Patents Assigned to Vehicle Research Corp.
  • Patent number: 5398628
    Abstract: A surfing ship that generates a singular water wave and rides on its crest efficiently at high speeds. Two complementary features to assist in the transition from displacement mode to high speed surfing mode comprise a pair of hydrofoils on either side of the ship near its bottom to increase surface area and span to lift the ship upwards at the low speed beginning of its transition, and a set of symmetric nested concavities of increasing camber on the bottom of the ship itself to reduce the wetted area in a controlled manner as the ship approaches its cruise mode at high speeds. The hydrofoils are retractable, enabling their extension for transition and cruise and their retraction for high speed cruise. Intermediate positions of the hydrofoils also offer the possibility of dihedral to aid in roll stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Vehicle Research Corp.
    Inventor: Scott Rethorst