Method and Apparatus for Planing Boat Ballast System

A Method and Apparatus for Planing Boat Ballast System have been disclosed. By using ballast forward of a transverse step forward of the stem and by using a ballast opening in or at a riser of the transverse step, enhanced stability is possible with protection from flooding and with efficiency of ballast admission and release, simplicity of practice, and ease and safety of inspection and cleaning

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Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains to waterborne vessels. More particularly, the present invention relates to a Method and Apparatus for Planing Boat Ballast System.

2. Description of Related Art

It is well-known that the stability of a vessel can be improved by using ballast. Using water ballast to improve stability is not uncommon in vessels limited to displacement (hull) speed. However, in planing boats—vessels which generate sufficient dynamic lift to enable travel at faster than displacement speed—the use of water ballast to improve stability is rare, even though ballast systems to improve the stability of planing boats can be found in prior art. Examples of such ballast systems are disclosed in the following references:

    • U.S. Pat. No. 2,683,269 (Harkins, Jul. 13, 1954);
    • U.S. Pat. No. 3,085,535 (Hunt, Apr. 16, 1963);
    • U.S. Pat. No. 3,503,358 (Moesly, Mar. 31, 1970);
    • U.S. Pat. No. 4,528,927 (Iizuka et al., Jul. 16, 1985);
    • U.S. Pat. No. 5,228,407 (Cummer et al., Jul. 20, 1993);
    • U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,003 (Grinde, Jul. 8, 1997);

In the prior art, the ballast system floods a double-bottom section, water ballast tunnel, or other such compartment. One or more ballast openings located at the stern admit and release ballast which travels to and from ballasted regions.

There are certain characteristics of the general state of the art in planing boat ballast systems. First, by releasing and admitting ballast at the stern, the region immediately forward of the stern may be the last to become unballasted and the first to receive ballast. Since the stern of a planing boat typically is heavier than the bow, this may lead to an increase in bow-rise and stern-squat when accelerating onto plane or decelerating from plane. This presents a problem.

Second, flooding (taking on ballast) may result when a wave in a following sea encounters a stern ballast opening. This presents a problem.

Third, efficiency of admitting and releasing ballast may be affected when ballast is stored forward of the stern yet is admitted and released at the stern. The further forward ballast is stored, the farther it must travel. This presents a problem.

Fourth, simplicity of practice may be affected by the need to manage longitudinal movement of ballast. This presents a problem.

Fifth, the extension of a ballast system forward from the stern may affect the ease and safety of inspection and cleaning, whether for routine maintenance, repair, or compliance with regulations about preventing the transfer of biological species from one body of water to another, such as when hauling out a boat from one location and trailering it to another location. This presents a problem.

Sixth, ballasting in a stepped hull boat may be affected. A boat with one or more hulls may have at least one lateral discontinuity in the surface plane of the underside of a hull forward of the stern, forming what is commonly known in the art as a transverse step. A boat with such a step is commonly known in the art as a stepped hull boat. The transverse step extends at least partly across the underside of the hull and has a riser. Some stepped hull boats have an opening on or at the riser. Examples of such in prior art are disclosed in the following references:

    • U.S. Pat. No. 1,831,339 (Brush, Nov. 10, 1931);
    • U.S. Pat. No. 2,172,674 (Frost, Sep. 12, 1939);
    • U.S. Pat. No. 2,396,721 (Patterson et al., Mar. 19, 1946);
    • U.S. Pat. No. 3,225,729 (Ewing, Jr., Dec. 28, 1965);
    • U.S. Pat. No. 3,316,874 (Canazzi, May 2, 1967);
    • U.S. Pat. No. 3,382,833 (Wukowitz, May 14, 1968);
    • U.S. Pat. No. 3,469,549 (Rae, Sep. 30, 1969);
    • U.S. Pat. No. 3,547,064 (Glass, Dec. 15, 1970);
    • U.S. Pat. No. 4,231,314 (Peters, Nov. 4, 1980);
    • U.S. Pat. No. 4,989,534 (Field, Feb. 5, 1991);
    • U.S. Pat. No. 5,191,853 (Adler, Mar. 9, 1993);
    • U.S. Pat. No. 6,250,246 (Hubley, Jun. 26, 2001);

There are certain characteristics of the general state of the art in stepped hull boats. A transverse step is understood as a device to reduce hydrodynamic drag. A riser is implicitly understood as a device to maintain a continuous surface on a hull when a transverse step is introduced. An opening on or at the riser is understood as a device to “ventilate” (provide air to) a region aft of the transverse step. In a stepped hull boat, the bottom of a hull directly forward of a riser is lower than that directly aft of the riser, and thus a transverse step may affect the ability to admit, store, and release ballast. This presents a problem.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a ballast system to improve stability at stop, at displacement speed, and when accelerating onto plane or decelerating from plane.

Another object is to provide a ballast system with improved protection from flooding.

Another object is to provide a ballast system with a more efficient way to admit and release ballast.

Another object is to provide a ballast system with improved simplicity.

Another object is to provide a ballast system with improved ease and safety of inspection and cleaning.

Another object is to provide a ballast system with improved functionality of a transverse step.

The present invention provides a solution in which ballast is stored forward of a transverse step forward of a stern and is admitted and released through an opening on or at a riser of the transverse step. The transverse step is understood as a device to 1) define a region forward of the stern where a ballast container may be located to receive, store, and discharge ballast in order to improve stability and 2) provide a location to admit and release ballast. The riser is understood as a device to locate and mount a ballast opening. The opening on or at the riser is understood as a device to admit and release ballast.

The present invention has multiple advantageous effects, which include but may not be limited to the following.

First, the invention improves stability at stop, at displacement speed, and when accelerating onto plane and decelerating from plane. It is well-known that ballast can improve stability at stop and at displacement speed, and the invention enables the use of ballast. Further, it is well-known that offsetting the sternward weight distribution typical of a planing boat inhibits bow-rise and stern-squat when accelerating onto plane and decelerating from plane, and the invention accomplishes this by enabling the use of ballast forward of the stern.

Second, the invention improves protection from flooding by providing a ballast opening forward of the stern. In a following sea, when a wave encounters the stern, the stern will block the wave and divert it from the ballast opening.

Third, the invention provides a more efficient way to admit and release ballast. Ballast for stability in a planing boat typically is not desired at the stern, but forward of the stern. By providing a transverse step with a riser, the present invention makes it possible to place the ballast opening adjacent or close to where ballast typically is desired.

Fourth, the invention improves simplicity of practice. Ballast capacity may be located where desired forward of the stern region by suitably placing a transverse step with a riser, a ballast container, and a ballast opening, without necessarily changing the distance between the ballast container and the ballast opening. By placing the ballast opening on or at the riser, and placing the ballast container forward of the transverse step, the length of the ballast system may be relatively short.

Fifth, the invention improves the ease and safety of inspection and cleaning. The ballast opening is relatively close to the ballast container and is forward of propulsion units, extended platforms, and other stern hazards.

Sixth, the invention improves the functionality of a transverse step by using the transverse step and its riser as elements in a ballast system.

The effects of the present invention provide benefits to the safety and handling of a boat. These benefits may include but may not be limited to a more stable deck and improved forward visibility for the boat's occupants during acceleration onto plane and deceleration from plane, reduced steering effects created by crosswinds or wind gusts, increased directional stability, reduced rolling and pitching from the effect of wave action, increased stability when loading or unloading the boat, reduced susceptibility to undesired flooding, easier and safer inspection and cleaning, and more efficient and simpler admission and release of ballast.

The present invention also provides benefits to boat designers and boat builders. These benefits may include but may not be limited to the ability to modify such boat characteristics as rolling, pitching, and trim, whether at rest or when moving; the ability to provide ballast in diverse planing boats having one or more hulls; the ability to provide a more efficient and simpler ballast system, the ability to provide a ballast system suited to compliance with inspection and cleaning regulations, and the ability to provide ballast in a stepped-hull boat forward of a transverse step.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures of the accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention by way of example and not limitation:

FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a water ballast system.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view with a waterline and a flooded ballast container.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view with a waterline and a partially flooded ballast container.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view with a waterline and an unflooded ballast container.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view.

FIG. 6 illustrates a rear view at a transverse step.

FIG. 7 illustrates a rear view at a stern.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow chart.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A boat has a hull with a bow and a stern. In one embodiment of the invention, the boat has one hull. In other embodiments, the boat may have more than one hull, such as in a catamaran or trimaran boat. In one embodiment the port and starboard sides of the hull may be symmetric. In other embodiments the port and starboard sides of the hull may be assymetric, such as found in some catamaran and trimaran boats. The boat is capable of operating on plane.

A transverse step is located forward of the stern and has a riser. The riser is submerged at least partly below a waterline when the boat is at rest or moving at displacement speed. In one embodiment of the invention, there is one transverse step. In other embodiments, there may be more than one transverse step. In one embodiment of the invention the transverse step extends fully across the bottom of the hull. In other embodiments the transverse step may extend partly across the bottom of the hull. In one embodiment of the invention, the riser constitutes a flat plane. In other embodiments, the riser may not constitute a flat plane.

A ballast container stores ballast forward of the transverse step. The ballast container is flooded at least partially when the boat is at rest or moving at displacement speed and is unflooded at least partly when the boat is on plane. In one embodiment the upper region of the ballast container is not higher than the riser. In other embodiments the upper region of the ballast container may be higher than the riser. In one embodiment, the ballast container consists of a compartment inside the hull of the boat. In other embodiments, the ballast container may consist of a number and combination of compartments, tanks, bladders, and/or other such containment devices of diverse dimensions and capacities. In one embodiment of the invention, the capacity of the ballast container is fixed. In other embodiments, the capacity of the ballast container is variable.

A ballast opening admits ballast to and releases ballast from the ballast container and is located on or at the riser of the transverse step. The ballast opening is submerged at least partly below a waterline when the boat is at rest or moving at displacement speed and is raised at least partly above said waterline when the boat is on plane. In one embodiment of the invention, there is one ballast opening. In other embodiments, there may be more than one opening. In one embodiment of the invention, the ballast opening connects directly to the ballast container. In other embodiments, the ballast opening may incorporate tubing, ducting, channels, or other such passageway devices. In one embodiment of the invention, the ballast opening is located on the riser. In other embodiments, the ballast opening may be located at the riser, such as to the side of, aft of, above, or underneath the riser. In one embodiment of the invention, the capacity of the ballast opening is fixed. In other embodiments, the capacity may be variable.

A ballast vent admits air to and releases air from the ballast container and is above a waterline. In one embodiment of the invention, there is one ballast vent. In other embodiments, there may be more than one ballast vent. In one embodiment of the invention, the ballast vent incorporates a tube or other passageway device to vent the ballast container to atmosphere. In other embodiments, the ballast vent may vent the ballast container directly to atmosphere. In one embodiment of the invention, the ballast vent has a fixed capacity. In other embodiments, the capacity may be variable.

In one embodiment of the invention, the ballast system admits, stores, and releases ballast without the use of control devices such as pumps, valves, gates, flappers, etc. In other embodiments, such devices may be incorporated in the operation of the ballast system.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, in one embodiment a boat 1 has a hull 2 with a bow 3 and a stern 4. Forward of the stern 4 is a transverse step 5 with a riser 6. At 7 is a ballast container connected to a ballast opening 8 on the riser 6 of the transverse step 5. At 9 is a ballast vent.

FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4 illustrate the mechanism of the invention's operation. As illustrated in FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4, when the boat 1 is in water, at 10 there is a waterline.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view in which the ballast container 7 is flooded. The ballast opening 8 and the riser 6 of the transverse step 5 are submerged at least partly below the waterline 10. The ballast container 7 contains water, the ballast vent 9 is above the waterline, and the boat 1 is ballasted. Ballast effects and benefits as noted earlier are provided when at a stop or moving at displacement speed.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view in which the ballast container 7 is partially flooded. The boat 1 is moving forward in the process of accelerating onto plane or decelerating from plane. When accelerating onto plane, the forward motion of the boat 1 generates dynamic lift and thus raises the ballast opening 8 relative to the waterline 10. Water ballast is released from the ballast container 7 through the ballast opening 8 and air is admitted to the ballast container 7 through the ballast vent 9. When decelerating from plane, dynamic lift decreases and thus lowers the ballast opening 8 relative to the waterline 10. Water ballast is admitted to the ballast container 7 through the ballast opening 8 and air is released from the ballast container 7 through the ballast vent 9. Ballast effects and benefits as noted earlier are provided when accelerating onto plane or decelerating from plane.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view in which the ballast container 7 is unflooded. The boat 1 is on plane. The ballast container 7, the riser 6, and the ballast opening 8 are above the waterline 10, and the boat 1 is unballasted, thus permitting operation as an unballasted planing boat.

FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7 illustrate further how the invention enables ballasting and protects from flooding by waves in following seas.

FIG. 5 illustrates that the ballast container 7 is inside the hull 2 of the boat 1 and is forward of the transverse step 5 and forward of the stern 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates that the ballast opening 8 is on or at the riser 6 of the transverse step 5. The ballast container 7 is forward of the transverse step 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates that the transverse step 5 and the riser 6 and the ballast opening 8 are forward of the stern 4.

FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of the invention showing a flow chart. At 802 mount a transverse step having a riser on a hull of a boat. At 804 mount a ballast container forward of said transverse step. At 806 mount a ballast opening on or at said riser. At 808 connect said ballast opening to said ballast container. At 810 mount a ballast vent in said boat. At 812 connect said ballast vent to said ballast container. At 814 when boat is at stop or moving at displacement speed store water ballast in said ballast container. At 816 when boat is accelerating onto plane, release said water ballast from said ballast container from said ballast opening and admit air to said ballast container from said ballast vent. At 818 when boat is decelerating from plane, admit water ballast to said container from said ballast opening and release air from said ballast container from said ballast vent.

To one of ordinary skill in the art, it will be evident that, in the practice of the invention, it is feasible to adjust such variables as the dimensions, proportions, location, quantity, materials, and structure of the elements of the ballast system to enable satisfactory ballasting. As an example, in one embodiment the location of a transverse step may be configured in accordance with a boat's weight distribution. As another example, in one embodiment the capacity of a ballast container may be configured in accordance with a boat's buoyancy. As another example, in one embodiment a ballast opening may be configured to enhance stability during acceleration and deceleration. As another example, in one embodiment a ballast vent may be configured to accommodate a desired interior layout for a boat. As another example, in one embodiment the ballast system may be configured to release all ballast or to retain some portion of ballast as desired. As another example, in one embodiment the ballast system may be configured to release some portion of ballast rapidly and some portion slowly. As another example, in one embodiment the ballast system may be configured to admit some portion of ballast rapidly and some portion slowly.

The above and previous examples disclose possible embodiments in the practice of the invention. They are not mutually exclusive, do not form an exhaustive set of embodiments, and do not limit the variety and combination of possible embodiments.

One embodiment of the invention has been disclosed in the drawings, and embodiments have been disclosed in the detailed description. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention.

Thus, a Method and Apparatus for Planing Boat Ballast System have been disclosed.

Claims

1. A ballast system for a planing boat, the system comprising:

a hull having a bow and a stern in said boat;
a transverse step having a riser forward of said stern in said hull;
a ballast container forward of said transverse step;
a ballast opening on or at said riser and connected to said ballast container; and
a ballast vent for said ballast container.

2. A method comprising the steps:

mounting a transverse step having a riser on a hull of a boat;
mounting a ballast container forward of said transverse step;
mounting a ballast opening on or at said riser;
connecting said ballast opening to said ballast container;
mounting a ballast vent in said boat; and
connecting said ballast vent to said ballast container.
Patent History
Publication number: 20190039700
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 1, 2017
Publication Date: Feb 7, 2019
Inventors: Mark Pruett (Columbus, NC), Sten Örneblad (Varberg)
Application Number: 15/666,451
Classifications
International Classification: B63B 43/06 (20060101);