Multi-wing sails interaction effects

Paper in proceeding, 2022

The effects of multiple wings interacting and the change in efficiency due to those effects as well as optimal sheeting angles are becoming an important area of study with the advent of wind-propelled ships for goods transport. This research presents a first analysis of wind tunnel tests carried out at the University of Southampton R.J. Mitchell wind tunnel where three wings are subject to turbulent flow with Reynolds number in excess of 1 million. A range of possible variations of ship heading and apparent wind angles are tested taking into consideration the blockage effects and the geometrical characteristics of the working section. The forces and moments are captured on each individual wing as well as in the overall wind tunnel balance with 6-components dynamometers. Furthermore, pressure sensors and PIV data are recorded during the tests to provide the experimental campaign with results that can validate both qualitatively and quantitatively the numerical tools developed to aid the design stage of wind propelled vessels.