CA2036455C - Hydrofoil with retractable plate - Google Patents
Hydrofoil with retractable plate Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2036455C CA2036455C CA 2036455 CA2036455A CA2036455C CA 2036455 C CA2036455 C CA 2036455C CA 2036455 CA2036455 CA 2036455 CA 2036455 A CA2036455 A CA 2036455A CA 2036455 C CA2036455 C CA 2036455C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- hydrofoil
- plate
- plate member
- locking means
- propeller
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
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- Hydraulic Turbines (AREA)
- Soil Working Implements (AREA)
Abstract
A hydrofoil adapted for attachment to a boat propulsion unit.
The hydrofoil defines a recessed area on its underside in which a trolling plate may be positioned. A pivot shaft couples the plate to the hydrofoil permitting upright deployment of the plate for slowing of the watercraft. A locking bar on the hydrofoil serves to engage stops on the plate to lock same in retracted and de-ployed positions. A control permits remote operation of the locking bar.
The hydrofoil defines a recessed area on its underside in which a trolling plate may be positioned. A pivot shaft couples the plate to the hydrofoil permitting upright deployment of the plate for slowing of the watercraft. A locking bar on the hydrofoil serves to engage stops on the plate to lock same in retracted and de-ployed positions. A control permits remote operation of the locking bar.
Description
~... .a..
HYDROFOIL WITH RETRACTABLE PLATE
The present invention pertains generally to hydrofoils imparting lift to a watercraft.
In the prior art are hydrofoils carried by small watercraft with the primary ofjective being the reduction of the wetted surface area of a hull to reduce drag. As disclosed in U. S.
Patent 4,487,152, a hydrofoil may be mounted on a cavitation plate of an outboard motor or outdrive, in a modified version, for the purpose of lifting and stabilizing a boat hull. U. S.
Patents 1,576,237; 2,654,336; 3,965,838 andl 4,048,940 all dis-close trolling plates attached to the lower' unit of an outboard motor.
On small fishing boats, it is common i:o utilize a plate called a trolling plate located rearwardly adjacent the propeller of an outboard motor to slow the craft to <~ desired trolling speed. Trolling plates are often carried by a bracket mounted on the motor cavitation plate and are retractable through ninety degrees to an inoperable or streamlined position. When deployed, a trolling plate reduces propeller efficiency to diminish boat speed.
The present invention is embodied in ~~ hydrofoil for a water-craft to impart lift to the craft hull with the hydrofoil addition-ally serving to slow the craft when so desired.
The present hydrofoil includes a positionable plate member which, upon deployment, decreases propeller deficiency in the general manner of a trolling plate. For watercraft operations at speeds above trolling speed the positionable member is retracted whereafter the hydrofoil serves as a source of lift for the hull.
A lock mechanism maintains the plate member in the desired position 2~~~~~
with a control permitting remote positioning of the plate member.
The hydrofoil has a recessed wall surface to permit the plate member to be retracted into a streamlined position.
Objectives of the present hydrofoil include the provision of a single unit for watercraft for imparting lift to the craft and hence a speed increase by a reduction wetted hull area with the additional capability of slowing the craft by deploying a plate member of the hydrofoil; the provision of a dual purpose hydrofoil which may be conveniently attached to the lower unit of an outboard engine or to the outdrive of an inboard-outboard propulsion unit.
In the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the present hydrofoil located rearwardly of a boat transom;
Figure 2 is a top plan view of the hydrofoil removed from a boat propulsion unit;
Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of a positionable plate member of the hydrofoil.
With continuing attention to the drawings wherein applied re-ference numerals indicate parts similarly hereinafter identified, the reference numeral 1 indicates a portion of a boat hull below the waterline.
Adjacent the hull is a propulsion unit 2 shown in fragmentary form and may be the lower unit of an outboard motor or the outdrive of an inboard-outboard. A cavitation plate at 3 serves to restrict the formation of a partial void aft of a propeller 4. The foregoing description is intended to be only general in nature as a wide range of propulsion unit configurations exist.
The present hydrofoil is indicated generally at 6 and is of a lengthwise section to induce lift with upper and lower surfaces 7 ~3~~~
and 8 being of different shapes with surface 7 having a camber to provide a pressure difference thereon similar to an airfoil.
The leading edge 10 of the hydrofoil may be recessed at 11 to receive a rearward portion of the propulsion unit while a planar surface at 12 permits surfacial engagement of the hydrofoil with the cavitation plate of the unit for mounting purposes as by threaded fasteners 13 extending upwardly through the cavitation plate into engagement with the hydrofoil. The hydrofoil may be of generally delta shape in plan view with a trailing edge at 14 and l.0 rearwardly diverging edges at 15 and sides at 16.
Swingably mounted on the underside or lower surface 8 is a positionable plate structure 20 carried by a pivot shaft 21 jour-nalled in inset bearings as at 22. The plate 20 may be termed a trolling plate. As best viewed in Figure 4~, a pair of stops 23 and 24 are provided which project from the plate for cooperation with later described locking means. Plate upper and lower surfaces (when retracted) are at 20A and 20B with the plate upper surface being received within a recessed area 8A in the hydrofoil lower surface which terminates rearwardly proximate trailing edge 14 20 of the hydrofoil. Plate surface 20B serves, as a hydrofoil lower surface when the plate is retracted. Located adjacent the lead-ing edges of plate 20 is a bore 25 disposed transversely across the plate to receive pivot shaft 21 journalled in bearings 22. A flange 26 on the plate defines an open area 29 through which shaft 21 passes to receive a spiral spring having spring arms 27-28 which bias plate 20 toward a operative, extended position. Spring arm 27 bears against plate flange 26 while spring arm 28 bears against an internal wall surface 30 of the hydrofoil. For retention of plate 20 in place, the stops at 23 and 24 a.re shouldered at 30 30 and 31 for abutment with locking means 32 while an additional pair of shoulders at 33 and 34 on the stops cooperates with the locking means to prevent upward retraction of the plate in response to water impingement. Hydrofoil 6 is slotted at 6A and 6B to receive stops 23-24 to permit same to swing through 90 degrees or so during plate travel between deployed and retracted positions.
A control for the locking means may be embodied in a control wire 35 attached by a fitting 36 to locking means 32 to enable remote actuation of the locking means, for example, by a boat operator seated at an operator's station. Locking means 32 may I.O be a member formed from rod stock having reversed end segments 32A pivotally carried within pedestals 37-~~8 on upper surface 7 of the hydrofoil. For the prevention of d~~mage to plate 20 and locking means 32 by water exerted forces at>ove trolling speeds, the shoulders 33 and 34 may be formed with surfaces inclined some-what rearwardly and upwardly to the vertic~~l to provide a caroming action for upward displacement of the lockiing means permitting plate 20 to retract automatically from heavy propellor wash with the locking means subsequently engaging shoulders 30-31 for plate retention.
20 In use, the plate 20 is deployed by sp ring action upon actua-tion of remote control 35. The lowered plate inhibits water flow past propeller 4 to reduce the speed of the watercraft. At the cessation of slow speed operation of the w<~tercraft, actuation of control 35 permits plate 20 to retract out of the propellor wash to the streamlined or stowed position on tire underside of the hydrofoil with latching of same in place b~y locking means 32.
A range of hydrofoil shapes and sizes may be utilized to achieve desired hull lift and attitude.
While I have shown but one embodiment of the invention, it 30 will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention ~0~~~~
may be embodied still otherwise without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
HYDROFOIL WITH RETRACTABLE PLATE
The present invention pertains generally to hydrofoils imparting lift to a watercraft.
In the prior art are hydrofoils carried by small watercraft with the primary ofjective being the reduction of the wetted surface area of a hull to reduce drag. As disclosed in U. S.
Patent 4,487,152, a hydrofoil may be mounted on a cavitation plate of an outboard motor or outdrive, in a modified version, for the purpose of lifting and stabilizing a boat hull. U. S.
Patents 1,576,237; 2,654,336; 3,965,838 andl 4,048,940 all dis-close trolling plates attached to the lower' unit of an outboard motor.
On small fishing boats, it is common i:o utilize a plate called a trolling plate located rearwardly adjacent the propeller of an outboard motor to slow the craft to <~ desired trolling speed. Trolling plates are often carried by a bracket mounted on the motor cavitation plate and are retractable through ninety degrees to an inoperable or streamlined position. When deployed, a trolling plate reduces propeller efficiency to diminish boat speed.
The present invention is embodied in ~~ hydrofoil for a water-craft to impart lift to the craft hull with the hydrofoil addition-ally serving to slow the craft when so desired.
The present hydrofoil includes a positionable plate member which, upon deployment, decreases propeller deficiency in the general manner of a trolling plate. For watercraft operations at speeds above trolling speed the positionable member is retracted whereafter the hydrofoil serves as a source of lift for the hull.
A lock mechanism maintains the plate member in the desired position 2~~~~~
with a control permitting remote positioning of the plate member.
The hydrofoil has a recessed wall surface to permit the plate member to be retracted into a streamlined position.
Objectives of the present hydrofoil include the provision of a single unit for watercraft for imparting lift to the craft and hence a speed increase by a reduction wetted hull area with the additional capability of slowing the craft by deploying a plate member of the hydrofoil; the provision of a dual purpose hydrofoil which may be conveniently attached to the lower unit of an outboard engine or to the outdrive of an inboard-outboard propulsion unit.
In the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the present hydrofoil located rearwardly of a boat transom;
Figure 2 is a top plan view of the hydrofoil removed from a boat propulsion unit;
Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of a positionable plate member of the hydrofoil.
With continuing attention to the drawings wherein applied re-ference numerals indicate parts similarly hereinafter identified, the reference numeral 1 indicates a portion of a boat hull below the waterline.
Adjacent the hull is a propulsion unit 2 shown in fragmentary form and may be the lower unit of an outboard motor or the outdrive of an inboard-outboard. A cavitation plate at 3 serves to restrict the formation of a partial void aft of a propeller 4. The foregoing description is intended to be only general in nature as a wide range of propulsion unit configurations exist.
The present hydrofoil is indicated generally at 6 and is of a lengthwise section to induce lift with upper and lower surfaces 7 ~3~~~
and 8 being of different shapes with surface 7 having a camber to provide a pressure difference thereon similar to an airfoil.
The leading edge 10 of the hydrofoil may be recessed at 11 to receive a rearward portion of the propulsion unit while a planar surface at 12 permits surfacial engagement of the hydrofoil with the cavitation plate of the unit for mounting purposes as by threaded fasteners 13 extending upwardly through the cavitation plate into engagement with the hydrofoil. The hydrofoil may be of generally delta shape in plan view with a trailing edge at 14 and l.0 rearwardly diverging edges at 15 and sides at 16.
Swingably mounted on the underside or lower surface 8 is a positionable plate structure 20 carried by a pivot shaft 21 jour-nalled in inset bearings as at 22. The plate 20 may be termed a trolling plate. As best viewed in Figure 4~, a pair of stops 23 and 24 are provided which project from the plate for cooperation with later described locking means. Plate upper and lower surfaces (when retracted) are at 20A and 20B with the plate upper surface being received within a recessed area 8A in the hydrofoil lower surface which terminates rearwardly proximate trailing edge 14 20 of the hydrofoil. Plate surface 20B serves, as a hydrofoil lower surface when the plate is retracted. Located adjacent the lead-ing edges of plate 20 is a bore 25 disposed transversely across the plate to receive pivot shaft 21 journalled in bearings 22. A flange 26 on the plate defines an open area 29 through which shaft 21 passes to receive a spiral spring having spring arms 27-28 which bias plate 20 toward a operative, extended position. Spring arm 27 bears against plate flange 26 while spring arm 28 bears against an internal wall surface 30 of the hydrofoil. For retention of plate 20 in place, the stops at 23 and 24 a.re shouldered at 30 30 and 31 for abutment with locking means 32 while an additional pair of shoulders at 33 and 34 on the stops cooperates with the locking means to prevent upward retraction of the plate in response to water impingement. Hydrofoil 6 is slotted at 6A and 6B to receive stops 23-24 to permit same to swing through 90 degrees or so during plate travel between deployed and retracted positions.
A control for the locking means may be embodied in a control wire 35 attached by a fitting 36 to locking means 32 to enable remote actuation of the locking means, for example, by a boat operator seated at an operator's station. Locking means 32 may I.O be a member formed from rod stock having reversed end segments 32A pivotally carried within pedestals 37-~~8 on upper surface 7 of the hydrofoil. For the prevention of d~~mage to plate 20 and locking means 32 by water exerted forces at>ove trolling speeds, the shoulders 33 and 34 may be formed with surfaces inclined some-what rearwardly and upwardly to the vertic~~l to provide a caroming action for upward displacement of the lockiing means permitting plate 20 to retract automatically from heavy propellor wash with the locking means subsequently engaging shoulders 30-31 for plate retention.
20 In use, the plate 20 is deployed by sp ring action upon actua-tion of remote control 35. The lowered plate inhibits water flow past propeller 4 to reduce the speed of the watercraft. At the cessation of slow speed operation of the w<~tercraft, actuation of control 35 permits plate 20 to retract out of the propellor wash to the streamlined or stowed position on tire underside of the hydrofoil with latching of same in place b~y locking means 32.
A range of hydrofoil shapes and sizes may be utilized to achieve desired hull lift and attitude.
While I have shown but one embodiment of the invention, it 30 will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention ~0~~~~
may be embodied still otherwise without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
An attachment far securement to the lower housing of an outboard motor or outdrive unit of a boat proximate the propeller of same, said attachment comprising, a hydrofoil having a leading edge and a trailing edge and a curved upper surface providing a camber, said leading edge defining a rearwardly extending recess to receive a portion of said housing.
a plate pivotally mounted on the hydrofoil and having a re-tracted position and a deployed position rearwardly of the pro-peller for affecting propeller efficiency and boat speed. and locking means acting on said plate to maintain same in an upright deployed position against displacement by water impinge-ment.
In combination:
a lower housing of a boat propulsion unit including a propeller, a hydrofoil having a leading edge defining a rearwardly extending recess to receive said propulsion unit, said hydro-foil having a curved upper surface providing a camber, a trolling plate swingably mounted on the underside of said hydrofoil and having retracted and upright deployed positions, and locking means on said hydrofoil engageable with the trolling plate to maintain same in the upright position proximate said propeller to reduce propeller efficiency.
The combination claimed in claim 2 additionally including remotely actuated control means coupled to said locking means to enable unlocking of the trolling plate from the operator station of the boat, said locking means including pedestals on said hydrofoil and a member pivotally carried by said pedestals and engageable with said plate.
The combination claimed in claim 2 wherein said hydrofoil defines a recessed area on its underside to receive said trolling plate in the retracted position, said recessed area terminating proximate the trailing edge of the hydrofoil.
The combination claimed in claim 3 wherein said trolling plate includes upright stops having shoulders engageable with said member in both the retracted and deployed positions of the trolling plate.
In a hydrofoil for a boat propulsion unit having a propeller, the improvement comprising, a plate member having a first position inset within a hydrofoil surface and a second position substantially normal to said hydrofoil surface and rearwardly of the propulsion unit propeller, pivot means attaching said plate member to the hydrofoil, means biasing said plate member to said second position, locking means engageable with the plate member to retain same in said first and second positions respectively in place against water impingement and when retracted into said hydrofoil, control means coupled to said locking means and surfaces of the hydrofoil extending rearwardly from a leading edge of the hydrofoil to define an area for the reception of the propulsion unit.
The improvement claimed in claim 6 wherein said plate member includes a surface which functions as a hydrofoil surface when said plate member is in said first position.
The improvement claimed in claim 6 wherein said plate member includes at least one stop having spaced apart shoulders thereon cooperable with said locking means.
The improvement claimed in claim 8 wherein said locking means includes a member pivotally mounted on said hydrofoil, said shoulders disposed so as to act as a camming surface to displace said member for plate member release in the presence of excessive water pressure on the plate member.
In a hyrofoil, the improvement comprising, a plate member having a first position substantially in parallel with a hydrofoil surface and a second position substan-tially normal to said hydrofoil surface, said plate member in-cluding at least one stop having a shoulder thereon, pivot means attaching said plate member to the hydrofoil, locking means engageable with the plate member to retain same in said second position in place against water impingement, said locking means further including a rod member, said shoulder disposed so as to act as a camming surface to displace said rod member for plate member release in the presence of excessive water pressure on the plate member, and control means coupled to said locking means.
An attachment far securement to the lower housing of an outboard motor or outdrive unit of a boat proximate the propeller of same, said attachment comprising, a hydrofoil having a leading edge and a trailing edge and a curved upper surface providing a camber, said leading edge defining a rearwardly extending recess to receive a portion of said housing.
a plate pivotally mounted on the hydrofoil and having a re-tracted position and a deployed position rearwardly of the pro-peller for affecting propeller efficiency and boat speed. and locking means acting on said plate to maintain same in an upright deployed position against displacement by water impinge-ment.
In combination:
a lower housing of a boat propulsion unit including a propeller, a hydrofoil having a leading edge defining a rearwardly extending recess to receive said propulsion unit, said hydro-foil having a curved upper surface providing a camber, a trolling plate swingably mounted on the underside of said hydrofoil and having retracted and upright deployed positions, and locking means on said hydrofoil engageable with the trolling plate to maintain same in the upright position proximate said propeller to reduce propeller efficiency.
The combination claimed in claim 2 additionally including remotely actuated control means coupled to said locking means to enable unlocking of the trolling plate from the operator station of the boat, said locking means including pedestals on said hydrofoil and a member pivotally carried by said pedestals and engageable with said plate.
The combination claimed in claim 2 wherein said hydrofoil defines a recessed area on its underside to receive said trolling plate in the retracted position, said recessed area terminating proximate the trailing edge of the hydrofoil.
The combination claimed in claim 3 wherein said trolling plate includes upright stops having shoulders engageable with said member in both the retracted and deployed positions of the trolling plate.
In a hydrofoil for a boat propulsion unit having a propeller, the improvement comprising, a plate member having a first position inset within a hydrofoil surface and a second position substantially normal to said hydrofoil surface and rearwardly of the propulsion unit propeller, pivot means attaching said plate member to the hydrofoil, means biasing said plate member to said second position, locking means engageable with the plate member to retain same in said first and second positions respectively in place against water impingement and when retracted into said hydrofoil, control means coupled to said locking means and surfaces of the hydrofoil extending rearwardly from a leading edge of the hydrofoil to define an area for the reception of the propulsion unit.
The improvement claimed in claim 6 wherein said plate member includes a surface which functions as a hydrofoil surface when said plate member is in said first position.
The improvement claimed in claim 6 wherein said plate member includes at least one stop having spaced apart shoulders thereon cooperable with said locking means.
The improvement claimed in claim 8 wherein said locking means includes a member pivotally mounted on said hydrofoil, said shoulders disposed so as to act as a camming surface to displace said member for plate member release in the presence of excessive water pressure on the plate member.
In a hyrofoil, the improvement comprising, a plate member having a first position substantially in parallel with a hydrofoil surface and a second position substan-tially normal to said hydrofoil surface, said plate member in-cluding at least one stop having a shoulder thereon, pivot means attaching said plate member to the hydrofoil, locking means engageable with the plate member to retain same in said second position in place against water impingement, said locking means further including a rod member, said shoulder disposed so as to act as a camming surface to displace said rod member for plate member release in the presence of excessive water pressure on the plate member, and control means coupled to said locking means.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2036455 CA2036455C (en) | 1991-02-15 | 1991-02-15 | Hydrofoil with retractable plate |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2036455 CA2036455C (en) | 1991-02-15 | 1991-02-15 | Hydrofoil with retractable plate |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2036455A1 CA2036455A1 (en) | 1992-08-16 |
| CA2036455C true CA2036455C (en) | 2001-10-09 |
Family
ID=4147009
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2036455 Expired - Fee Related CA2036455C (en) | 1991-02-15 | 1991-02-15 | Hydrofoil with retractable plate |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2036455C (en) |
-
1991
- 1991-02-15 CA CA 2036455 patent/CA2036455C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2036455A1 (en) | 1992-08-16 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |