Thread

The Return of Sail Power: Cargo Ships Are Turning Back to the Wind

193 points · 136 comments · gumby

3eb7988a1663 · 1789610805 · focus · HN ↗
If anyone else was confused why those pictures were of giant tubes and not canvas sails, you are not alone. Apparently those are some version of "Suction Sails". The vendor's website has a graphic that explains it, though it was fighting my ability to scroll.
<a href="https://bound4blue.com/esail/" rel="nofollow">https://bound4blue.com/esail/
1. jstanley · 1789611319 · focus · HN ↗
  Possibly <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotor_ship" rel="nofollow">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotor_ship ?
  1. SamBam · 1789611857 · focus · HN ↗
    Most of the sails in the article seemed to be rotor sails, but the suction sail mentioned by GP seems to be a type of turbosail.
    <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turbosail" rel="nofollow">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turbosail
    m463 · 1789614378 · focus · HN ↗
    interesting that the rotor sail principle can be used with planes too:
    <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnus_effect#In_aviation" rel="nofollow">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnus_effect#In_aviation
    (can't help but think "tilt rotor" of a different kind)

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