Abstract:
The present invention comprises systems and methods of utilizing hull arrangements that combine aerodynamic and hydrodynamic effects to provide marine vessels with broader ranges of performance capabilities. The combination hull arrangements variously combine V-hulls, slot aspects, topographic features, and other hull characteristics that enable a vessel to retain the primary performance benefits of conventional V-hulls and achieve assorted improvements. Embodiments of the slot-V hull system employ specifically shaped hull characteristics to influence the manners in which water, air, and air/water spray mixtures interact with the vessel's hull. One principal operative effect can enable a vessel with the slot-V hull system to achieve a planing attitude more rapidly and efficiently than a standard V-hull.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for reducing surface friction drag on the hull of a surface vessel by entraining air into water flowing in the boundary layer flow along the hull. A hemispherical protrusion creates flow separation by diverting a portion of the water flow away from the surface of the hull, which results in a reduced pressure region downstream from the protrusion. A vent located on the protrusion allow air to flow into the reduced pressure region. The air in the reduced pressure region is entrained into the water due to turbulent mixing from vortices shed on to the rear of the protrusion.
Abstract:
A marine vessel that planes over the water in a straight ahead mode and has a V-shaped bow configuration, two lateral rails, a water jet intake aft of the bow, and a water jet discharge through the transom above the water line. The vessel's tri-point contact with the water at high speeds permits sled-like movement with minimal wet area under the hull along the center aft of the water jet intake. It moves fast through the water, is stable, moves smoothly and silently through the water, makes little wake, and makes hard turns without loss of velocity. At idle and slow speed it is low in the water, while at high speed it rides high on the water with only the bow and rear rails in contact with the water. Vessel size and scale are not limiting factors. Applications include, but are not limited to, military, recreational, and sporting uses.
Abstract:
A boat for traveling at speed across a body of water includes a center hull having a vee-shaped bottom with a center planing surface, and an opposing pair of sponsons or ski-like structures attached outboard of the center and extending substantially alongside the central hull. Importantly, the sponsons or skis each have a substantial opening or other porting means such that large volumes of water are able to pass through in an outboard direction away from the boat, advantageously minimizing forces on the hull when there is substantial vertical downward movement of the boat. The boat is designed so that planing surfaces of the keel and sponsons operate beneath the surface of the water to lift the hull free and isolate it from the rough water surface.
Abstract:
A hull form is presented and dimensioned where the design parameters consist principally of the breadth of the hull at the waterline, taken at specific equal intervals along the length of the waterline. The waterline reference is that at which the vessel is intended to float in the loaded condition. The waterline breadths describe the entrance or bow of the vessel. The closing run or stem of the vessel is not specifically delineated as a feature of the entrance or related to it. The invention defines two parts of the vessel, the entrance and the run, as discrete segments, each having its own properties and advantages. The entrance of the vessel is concerned with wave-making and the creating of a wave front that opposes vessel forward motion. The invention describes a method of optimizing the entrance of a vessel, and modifying the entrance of an existing vessel to minimize wave-making characteristics.
Abstract:
The present invention over-comes the prior art deficiencies by, in part, defining a hull bottom that decreases the total resistance and thereby reduces the propulsion power needed to propel a boat of a certain weight to a given speed. The invention separates the functions of the planing process resulting in a hull with staged longitudinal steps wherein each step consists of a fully defined hull underbody with a chine and bow and stern. Each intermediate chine describes a supplemental planing surface which is designed to lift the hull dynamically and to position the hull on the next narrower step that supports the weight of the boat and creates the forces needed to further lift the hull to the next narrower chine in two or more stages depending upon the size and weight of the boat to lift the hull to the central planing surface to achieve the desired top speed. The hull for each step is described by its chine, hull bottom, deadrise angle, bow and stern dimensions optimized to the nullideal beamnull(Ref. 7) to cover the range of speed of its stage of supplemental planing surfaces in the planing process by controlling the trim angle and vertical rise in the center of gravity. The hull bottom of each supplemental and central planing stage is separated by a vertical step extending longitudinally from bow to stern with the deadrise angle of the hull bottom of each step equal to or greater than the lower narrower hull stage below it. As a result the trim angle of the speed range for each stage can be optimized to fall in the range of 3.5 to 5 degrees to provide the least total resistance (Ref 5) (the combined wave making and friction resistance) over the range of operation for the hull of each stage and for the overall operating range covering all stages from rest to top speed. The number of supplemental planing surface stages, if more than one, will depend primarily upon the top speed to be attained and the overall length and width of the boat. An intermediate lower speed for long term operation as a cruising speed may be selected to dictate a staging point to assure optimized efficiency at this intermediate stage; such as, to optimize the efficiency at the cruise rating of the propulsion system for extended range (based upon the fuel tankage capacity).
Abstract:
The hull has two lateral hull portions (5a, 5b) spaced part with respect to each other which each extends from a respective lateral wall of a front hull portion (1) beyond the rear end (1a) of the front hull portion (1). Lateral hull portions (5a, 5) are directly connected to a respective lateral wall of front hull portion (1). A respective tunnel (15a, 15b), open downwardly, is formed between the front hull portion (1) and each lateral hull portion (5a, 5b). Tunnels (15a, 15b) run into a further tunnel (15) defined behind the rear end (1a) of the front hull portion (1), between the lateral hull portions (5a, 5b).
Abstract:
This invention describes a floatable, collapsible utility trailer which can be filled with gear and towed behind a boat or, alternatively, pulled behind a person on dry land. The unit is collapsible for easy carrying and storage and comes with a carrying handle.
Abstract:
An aluminum boat is provided having a stringer assembly with curved stringer to support the boat. The boat further includes a keel box for encapsulation of foam at high pressure to strengthen the boat. An integral trim tab is provided to control the shingle angle of the boat. Also, a multi-piece knee brace assembly is provided to support the transom of the boat.
Abstract:
A hull for a planing type watercraft has a rear portion that includes one or more steppers and a step plate fixed to the hull rearward of the first stepper so as to create a gap between a leading end of the step plate and the corresponding stepper. The step plate may additionally include longitudinally extending channels. The gap may further include apertures to supply air to the gap.