Fixed geometry water jet inlet for a surface effect ship
AssigneeRohr Industries, Inc.
InventorsMichael A. Rickards, Richard K. Ruhe, Leonard Meyerhoff, James M. Hook
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A water jet inlet as used in a surface effect ship, cavitation free environment is provided of a fixed round or rectangular inlet geometry, within the confines of inlet velocity ratios pertaining to the ship velocity immersion design profile. An additional embodiment is disclosed that enables the instant invention to operate at a range of drop fractions, including negative drop fractions, and allows for a truly flush inlet, resulting in minimizing the drag of the ship and potential ingestion of large floating debris.
Claims11
A fixed geometry water inlet duct for a surface effect ship for providing a constant cavitation free supply of water to a propulsion jet pump, said ship having side fences, each of said side fences having a curvilinear bottom hull surface, said inlet duct comprising:
- a ramp roof portion extending rearward and forming a continuation of the bottom hull surface and extending rearward to the inlet of said jet pump;
- a duct floor portion extending from a position intermediate the forward and aft portions of said ramp roof portion and extending to said inlet of said jet pump, said ramp roof portion and said duct floor portion being continuous for the length of said duct floor portion;
- an enlarged lip portion positioned at the leading edge of said duct floor portion;
- and
- a ventilation cavity adjacent said enlarged lip portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.