US 11,697,477 B2 · Sensor apparatus for a sail and associated system

Abstract

A sensor apparatus for a sail includes a unique sail identifier and an in-use sensor, the in-use sensor determining whether the sail is in an in-use condition or a dormant condition. The in-use sensor includes a light sensor for measuring light falling on the sail and one or more accelerometers for measuring orientation and vibration of the apparatus, wherein an in-use condition is determined from reviewing whether measurements from the light sensor and one or more accelerometers exceed threshold values.

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Claims18

Dependent claims

Sensor apparatus for a sail, comprising:

a unique sail identifier;
a transceiver;
and
an in-use sensor, configured to detect whether the sail is in an in-use condition or a dormant condition, the in-use sensor including:
a light sensor configured to:
measure light falling on the sail,
compare a measured light value falling on the sail to a predetermined light threshold value;
and
determine the sail is in the in-use condition when the measured light value is at or above the predetermined light threshold value;
and
at least one accelerometer configured to:
awaken from a sleep mode to an active mode only when the measured light value of the light sensor is below the predetermined light threshold value, and otherwise remain in the sleep mode,
in response to being awakened into the active mode, measure orientation and vibration of the sail,
compare a measured orientation value of the sail to a predetermined orientation threshold value and compare a measured vibration value of the sail to a predetermined vibration threshold value,
determine the sail is in the in-use condition when the measured orientation value is at or above the predetermined orientation threshold value and when the measured vibration value of the sail is at or above the predetermined vibration threshold value, and otherwise determine the sail is in the dormant condition, and
return to the sleep mode when the measured light value falling on the sail is at or above the predetermined light threshold value.

13 more elements

A system for monitoring usage of an article subjected to outdoor environmental conditions, comprising:

a sensor apparatus configured to monitor the article subjected to the outdoor environmental conditions including a unique article identifier and an in-use sensor,
the in-use sensor configured to detect whether the article is in an in-use condition or a dormant condition and including:
a light sensor configured to:
measure light falling on the article,
compare a measured light value falling on the article to a predetermined light threshold value, and
determine the article is in the in-use condition when the measured light value is at or above the predetermined light threshold value;
and
at least one accelerometer configured to:
awaken from a sleep mode to an active mode only when the measured light value of the light sensor is below the predetermined light threshold value, and otherwise remain in the sleep mode,
in response to being awakened into the active mode, measure orientation and vibration of the article,
compare a measured orientation value of the article to a predetermined orientation threshold value and compare a measured vibration value of the article to a predetermined vibration threshold value,
determine the article is in the in-use condition when the measured orientation value is at or above the predetermined orientation threshold value and when the measured vibration value of the article is at or above the predetermined vibration threshold value, and otherwise determine the article is in the dormant condition, and
return to the sleep mode when the measured light value falling on the article is at or above the predetermined light threshold value;
wherein the sensor apparatus is further configured to:
associate parameter data with measurements taken by the in-use sensor each time the article is determined to change from the dormant condition to the in-use condition and each time the article is determined to change from the in-use condition to the dormant condition, wherein the parameter data includes at least timestamps for when measurements are taken, and
evaluate historic and/or real time characteristics of the usage of the article by analyzing the measurements taken by the in-use sensor and the associated parameter data.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description6,488 words

Summary943 words

#This application is a § 371 National Stage Entry of PCT/EP/051093 filed Jan. 19, 2018, PCT/EP/051093 claims priority to Patent Application No. GB1602141.2 filed Feb. 5, 2015. The entire content of these applications is incorporated herein by reference.

#The present invention relates to sensor apparatus for identifying an article to which the sensor is coupled, and for relaying information relating to the conditions experienced at the sensor apparatus. The invention further relates to an associated system for using the sensor apparatus.

#In this connection, the sensor apparatus is particularly directed to use with articles such as sails, where the apparatus can measure and log certain characteristics of the use of the sail.

Brief description of the drawings8 figures

#FIG. 1 shows a plan view from above of sensor apparatus according to the present invention;

#FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional side view of the sensor apparatus of FIG. 1;

#FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a sail incorporating sensor apparatus of the present invention;

Detailed description5,409 words

#In this connection, FIG. 1 shows a plan view from above of a sensor device 1 in accordance with the present invention. The sensor device is suitable for use with sails for sailing vessels such as dinghies and yachts. It may equally be used with architectural/structural rigging, marquees, livestock, or any article subjected to outdoor environmental conditions.

#In this connection, when a sail is in use it suffers cumulative damage. A sail goes out of shape and so loses performance predominantly due to being used. Additionally the sail is damaged when it is exposed to ultraviolet light.

#Further when a sail is allowed to flap in the wind, called ‘flogging’, a significant amount of damage can occur in a short period of time.

Facts

Application

16/075,216Filed 19 Jan 2017

Priority

GB 16021415 Feb 2016

Published

US 2019/0039706 A17 Feb 2019

Granted

11 Jul 2023

Term ends

25 Mar 2040

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 1,161 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification7 codes

B63B 49/00
Arrangements of nautical instruments or navigational aids
B63B 79/10
Monitoring properties or operating parameters of vessels in operation: using sensors, e.g. pressure sensors, strain gauges or accelerometers
B63H 9/06
Using sails or like wind-catching surfaces: types of sail; Constructional features of sails; Arrangements thereof on vessels
G05B 2219/24048
Pc safety: remote test, monitoring, diagnostic

Sensor apparatus for a sail and associated system

Life of this patent

Sensor apparatus for a sail and associated system

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims18

Description6,488 words

Drawings

Classification7 codes

Life of this patent

Description6,488 words