Abstract: A device and method for the protection of a first member and second member from corrosion by utilizing a connector that bonds the members without allowing direct contact of the members.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for joining panels are presented. Panels may be commercial off the shelf (COTS) panels and/or additively manufactured panels; and panels can be joined using an additively manufactured interconnect unit. Notches and protrusions can be formed in the panels and in the interconnect unit to facilitate the connection of the panels with the interconnect unit. In another approach a ribbed triangular prism can be manufactured using three dimensional (3D) printing. The panels can then be joined by inserting the ribbed triangular prism between the panels and by using an adhesive for bonding.

Abstract: An aluminum frame structure for packaging solar panel, comprising: a vertical support member; an U-shaped member, coupled to the vertical support member while allowing the opening of the U-shaped member to face toward a level direction; and at least one protruding member, disposed inside the U-shaped member, each having at least one protrusion arranged at the opening of the U-shaped member and at a position neighboring to the vertical support member while allowing the gap between the highest point of the at least one protrusion and an imaginary line representing the contact slope to be formed larger than the thickness of the back film, and also enabling the contact area of the at least one protrusion and the contact slope to be at least larger than 50% of the area of the contact slope.

Abstract: The subject disclosure presents assemblies, devices and methods to float a structure over a body of water by using a saddle fastened to a pontoon, whereby the saddle remains above the water line. The saddle includes a plurality of external clamp plates outside a pontoon sidewall, and fastened to one or more internal clamp plates placed inside the pontoon sidewall, thereby clamping the sidewall between them. Attachment points for the external and internal clamp plates are situated at a height that is relatively higher than a water line anticipated when the pontoon is under a load. This ensures that corrodible components are maintained above a water level while the pontoon is floating the structure, reducing corrosion.

Abstract: Described are methods for surface modification of an object (10) in order to increase the adhesive power of the object, wherein the surface (11) is subjected to structuring so that a multitude of projections (12) are formed, each comprising a foot part and a head part, wherein the head part comprises a front surface (13) which faces away from the surface, wherein each projection (12) is made in a size such that all front surfaces (13) project to the same vertical height above the surface (11), and form an adherent contact surface (14) which is interrupted by mutual spacing between the front surfaces (13).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a floor construction for use in a ship, comprising: strut members for supporting the floor construction relative to a construction of the ship, such as frame ribs or a hull; support members which can be mounted on the strut members and comprise hook-in openings for hooking in connecting members; at least one connecting member for connecting support members, wherein the connecting members comprise hooking members for hooking into hook-in openings of the support members. The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such a floor construction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for attaching a pontoon to a watercraft. There is provided an a first quick-coupler adapted to be connected to the pontoon and a second quick-coupler, complemental with the first quick-coupler. adapted to be connected to the hull, wherein the first and second quick-couplers together have at least three of the following: (i) lugs that close back on themselves to form one of an open loop and a closed loop, (ii) multiple lugs arranged in a triangle, (iii) both a fixed hook and a latch, (iv) two hooks that engage the same lug and (v) two non-parallel hooks that engage the same lug.

Abstract: A water-jet propulsion personal watercraft is disclosed, comprising a body formed by a hull and a deck covering the hull from above, the body having a joint portion joining the hull and the deck joined to each other at peripheries thereof, the body being configured to accommodate an engine configured to drive a propulsion system of the watercraft, and a side bumper mounted to the joint portion at a side portion of the body, wherein the side bumper includes a base portion mounted to the joint portion to extend along the joint portion in a longitudinal direction of the watercraft, and a protruding portion configured to extend along the base portion in the longitudinal direction and to protrude downward from a lower surface of the base portion to be spaced apart from a side wall of the hull.

Abstract: To enhance the joint strength between the hull and the deck of a water craft and reduce the number of steps needed for joining the hull and the deck, a water craft body is constructed by joining the hull and the deck together at their peripheral regions, applying a protector strip of extruded material to the joint between the hull and the deck peripherally of the water craft body and installing fasteners, such as self-tapping screws or rivets, through the protector strip and through the peripheral regions of the hull and deck for integrating the protector strip and the peripheral regions of the hull and the deck. Formed in the outer surface of the protector strip is a positioning groove that facilitates locating the positions of fasteners about the peripheral joint between the hull and the deck of the water craft.

Abstract: An isolation mounting system is provided for the purpose of supporting a throttle body structure which is completely supported by an elastomeric support, but is held in non-contact association with an air intake manifold in order to effectively isolate the throttle body structure from vibration. This isolation protects potentially delicate components contained within a component housing that is rigidly attached to the throttle body structure.

Abstract: A watercraft comprises a hull, an internal combustion engine, a propulsion system, and an air/water separating device. The separating device comprises a container having an inlet port and an outlet port. The inlet port enables at least ambient air to enter the container and the outlet port is communicated to the air intake of the engine. The separating device has structure providing spaced apart generally vertical surfaces that define a plurality of elongated tortuous paths between the inlet and outlet ports. The tortuous paths have one or more angular portions and are positioned and configured such that the ambient air passes through the elongated tortuous paths so that water suspended in the air is separated from the air as the air passes through angular portions of the paths with the separated water flowing downwardly along the surfaces to a bottom of the container by gravity.

Abstract: An improved air-intake system and engine layout for use on a small watercraft provides for a lower temperature, vapor fuel/air charge with less water vapor content. The watercraft includes an engine-air intake system incorporating an air-intake box which inhibits the engine from intaking water present in the engine compartment, especially during high speed maneuvering. An extended flywheel case is also provided that prevents water located in the engine compartment from being sprayed by moving parts directly into the air-intake box. Furthermore, the improved air-intake system of the present invention incorporates external air-intake valves that prevent water from entering the engine and propulsion compartments through the air intakes while the watercraft is in an inverted.

Abstract: A generally rectangular metallic extrusion (20) for boat hull (21) construction, the extrusion (20) supporting a bottom sheet member (26). The extrusion (20) comprises a number of longitudinal ribs (30) installed upwardly from the bottom sheet, a first longitudinal rib (23) having a generally rounded protruding male joint (22), and a last longitudinal rib (28) having a generally concave female joint (24) mounted to surround the male joint (22) of an adjoinning extrusion (20). The male joint (22) has a recessed neck (39), of the same thickness as the bottom sheet (26), and receives a base (35) of the female joint (24) to form a welding nest. A mounting form is first set and the extrusions laid according to a desired shape. The rotation and adjustment of the protruding male joint (22) in the adjoining concave female joint (24) permits the positioning and meshing of two extrusions (20) at a selected deflection angle, before welding.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a boat comprising a hull member including a gunwale having an outer peripheral surface, and a deck member including a depending peripheral portion including an inner concave surface engaged with the outer surface of the hull member with an interference fit.

Abstract: An edge joint particularly adapted for use in boat construction and furniture construction due to its high strength and aesthetically pleasing appearance due to the elimination of external structural reinforcements such as chine logs and hardened fillets. The high strength non-reinforced edge joint comprises two bilaminated plywood panels positioned together at an angle between about 60.degree.-170.degree.. Each panel defines a V-shaped groove along one side thereof so that one leg of each of the grooves is in contact with a corresponding leg of the other groove and the second legs of the grooves are spaced-apart so as to form an open cavity at the juncture of the panel. A cementitious material fills the cavity so as to form the edge joint as well as the protected outer corner thereof.

Abstract: A small ship made of plurality of prefabricated sections, which are made at a factory by a plastic deformation process, such as stamping or rolling, and of a dimension, size and shape such that an overland transportation by road thereof is possible. The sections are transported to a site located at a coastal zone, and connected to each other thereat to thereby build a ship.

Abstract: An improved curved-plate, double-hull tanker construction is provided, having reduced or eliminated transverse reinforcing structure in its midbody, except for bulkheads. The hull, though double, can compare in weight to conventional single hulls, despite being entirely made of mild steel plate. It is made of significantly fewer pieces, with a reduction in welding footage. More of the steel is used in the form of plate, rather than more expensive shapes. Improved productivity is possible, resulting from standardization of parts, less scrap, greater use of jigs and fixtures, automated welding, blast-cleaning and painting, so that not so much staging is needed, the work environment can be safer, and the product can be produced at a lower unit labor cost. Preferably, cathodic epoxy painting is used for durability and reduction in problems due to blast cleaning, solvent evaporation and generation of refuse.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new method of protecting the hulls of marine vessels from fouling. The inventive method includes the application of thin metallic films as an integral part of hull manufacturing processes. The inventive method also includes the use of various techniques for application of a film, structures that aid in the application of the film as well as for preventing impact damage to the film and hull. Also included are surface preparation steps relating to the film material as being performed prior to the film's integration onto a vessel hull.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a boat hull including a stringer member having an end surface including therein a cut-out, and a projection extending beyond the end surface, a bulkhead member extending transversely to the stringer member, fixed thereto, and including an end surface extending in coplanar relation to the end surface of the stringer member and including therein a cut-out, and a projection extending beyond the end surface of the bulkhead member, a deck member engaging the end surfaces of the stringer member and the bulkhead member and including cut-outs respectively receiving the projections on the stringer and bulkhead members, and a gusset member extending substantially at a right angle to the stringer and bulkhead members and including a first projection received in the cut-out in the stringer member and a second projection received in the cut-out in the bulkhead member.

Abstract: A method for forming a pontoon log and the pontoon log formed thereby. The method includes the steps of forming the pontoon log body including a flange; applying sealing tape to the flange; covering the body with a top member, the top member including a second flange or flange portion, with the sealing tape intermediate opposing flanges; driving a clip onto opposing flanges; and securing the clip to the flanges and through the sealing tape, thereby forming a pontoon log able to receive additional fasteners through the clip, opposed flanges and sealing tape without destroying a waterproof seal formed between the pontoon log body and top member.

Abstract: A plank assembly for the formation of a ship's hull comprises interengaging hooks in only line contact with one another and enabling angular displacement of the two planks about an axis. The planks are also provided with arcuate flanges centered on this and bolted together and with attachment flanges enabling the planks to be secured to transverse ribs of the ship's hull.

Abstract: Sheets of a vessel or other construction are joined edge to edge by deforming an edge of each sheet to have a projection from one face of the sheet, the deformed edge is entered into a slot of a joining strip and the outstanding projections are moved across in the slot so that they engage against an abutment extending into the slot from a surface of the strip. Another surface of the strip has teeth extending into the slot. A key, having teeth complementary to the slot teeth, is inserted into the slot to bear against the other face of the sheet and thereby maintain the engagement of the projections with the abutment. The ends of the joining strips are then clamped with such pressure that sliding of the sheet edge within the slot is inhibited and the slot is prevented from opening by clamping forces exerted by and within the assembled structure.

Abstract: Sheets of a vessel or other construction are joined edge to edge by deforming an edge of each sheet to have a projection outstanding from one face of the sheet, the deformed edge is entered into a slot of a joining strip and the outstanding projections are moved across in the slot so that they engage behind an abutment existing in a wall of the slot, and a key is also inserted in the slot to bear against the other face of the sheet and thereby maintain the engagement of the projections with the abutment. The ends of joining strip are then clamped between clamping blocks with such pressure that sliding movement of the sheet edge within its slot is inhibited and the slot is prevented from opening, e.g. upon impact forces.

Abstract: A ship hull is formed of a plurality of transverse and generally parallel ribs and a plurality of side-by-side plank-forming and generally parallel elongated profiles each having two generally parallel londigitudinal edges abutting the edges of the adjacent profiles. One of the edges is formed with an inwardly extending flange engagng the ribs. Thus the flanges stiffen the profiles. Screw fasteners extend through the flanges and into the transverse ribs for securing the profiles to the transverse ribs. Seals form watertight joints between the abutting longitudinal edges of the profiles.

Abstract: A plank assembly for the formation of a ship's hull comprises interengaging hooks in only line contact with one another and enabling angular displacement of the two planks about an axis. The planks are also provided with arcuate flanges centered on this and bolted together and with attachment flanges enabling the planks to be secured to transverse ribs of the ship's hull.

Abstract: To join together at least two light dividing walls, resisting tensile forces and possibly curved, recourse is had to a plurality of fastenings (4,5) each extending radially in at least one direction from a pivot (6), the pivots of these fastenings being stacked axially along the axis L corresponding to the line of intersection of the mean surfaces of the dividing walls and the contiguous fastenings of the stack being oriented so that they extend alternately along said mean surfaces. The fastenings thus joined together at the level of the pivots form discontinuous wall portions whose roots are mutually imbricated, to which wall portions the dividing walls are then butt-jointed, themselves formed by parallel skins bonded to these wall portions and in which the intermediate space is filled in with foam.

Abstract: A method for fabrication of an integral shell-formed body from several elongated panels (1, 2, 3), each of which along one longitudinal edge has a substantially U-formed tongue groove (6) and along the opposite longitudinal edge a tongue element (8) which is at least partly substantially narrower than the groove (6) thereby providing a clamp groove (12) when the tongue (8) is introduced in the tongue groove (6). One or more clamp blocks (13) can be introduced into the tongue groove to press the tongue (8) sideways and preferably also to the bottom of the groove (6). Preferably a layer of settable glue is provided between the groove (6) and the tongue (8), which glue layer is allowed to set after the groove and tongue elements have been clamped together by the clamp blocks (13). The clamp blocks can be formed as G-clips embracing and engaging the groove-tongue joint.

Abstract: A boat hull is manufactured from a sheet or blank having cut-outs or slots formed therein, such that the blank when folded and when its cut-outs along its edges are mutually connected, a boat hull without a "boxy" shape will be obtained. The cut-outs or slots have enlargements at the tip ends (apices) thereof.

Abstract: A small boat or the like comprising a flotation chamber defined at its gunwale by a first member, preferably integral with the sides of the hull extending upwardly and defining a first lip at its terminal end portion, a second member or cover secured at its bottom portion to the hull and extending inwardly of the first member with its upper end portion extending over the first member and including a second lip, and a connecting device resiliently engaging the first and second lips with each other to secure flotation material in the form of a block of expanded polystyrene or the like within the flotation chamber. The connecting device can be a separate element pressing the lips of the first and second members against each other or can be a resilient portion of one of the members normally biasing the lips into engagement. A rub rail is defined at the upper end of the flotation chamber and can be formed either by a separate connecting member or by a portion of one of the other members.

Abstract: A small boat or the like comprising a flotation chamber defined at its gunwale by a first member, preferably integral with the sides of the hull extending upwardly and defining an upper end portion which may include a reverted first member lip, a second member or cover secured at its bottom portion to the hull, the major portion of which is spaced laterally from the first member with its upper end portion extending over the first member and including a reverted second member lip, and a connecting device resiliently engaging the upper end portion or first member lip with the second member lip to secure a flotation material in the form of a block of expanded polystyrene or the like within the flotation chamber. The connecting device can be a separate element pressing the lip of the first and second members against each other or can be a resilient portion of one of the members normally biasing the two members into engagement.