VERTICALLY-VARIABLE OCEAN SAIL SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A mechanical sail system, comprising:
- 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 said at least first drive motor to position said lift carriage at a top position within the silo to deploy the first and second sail cylinders.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A mechanical sail system, comprising:
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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 said at least first drive motor to position said lift carriage at a top position within the silo to deploy the first and second sail cylinders. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18)
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13. A method for operating a mechanical sail system, comprising:
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raising a lift carriage, a lower sail cylinder, and an upper sail cylinder to a top position within a silo; activating a first locking device to secure the upper sail cylinder at the top position; retracting the lift carriage and the lower sail cylinder to a bottom position within the silo; activating a second locking device to secure a top portion of the lower sail cylinder to a bottom portion of the upper sail cylinder; deactivating the first locking device; raising the lift carriage, the lower sail cylinder, and the upper sail cylinder to the top position within the silo; and activating the first locking device to secure the lower sail cylinder and the upper sail cylinder at the top position. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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19. A mechanical sail, comprising:
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an upper sail cylinder, having a top plate and a base, the base holding a plurality of shot pins; a lower sail cylinder, having a diameter slightly less than a diameter of the upper sail cylinder, and having a top portion mating with the base of the upper sail cylinder, the upper sail cylinder and the lower sail cylinder removably connected by the shot pins; and a lift carriage, having a central spindle, the lift carriage mating with a base of the lower sail cylinder such that the upper sail cylinder and he lower sail cylinder are together rotatable around the central spindle, the lift carriage held within a silo mounted beneath a deck of a ship.
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Specification