Abstract: A double airfoil mounted on a structure controlled angularly around a generally vertical axis. The double airfoil includes a fore flap and an aft flap at least one of which has a fore-to-aft asymmetry. Each flap includes a series of shape members distributed in height, wherein the structure includes a fore mast and an aft mast connected by a boom member and a gaff member. The shape members of the fore flap are traversed by the fore mast while being able to turn around an axis defined thereby, while the shape members of the aft flap are traversed by the aft mast while being able to turn around an axis defined thereby. The aft mast is twistable, the shape members of the aft flap are rotationally locked to the aft mast, and the controller can act on the bottom and the top of the aft mast.

Abstract: The invention relates to an at least partially wind-propelled ship, comprising a double airfoil mounted on a structure controlled angularly around a generally vertical axis depending on conditions, where the double airfoil comprises a fore flap and an aft flap at least one of which has a fore-to-aft asymmetry and separated by a slit, where each flap comprises a series of shape members distributed in height, wherein said structure comprises a fore mast and an aft mast connected by a boom member and by a gaff member. The shape members of the fore flap are traversed by the fore mast while being able to turn around an axis defined thereby, while the shape members of the aft flap are traversed by the aft mast while being able to turn around an axis defined thereby. In addition, the aft mast is twistable, the shape members of the aft flap are rotationally locked to said aft mast, and the controller is capable of acting on the bottom and the top of the aft mast.

Abstract: The invention relates to an at least partially wind-propelled ship, comprising a double airfoil mounted on a structure controlled angularly around a generally vertical axis, where the double airfoil comprises a fore flap and an aft flap separated by a slit. At least one of the fore flap and the aft flap has a fore-to-aft asymmetry, wherein each flap comprises a series of shape members distributed in height. The structure comprises a fore mast and an aft mast connected by a boom member and by a gaff member. The shape members of the fore flap are traversed by the fore mast while being able to turn around an axis defined thereby, while the shape members of the aft flap are traversed by the aft mast while being able to turn around an axis defined thereby.

Abstract: The invention relates to an at least partially wind-propelled ship, comprising a double airfoil mounted on a structure controlled angularly around a generally vertical axis depending on conditions, where the double airfoil comprises a fore flap and an aft flap at least one of which has a fore-to-aft asymmetry and separated by a slit, where each flap comprises a series of shape members distributed in height, wherein said structure comprises a fore mast and an aft mast connected by a boom member and by a gaff member. The shape members of the fore flap are traversed by the fore mast while being able to turn around an axis defined thereby, while the shape members of the aft flap are traversed by the aft mast while being able to turn around an axis defined thereby.

Abstract: A vessel provided with at least one rigid wingsail installation with a mast structure and a rigid wingsail. The mast structure comprises a foot and a mast top which is rotatable about a substantially vertical wingsail rotation axis relative to the vessel. The mast top is provided with a primary tilting assembly. The rigid wingsail comprises a main panel connected to the mast structure via the primary tilting assembly. This assembly allows tilting of the main panel relative to the mast top about a primary tilt axis. The rigid wingsail also comprises a top panel which is connected at its lower end to the upper end of the main panel via a secondary tilting assembly. This assembly allows tilting of the top panel relative to the main panel about a secondary tilting axis.

Abstract: A vessel provided with at least one rigid wingsail installation with a mast structure and a rigid wingsail. The mast structure comprises a foot and a mast top which is rotatable about a substantially vertical wingsail rotation axis relative to the vessel. The mast top is provided with a primary tilting assembly. The rigid wingsail comprises a main panel connected to the mast structure via the primary tilting assembly. This assembly allows tilting of the main panel relative to the mast top about a primary tilt axis. The rigid wingsail also comprises a top panel which is connected at its lower end to the upper end of the main panel via a secondary tilting assembly. This assembly allows tilting of the top panel relative to the main panel about a secondary tilting axis.

Abstract: A wind-propelled hydrofoil comprising a forward assembly with at least partially submerged forward foils and a fully submerged aft foil. The forward foils (43, 44) are such that the resultant of the vertical forces drops when said assembly is translated vertically upwards, with a heave characteristic (F), and increases when said forward assembly is subject to upward pitching, with an incidence characteristic (A). The aft foil (46) has an incidence characteristic (R) such that R(d-g)-Ag+F(g.sup.2 +r.sup.2)>0, wherein d is the distance between the aft foil (46) and the center of heave, g is the distance between the center of gravity and the center of heave, and r is the gyration radius of the hydrofoil.