Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a monocoque body for an unmanned underwater vehicle (“UUV”) comprising a nose portion, a tail portion, a body interior surface, a body exterior surface. The monocoque body can be a one-piece structural shell made of fiber reinforced polymer. The UUV may further include transverse structural members.

Abstract: A flat catamaran watercraft construction is provided having a bow that defines a “split V” configuration in which the bottom surface of each of the two asymmetrical catamaran hull portions at the forward section of each hull portion slope upward from the inboard side of the hull portion to the outboard side of the hull portion. Such upward slope of the bottom of each hull portion sheds water and waves to the outboard sides of the vessel as it travels through the water in order to minimize the amount of water and spray that is directed upward between the individual hull portions towards the passengers. The rear portions of each such hull portion define an angled slope along both inboard and outboard sides, which angled slopes allow the rear portion of the watercraft to slide and drift sideways along the surface of the water as the watercraft turns. The flat catamaran hull portions and deck of the watercraft are preferably of unibody construction, such that they are formed (e.g.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an integrated hull by using 3D structure type fiber clothes and 3D vacuum infusion process includes: sequentially stacking at least one first fiber cloth, at least one core material and at least one second fiber cloth on a mold; deploying structural materials on the second fiber cloth; stacking the third fiber clothes to cover the structure materials and a part of the second fiber cloth, whereby the first fiber cloth, the core material, the second fiber cloth and the third fiber clothes are formed to a lamination; determining a pipe arrangement of vacuum pipes and first and second resin pipes; deploying a vacuum bag on the lamination and covering the first and second resin pipes and the vacuum pipe; executing the 3D vacuum infusion process; curing the resin; and executing a mold release process to complete an integrated hull.

Abstract: A method of manufacture (200) of an inflatable product with an attachable foam finish is described that includes modifying (202) a molecular structure of at least one foam sheet; gluing (206) a flexible, glueable or weldable material onto the modified at least one foam sheet to create a bonded structure; and gluing (220) the bonded structure to the inflatable product.

Abstract: An article of manufacture including molded-in cavities that permit the installation of recessed trolling motor foot pedals and seat pedestal bases in such a manner that allows water to drain away from thereof so as to prevent the accumulation of standing water. The article of manufacture includes a body, wherein the body is a plastic molded boat hull comprised of numerous molded-in cavities and molded-in features to create an interior layout that is comparable to a conventional boat built of aluminum or fiber reinforced plastic.

Abstract: Adhesive tape having a carrier material comprising the following layers: a textile composed of fibers having a softening point greater than or equal to 200° C., and coated with fluoropolymers or silicone polymers, to the top side of which textile a first film composed of fluoropolymers is applied over the whole surface and to the bottom side of which textile a second film is applied over the whole surface, wherein a self-adhesive mass is applied to one side of the carrier material.

Abstract: A water ride includes a ride surface defining a ride path. Users of the water ride travel in ride vehicles along the ride surface with the ride vehicles traveling upon a layer of water introduced into or onto the ride surface. To induce the ride vehicles to change orientation at desired locations along the ride surface, the ride vehicles each include one or more ride vehicle components located on or near a bottom surface of the ride vehicle. One or more ride surface components are positioned at desired locations along the ride path in position to make contact with the ride vehicle component(s). This contact or interaction between the ride vehicle component(s) and the ride surface component(s) causes a change in orientation, such as a spin, to the ride vehicle.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing method includes providing material to an extruder of an additive manufacturing apparatus, heating the material to form a flowable material, and depositing a first layer of the flowable material from a nozzle of the additive manufacturing apparatus to form part of a hull portion of a plug for a marine article. The method also includes depositing a second layer of the flowable material from the nozzle of the additive manufacturing apparatus to form part of a deck portion of the plug for the marine article.

Abstract: A hull for a personal watercraft includes a compression-molded hull body. A main portion of the hull body includes a thermoplastic material embedded with non-directional chopped glass fibers. The main portion extends along an entirety of the length and of the width of the hull body. Port and starboard portions of the hull body include the thermoplastic material embedded with directional glass fibers. The directional glass fibers include longitudinally-oriented glass fibers. A majority of the longitudinally-oriented glass fibers have a length at least ten times greater than a mean length of the chopped glass fibers. The port and starboard portions extend vertically from proximate an upper edge of the hull towards a keel, and longitudinally along at least 50% of the length of the hull body.

Abstract: An apparatus for viewing marine life is disclosed. The apparatus includes a board configured to float on water and a window positioned in an opening in the board. The opening in a front end of the board and the window includes a transparent top portion, a transparent bottom pane and sides forming a center void. The window is sealed to prevent water from entering the void and the window includes a bottom lip planar with the transparent bottom pane. The apparatus includes a seal positioned in a gap between the window and the opening in the board and above the lip. The seal is inserted from a top surface of the board and provides a friction fit between the window and the opening. The seal includes a flexible resilient material and sized for a friction fit between the opening and the window to prevent movement of the window.

Abstract: A board including a plurality of elongate members and first and second non-permeable first fiber reinforced material layers. Each of the plurality of elongate members are cooperatively positioned to form a perimeter of a polygon. The non-permeable first fiber reinforced material layer is secured to a top surface of the perimeter of the polygon. The non-permeable second fiber reinforced material layer is secured to a bottom surface opposing the top surface of the perimeter of the polygon. A void is defined within the perimeter of the polygon between the first fiber reinforced material layer and the second fiber reinforced material layer.

Abstract: The instant invention is a deck barge or other vessel formed using a core of styrofoam members stiffened by fiberglass cladding with said styrofoam/fiberglass core being partially clad in concrete, which concrete is reinforced with “L” or “U” shaped rebar over/around corners and which concrete is also sheathed on its exterior and interior sides by fiberglass matting that is concrete saturated during the process in order to produce a simple, easily manufactured design that is unsinkable, inexpensive, and carries substantial weight for its size. In the preferred embodiments, the concrete cladding entirely covers the port and starboard sides as well as the top/deck of the vessel and portions of the bottom.

Abstract: A flat bottom boat including an upper hull portion and a lower hull portion. The upper hull portion has a first width and a lower surface. The lower hull portion has a second width that is less than a first width. The lower hull portion extends from a lower edge of the upper hull portion. A lower surface of the lower hull portion is substantially flat.

Abstract: Accessory mounting systems for stand up paddle boards are disclosed. In one example, the accessory mounting system includes a mounting plug secured to a stand up paddleboard, a accessory plate secured to the mounting plug, and one or more accessories secured to the accessory plate. In other examples, the accessory plate is provided with an adhesive backing and can be mounted and secured to the stand up paddle board, thereby allowing the accessory mounting system to be used on boards not having mounting plugs and/or at locations where mounting plugs are not present. In yet another example, a mounting track is provided instead of a accessory plate such that one or more accessories, such as fishing rod holder, can be slidably mounted on the stand up paddle board.

Abstract: A garment worn by a wearer has an exterior shell and an interior shell with various impact absorbing material between the exterior shell and the interior shell. The impact absorbing material includes multiple structures, such as rods or filaments, capable of deforming when force is applied then returning to its state prior to application of the force. In various embodiments, the impact absorbing material is manufactured using injection molding to allow positioning of various structures in the impact absorbing material relative to each other during manufacture. During manufacturing, one or more living hinges are included in portions of the impact absorbing material to allow certain portions of the impact absorbing material to be accurately positioned relative to each other. Other manufacturing methods may be used, such as three-dimensional printing may be used to include structures in the impact absorbing material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a vessel hull (1) for use as a hull of an FPSO or FSO, comprising producing a vessel hull with a stern portion (2), a bow portion (3) and a central portion (4), arranging a deck (6) on the hull, for supporting processing modules, arranging hydrocarbon storage tanks inside the hull, providing the hull with an anchoring connection arrangement (7), characterized by arranging process module reinforcements (8) in the deck for supporting the hydrocarbon process modules, providing both longitudinal hull sides with mooring line connection reinforcements (9) at or near the bow portion, arranging riser connection reinforcements (10, 14) on one or more longitudinal hull sides, in between the mooring line connection reinforcements in longitudinal direction, for a riser balcony (28, 29), and providing the bow portion with turret reinforcements (11, 12).

Abstract: A method and a mold for manufacturing a component for a wind turbine are provided. The method includes the steps of a) laying a fiber material onto a mold, b) attaching the fiber material to the mold and/or to a core of the component using staples, c) infiltrating the fiber material with a resin, and d) curing the resin to form the component. The method may further include wherein the fiber material is attached to a flexible mold part into which the staples are driven. The method may still further include wherein the flexile mold part is made of a polymer material. The method is advantageous in that a lack of consolidation of the component is prevented or reduced.

Abstract: Accessory mounting systems for stand up paddle boards are disclosed. In one example, the accessory mounting system includes a mounting plug secured to a stand up paddleboard, a accessory plate secured to the mounting plug, and one or more accessories secured to the accessory plate. In other examples, the accessory plate is provided with an adhesive backing and can be mounted and secured to the stand up paddle board, thereby allowing the accessory mounting system to be used on boards not having mounting plugs and/or at locations where mounting plugs are not present. In yet another example, a mounting track is provided instead of a accessory plate such that one or more accessories, such as fishing rod holder, can be slidably mounted on the stand up paddle board.

Abstract: A device for absorbing kinetic energy for an aircraft structural element undergoing a dynamic impact. The device includes an outer enclosure made from a braided composite material configured to preserve its integrity after an impact, and a foam core contained in the outer enclosure and to at least partially fill the outer enclosure. The foam core configured to at least partially absorb the kinetic energy generated by the impact. Reinforcing elements include at least one dry composite fiber preform integrated into the foam core to dissipate, in combination with the foam core, the kinetic energy generated by the impact. A method for integrating the device for absorbing kinetic energy.

Abstract: A magnetically loaded composite rotor is formed by providing a mandrel 1 having a longitudinal axis 2. A release agent 3 is coated on the mandrel and a fiber material 4 of woven or non-woven material having fibers extending in the direction of the axis 2 is applied over the release agent. A thermoplastic resin impregnated tow 24 including magnetic particles 28 is wound over the fiber material 4, the fiber material substantially preventing the magnetic particles penetrating through to the mandrel.

Abstract: Methods, a consumable assembly, and a tool for preparing a composite structure from a laminate disposed on a surface of a mold. The method involves preparing consumable materials, such as a breather sheet and a vacuum bag, and preparing an inflatable tool, outside of the mold. These prepared consumable materials and the inflatable tool are then inserted into the mold, and the inflatable tool is inserted into a folded assembly of the breather and vacuum bag. Once inserted into the mold, the inflatable tool is inflated, which deploys the consumable materials against the laminate. A vacuum can be generated, which maintains the deployed consumable materials against the laminate. This can be done for many hours. Finally, the laminate is cured inside the mold so as to form the composite structure.

Abstract: A multi-layer or single layer antifouling coating system. A multi-layer coating system comprises (a) a base coating for coating a substrate, and (b) an antifouling coating composition adapted to be disposed over the base coating, the antifouling coating composition comprising a functionalized polymer, and a curable polyether-containing silane of the Formula (1): (R1O)a(R1)(3-a)Si—R2—(Si(R1)2O)p—Si(R1)2—R2—O—(CH2—CHR1—O)q—R1 (1) where a is 1-3; R1 is H or alkyl radical from C1-C10; R2 is alkylene from C2-C10; p is 1-100; and q is 1-50. The base coating composition can comprise an epoxy modified adhesion promoter. Additionally, the anti-fouling coating composition can comprise an acetoxy, alkoxy, and/or ketoxime functional adhesion promoter.

Abstract: A fin mounting assembly having a fin box and a cover plate. The fin mounting assembly has a fin box with an upper end that is substantially closed and a lower end that is open with an outer edge. An elongated recess is disposed substantially central along a first axis of the fin box that is adapted to receive and secure a base of a fin. The upper end of the fin box has a flange with an outer border. The flange has a gradually increasing wall height curvature along the first axis, beginning adjacent to the outer edge of the flange and a greatest wall height curvature at a flange central portion. The flange also has a slot cover wall that extends up and away from the flange along the first axis and positioned over the elongated recess. The slot cover wall has an increasing width thickness beginning at the outer edge of the flange that increases in width and has a largest width at a slot cover central portion. A cover plate has an outer border and is adapted to be attached to the outer edge of the fin box.

Abstract: A marine vessel hull includes an outer hull layer and an inner liner connected to the outer hull layer forming a cavity therebetween. A wireless identification device is contained within the cavity between the outer hull layer and the inner liner. The wireless identification device stores and wirelessly transmits at least one of a vessel identifier, manufacture information, and ownership information for the marine vessel.

Abstract: A water play apparatus and associated method of manufacturing the water play apparatus includes a hollow, rigid endoskeleton having a fluid passage formed therethrough. An exoskeleton is received around the endoskeleton and formed from a material (foam) different and less rigid than the endoskeleton (rigid pipe or tube), and a hardener or a polymer skin is received over the exoskeleton.

Abstract: A wind turbine blade (16) includes an upper shell member (20) and a lower shell member (22) with an internal cavity (25) therebetween. The shell members are joined with a bond paste (34) at respective bond lines (36, 37) along leading and trailing edges (24, 26) of the blade. A cap (50) is disposed within the internal cavity between the upper and lower shell members along at least one of the leading or trailing edge bond lines. The cap includes a head (52) oriented towards the blade edge and trailing leg portions (56) that span rearward from the head in biased engagement the upper and lower shell members. The cap defines a dam at the bond line against migration of excess bond paste further into the internal cavity. A method is also provided for forming bond lines at the leading or trailing edge with the bond paste caps.

Abstract: A structural blank suitable for a watercraft is described. At least part of the structural blank comprises a plurality of structural elements connected to adjacent structural elements so that the plurality of structural elements are arranged in a matrix of structural elements forming at least a portion of the structural blank.

Abstract: A method for making a fuselage section comprises the steps of assembling a support system. The support system comprises fiber reinforced composite material and includes at least three frames and six stringers. The support system is partially cured such that the support system attains about eighty percent of its fully cured strength. A skin comprising fiber reinforced composite material is globally positioned such that an inner surface of the skin corresponds to an outer surface of the support system. The skin and the support system are fully cured together. The support system is assembled on a skeleton assembly tool having a bonding surface corresponding to an inner surface of the skin.

Abstract: A hydrofoil fin for attachment to a board for kiteboarding or jet skiing comprises a core portion having a plurality of torsion boxes and outer shell made of a multi-layer fiber composite material and encapsulating the torsion boxes of the core portion. The hydrofoil fin provides a very rigid support of bending and torsional forces acting on the same and on the wings and against the board. This has an advantageous effect on the riding performance of during kite surfing and jet skiing.

Abstract: A boat hull or other marine structure is made by shaping a plastic foam core and covering it with a plastic outer skin glued in place by adhesive, mechanically fastened, or applied in liquid form. Minimal sawcuts to the foam core ease manufacture. Methods for anchoring fittings, masts, pipes and shade canopies are presented. No-sew sails for the boat have corners made of plastic sheet attached using both adhesive and mechanical fastening. Lateral resistance of the hull is provided by telescoping leeboards. A suite of these boats share the same modular masts and sails. Such boat hulls offer light weight, ease of transport, and unswampable buoyancy.

Abstract: A substantially circular watercraft has a buoyant, generally toroidal hull supporting a rigid deck with an outer periphery in substantial conformance with the perimeter of the hull. The deck has an opening located above the central opening of the hull to permit placement of power means to drive and steer the watercraft. The hull is made of a substantially rigid material and in a preferred embodiment the hull and deck are formed from a molded plastic. The leading edge of the watercraft is equipped with a “Carolina flare” which provides greater ease of movement through the water.

Abstract: A package delivery apparatus uses an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to deliver a package containing a product to a delivery destination area. The UAV uses GPS signals to guide it to the delivery destination area and an altimeter to determine its height above the delivery destination area. The UAV then adjusts its height to a preferred drop or release height for that package and product and releases the package. An optional camera allows a human operator to view the delivery destination area. An expandable foam package surrounds the product to protect the product from impact and moisture. The package may be streamlined to reduce air resistance and increase the range of the UAV. The package characteristics, such as its thickness, are determined based one or more of the weight and fragile nature of the product, and the drop height.

Abstract: Disposable antifouling covers for geophysical survey equipment. At least of example embodiments are methods including deploying marine geophysical survey equipment. The deploying may include: installing a disposable antifouling cover of plastic material on a portion of the marine geophysical survey equipment, wherein the disposable antifouling cover occludes a majority of an exterior surface of the portion of the marine geophysical survey equipment; and placing the marine geophysical survey equipment in a body of water.

Abstract: A deep-drawn, marine hull having a sandwich structure with a cellulose-based core and watercraft utilizing same are provided. The hull includes an outer skin of a fiber-based thermoplastic and having a waterproof outer surface, a first sheet of thermoplastic adhesive, an inner skin of a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material and having a compartment-defining outer surface, a second sheet of thermoplastic adhesive and a shock absorbing, cellular core of a cellulose-based material and positioned between the skins The skins are bonded to the core by the first and second sheets and by press molding. Cells of the cellular core absorb energy of an impact at the outer surface of the outer skin by deformably crushing. Air trapped within cells which are not completely crushed or punctured by the impact provide the hull with buoyancy to allow the hull to float at the surface of a body of water.

Abstract: An improved elongated board for a flying ski designed to be towed behind a conventional powered watercraft utilizing a standard ski tow rope or similar device. The elongated board comprises a front end and a back end. The front end extending from a front edge to about one-half of the length of the elongated board, the back end extending from a back edge to about one-half of the length of the elongated board, and the back end has a greater mass than the front end.

Abstract: This invention discloses three-layer rotomoulded motorboats having excellent floatability prepared from foamed polyethylene.

Abstract: A platform board is shown which allows a small child or infant to learn the art of water skiing. The platform is wide enough to accommodate at least the width of two foot grips located on an upper surface of the platform. A handle bar extending upwardly from the upper surface of the platform from a location in front of the foot grips. The handle bar includes a grip portion which can be adjusted to lie in a horizontal plane at a height which allows the grip portion to be conveniently gripped by a small child or infant. The platform board is manufactured similarly to a surf board that will support the weight of a child prior to acceleration of an associated towing craft.

Abstract: Refractive body panels replace traditional metal or fiberglass panels and consist primarily of dyed and moldable plastic in a prism configuration under clear polycarbonate; a bi-layer unit working in concert to scatter and/or change the direction of light to illuminate the exterior and increase safety and performance; the bi-layer unit works together to reduce the weight of a vehicle; the dyed prism allows for panels in various colors: the panels attach to a vehicle's frame as a direct pre-market or post-market replacement (including polyurethane bumpers) and require minimal modifications to the structural design of foot-powered vehicles, motorcycles, cars, trucks, boats, etc.

Abstract: A watercraft such as a boat that is molded in two sections such as the boat deck and the boat hull using a polyurea composition and polyurethane foam and chopped glass fibers. The resulting monolithic structure can be manufactured very quickly in a closed molding process that does not create volatile organic compounds. The resulting watercraft eliminates the use of fiberglass in the construction of boats.

Abstract: With the objective of providing a small fiberglass boat that fulfills the criteria of being self-bailing, self-righting and being unsinkable, the boat may include: a hull including a deck at the waterline dividing the boat into a lower portion below the waterline and an upper portion above the waterline and a centerline defining the separation between the starboard side and port side; an additional weight equivalent to approximately forty percent of the weight of the hull located within the lower portion of the hull approximately along the centerline of the hull; a series of scuppers located in the upper portion of the hull; a buoyant element located above the upper portion of the hull; and buoyant material placed within the lower portion of the hull. The deck may further include a partition dividing the deck into two channels.

Abstract: A vessel for transporting a payload through water having a body which travels below the surface of the water and carries the payload, fins extending laterally from the body below the surface of the water a telescoping tower which extends above the surface of the water from the body, a wing extending laterally above the water from an upper portion of the tower, engines mounted on the wing for propelling the body through the water, and propellers mounted on the under sides of the fins for lifting the vessel and holding the vessel in a raised position with the body at the surface of the water while loading and unloading the payload.

Abstract: This invention discloses three-layer rotomolded motorboats having excellent floatability prepared from foamed polyethylene.

Abstract: An aquatic gliding board such as a surfboard is constructed using a honeycomb material for the core. The composite outer skin of the surfboard is constructed of materials having similar flexibility properties as found in a traditional foam/fiberglass surfboard. In a particularly preferred embodiment an aluminum honeycomb core is employed along with a fiberglass skin in order to achieve a surfboard with decreased weight and increased strength to resist failure in bending relative to a traditional foam/fiberglass surfboard, but having similar flexibility characteristics to such a traditional surfboard, or having increased flexibility relative to such a traditional surfboard.

Abstract: Composite elements have the following layer structure: (i) from 2 to 20 mm of metal, (ii) from 10 to 300 mm of plastic, and (iii) from 2 to 20 mm of metal, where (i) and/or (iii) have an opening which may, if desired, be sealable.

Abstract: A material-transition structural component for a ship hull, comprising a metal element and a fiber-reinforced polymer-matrix composite element, which are adhesively bonded, wherein the composite element is being produced during composite material processing simultaneously providing a metal-composite consolidation, for producing hulls for ships, a ship hull containing the same, as well as to a method of manufacturing of the material and the ship hull.

Abstract: The present invention relates to lightweight components of hybrid design, also termed hybrid component or hollow-chamber lightweight component, composed of a parent body which is composed of galvanized iron and which is reinforced by means of thermoplastics and is suitable for the transmission of high mechanical loads.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed that relate to the efficient reinforcement of molded kiss-offs in a kayak. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a personal self-propelled watercraft comprising a unitary molded plastic body comprising a hull and a seat, a kiss-off connecting two proximate surfaces of the self-propelled watercraft, and a plastic reinforcing structure welded within an interior of the kiss-off.

Abstract: A reinforcement grid for a vessel includes a plurality of spaced-apart, generally vertically extending walls coupled by lateral floor sections and lateral walls which are coupled to stringers, the transom, and the bottom of the vessel hull to strengthen the transom, thereby allowing a greater number of higher horsepower engines to be mounted to the vessel.

Abstract: A production method of an article for water sports such as a surfboard with a hollow structure achieves a wide range of selections for users. The article is established with sufficient strength and durability, and is capable of achieving low cost and short delivery time. The article is configured by an outer shell having a hollow structure for forming an outer shape of a main body of the surfboard, a partition wall arranged within an internal space of the outer shell for connecting inner surfaces facing one another in said internal space, sectioned spaces separated and sealed by said partition wall and the inner surfaces of the outer shell, and a vent hole formed on said partition wall so that the sectioned spaces adjacent to one another can properly communicate with one another.

Abstract: A laterally stable foldable boat comprising a single sheet of corrugated plastic further comprising a first planar plastic substrate, a second planar plastic substrate, a plurality of elongate parallel ribs disposed between and joining the first and second plastic substrates, the plurality of elongate parallel ribs extend parallel along the entire length of the plastic substrates to form a plurality of open flute channels lengthwise through the substrates, a plurality of bend lines, a plurality of folding hinges located at each corner of the single sheet of corrugated plastic, and a stabilizing ballast, that further includes a first plurality of apertures centrally located in the hull area, wherein the first plurality of apertures are formed perpendicular to the sidewall bend lines and create at least one opening in the plurality of flute channels, wherein the first plurality of apertures allow water to enter or exit the plurality of flute channels running lengthwise through the foldable boat.