U.S. patent application number 16/590952 was filed with the patent office on 2020-04-02 for hydrofoil.
The applicant listed for this patent is Ellergon Antriebstechnik Gesellschaft m.b.H.. Invention is credited to Andreas Brandstaetter, Cornelius Geislinger.
Application Number | 20200102052 16/590952 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 67998391 |
Filed Date | 2020-04-02 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200102052 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Geislinger; Cornelius ; et
al. |
April 2, 2020 |
HYDROFOIL
Abstract
A hydrofoil for a watercraft has at least one wing and one
connecting rod for attaching the at least one wing to a mast. A
conically tapered projection is provided on the connecting rod and
a conical recess is provided on the wing which engage in one
another. The wedge angle of the conical recess is greater than the
wedge angle of the conically tapered projection in order to allow
angular adjustment between the connecting rod and the wing. By
means of a fixing device, the connecting rod can be braced against
a portion of the conical recess and/or the wing can be braced
against a portion of the conically tapered projection.
Inventors: |
Geislinger; Cornelius;
(Hallwang, AT) ; Brandstaetter; Andreas;
(Hallwang, AT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ellergon Antriebstechnik Gesellschaft m.b.H. |
Hallwang |
|
AT |
|
|
Family ID: |
67998391 |
Appl. No.: |
16/590952 |
Filed: |
October 2, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63B 1/242 20130101;
B63B 1/28 20130101; B63B 32/60 20200201; B63B 1/26 20130101; B63B
1/248 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B63B 1/24 20060101
B63B001/24; B63B 1/28 20060101 B63B001/28; B63B 1/26 20060101
B63B001/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 2, 2018 |
DE |
10 2018 124 323.5 |
Claims
1. A hydrofoil (1), comprising at least one wing (5, 6) and one
connecting rod (4) for attaching the at least one wing (5, 6) to a
mast, wherein a conically tapered projection (12) is provided on
the connecting rod (4) and a conical recess (13) is provided on the
wing (5, 6) that engage in one another, the wedge angle
(.alpha..sub.2) of the conical recess (13) being greater than the
wedge angle (.alpha..sub.1) of the conically tapered projection
(12) in order to allow angular adjustment between the connecting
rod (4) and the wing (5, 6), and that a fixing device (20) is
provided by means of which the connecting rod (4) can be braced
against a portion of the conical recess (13) and/or the wing (5, 6)
can be braced against a portion of the conically tapered projection
(12).
2. The hydrofoil of claim 1, wherein the fixing device (20) has a
threaded opening (21) transverse to the projection (12) and a
threaded bolt (22) that is screwed into the threaded opening (21)
for the purpose of adjusting the angle.
3. The hydrofoil of claim 2, wherein the threaded opening (21) is
formed on the projection (12), and the threaded bolt (22) that is
screwed into same can be braced against a conical inner wall
portion (19) of the conical recess (13) for the purpose of
adjusting the angle.
4. The hydrofoil of claim 2, wherein at least two pairs of a
threaded opening (21) and a threaded bolt (22), respectively, are
provided, it being possible to brace one of the threaded bolts (22)
against a conical inner wall portion (19) of the conical recess
(13) on the wing (5, 6) and to brace the other threaded bolt (22)
of such a pair against an inner wall portion (19) that is situated
(19) opposite the first-mentioned conical inner wall portion (19)
of the conical recess (13) of the wing (5, 6).
5. The hydrofoil of claim 3, wherein at least two pairs of a
threaded opening (21) and a threaded bolt (22), respectively, are
provided, it being possible to brace one of the threaded bolts (22)
against a conical inner wall portion (19) of the conical recess
(13) on the wing (5, 6) and to brace the other threaded bolt (22)
of such a pair against an inner wall portion (19) that is situated
(19) opposite the first-mentioned conical inner wall portion (19)
of the conical recess (13) of the wing (5, 6).
6. The hydrofoil of claim 1, wherein the connecting rod (4) and the
wing (5, 6) are supported and braced against one another by means
of mutually facing axial support surfaces (16, 17).
7. The hydrofoil of claim 6, wherein a tension anchor (24) is
inserted transverse to the longitudinal direction of the connecting
rod (4) into a connection portion (15) of the wing (5, 6), and a
tension bolt (25) that is supported on the connecting rod (4) is
screwed into the tension anchor (24).
8. The hydrofoil of claim 7, wherein the tension anchor (24)
extends transverse to the longitudinal direction of the connecting
rod (4) through the wing (5, 6).
9. The hydrofoil of claim 7, wherein the tension anchor (24)
extends through the conical recess (13) of the wing (5, 6).
10. The hydrofoil of claim 4, wherein the connecting rod (4) and
the wing (5, 6) are supported and braced against one another by
means of mutually facing axial support surfaces (16, 17).
11. The hydrofoil of claim 10, wherein a tension anchor (24) is
inserted transverse to the longitudinal direction of the connecting
rod (4) into a connection portion (15) of the wing (5, 6), and a
tension bolt (25) that is supported on the connecting rod (4) is
screwed into the tension anchor (24).
12. The hydrofoil of claim 11, wherein the tension anchor (24)
extends transverse to the longitudinal direction of the connecting
rod (4) through the wing (5, 6).
13. The hydrofoil of claim 12, wherein the tension anchor (24)
extends through the conical recess (13) of the wing (5, 6).
14. The hydrofoil of claim 1, wherein the conical recess (13) of
the wing (5, 6) is formed on a rod-shaped connecting portion (15)
of the wing (5, 6).
15. The hydrofoil of claim 1, wherein the conically tapered
projection (12) of the connecting rod (4) has a non-circular
cross-sectional profile.
16. A board (2) with a hydrofoil (1), the hydrofoil (1) comprising
at least one wing (5, 6) and one connecting rod (4) for attaching
the at least one wing (5, 6) to a mast, wherein a conically tapered
projection (12) is provided on the connecting rod (4) and a conical
recess (13) is provided on the wing (5, 6) that engage in one
another, wherein a wedge angle (.alpha..sub.2) of the conical
recess (13) is greater than a wedge angle (.alpha..sub.1) of the
conically tapered projection (12) in order to allow angular
adjustment between the connecting rod (4) and the wing (5, 6), and
wherein a fixing device (20) is provided by means of which the
connecting rod (4) can be braced against a portion of the conical
recess (13) and/or the wing (5, 6) can be braced against a portion
of the conically tapered projection (12).
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 USC .sctn. 119 to
German Patent Application No. DE 10 2018 124 323.5, filed on Oct.
2, 2018, the contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a hydrofoil for a watercraft, the
hydrofoil comprising at least one wing and one connecting rod for
attaching the at least one wing to a mast.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Hydrofoils make it possible to lift a board out of the water
while traveling, for example during kitesurfing or jet skiing, in
order to reduce the flow resistance. Propulsion can also be
achieved by means of a hydraulic device that is attached to the
drive device. The hydrofoil usually has a mast and at least one
wing that is arranged thereon. The at least one wing is attached to
the mast by means of a connecting rod. The mast, in turn, is
attached to the board. During operation, only a portion of the mast
and the wing(s) remain submerged in the water, while the board
hovers above the water surface. One example of such a hydrofoil
board is known from EP 2 907 737 B2.
[0004] It is an object of the invention to specify alternatives for
connecting the at least one wing to the connecting rod. In
particular, it is the object of the invention to improve the
adjustability of the wing(s) in order to enable the ride
characteristics of the hydrofoil to be more easily adapted to
different needs.
SUMMARY
[0005] This object is achieved by a hydrofoil according to the
claims. The hydrofoil comprises at least one wing and one
connecting rod for attaching the at least one wing to a mast and is
characterized in that a conically tapered projection is provided on
the connecting rod and a conical recess is provided on the wing
which engage in one another, the wedge angle of the conical recess
being greater than the wedge angle of the conically tapered
projection in order to allow angular adjustment between the
connecting rod and the wing, and in that a fixing device is
provided by means of which the connecting rod can be braced against
a portion of the conical recess and/or the wing can be braced
against a portion of the conically tapered projection.
[0006] The described connection between the connecting rod and the
wing allows for stepless angular adjustment between the connecting
rod and the wing over the range of the wedge angle difference
between the conically tapered projection and the conical recess.
The fixing device enables the desired angle to be set and
maintained as required. As a result, the hydrofoil can be adjusted
depending on the preference of the driver, the water temperature,
salt or fresh water, the wave pattern, and the like, so that
optimum performance and/or ride comfort is achieved, for
example.
[0007] Advantageous embodiments of the invention constitute the
subject matter of additional claims.
[0008] In one design variant, the fixing device can have a threaded
opening transverse to the projection and a threaded bolt that is
screwed into the threaded opening for the purpose of adjusting the
angle. The desired angle can be easily adjusted by twisting the
threaded bolt.
[0009] Preferably, the threaded opening is formed on the conically
tapered projection of the connecting rod, whereas the threaded bolt
that is screwed therein can be braced against a conical inner wall
portion of the conical recess for angular adjustment. As a result,
the fixing device can be accommodated virtually completely inside
the hydrofoil without impairing the incidence of flow against
same.
[0010] According to another embodiment, at least two pairs of a
threaded opening and a threaded bolt, respectively, are provided,
it being possible to brace one of the threaded bolts against a
conical inner wall portion of the conical recess on the wing and to
brace the other threaded bolt of such a pair against an inner wall
portion that is situated opposite the first-mentioned conical inner
wall portion of the conical recess of the wing. This enables the
angular position of the wing relative to the connecting rod to be
fixed in an especially simple manner. In addition, this design
variant is especially streamlined, since no portions of the fixing
device protrude outward.
[0011] Furthermore, the connecting rod and the wing can be
supported and braced against one another by means of mutually
facing axial support surfaces in order to ensure a backlash-free
connection of the wing to the connecting rod.
[0012] For axial fixation, a tension anchor can be inserted
transverse to the longitudinal direction of the connecting rod into
a connecting portion of the wing, whereas a tension bolt that is
supported on the connecting rod is screwed into the tension anchor.
A secure connection between the two components is accomplished in a
simple manner by tightening the tension bolt.
[0013] According to another design variant, the tension anchors
extends transverse to the longitudinal direction of the connecting
rod through the wing, particularly through the conical recess of
the wing, whereby an especially stable backlash-free connection of
the wing to the connecting rod is achieved.
[0014] The conical recess of the wing can be formed on rod-shaped
connecting portion of the wing. This rod-shaped connecting portion
can be formed integrally with the wing. By integrating a portion of
the connection between the wing and the mast into the wing, the
hydrofoil according to the invention can be folded together in an
especially compact manner when in the disassembled state.
[0015] Furthermore, the conically tapered projection of the
connecting rod can have a non-circular cross-sectional profile,
particularly a rectangular, square, or oval-shaped cross-sectional
profile. Good lateral guidance of the wing is thus achieved on the
connecting rod, whereas the adjustment mechanism described above
enables an angular adjustment of the wing to be achieved through
swiveling up and down in the installed position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The invention will be explained in further detail below with
reference to an exemplary embodiment that is illustrated in the
drawing. Description of the drawings:
[0017] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a hydrofoil according to
an embodiment of the invention that is attached to a board
indicated by broken lines,
[0018] FIG. 2 shows a vertical section of the connecting portion
between the connecting rod and a wing of the hydrofoil in a
schematic, not-to-scale representation, and
[0019] FIG. 3 shows a horizontal section of the connecting portion
between the connecting rod and a wing of the hydrofoil.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] The exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 shows a
hydrofoil 1 for a watercraft. For explanatory purposes, FIG. 1
shows an example of a watercraft as a board 2 that is suitable for
kitesurfing or jet skiing and to which a hydraulic hose 1 is
attached. However, it is also possible to use corresponding
hydrofoils 1 on boats, for example.
[0021] The hydrofoil 1 has a mast 3, a connecting rod 4, a front
wing 5, and a rear wing 6. These components are embodied as
separate components and connected to one another in such a way that
they can be replaced individually. This makes it possible to
flexibly adapt the hydrofoil 1 to different purposes. The hydrofoil
1 can be folded together very compactly in order to be transported.
Optionally, it is also possible to integrate two or more of these
components into a one-piece component.
[0022] The mast 3 has a first end portion 7 for attachment to the
board 2 and a second end portion 8 for connecting the connecting
rod 4. In the vertical direction z, the mast 3 has a height in the
range of preferably from 700 to 1200 mm; in the longitudinal
direction or direction of forward travel x, the mast 3 has a length
in the range of preferably from 80 to 150 mm; and in the transverse
direction y, the mast 3 has a thickness in the range of preferably
from 10 to 30 mm.
[0023] The mast 3 is preferably made of a fiber composite plastic
such as carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) or glass
fiber-reinforced plastic (GRP). It can also be made of an aluminum
alloy or a layered composite material.
[0024] The first end portion 7 of the mast 3 can form a flange-like
attachment portion 9 that is widened relative to its remaining
cross section and provides a bearing surface for the underside of
the board 2.
[0025] The second end portion 8 has a receptacle for the connecting
rod 4 at the free end of the mast 3. The receptacle can be
instantiated in the form of a through hole in which the connecting
rod 4 is held. Instead of a through hole, the receptacle can also
be embodied as a recess, particularly a groove, that is open on one
longitudinal side and in which the connecting rod 4 is fixed.
[0026] The front wing 5 and the rear wing 6 in the direction of
forward travel are attached to the mast 3. Forces occurring on the
wings 5 and 6 during operation are supported against the mast 3 by
means of the connecting rod 4. The connecting rod 4 is thus secured
against rotation about its longitudinal axis on the mast 3. This
can be achieved, for example, through appropriate profiling of the
connecting rod 4 and of the receptacle on the mast 3 and/or with
the aid of suitable attachment means as explained in greater detail
in EP 2 907 737 A1.
[0027] The connecting rod 4 is made of metal, preferably a steel,
titanium, or aluminum alloy. It has a width and height in the range
of preferably from 10 to 30 mm, which keeps the flow resistance in
the water low. The length of the connecting rod 4 is preferably in
the range from 400 to 1000 mm.
[0028] The front wing 5 and the rear wing 6 are arranged one behind
the other in the direction of travel and attached to a front and
rear end portion 10, 11 of the connecting rod 4. In particular, the
front wing 5 is seated on the front end portion 10 and the rear
wing 6 on the rear end portion 11 of the connecting rod 4, so that
the front wing 5 is located in front of the mast 3 and the rear
wing 6 behind the mast 3 relative to the direction of forward
travel x. The rear wing 6 and optionally also the front wing 5 can
be spaced apart from the mast 3.
[0029] The attachment of the connecting rod 4 to the mast 3 can be
preferably released. In addition, at least one of the wings 5 and 6
is releasably attached to the connecting rod 4. As a result,
connecting rods 4 of different lengths can be attached to the mast
3 in order to change the position of the wings 5 and 6.
Furthermore, different front and rear wings 5 and 6 can be attached
to the connecting rod 4.
[0030] The wings 5 and 6 are preferably made of fiber composite
plastic, particularly carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) or
glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GRP), or of a layered composite
material.
[0031] The attachment of a wing to the connecting rod 4 is shown in
more detail in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0032] A conically tapered projection 12 that extends in the
longitudinal direction of the connecting rod 4 is formed for this
purpose on the connecting rod 4, particularly on an axial end
portion thereof. This conically tapered projection 12 engages in a
conical recess 13 on the wing 5 or 6.
[0033] The conical recess 13 can be arranged directly in the
vicinity of the wing surfaces 14 of the wing 6. In the exemplary
embodiment that is illustrated, however, the wing 6 has a
rod-shaped connecting portion 15 that couples the actual wing
surfaces 14 with the connecting rod 4. The rod-shaped connecting
portion 15 can be formed integrally with the wing surfaces 14.
[0034] As can be seen from FIG. 2, the conical recess 13 has a
larger wedge angle a2 than the conically tapered projection 12
(a1). This makes it possible to adjust the angle between the
connecting rod 4 and the wing 6 in the vertical direction. The
adjustment range is preferably no more than +/-2.degree. and more
preferably no more than +/-1.5.degree..
[0035] In the assembled state, the conically tapered projection 12
is fully inserted axially into the conical recess 13, so that the
connecting rod 4 and the wing 6 are mutually supported by mutually
facing axial support surfaces 16 and 17.
[0036] The outer wedge surfaces 18 on the projection 12 and the
conical inner wall surfaces 19 of the conical recess 13 converge in
the vicinity of the axial support surfaces 16 and 17, so that a
joint for the vertical angle adjustment is formed at this point and
the connection between the connecting rod 4 and the wing 6 to the
axial support surfaces 16 and 17 is free of backlash. This ensures
a continuous transition of the outer contour of the connecting rod
4 into the connecting portion 15 of the wing 6.
[0037] In the transverse direction of the connecting rod 4--i.e.,
transverse to the longitudinal axis A and transverse to the
vertical direction in the installed position--the conically tapered
projection 12 and the conical recess 13 are guided against one
another, as can be seen in FIG. 3, so that no angular displacement
between the wing 6 and the connecting rod 4 is possible in the
transverse direction. This can be achieved, for example, by
providing the conically tapered projection 12 of the connecting rod
4 with a non-circular cross-sectional profile. For example, the
cross-sectional profile can be rectangular, square, or oval.
[0038] Furthermore, a fixing device 20 is provided in the
connecting region by means of which the connecting rod 4 can be
braced against a portion of the conical recess 13 and/or the wing
5, 6 can be braced against a portion of the conically tapered
projection 12. The desired angular position between the connecting
rod 4 and the wing 5, 6 is thus established and/or the joint
between the connecting rod 4 and the wing is fixed.
[0039] In the exemplary embodiment that is shown, the fixing device
20 has a threaded opening 21 transverse to the projection 12 and a
threaded bolt 22 that is screwed into the threaded opening 21. In
principle, the threaded opening 21 can be formed both in the
projection 12 and in the wall region surrounding the conical recess
13. Since the latter is preferably made of a fiber composite
material, the threaded opening 21 will be preferably formed in the
projection 12. Depending on the position of the threaded opening
21, the threaded bolt 22 is braced against the conical inner wall
surface 19 of the recess 13 or against the wedge surface 18 of the
projection 12 in order to set a desired angular position between
the connecting rod 4 and the wing.
[0040] The fixing device 20 not only enables the angular position
to be determined but also offers the possibility of easily
adjusting the pitch of the wing 5 or 6 at the connecting rod 4
through appropriate adjustment of the threaded bolt 22.
[0041] Preferably, at least two pairs of a threaded opening 21 and
a threaded bolt 22, respectively, are provided as a fixing device
20 in the connecting region and arranged in opposite directions
relative to one another. The desired pitch can be set by means of
the first threaded bolt 22 and fixed by means of the second
threaded bolt 22.
[0042] As FIG. 2 shows, in the present exemplary embodiment, one of
the threaded bolts 22 can be braced against a first conical inner
wall portion 19 of the conical recess 13 on the wing 5 or 6,
whereas the other threaded bolt 22 of such a pair can be braced
against a second conical inner wall portion 19 of the conical
recess 13 of the wing 5 or 6 that is situated opposite the
first-mentioned conical inner wall portion 19.
[0043] Appropriate through holes 23 are embodied in the outer wall
surrounding the conical recess 13 in order to enable a tool to
reach the threaded bolts 22.
[0044] In principle, the wing 5 or 6 can be secured axially on the
connecting rod 4 in any desired manner. In the present exemplary
embodiment, a tension anchor 24 that is inserted transverse to the
longitudinal direction A of the connecting rod 4 into a connecting
portion 15 of the wing 5 or 6 is used for this purpose. A tension
bolt 25 that is supported on the connecting rod 4 is screwed into
this tension anchor 24. As a result of the tension bolt 25 being
screwed into the tension anchor, the wing 5 or 6 is pulled in the
direction of the connecting rod 4 in order to brace the axial
support surfaces 16 and 17 against one another.
[0045] The tension anchor 24, which can be embodied as a transverse
bolt, for example, extends transverse to the longitudinal direction
of the connecting rod 4 through the wing 5 or 6, particularly
through the conical recess 13 thereof. A through hole 26 in the
form of a slotted hole or the like can be provided for this purpose
on the projection 12 of the connecting rod 4.
[0046] The above-described connection between the connecting rod 4
and the wing 5 or 6 allows for stepless angular adjustment in the
vertical direction z. The desired angle can be adjusted and
maintained as required by means of the fixing device 20. Since the
fixing device 20 is housed completely within the hydrofoil, the
flow behavior of the latter remains unimpaired. Nevertheless, a
very stable, backlash-free connection between the connecting rod 4
and the wing 5 or 6 is achieved.
[0047] The invention has been explained in more detail above with
reference to an exemplary embodiment and additional variants. The
exemplary embodiment and the other variants serve the purpose of
demonstrating the practicability of the invention. Individual
technical features that have been explained above in the context of
additional individual features can also be implemented
independently of these and in combination with other individual
features, even if this is not expressly described, as long as this
is technically possible. In particular, features of the variants
can be adopted individually or in combination in a hydrofoil
according to the exemplary embodiment. The invention is therefore
expressly not limited to the specific exemplary embodiment
described and the variants shown, but rather includes any and all
embodiments defined by the claims.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0048] 1 hydrofoil [0049] 2 board [0050] 3 mast [0051] 4 connecting
rod [0052] 5 front wing [0053] 6 rear wing [0054] 7 first end
portion [0055] 8 attachment portion [0056] 9 second end portion
[0057] 10 front end portion [0058] 11 rear end portion [0059] 12
conically tapered projection [0060] 13 conical recess [0061] 14
wing surfaces [0062] 15 connecting portion [0063] 16 axial support
surface of the connecting rod [0064] 17 axial support surface of
the wing [0065] 18 wedge surface of the projection [0066] 19
conical inner wall portion [0067] 20 fixing device [0068] 21
threaded opening [0069] 22 threaded bolt [0070] 23 opening [0071]
24 tension anchor [0072] 25 tension bolt [0073] 26 through hole
[0074] x longitudinal direction (direction of forward travel)
[0075] y transverse direction [0076] z vertical direction [0077] A
longitudinal axis [0078] .alpha..sub.1 wedge angle of the
projection 12 [0079] .alpha..sub.2 wedge angle of the recess 13
* * * * *