METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR A VERTICALLY VARIABLE OCEAN SAIL SYSTEM

• US 20160257388A1
• Filed: 03/04/2016
• Published: 09/08/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magnuss Services, Inc
• Original Assignee: Magnuss Ltd.
• Inventors: Holohan, Eric, Rhodes, James Gibson, Shergalis, Edward Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 9,694,889 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 21/20 the vessels being powered by combinations of different types of propulsion units
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 9/02 using Magnus effect
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 70/5236 Renewable or hybrid-electric solutions

Abstract

Mechanical systems and methods including, in some embodiments, a mounting plate affixed to an exterior facing horizontal planar deck surface of a ship; a foundation structure mounted to the mounting plate and supporting at least a first sail cylinder and a second sail cylinder; and at least a first lift mechanism for selectively vertically driving the first and second sail cylinders from a vertically retracted position to a vertically deployed position.

Claims

1. A mechanical sail system, comprising:

a mounting plate affixed to an exterior facing horizontal planar deck surface of a ship;

a foundation structure mounted to the mounting plate and supporting at least a first sail cylinder and a second sail cylinder; and

at least a first lift mechanism for selectively vertically driving the first and second sail cylinders from a vertically retracted position to a vertically deployed position.

2. The mechanical sail system of claim 1, wherein the exterior facing horizontal planar deck surface of a ship is on or above a weather deck of the ship.

3. The mechanical sail system of claim 1, wherein the first and second sail cylinders are positioned on or above the weather deck of the ship when in the vertically retracted position and the vertically deployed position.

4. The mechanical sail system of claim 1, wherein the at least a first lift mechanism rotates with the sail cylinders when the sail system is deployed for operation.

5. The mechanical sail system of claim 1, wherein the first sail cylinder and the second sail cylinder comprise a multi-stage sail unit.

6. The mechanical sail system of claim 1, wherein the at least first lift mechanism is at least one of a device including a hydraulic device, a pneumatic device, an external or internal thread screw, a solenoid, a line and pulley, a block and tackle, a chain and sprocket, a sprocket and toothed rack, a climbing rack, a pinion and rack, and combinations thereof.