Stable, high-speed marine vessel
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorMichael A. Watts
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A marine vessel that possesses a capability for greater speed than most static-lift craft and is more stable than most dynamic-lift craft is disclosed. The vessel incorporates elements from both SWATH craft and WIG craft. In the illustrative embodiment, the marine vessel includes an upper hull that is disposed above the water line, a dynamic-lift-providing element that is disposed above the water line, a propulsion system that is disposed above the water line, a static-lift-providing element that is disposed below the water line, a propulsion system that is disposed below the water line; and struts that couple the static-lift-providing element to the upper hull and that raise the upper hull some distance above the water line.
Claims15
A vessel for use in water, wherein said vessel comprises:
- an upper hull, wherein said upper hull is supported above the water;
- a dynamic-lift-providing element, wherein said dynamic-lift-providing element is operatively coupled to said upper hull, wherein said dynamic-lift-providing element provides lift when said vessel is in motion;
- and
- a static-lift-providing element, wherein said static-lift-providing element is operatively coupled to said upper hull, and wherein:
- when said vessel is stationary, said static-lift-providing element provides all lift required to maintain said upper hull above the water;
- and
- when said vessel is not stationary, said static-lift-providing element remains submerged and provides at least some portion of the lift required to maintain said upper hull above the water.
A vessel for use in water, wherein said vessel comprises:
- an upper hull;
- a wing, wherein said wing is coupled to said upper hull and remains above the water;
- at least one lower hull, wherein said one lower hull is coupled to said upper hull, and wherein said lower hull remains submerged when said vessel is underway;
- a ballast tank;
- electronics for adjusting ballast of said ballast tank to apportion lift between static lift and dynamic lift;
- and
- a first propulsion system, wherein said first propulsion system is physically coupled to said lower hull.
A vessel for use in water, wherein said vessel comprises:
- a SWATH hull form having:
- a first lower hull and a second lower hull;
- a first strut and a second strut;
- and
- an upper hull, wherein:
- said first strut couples said first lower hull to said upper hull;
- said second strut couples said second lower hull to said upper hull;
- said first lower hull and said second lower hull remain at least partially submerged at all times;
- a wing, wherein said wing is coupled to said upper hull and remains above the water;
- a ballast tank and electronics for adjusting ballast wherein said electronics are operable to change the depth of said first lower hull and said second lower hull independently of dynamic lift provided by said wing.
A method for use in conjunction with a sea-faring vessel, the method comprising:
- employing a combination of static lift and dynamic lift to maintain said vessel afloat when it is underway;
- maintaining, in a submerged condition, an element that provides substantially all static lift for said vessel;
- and
- adjusting ballast while said vessel is underway to change the depth of said element independently of said dynamic lift.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.