Abstract: A system for a transom-mount trim tab with a fluid hinge, including a trim tab having a planar surface, a forward section located under a hull of a watercraft, a rear portion extending aft of a transom, a pair of guiding tabs coupled to the trim tab, and a forward mounting means including fluid hinge brackets, each with a mounting plate, and a containment protrusion. The system further includes a pair of aft mounting brackets configurable for variable mounting, wherein each mounting bracket includes a vertical leg having an upper portion configurable to be angulated relative to a transom of a watercraft and a bottom portion configured in a vertical orientation. The upper portion of the vertical leg and the mounting bracket have a configurable angle there-between.

Abstract: A system and method of configuration including a trim tab having a planar surface, and guiding tabs coupled to the trim tab. The guiding tabs extend outward. A pair of mounting brackets, with a mounting plate, a vertical leg, and a safety catch tab are included. The mounting brackets are configurable for variable mounting. The vertical leg of the mounting bracket includes an upper portion bottom portion, the vertical leg bottom portion is vertical, and the upper portion is configurable to be angulated relative to a transom. The upper portion and mounting bracket have an angle between, which may be adjusted relative to a curvature in the transom. The guiding tabs configured to engage with the vertical legs of the mounting bracket, wherein the trim tabs are located forward of the vertical legs of the mounting brackets.

Abstract: A system for a transom-mount trim tab with a fluid hinge, including a trim tab having a planar surface, a forward section located under a hull of a watercraft, a rear portion extending aft of a transom, a pair of guiding tabs coupled to the trim tab, and a forward mounting means including fluid hinge brackets, each with a mounting plate, and a containment protrusion. The system further includes a pair of aft mounting brackets configurable for variable mounting, wherein each mounting bracket includes a vertical leg having an upper portion configurable to be angulated relative to a transom of a watercraft and a bottom portion configured in a vertical orientation. The upper portion of the vertical leg and the mounting bracket have a configurable angle there-between.

Abstract: A system and method of configuration including a trim tab having a planar surface, and guiding tabs coupled to the trim tab. The guiding tabs extend outward. A pair of mounting brackets, with a mounting plate, a vertical leg, and a safety catch tab are included. The mounting brackets are configurable for variable mounting. The vertical leg of the mounting bracket includes an upper portion bottom portion, the vertical leg bottom portion is vertical, and the upper portion is configurable to be angulated relative to a transom. The upper portion and mounting bracket have an angle between, which may be adjusted relative to a curvature in the transom. The guiding tabs configured to engage with the vertical legs of the mounting bracket, wherein the trim tabs are located forward of the vertical legs of the mounting brackets.

Abstract: A transom mounted fluid hinge bracket having one mounting plate that is connected at a lower distal end to a horizontal bracket portion which extends forward and aft of the transom of a watercraft in a bow to stern axial displacement, the horizontal bracket abutting the underside of the hull of a watercraft sitting flush with the underside of the watercraft, at least one fluid hinge receiver secured to the back side of the horizontal bracket portion on which the back of the substantially planar surface of the trim tab may rest, the at least one fluid hinge receiver containing the substantially planar surface in a position of the planar surface resting about parallel to the hull of the watercraft, and the at least one fluid hinge receiver without any load from the planar surface except at rest keeping the planar surface from descending below a horizon parallel to that of a horizon of the hull.

Abstract: A system and method involving hydro-lifters for achieving attitude and control of a watercraft including at least one elongate planar surface, at least one actuator mounted to the hull of the watercraft and pivotally connected to a planar surface. The system using at least one containment shelf-bracket fastened to the underside of the hull forming a non-fixed containment area, between an upper surface of the containment shelf-bracket and the hull, to capture the planar surface and provide a support surface on which the planar surface may rest and allowing forward, aft, and vertical slidability of the planar surface. A method for calculating optimal surface area of the planar surfaces for fuel efficiency by obtaining the measurements of an overall length of the hull and maximum beam of the hull, multiplying the measurement, multiplying the value by 1-3%, and dividing the resulting number by the quantity of planar surfaces.

Abstract: A transom mounted fluid hinge bracket having one mounting plate that is connected at a lower distal end to a horizontal bracket portion which extends forward and aft of the transom of a watercraft in a bow to stern axial displacement, the horizontal bracket abutting the underside of the hull of a watercraft sitting flush with the underside of the watercraft, at least one fluid hinge receiver secured to the back side of the horizontal bracket portion on which the back of the substantially planar surface of the trim tab may rest, the at least one fluid hinge receiver containing the substantially planar surface in a position of the planar surface resting about parallel to the hull of the watercraft, and the at least one fluid hinge receiver without any load from the planar surface except at rest keeping the planar surface from descending below a horizon parallel to that of a horizon of the hull.

Abstract: A locking system for assisting and supporting actuators of a trim-tab system, including a locking rod (20), slideable within a first slotted rod sleeve (28) into a locking dock within the sliding block (24). The invention further includes a second slotted rod sleeve (30) connected to a bottom side of the first slotted rod sleeve (28), a rotating rod (32) within second slotted rod sleeve (30) rotatable towards and away from the sliding block (24). The rotating rod (32) also contains a top driving rod (36) at one end, a bottom rotating rod (38) at an opposite end, and a perpendicular center driving rod (42) at the front-center side of the rotating rod (32). The center driving rod (42) moves the locking rod through contact with a thrusting rod (48). The sliding block (24) further contains a bottom contact rod (40) and a top contact rod (38).

Abstract: A system and method involving hydro-lifters for achieving attitude and control of a watercraft including at least one elongate planar surface, at least one actuator mounted to the hull of the watercraft and pivotally connected to a planar surface. The system using at least one containment shelf-bracket fastened to the underside of the hull forming a non-fixed containment area, between an upper surface of the containment shelf-bracket and the hull, to capture the planar surface and provide a support surface on which the planar surface may rest and allowing forward, aft, and vertical slidabilty of the planar surface. A method for calculating optimal surface area of the planar surfaces for fuel efficiency by obtaining the measurements of an overall length of the hull and maximum beam of the hull, multiplying the measurement, multiplying the value by 1-3%, and dividing the resulting number by the quantity of planar surfaces.

Abstract: A system and method for effectively increasing the stroke range of an actuator and deflection angle of a fluid hinge trim tab system for attitude control and stabilization of a water craft includes at least one actuator (20), a scissor joint (25) made up of a rigid structural member (27) and hinge member (33), a scissor hinge mount (35), and an elongate substantially planar surface (32). The scissor joint (25) is connected to the scissor hinge mount (35) and the elongate substantially planar surface (32) at opposite ends. Extension of actuator ram (36) allows for rotation of the rigid structural member (27) which creates a rotational angle (48) and an angle of deflection (40) between the elongate substantially planar surface (32) and the hull (21) of the water craft, which effectively increases the stroke length of the actuator (20). The system also allows for retraction of the actuator (20).

Abstract: A fluid hinge includes a first part of a two-part element including a planar surface of a trim tab and a second part of the two-part system having at least one bracket secured to the hull of a watercraft and the first and second parts of the two-part element are not physically coupled together. It also provides at least one bracket secured to the hull on which the planar surface of the trim tab may rest and the at least one bracket not taking any load from the planar surface except at rest to keep the planar surface from descending below the horizon of the hull.

Abstract: A system for attitude control and stabilization of a marine craft includes at least one elongate substantially planar surface, which may be rigid or flexible, disposed on either side of and in substantial alignment with a bottom of the planing hull of the marine craft. The elongate surface, in a rigid form, includes a tongue-like distal end slidably captured as a fluid hinge upon a region of the hull about 2 to 8 feet forward of the transom. In a flexible form, a distal end of the elongate planar surface may be secured directly to the hull. The elongate surface further includes an actuation portion proximal to a transom of the craft. The system also includes an actuator selectably slidable and securable within an actuation sleeve, the sleeve secured to the transom of the craft.

Abstract: A method for watercraft efficiency at various speeds by use of at least one adjustable trim tab with a surface by calculating by the total surface area of the planar surface and determining the surface area necessary of the planar surface of at least one trim tab, and mounting the trim tab substantially under the hull. Provided in the method is determining the overall length of the hull, determining the maximum beam of the hull, multiplying the overall length of the hull by the maximum beam, taking a resultant of the overall length and maximum beam and multiplying that resultant by a percentage in the range of about one to about three, and taking the resultant and dividing it by the number of trim tabs mounted to the hull. Adjusting the trim tab by raising or lowering the rear of the planar surface, based on speed, to achieve higher efficiency.

Abstract: A fluid hinge includes a first part of a two-part element including a planar surface of a trim tab and a second part of the two-part system having at least one bracket secured to the hull of a watercraft and the first and second parts of the two-part element are not physically coupled together. It also provides at least one bracket secured to the hull on which the planar surface of the trim tab may rest and the at least one bracket not taking any load from the planar surface except at rest to keep the planar surface from descending below the horizon of the hull.

Abstract: A method for watercraft efficiency at various speeds by use of at least one adjustable trim tab with a surface by calculating by the total surface area of the planar surface and determining the surface area necessary of the planar surface of at least one trim tab, and mounting the trim tab substantially under the hull. Provided in the method is determining the overall length of the hull, determining the maximum beam of the hull, multiplying the overall length of the hull by the maximum beam, taking a resultant of the overall length and maximum beam and multiplying that resultant by a percentage in the range of about one to about three, and taking the resultant and dividing it by the number of trim tabs mounted to the hull. Adjusting the trim tab by raising or lowering the rear of the planar surface, based on speed, to achieve higher efficiency.

Abstract: A system for attitude control and stabilization of a marine craft includes at least one elongate substantially planar surface, which may be rigid or flexible, disposed on either side of and in substantial alignment with a bottom of the planing hull of the marine craft. The elongate surface, in a rigid form, includes a tongue-like distal end confined within a fluid hinge enclosure upon a region of the hull about 2 to 8 feet forward of the transom. In a flexible form, a distal end of the elongate planar surface is secured directly to the hull. The elongate surface further includes an actuation portion proximal to a transom of the craft. The system also includes an actuator selectably slidable and securable within an actuation sleeve, the sleeve secured to the transom of the craft.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for preventing the spillage of fuel into the water or onto a marine vessel when filling a fuel tank on the vessel. A vent line is coupled between the fuel tank and a vent port of the vessel, at least one valve assembly coupled within the vent line, and an overflow container is coupled within the vent line between the valve assembly and the vent port. The valve assembly defines a drain hole for permitting small quantities of fuel, gases and/or vapors to pass through the valve assembly and into the overflow container. A fill container defines an inlet port for receiving a fuel nozzle to fill the fuel tank with fuel and an outlet port coupled in fluid communication with a fill line for receiving a fuel nozzle to fill the fuel tank with fuel, and an outlet port coupled in fluid communication with a fill line for the passage of fuel between the fill container and the fuel tank.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for preventing the spillage of fuel into the water or onto a marine vessel when filling a fuel tank on the vessel. A vent line is coupled between the fuel tank and a vent port of the vessel, at least one valve assembly is coupled within the vent line, and an overflow container is coupled within the vent line between the valve assembly and the vent port. The valve assembly defines a drain hole for permitting small quantities of fuel, gases and/or vapors to pass through the valve assembly and into the overflow container. A fill container defines an inlet port for receiving a fuel nozzle to fill the fuel tank with fuel, and an outlet port coupled in fluid communication with a fill line for the passage of fuel between the fill container and the fuel tank.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for preventing the spillage of fuel into the water or onto a marine vessel when filling a fuel tank on the vessel. A vent line is coupled between the fuel tank and a vent port of the vessel, at least one valve assembly is coupled within the vent line, and an overflow container is coupled within the vent line between the valve assembly and the vent port. The valve assembly defines a drain hole for permitting small quantities of fuel, gases and/or vapors to pass through the valve assembly and into the overflow container. A fill container defines an inlet port for receiving a fuel nozzle to fill the fuel tank with fuel, and an outlet port coupled in fluid communication with a fill line for the passage of fuel between the fill container and the fuel tank.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for preventing the spillage of fuel into the water or onto a marine vessel when filling a fuel tank on the vessel. A vent line is coupled between the fuel tank and a vent port of the vessel, at least one valve assembly is coupled within the vent line, and an overflow container is coupled within the vent line between the valve assembly and the vent port. The valve assembly defines a drain hole for permitting small quantities of fuel, gases and/or vapors to pass through the valve assembly and into the overflow container. A fill container defines a first aperture for receiving a fuel nozzle to fill the fuel tank with fuel, a fitting portion for seating the fill container within a fuel fitting coupled to the fuel tank on the vessel, and a second aperture for permitting fuel to pass between the fill container and the fuel tank. Upon filling the fuel tank with fuel, the overflow fuel is collected within the fill container, thus signalling to the attendant to turn off the fuel nozzle.