Adaptive aerofoils

"We cannot direct the wind
But we can adjust our sails..."

What do sails, wings, and windmills have in common?

foils.gif (5752 bytes)

They all have air flowing over foils - surfaces that generate lift and drag. But air is a dynamic and changing medium - can we make foils that adapt intelligently? The main themes explored in the following pages are:

bullet

a new sail concept:  the Transition rig

bulletthe evolution and dynamics of flapping wing flight
bulletthe design of adaptable windmill sails

For an updated version of these pages, please go to www.transitionrig.com

 

Transition rig...

animation (15K bytes)click here to see the next quantum leap in sail design - a rig that adapts intelligently to conditions!

 richard (10K bytes)Richard Dryden

Hope you find this interesting! Please contact me at rdryden@eclipse.co.uk if you have any thoughts or comments...

background summary page flapping wings windmills Transition rig

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