Abstract: A traction system for a watercraft, including a sail and a fixed station that includes a mast and a winch which is connected to the sail by a traction cable, the system further including a bottom part that is supported by the traction cable, and fold lines, each of which has an end that is attached to a leading edge of the sail, and another end that is supported by the bottom part. The fixed station includes a base that accommodates the bottom element when the sail is retracted by the winch; and structure for grasping each fold line and pulling same towards the mast so as to retract the leading edge against the mast and fold the sail once the winch has retracted same close to the station.

Abstract: A wingsail includes a wing body, a wing axle having an axis, and at least one trim plate supported on a side surface of the wing body, the trim plate to control a rotational movement of the wing body about an axis of the wing axle.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides danger avoidance apparatuses and related methods, such as for use to avoid avalanches. An apparatus may include a container configured to couple to a user, a lift providing mechanism, a descent control mechanism and at least one rip cord engaged with the container and selectively operable by the user. Both the lift providing mechanism and the descent control mechanism may be movably coupled to the container between a packed position within the container and a deployed position exterior to the container controlled via the at least one rip cord. The lift providing mechanism may include an airfoil that provides lift to the user at a first velocity of the user along a first direction. The descent control mechanism may control the descent and reduce the velocity of the user along the first direction from the first velocity in the deployed position.

Abstract: A process of printing an image or images on the sails of a watercraft or other wind powered objects without altering or compromising the efficacy of the sails is described. The process employs a method of printing large-scale, single or multiple panel, continuous, high-resolution photographic and graphic images on wind-catching fabrics. The dynamics and curvatures of a sail are integrated into the manufacturing process when employed for sails, though the process may be applied to any large-scaled fabric print. The process of the present invention produces printed sails providing for the highest resolution photographic, art, and graphic printing with virtually no weight gain, nor effect on the sail's original performance. Modern equipment is employed to achieve printing of realistic, high quality images directly on to the fabric of sails without compromising flexibility or durability, as well as without infringing on the speed and agility of the sailing craft.

Abstract: A rigging for a wind-propelled vessel includes: a rotating airfoil-shaped mast; a sail movably coupled to a trailing edge of the airfoil-shaped mast and configured to be hoisted or lowered along the airfoil-shaped mast; a swiveling masthead coupled to a top section of the airfoil-shaped mast; and a plurality of stays supporting the airfoil-shaped mast, each stay having a first end connected to the swiveling masthead and a second end connected to a hull of the vessel.

Abstract: A blade includes an airfoil body defined by a concave pressure side outer wall and a convex suction side outer wall that connect along a leading edge and a trailing edge. The blade also includes a first corrugated surface extending from the trailing edge to the leading edge on an outer surface of the concave pressure side outer wall, and/or a second corrugated surface extending from the trailing edge to the leading edge on an outer surface of the convex suction side outer wall. The blade acts to reduce flow velocity losses associated with wake mixing by accelerating the mixing process from the source of the wake to minimize inflated unsteady mixing that occurs within a downstream blade row.

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 provide mechanical sail systems, methods, apparatus, and code which allow use of the Magnus effect to provide thrust to a ship. In some embodiments, a mechanical sail system is provided which includes a silo, positioned below a deck level of a ship, a lift carriage, mounted within the silo, and supporting a first sail cylinder and a second sail cylinder, and at least a first drive motor coupled to a control system for selectively positioning the lift carriage within the silo, the control system operable to control the at least first drive motor to position the lift carriage at a top position within the silo to deploy the first and second sail cylinders.

Abstract: A generally triangular-shaped, radial-cut sail intended for use with a small sailing craft such as a Laser™ Class sailboat. A mast sleeve or “luff tube” is arranged or formed adjacent the luff area of the sail, extending from the head to the foot, and sized to accommodate a flexible mast formed of two or more mast sections. A luff tube patch is placed on the leading edge of the mast sleeve adjacent a point where the mast sections meet when the sailing rig is assembled.

Abstract: A method of making a woven sailcloth comprising the steps of: selecting a first set of yarns comprising at least partially a first type of yarn; selecting a second set of yarns comprising at least partially a second type of yarn; weaving the first set of yarns and the second set of yarns such that the first set of yarns are arranged along a first direction and the second set of yarns are arranged along a second direction which is different from the first direction, choosing a chemical solution which has the property of shrinking the first type of yarn in its longitudinal direction more than the second type of yarn when the first type of yarn and the second type of yarn are exposed to said chemical solution, and exposing the woven sailcloth to said chemical solution. A sailcloth is also disclosed based on said method. A sail made from woven sail cloth is also disclosed. A laminated sailcloth comprising a layer of woven sailcloth is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sail for a wind-powered craft includes a web which forms a flying shape upon engagement with the wind, flying shape extending from leading to trailing edges. The web includes a combination of wind-impermeable and wind-permeable portions disposed between the leading and trailing edges, with a permeability ratio of wind-permeable area to wind-impermeable area within a range of about 5 to 80 percent.

Abstract: A device for arranging a profiled element on the bow side of a water vehicle and a water vehicle having a wind-impacted element. The device has at least one profiled element (40, 40.1, 40.2) and means for arranging the at least one profiled element (40, 40.1, 40.2) on the bow (20) of a water vehicle (10, 100), wherein the profiled element(s) (40, 40.1, 40.2) is/are or can be supported about a pivot axis (S) which is parallel, preferably horizontal, to the midship plane, wherein the profiled element(s) (40, 40.1, 40.2) can be or is/are connected to a wind-impacted element (14) at a leading point (43) of a wind-impacted-element-driven water vehicle (10, 100) by means of a connecting device (42), in particular by means of a whippletree (42).

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

Abstract: A sailing ship includes a sailing unit, which comprises a hard sail assembly comprising a plurality of hard sail sections of wing-shaped hollow cross section vertically stacked so each, except the lowermost, fits on the one immediately below; a mast assembly comprising a plurality of mast sections of hollow cross section vertically stacked so each, except the lowermost, fits in the one immediately below; connecting members for connecting upper ends of the hard sail sections to upper ends of the mast sections located at the same level; first means for moving each mast section, except the lowermost, toward and away from the one immediately below; and second means for rotating the mast assembly around its longitudinal axis. Overlapping lengths between vertically adjacent mast sections are variably controlled so as to variably control overlapping lengths between vertically adjacent hard sail sections. Thus, the hard sail assembly vertically expands and contracts.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide mechanical sail systems, methods, apparatus, and code which allow use of the Magnus effect to provide thrust to a ship. In some embodiments, a mechanical sail system is provided which includes a silo, positioned below a deck level of a ship, a lift carriage, mounted within the silo, and supporting a first sail cylinder and a second sail cylinder, and at least a first drive motor coupled to a control system for selectively positioning the lift carriage within the silo, the control system operable to control the at least first drive motor to position the lift carriage at a top position within the silo to deploy the first and second sail cylinders.

Abstract: A rigid foil sail having a full length vertical leading edge whose trim angle/angle of attack is controlled by the main sheet and trailing edge flaps attached rearwardly of the leading edge, each of which can be independently trimmed from a convenient deck level control tray to achieve easily adjustable camber. The design of the rigid foil sail allows depowering of the sail without altering mainsheet trim by decreasing the camber of the upper trailing flap thus also decreasing the heeling force created by the power of the upper trailing flap. Further, a void within the foil is filled with a lighter than air gas to assist in countering heeling moment to allow the boat to be driven without the loss of upwind pointing performance and without the loss of power and also allowing the boat to be driven to windward more efficiently with a minimum heel angle.

Abstract: A rigid foil sail having a full length vertical leading edge whose trim angle/angle of attack is controlled by the main sheet and at least two trailing edge flaps attached rearwardly of the leading edge, each of which can be independently trimmed from a convenient deck level control tray to achieve easily adjustable camber. The design of the rigid foil sail allows depowering of the sail without altering mainsheet trim by decreasing the camber of the upper trailing flap thus also decreasing the heeling force created by the power of the upper trailing flap. Such an arrangement allows the boat to be driven without the loss of upwind pointing performance and without the loss of power caused by luffing of the sail. Similarly, the boat can be better balanced by allowing the boat to be driven to windward more efficiently with a minimum heel angle.

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: There is provided herein a woven sailcloth having a weight of at least about 6 and comprising warp yarns and fill yarns and having a 1% warp of at least about 80 and/or a warp efficiency of at least about 13, wherein the fill yarns are pre-crimped, and wherein the warp yarns and the fill yarns are weaved in a plain weave in which the ratio of fill yarn count to warp yarn count is about 1.1:1 to about 1.8:1 and the ratio of warp yarn density to fill yarn density is about 1.2:1 to about 1.9:1. There is also provided herein sails made from the sailcloth and a method for making the sail.

Abstract: A steerable wing-type sail system for a wind powered craft. The system includes secondary airfoils that are spaced outwardly to the sides of the plane of a main sail, and rearwardly of the trailing edge of the sail. The secondary airfoils are pivotable s to steer the main sail in one direction or the other. The main sail is also provided with a flap at its trailing edge, that pivots simultaneously with the secondary airfoils. The secondary airfoils are carried on elongate booms mounted near the mid-span height of the main sail and are operated by cables that are retracted/paid out by linear actuators or similar mechanisms. The control mechanism for the secondary airfoils may operate in response to signals received from onboard sensors. The system is suitable for use on an autonomous unmanned surface vessel (AUSV).

Abstract: A sailing ship comprises a hard sail assembly. The hard sail assembly comprises a plurality of hard sails of wing-shaped hollow cross section. The hard sails are vertically stacked so that each except the lowermost is received in the one immediately below. The sailing ship further comprises an apparatus for driving the hard sails to move each except the lowermost toward and away from the one immediately below, a post extending vertically to support the lowermost hard sail, and a second apparatus for rotating the post around its longitudinal axis. Overlapping lengths between vertically adjacent hard sails are variably controlled to make the hard sail assembly expand and contract vertically.

Abstract: The invention concerns a sail system comprising a substantially isosceles-triangle-shaped sail (1; 101), two booms (2, 3; 102, 103), arranged along the substantially equal sides of the sail (1; 101) and articulated to one another at an end with a joint (4; 104) that defines a vertex of the triangle of the sail, and an arc-shaped element (7; 107), which can be coupled to the deck of the boat (A) on which said sail system is foreseen with the two ends pivoted around an axis (20, 120) transverse to the hull of the boat and that is mobile around said axis between a configuration raised from the deck and a configuration lowered onto the deck, in which each boom (2, 3; 102, 103) has a coupling element (5, 6; 105, 106) on said arc-shaped element (7; 107), said coupling element (5, 6; 105, 106) being slidably mounted both along said arc-shaped element (7; 107) and along a section of the respective boom (2, 3; 102, 103), and in which the sail (1; 101) is provided with a further coupling element to the boat (A) on whic

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 sail, and that are positioned rearwardly of the trailing edge of the sail. The secondary airfoils are selectively pivotable so as to steer the main sail in one direction or the other. The main sail 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 sail. 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: A sail 100 includes: a top outhaul 1; a bottom outhaul 3; a groove 4 extending perpendicularly and attachable to a groove portion 61 formed in furling gear 6; and two swelling portions 100a and 100b on both sides of the groove 4. When a sailboat is under sail, the swelling portions 100a and 100b are spread and usable in a following wind, while the swelling portions 100a and 100b are folded along the groove 4 and usable as a jib in a head wind or a beam wind. The top outhaul 1 and the bottom outhaul 3 are connected to the furling gear 6 and the groove 4 is attached to the furling gear 6, and thereby, the furling gear 6 furls and unfurls the swelling portions 100a and 100b.

Abstract: A load bearing sheet comprises a flexible layer reinforced with a plurality of reinforcing elements arranged on one or both sides of the flexible layer. The plurality of reinforcing elements comprises at least one HMwPE or UHMwPE tape. The invention also relates to a process for making the sheet. The invention further relates to applications of the sheet.

Abstract: A sail includes at least two layers of durable sailcloth material, a scrim of load bearing yarns arranged in predetermined load path orientations, and at least one heat-activated adhesive layer securing the layers of material to the scrim, such that the scrim is positioned between the layers of material. An opaque layer may be included between the two outer layers of material to prevent the passage of light through the sail. Alternatively, the adhesive layer or layers may be dyed or otherwise colored to effectuate an opaque layer. The sail is preferably manufactured using a high temperature, vacuum lamination process to mitigate the quantity of voids between the layers of material and to transfer visible content from one or more image transfer mediums to the outside surface(s) of the layer(s) of material using dye sublimation to provide durable imaging. After lamination, the image transfer medium or media may be discarded.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aerodynamic wing, comprising an upper deck, wherein a plurality of ribs are connected to the upper deck, said ribs lying in a plane parallel to the direction of the vertical lifting force and the direction of the wind flow; the aerodynamic wing being coupled to a base platform arranged below the wing in service via a plurality of fastening lines, whereby the fastening lines are secured to the ribs of the wing, at least two fastening lines are secured to one rib at two line attachment points arranged at a distance from each other in the longitudinal direction; wherein the at least two line attachment points are connected to each other by a reinforcing load transfer line extending from the line attachment point of the first one of the two fastening lines to the line attachment point of the second one of the two fastening lines; whereby the reinforcing load transfer line is attached to the respective rib along substantially the whole length of the load transfer line and follows a curv

Abstract: Disclosed is a placement system for a free-flying kite-type wind-attacked element in a watercraft in which the kite-type wind-attacked element comprising a profiled wing is connected to the vessel body via a traction rope. Said wind-attacked element can be guided from a neutral position on board the watercraft into a raised position that is free from obstacles located at the same or a higher level. An azimuthally pivotable fixture is provided by means of which the wind-attacked element can be brought into a position in which the same is exposed to a sufficient wind effect. Furthermore, a docking receiving device is provided which is to be removably connected to the docking adapter of the wind-attacked element on the side facing away from the wind while also allowing the wind-attacked element to be furled with the aid of automatically engaging holding means.

Abstract: A sailing ship comprises a hard sail assembly. The hard sail assembly comprises a plurality of hard sails of wing-shaped hollow cross section. The hard sails are vertically stacked so that each except the lowermost is received in the one immediately below. The sailing ship further comprises means for driving the hard sails to move each except the lowermost toward and away from the one immediately below, a post extending vertically to support the lowermost hard sail, and second means for rotating the post around its longitudinal axis. Overlapping lengths between vertically adjacent hard sails are variably controlled to make the hard sail assembly expand and contract vertically.

Abstract: A method of reducing crimp in woven sailcloth comprising applying heat to warp yarn or fill yarn prior to the yarns being woven into fabric and a method of making a sail comprising assembling panels of sailcloth comprising warp yarns and fill yarns, wherein at least one panel of sailcloth is prepared by applying heat to the warp yarn or the fill yarn prior to the yarns being weaved into fabric.

Abstract: A woven sailcloth comprising warp yarns and fill yarns and having one or more of (i) a 1% warp of at least about 125 and/or a warp efficiency of at least about 17, (ii) a plain weave in which the ratio of fill yarn count to warp yarn count is about 1.1:1 to about 1.8:1 and the ratio of warp yarn density to fill yarn density is about 1.2:1 to about 1.9:1, and (iii) a weight of at least about 7 and at least one of a 1% warp to 1% fill ratio of at least about 4:1, a 1% fill to 1% bias ratio of less than about 1:1, a 1% warp:1% fill to 1% fill:1% bias ratio of at least about 1:1, a 10 lb. warp to 10 lb. fill ratio of less than about 0.5:1, a 10 lb. fill to 10 lb. bias ratio of at least about 1:1, and a 10 lb. warp:10 lb. fill to 10 lb. fill:10 lb. bias ratio of less than about 0.

Abstract: A woven cloth is provided in which war yarns are relatively uncrimped compared to fill yarns. In some embodiments, the cloth includes flat filament warp yarns and textured fill yarns. In some embodiments, the woven cloth is sailcloth.

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: An apparatus and method for producing multiple panels of a reinforced laminated membrane are provided. The apparatus and method utilize an accommodator between a yarn-laying station and a plotting and cutting station to allow these stations to operate simultaneously and without interruption on more than one part of a sheet of material. Reinforcing yarns are deposited on the sheet of material at the yarn-laying station in one or more patterns. Panels are cut at the cutting station after lamination. The accommodator accommodates material between these stations.

Abstract: Sail membrane made of a woven fabric of synthetic fibers, with said fabric having a microroughness in the form of groove families crossing one another arranged so as to achieve a density of 5 to 25 grooves/mm deposited on or integrated into said fabric structure.

Abstract: Sail membrane preferably made of a woven fabric of synthetic fibers, with said membrane having a microroughness in the form of parallelly extending grooves arranged so as to achieve a density of 5 to 25 grooves/mm deposited on or integrated into said membrane surface.

Abstract: A light-weight soft wing-sail for a wind-propelled vehicle includes a free standing rotating mast to be mounted in a vertical position on the vehicle and, three fully battened sail panels that together define the skin of the wing sail. Spreaders extend transversely of the mast and impart to them a selected airfoil shape having a leading edge fore of the mast and a trailing edge aft of the mast. Two vertical tracks secured to both sides of the mast top and to the outer ends of each spreader. Sliders are secured to the sail panels and are slidable in the tracks, such as to permit hoisting and reefing each of the sail panels independently along the tracks. A boom is pivotally coupled to the mast and a ram is secured on one side to the lower spreader and on the other side to the boom such that the leading edge and the trailing edge define one wing-sail unit and trims the airfoil shape.

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 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: 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: Disclosed is a spoiler anchoring sail that counters the swinging and jerking of a sailboat during anchoring or mooring, thereby providing a convenient, comfortable and secure environment to sailors. The anchoring sail comprises a first wing, a second wing attached to the first wing at a common edge, and a spoiler attached to the first wing and the second wing at the common edge. The spoiler, the first wing and second wing are oriented in a manner, such that, an angle between the spoiler and first wing and an angle between the spoiler and second wing is greater than or equal to about an angle between the first wing and second wing. The first wing and the second wing cause dihedral effect and the spoiler is capable of cutting off wind to one side of the anchoring sail, while channeling the wind to other side of the anchoring sail.

Abstract: A sail having at least three tops and three corresponding edges opposite the tops and comprising a plurality of panels each of which in turn comprises two outer covering layers, between which a plurality of reinforcement elements are positioned which define, in their entirety, a multi-directional main reinforcement structure. The plurality of reinforcement elements are disposed in a pre-determined manner with respect to three generatrix lines, which have in common a determinate reference point, disposed in a substantially central position of the sail and each one passing through, or near, one of the three tops.

Abstract: An aerodynamic lift enhancement gate valve including a valve blade shaped as an airfoil or as a sail and is disposed at the leading edge of an airfoil. Or as a sail, in such a way as to form a fluid gate formed between the trailing edge (at the chord) of the gate valve blade, and the leading edge (nose) of the airfoil or sail, (at the chord). The gate valve blade catches the wind, and will cause a wind velocity surface pressure to build against the upwind surface of the gate valve blade, which pressure is regulated by springs and or elastic. When in operation, the chord of the gate valve blade will remain substantially parallel to the chord of the airfoil, or sail. The air particles at the upwind side of the fluid gate are under pressure, which pressure will overhaul the progressive springs and or elastic tension, and cause the air particles to escape through the fluid gate, to accelerate as they break free from the trailing edge of the gate valve blade.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aerodynamic profile element for energy production using traction force, in particular for driving watercraft. The invention further relates to a launch and retrieval arrangement for a profile element, and a drive arrangement for a watercraft including the profile element and the launch and retrieval arrangement.

Abstract: A lateen rigged sailing vessel having a mast; a luffspar; a boom; a pair of lateral struts; and a lateen sail, has a lower end of the mast mounted forward on the vessel and positioned on the vessel's longitudinal center line in a canted fashion raked aft. The boom is rotationally supported in a lower journal fixedly engaged medially on the vessel at the center line. The luffspar is joined pivotally with a forward end of the boom and, when rigged for sailing is positioned below and in parallel with the mast. The luffspar is rotationally supported in an upper journal wherein the upper journal, upper end of the mast, and upper ends of the pair of lateral struts are all engaged in a common fixture held in place by the mast and the lateral struts. The upper and lower journals are arranged on a common journal center line. The lower ends of the lateral struts are engaged with the vessel at the port and starboard gunnels. The sail is engaged along a luff edge with the luffspar and along a toe edge with the boom.

Abstract: An elevated sailing apparatus that extracts traction power from the wind. It operates without the heeling moment (typical of conventional sailboats), which constrains the design and limits the power that can be used. A wing or sail is attached beneath a streamlined blimp with aerodynamic stabilizers that keep both the blimp and the wing (or sail) directed into the wind. The blimp is directed into the wind for minimum drag. The wing (or sail) is directed into the wind for a desired angle of attack. The apparatus is tilted so that a combination of dynamic lift and lateral propulsive force is generated in addition to the static lift generated by the blimp. A single tether transfers these aerodynamic forces to a boat or other vehicle. Conventional electronically operated automatic and remote control systems can be used to adjust the tilt and to tack the apparatus.

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: An elevated sailing apparatus that includes one or more wings, tethered to a conveyance, and suspended from beneath a streamlined, lighter-than-air blimp. The wings generate both propulsive and lifting forces from the wind. The propulsive force is used to propel a conveyance. The lifting force prevents the apparatus from being pushed into the water by the propulsive force. The wings use stabilizers to orient them to the oncoming wind and control surfaces to adjust the angle of orientation. A ballast weight provides a vertical reference relative to the blimp, so that the propulsive and lifting forces can be controlled independently. A remote control system allows the degree of lifting force and propulsive force to be controlled from the conveyance. Thus the pilot may tack the apparatus and control its altitude. The use of a streamlined blimp and high aspect-ratio wings allows this elevated sailing apparatus to achieve the low drag-angle necessary for high-speed sailing.