Carbon masts

Abstract

A carbon mast includes a tube which is made from, for example, a pre-impregnated material and which is produced by filament winding or pultrusion. The tube ( 1 ) remains sealed by gluing the pieces for attaching the different elements that equip the mast thereto, in particular, the mast head piece ( 15 ) , the fitting ( 16 ) for attaching the spinnaker, the fitting ( 17 ) for attaching the stay and shrouds, the fitting ( 18 ) for attaching the crosstrees, the fitting ( 19 ) for attaching the boom and the fittings ( 20, 21 ) for, respectively, the mast partner and the mast foot, the aforementioned fittings being made in such a way as to contribute to the sealing of the mast.

1 . A carbon mast produced from a tube, in particular consisting of preimpregnated material, manufactured by filament winding or by pultrusion, characterized in that said tube ( 1 ) is kept leaktight by securing to it by adhesive bonding the attachment pieces of the various elements equipping the mast and, in particular, the mast head piece ( 15 ), the fitting ( 16 ) for attaching the spinnaker, the fitting ( 17 ) for attaching the stay and shrouds, the fitting ( 18 ) for attaching the crosstrees, the fitting ( 19 ) for attaching the boom and the fittings ( 20 , . 21 ) for the mast hole and for the mast foot respectively, these various fittings being produced so as to contribute to ensure the leaktightness of the mast.  
   
   
       2 . The mast as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the various attachment pieces comprise a horseshoe-shaped fitting which is designed so as to be laid against the walls of the tube ( 1 ) forming the mast, at the same time fitting snugly with the profile of these, said horseshoe-shaped fitting having inner dimensions slightly smaller than the external profile of the mast, and its installation on this profile being ensured with the aid of a gripper ( 27 ) which comes to bear on the attachment piece ( 29 ) by means of a nose.  
   
   
       3 . The mast as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the adhesive bonding of the attachment pieces to the carbon tube ( 1 ) forming the profile of the mast is carried out by the injection of glue via ducts ( 36 ) provided in said pieces.  
   
   
       4 . The mast as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that said attachment pieces are produced by molding, using a mold core ( 22 ), in which is positioned a countermold ( 23 ) consisting, in particular, of silicone reinforced with glass or carbon fibers, multidirectional external and internal fabrics ( 24 ), between which are installed unidirectional threads, being stretcher-leveled in the mold, the assembly subsequently being placed in the silicone mold ( 23 ) and then closed on the mold core ( 22 ), before being put under vacuum and then placed in an oven or in an autoclave.  
   
   
       5 . The mast as claimed in  claim 4 , characterized in that, before the countermold ( 23 ) is closed on the mold core ( 22 ), a film ( 26 ) consisting, in particular, of ribbed silicone is placed around the core ( 22 ), in order to obtain the ducts by means of which injection of the glue ensuring the securing of the piece to the profile of the mast is carried out.  
   
   
       6 . The mast as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that a plastic tube ( 3 ) intended for receiving the halyards ( 4 ) is adhesively bonded to the rear of the profile of the mast ( 1 ) and within the latter, and tubes of smaller diameter ( 5 ) may be provided for the passage of the electrical wires through the mast.  
   
   
       7 . The mast as claimed in  claim 6 , characterized in that the installation and securing of the tube ( 3 ) receiving the halyards are carried out by adhesive bonding, by depositing adhesive tapes ( 9 ) on said tube and by placing the tube on a support ( 10 ) equipped with claws ( 11 ) forming a cradle on which said tube rests, this support being pushed into the profile of the mast and then driven in rotation in such a way that the tube comes into position at the appropriate location in the profile of the mast, at the same time resting on the adhesive tapes, a weight ( 12 ,  13 ) being provided in order to ensure the pressure necessary for the setting of the adhesive bond.  
   
   
       8 . The mast as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises an external profile ( 8 ), fixed to the profile of the mast ( 1 ) in order to ensure the protection of the halyards ( 4 ) and of the electrical wires ( 6 ).  
   
   
       9 . The mast as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the piece for attaching the stay or for the engagement of, the spinnaker ( 16 ) consists of unidirectional and multidirectional fibers, and it is composed of a horseshoe-shaped fitting ( 31 ) coming into position on the mast, at the same time fitting snugly with the external shape of the profile of the latter, this piece adhesively bonded to the mast receiving a stirrup ( 32 ) for anchoring the stay and for installing the halyard pulleys, this stirrup being held on the fitting ( 31 ) with the aid of a shaft ( 33 ), a metal bush ( 34 ) being interposed between said shaft and support bearings ( 35 ) forming an integral part of the fitting ( 31 ).  
   
   
       10 . The mast as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the piece ( 17 ) serving for attaching the stay and shrouds consists of a horseshoe-shaped fitting ( 38 ), the role of which fits snugly with the external profile of the mast and which comprises two ribs ( 39 ,  39 ′) receiving shroud carrier stirrups ( 40 ,  40 ′) which are held on the fitting ( 38 ) with the aid of articulation shafts.  
   
   
       11 . The mast as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the piece ( 18 ) supporting the crosstrees and carrying the shrouds consists of a horseshoe-shaped fitting ( 41 ) which is positioned on the external profile of the mast, at the same time fitting snugly with the shape of said profile, this fitting comprising ribs ( 41 ,  41 ′) between which is interposed a shroud carrier stirrup ( 42 ) bearing on a reinforcing tube ( 43 ), the crosstrees ( 44 ,  44 ′) being supported with the aid of a bush ( 45 ) by means of a threaded rod ( 46 ), onto which is screwed a bush ( 47 ) receiving the respective end of the crosstrees.  
   
   
       12 . The mast as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the piece ( 18 ) supporting the crosstrees and carrying the shrouds consists of a horseshoe-shaped fitting ( 48 ) which is positioned on the external profile of the mast, at the same time fitting snugly with the shape of said profile, this fitting consisting of a corrugated and ribbed skin, to which are screwed threaded rods ( 49 ), at the end of which is provided a sphere ( 50 ) on which a spherical bearing surface provided at the end of each crosstree ( 52 ) comes to bear.  
   
   
       13 . The mast as claimed in  claim 11 , characterized in that each shroud ( 53 ) terminates in a hemispherical head ( 54 ) which bears on a carbon shoulder ( 55 ) by means of a friction cup ( 56 ), this shoulder being prolonged forward and rearward in order to receive the crosstree supports ( 57 ), these supports forming part of said fitting ( 48 ).  
   
   
       14 . The mast as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises a leaktight mast head ( 15 ) which is engaged onto the upper part of the profile of the mast ( 1 ), this mast head comprising a collar ( 60 ) surrounding the upper part of the mast and also a projecting part ( 59 ) for the passage of the halyards.  
   
   
       15 . The mast as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that said mast hole piece ( 20 ) consists of a circular element ( 64 ) shaped so as to receive the profile of the mast  1 , this piece bearing on a bush ( 65 ) secured to the deck of the boat, a collar ( 67 ) being adhesively bonded to the profile of the mast so as to cover the bush ( 65 ), a seal ( 68 ) ensuring leaktightness between said collar and said bush.  
   
   
       16 . The mast as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the mast foot support ( 21 ) consists of a carbon piece ( 69 ) designed so as, to shut off the lower part of the profile of the mast, a cage ( 70 ) being provided for housing the pulley wheels.  
   
   
       17 . The mast as claimed in  claim 16 , characterized in that the forces of the mast on the boat are transmitted by means of a support ( 71 ) comprising a spherical cavity, in which is housed a sphere ( 72 ) mounted at the end of a threaded shaft ( 73 ) in engagement in a support ( 64 ) bearing on the bottom of the boat, the vertical position of said sphere being adjustable.  
   
   
       18 . The mast as claimed in  claim 16 , characterized in that the forces of the mast on the boat are transmitted by means of a cylindrical tube ( 76 ) onto which the shutoff piece ( 69 ) is engaged, this tube supporting the mast and also the pulley wheel box.