Foil assembly comprising a hollow t-shaped connector

Abstract

A foil assembly for a hydrofoil, a hollow T-shaped connector for mounting in such a foil assembly, and a hydrofoil that includes such a foil assembly. The foil assembling comprises a mast having a first transverse longitudinal cavity, a foil, and a T-shaped connector having a first part that includes a first mechanism for fixing to the foil and a second part that includes a second mechanism for fixing to the mast. The T-shaped connector also has a second transverse longitudinal cavity that leads into the first cavity, such that the first transverse longitudinal cavity and the second transverse longitudinal cavity together form a chamber that allows for protection of elements which are useful for the operation of the hydrofoil.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A foil assembly for hydrofoil, the foil assembly comprising:
 a mast having a first cavity;   a foil; and   a connector having a T-shaped configuration that comprises a first connector part coupled to the foil and a second connector part coupled to the mast, the connector having a second cavity that opens into the first cavity to collectively form a chamber for housing hydrofoil operational elements.   
     
     
         18 . The foil assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the mast comprises a hollow body having a plurality of spars separating the hollow body into a plurality of chambers, one chamber in the plurality of chambers forming the first cavity. 
     
     
         19 . The foil assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the hydrofoil operational elements comprise a force transfer mechanism, an electrical signal transmission mechanism, and a fluid transport mechanism. 
     
     
         20 . The foil assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the hydrofoil operational elements comprise a control device for controlling a tilt of a fin connected to a lever. 
     
     
         21 . The foil assembly of  claim 20 , wherein the lever has a lever arm having a length that is between 50% and 100% of the chord of the fin. 
     
     
         22 . The foil assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the lever is at least partially housed in the chamber. 
     
     
         23 . The foil assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the control device comprises a connecting rod connected at a lower end thereof to the lever and at an upper end thereof to a translational movement mechanism to enable translational movement along a substantially vertical axis. 
     
     
         24 . The foil assembly of  claim 23 , wherein the lever arm is arranged at a front of a pivot axis of the fin to enable a working mode of the connecting rod in traction during deflections of the fin. 
     
     
         25 . The foil assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the translational movement mechanism comprises a carriage movable on a rail and a ball screw to move the carriage. 
     
     
         26 . The foil assembly of  claim 25 , wherein the translational movement mechanism comprises a driven pulley configured to drive the ball screw, connected via a transmission belt to a driving pulley rotated by a motor. 
     
     
         27 . The foil assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the first connector part is mounted in a recess on the foil such that a surface of the foil and a visible surface of the first connector part form an assembly. 
     
     
         28 . The foil assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the connector is formed of monolithic titanium. 
     
     
         29 . The foil assembly of  claim 17 , wherein a surface area of the chamber in any transverse section plane of the mast is greater than 4800 mm 2 . 
     
     
         30 . The foil assembly of  claim 17 , wherein a surface area of the chamber is greater than or equal to 45% of a total surface area occupied by the mast on any transverse section plane of the mast. 
     
     
         31 . A connector for a hydrofoil foil assembly that includes a foil and a mast, the connector comprising:
 a first connector part coupled to the foil;   a second connector part coupled to the mast; and   a connector cavity that opens into a longitudinal cavity of the mast to collectively form a chamber for housing hydrofoil operational elements.   
     
     
         32 . A hydrofoil, comprising:
 a foil assembly that includes:
 a mast having a first cavity; 
 a foil; and 
 a connector having a T-shaped configuration that comprises a first connector part coupled to the foil and a second connector part coupled to the mast, the connector having a second cavity that opens into the first cavity to collectively form a chamber for housing hydrofoil operational elements.