Vessel with a Hull

Abstract

The invention relates to a watercraft (1) having a hull (2) and at least one arm (3) protruding from the hull (2), on which at least two hydrofoils (4, 5) are mounted so they are each pivotable about a first pivot axis (6), preferably about a shared pivot axis. To improve the maneuverability and stability of the watercraft, the at least two hydrofoils (4, 5) are pivotable independently of one another.

Description

The invention relates to a watercraft having a hull and at least one arm protruding from the hull, on which at least two hydrofoils are mounted so they are each pivotable about a first pivot axis, preferably about a shared pivot axis.

Watercraft are known from WO 2011/157660 A1 and WO 2011/157658 A1, in which hydrofoils are vertically adjustable by pivot arms.

DE 10 2008 008 474 A1 discloses a hydrofoil boat having vertical sword-shaped struts under the boat body, which have hydrofoils arranged in pairs. The hydrofoils are pivotable about a transverse axis and a longitudinal axis. As a result of the overall construction, in particular as a result of the struts fastened rigidly on the hull, the travel properties cannot be fundamentally changed, above all with regard to different velocities.

GB 1 120 612 A discloses a hydrofoil boat having a vertically adjustable arm, which has adjustable hydrofoils on its lower side.

Flexibly usable watercraft, which permit a plurality of configurations, are known from AT 509 946 A and AT 509 948 A of the applicant of the present application.

The goal of the present invention is to provide a watercraft having improved maneuverability and stability. The adaptation of the watercraft to different conditions, such as velocities, current conditions, and the like, is to be implemented with the simplest possible means and in a simple manner.

This goal is achieved with the watercraft mentioned at the outset in that the at least two hydrofoils are pivotable independently of one another. The functionality of the watercraft can be expanded in a simple manner by this measure. Asynchronous pivoting of the hydrofoils not only optimizes the cornering, but rather also travel in difficult current conditions. By way of such optimized adaptation, not only can the stability of the watercraft be increased by active regulation, but rather the fuel consumption can also be reduced.

The hull, on which the arm(s) having the pivotable hydrofoils according to the invention protrude, can be a main hull or a secondary hull of the watercraft, in particular of a catamaran.

In one preferred embodiment, it is provided that the at least two hydrofoils, which are pivotable independently of one another, are arranged at the same height on opposite sides of the arm. The asynchronous adjustability of two hydrofoils arranged at the same height enables a different setting of the buoyancy and the water resistance on both sides of the arm, whereby advantages can be achieved in particular in cornering or in the event of rapidly changing current conditions.

The watercraft can be in particular a sport and/or racing boat or a special vehicle.

In one preferred embodiment, it is provided that the hydrofoils are arranged in the end region of the arm, which faces away from the hull. A maximum vertical adjustment of the hydrofoils is possible by way of this measure in the case of an adjustable, for example, pivotable arm. It can also be preferable if the hydrofoils in the end region of the arm are the only (hydrofoils) which are arranged on the arm. In this case, the remaining arm is free of (further) hydrofoils.

In one preferred embodiment, it is provided that the first pivot axis of the hydrofoils is transverse, preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hydrofoil and/or to the travel direction of the watercraft. The buoyancy and the flow resistance are thus intentionally adjustable. Pivoting of the arm in relation to the hull can be compensated for by pivoting of the hydrofoils in relation to the arm such that the orientation of the hydrofoils in relation to the hull is maintained, or at least is not executed to the same extent.

In one preferred embodiment, it is provided that the hydrofoils are each pivotable about the first pivot axis by at least 60°, preferably by at least 90°. In the case of an arm pivotable in relation to the hull, the compensation of the hydrofoil orientation can thus be performed in a broad angle range.

In one preferred embodiment, it is provided that the arm is mounted so it is pivotable on the hull, wherein the arm is preferably pivotable in relation to the hull by at least 60°, preferably by at least 90°. This embodiment is advantageous in particular in conjunction with the above-described embodiments, because the pivoting of the arm can be adapted with the pivoting of the hydrofoil in relation to the arm. The hydrofoils are vertically adjustable in relation to the hull by the pivoting of the arm.

In one preferred embodiment, it is provided that the pivot axis of the arm is transverse to the travel direction of the watercraft and/or essentially parallel to the first pivot axis of the hydrofoil.

In one preferred embodiment, it is provided that drives actuable independently of one another, preferably cylinder drives, are integrated into the at least one arm, wherein one of the drives interacts with one of the hydrofoils and another drive interacts with another hydrofoil. The integration of the drives into the arm is advantageous, as is the independent activation of the hydrofoils.

In one preferred embodiment, it is provided that a hydrofoil bearing is integrated into the arm and the drives are housed in the region of the hydrofoil bearing. The drives can thus be embodied as compact and space-saving.

In one preferred embodiment, it is provided that the drives are cylinder drives, the piston rods of which are essentially parallel to one another and point in opposite directions, whereby the tight space conditions in the arm can be utilized in the best possible fashion.

In one preferred embodiment, it is provided that the cylinder drives are situated opposite to one another and/or on opposing sides of the hydrofoil bearing, whereby a compact construction having more or less direct attachment of the drives to the hydrofoils results.

In one preferred embodiment, it is provided that the piston rods of the cylinder drives are each eccentrically linked on a rotational attachment, which is mounted in the hydrofoil bearing and is connected to the respective hydrofoil, whereby a reliable force transmission results.

In one preferred embodiment, it is provided that the piston rod of a cylinder drive is connected through a recess, which is preferably in the form of a partial ring, of a rotational attachment to the other rotational attachment. This measure also contributes to the compactness of the drive.

In one preferred embodiment, it is provided that the hydrofoils are pivotable in relation to the arm about a second pivot axis in addition to the first pivot axis, wherein preferably the second pivot axis extends essentially in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hydrofoil and/or essentially horizontally. This expands the maneuvering and stabilization possibilities.

In one preferred embodiment, it is provided that the watercraft has at least two arms, the linkage points of which on the hull are spaced apart from one another in the travel direction, and/or the watercraft has at least two arms, the linkage points of which on the hull are spaced apart from one another and transversely to the travel direction.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in greater detail hereafter on the basis of the drawing. In the figures:

FIG. 1 shows a watercraft having pivoted-out arms;

FIG. 2 shows the watercraft from FIG. 1 having pivoted-in arms;

FIG. 3 shows the drive mechanism of the hydrofoils in detail;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of the end region of the arm having hydrofoils pivoted to different extents;

FIG. 5 shows the end region of the arm having an additional pivot axis of the hydrofoils.

FIG. 1 shows a watercraft 1 having a hull 2 and arms 3 protruding from the hull 2, on each of which two hydrofoils 4, 5 are mounted so they are each pivotable about a first pivot axis 6 (FIG. 5). The hydrofoil 5 is not visible in FIG. 1, since it is located on the opposite side of the arm 3; however, the hydrofoil 5 is indicated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. In the illustrated embodiment, the hydrofoils are pivotable about a shared pivot axis 6 (see also FIG. 5).

The arms 3 are each mounted so they are pivotable on the hull 2, whereby the hydrofoils 4, 5 are vertically adjustable. FIG. 1 shows the arms 3 in the pivoted-out position and FIG. 2 in the pivoted-in position. To be able to adjust the height of the hydrofoils to the greatest possible extent, the arms 3 are pivotable in relation to the hull 2 by at least 60°, preferably by at least 90°. The pivot axis 8 of the arm 3 is transverse to the travel direction 7 of the watercraft 1 and/or essentially parallel to the first pivot axis 6 of the hydrofoils 4, 5.

The first pivot axis 6 of the hydrofoils 4, 5 is transverse, in particular perpendicular, to the longitudinal axis of the hydrofoil 4, 5 and/or to the travel direction 7 of the watercraft 1.

The two hydrofoils 4, 5, which are pivotable independently of one another, are arranged at the same height on opposing sides of the arm 3. The hydrofoils 4, 5 are arranged in the end region of the arm 3, which faces away from the hull 2.

Similarly to the arms 3 in relation to the hull 2 (pivot axis 8), the hydrofoils 4, 5 are also each pivotable about the first pivot axis 6 by at least 60°, preferably by at least 90°. Pivoting of the arm 3 can thus be compensated for by pivoting of the hydrofoils 4, 5 in relation to the arm 3, so that the orientation of the hydrofoils 4, 5 in relation to the hull 2 can be maintained essentially unchanged.

It is now provided according to the invention that the at least two hydrofoils 4, 5 of an arm 3 are pivotable independently of one another. This situation is shown in FIG. 4, in which the hydrofoils 4, 5 are located in different angular positions. The front hydrofoil 5 in FIG. 4 and the drive 10 thereof are shown using solid lines, the hydrofoil 4 arranged on the opposite side of the arm 3 and the drive 9 thereof are shown using dashed lines.

It can also be seen in FIG. 3 that drives 9, 10 (here: cylinder drives), which are actuable independently of one another, are integrated into the arm 3, wherein one of the drives 9 interacts with one of the hydrofoils 4 and another drive 10 interacts with another hydrofoil 5.

A hydrofoil bearing 11 is also integrated into the arm 3 and the drives 9, 10 are housed in the (immediate) region of the hydrofoil bearing 11.

In the embodiment shown, the drives 9, 10 are cylinder drives, the piston rods of which are essentially parallel to one another and point in opposite directions, i.e., the cylinder drives are oriented pivoted by approximately 180° in relation to one another. The drives 9, 10 are opposite to one another and are situated on opposing sides of the hydrofoil bearing 11.

The piston rods of the cylinder drives 9, 10 are each eccentrically linked to a rotational attachment 12, 13, which is mounted in the hydrofoil bearing 11 and is connected to the respective hydrofoil 4, 5.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the piston rod of a cylinder drive 10 is connected through a recess, which is preferably in the form of a partial ring, of a rotational attachment 12 to the other rotational attachment 13. The drive mechanisms of the individual hydrofoils therefore penetrate one another, whereby the space requirement can be kept low.

It is indicated in FIG. 5 that the hydrofoils 4, 5 are pivotable in relation to the arm 3 about a second pivot axis 14 in addition to the first pivot axis 6, wherein the second pivot axis 14 extends essentially in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hydrofoils 4, 5 and/or essentially horizontally.

Additionally thereto, the arm 3 is pivotable about a third axis 3a, which represents its longitudinal axis, to also implement a rudder function.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show that the watercraft 1 has at least two arms 3, the linkage points of which on the hull 2 are spaced apart from one another in the travel direction 7. In addition, the watercraft 1 can have at least two arms 3, the linkage points of which on the hull 2 are spaced apart from one another transversely to the travel direction 7.

Claims

1. A watercraft having a hull and at least one arm protruding from the hull, on which at least two hydrofoils are each mounted so they are pivotable about a first pivot axis, preferably about a shared pivot axis, wherein at least two hydrofoils are pivotable independently of one another.

2. The watercraft according to claim 1, wherein at least two hydrofoils, which are pivotable independently of one another, are arranged at the same height on opposing sides of the arm.

3. The watercraft according to claim 1, wherein the hydrofoils are arranged in the end region of the arm, which faces away from the hull.

4. The watercraft according to claim 3, wherein the first pivot axis of the hydrofoils is transverse, preferably perpendicular, to the longitudinal axis of the hydrofoil and/or to the travel direction of the watercraft.

5. The watercraft according to claim 4, wherein the hydrofoils are each pivotable by at least 60°, preferably by at least 90° about the first pivot axis.

6. The watercraft according to claim 5, wherein the arm is mounted so it is pivotable on the hull, wherein the arm is preferably pivotable hi relation to the hull by at least 60°, preferably by at least 90°.

7. The watercraft according to claim 6, characterized in that the pivot axis of the arm is transverse to the travel direction of the watercraft and/or essentially parallel to the first pivot axis of the hydrofoils.

8. The watercraft according to claim 7, wherein drives, which are actuable independently of one another, preferably cylinder drives, are integrated into the at least one arm, wherein one of the drives interacts with one of the hydrofoils and another drive interacts with another hydrofoil.

9. The watercraft according to claim 8, wherein a hydrofoil bearing is integrated into the arm and the drives are housed in the region of the hydrofoil bearing.

10. The watercraft according to claim 9, wherein the drives are cylinder drives, the piston rods of which are essentially parallel to one another and point in opposite directions.

11. The watercraft according to claim 10, wherein the drives are opposite to one another and/or are arranged on opposing sides of the hydrofoil bearing.

12. The watercraft according to claim 11, wherein the piston rods of the cylinder drives are each eccentrically linked on a rotational attachment, which is mounted in the hydrofoil bearing and is connected to the respective hydrofoil.

13. The watercraft according to claim 12, wherein the piston rod of one cylinder drive is connected through a recess, which is preferably in the form of a partial ring, of a rotational attachment to the other rotational attachment.

14. The watercraft according to claim 13, wherein the hydrofoils are pivotable about a second pivot axis in addition to the first pivot axis in relation to the arm, wherein preferably the second pivot axis extends essentially in parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hydrofoil and/or essentially horizontally.

15. The watercraft according to claim 14, wherein the watercraft has at least two arms, the linkage points of which on the hull are spaced apart from one another in the travel direction, and/or the watercraft has at least two arms, the linkage points of which on the hull are spaced apart from one another transversely to the travel direction.

16. The watercraft according to claim 15, wherein a third pivot axis is provided, which is preferably perpendicular to the first pivot axis.