A calculation/simulation system of sails communicated in real time with wireless sensors

Abstract

The model presented in this paper is part of the development and integration of a System to Support Decision (SAD) for assistance in the design and actuation of sails. The model is based on the union of a wireless sensor system, continuously connected to a calculation/simulation system. This system will predict the structural behavior and performance of the different configurations of the rigging of a sailing ship. The simulation software will be communicated in real time with wireless sensors and interfaces through suitable filters. The information gathered by the sensors, which are integrated into the structure of the boat, will be used in numerical algorithms to determine the efforts that are suffering the Structure and evaluate the overall performance of the sailboat. The system of calculation / simulation is made up of a model of structural calculation based on a quasi-static method with a formulation for large displacement typical of the finite element method, and includes models of membranes, cables and bars. And the starting point of the simulation tool of fluid dynamics is the method of vortices (contour elements). The algorithms are adapted so that they can make real-time data that offers the monitoring system. The software also has algorithms simulation maneuver with which you can change the position of the sails.