Turbosail
Turbovela
- Date
- 1985 · confidence low
- Place
- Marseille, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
- Credited to
- Jacques Cousteau
- Field
- Movement
What it is
A marine propulsion system replacing the conventional sail with a vertical cylindrical surface using boundary-layer control, generating aerodynamic thrust without needing continuous trimming, developed by Jacques-Yves Cousteau and tested on the vessel Alcyone.
What it led to
- reduced fuel consumption in wind-assisted shipping
- inspired later wind-propulsion projects for maritime transport
- also applied to wind power generation (Flettner-type rotors)