# US 9,038,554 B2 · Mobile ballast device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,038,554 B2 - Document ID: US9038554B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/110,698 - Filed: 2012-04-20 - Published: 2014-02-06 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2011-04-20 - Applicants: Vincent de Troz - Inventors: Vincent de Troz - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9038554B2 ## CPC - B63B 39/02: to decrease vessel movements by displacement of masses - B63B 43/08: by transfer of solid ballast - B63B: SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING (arrangements of vessel ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning B63J2/00; floating substructures as supports of dredgers or soil-shifting machines E02F9/06) ## Abstract The present invention discloses an inside mobile ballast arrangement for sailboats, said arrangement using a dense material and being preferably in a watertight/gas-tight compartment, the whole system on low friction bearings and being close to the bottom of the hull, this arrangement being able to move longitudinally from front to rear and vice versa, along the X axis, independently or simultaneously with a perpendicular displacement, i.e. from port to starboard and vice versa, along the Y axis. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for changing a position of a centre of gravity of a ship or boat, the device defining a first and a second axis, said axes being substantially perpendicular to each other, the device comprising at least one ballast element; a first ballast moving means that moves said at least one ballast element to any position in between a start and an end position along said first axis; a first operating element that is configured and arranged to drive said first ballast moving means; a second ballast moving means that moves said at least one ballast element to any position in between a start and an end position along said second axis independently of the at least one ballast element's position along said first axis; and a second operating element that is configured and arranged to drive said second ballast moving means, wherein at least one of said first and second ballast moving means comprises at least one track element. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein said first ballast moving means supports said second ballast moving means, and wherein said second ballast moving means supports said at least one ballast element. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one track element defines a curve. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second operating elements comprises an electrical motor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second operating elements comprises a transmission element. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second ballast moving means comprises a chassis element, which is capable of moving along said at least one track element. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second ballast moving means comprises a ball screw. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a ballast supporting element. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the device further comprises an enclosure, which comprises at least two sidewalls and a floor. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the device further comprises an enclosure that is hermetically sealed. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The device according to claim 10, wherein said enclosure comprises a neutral atmosphere. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein said first axis is arranged to be oriented substantially along a bow-stern direction of said ship or boat. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein said first axis is arranged to be oriented substantially along a port-starboard direction of said ship or boat. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the device is configured to be arranged close to a bottom of a hull of said ship or boat. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, which is included in a ship. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, which is included in a sailboat. ### Claim 17 A method of operating a device for changing a position of a centre of gravity of a ship or boat, the method comprising: providing the device defining a first and a second axis, said axes being substantially perpendicular to each other, the device including: (i) at least one ballast element; (ii) a first ballast moving means that moves said at least one ballast element to any position in between a start and an end position along said first axis; (iii) a first operating element that is configured and arranged to drive said first ballast moving means; (iv) a second ballast moving means that moves said at least one ballast element to any position in between a start and an end position along said second axis independently of the at least one ballast element's position along said first axis; and (v) a second operating element that is configured and arranged to drive said second ballast moving means, wherein at least one of said first and second ballast moving means comprises at least one track element; and operating said device to thereby change the position of the centre of gravity of said ship or boat. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method according to claim 17, wherein said providing step includes orienting said first axis substantially along a bow-stern direction of said ship or boat. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method according to claim 17, wherein said providing step includes orienting said first axis substantially along a port-starboard direction of said ship or boat. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method according to claim 17, wherein said providing step includes arranging the device close to a bottom of a hull of said ship or boat.