US 5,709,163 A · Cockpit of a boat with fresh air vents

Abstract

The invention provides a naturally vented cockpit of a boat. To achieve this natural ventilation, the invention utilizes the high pressure zone formed when air flows over surfaces of a boat and is forced to change flow direction, when the boat is in forward motion. One of these zones is located in the vicinity of the base of the windshield and the foredeck of the boat. An air scoop is located in this vicinity to funnel air into an air passage that extends beneath the windshield and into the cockpit. The terminal end of the air passage is preferably located near the base of the inside surface of the windshield to direct air onto the windshield, thereby minimizing the risk of fogging and condensation on its surface. Moreover, the fresh air entering from the air scoops can be used to maintain a slightly positive pressure in a cockpit that is under full canvas. As a result, the concentration of combustion of gases in the cockpit is reduced, providing a healthier environment for the occupants.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A naturally ventilated cockpit of a boat, the cockpit comprising:

an air scoop located outside the cockpit, in the vicinity of a zone of increasing air pressure, the zone located at an intersection of a plane of a first substantially horizontal surface above the hull of the boat with a plane of a second surface, inclined at an angle .beta. to the first surface for directing airflow over the second surface when the boat is in motion, the zone located outside and forward of the cockpit so that air pressure increases in the zone when the boat is brought into forward motion, the air scoop having a mouth facing substantially forward of the cockpit to intercept high pressure air, when the boat is in forward motion, the air scoop comprising an air passage extending from the mouth of the air scoop to the interior of the cockpit, the air scoop being integral to the first horizontal surface and aerodynamically shaped to funnel air into the air passage, the air passage being substantially horizontal and curving upward near a terminal end thereof and in fluid communication with the interior of the cockpit to direct air upward into the cockpit and onto an inside surface of the second surface from forward of the boat, when the boat is in forward motion.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Cockpit of a boat with fresh air vents

Life of this patent

Cockpit of a boat with fresh air vents

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15