Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
  • B63B1/00—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils
  • B63B1/02—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement
  • B63B1/10—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement with multiple hulls
  • B63B1/14—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement with multiple hulls the hulls being interconnected resiliently or having means for actively varying hull shape or configuration
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
  • B63B3/00—Hulls characterised by their structure or component parts
  • B63B3/02—Hulls assembled from prefabricated sub-units
  • B63B3/04—Hulls assembled from prefabricated sub-units with permanently-connected sub-units
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
  • B63B7/00—Collapsible, foldable, inflatable or like vessels
  • B63B7/06—Collapsible, foldable, inflatable or like vessels having parts of non-rigid material
  • B63B7/08—Inflatable
  • B63B7/082—Inflatable having parts of rigid material
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
  • B63B73/00—Building or assembling vessels or marine structures, e.g. hulls or offshore platforms
  • B63B73/20—Building or assembling prefabricated vessel modules or parts other than hull blocks, e.g. engine rooms, rudders, propellers, superstructures, berths, holds or tanks
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
  • B63B73/00—Building or assembling vessels or marine structures, e.g. hulls or offshore platforms
  • B63B73/40—Building or assembling vessels or marine structures, e.g. hulls or offshore platforms characterised by joining methods
  • B63B73/46—Gluing; Taping; Cold-bonding
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
  • B63H5/00—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water
  • B63H5/07—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water of propellers
  • B63H5/125—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water of propellers movably mounted with respect to hull, e.g. adjustable in direction, e.g. podded azimuthing thrusters
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
  • B63B2231/00—Material used for some parts or elements, or for particular purposes
  • B63B2231/40—Synthetic materials
  • B63B2231/52—Fibre reinforced plastics materials
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
  • B63H23/00—Transmitting power from propulsion power plant to propulsive elements
  • B63H23/02—Transmitting power from propulsion power plant to propulsive elements with mechanical gearing
  • B63H2023/0208—Transmitting power from propulsion power plant to propulsive elements with mechanical gearing by means of endless flexible members
  • B63H2023/0216—Transmitting power from propulsion power plant to propulsive elements with mechanical gearing by means of endless flexible members by means of belts, or the like

Definitions

• the present invention is concerned with a hull assembly for an aquatic vessel, particularly for a high speed catamaran or trimaran vessel.
• US patent No. 5,873,130 discloses a catamaran style vessel with a hull having a generally T-shaped cross section with multiple compartments for liquid cargo occupying the majority of the hull volume.
• the compartments are made of metal and therefore still suffer from the weight disadvantage.
• An object of the present invention is to provide a hull for a vessel that is light enough to attain high speed, yet is secure and safe to use.
• Another object of the present invention is to provide a hull for a vessel that has a low manufacturing cost.
• Another object of the present invention is to provide a hull for a vessel that is light and can save on fuel consumption.
• a hull assembly for an aquatic vessel comprising: a plurality of flexible modular containers units, the container units being connected together to form an outer shell structure with an inner hollow section, each of the container units having an opening facing the inner hollow section; a plurality of inflatable bags, each of the inflatable bags being respectively housed within each container unit, each of the inflatable bags being insertable in a deflated state into each opening of the container units, each of the inflatable bags having an inlet for injecting a gas into each of the inflatable bags so as to provide rigidity to each of the container units; an inner keel connecting the container units together within the inner hollow section along a longitudinal axis of the hull, the inner keel being provided with openings in registration with each opening of the container unit; and an outer skin coat for covering the container units an the inner keel.
• a high speed catamaran vessel comprising: a) at least two spaced apart hulls, each hull having: a plurality of flexible modular containers units, the container units being connected together to form an outer shell structure with an inner hollow section, each of the container units having an opening facing the inner hollow section; a plurality of inflatable bags, each of the inflatable bags being respectively housed within each container unit, each of the inflatable bags being insertable in a deflated state into each opening of the container units, each of the inflatable bags having an inlet for injecting a gas into each of the inflatable bags so as to provide rigidity to each of the container units; an inner keel connecting the container units together within the inner hollow section along a longitudinal axis of the hull, the inner keel being provided with openings in registration with each opening of the container unit; and an outer skin coat for covering the container units an the inner keel; b) a bridge structure connecting the two hulls together; c) a set of transverse structural beams
• Figure 1 is a side view of the high speed catamaran vessel according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 2 is a top cross sectional view of the hull of the catamaran vessel shown in
• Figure 3 and 4 are front sectional views of the high speed catamaran vessel shown in Figure 1.
• Figure 5 is a perspective view of the flexible modular container units used to assemble a section of the hull of the vessel according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 6 is a perspective view of a single flexible container unit with a corresponding inflatable bag that is insertable therein.
• Figure 7 is a cross sectional view of the hull of the vessel with an inner keel according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 8 is a more detailed view of encircled portion A shown in Figure 7.
• Figure 9 is a side cross sectional view of the hull of the catamaran vessel according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 10 is a top sectional view of the hull of the catamaran according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• Figures 11 and 12 are side cross sectional view of the hull of the catamaran with an hydropter system in respective retracted and extended positions according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• Figures 13 and 14 are side views of the respective rear and front retractable hydropter systems according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 1 there is shown a preferred embodiment of a high speed catamaran vessel or ship 10 according to the present invention.
• the size of the catamaran vessel 10 preferably ranges between 15 to 250 meters in length, which is convenient for the transportation of large number of passengers.
• the catamaran vessel 10 is designed to reach speeds from 20 knots up to 120 knots. This is achieved by the use of high performance construction materials and the dynamics used in the design.
• This catamaran vessel 10 is also adapted to airborne on its entire length. Even though the example that is illustrated is that of a catamaran vessel, It should be understood that other types of ships such as mono hulls ships, or trimarans are encompassed by the teachings of the present invention.
• the platform designs are based on the Venturi principles and wing effect on its superstructure for lifting and sustaining the vessel 10 in an airborne travelling mode.
• the vessel 10 has a flying wing design producing a substantial lifting effect at low speed.
• the wing design combined with the Venturi principles allow the vessel 10 to airborne within its own length.
• the catamaran vessel 10 has two hulls 12, one of which is shown in Figure 1. Above the hull is the cabin 105, which may have several closed decks. A service doors 104 is shown in the back for entry of the passengers. For increasing the efficiency and speed when airborne, a large delta wing 101 fixed to a mast 102 is provided on the top of the cabin 105. As most ships of this size, it is equipped with a radar system, telecommunications systems, and propulsion systems, advanced motion controls, collision avoidance controls, inflatable life rafts, etc.
• the inside cabin 105 of the vessel 10 is preferably pressurized for structural purposes as for the comfort of the passengers just as an aircraft.
• the deadweight of the catamaran vessel 10 according to the present invention is relatively very low at about 0.55 meters draft as compared to other vessels of same size, which vary from 1.5 to 3 meters draft. This is mainly due to the light weight materials that are used for the hulls 12.
• Each hull 12 is made of a plurality of flexible modular containers units 16 that are connected together to form an outer shell structure 14 with an inner hollow section 18.
• the hollow section 18 is preferably U-shaped but may also have other shapes such as a V-shape.
• Each hull 12 typically has a bow section 20, a foil section 21 , a main hull section 22, a bevel section 24, a power room section 26, and a stern section 28.
• the bow section 20 is typically 9 meters long and is pointed.
• the foil section 21 is typically 6 meters long and has a hollow portion 19 for receiving the hydropter foil mechanism system described hereinbelow.
• the main section 22 is typically 42 meters long and has the narrowest portion of the hollow section 18.
• the bevel section 24 is typically 6 meters long and has a hollow portion 23 that is tapered.
• the power room section 26 is typically 14 meters long and is provided with a larger hollow portion 27 for housing the engines of the catamaran vessel 10.
• the stern section 28 is typically 4 meters long. All hollow sections preferably communicate with each other. As shown, transverse structural beams 30 join both hulls 12 together.
• FIG. 3 there is shown a cross section of the catamaran vessel 10 in the main section 20.
• Each hull 12 is made of a plurality of flexible modular container units 16.
• the frame 107 of the cabin 105 may be made with the same container units 16 as the hull 12.
• the frames 107 are preferably airframes that are equipped with air bags for structural purposes as will be explained below.
• all air framed sections 107 are prefabricated and assembled together directly on the high speed craft with an adhesive and covered entirely by an outer skin of a mix of carbon fibers, polyethylene fibers, such as DyneemaTM, and aramid fibers, such as KevlarTM, bonded together with epoxy resin.
• FIG. 4 there is shown a cross section of the catamaran vessel 10 in the power room section 26.
• Each hull 12 has the larger hollow portion 27 for housing the engine room 110. This section is relatively wider than the front section to allow more space for the engines and appropriate equipment.
• the frame 107 of the cabin 105 is provided with apertures 99 such as ventilation ducts and wiring channels.
• FIG. 5 there is shown a section of the hull 12 that is made of the flexible modular container units 16 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• These container units 16 have different shapes from each other in order to form one section of the hull.
• Several of these sections, with varying shapes depending on what part of the hull is made, are assembled together to form the entire hull 12.
• the container units 16 are connected to each other preferably by means of a flexible adhesive material.
• the modular units 16 are bonded together as well as to the inner keel (shown in Figure 7), which provides the longitudinal strength for the catamaran 10 and serve as the back bone of all modular units 16.
• FIG. 6 there is shown a single flexible container unit 16. Also shown is its corresponding inflatable bag 113 that is insertable therein.
• the inflatable bag 113 is provided with an inlet 115 for injecting gas, such as air, into it so as to provide rigidity to its corresponding container unit 16.
• gas such as air
• FIG. 7 there is shown a cross section of the hull 12 with an inner keel 118 connecting the container units 16 together within the inner hollow section 18 of the hull 12. As shown, the inner keel 118 is connected to each container unit 16 on one side thereof that is facing the hollow section 18.
• each air bag 113 faces a screw type port holes 120 that is airtight and accessible from the lower deck through the cabin floor.
• a vacuum type port hole can also be used.
• An opening of about one square meter in the inner keel 118 gives access to each and every container unit 16 as well to all air bags 113 and structural elements of the catamaran vessel.
• the inner keel 118 is provided with openings in registration with each opening of the container unit 16 where the port holes 120 extend.
• Each air bag 113 is inserted into its own container unit 16 and it is designed to fit into its corresponding container unit 16.
• the air bags 113 are inserted by hand through the porthole 120, which has an opening for the air bag valve 115, a container unit valve 116 for pressurization purposes and a pressure sensor 117.
• the sensor 117 is wired to a computer system for detecting failures and monitoring pressure.
• a typical catamaran vessel can carry about 6000 air bags. All portholes120 valves are inserted into the inner keel walls 118 prior to assembling the container units 16.
• Each wall of the inner keel 118 is made from a solid core, such as balsa wood or a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) foam, through a sandwich construction process with two skin coats of reinforced fibers.
• a solid core such as balsa wood or a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) foam
• PVC polyvinyl chloride
• One of the sides receiving the container units is produced on a laser flat surface for the entire length of the vessel 10.
• the average height of an inner keel is 5 meters and the average distance between the walls is 1 meter.
• a groove is molded in the core to insert a continuous ribbon of carbon fibers to fill the groove to act as stiffeners 120.
• the bridge structure 34 that can also further connect the two hulls 12 together.
• the bridge structure 34 can be made may be made of the same container units 16 with its airbags 113.
• Other structures may be used instead of the bridge structure 34 such as aluminum binders.
• Air ducts and wiring tubing are also produced in composite materials for light weight and structural purposes.
• bumper guard system As the outer skin of the catamaran vessel is relatively flexible and thin, when docking, special retractable bumper guard system can be used on the sides of the vessel 10.
• This bumper guard system may consist of additional container units provided with air bags.
• the bumper guard system consists of a pneumatic arm fixed to the inner keel wall with a pressure plate.
• the guard itself represent a low pressure tire mounted on a swivel axial. Extending the bumper guards can keep the vessel up to 8 feet away from any dock or pier.
• the vessel 10 is also provided with engines 124 in the rear thereof with generator sets 125 besides them.
• the vessel is also provided with bow foils, struts, trim tabs and air, fluid and fuel tanks, access manholes to the container units 16, rudders and propellers.
• Figure 11 shows the hull 12 of the vessel 10 with rear and front hydropter systems 40, 42 in a retrieved or retracted position. This retracted position is used when the vessel is at a stand still.
• Figure 12 shows the hydropter systems 40, 42 in a fully extended position. In this extended position, the vessel 10 can reach speeds of up to 90 knots in open waters with waves of up to 14 feet.
• the hydropter systems 40, 42 can also be extended in intermediate positions so as to travel at 45 knots in protected waters.
• FIG. 13 there is shown a side view of the rear hydropter system 40.
• the system includes an engine 133, a transmission 134, a power belt 135, a rudder 131 , propellers 132 and a lifting air cylinder 136 or retractable suspension.
• FIG 14 there is shown a side view of the retractable front or bow hydropter system 42.
• the bow hydropter system 42 is also equipped with a rudder 147 and trim tabs 148.
• the bow is also made of container units 16 with airbags.
• a vacuum pump In the bow is located a vacuum pump, a high pressure air tank 145 and a reserve air tank 146.
• each foil where the hydropter systems 40, 42 are housed is preferably made of titanium to protect rudders, trim tabs and sensors against collision with floating debris.
• the entire structure is covered with a carbon fiber envelop.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
• Architecture (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
• Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
• Agricultural Chemicals And Associated Chemicals (AREA)
• Catching Or Destruction (AREA)

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• 2001
  • 2001-10-16 AT AT01980077T patent/ATE352483T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2001-10-16 EP EP01980077A patent/EP1470039B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2001-10-16 DE DE60126364T patent/DE60126364D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2001-10-16 CA CA002503004A patent/CA2503004A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2001-10-16 WO PCT/CA2001/001459 patent/WO2003033336A1/en active IP Right Grant

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