Abstract: The invention relates to a sail having a variable profile. The sail can vary between a folded non-operative position and an unfolded operative position, wherein they determine the profile of the sail (2) and therefore the aerodynamic surface for contacting with the wind, characterised in that the sail comprises at least one sail element (24) which is inflatable and stiffenable, and which can be actuated by inflation (30) and stiffening means (29), between a folded position corresponding to said folded non-operative position and said unfolded operative position, in which the sail (2) is inflated. The profile of the sail is divided into sections (21, 22) on both sides of a shaft (20), and comprises a support structure (23) on which said inflatable sail elements (24) are disposed, said inflatable sail elements being formed by inflatable pockets (24) which can be actuated by said inflation (30) and stiffening means (29).

Abstract: A fin stabilizer for stabilizing watercraft includes a pivotable stabilizer fin and a receiving space for receiving the stabilizer fin. The stabilizer fin is shiftable from a retracted state in which the stabilizer fin is received in the receiving space to an extended state in which the stabilizer fin extends from the receiving space. Also at least one flexible cover element for at least partially covering an opening of the receiving space, through which opening the stabilizer fin enters and exits the receiving space during retracting and extending, respectively. The stabilizer fin does not contact the at least one cover element when shifting from the retracted state to the extended state.

Abstract: A propulsion sail having an aircraft wing profile, comprises a traditional flexible sail and at least one detachable thickness module capable of being assembled in a detachable manner on a face of the flexible sail, wherein each module comprises at least one flexible plate, comprising a leading edge and a leech edge, the plate being assembled by its leading edge along the luff of the flexible sail via first assembly means and being assembled by its leech edge via second assembly means, the propulsion sail comprising at least one pair of modules, the two modules of the pair being disposed substantially symmetrically on either side of the flexible sail.

Abstract: Wingsail. The wingsail includes a substantially rigid airfoil section having a leading and a trailing edge and a flap is attached to the trailing edge through a torsion fitting having a torsional stiffness along the span of the rigid airfoil section selected to control flap deflection with respect to the rigid airfoil section under aerodynamic loading to control rolling moment of the wingsail.

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 frame device for a profiled sail device. At least one frame element has a first profile contour that corresponds to one sail surface and a second profile contour that corresponds to another sail surface. The frame device has a profile contour with at least one profile contour section which is formed by a profile contour of the frame element, and the frame device can be adjusted between a first operating position and a second operating position. In a first operating position the first profile contour forms a contour section for the first sail surface or for the second sail surface, and the second profile contour does not form a profile contour section; and in the second operating position, the first profile contour does not form a profile contour section of the frame device for the sail surface, and the second profile contour forms at least one profile contour section of the frame device for the respective other sail surface.

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 frame device for a profiled sail device. At least one frame element has a first profile contour that corresponds to one sail surface and a second profile contour that corresponds to another sail surface. The frame device has a profile contour with at least one profile contour section which is formed by a profile contour of the frame element, and the frame device can be adjusted between a first operating position and a second operating position. In a first operating position the first profile contour forms a contour section for the first sail surface or for the second sail surface, and the second profile contour does not form a profile contour section; and in the second operating position, the first profile contour does not form a profile contour section of the frame device for the sail surface, and the second profile contour forms at least one profile contour section of the frame device for the respective other sail surface.

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

Abstract: A reversible wing sail for use with a wind-powered vehicle is provided herein that comprises a rotatable mast, a multi-surface sail cover, and a spring-assisted camber inducer. The rotatable mast generally has a longitudinally extending mast axis and the multi-surface sail cover runs along at least a portion of the mast, extending transversely in relation to the mast from a leading edge to a trailing edge. The sail cover has a first surface and a second surface that form a cavity therebetween. The spring-assisted camber inducer is arranged in the cavity between the first and second surfaces of the sail cover and configured to induce an asymmetric camber profile between the first and second surfaces to form the wing sail into an airfoil shape.

Abstract: The invention relates to a profile sail boom for a boat having a batten mainsail, which is configured to be flexible in the horizontal direction and has a vertical spar with cords laminated in at the uppermost and lowermost points in the center of the cross-section, transverse webs separated by wedge-shaped spacer joints extending from said spar on the lowermost site in the horizontal direction, wherein guiding tubes for cords are present on the outer edges of said webs.

Abstract: In a battened sailboard sail a sail attachment device is attached to the leading edge of the sail and the sail attachment device is connected to a camber-inducer by a line that is acted on by a batten to evenly distribute the batten tension load between the sail and camber-inducer. The batten is able to move chordwise relative the camber inducer when the sail is rotating about the mast.

Abstract: A three-dimensional sail apparatus that is made up of a plurality of spacedly disposed foils and a sail cloth for attachment to the foils on opposite sides thereof. Each foil has opposed sail cloth supporting sides that together define a foil shape, A support is disposed between the sides for controlling the relative positioning between the sides of the foil, with each rail adapted to deflect under wind force against its related sail cloth so that the foil can assume opposite respective asymmetric foil shapes.

Abstract: A reversible camber airfoil rib has a first side and a second side that are adjoined at an angle along an interrupted common inner edge extending longitudinally from a leading edge to a trailing edge. An aperture extends through the common inner edge and enables the rib to pivotally couple with a mast about an axis that is transverse to the mast axis. The aperture also allows the rib to slide along the mast. Each of the sides of the rib has a cambered outer edge which supports an airfoil surface. A plurality of the ribs and attending components when enclosed in a flexible covering provides a reversible camber airfoil for use on a wind-powered vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for casting sails comprising a roll stand configured to supply a carrier film. The apparatus contains a support mechanism for the carrier film, and further comprises of a drawing mechanism, a first resin dispenser, a first wiper portion, two yarn applicators, a second resin dispenser, a second wiper portion, an element applicator, a calendar, and curing mechanism.

Abstract: The invention relates to a boat sail comprising a first (4) and a second (6) sheet, having similar shape and dimensions, coupled each other in correspondence of the outer perimeter and by a plurality of transverse ribs (12), provided between said sheets (4, 6), suitable to divide said sail into multi-sections (11), said sail (2) being characterised in that it provides a valve (14), that can be opened and closed to allow the air to enter within said sail into the space between said first (4) and second (6) sheets, at least a retractor element (15) provided on each rib (12), that can take two positions, respectively for the closure of the rib (12) and for opening the same, in order to make the sail taking a wing contour shape, and means (16) for opening and closing said retractors.

Abstract: A sailboat sail includes a sheet of material that contains stretchable webs that assume a planar orientation when placed against a planar surface, but which can stretch into a sail or airfoil orientation when mounted to a sailboat and exposed to wind loading. The sheet includes at least two webs of PVC vinyl laminated together between which is disposed a scrim of polyester yarn. The yarn is cross-hatched in a predetermined directional pattern. The sail has informational content, such as advertising, printed thereon or otherwise imparted thereto. A method for manufacturing such a sail includes providing a sheet of the aforementioned sail material, printing on one or both sides of the sheet information content to be displayed while the sail is mounted upon a sailboat, and cutting the sheet into the shape of a sail. The sheet may be cut before or after the information is imprinted thereon.

Abstract: A sailboat sail and method of manufacture thereof, the sail material being chosen from a group of materials which lay substantially flat at all points when laid against a planar surface but which stretch under wind loading when attached to a sailboat to assume the conventional airfoil shape desirable of a sail. The sail has informational content such as advertising (eg: product photographs and logos) or other messages printed on or otherwise imparted thereto. One method of providing such a sail includes the steps of providing a flat sheet of stretchable material having physical properties capable of withstanding conventional wind load-induced forces in near-shore sailing conditions, printing on one or both sides of the sheet information content to be displayed while the sail is mounted upon a sailboat, and cutting the sheet into the shape of a sail. The steps of printing and cutting may be transposed.

Abstract: A stowable semi rigid airfoil assembly, functions automatically to airflow as a draft adjusting wing sail, or spinnaker sail (19), for use on a mast (17) with a halyard (41) on a wind powered craft. The halyard connected to the heads (83) of port and starboard sail panels (10) surrounding the mast vertically, elongates the airfoil from a “wing chord section shaped boom” (21) attached to the airfoils' foot (57). The sailcloth (12) panels are laminated with rigid foam cored (11) horizontal panel sections (13) set between flexible sailcloth spaces (14), for folding the rigid panels down over the wing shaped boom. The top of the panel sections above the boom are outward folding (22) spaces, and every other one of the spaces up the sail are outward folding, and every other one of the other spaces are inward folding (16) and are increased in separation (20) between the rigid panels. The leading edges (27) of the sail panels are joined at the inward folding spaces.

Abstract: A so-called “wing” sail for a sailing vessel, having an airfoil section performing substantially in the manner of an ideal airfoil on either tack is described. A two-sided inner sail structure having resiliently deformable battens slidably engaging a track, fixed to the mast of the sailing device and extending rearwardly, the mast being rotatable about its vertical axis in either direction relative to vertical planes along the longitudinal axes of the sailing device and the boom. Translation of the two main surfaces of the wing sail as well as the surfaces at the clew corner while maintaining proper tension in the surfaces, is accomplished by opposed inflatable air bladders. An aerodynamic seal is provided along the trailing edge of the wing sail. A horizontal control bar is attached to the mast to control the pivotal movement of the mast. The outer sail members wrap, around the mast and are fastened to the mast by a zipper.

Abstract: A sail envelope has an internal mast or spar and one or more profiles (1) that is or are free to rotate relative to the longitudinal axis of the mast. Each profile has an outer edge in the form of a symmetrical aerofoil upon which the inner sides of the external sail surfaces bear.

Abstract: A sail for a wind powered vehicle such as a surfboard, sailing boat or the like is provided wherein a sail is connected along its front edge to a mast and wherein the said sail at its clew or at its lower edge is connected to a boom. The boom is connected in a hinged manner to the mast. At the free rear edge of the sail, at least one sail part is provided which is adjustable in the sail plane so that the overall area of the sail can be decreased or increased.