GB2083782A - Aquaplaning vessels - Google Patents

Abstract

A water craft has a hull and at least one wheel fixed on each side of the hull wherein the wheels contact the water surface when the vessel is in motion and produce hydrodynamic lift. The wheels may be arranged in pairs on each side and the spacing of the wheels of each pair may be adjustable for balancing the craft correctly. The pairs of wheels may also pivot about a horizontal axis. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Aquaplaning vessel This invention relates to an aquaplaning vessel.

According to the present invention there is provided anaquaplaning vessel having hull and at least one pair of wheels on which the vessel may contact the water surface and means for connecting the wheels to said hull.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an aquaplaning vessel made in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a detail of the vessel of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a top plan view of the vessel of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a front elevational view of a second embodiment.

Referring to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4, it is known that even a comparatively heavy vehicle such as a saloon car turning on relatively small wheels with treaded tyres can aquaplane at low speeds on shallow pools of water.

A lightly constructed vehicle of aluminium.or glass-fibre with large, buoyant wheels will be more easily be driven to ride upon the surface of water at high speeds with little friction or drag caused by orthodox boat hulls.

The wheels are set in balanced pairs on connecting shafts of equal length, fore and aft, so that they can ride up and down over a rough water surface whilst exerting equal pressure upon the surface (Figure 1). The wheels can rotate freely without rotary drive from a motor but is may assist aquaplaning if the wheels are driven buy a motor and the rims are 'treaded' to assist them to rise onto the water surface (Figure 2).

The configuration of the wheel circumferences may be flat, tubular or 'V' shaped, inflatable and flexible or rigid in order to obtain maximum efficiency at varying speeds in varying conditions of roughness.

As shown in Figure 3, the wheels may be offset fore and aft so that a following wheel does not sink into the surface tubulence created by a leading wheel.

The fore and aft wheel connecting rods may be of varied (b.ut equal) length to obtain optimum efficiency according to conditions and speeds. They may also be sprung orflexible and even telescopic to reduce wear over rough surfaces and smooth the ride of the craft.

Aquaplaning vehicles quickly lose directional stability owing to a lack of friction. This may be overcome either by fixing a keel-like rim to the circumference of the wheels or by fitting a circular and rotating keel centrally in the craft's hull. If less than half of this keel is immersed it will rotate freely to reduce drag but help to maintain directional stability. A similar rotary rudder can also be fitted.

Both keel and rudder can be retracted if the craft is to be run up onto land.

The craft may be driven by sail, submerged propellor, gas turbine or jet engine. it may also be driven by the rotation of the wheels if necessary. Jet or gas turbine will give greater efficiency as no part of them will be submerged to cause drag.

Advantages of this craft over hovercraft are that propulsive energy will be spent largely in forward movement, rather than in keeping the craft airborne.

It should be as smooth and comfortable whilst being quieter in operation. It should be easy to beach and cause less pollution. It will also have an advantage over the hydrofoil system in reduced drag in the water.

Some power may be needed to lift the craft into an aquaplane but then little power should be needed to maintain high speeds. Buoyant wheels will assist the craft to aquaplane at low speeds.

The craft is likely to create spray in movement. The wheels can be covered with spray guards.

The craft can carry any even number of wheels set in balanced pairs to give a smooth ride to the hull. At rest, the craft may lie on the buoyancy of its hull whilst obtaining extra buoyancy and steadiness from the submerged parts of the wheels.

The purpose of this craft is to carry passengers or fragile loads at high speeds over water whilst having an amphibious capability and economic fuel consumption. The craft should not be excessively noisy nor should it cause pollution.

A high speed craft such as this has obvious military potential since it travels too fast to present an easy target, it can be hidden by its own spray if necessary, it can operate in shallow water and it should not present an easy target for torpedoes or mines.

Such a craft could take over many ferry routes, reducing turn-around times, and it could replace helicopters for supplying the oil industry in the North Sea.

The aquaplaning vessel described above is a vessel with a simple configuration designed to run smoothly over rough water on balanced pairs of buoyant wheels. This configuration is desioned to smooth the running of the vessel at high speed over a rough water surface when the waves are encountered 'head-on'. there is little allowance, save in the sprung suspension, for waves travelling laterally which will give the vessel a rolling motion.

The aim of the embodiment of Figure 4 is to provide an aquaplaning vessel with all the characteristics of Figure 1 design but with added refinements to reduce or nullify a rolling motion in the hull on crossing waves.

In Figures 1 to 3 the hull of the vessel is attached to the buoyant pairs of wheels centrally by pivoting axles set in the hull. In the version of Figure 4, the hull of the vessel is suspended from its roof beneath the centres of the raised pivoting axles.

These axles can pivot independently of each other according to the water pressures on the fore and aft paired wheels, there being two pairs of wheels (4 total) to each pivoting axle, whilst the hull hangs vertically beneath their centres. The object of this is to maintain equal and minimal pressure by the wheels on the water surface without causing the hull to roll.

Springs set between the pivoting axles and the hull will reduce unnecessary oscillation of the hull.

Short wings on the horizontal parts of the axles above the hull will give added lift and stability in forward motion.

The spacing of the wheels, their size, and the height of the hull above the surface in motion will be determined by the type of weather conditions likely to be encountered.

In Figure 1, the line A indicates the water surface when the craft is at rest whereas the line B indicates the water surface when the craft is aquaplaning. The wheels are mounted in pairs on wheel axle connecting rods C which can be lengthened to space the wheels further apart. Also, the rods C may be sprung to give smoother running.

In the embodiment of Figure 3, the wheels Ware offset and rotate on their own axles P. The wheels W may also pivot vertically in opposed pairs on their connecting rods C to allow movement for waves and to exert equal pressure on the water surface.

In the embodiment of Figure 4, the line A indicates the water surface when the craft is at rest whereas the line B indicates the water surface when the craft is in motion. The craft comrpises a hull H suspended at Con horizontal axles J on pivots. Springs L reduce the oscillation of the hull H. The fore and after axles can pivot independently according to the wave action while the hull hangs vertically below them.

The axles may be provided with stub wings D for lift and stability and the axles connect with buoyant wheels E through telescopic suspension F.

Modifications and improvements may be incorpo rated without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (6)

1. An aquaplaning vessel having a hull and a number of wheels with which the vessel may contact the water surface, and means for connecting the wheels to said hull.

2. A vessel as claimed in claim 1 wherein the shells are mounted in pairs on wheel axles connect ing rods.

3. Avessel as claimed in claim 2 wherein the connecting rods are length adjustable to vary the spacing of the wheels.

4. Avessel as claimed in either claim 2 or3 wherein the connecting rods are spring mounted.

5. Avessel as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the connecting rods may pivot to permit vertical movement of the wheels.

6. An aquaplaning vessel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1, Figure 3 or Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.