Fuel saving for large ships at sea.

One way of saving fuel is by wind assistance.

With the wind assistance methods used so far a ship cannot gain power from the wind when the wind is approximately between 45 degrees one side and 45 degrees other side of the direct into wind position. Leaving a gap of 90 degrees with the wind ahead where no thrust can be obtained. 

But ships are often required to progress in this sector to reach their destination. In sailing, this sector is referred to as the "No Go Zone". 

Just consider how much fuel needs to be burned to resist the pressure of the wind in this sector. Particularly if the wind is reaching gale force.

Engines have to work hard using a lot of fuel to push the ship into the oncoming wind. Without the engine the ship will drift backwards sometimes into a dangerous situation.

But, the wind itself can be used to resist the wind without the engine and without using any fuel!

Using the wind to overcome the wind.

A windmill (wind turbine) can be used to do this.

The windmill is connected to an underwater propeller - it's very simple.

The wind can be used to overpower the wind.

This is where many cannot see how this can be done. "Something for nothing" they say.
Click here for some of the other comments from "non-believers".

But the answer is easy and examples of this can be seen everywhere.

It's the principle of the lever.

A small force can be easily amplified into a larger force. Look around. There are many examples in everyday life.

Archimedes said: "Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum to place it on and I will lift the whole world"

Check out the diagram below and to prove the point.

So a lesser force from the oncoming wind can be amplified to a greater force to push the ship forward into the wind.



  

Below is a real life model which was used to illustrate how it works.

The working model demonstrates two things:

That a boat or car can be powered by a force in exactly the opposite direction to its direction of travel

That a weaker "pull" can be converted into a stronger "push" without the addition of extra energy

There is no trick. Anyone can make the demonstration model. So where does the extra force come from? See this page for further details.

What do you think? I welcome comments from professional and qualified people and would like to enter conversation on this subject Click here for the comments form.