Abstract: A watercraft system is provided. The watercraft system includes a lifting body designed to generate dynamic lift during watercraft operation. The lifting body is shaped with a twist from the center to the lateral edges and with a chord and a fore-aft cross-section that both decrease from a center of the lifting body to lateral tips of the lifting body.

Abstract: A traction cell for use in a track drive of an amphibious or all-terrain vehicle includes a rigid section for connection to a track drive and at least one semi-rigid compliant section which is connected to the rigid section. The semi-rigid compliant section has a bottom surface to which a penetration resistant sole is secured on a rear face which is raked relative to the vertical.

Abstract: A watercraft having a changeable hull structure. More particularly, a watercraft having a first subassembly and one or more second subassemblies. The first subassembly includes a sponson, a flooring, and a transom, the one or more second subassemblies, each being a replaceable hull structure. The first subassembly and each of the one or more second subassemblies have commensurate shapes allowing for attachment and/or replacement of the one or more replaceable hull structures. The watercraft also includes one or more elongated connectors are used to attach the first and second subassemblies.

Abstract: An inflatable watercraft is provided with multiple reinforced panels that are configured to form a center hull having a V-form. The center hull supports a floor that is coupled to a U-form collar. The panels also form a pair of outer side hulls respectively disposed on opposite sides of the center hull and which define a tunnel between the center hull and each of the outer side hulls.

Abstract: An energy storage and transfer system and method includes the use of a containment vessel holding a first solid/liquid phase change heat transfer medium and at least one second containment vessel located at least partially within the first phase change heat transfer medium and holding a second solid/liquid phase change medium. The second phase change heat transfer medium is heated from an external source of energy and gives up its absorbed heat to the first phase change heat transfer medium. A heat exchange loop is partially contained within the first phase change heat transfer medium for removing energy therefrom and transferring it to an external source for use. The second phase change heat transfer material has a higher melting temperature and higher heat of fusion value than the first phase change heat transfer material.

Abstract: A traction cell for use in a track drive of an amphibious or all-terrain vehicle includes a rigid section for connection to a track drive and at least one semi-rigid compliant section which is connected to the rigid section. The semi-rigid compliant section has a bottom surface to which a penetration resistant sole is secured on a rear face which is raked relative to the vertical.

Abstract: An energy conversion system includes a first mechanical system for converting reciprocating motion to rotary motion, a second system formed of belts and pulleys connected to said first system and driven by said rotary motion to lift a weight in response to said rotary motion from a first position to a second position and allow the weight to return to said first position under the influence of gravity. A rotary electrical is driven by the second system through a transmission means connected to the second system to create electricity only while the weight is returning from its second to its first position.

Abstract: A watercraft has a lifting body secured to its bow below the waterline; the lifting body has deadrise on either side of the bow.

Abstract: An energy storage and transfer system and method includes the use of a containment vessel holding a first solid/liquid phase change heat transfer medium and at least one second containment vessel located at least partially within the first phase change heat transfer medium and holding a second solid/liquid phase change medium. The second phase change heat transfer medium is heated from an external source of energy and gives up its absorbed heat to the first phase change heat transfer medium. A heat exchange loop is partially contained within the first phase change heat transfer medium for removing energy therefrom and transferring it to an external source for use. The second phase change heat transfer material has a higher melting temperature and higher heat of fusion value than the first phase change heat transfer material.

Abstract: An energy conversion system includes a first mechanical system for converting reciprocating motion to rotary motion, a second system formed of belts and pulleys connected to said first system and driven by said rotary motion to lift a weight in response to said rotary motion from a first position to a second position and allow the weight to return to said first position under the influence of gravity. A rotary electrical is driven by the second system through a transmission means connected to the second system to create electricity only while the weight is returning from its second to its first position.

Abstract: A foil shaped lifting body is attached by means of a strut to the underwater body of a vessel in such a manner as to cause a standing wave to be developed when the vessel is in operation in order that the standing wave will induct water into machinery intakes. The technology of this invention is particularly applicable to the operation of waterjet marine propulsion systems.

Abstract: An energy conversion system includes a first mechanical system for converting reciprocating motion to rotary motion, a second system formed of belts and pulleys connected to said first system and driven by said rotary motion to lift a weight in response to said rotary motion from a first position to a second position and allow the weight to return to said first position under the influence of gravity. A rotary electrical is driven by the second system through a transmission means connected to the second system to create electricity only while the weight is returning from its second to its first position.

Abstract: An energy conversion system includes a first mechanical system for converting reciprocating motion to rotary motion, a second system formed of belts and pulleys connected to said first system and driven by said rotary motion to lift a weight in response to said rotary motion from a first position to a second position and allow the weight to return to said first position under the influence of gravity. A rotary electrical is driven by the second system through a transmission means connected to the second system to create electricity only while the weight is returning from its second to its first position.

Abstract: A boat hull has at least one rocker chute formed therein open to the water forward of the hull's transom. The chute has a leading edge forward of the transom and an interceptor plate projects downwardly from the hull at said leading edge.

Abstract: A marine propulsion steering apparatus includes a steering nozzle having a central opening therethrough which surrounds a marine propulsion drive shaft and propeller extending from a hull or propulsion module. The nozzle is pivotally mounted for angular movement in a predetermined range of movement on the support structure for the drive shaft for directing flow of water from the propeller in response to pivotal motion controlled by a steering mechanism.

Abstract: A watercraft hull having a pair of laterally spaced propulsion tunnels located on opposite sides of its keel, with said tunnels being open downwardly towards the water, includes a movably mounted keel section located between said propulsion tunnels to prevent water crossflow between said tunnels and increase dynamic lift on the hull.

Abstract: A watercraft hull has at least one bent entrapment tunnel with an aft portion whose tunnel ceiling is at a higher elevation than portions of the tunnel ceiling immediately in front of it to provide a negative angle of attack with the free surface at design planing speeds.

Abstract: A foil shaped lifting body is attached by means of a strut to the underwater body of a vessel in such a manner as to cause a standing wave to be developed when the vessel is in operation in order that the standing wave will induct water into machinery intakes. The technology of this invention is particularly applicable to the operation of waterjet marine propulsion systems.

Abstract: A boat hull has at least one rocker chute formed therein open to the water forward of the hull's transom. The chute has a leading edge forward of the transom and an interceptor plate projects downwardly from the hull at said leading edge.

Abstract: A watercraft having a hull, a fore and aft longitudinal axis and a bow includes a three dimensional low drag submerged lifting body secured to the bow below the design waterline of the hull.