaced from the hydrofoil assembly and is, in use, supported above the water by the rigid beam. The hydrofoil assembly, the aerofoil assembly, and the hull assembly are preferably interconnected such that the hydrofoil assembly and the aerofoil assembly are disposed at opposite ends of the rigid beam and the hull is connected to the beam therebetween.