AU2022215322A1

AU2022215322A1 - Monohull for a watercraft

Info

Publication number: AU2022215322A1
Application number: AU2022215322A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Anthony Lane
Original assignee: Lane Anthony John
Current assignee: Lane Anthony John
Priority date: 2021-09-03
Filing date: 2022-08-14
Publication date: 2023-03-23

Abstract

A monohull (100) for a watercraft is provided. The monohull (100) comprises a lower cambered surface (102) extending from the bow (200) towards the stern (300). The monohull (100) also comprises two spaced apart keels (108a, 108b) disposed on either side of the lower cambered surface (102) and extending from the bow (200) towards the stern (300). Each keel (108a, 108b) has an inwardly-facing cambered surface (116a, 116b) and an outwardly-facing cambered surface (118a, 118b). The lower cambered surface (102) and the inwardly-facing cambered surfaces (116a, 116b) of each keel (108a, 108b) define a passage (122) therebetween for fluid to flow therethrough. 3/3 10 118a 1 12a 108a | 106 300 100 110a - 200 116a 120a 116b 1 14b 102 1 12b 108b 118b 141210 Fig. 5

Description

3/3

10

118a 1 12a 108a | 106 300 100 110a

- 200 116a 120a

116b

1 14b 102

1 12b 108b 118b 141210

Fig. 5

MONOHULL FOR A WATERCRAFT

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a monohull and, in particular, a monohull for a watercraft such as a boat, paddleboard, canoe, kayak and commercial or military vessels.

Background

[0002] The hull is an integral part of a watercraft and the design of which provides a significant contribution to the ultimate performance of the watercraft. Hulls have been constantly evolving over time and come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes depending on the type of watercraft. Despite the differences in hull design, a common goal for the shipbuilding industry is the improvement in performance and efficiency of watercrafts.

[0003] In view of the foregoing, there is a need to provide a hull that improves performance and efficiency of the watercraft. There is also a need to provide a hull that reduces costs. There is a further need to provide a hull that improves payload capacity. There is yet a further need to provide a hull that improves stability and comfort for passengers.

Object

[0004] It is an object of the present disclosure to achieve one or more of the above needs, or at least a useful alternative.

Summary

[0005] In an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a monohull for a watercraft, the monohull comprising: a lower cambered surface extending from the bow towards the stern; two spaced apart keels disposed on either side of the lower cambered surface and extending from the bow towards the stern, each keel having an inwardly-facing cambered surface and an outwardly-facing cambered surface, wherein the lower cambered surface and the inwardly-facing cambered surfaces of each keel define a passage therebetween for fluid to flow therethrough.

[0006] The passage may constrict fluid flowing from the bow towards the stern.

[0007] A lowest portion of the lower cambered surface may be closer to the bow than the stern.

[0008] An innermost portion of each of the inwardly-facing cambered surface may be closer to the bow than the stem.

[0009] Each keel may have a symmetrical foil-shaped cross section.

[0010] A leading edge of each keel maybe bulbous and may taper to a trailing edge.

[0011] The monohull may be formed from steel, aluminium, fiberglass or a combination thereof.

[0012] In another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a watercraft comprising the monohull described above.

[0013] The watercraft maybe a boat.

[0014] The watercraft maybe anyone of a paddleboard, a canoe and a kayak.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0015] An embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described hereinafter, byway of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0016] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a watercraft;

[0017] Fig. 2 is a side view of the watercraft of Fig. 1;

[0018] Fig. 3 is a front view of the watercraft of Fig. 1;

[0019] Fig. 4 is a rear view of the watercraft of Fig. 1; and

[0020] Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the watercraft of Fig. 1.

Description of Embodiments

[0021] Figs. 1 to 5 show a watercraft 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The watercraft 10 is in the form a boat having a monohull 100 with a bow 200 and a stern 300. The monohull 100 comprises a lower cambered surface 102 extending from the bow 200 towards the stern 300. A lowest portion 104 of the lower cambered surface 102 is closer to the bow 200 than the stern 300. In this embodiment, the lowest portion 104 is located forwardly near the midpoint 106 between the bow 200 and the stern 300. However, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments the lowest portion 104 may be located further forward towards the bow 200.

[0022] The monohull 100 further comprises two spaced apart and parallel keels 108a, 108b that are disposed on either side of the lower cambered surface 102 and which extend from the bow 200 towards the stern 300. Each keel 108a, 108b has a symmetrical foil-shaped cross section with a bulbous leading edge 1Oa, 1Ob that tapers towards a sharp trailing edge 112a, 112b. In this embodiment, each keel 108a, 108b has a rounded bottom 114a, 114b. However, in other embodiments, the bottom of each keel 108a, 108b may be squared-off.

[0023] With reference to Fig. 5, each keel 108a, 108b has an inwardly-facing cambered surface 116a, 116b and an outwardly-facing cambered surface 118a, 118b. The inwardly facing cambered surface 116a, 116b of each keel 108a, 108b has an innermost portion 120a, 120b that is closer to the bow 200 than the stern 300. In this embodiment, the innermost portion 120a, 120b of each keel 108a, 108b is located forwardly near the midpoint 106. However, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments the innermost portion 120a, 120b of each keel 108a, 108b may be located further forward towards the bow 200. The lower cambered surface 102 and the inwardly-facing cambered surfaces 116a, 116b of each keel 108a, 108b define a passage 122 therebetween for fluid to flow therethrough.

[0024] In some embodiments, the lower cambered surface 102 and the keels 108a, 108b may be integrally formed.

[0025] In some embodiments, the monohull 100 maybe formed from steel, aluminium, fiberglass or a combination thereof.

[0026] In use, when the watercraft 10 is in motion, the passage 122 is fully submerged and fluid flows through the passage 122. The passage 122 constricts the fluid flowing from the bow 200 towards the stern 300 at or near the innermost portions 120a, 120b of the keels 108a, 108b. It is recognised that pressure changes associated with fluid flowing through the passage 122 and around the keels 108a, 108b result in a net forward force on the monohull 100. This net forward force propels the watercraft 10 forward leading to improved performance and also reduces the power required to drive the watercraft 10, thus improving efficiency. It is also recognised that greater displacement/immersion of the monohull 100 further increases the net forward force on the monohull 100. This means that the monohull 100 may be constructed from heavier materials (e.g., steel), which not only reduces construction costs, but also provides for greater payload capacity of the watercraft 10. Higher displacement of the monohull 100 has the additional benefit of increased stability, thus improving comfort for passengers.

[0027] It is envisaged that the above described monohull 100 maybe utilised for any other watercraft, including paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, and commercial or military vessels, for example.

[0028] In other embodiments, each keel 108a, 108b may have an asymmetric foil-shaped cross-section.

[0029] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A monohull for a watercraft, the monohull comprising: a lower cambered surface extending from the bow towards the stern; two spaced apart keels disposed on either side of the lower cambered surface and extending from the bow towards the stern, each keel having an inwardly-facing cambered surface and an outwardly-facing cambered surface, wherein the lower cambered surface and the inwardly-facing cambered surfaces of each keel define a passage therebetween for fluid to flow therethrough.

2. The monohull according to claim 1, wherein the passage constricts fluid flowing from the bow towards the stern.

3. The monohull according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a lowest portion of the lower cambered surface is closer to the bow than the stem.

4. The monohull according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an innermost portion of each of the inwardly-facing cambered surface is closer to the bow than the stern.

5. The monohull according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each keel has a symmetrical foil-shaped cross section.

6. The monohull according to claim 5, wherein a leading edge of each keel is bulbous and tapers to a trailing edge.

7. The monohull according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the monohull is formed from steel, aluminium, fiberglass or a combination thereof.

8. A watercraft comprising the monohull according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The watercraft according to claim 8, wherein the watercraft is a boat.

10. The watercraft according to claim 8, wherein the watercraft is any one of a paddleboard, a canoe and a kayak.