Having Means To Move Foil To A Retracted Nonuse Position Patents (Class 114/282)
  • Patent number: 5377610
    Abstract: A brake apparatus includes a plurality of brake plates mounted to lower end portions of gear shaft members to permit displacement and rotation of the brake plates from a first position orthogonally oriented relative to a stern plate of a sailboat to a second position in parallel relationship to the stern plate of the sailboat. A housing mounted to an interior surface of the sailboat adjacent an interior surface of the stern plate is arranged to house a control lever therewithin forwardly of a rudder control rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Inventor: Clarence F. Goebel
  • Patent number: 5373800
    Abstract: A water vessel comprising a hull, at least one retractable hydrofoil apparatus configured for disposition in an extended orientation for vessel operation in a hydrofoil mode and for disposition in a retracted orientation for vessel operation in an undersea mode and propulsion apparatus providing propulsion of the vessel in both the undersea mode and the hydrofoil mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Inventor: Amiram Steinberg
  • Patent number: 5329870
    Abstract: A watercraft employs three or more supercavitating hydrofoils. The elements that connect the hydrofoils to the hull may flex to thus raise or lower the hydrofoils relative to the hull. The relative motion between the hydrofoils and the hull is dampened by shock absorbers or the like. A control system operated by the pilot may apply forces tending to raise or lower the hydrofoils relative to the hull. The stern hydrofoil is mounted on a support that also carries a power driven propeller and a rudder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Cook
  • Patent number: 5263433
    Abstract: A strut leading edge extension for a marine vehicle has an upper hull, a strut, a lower hull, and a foil. The strut leading edge extension includes a device for defining an extended strut leading edge, the device being adjustable to a plurality of positions including a fully retracted position and a fully extended position. The defining device is disposed at a front portion of the strut. An actuator moves the defining means to a plurality of positions; wherein a directional dynamic stability of the marine vehicle may be controlled by the position of the defining device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: John R. Meyer
  • Patent number: 5224435
    Abstract: A windsurfer board is formed, towards the tail end thereof, with a slot in which a box is fitted. The box provides a mounting for a fin which is movable, while in use, relative to the board in such manner as to permit simultaneous adjustment of the inclination of the fin relative to the board and of the extent by which the fin projects downwardly beneath the board. The mounting for the fin includes a bracket pivotally connected to the box and to the fin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Inventor: Andrew T. Kinnaird
  • Patent number: 5152705
    Abstract: A multiple fin surfboard defines a generally elongated planar surfboard having a plurality of elongated slots defined therein. The slots are grouped close to each end of the surfboard and support a corresponding plurality of fins in a pivotal attachment. The fins each support transverse vanes which are acted upon by a water passage beneath the surfboard to alternatively retract the fins at one end of the surfboard and downwardly extend the fins at the opposite end of the surfboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Inventor: Frederick N. Rock
  • Patent number: 5117776
    Abstract: A rectractable hydrofoil for watercraft wherein a linking mechanism connects all hydrofoils to a retaining assembly. The application of an external force to a hydrofoil above a threshold causes the release of the retaining means without requiring the reaction of the operator. A control assembly within the hull is utilized by the operator to complete the movement of the hydrofoil to an aft retracted position. The retaining assembly includes a releasable securing means for maintaining the hydrofoils in the retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1992
    Inventor: Douglas T. Thorpe
  • Patent number: 5027737
    Abstract: A power driven tracked amphibious vehicle is disclosed for moving troops from ships to shore at speeds in excess of 25 miles per hour. The vehicle includes a pair of hydrofoil assemblies each pivoted to the vehicle for movement between an operative water mode position with the hydrofoils and inline water jet propulsion units submerged in water for propelling the vehicle while in water, and a land mode with the hydrofoils and water jet propulsion units raised above the tracks for propelling the vehicle on land. When in the water mode the tracks are raised a short distance, and the track covers and bow flaps are positioned below the tracks for minimizing drag on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Bryan Duffty, Waldo E. Rodler, Jr., Hans F. Woehrmann
  • Patent number: 5018686
    Abstract: A flying boat or sea plane has a wing system in order to obtain hydrodynamic lift when protracted and including two wings arranged one above the other but establishing, in front view, a closed frame; the wing system can be retracted into the fuselage of the vehicle by turning the wings upside down and pulling them into the fuselage using a three-group lever system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1991
    Assignee: Dornier Luftfahrt GmbH
    Inventor: Herbert Zimmer
  • Patent number: 4974539
    Abstract: A pair of integrated water propulsion and hydrofoil systems capable of moving through water at speeds of at least 20 miles per hour are disclosed, each hydrofoil system having a hydrofoil and a mounting leg removably secured to a water propulsion system. The mounting legs are supported on opposite sides of the watercraft for moving the hydrofoils between a water mode and a land mode. The water propulsion system may be an inline water jet, and the hydrofoils may be formed from interconnected lightweight hollow beams with power operated flaps on the trailing portions of the hydrofoils for adding more lift when moving at slow speeds through water. The watercraft may be a military amphibious vehicle weighing about 30 tons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventors: Bryan Duffty, Waldo E. Rodler, Jr., Christopher D. Barry, Hans F. Woehrmann
  • Patent number: 4953492
    Abstract: An improved watercraft and propulsion system is disclosed for moving a watercraft such as an amphibious vehicle or a speed boat from 0 velocity to speeds in excess of 20 miles per hour. Each watercraft includes water propulsion systems which are preferably pivotally mounted on or near the rear end of the watercraft for pivotal movement between a transversely aligned stowed position above the vehicle and an operative position within the watercraft and below the vehicle. Hydrofoils may be connected to the water propulsion system, and bow or transom flaps plus the planing hull of the vehicle aids in providing adequate lift when in the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Bryan Duffty
  • Patent number: 4936240
    Abstract: A structure for holding an underwater projection projecting downward from the bottom of hull of a hydrofoil craft or the like. The projection is connected at its rear end base portion to the hull by a hinge pivotally movably rearward and held at its front end base portion in a predetermined downwardly projecting state by a breakable holder. The projection is held in this state during usual navigation. The holder breaks when a predetermined force acts rearward on the projection, permitting the projection to move about the hinge, whereby the projection is prevented from damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1990
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Fumitaka Yokoyama, Masayuki Hattori, Tsukasa Okuzaki
  • Patent number: 4781143
    Abstract: A trailable pontoon system that may be pulled behind a road vehicle and that may facilitate the launch of said road vehicle to effect a waterborne configuration comprised of the pontoon system and the vehicle. The trailable pontoons are capable of being unfolded by means of a rotating winch bar and are capable of separation to permit the vehicle to enter between the pontoons and be lifted into a mounted configuration upon the pontoons utilizing aforesaid winch bar. The launch and retrieval procedures utilize a combination of the pontoon's floatation capability, the vehicle's structural integrity, drive train and braking system and the facilitative function of the rotating winch bar. The vehicle/pontoon configuration, when waterborne, is a hybrid of the vehicle's inherent structural integrity and the floatation capability of the pontoons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1988
    Inventor: Kenneth C. Logan
  • Patent number: 4685641
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Assignee: Grumman Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: Jerome Kirsch, M. Alan Kopsco, Edward Markow, Michael Sturm
  • Patent number: 4452166
    Abstract: A foil stabilized monohull vessel which functions as a multiple hull vessel at rest or at low speeds is described. The vessel comprises a main center hull which supports a deck thereover, and a stabilizing structure disposed on either side of the deck. The stabilizing structure includes floats which are intended to rest on the water when the vessel is at rest or at low speeds, and intended to be removed from the water when the vessel is at high speeds. The stabilizing structure also includes one or more pairs of opposed foils which act as stabilizers disposed on the port and starboard sides of the vessel. The stabilizer foils act in concert to reduce roll and improve maneuverability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1984
    Inventor: Nathan I. Daniel
  • Patent number: 4445452
    Abstract: An hydrofoil assembly for small craft is disclosed. The assembly includes two hydrofoils independently mounted on a boat or a propulsion unit of the boat's motor for free pivotal movement between a depending position and a extended in-use position. The foils automatically adopt the in-use position during forward movement and drop to their depending positions whenever their angle of attack becomes negative, such as in reverse movement when pivoted up to clear an obstacle, or when the boat is stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1984
    Inventor: Joseph Loch
  • Patent number: 4364324
    Abstract: A strut release mechanism for the forward strut of a hydrofoil craft will predictably fail when the strut experiences a predetermined impact. The failure occurs about a horizontal axis so that the strut follows a predetermined path while separating from the craft and thereby avoids impact damage to the strut or to the craft. Shear failure and tension failure structures are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1982
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Gary J. Warner
  • Patent number: 4349340
    Abstract: A sporting vehicle powered only by the energy of the occupant for travelling on bodies of water at unprecedentedly high speeds. The vehicle comprises a frame supported while stationary on hulls or floats, and including a seat for the occupant and a set of pedals for enabling him to cause vehicle movement either by an air screw or a water screw. The frame is suitably reinforced and includes a rudder which can be withdrawn from the water, to reduce its drag, when conditions are appropriate. Forward and rearward hydrofoils, of V-shaped configuration, are also provided for use at low speeds, a linkage being included for lifting the low speed hydrofoil above the water surface when appropriate vehicle speed has been achieved. Normally all hydrofoils depend from the frame below the floats, and levers are provided by which the occupant can vary the angles of attack of the hydrofoils to take best advantage of environmental conditions and vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1982
    Inventor: Benjamin Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 4303034
    Abstract: A sidewall gas-cushion vehicle is provided with movable buoyancy members, each comprising a buoyant portion of relatively large volume and a web support portion of relatively little volume. The buoyancy members are pivotally connected to the bottoms of the sidewalls by way of their web support portions to the sidewalls, the members being movable about axes extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. In fully submerged operative positions extending below the sidewalls for low speed operation, sufficient hydrostatic forces are applied to the fully submerged buoyant portions of the members to provide buoyancy lift for the vehicle and to counter unwanted movements of the vehicle. In inoperative positions retracted alongside the sidewalls for high speed operation the buoyant portions lie substantially above the operational waterline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1981
    Assignee: Vosper Hovermarine Ltd.
    Inventor: Edward G. Tattersall
  • Patent number: 4218985
    Abstract: A torpedo operable submerged in water is provided with a pair of vane members mounted on opposite sides of the body thereof in recesses provided therefor. Each vane member includes a mounting section disposed in a recess and a long outwardly flared section; each of such vane members being rotatable about an operationally horizontal common axis passing through the mounting section thereof. Such vane members are selectively rotatable about such common axis into and out of alignment with the flowstream moving rearwardly alongside the body of such torpedo as the same moves forwardly through the water to concurrently serve steering and heeling functions or to serve a pitching function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1980
    Inventor: Allen Jones, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4182256
    Abstract: An automatic takeoff control system for hydrofoil craft characterized in that the control surfaces of the craft are caused to automatically assume predetermined positions during takeoff, obviating the necessity for special levers, lever settings and special operator procedures which were involved in making a transition from hull-borne to foil-borne operation in accordance with prior art techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1973
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1980
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John H. Scott, Arlyn O. Harang
  • Patent number: 4178871
    Abstract: A control system for hydrofoil craft is one in which control surfaces are moved automatically in response to signals derived from the motion of the craft to stabilize and control the craft. In such systems, a potentially dangerous condition can occur in case of a failure or malfunction in the roll control system. In order to prevent such conditions, two redundant roll sensing devices are provided which normally generate identical signals to actuate the control surfaces to stabilize the rolling motion. In case of a failure or malfunction, the signals provided by the two sensing devices become different. When this occurs, all normal control signals to the control surfaces are terminated; and secondary feedback loops act to position all control surfaces to smoothly land the craft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1974
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1979
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Irving A. Hirsch
  • Patent number: 4164909
    Abstract: The invention concerns a water craft comprising a hull, a front hydrofoil and a rear hydrofoil depending downwardly from the hull, a hydrofoil depending outwardly from each side of the hull at an angle below the horizontal, a sail wing or the like for enabling the hull to move forwards and control members for altering the position of at least some of the hydrofoils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1979
    Inventor: James S. Ballard
  • Patent number: 4080922
    Abstract: A high-performance hydrofoil craft is capable of achieving hullborne, foilborne and airborne configurations. Transition between modes may be driver controlled or automatic, as a function of forward speed. Emergency landings and quick stops are enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1978
    Inventor: Curtis M. Brubaker
  • Patent number: 4041885
    Abstract: A non-lift or zero average lift bow foil, having similar wing-shaped members defining an angular intersection therebetween with similar dihedral angles, is mounted on a vessel's bow centerline, with the angular intersection approximately parallel to the vessel's keel, and is adjustable vertically for submersion to approximately keel level from above the waterline of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1977
    Inventor: Emilio C. Garcia