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US 6,874,439 B2Granted
Flexible ocean-going vessels with surface conforming hulls
AssigneeMarine Advanced Research, Inc.
InventorUgo Conti
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The vessel has a pair of flexible hulls flexibly coupled to a “cabin” between and above the hulls, thereby allowing the hulls to independently follow the surface of the water. Motor pods are hinged to the back of the hulls to maintain the propulsion system in the water, even if the stern of one or both hulls tends to lift out of the water when crossing swells and the like. Various other embodiments and features are disclosed.
Claims37
A watercraft comprising:
- first and second hulls;
- and,
- a module adapted to carry a load above a water surface;
- the module being coupled to flexible members coupled to the first and second hulls;
- each hull having a forward hull section and an aft hull section, the aft hull sections each being flexibly coupled to the respective forward hull section;
- whereby the hulls may independently follow the surface of the water while supporting the module above the surface of the water.
3 more elements
A watercraft comprising:
- first and second hulls;
- and,
- a module adapted to carry a load above a water surface;
- the module being coupled to a structure coupled to flexible members coupled to the first and second hulls, the module being adapted for lowering to the water to serve as a separate watercraft;
- whereby the hulls may independently follow the surface of the water while supporting the module above the surface of the water.
2 more elements
A watercraft comprising:
- first and second hulls;
- and,
- a module adapted to carry a load above a water surface;
- the module being coupled to a structure coupled to flexible members coupled to the first and second hulls, the module being adapted for lowering to the water to serve as a lifeboat;
- whereby the hulls may independently follow the surface of the water while supporting the module above the surface of the water.
2 more elements
A watercraft comprising:
- first and second flexible hulls;
- first and second motor pods, each flexibly coupled to a respective flexible hull;
- and,
- a module adapted to carry a load above a water surface;
- the module being coupled to flexible members coupled to the first and second flexible hulls;
- whereby the flexible hulls and motor pods may independently follow the surface of the water while supporting the module above the surface of the water.
3 more elements
A watercraft comprising:
- first and second inflatable hulls;
- first and second inflatable motor pods, each hinged to a respective flexible hull;
- first and second engines, each engine being mounted in a respective motor pod;
- and,
- a module adapted to carry a load above a water surface;
- the module being coupled to flexible members coupled to the first and second hulls;
- whereby the hulls and motor pods may independently follow the surface of the water while supporting the module above the surface of the water.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.