Having Airfoil Patents (Class 114/272)
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Patent number: 5622133Abstract: The transport facility with dynamic air cushion, which has a hull, a wing with flaps, and a tail empennage. A power system turns propellers connected with a transmission. The propellers are installed in front of the wing. Pneumatic cylinders are located at the ends of the wings parallel to the fore-and-aft axis of the transport facility. The engine is installed inside the hull and the propellers, used for a power-augmented ram technique, are driven by the transmission system connected to the engine. Turning pylons connected to the propeller bosses change the propellers rotation plane within the angle (.alpha.=0.degree.-80.degree.). The pylons are installed on the hull. The tail empennage consists of two fins and a stabilizer installed on the fins. A retractable elastic pneumatic ski is installed at the lower bow surface of the hull. The lower surface of the ski, in a release position, is located below the lower surface of the side pneumatic cylinders.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 1994Date of Patent: April 22, 1997Assignee: Seagull Decor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Dmitry N. Sinitsyn, Vladislav G. Alyamovsky, Anatoly A. Antonov, Genrich L. Radovitsky, Vladimir V. Tomilin, Leonid O. Litinsky, Vladimir V. Shmelev
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Patent number: 5611294Abstract: An improved multi-hull gas cushion supported marine vehicle that is, in its preferred embodiment, capable of transition to airborne surface effect operation is presented. This marine vehicle, known as SeaCoaster, has optional elongated knife shaped bows that slice into waves, very fine entry and low angle of divergence supporting gas cushions, water rejecting steps that extend high onto the sidehulls, and retractable water stabilizers to insure optimum performance in heavy seas. The retractable water stabilizers are in the form of inverted-T hydrofoils and/or small boat shaped members. Several variations of hydrofoil configurations are presented. It also has special, normally inverted-V shaped, gas cushion and wetdeck aft seals to insure minimum effect of wave impacts in those areas. The gas pressurization system normally includes powered blowers where a flap-like sealing device can be installed to seal gas leakage.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1995Date of Patent: March 18, 1997Assignee: Paulette Renee BurgInventor: Donald E. Burg
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Patent number: 5582123Abstract: The Multiple Concavity Surfing Ship and Transition System is an improvement for a surfing ship that generates a singular water wave and rides on its crest efficiently at high speeds. The improved system now adds provisions to aid in the ship's transition in lifting the ship upwards from its low speed displacement mode deep in the water to its high speed surfing mode on top of the ocean surface and to enhance stability and control during transition and cruise. Two complementary features to assist in this transition are provided, the first comprising one or more pairs 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 second, one or more sets of concavities preferably 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.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 1995Date of Patent: December 10, 1996Assignee: Pioneer EngineeringInventor: Scott Rethorst
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Patent number: 5566775Abstract: A surface effect vehicle for traversing a water or ground surface is provided. The surface effect vehicle comprises an elongate body and forward and rear scoops, preferably having a large angle of attack inducing stall conditions on the scoops. Each scoop has an arched leading edge defining, in conjunction with the surface, a forwardly facing opening. Preferably, each scoop also has an opening with a fan mounted therein. Forward and rear skirts are movably mounted relative to the forward and rear scoops. Propulsion apparatus are provided for moving the surface effect vehicle across the surface. When the forward and rear skirts are placed in extended positions covering the forwardly facing openings and the front and rear fans are activated, the surface effect vehicle may be lifted relative to the surface to be traversed.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 1994Date of Patent: October 22, 1996Inventor: Harry Schoell
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Patent number: 5562061Abstract: A vehicle designed as a dual function ice and water craft having an improved aerodynamic floatable hull supportable on a tripod of ice skate-like blades which also function as stabilizers when the craft is used in water. Aerodynamically designed side pylons serve both as flotation devices and as energy absorbing crush pads for improved safety in case of a crash. A pittman type steering mechanism is provided for improved control of the front steering/rudder blade. A front and rear stabilizer is used to provide a unique control for an ice craft and bow control for a water craft.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 1995Date of Patent: October 8, 1996Inventor: Ken N. Crocker
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Patent number: 5526764Abstract: A surface effect craft of simple construction achieving improved operational stability and performance at various speeds. The craft includes a continuous aerodynamic wing structure having maximum thickness ratio wing thickness to chord length on the order of 30%. The outer wing sections are swept back forming a generally U-shaped rear section. The center of the craft preferably has a generally horizontal bottom forming a hydrodynamic planing surface having longitudinal concavities positioned on an underside thereof. The mass distribution of the craft is designed with an engine in the front and ducted fan propulsion system to the rear of the pilot's central seating position. This arrangement permits the pilot to utilize body movement to control the attitude of the watercraft during operation.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 1994Date of Patent: June 18, 1996Inventor: Clayton Jacobson
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Patent number: 5415365Abstract: An amphibious aircraft, capable of high speed maneuverability on the surface of the water, utilizes a aerodynamic platform to generate lift and to define a tunnel with a pair of central sponsons extending inwardly of the wings of the aircraft longitudinally of the platform which supports the cockpit and propulsion system.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 1993Date of Patent: May 16, 1995Inventor: Paul D. Ratliff
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Patent number: 5398628Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 17, 1994Date of Patent: March 21, 1995Assignee: Vehicle Research Corp.Inventor: Scott Rethorst
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Patent number: 5359958Abstract: A high-speed watercraft provides a fast hydroplane craft, powered by a large gas turbine, that will plane over the surface of the water at high speed using a catamaran-type hull mounted on two long, flat-bottom pontoon skis with water chutes under the back end, with steering done from the front with a combination rudder/water chute. The turbine exhausts through a movable nozzle in the back that can be directed up or down by a hydraulic (or mechanical) actuator towards the surface of the water. The watercraft includes a large high, wide dual tail section having a tail wing and tail flap for control, and a large arch frame over the top from the front to the back with rods coming down to the gunnel to give the hull more strength. The craft also includes a front pontoon ski, a pair of middle pontoon skis, and a pair of aft pontoon skis. Finally, the craft includes a belly plate underneath near the back that acts like an after-ski with water chutes under the aft pontoon skis.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 1994Date of Patent: November 1, 1994Inventor: Johnithan R. Guild
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Patent number: 5357894Abstract: A pleasure watercraft is provided which comprises a hull, sponsons, and support structures for the sponsons which have a shape of an airfoil. A cockpit for seating a pilot in the hull is located such that the distribution of mass elements in the craft positions the center of gravity of the craft within a select range along the longitudinal axis of the hull in substantially vertical alignment with seating position of the pilot, and preferably beneath the pilot. Hydrodynamic and aerodynamic forces acting on the craft as it accelerates converge within the select range to permit the pilot control of the attitude and roll of the craft.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 1990Date of Patent: October 25, 1994Inventor: Clayton J. Jacobson
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Patent number: 5335742Abstract: A floatable ground effect vehicle is provided with at least one wing arrangement, at least one thrust generator (10) seated in front of the wing arrangement and at least one airflow duct (14) from the thrust generator (10) which can be directed under the wing arrangement. So that the ground effect vehicle can also be designed for a larger number of passengers, the central region of the vehicle is designed as an elongated cabin (2) which is seated on a boat-type float or is itself design as the boat hull. Stub wings (3) arranged on both sides and distributed at equal distances are provided over the length of the passenger cabin (2), the stub wings enclosing a static pressure build-up space on their lower surface. At least one separate thrust generator (10) is installed in front of at least some stub wings (3), the thrust generator being connected or connectable to the respective static pressure build-up space by means of an airflow duct (14).Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 1993Date of Patent: August 9, 1994Inventor: Albert Blum
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Patent number: 5314035Abstract: A surface effect vehicle having a pair of lifting scoops, or air foils, mounted on a vehicle body, one in front and the other in the rear. Each lifting scoop has an arched leading edge to collect air under the scoop to lift the vehicle on a cushion of air. The vehicle having a pusher-type engine with a propeller to push the vehicle. There are louvers in the lifting scoops to regulate the height the vehicle travels on a cushion of air, and non-trip appendages on the tips of the lifting scoops to aid the scoops in lifting the vehicle from a surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 1992Date of Patent: May 24, 1994Inventor: Harry L. Schoell
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Patent number: 5273238Abstract: A twin-hull seaplane comprising two hulls spaced apart by a suitable distance, a cabin provided on the hulls integrally therewith, a front wing and a rear wing provided on the cabin and having a length not greater than the width of assembly of the two hulls or foldable to a length not greater than the width, aero-propulsion engined mounted on the front wing or the cabin, and a rudder attached to the rear wing. Each of the hulls is provided with hydro-propulsion means at a rear portion thereof.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1992Date of Patent: December 28, 1993Inventor: Susumu Sato
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Patent number: 5269249Abstract: The high-speed hydrohull comprises a portion (1) having, in a longitudinal section, an airfoil profile with a low coefficient of aerodynamic resistance, having a convex upper surface (1B) in order to create, during the movement of the hydrohull, such lift as to raise the hydrohull over the surface of the water.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 1992Date of Patent: December 14, 1993Inventor: Pietro Micheletti
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Patent number: 5111766Abstract: An aerodynamic wing apparatus for use with a boat to reduce drag on the hull of a boat by lifting the boat partially out of the water. The wing is movable fore and aft so that it may be positioned near the center of gravity of the boat as the center of gravity changes depending upon the loading of the boat. The wing has variable pitch to provide for a relatively constant amount of lift over a range of boat speeds.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 1991Date of Patent: May 12, 1992Inventor: Leon D. Ortemond
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Patent number: 5029548Abstract: A high-speed craft comprises a hull (1), lifting wings (2) with sponsons (3), and a tail fin assembly including a vertical keel (5) and a stabilizer (6) having an inverted-V configuration and rotatably mounted about a vertical axis (7), driven by a steering gear (13,15). In turning the craft, the forces acting on half-wings of the stabilizer (6) generate a moment making the craft heel to the inner side of the bend, whereby the transverse component of the aerodynamic lift opposes to the lateral drift caused by centrifugal forces acting on the craft.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 1990Date of Patent: July 9, 1991Inventors: Andrei A. Bernitsyn, Mikhail D. Dmitrochenko, Artur E. Kipin, Evgeny A. Kramarev
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Patent number: 4898345Abstract: A skyboard which is an apparatus using the combination of a specially designed surfboard and a parachute to enable the rider to ride the skyboard in a manner similar to the rider's positioning on a surfboard and which will enable the rider to ride the air currents of the sky in a much more exciting manner than through conventional gliders or hand gliders. The skyboard is a lightweight object formed in the general shape of a surfboard and which is modified to include at least a pair of front wings and a pair of rear wings on its lateral sides, a pair of fins on its underside and a pair of foot or shoe binders on its upper surface to accommodate and hold the rider's feet or shoes.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 1988Date of Patent: February 6, 1990Inventor: Dan Clayton
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Patent number: 4883015Abstract: An end plate is provided for a ram-wing boat having two airfoils (7-8) and (7a-8a), in the form of ailettes, disposed at a distance from each other and in tandem at approximately the same height, which airfoils are connected with each other at their outer ends by flat end plates (1). Each end plate (1) is configured as a hollow body with an essentially trapezoidal cross section, and consists of upper chord (2) and lower chord (3) connected by planking (4 and 5) along the length thereof. To complete the static assemblage, ribs (6) which divide the hollow body into compartments (9) are disposed at a distance from each other in the hollow space of the end plate (1).Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 1988Date of Patent: November 28, 1989Inventor: Gunther W. Jorg
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Patent number: 4827862Abstract: In one embodiment, the aerodynamic control system includes a pair of airfoil shaped vertical stabilizing structures rising above the aft deck portion of the motorboat. A vertical stabilizer is disposed on either side of the deck. Each vertical stabilizer includes a movable rudder along its aft region which arcuately moves about an axis longitudinally extending through the rudder. The control system also includes an airfoil shaped elevator structure having end portions fixed to inboard opposing top sections of the vertical stabilizers and an arcuately movable elevator portion extending between the fixed first and second ends. A control mechanism arcuately moves the elevator portion thereby altering the angle of attack attitude of the elevator. Another control mechanism synchronously moves the rudders to assist steerage of the motorboat.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 1987Date of Patent: May 9, 1989Inventor: Enrique J. Enriquez
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Patent number: 4763594Abstract: A multihull ship has springs which, after each movement of the ship at sea, help the combined forces of gravity and flotation re-establish her equilibrium. This makes it possible to combine different types of spring actions, so that the hulls will have the movements best suited to the undulatory movements of the surface of the sea and best suited for achieving minimum drag.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 1987Date of Patent: August 16, 1988Inventor: Gustav A. Zickermann
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Patent number: 4691881Abstract: An amphibious executive or business airplane, also having military application, possesses sponsons integrated with the airplane fuselage. The trailing end of the sponsons end in a sharp edge, thus eliminating the need for a hull or float step or venting. A channel is formed by the sponsons and the underside of the fuselage, which channel has a constant cross-section and produces a surface lift effect facilitating take-off and landing. A pair of keels beginning substantially aft of the center of gravity of the airplane provide directional stability on the water. The aircraft is preferably jet powered with the inlet of the engines disposed above the sponsons to eliminate water intake. Variable geometry wings of telescoping design maximize aerodynamic performance on take-off and landing and during the high altitude, high speed cruise regime of the flight.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 1985Date of Patent: September 8, 1987Inventor: G. Leonard Gioia
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Patent number: 4685641Abstract: A transient air and surface contact vehicle for transporting a person has a fuselage structure for carrying a person. A vehicle support extends from the structure and abuts a surface and thereby supports the vehicle at a predetermined distance above the surface. A buoyancy control device mounted on the structure and on the vehicle support provides for the buoyancy required to keep the vehicle afloat while stationary and at low speeds. At high speed the dynamic pressures generated at the bottom of the struts provide the supporting forces. A power source is mounted on the structure for moving the vehicle along the surface at the predetermined distance above the surface. A position control mounted on the structure produces a positive pitching moment to cause the vehicle to become airborne, a negative pitching moment to maintain the vehicle in surface-following contact with the surface and both moments to control the altitude of the vehicle when it is airborne.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1985Date of Patent: August 11, 1987Assignee: Grumman Aerospace CorporationInventors: Jerome Kirsch, M. Alan Kopsco, Edward Markow, Michael Sturm
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Patent number: 4627376Abstract: Disclosed is a watercraft in which the stabilizer for the longitudinal attitude is formed of one or more hydrodynamic wings arranged by the keel, continuous or discontinuous, running from the bow to the stern, and the stabilizer of the transverse attitude is formed by one or more aerodynamic wings, the hydrodynamic and the aerodynamic wings preferably being retractable. The stabilization wings for the transverse attitude may, in the case of light hulls, be integral with the hull, which presents a biconvex outline which is asymmetrical, with the more elevated portion having a larger curvature.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 1985Date of Patent: December 9, 1986Inventors: Corrado Scarfo, Paolo Scarfo
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Patent number: 4505442Abstract: A transient surface contact vehicle for transporting a load from a surface starting point to a surface end point has a structure for carrying the load from the starting point to the end point. A vehicle support extends from the structure. A buoyancy control device mounted in the structure is coupled to the vehicle support for selectively making the support buoyant and non-buoyant whereby when the support is buoyant it abuts the surface of a body of water thereby supporting the vehicle at a predetermined distance above the surface of the body of water. An acquisition sensor mounted on the structure initiates water surface operations. A sensor is mounted on the structure and cooperates with the acquisition sensor to energize upon tracking of the target and to move the vehicle along the water surface to impact with the target at the end point. A position control mounted on the vehicle produces a negative pitching moment to maintain the structure in surface-following contact with the body of water.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 1983Date of Patent: March 19, 1985Assignee: Grumman Aerospace CorporationInventors: Jerome Kirsch, M. Alan Kopsco, Edward Markow, Michael Sturm
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Patent number: 4450784Abstract: A hand-carryable flying sailboat for kite and water sports in which a lightweight rigid frame supports an airfoil-defining fabric stretched over the frame for flying and a sail assembly is carried dorsally by the frame and enables sail propulsion of the craft, whereby the craft can perform in the water or in the air, alternately and continually.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 1982Date of Patent: May 29, 1984Assignee: Llumar Star KitesInventor: Ellis Mellinger
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Patent number: 4365578Abstract: A surface-effect aerofoil boat having two aerofoils arranged in tandem and having a gap for a propulsion or air screw between a vertical fin and an aerodynamic rudder and wherein the aerofoils are designed as hollow bodies subdivided into compartments some of which being provided with flooding and emptying devices. The rear aerofoil seen in the direction of travel is clipped with respect to the geometry of its trailing edge in a polygonal or rounded-off manner. The gap in the plane of rotation of the propulsion or air screw is widened in its radially outer zone relative to the inner zone near the axis.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 1980Date of Patent: December 28, 1982Assignee: Gunther W. JorgInventor: Rolf Schellhaas
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Patent number: 4269135Abstract: A hydroplane boat hull of cylindrical-ellipsoidal form formed from sections each having internal flanges formed around the edges thereof, the abutting flanges of the sections being secured together to form the hull and at the same time the flanges forming internal ribs for the hull. The hull includes a keel including an engine supporting base having a step formed thereon, a step providing a planing surface for the hull. A pair of propellor housings are joined to the engine supporting base, they extend longitudinally thereof and each propellor housing has an opening located adjacent the step so that as the hull rises to a planing position on the step the propellors constantly engage the water.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 1978Date of Patent: May 26, 1981Inventor: Michelino Labonia
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Patent number: 4237810Abstract: A motor driven hydroplaning boat has a hull of symmetrical generally smooth surfaced configuration which converges towards an apex at a bow thereof and widens amidships to form a pair of laterally and downwardly extending wings. A forward bottom portion of the hull, from the bow to beneath the wings, forms a generally smooth surfaced concave downward tunnel. The wings smoothly narrow aft of amidships and become generally horizontal from amidships aft. A top of the hull is of a generally smooth minimal air resistance shape. A fore foil structure is mounted to extend downwardly from the fore tunnel. An aft foil structure is mounted to extend downwardly from an aft bottom portion of the hull. The overall boat has low air resistance yet overall high stability and can be turned relatively sharply.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 1978Date of Patent: December 9, 1980Inventor: Kirk M. Westfall
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Patent number: 4172574Abstract: Devices to reduce the drag experienced by aircraft and other travelling bodies, comprising sail-like members mounted on the body surface. These members project into the local stream that forms close to the surface during motion, and tend to divert that local stream back into the free stream direction and in so doing to experience useful thrust. The members are cambered and the camber varies from root to tip to allow for change in the local stream direction as distance from the surface increases. Special sails for use on surfaces subject to some complex flows, adjustable sails and arrays of several sails for use especially at aircraft wing tips, are also proposed.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 1977Date of Patent: October 30, 1979Assignee: National Research Development CorporationInventor: John J. Spillman