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US 5,415,120 AGranted
Multiple hull air ride craft
OwnerDonald E. Burginventor
Life of this patent
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OwnerDonald E. Burginventor
Estimating the term…
An improved performance marine surface vessel that includes pressurized supporting gas cushions in multiple hulls, normally catamaran-like sidehulls, where such pressurized supporting gas cushions support a majority of boat weight in operation. The preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes long fine pointed bow catamaran-like sidehulls that are in mechanical communication with a connecting hull structure. The long fine sidehulls offer performance advantages over a single large supporting gas cushion. Sidehull gas cushion outer sidewalls are preferably wider and deeper than inner sidewalls which insures minimum resistance coupled with maximum transverse stability in roll. Further, sidehull gas cushion sidewalls optionally have angled to horizontal flatter surfaces forward and then transition to more rounded shapes aft which provides for good pitch stability and minimum hydrodynamic resistance. The invention may include a hull on centerline that adds to stability in rough seas and gives a racy yacht-like appearance. Recesses in the sidehulls may include, at least in part, fixed and/or movable seals. Fixed seals may include inset vented steps to reduce wetted surface area. The recess gas pressurization system may include a controller to control pressures in individual recesses which allows at least some control of boat motions in rough seas. A further feature is the use of vertically oriented vented steps in the sides of the sidehulls to reduce wetted area drag when operating in rough seas. One other feature is the use of air flow turbulence generators on the underside, or wetdeck, of the connecting hull structure to thereby increase static pressure lifting forces acting on the connecting hull structure.
In an improved boat having supporting gas cushions disposed in catamaran-like sidehulls with said catamaran-like sidehulls in mechanical communication with connecting hull structure, and said supporting gas cushions supplied with pressurized gas by gas pressurization means, the improvement comprising:
In an improved boat having supporting gas cushions disposed in catamaran-like sidehulls with said catamaran-like sidehulls in mechanical communication with connecting hull structure, said supporting gas cushions supplied with pressurized gas by gas pressurization means, and said supporting gas cushions pressurized at sufficient pressure to support a majority of boat weight, the improvement comprising:
In an improved boat having catamaran-like sidehulls with said catamaran-like sidehulls in mechanical communication with a connecting hull structure, the improvement comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.