|
MacRobert Award 1999 Finalist Carbospars Ltd for the AeroRig® A small team at Carbospars seems set to transform the world of sailing with the revolutionary AeroRig®. They describe the AeroRig as a sailing rig configuration that is designed for simplicity, safety and aerodynamic performance. The AeroRig® is a highly aerodynamic rig, which comprises of a free-standing wing shaped carbon fibre composite mast and softly rounded boom structure that extends forward and aft the mast. The whole assembly rotates on a self-aligning bearing at deck level. This arrangement enables full sailing control via a single rope, the mainsheet.
This allows the monitoring of loads within the composite structures via a colour-coded picture of the mast. It also presents the opportunity for continual lifetime recording of the loads in the structure. The provision of an overload warning indication could prove invaluable for safety, maintenance and insurance. It also acts as a type of black box accident recorder. The AeroRig® is gaining in popularity in the UK and in America where Catalina Yachts (one of the largest production yacht builders) build them under licence.
|
 |
|
In addition to standard mould tooling for a range of rig sizes, for yachts up to 20 metres in length, Carbospars have now produced an AeroRig® of 41.4 metres high supporting 284 m2 of sail area and without any rigging support mechanism at all, for yachts up to 27metres in length. Within this 41.4 meter high AeroRig®, which is believed to be the worlds tallest free standing carbon fibre mast and rig, a fibre-optic strain monitoring system has now been incorporated.|
Updated July 2012 |
/prizes/macrobert/finalists/1999/aerorig.htm |
|
© The Royal Academy of Engineering - Registered Charity 293074 |