Aerodynamic device, particularly for sails

Claim 3

The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said venturi means has an enlarged entrance port, an enlarged exit port and a constricted medial portion, a longitudinal axis of said venturi means disposed in substantially parallel relationship with a foot of said sail.

Claim 4

The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the distance between said entrance port and said luff is less than the distance between said exit port and said leech.

Claim 5

The device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said venturi means is composed of stiffened, flexible material.

Claim 6

The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said fin means are disposed in a substantially horizontal row along said longitudinal axis of said venturi means.

Claim 7

The device as claimed in claim 5 wherein each said fin means extends outwardly and rearwardly from said sail.

Claim 8

In combination with a sail, an aerodynamic device for increased utilization of airflow across said sail, said device comprising a plurality of rearwardly extending, vertical fins disposed in a substantially horizontal row between the luff and the leech in substantially parallel relationship with a foot of said sail at an area of maximum air activity, the height of said row of fins extending a distance that is substantially less than the distance between the head and foot of said sail, each of said fins extending outwardly from said sail, one of said fins adjacent said luff and another one of said fins adjacent said leech, the distance between said one fin and said luff being less than the distance between said other fin and said leech, said fins operative to reach the free air layer beyond the zero activity and turbulent air layers flowing across said sail.

Claim 9

In combination with a sail, an aerodynamic device for increased utilization of airflow across said sail, said device comprising a plurality of rearwardly extending, vertical fins disposed in a substantially horizontal row between the luff and the leech in substantially parallel relationship with a foot of said sail at an area of maximum air activity, the height of said row of fins extending a distance that is substantially less than the distance between the head and foot of said sail, each of said fins extending outwardly from said sail, one of said fins adjacent said luff and another one of said fins adjacent said leech, the distance between said one fin and said luff being less than the distance between said other fin and said leech, said fins operative to reach the free air layer beyond the zero activity and turbulent air layers flowing across said sail.

Claim 10

In combination with a sail, an aerodynamic device for increased utilization of airflow across said sail, said device comprising: (a) a plurality of vertical fins disposed in a substantially horizontal row between the luff and the leech in substantially parallel relationship with a foot of said sail at an area of maximum air activity, each of said fins extending outwardly from said sail, one of said fins adjacent said luff and another one of said fins adjacent said leech, the distance between said one fin and said luff being less than the distance between said other fin and said leech, said fins operative to reach the free air layer beyond the zero activity and turbulent air layers flowing across said sail; and (b) venturi means having an entrance port, an exit port and a constricted medial region, said plurality of fins disposed along a longitudinal axis of said venturi means, said longitudinal axis substantially parallel to a foot of said sail, said venturi means disposed between the luff and the leech of said sail closer to said luff, said venturi means and said fins operative to reach the free air layer beyond the zero activity and turbulent air layers of air flowing across said sail.

Claim 11

In combination with a sail, an aerodynamic device for increased utilization of airflow across said sail, said device comprising: (a) a plurality of vertical fins disposed in a substantially horizontal row between the luff and the leech in substantially parallel relationship with a foot of said sail at an area of maximum air activity, each of said fins extending outwardly from said sail, one of said fins adjacent said luff and another one of said fins adjacent said leech, the distance between said one fin and said luff being less than the distance between said other fin and said leech, said fins operative to reach the free air layer beyond the zero activity and turbulent air layers flowing across said sail; and (b) venturi means having an entrance port, an exit port and a constricted medial region, said plurality of fins disposed along a longitudinal axis of said venturi means, said longitudinal axis substantially parallel to a foot of said sail, said venturi means disposed between the luff and the leech of said sail closer to said luff, said venturi means and said fins operative to reach the free air layer beyond the zero activity and turbulent air layers of air flowing across said sail.

Claim 12

The aerodynamic device as claimed in claim 8 wherein said venturi means includes a first venturi and a second venturi, said first venturi attached to one face of said sail, said second venturi attached to an opposite face of said sail, said fins mounted on both faces of said sail along an airflow axis through each said venturi.

Claim 13

The aerodynamic device as claimed in claim 9 wherein said venturi means and said fins are composed of stiffened sailcloth.