The Autark Zero’s rigid wingsail serves as a proof of concept, demonstrating how changing a traditional component can lead to significant advancements in yacht design and performance.
Innovative Design, Triple Function
The wingsail of the Autark Zero Project is a rigid carbon structure with an airfoil-shaped cross-section, similar to an airplane wing. For the design process of this component, the team studied the different wing profiles, carefully examining their differences in elevator force, drag characteristics, and stall behavior. This led to the development of an asymmetrical airfoil that balanced the aforementioned main factors of wing profiles. A key feature of this design is it improves the lift-to-drag ratio, and is also more robust and reliable -a very important aspect for autonomous vehicles-, when compared with conventional sails.
The Autark Zero’s wingsail has three distinct purposes:
- Sail: The patented asymmetrical airfoil design offers over 53% more efficiency than conventional fabric sails. Due to its higher optimal angle of attack (12 degrees), the sail achieves a higher course towards the wind. This results in improved Velocity Made Good (VMG) – the speed at which the boat is traveling towards its destination. As a result, the Autark Zero can achieve the same propulsion performance with a physically smaller sail area. Additionally, it can sail more directly into the wind compared to conventional designs.
- Solar Harvester: The entire surface of the wingsail is covered in photovoltaic cells, contributing to the yacht’s 30 square meters of solar collection area resulting in the maximum power output of almost 5kW. This feature is crucial to the vessel’s autarky (self-sufficiency).
- Cockpit Roof: When not in use for sailing, the entire mast and wingsail assembly can be folded down, transforming into a spacious cockpit roof or bimini top.
The unique design of the Autark Zero’s wingsail has been recognized with a patent (number 1042863) granted by the Rijksdienst Voor Ondernemend Nederland on November 18, 2019.
Key Features
Some key features of the wingsail include:
- Asymmetrical airfoil Design: This design improves the lift-to-drag ratio in comparison to a traditional sail, enhancing the vessel’s overall aerodynamic performance and maneuverability.
- Adjustable Flaps: The front and rear flaps of the wing automatically adjust during jibing, ensuring precise control of pressure, propulsion power, and maintaining the asymmetrical airfoil shape for optimal performance.
- Rotational Capability: When tacking, the mast rotates 180 degrees, with one wing flap folding in and the other out to recreate the same airfoil profile.
Looking to the Future
The Autark Zero’s solar-powered rigid wingsail represents a significant step forward in -self- sustainable yachting. By combining multiple functions into one elegant component, it demonstrates how innovative design can lead to more efficient, user-friendly, and sustainable vessels. When looking into the future of marine travel, the Autark Zero’s wingsail stands as a clear example of what’s possible when we reimagine traditional components with sustainability and versatility in mind. It’s not just a sail – it’s proof that this design’s efficiency, automation, and multi-functionality have the potential of revolutionizing the future of yachting.
