Self-righting trimaran
AssigneeOpen Ocean Robotics Inc.
InventorsColin Sinclair Angus, Julie Rachel Angus
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A trimaran which includes a self-righting structure positioned near the stern that substantially raises the center of buoyancy. The trimarans two peripheral hulls are shorter than the main hull and positioned near the one end to create an unstable inverted environment wherein when inverted the vessel rests primarily on the self-righting structure and an end of the main hull, substantially raising the center of gravity and creating an unstable configuration. This causes a pitch or roll about the vessel's longitudinal axis, which continues until the vessel has returned to its more stable upright position resting on three hulls.
Claims20
A watercraft vessel having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the vessel having opposing lateral sides extending between the first and second ends, the vessel comprising:
- a hull;
- and
- a structure attached to the vessel and comprising two sides extending upwardly from the opposing lateral sides, extending outwardly beyond the vessel, and thereabove curving inwardly until the two sides are above the vessel nearer to the first end than the second end, such that the structure presents an inherently unstable shape to cause, in conjunction with the hull at the second end, self-righting of the vessel when inverted, the shape being unchangeable.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.