US 2002/0152941 A1 · WAY as acronym for wave avoidance yacht

Abstract

In operation for wave avoidance the WAY presents only a small profile and a small part of its total structure to the most dynamically active part of all ocean waves, their surface and crests. This includes all storm and rogue waves. In this mode the bulk of the vessel is distributed through lower more quiescent water and spans differentiated deep wave effect. In this mode the WAY has low above surface reserve buoyancy-able-to-induce unwanted motion. In wave avoidance mode when not underway, the WAY is stabilized by low reserve buoyancy of its wave piercing causeways (12). Underway the WAY behaves as a small wing effect hydrodynamic flying body and does not rely upon wings or hydrofoils which receive undesirable acceleration forces and motion from deep wave effect. Flight path is controlled by orientation which is controlled by a large separation between center of buoyancy and a purposefully moveable center of mass. A default trajectory is enabled where a small hydrodynamic lift is countered by small unbuoyed mass. A WAY has a surface or shallow water mode of operation. The word yacht in the title is to suggest a preferred embodiment of size lying between boat and ship; a size that in conventional vessels is subject to particularly nauseating sea motion. The WAY can be configured for passage making with internal motors and without sails.

Claims11

Dependent claims

For dry accomodation, a stabilized and smooth-trajectory at-the-ocean-atmosphere interface horizontal-passage-making-low-reserve-buoyancy-in-water vessel with steering control, comprising

a. principal accomodation in the form of a buoyant main-hull hydrodynamically shaped for low-resistance-longitudinal-submarine flight, said main-hull is held submarine;
b. an above-the-mean-water-surface deck for atmospheric access and operations;
c. one or more hydrodynamically-shaped causeways of minimal-cross-sectional area in keeping with a useful causeway connecting said main-hull and said deck, said causeway(s) provide the small buoyancy(s) which tend to stabilize said vessel at its mean ocean surface waterline when not underway;
d. one or more massive hydrodynamically-shaped ballast-pods held away from and generally parallel to said main-hull:
the position of said ballast-pod(s) can apply a moment of force to orient said vessel for stability and hydrodynamic flight path, said ballast-pod(s) can reach deeper more quiescent water than said main-hull for smoothing trajectory of said vessel
e. one or more keel-spars ending in joints and connecting said ballast-pod(s) to said main-hull:
said keel-spar(s) are articulated from said main-hull, said ballast-pod(s) or said main-hull and said ballast-pod(s), to position said ballast-pod(s) in three dimensions relative to said main-hull

4 more elements

For dry accomodation, a stabilized and smooth-trajectory at-the-ocean-atmosphere interface horizontal-passage-making-variable-buoyancy-in-water vessel with steering control, comprising

a. principal accomodation in the form of a buoyant main-hull hydrodynamically shaped for low-resistance-longitudinal-submarine flight with an exterior surface rounded in planes 90 degrees perpendicular to the long axis and favoring longitudinal water flow, said main-hull is held submarine when in wave-avoidance mode;
b. an above-the-mean-water-surface deck for atmospheric access and operations with minimal vertical profile and minimal solid horizontal area, in keeping with sufficient strength and utility;
c. one or more hydrodynamically-shaped causeways of minimal-cross-sectional area in keeping with a useful causeway connecting said main-hull and said deck, said causeway(s) provide the small buoyancy(s) which tend to stabilize said vessel around its mean wave avoidance waterline when in wave-avoidance mode and not underway;
d. one or more massive hydrodynamically-shaped ballast-pods individually held away from and generally parallel to said main-hull, when two said ballast-pods are incorporated they can be brought together to nest as one hydrodynamic shape for low-resistance-longitudinal-submarine flight with an exterior surface rounded in planes 90 degrees perpendicular to the long axis and favoring longitudinal water flow:
the net buoyancy of said ballast-pod(s) is variable from strongly negative when in wave-avoidance mode to positive when said vessel is in minimum-draught mode:
the position of said ballast-pod(s) can apply a moment of force to orient said vessel for stability and hydrodynamic flight path, said ballast-pod(s) can reach deeper more quiescent water than said main-hull for smoothing trajectory of said vessel;
e. one or more keel-spars ending in joints and connecting said ballast-pod(s) to said main-hull:
said keel-spar(s) are articulated from said main-hull, said main-hull and said ballast-pod(s) or said ballast pods, to position said ballast-pod(s) in three dimensions relative to said main-hull

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

WAY as acronym for wave avoidance yacht

Life of this patent

WAY as acronym for wave avoidance yacht

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11