EP1524181A1

EP1524181A1 - Hydroplane boat with outboard propulsion

Info

Publication number: EP1524181A1
Application number: EP03023181A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mongkol Jesadanont; Apijade Jesadanont; Sukanya Jesadanont
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-10-13
Filing date: 2003-10-13
Publication date: 2005-04-20

Abstract

A smart flying outboard boat (1) which can fly above water having only its propelling means (20) rotating under the water comprises a hull with wings (4) project on both sides. Underneath the wings (4) there installed flaps (5) one couple at anterior part and another couple at posterior part of said boat (1) to help lifting and tilting of said boat by moving the flaps pivotally up or down. Engine (2) of the boat can be controlled automatically or manually to move vertically through moving a frame (21) the engine (2) mounted to by a motor (31) where the propelling means(20) installed to the lowest end of a stem (121) of the engine(2). Navigation control systems comprises a steering wheel(100), an accelerating pedal(101), switches (102-103) to move the engine up and down by a motor (31), an automatic switch (123) to keep the propelling means (20) under the water surface or function at a predetermined level at all time, sonar detector (130) and level gauge (132), switches (105-116) to move flaps and lastly, electrical and electronics circuits specially designed to control switches and motors.

Description

This invention relates to an outboard boat that can be driven at very high speed above the water surface with only its propelling device underneath the water.
The presently available outboard boat is very practical and with high efficiency due to the successful development of outboard engine with high performance having light weight and much greater horse-power. The boat can be driven at very high speed and in addition, the boat body is now made of fiber glass or synthetic material which makes the boat strong and durable, with light weight and can withstand a much greater impact than in the past. Nevertheless, the position of the engine and the propeller used in the conventional outboard boat remains stationary at all time during operation. Thus, when the boat moves at a very high speed the front part of the boat is lifted up high while the rear part remains in the water, as shown in Fig. 6. When the speed is even higher and at a certain velocity, the whole boat body including its propeller is lifted above the water surface. The propeller blades then rotate freely in the air and give not enough force to drive the boat forward. This causes the boat to fall suddenly down and bump against the water surface. These occur alternately all the time during driving a boat at a very high speed which makes it very uncomfortable to the people sitting in the boat in addition that it can be quite harmful to their visceral organs and causes chest pain.
The present invention describes a design of smart flying outboard boat and a method to have the whole body of a boat lifted above the water surface yet the propeller of its engine or any propelling device remains at all time under the water through a vertically movable engine which drives the boat forward at a very high speed since the friction is minimized, thus causes no bumping down of the boat body. This saves a lot of energy and makes the boat occupants feel quite comfortable all the time due to the smooth moving of the boat.

Summary of the Invention

A smart flying outboard boat which can fly above the water surface while its propeller remains rotating under the water thus minimizing the water friction to save significantly the energy required, while moving of the vehicle is quite smooth. The main components comprises a boat hull, an engine having a propeller mounted thereto at the lowest end of the stem of the engine where either the engine or the propelling mechanism may be movable vertically up and down automatically or manually to keep the boat driving forward at all time, and means comprises wings and controllable flaps to help uplifting and tilting of the boat body aerodynamically. Automatic switches, sonar detector and level gauge are installed to help driving the boat smoothly.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing all the components of a smart flying outboard boat in this invention in details.
Fig. 2 is a side view of the smart flying outboard boat as in Fig.1.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the smart flying outboard boat while flying above the water.
Fig. 4 is a side view of the smart flying outboard boat as in Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 shows an enlarge view of the navigation control systems.
Fig. 6 is the conventional outboard boat presently available whose engine is stationary where at higher velocity, the posterior part of the boat remains at the water surface.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments:

Boat 1 is a smart flying outboard boat of the present invention. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the boat is driven at a velocity high enough to lift up the front part of the boat body while the rear part remains at the water surface. At this position, its engine is at the level that the blades of the propeller rotate in the water which gives a force great enough to drive the boat forward similar to that of conventional boat shown in Fig.6.
Boat 1 is a smart flying outboard boat comprises main components as shown in Fig. 1 as follows:
1. Out board Engine 2 , which is an engine conventionally used in driving a boat, however, in the present invention it is installed by mounting to a movable frame 21 and iron bars 22 such that the level of the engine can be adjusted up and down vertically to a level above the water surface as desired;
2. Wings 4 which projects from both sides of the hull of boat 1;
3. Flaps 5 mounted underneath each wing located to the anterior part of boat 1;
4. Flaps 6 mounted underneath each wing located to the posterior part of boat 1 posterior to engine 2; and
5. Navigation Control Systems
The function of each component is described in details as follows:

1. Outboard Engine 2:

As in Fig. 1, it is of light weight and with high horse power presently available. It is installed outside at the back of boat 1 with a propeller 20 at the lowest portion of a stem extending out from engine 2. The propeller rotates to drive the boat forward where during moving of the boat forward, the propeller must be underneath the water surface at all time. Engine 2 is mounted to frame 21 and bars 22 made of iron at the upper and the lower parts of engine 2, respectively. Frame 21 and bars 22 are welded to two vertical iron shafts 23 and 24 positioned at a predetermined distance or about 3 feet apart. As shown in Fig. 1, iron shaft 23 passes through two circular spaces 25 and 28 in iron plates 27 and 30, while iron shaft 24 passes through two circular spaces 26 and 29 in iron plates 27 and 30, respectively, to have the lower end of each shaft 23 and 24 welded to an iron bar 34 at the lowest level under iron plate 30. Iron plates 27 and 30 are welded to the back of boat 1 at the upper and the lower level, respectively.
In each circular space 25, 26, 28 and 29, there mounted a ball bearing cartridge to facilitate moving of iron shafts 23 and 24 up and down vertically and freely.
Moving of engine 2 up and down vertically can be controlled by a DC motor 31 which pulls a cable 32 through a pulley 33 fixed onto iron plate 27. Cable 32 passes through circular spaces 36 and 37 in iron plates 27 and 30, respectively, to have its lowest end welded to iron bar 34.
When motor 31 pulls cable 32 up, pulley 33 rotates counterclockwise and engine 2 is pulled vertically upward and when motor 31 releases cable 32 down, pulley 33 then rotates clockwise thus allows engine 2 move vertically downward.
2. Wing 4 projects from both sides of the boat body to facilitate uplifting and good balance of the boat while moving above the water surface. The posterior end 40 of each wing extends further passing engine 2 with its end slightly bends down as shown in Fig. 1 to help increasing the uplift aerodynamically.
At the end of each wing 4, there is an air rudder installed on top to help steering the boat through a steering wheel 100.
3. Flap 5 is installed underneath each wing 4 positioned relatively to the front of the boat. Flap 5 can pivotally move about a hinge 51 fixed to wing 4.
Pulleys 52 and 53 are installed on the boat body at a position lower and anterior to wing 4, where both pulleys have identical diameter and rotate about the same shaft 54 of motor 55 installed at the front of boat 1.
Motor 55 drives pulleys 52 and 53 clockwise or counterclockwise through shaft 54. Cable 56 has its proximal end fixed to pulley 52 at the pulley groove and its distal end fixed to position 59 underneath at the posterior end of flap 5. Cable 56 moves in a manner that when pulley 52 rotates clockwise, cable 56 winds about the axis of pulley 52 and passes through the groove of a pulley 57 causing pulley 57 to rotate freely about shaft 58 which is fixed to the boat body lower to flap 5.
Cable 60 has its proximal end fixed to pulley 53 at the pulley groove where it passes through circular space 61 of wing 4 and passes over a groove of pulley 62 which rotates freely about shaft 63 connected to stem 64 to hold pulley 62 up above the surface of wing 4. Cable 60 passes further over a groove of pulley 65 which rotates freely about shaft 66 connected to stem 67 to hold pulley 65 up above the surface of wing 4. The distal end of cable 60 then passes down through a rectangular space 68 to have its end fixed to position 69 at the dorsal surface of posterior end of flap 5.
4. Flap 6 is installed underneath each wing 4 positioned relatively to the back of boat 1. Flap 6 can pivotally move about a hinge 80 fixed to wing 4.
Pulleys 81 and 82 are installed at a position on the boat body lower and posterior to flap 5, where both pulleys have identical diameter and rotate about the same shaft 83 of motor 84 installed close to the back of boat 1.
Motor 84 drives pulleys 81 and 82 clockwise or counterclockwise through shaft 83. Cable 85 has its proximal end fixed to pulley 81 at the pulley groove and its distal end fixed to position 88 underneath at the posterior end of flap 6. Cable 85 moves in a manner that when pulley 81 rotates clockwise, cable 85 winds about the axis of pulley 81 and passes through the groove of a pulley 86 causing pulley 86 to rotate freely about shaft 87 which is fixed to the boat body lower to flap 6.
Cable 90 has its proximal end fixed to pulley 82 at the pulley groove where it passes through circular space 91 of wing 4 and passes over a groove of pulley 92 which rotates freely about shaft 93 connected to stem 94 to hold pulley 92 up above the surface of wing 4. Cable 90 passes further over a groove of pulley 95 which rotates freely about shaft 96 connected to stem 97 to hold pulley 95 up above the surface of wing 4. The distal end of cable 90 then passes down through a rectangular space 98 to have its end fixed to position 99 at the dorsal surface at posterior end of flap 6.
Flap 5 and 6 help lifting the boat up above the water surface to a desired level.
5. Navigation Control Systems (Fig. 5) comprises:
1.1 Steering wheel 100 : for controlling the air rudders 41 that the boat will turn right or left where navigator can control only by one hand; or by both hands when the boat has already fly above the water surface;
1.2 Accelerating Pedal 101 : to be pressed or released that engine 2 is accelerated or decelerated;
1.3 Switch 102 : to be pressed by left foot that motor 31 lowers the level of engine 2;
1.4 Switch 103 : to be pressed by left foot that motor 31 moves the level of engine 2 up; Accelerating Pedal 101, Switch 102 and Switch 103 are installed on the floor just in front of a seat for driver
1.5 Instrument Panel 104 comprises switches to control motors to pivotally move flaps 5 and 6 by the driver's fingers.
Press Switch 105 to move flap 5 both left and right pivotally downward,
Press Switch 106 to move flap 5 both left and right pivotally upward,
Press Switch 107 to move flap 6, both left and right pivotally downward,
Press Switch 108 to move flap 6, both left and right pivotally upward,
Press Switch 109 to move flap 5 only the right one pivotally downward,
Press Switch 110 to move flap 5 only the right one pivotally upward,
Press Switch 111 to move flap 5 only the left one pivotally downward,
Press Switch 112 to move flap 5 only the left one pivotally upward,
Press Switch 113 to move flap 6 only the right one pivotally downward,
Press Switch 114 to move flap 6 only the right one pivotally upward,
Press Switch 115 to move flap 6 only the left one pivotally downward, and
Press Switch 116 to move flap 6 only the left one pivotally upward;
where electrical circuits and electronic components are designed and constructed to allow functioning of such switches and motors to control all the parts by switches 102-116, such that if pressing is continuous, the motor it controls will also function continuously. Upon releasing the foot or the finger from the switch, the motor will stop functioning right away and allows engine 2 or flaps to remain stationary locked at that position. Only when any switch is pressed again, then the part it controls will function further.
To control flap 5 or 6 that it moves upward or downward, one can do as follows:
As in Figs. 1 and 2, where flap 6 on both sides are in the upward position right under wing 4, to move flap 6 downward pivotally away from wing 4 to allow the flow of wind to lift the back of boat 1 above the water surface, pressing switch 107 causes both motors 84 on the right and the left side to work simultaneously thus pulleys 81 and 82 rotates clockwise, and cable 85 pulls flap 6 pivotally downward and at the same time cable 90 is released from pulley 82 while flap 6 moves pivotally downward.
Oppositely, when switch 108 is pressed, motor 84 starts functioning and turns pulleys 81 and 82 counterclockwise while cable 90 pulls flap 6 to move pivotally upward.
Likewise, if either of flap 5 or 6 on each side is to move upward or downward separately, this can be done by pressing any of the corresponding switch.
The reason that any of the switches can be pressed to separately control moving either of the flaps on the right or the left side is to make it possible to tilt the boat right or left after the whole boat is lifted up above the water surface and the boat is in balance, yet the propeller is still under the water and rotates to drive the boat forward. This is in the same manner as that of airplane which can tilt right or left while flying in the air by controlling the ailerons. This will add much more fun to drive this newly invented boat as sport-boat.
Switch 123, in Fig. 1, is an automatic switch installed at the lower part of stem 121 about 20 cm. above propeller 20. This switch will operate or in the 'ON' position when it is above the water surface 120 and will be in the 'OFF' position when it is dipped under the water surface 120. This switch 123 is connected to motor 31 through switch 125.
This switch 123 is also connected directly to a buzzer 126 on the control panel 104.
A sonar detector 130 is installed underneath boat 1 as in Fig. 1 and connected directly to a level gauge 132 on the control panel 104. This sonar detector helps indicating the distance between the boat bottom and the water surface 120 by means of reflecting sound waves. Any other devices that can detect or indicate the distance between the bottom of the boat and the water surface can also be applied.

Driving a Flying Outboard Boat:

This can be done in 2 different ways, i.e. firstly, controlling the moving of the engine up and down manually and secondly, controlling the engine automatically.
1. Driving a Flying Outboard Boat by controlling the engine manually.
To lift boat 1 up in the air allowing only propeller 20 to be under the water, before starting engine 2 of boat 1, push switch 125 to 'OFF' position. At this position, even switch 123 is above the water surface which should turn switch 123 on, there will not be electric current supplied through switch 125 to motor 31.
Using left foot, press switch 103 that motor 31 lifts engine 2 where an automatic switch in motor 31 turns off the motor when engine 2 is in the uppermost position. Yet propeller 20 is about 20 centimeters under the water. In such situation, switch 123 is slightly under the water surface, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
Press switches 106 and 108 to keep all the flaps in the uppermost position under wing 4.
Start the engine and press the accelerating pedal 101 with right foot to speed up the boat to reach a velocity that wind lifts the front part of the boat up high while the back part is still at the water surface as in Fig. 2. At this position, press pedal 101 to reach the highest speed driven by propeller 20 and simultaneously press switch 102 with left foot to let motor 31 lowers the level of engine 2 gradually and press switch 107 with left hand to allow both flaps 6 to move pivotally downward simultaneously. Right hand controls the steering wheel 100 to drive the boat straightly forward. The lowermost of the rear part of boat 1 at the water surface is then gradually lifted up to allow most parts of boat 1 to move just above the water. Adjusting the pivoting of flaps 5 and 6 to any angle is possible through switches 105-108 where propeller 20 is to be kept under the water at all time as shown in Figs. 3 and 4.
Once switch 123 is above the water surface, it will be turned 'ON'. This makes the buzzer 126 start buzzing. The boat driver thus should press his left foot on switch 102 or release the accelerating pedal 101 to lower the speed of the boat. This causes switch 123 to be back under the water surface. The buzzer 126 then stops buzzing. This keeps the propeller 20 be at the level 20 centimeters under water surface at all time where it gives the best propelling force.
Through adjusting the flaps and the speed of the boat, uplift of the boat can be as high as desire, only that the propeller needs to be in the water at all time. But if boat 1 is lifted too high that propeller 20 is lifted over the water surface, then boat will fall down to bump against the water surface.
When boat is to be back to the water again, gradually decelerate the engine and press switches 106 and 108 to keep all the flaps in the uppermost position and simultaneously move engine 2 vertically upward to keep propeller back to its position at the back of boat 1 as in Figs. 1 and 2.

2. Driving a Flying Outboard Boat by controlling the engine automatically.

Before starting engine 2 of boat 1, push switch 125 to 'OFF' position. Using left foot, press switch 103 that motor 31 lifts engine 2 where an automatic switch in motor 31 turns off the motor when engine 2 is in the uppermost position. Propeller 20 is about 20 centimeters under the water. In such situation, switch 123 is slightly under the water surface and is in the 'OFF' position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.
While the boat is moving, there is no pressing of switches 102 and 103 which makes both switches in the position 'OFF' at all time.
Push switch 125 to 'ON' position and speed up the boat.
By controlling the pivoting of front and rear flaps as described in 1., when a certain velocity is reached, the boat is lifted which makes the engine is also lifted up. In this case if switch 123 is lifted to a position above water surface, it will be turned 'ON' automatically, where propeller 20 is still propelling to give enough force to push the boat moving forward at high speed. If at any moment switch 123 is above the water surface, it will be automatically 'ON'. Buzzer 126 will buzz to let the driver know. The electric current flows then into motor 31. Motor 31 lets engine 2 move downward until switch 123 is back to be under the water surface 120 that switch 123 thus turns 'OFF'. Engine 2 then stops moving. Therefore, no matter how high the speed of the boat is or how high is the boat being lifted above the water surface 120, propeller 20 is controlled automatically to be under the water surface 120 at all time. The boat will move smoothly above the water surface. This is in contrast to that controlling the engine 2 manually as in 1. where manual control is best for skillful drivers meant for fun driving or contesting.
How high is the boat above the water surface 120 is shown by a level gauge 132 which is connected to the sonar detector 130 installed at the bottom of the boat.
Means for pushing the boat forward besides using propeller, many other means can also be applied to move the boat forward manually or automatically. Any means can be applied to make flow of fluid especially water or air be forced to blow out from a tube or any pipe at high speed under or above the water surface such as water jet or air jet of a jet ski or any jet engine or jet propulsion or any other propelling means where the engine may be alternatively stationary and it is the propelling means which moves. That is to say, it can either be the engine or the propelling means which is the one movable to keep driving the boat forward at all time.
Method of moving propelling means up and down can be applied in similar manner as what has been described for the engine and propeller or modified.
To move all the flaps pivotally and the engine vertically upward or downward may be possible by the system described herein or either mechanically or using hydraulic system or any of the system that allows all the components to function as presently described. To hold flaps or engine at the uppermost or lowermost position is by the use of any type of automatic switches to turn motor 31, 55 or 84 automatically on and off to prevent overheat and damage to the motors.
It will be understood that modifications can be made in the above description without departing from the scope of this invention by one of ordinary skill in the art. It is accordingly intended that all matter contained in the above description be interpreted as descriptive and illustrative rather than in a limiting sense.
It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention as described herein, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Claims

A smart flying outboard boat (1) which can fly above the water surface having only its driving means or its propeller (20) under the water to drive said boat forward with high speed continuously.
A smart flying outboard boat (1) according to claim 1, whereof
its hull has wings (4) projecting out sidewise and extending further posterior with their ends bending slightly downward where there installed an air rudder each on top of said wings;
underneath said wings (4) there mounted flaps (5) on both sides for lifting up said boat (1) above the water, one couple at the anterior portion and another couple at the posterior portion where each of said flaps can be moved pivotally upward and downward about hinges fixed under said wings.
A smart flying outboard boat (1) as in claim 2, whereof movement of said flaps can be controlled preferably by motors (55) or any other means or methods such as hydraulic and more.
A smart flying outboard boat (1) as in claim 2, whereof
means for driving the boat forward can be an engine (2) which is able to be leveled up and down by motor (31) or any other mechanisms manually or automatically to allow propeller (20) or propelling means rotating under water at all time while the other parts of the boat is lifted up above the water surface, or any other means that can drive the boat forward where the stationary part and the moving part can be different such as jet or water jet.
A smart flying outboard boat (1) as in claim 2, whereof its controlling system comprises:

automatic switches (123, 125) to automatically control moving up and down of engine,

steering wheel (100) for controlling air rudders that boat will turn right or left,

accelerating pedal (101) for controlling the speed of the boat;

switches (102-103) for controlling the level of said engine through a motor;

switches (105-116) for controlling the pivoting of said flaps separately;

electrical circuits and electronic components to allow functioning of switches and motors;

sonar detector (130) and level gauge (132) to help controlling to keep the boat above the water surface at an appropriate predetermined level.
A smart flying outboard boat (1) which can fly above the water surface having its engine (2) alternatively remained stationary driving a propelling means (20) under the water surface or at a predetermined level while propelling the boat forward and where said propelling means (20) can be movable vertically automatically or manually.