Self-deploying aerodynamic system

A system configured to self-deploy an aerodynamic structure, the system comprising:

• an outer container configured to store the aerodynamic structure therein and deploy the aerodynamic structure therefrom, wherein the outer container has a standardized form factor;
• one or more load transfer components located proximate the outer container and configured to transfer propulsion loads from the system to a movable shipping vehicle;
• the aerodynamic structure, including one or more wind capturing components configured to convert outside wind forces to propulsion loads and one or more structural components configured to stabilize and space apart the one or more wind capturing components, wherein the aerodynamic structure is configured to be deployed to an extended configuration outside the outer container and to be retracted to a stored configuration within the outer container;
• one or more conversion devices configured both to deploy automatically the aerodynamic structure from the stored configuration to the extended configuration and to retract automatically the aerodynamic structure from the extended configuration to the stored configuration while the system is removably installed on the movable shipping vehicle;
• a top plate located across and covering a top opening of the outer container at a top plate storage position when the aerodynamic structure is in the stored configuration inside the outer container, wherein the top plate is configured to elevate from the top plate storage position to a top plate extended position when the aerodynamic structure is in the extended configuration;
• and
• a bottom plate located proximate the bottom of the outer container at a bottom plate storage position when the aerodynamic structure is in the stored configuration inside the outer container, wherein the bottom plate is configured to elevate from the bottom plate storage position to a bottom plate extended position proximate the top opening of the storage container when the aerodynamic structure is in the extended configuration.

A method of using an aerodynamic structure on a movable shipping vehicle, the method comprising:

• deploying automatically a stored aerodynamic structure from within an outer container of a self-deploying aerodynamic system to form an extended aerodynamic structure while the self-deploying aerodynamic system is installed onto a movable shipping vehicle, wherein the extended aerodynamic structure includes multiple vertically oriented tape-springs arranged into the shape of a vertically oriented enclosed wingsail and multiple horizontally oriented ribs located within and spaced apart from the top to the bottom of the vertically oriented enclosed wingsail;
• converting automatically outside wind forces to propulsion loads using the extended aerodynamic structure;
• transferring automatically the propulsion loads from the self-deploying aerodynamic system to the movable shipping vehicle, wherein the propulsion loads are used to at least partially propel the movable shipping vehicle;
• and
• retracting automatically the extended aerodynamic structure into the outer container of the self-deploying aerodynamic system to reform the stored aerodynamic structure.