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
21 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)
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13. A sail system, comprising:
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a silo, positioned on a ship and having at least a first guide rail positioned along an interior surface of said silo, said at least first guide rail extending from a lower portion of said silo to an upper portion of said silo; a lift carriage supporting at least a first sail cylinder, said lift carriage having at least a first roller guide movably coupled to said first guide rail; and at least a first drive motor driving a lift chain causing said lift carriage to move from said lower portion of said silo to said upper portion of said silo to deploy said at least first sail cylinder. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A sail system, comprising:
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a silo, having a top portion extending through a weather deck of a ship, and a bottom portion replacing a portion of an existing bulkhead of said ship; a lifting system, mounted within said silo, and supporting at least a first sail cylinder, said lifting system lifting said at least first sail cylinder through said silo to extend above said weather deck; and a housing positioned on said weather deck of said ship on at least a first deck stiffening plate, said housing having an aperture through which at least a first sail cylinder extends and retracts.
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Specification