Assembly comprising a profiled sail; a mast and a plurality of cambering devices for a profiled sail

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an assembly comprising a profiled sail; a mast and several cambering devices (1) for a profiled sail (V), all or part of the cambering devices comprising: an elastically-deformable semi-rigid structure (2) including: two length sections, extending in front of one another, respectively forming a first length section (20) secured to a first surface (S1) of the profiled sail (V) and a second length section secured to a second surface of the profiled sail (V). All or part of the cambering devices have a securing system, activatable/deactivatable, configured to ensure securing of the cambering device on the mast.

1 . An assembly comprising a profiled sail; a mast and several cambering devices ( 1 ) for a profiled sail (V), all or part of the cambering devices comprising:
 a semi-rigid structure ( 2 ), elastically deformable, including:
 two length sections, extending in front of one another, respectively forming a first length section ( 20 ) secured to a first surface (S 1 ) of the profiled sail (V), and a second length section ( 21 ) secured to a second surface (S 2 ) of the profiled sail (V), 
 a U-shaped connecting section ( 22 ), interconnecting the first length section ( 20 ) and the second length section ( 21 ) at the leading edge (BA) of the profiled sail while extending them, the two length sections terminating at the trailing edge (BF) of the sail by two free ends ( 23 ,  24 ), 
   actuating means ( 4 ) interconnecting, on the one hand, the two free ends ( 23 ,  24 ) of the semi-rigid structure, or at least one of the two free ends ( 23 ,  24 ) and, on the other hand, the U-shaped connecting section ( 22 ), configured to camber the first length section and the second length section of the semi-rigid structure by tensioning the two free ends ( 23 ,  34 ) with the U-shaped connecting section ( 22 ) of the semi-rigid structure ( 2 ), or at least by tensioning one of the two free ends ( 23 ,  24 ) with the U-shaped connecting section ( 22 ) of the semi-rigid structure ( 2 ), and generating an offset (d) between the two free ends ( 23 ,  24 ),   
       and wherein the mast extends inside the semi-rigid structure, between the two length sections 
       characterised in that all or part of the cambering devices has an activatable/deactivatable securing system ( 7 ) configured to ensure securing of the cambering device on the mast, the securing system ( 7 ) comprising:
 a first flexible strand ( 71 ) connected to the first length section ( 21 ) by two longitudinal ends of the first strand ( 71 ), the first strand ( 71 ) circumventing the mast (M) from the first length section ( 20 ), 
 a second flexible strand ( 72 ) connected to the second length section ( 20 ) by two longitudinal ends of the second strand, the second strand ( 72 ) circumventing the mast (M) from the second length section ( 21 ), 
 an actuator system, activatable, internal to the structure configured to pass the first strand and the second strand into a retracted state configured to block the cambering device on the mast (M), clasped between the first strand ( 71 ) and the second strand ( 72 ), inside the semi-rigid structure, the mast held at a distance from the two length sections ( 20 ,  21 ) by the tensioned first strand ( 71 ) and second strand ( 72 ), and into a deployed state of the first strand and second strand configured to release the mast; and enabling movement of the cambering device along the mast. 
 
     
     
         2 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuator system of the securing system comprises at least one girding actuating member (m) having two longitudinal ends (e 1 , e 2 ), said actuating member, activatable, being retractable when activated with its two longitudinal ends (e 1 , e 2 ) approaching one another. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the first strand ( 71 ) comprises a first girding actuating member (m 1 ) and the second girding strand ( 72 ) comprises a second actuating member (m 2 ). 
     
     
         4 . The assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the first strand ( 71 ) and the second strand ( 72 ) comprise a common girding actuating member (m 3 ). 
     
     
         5 . The assembly according to one of  claims 1 to 3 , wherein the cambering devices comprise all or part of a spacer system ( 3 ) comprising a first spacer ( 30 ), interconnecting the first length section ( 20 ) and the second length section ( 21 ), as well as a second spacer ( 31 ) interconnecting the first length section ( 20 ) and the second length section ( 21 ), parallel to said first spacer ( 30 ),
 and wherein the longitudinal ends of the first strand ( 71 ) are secured at two attachment points on the first length section ( 20 ) respectively at the junction areas between the first and second spacers ( 30 ,  31 ) and the first length section ( 20 ), the longitudinal ends of the second strand ( 72 ) being secured at two attachment points on the second length section ( 21 ) respectively at the junction areas between the first and second spacers ( 30 ,  31 ),   and wherein the mast (M) extends between the spacers formed by the first spacer ( 30 ) and the second spacer ( 31 ), the first strand ( 71 ) and the second strand ( 72 ) clasped on the mast ensuring remote holding of the mast with the first spacer ( 30 ), on the one hand, and of the mast with second spacer ( 31 ), on the other hand.   
     
     
         6 . The assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein each spacer formed by the first spacer and the second spacer ( 30 ,  31 ) of the spacer system ( 3 ) is pivotably hinged at its ends, respectively to the first length section ( 20 ) according to an axis perpendicular to the plane of the semi-rigid structure and to the second length section ( 21 ) according to an axis perpendicular to the plane of the semi-rigid structure, the or each spacer ( 30 ,  31 ) being configured to pivot relative to the two length sections, the first length section ( 20 ) and the second length section ( 21 ) during cambering and offset of the free ends ( 23 ,  24 ); under the effect of the actuating means ( 4 ) the cambering device comprising hinged connectors ( 32 ), comprising a first portion ( 33 ) secured to the first length section ( 20 ) or to the second length section ( 21 ), and a second portion ( 34 ) receiving one end of the spacer ( 30 ;  31 ), the second portion ( 34 ) being hinged to the first portion ( 33 ) according to a pivot axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the semi-rigid structure ( 2 ) to pivot relative to the two length sections during cambering and offset of the free ends ( 23 ,  24 ); under the effect of the actuating means. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly according to  claim 5 or 6 , wherein the longitudinal ends of the first strand ( 71 ) are attached on the first portions ( 33 ) of the connectors ( 32 ) secured to the first length section ( 20 ) and the longitudinal ends of the second strand ( 72 ) are attached on the first portions of the connectors ( 32 ) secured to the second length section ( 21 ). 
     
     
         8 . The assembly according to one of  claims 1 to 7 , wherein the actuating means ( 4 ) configured to camber the first length section and the second length section of the semi-rigid structure comprise at least one actuator ( 40 ,  41 ), having two longitudinal ends ( 40   a ;  41   a ,  40   b ;  41   b ), said actuator ( 40 ,  41 ), activatable, being retractable when activated with its two longitudinal ends approaching one another, said at least one actuator ( 40 ,  41 ) extending along one of the two length sections of the semi-rigid structure, the first length section ( 20 ) or the second length section ( 21 ), said actuator ( 40 ,  41 ) being internal to the semi-rigid structure ( 2 ), contained in a plane of the semi-rigid structure ( 2 ),
 and wherein one of the longitudinal ends ( 40   a ,  41   a ) of said at least one actuator ( 40 ,  41 ) is connected to one of the two free ends ( 23 ,  24 ) by an internal tendon ( 44 ) while the other one ( 41   a ,  41   b ) of the two longitudinal ends of said at least one actuator ( 40 ,  41 ) is connected either to an anchor point ( 221 ,  222 ) secured to the U-shaped connecting section ( 22 ), or to the other one of the two free ends ( 23 ,  24 ) via a deflector ( 43 ) secured to the U-shaped connecting section ( 22 ) by an external tendon ( 42 ), the flexible external tendon ( 42 ) passing outside the semi-rigid structure ( 2 ), and the profiled sail between the deflector ( 43 ) and respectively said other one of the two free ends ( 23 ,  24 ).   
     
     
         9 . The assembly according to one of  claims 1 to 8 , wherein the actuating means ( 4 ) are configured to selectively camber the semi-rigid structure:
 in a first cambered position (Pc 1 ) in which said first length section ( 20 ) has a concave profile when said second length section ( 21 ) has a convex profile,   in a second cambered position (Pc 2 ) in which said second length section ( 21 ) has a concave profile when said first length section ( 20 ) has a convex profile.   
     
     
         10 . The assembly according to one of  claims 8 and 9 , wherein said at least one actuator of the actuating means comprises:
 a first actuator ( 40 ) configured to camber the semi-rigid structure in said first cambered position (Pc 1 ), extending along the first length section ( 20 ), inside the semi-rigid structure, secured at one ( 40   b ) of its longitudinal ends to the external tendon ( 42 ), connected, on the one hand, to the free end ( 23 ) of the first length section ( 20 ) by said external tendon ( 42 ), flexible, which is external to the semi-rigid structure ( 2 ), via a first deflector ( 431 ) secured to the connecting section ( 22 ), U-shaped, the flexible external tendon ( 42 ) passing outside the semi-rigid structure ( 2 ), and the profiled sail between the first deflector ( 431 ) and respectively the free end ( 23 ) of the first length section ( 20 ), the flexible external tendon ( 42 ) being internal to the semi-rigid structure between the first deflector ( 431 ) and said first actuator ( 40 ), the first actuator ( 40 ) being secured at the other one of its longitudinal ends to the internal tendon ( 44 ), said first actuator ( 40 ) connected; on the other hand; to the free end ( 24 ) of said second length section ( 21 ) by said internal tendon ( 44 ), which runs along the first length section ( 20 ) up to a guide ( 45 ) secured to said first length section ( 20 ) before connecting said free end ( 24 ) of said second length section ( 21 ), the first actuator ( 40 ) being configured, in an active state, to retract and pull on the two free ends ( 23 ,  24 ) connected by the external tendon ( 42 ) and the internal tendon ( 44 ), on the one hand, and on the first deflector ( 431 ), on the other hand, until the creation of the shift (d), the end ( 24 ) connected by the internal tendon ( 44 ) advancing towards the leading edge (BA) relative to the free end ( 23 ) connected by the external tendon ( 42 ) while causing cambering of the semi-rigid structure, the loaded external tendon ( 42 ) deviating from the first length section ( 20 ) which takes on a concave profile, the second length section ( 21 ) taking on a convex profile in said first cambered position (Pc 1 ),   a second actuator ( 41 ) configured to camber the semi-rigid structure in said second cambered position (Pc 2 ), extending along the second length section ( 21 ) inside the semi-rigid structure, secured at one of its longitudinal ends to an external tendon ( 42 ), connected, on the one hand, to the free end ( 24 ) of the second length section ( 21 ) by the external tendon ( 42 ), flexible, which is external to the semi-rigid structure ( 2 ), via a second deflector ( 432 ) secured to the U-shaped connecting section, the flexible external tendon ( 42 ) passing outside the semi-rigid structure ( 2 ), and the profiled sail between the second deflector ( 432 ) and respectively the free end ( 24 ) of the second length section ( 21 ), the flexible external tendon ( 42 ) being internal to the semi-rigid structure between the second deflector ( 432 ) and said second actuator ( 41 ), the second actuator ( 41 ) being secured at the other one of its longitudinal ends to the internal tendon ( 44 ), said second actuator ( 41 ) connected, on the other hand, to the free end ( 23 ) of said first length section ( 21 ) by said internal tendon ( 44 ) which runs along the second length section ( 21 ) up to a guide ( 45 ) secured to said second length section ( 21 ) before connecting the free end ( 23 ) of said first length section ( 20 ), the second actuator ( 41 ) being configured, in an active state, to retract and pull on the two free ends ( 23 ,  24 ) connected by the external tendon ( 42 ) and the internal tendon ( 44 ), on the one hand, and on the second deflector ( 432 ), on the other hand, until the creation of the shift (d), the free end ( 23 ) connected by the internal tendon ( 44 ) advancing towards the leading edge (BA) relative to the free end ( 24 ) connected by the external tendon ( 42 ) while causing cambering of the semi-rigid structure ( 2 ), the loaded external tendon ( 42 ) deviating from the second length section ( 21 ) which takes on a concave profile, while said first length section ( 20 ) takes on a convex profile in said second cambered position (Pc 2 ).   
     
     
         11 . The assembly ( 1 ) according to  claim 10 , comprising a control means configured to selectively:
 activate the first actuator ( 40 ) while keeping the second actuator ( 41 ) not activated to cause said first cambered position (Pc 1 ),   activate the second actuator ( 41 ) while keeping the first actuator ( 40 ) not activated to cause said second cambered position (Pc 2 ),   
       and while the first strand ( 71 ) and the second strand ( 72 ) are in said retracted state configured to clamp the cambering devices on the mast (M) by activating said securing systems ( 7 ). 
     
     
         12 . The assembly according to one of  claims 2, 3, 4; 8, 10, 11 , wherein said at least one girding actuating member (m) of the securing system and/or said at least one actuator ( 40 ,  41 ) of the actuating means ( 4 ) is an artificial muscle, being contracted when supplied with pressure by a fluid, and being relaxed when the pressure of the fluid decreases, said artificial muscle having an envelope receiving inside a balloon supplied with or discharged from the fluid, the flexible envelope in particular in the form of a braid, being configured to retract in length when its section increases under the increase of the balloon supplied with fluid, and being deployed lengthwise when its section decreases when the balloon is discharged from the fluid. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly according to one of  claims 1 to 12 , wherein the profiled sail is configured to be:
 hoisted along the mast (M), in the high position of the profiled sail, the cambering devices ( 1 ) in positions spaced apart from one another, and then secured in a stable position by clamping the cambering devices on the mast (M) by activating the actuator systems, the first strand and the second strand in the retracted state clasping the mast,   sprawled along the mast (M) in the low position of the profiled sail, the cambering devices ( 1 ) in positions close to one another, in the deployed state of the first strand and second strand releasing the mast.   
     
     
         14 . The assembly according to  claims 12 and 13 , wherein the artificial muscles of the actuators ( 40 ,  41 ) and/or of the girding actuating members (m) of the plurality of cambering devices ( 1 ) are supplied with fluid by one or more flexible, serpentine-like shaped, elastic hoses (AL 1 , AL 2 , AL 3 ) extending in the direction of the height of the mast (M), the flexible elastic hose(s) being configured to deploy by spacing the turns of the serpentine in the high position of the profiled sail, and to retract by bringing the turns of the serpentine close to one another under the elasticity of the serpentine, in the low position of the profiled sail. 
     
     
         15 . A method for hoisting and securing a profiled sail of an assembly according to one of  claims 1 to 14  from a sprawled position of the profiled sail along the mast (M) at the low position of the profiled sail, the cambering devices ( 1 ) in positions close to one another, into the deployed state of the actuator system having the following steps:
 hoisting the profiled sail along the mast (M), into a high position of the profiled sail, the cambering devices ( 1 ) in positions spaced apart from one another, 
 securing the profiled sail in a stable position on the mast by clamping the cambering devices on the mast (M) by activating the actuator systems and passing the first strand ( 71 ) and the second strand ( 72 ) from the deployed state into the retracted state clasping the mast. 
 
     
     
         16 . A vehicle in particular a sailboat comprising an assembly according to one of  claims 1 to 14 .