A demonstration platform was created for a potential startup venture to show the feasibility of adding multiple wing sails to cargo ships. Ship crews are wary of other green solutions that increase fuel economy by using kites or shipboard windmills because of perceived danger in the varied conditions at sea. Retrofitting bulk carriers with wing sails was assisted by creating a platform to study practical control systems, hull modifications, sail shapes, maneuvers, and efficiency. An autonomous sail position control method was developed that integrated a microprocessor, a wind direction sensor, a boat orientation sensor, and an anemometer. The microprocessor actively adjusts sails to minimize the energy used for propulsion to cut carbon emissions and save money for operators.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Strid, Collin Eric

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042910-111451

Advisor

• Bergstrom, Torbjorn Stansen

Year

• 2010

Date created

• 2010-04-29

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Mechanical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright