JP2004515396A - Amphibious catamaran - Google Patents

Abstract

Amphibious catamaran comprising: two spaced hulls (1, 2); a frame structure (3) supporting the hull; a motor (14) supported by the frame structure; A drive unit (21) for water propulsion operated by the motor (14); at least three land wheels (40-43); each supporting one or more land wheels (40-43). Height adjusting means (46, 47) for moving the hull (1, 2) away from the land when the land wheels are running on land. Then, the position for stably supporting the amphibious catamaran and the wheels for land (40 to 43) attached to the auxiliary frame are raised upward above the bottom of the hull (1, 2). From one of the auxiliary frames, and preferably both of the auxiliary frames. Height adjustment means enabling the auxiliary frames (44, 45) to move relative to the frame structure (3); in cooperation with one or more of the land wheels (40-43) Driving means for land travel (not shown, but including a motor (14)); steering means (not shown) for steering the amphibious catamaran on water and on land. An input station (59) for any person operating the amphibious catamaran on water and on land, or for receiving remote signals to control operation during use, or for both purposes. ) And;.

Description

[0001]
Background art
Amphibious vessels have proper surface performance and proper land performance. The disadvantage is when landing from water to land or when launching from land to water.
[0002]
It is an object of the present invention to provide an amphibious catamaran with improved performance or at least serving the general public.
[0003]
Disclosure of the present invention
The present invention generally relates to an amphibious catamaran, wherein the amphibious catamaran comprises:
Two spaced apart hulls;
A frame structure supporting the hull;
A motor supported by the frame structure;
A drive unit for water propulsion activated by the motor in use;
At least three land wheels;
Two auxiliary frames, each supporting one or more land wheels;
A height adjusting means, wherein in use, the land wheels separate the hull from the land during land running and stably support the amphibious catamaran; Height adjustment means for allowing one of the auxiliary frames to move with respect to the frame structure from a position where the ground wheels mounted are raised upward above the bottom of the hull;
Driving means for land travel in cooperation with one or more of the land wheels;
Steering means for steering the amphibious catamaran on water and on land;
An input station for any person operating the amphibious catamaran on water and on land, or for receiving a remote signal to control operation during use, or for both purposes;
Is provided.
[0004]
An important feature is that the hull, whether rigid or not, is firmly fixedly attached to the frame structure. The forces exerted on the hull by the water are substantial and the present invention eliminates the need for relative motion between the hulls. For example, in some other constructions, attempts have been made to provide an amphibious boat that rotates the hull around the frame structure (so that the land wheels can be rotationally fixed to the frame structure).
[0005]
However, an advantage of the present invention is that stress from the land on the frame structure through the auxiliary frame, via the land wheels, can be more easily handled, and the land wheels can move vertically with respect to the frame structure. That is. The frame structure is made as compact as possible, which means that stresses can be absorbed more easily.
[0006]
Preferably, a single motor (preferably turbodiesel) is provided to provide power to operate all devices, including driving one or more hydraulic pumps. The one or more hydraulic pumps form part of a drive unit for land travel and include a hydraulic motor that drives each of the driven land wheels. Similarly, the one or more hydraulic pumps form part of a water navigation drive unit that includes a hydraulic motor that drives the propeller.
[0007]
Preferably one or more hydraulic pumps form part of the water or land steering means including the ram or hydraulic motor, and ram height control means for controlling the movement of the auxiliary frame Constitutes a part of. The hydraulic motor must be reliable in operation, such that water ingress is avoided by the internal hydraulic pressure and the hydraulic motor is usually outside the water. If the motors are in hydraulic series, the automatic distribution of power to the motor is maximized.
[0008]
The hull is preferably non-rigid and inflatable, in whole or in part, so as to have many advantages. A non-rigid hull partially absorbs the forces from the water, thus reducing the required structural length of the frame structure and further reducing the occurrence of damage or breakage. Diesel motor turbochargers are preferably used to allow rapid inflation or deflation of the hull.
[0009]
At least the land front wheels are preferably steered. Both the land front and rear wheels are steered opposite to obtain an improved turning circle. A club steering is also preferably provided.
[0010]
A number of hydraulic and other device functions may be computer controlled.
[0011]
The front and rear auxiliary frames carry land wheels at the ends and are arranged to provide distal and tail arm suspensions, respectively. The ends can preferably be turned in a suitable arc and the wheels are preferably entirely removed from the water to maximize waterborne performance. In the lowermost position of the wheels, the hull is preferably entirely removed from the water in order to raise the hull to the highest position, while the land wheels are still fully or partially submerged. This results in improved traction for landing the ship and a reduction in the turning circle so that the wheel base is reduced. The intermediate position is suitable for safe road driving.
[0012]
The term "land" as used herein includes either a submarine or land shoal or a rigid surface such as a landing lamp on a barge.
[0013]
The term "land wheel" is intended to include both conventional wheels and other means that allow the ship to move horizontally relative to the land by using frictional contact with the land. It is.
[0014]
The foregoing is a general description of the present invention and one preferred embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are schematic and do not show exact structural details.
[0015]
Embodiment of the Invention
Hull and frame structure
As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the amphibious catamaran is two long, non-rigid, generally cylindrical, approximately 6-7 m long, It has partially inflatable hulls 1,2. They are spaced apart in parallel so that, at least when contracted, the overall width of the amphibious catamaran is less than or equal to the maximum width that allows it to travel on the road without exceeding the required tolerance. The position of the hull is maintained by the frame structure 3, which has sufficient strength to withstand the large forces acting on the hull under conditions encountered on water. The frame structure may be made of stainless steel or aluminum or a fiber reinforced resin composite molding, and an open top box structure (not shown) may include floors, side surfaces, end surfaces and cross members. Provided, some of them may be hollow to provide emergency buoyancy or fluid storage space. Since the frame structure is usually above the water level, the floor is capable of self-draining.
[0016]
The hull is approximately 650 mm in diameter, though varying with each amphibious catamaran depending on layout and weight etc. However, in its typical dimensions, the outer 25 mm may be a flexible or flexible foam wrap 4 (FIG. 6) of closed cells surrounding each inflatable tube 5. The wrap is wrapped in a common protective cloth 6 partially or entirely provided on the outer surface of the hull. It may be a multi-layer cloth. If the hull is damaged by a fishhook or hit by a sharp rock-like projection, the idea of foam is to provide additional protection against deformation of the inner tube (so-called triads). Become). Closed cell foam (not shown) shaped like a longitudinal strip may be mounted under the fabric or may be integral. The foam is adapted to maintain a shape such that the inflatable hull would otherwise deform. An amphibious catamaran equipped with these hulls has a draft of about 300 mm.
[0017]
The longer the hull, the better the amphibious catamaran can navigate waves or storms. Because it can straddle longer pitches between waves.
[0018]
The lowermost part of the hull has a semi-rigid outer boot 7 glued to the fabric layer 6, the outer boot 7 comprising a band of suitable plastic material, which makes the hull bottom appropriately shaped, When the hull comes in contact with the ground when landing, etc., the base cloth is protected from wear. The reinforcement is such that the bottom of the hull is partially rigid, even though the wave impact on the hull occurs at the flexible portion of the hull above the reinforcement. The reinforcement functions as a strong back. Furthermore, the reinforcement may serve as a mounting for the keel 9, which improves directional performance and is necessary for a stop chine-walk.
[0019]
The boot 7 is generally cup-shaped and may, for example, be 150 mm wide and surround the lower third of the hull. Boots 7 may extend into the forward portion of the hull, and a more suitable shape at the forward portion is a "V" shape with a packer between the boot and the circular hull. The boot must be made of a semi-rigid material, such as nylon or polyethylene, that retains its shape against permanent deformation and must be able to adhere or weld to the protective layer 6.
[0020]
In a modification, the inner "protrusion" 10 forms a semi-rigid strong back, but is separated from the inflatable tube 5 by the innermost foam layer 11, while embedded in the outer foam layer and It is covered with cloth. The projection 10 is further adapted to reduce hull deformation and provides an improved mounting frame for the keel. If the protrusion works in cooperation with the boot 7, its shape will be completely different. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, it is provided in use as a narrow beam having a vertically disposed depth, which varies over the entire length of the hull.
[0021]
In the event of a rush to land, the boot, or preferably any keel attached to the boot, can be rubbed down by lowering and act as a brake for an amphibious catamaran when traveling from water to land. .
[0022]
Each hull 1,2 is attached to the frame structure 3 by bolt rope / track couplings 12,12 ', 13,13' on either side of the centerline of the upper hull. Thus, if an amphibious catamaran is supported on land wheels, the hull may need to be turned over when it can slide to the maintenance truck. This is a very advantageous feature, as an amphibious catamaran can be used as a rescue boat and requires as much constant preparation as possible.
[0023]
The inflation of the hull is performed by a turbocharger of the turbo diesel motor 14. The turbocharger provides a large volume of low pressure air and also provides a means to quickly exhaust air from the hull. There is a suitable attachment to the turbocharger inlet and outlet (not shown) and a suitable manifold to the inflatable tube (not shown).
[0024]
Three consecutively connected tubes, which are inflatable inside each hull, provide side access flaps (not shown) in the outer cover fabric 6 and foam underneath for repair purposes when needed. It may be taken out through a slit in the material.
[0025]
The purpose of the hull structure is to have an excellent function as a hull drainage, to float efficiently, to be easy to maintain and repair, and to absorb the impact force caused by the impact of water as much as possible. At the same time, providing a structure that is relatively resistant to damage.
[0026]
The boot 7 has a comfortable ride by making the hull hydrodynamically circular to the shock of the waves, and thus maintaining the speed of the amphibious catamaran.
[0027]
Immediately above the hull may be a removable rigid container (not shown) supported on both sides of the frame structure, which container is used to carry tools, equipment and goods. However, amphibious catamaran can also act as an additional buoyant force when carrying heavy loads or sailing on a storm.
[0028]
Particularly for safety, the inflatable tube 5 includes an emergency inflatable tube (not shown), which is always undamaged when contracted. It can be maintained in such a way that it can be filled with a turbocharger or emergency air reservoir if necessary.
[0029]
The bow or tips 15, 16 of each hull include a tapered closed cell rigid foam core, which is covered with the closed cell flexible foam sheath and further covered with a protective cloth. As shown in FIG. 1, the tip can be tilted to a landing position, preferably by a double acting ram 17.
[0030]
The stern or tail section 19, 20 in each hull may be pushed, lifted, or both, with respect to the other parts of the hull 1, 2 by tail adjustment means, preferably actuated by a double acting ram 18. It is possible (FIGS. 3 and 7).
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 7, each tail 19, 20 can preferably be selectively contracted, so that the rear rear wheels 42 can easily climb or descend through the tail or stern. In order to be lifted and retracted.
[0032]
Promotion on the water
The motor 14 is supported by the frame structure 3 and serves as a water propulsion drive unit 21. This may be propeller or jet driven. A preferred choice is a hydraulically driven propeller 22 (FIG. 5) mounted on a depth control means 23 comprising a parallelogram linkage, the depth control means 23 connecting the propeller to a tunnel between the hulls. If the amphibious catamaran is at or near land, the trim can be lowered during this time, while it can be lowered to a depth sufficient to operate properly below the foul water created at It is possible to raise the propeller high enough to maintain and avoid damage. A single-acting or double-acting ram 27 adjusts the propeller height. Conventional stern legs are not only strong enough, but also do not have enough reach to maintain the trim when raised. The conventional stern leg has a distance of only about 900 mm between the rear legs, so that when raised at or near the full lock position, the legs or arms 54, 55 of the rear auxiliary frame 45 are tangled ( No explanation).
[0033]
The upper arm 24 and / or lower arm 25 of the parallelogram linkage is adjustable in length to change the propeller trim. The upper and / or lower arms are preferably integral with a double acting pneumatic or hydraulic ram, such as ram 26, to allow for length adjustment.
[0034]
Rotation of the parallelogram linkage or the propeller mounted on the linkage about the substantially vertical axis 29, 29 'for steering the amphibious catamaran above the water in use, in use by another hydraulic motor or one or more (Not shown). While conventional outboard motors can be moved about 30 ° to either side from the center, the amphibious catamaran device preferably is capable of further rotation.
[0035]
The propeller is hydraulically driven by a hydraulic reversible motor 30 that is normally not submerged, which drives a partially submerged, substantially vertical shaft (not shown). The shaft drives the propeller through a pair of bevel gears (not shown) that are submerged in use, and all submerged parts are properly housed in casing 31 and water cooled. ing.
[0036]
Driving the propeller with the hydraulic drive motor 30 to achieve the required number of revolutions of the propeller is performed by appropriately reducing the speed of the relatively high-speed rotating hydraulic motor via the bevel gear pair. Have been. Diesel motor 14 is rotating at 4200 rpm and one or more hydraulic pumps (not shown) are also rotating. The propeller motor 30 is rotating at 3600 rpm, in which case the reduction ratio for a 375 mm (15 in) diameter propeller is 1: 1.25.
[0037]
A propeller shroud 32 (shown schematically) can be lowered or raised near the top of the propeller by a shroud control means (not shown) to increase propeller propulsion for underwater conditions. It is. To reduce drag during navigation, the propeller shroud must be able to be removed entirely from the water.
[0038]
Auxiliary frame
Three properly positioned land wheels are capable of supporting an amphibious catamaran on land, but are preferably four for better stability. These land wheels 40, 41; 42, 43 (FIG. 8) are supported on or at the ends of the auxiliary frames 44, 45 for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis. 44, 45 can be moved from position 1 and position 2 with respect to the frame structure 3 preferably by height adjustment means 46, 47; in position 1, the land wheels 40-43 are Stably supports the amphibious catamaran for traveling on land with the hull away from the land; in position 2, at least the ground wheels mounted on the forward assistance frame normally extend beyond the bottom of the hull. Is raised upward to another position. Preferably all land wheels are so raised. If the land wheels are located inside the hull of the hull, very good results are obtained if at least one pair of land wheels, for example the rear pair 42, 43, is aligned with the hulls 1, 2 and is behind the hull. Stability is obtained. The balance factor means that if such land wheels move past the tails 19, 20 as shown in FIG. 7, the rear compartment of the hull will have to pass the wheels. Needs to be contracted.
[0039]
Since the auxiliary frames 44, 45 can be quickly lowered, possibly by computer control, landing can be accomplished quickly and accurately without having to disengage the propellers, and if sailing over the water, land. It minimizes flooding of the amphibious catamaran in the rushing waves and also keeps the approach speed constant and thus facilitates traversing the rugged land with limited towing capacity.
[0040]
While there are many suitable ways of providing the necessary auxiliary frame movement, the following should be kept in mind, and if the amphibious catamaran is floating and the ground wheels are similar, The need to keep the auxiliary frame completely out of the water, combined with the need to have sufficient elevation of the relatively long hull needed for good performance on water, The choice is to have two auxiliary frames 44, 45, each of which is pivoted with respect to the frame structure 3. There may be one auxiliary frame 44 at the front and one auxiliary frame 45 at the rear. Hydraulically or pneumatically operated rams 50, 51 (only shown in FIG. 1) may be used to move the auxiliary frame from a raised position to a lowered position; In the lowered position, each of the auxiliary frames pivots about a substantially horizontal pivot axis 48, 49 (FIG. 1) and carries the land wheels downward. The angle of the rotating arc may theoretically be as large as about 90 ° for maximum elevation, but in practice smaller angles allow for a more stable structure, For example, the amount of movement around the pivots 48, 49 may be about 55 °.
[0041]
To assist in landings in difficult conditions, it is important that the total weight of an amphibious catamaran be transportable on land wheels when the amphibious catamaran is in shallow water. For example, the bottom surface of the land wheel may be positioned 700 mm below the hull bottom surface. If the hull is completely or almost underwater, the wheels gain traction and the potential for the waves to overturn the amphibious catamaran is significantly reduced. The length of each auxiliary frame 44, 45 may be about 1.6 m, and the land wheels may be about 1 m in diameter, as provided as conventional wheels.
[0042]
The legs or arms of the auxiliary frames 52, 53; 54, 55 (FIG. 8) may conveniently be partially hollow tubes, and further suitable tubes are aluminum post sections, more preferably corrosion resistant stainless steel. It may be. These may be adapted to provide air reservoirs and hydraulic fluid reservoirs and cooling tanks. In each case, the end face of the tube is sealed to increase the overall buoyancy.
[0043]
The front and rear auxiliary frames 44, 45 are appropriately hinged or pivoted in the frame structure 3 for independent pivotal movement about substantially horizontal, substantially parallel axes 48, 49, the axes of which are fixed. Reference numerals 48 and 49 are substantially orthogonal to the straight line of travel of the amphibious catamaran during use. In addition, the height adjustment means 46, 47 may suitably include a pneumatic ram (so-called bellows or pneumatic actuator or spring) adjacent to the axis of the hinge, and an inboard compressor (illustrated) driven by the motor 14 May not be activated). While pneumatic bellows provide a useful amount of buoyancy compared to other options, they have limited travel and are single-acting, and for this and other reasons are double-acting hydraulic The rams 50, 51 are preferred. The lifting and lowering by the hydraulic ram is faster than the pneumatic ram, and the drag created by the lowering of the land wheels connected to the auxiliary frame unduly delays the movement of the amphibious catamaran. Not minimized for. Hydraulic rams allow for rapid ascent and descent and allow for a larger arc over which the auxiliary frame is pivoted. An improved pneumatic ram may be on the order of 25 °.
[0044]
The legs or arms 52-55 of the auxiliary frame terminate in axles or cross members 56, 57, which are driven at each end by hydraulically driven land wheels. It supports a motor (not shown). A kingpin assembly (not shown) allows for ram-driven steering of all land wheels. For low land speeds all will be steered, but for high land speeds, preferably one or more rear steering rams (not shown) will provide stability for the amphibious catamaran. The ground wheels may be locked in a straight-ahead position to improve steering, so that high speed steering on land is performed solely by the front ground wheels.
[0045]
Preferably, there may be a locking means (not shown) for mechanically but releasably locking the auxiliary frame at a selected position to reduce stress in the operable hydraulic system.
[0046]
A suitable suspension device is, for example, an auxiliary frame 44 via a double-acting hydraulic ram 50, 51 with at least one sealing gas spring (not shown) of the type used in CITROEN® vehicles. , 45 with hydraulic pressure. The hydraulic circuit supplying the hydraulic ram (not shown) preferably includes a number of sealing gas springs (not shown), some of which can adjust the stiffness of the suspension You can choose to.
[0047]
Access to and from amphibious catamaran, both on water and on land, is not practical across the side. The auxiliary frames 44, 45 serve as the main means of accessing and exiting the amphibious catamaran.
[0048]
The aft auxiliary frame 45 is provided with a stepped cover (not shown) which, on land or above the water, provides access to the entry station 59 or the amphibious catamaran when the auxiliary frame is in the lowered position. It can be used for any deck. Often, aft assist frames equipped with suitable and powerful hydraulics are installed underneath objects to be loaded or unloaded on an amphibious catamaran to aid in lifting or lowering the object from or underwater. This is effective as a loading device that is lowered to the bottom. If there is no hydraulic system onboard, the onboard crane (not shown) may be easily provided for certain applications.
[0049]
If the auxiliary frame is properly made, the auxiliary frame may be deformable or used on a temporary deck when there is no need for landing purposes.
[0050]
Two spaced rear aft wheels 42, 43 supported on a rear aft frame 45 have tracks approximately equal to the maximum width of the amphibious catamaran across the hulls 1,2.
[0051]
There are two spaced land wheels 40, 41 supported on the forward assistance frame 44 (although there may be a single land wheel), the track of the land front wheels is the minimum spacing between the hulls. It is narrower.
[0052]
Forward, the ends of the auxiliary frame are terminated by a pair of land wheels on a short axle 56, and the hulls 1, 2 are provided with places where the land wheels 40, 41 rotate during steering. And the pivot axis (not shown) of the central axle runs in the longitudinal direction and, similar to that used in many agricultural trucks, The point is to form a body suspension. The central tip cone 60 (shown only in FIG. 4) minimizes any bow waves generated by the lowered axle and land wheels, and furthermore includes a drain (shown in FIG. 4). (Not shown) is provided on the frame structure or on the forward auxiliary frame to divert any fog generated by the lowered axle and land wheels from amphibious catamaran visitors.
[0053]
A land-wheel hydraulic motor (not shown) provides brake means as well as drive means for the amphibious catamaran.
[0054]
When such an amphibious catamaran is landed, the land wheels are automatically lowered using a detection device (not shown) when the amphibious catamaran is preferably near the coast, The detection device is adapted to cause a descent when the floor level of the water surface is 400 mm below the hull. However, there is a need for a proper balance between premature grounding and traction on land wheels and grounding too late in the event of a hull landing and damage. If it is necessary to make landing easier, the front auxiliary frame 44 is lowered before the rear auxiliary frame 45.
[0055]
At the rear, wings (not shown) are provided on the auxiliary frame, possibly forming the rear axle 57, so that when the amphibious catamaran is moving forward, the rear auxiliary frame 45 descends into the water. When provided, the wings are adapted to provide a lift of the framework 3, and thus of the hull.
[0056]
The aft ram (reference numeral 18 in FIG. 7) is adapted to bend the stern or tails 19, 20 of the hull downward, so that the forward movement of the amphibious catamaran causes the lifting of the auxiliary frame. Such a mechanism, on the contrary, results in a rise in the tail, providing a reduced level of water and an increased surface speed. The change on both sides makes it possible to counteract the propeller torque reaction or unbalanced load or wind or sharp turning forces, which is a function similar to the trim-tab.
[0057]
An option is to have land wheels of very large diameter of the type of conventional wheels-up to about 1 m in diameter-. To avoid lengthening of the frame structure or the rear auxiliary frame 45, the hull sections at the tails 19, 20 are to be used when the amphibious catamaran is landing or not, and when traveling at constant speed on the road. The selectively landed and multi-stage hydraulic ram (such as 18) bends a large land wheel with a small enough radius to allow it to pass around the hull compartment (shown in part in FIG. 7). . This may apply to both the bow and stern depending on the track width.
[0058]
The advantage of shrinking the tail of each hull during landing is that it helps the amphibious catamaran to rise and land.
[0059]
The height adjusting means 46, 47 can therefore preferably position each auxiliary frame 44, 45 independently (if necessary) in at least three positions, the three positions being:
Top position (shown in Figure 1)
Lowermost position (shown in Fig. 2)
Intermediate position, with the hull offshore for the minimum distance required for safe road travel (shown in Figure 3)
[0060]
Although two auxiliary frames 44, 45 have been described, more may be provided. For example, each leg or arm 52-55 may form an individual auxiliary frame, and each wheel may have its own auxiliary frame.
[0061]
Instead of a car-like steering on land, an amphibious catamaran may be skid-type steering. In that case, one or more land front wheels may be mounted on a substantially horizontal pivot of caster action, whereas the land rear wheels may be selectively braked and / or conversely driven independently. I can do it. The land rear wheels may be in the form of a truck assembly (which may be similar to the front wheels) to reduce ground pressure as described above. The land wheel may be in the form of a computer-controlled leg of the type that walks on land like a human.
[0062]
Input station
An input station 59 is provided on the amphibious catamaran for any person operating the amphibious catamaran on water and / or on land, and upon launch or restoration of the amphibious catamaran. With regard to the decision regarding the lowering or raising of the land wheel with respect to time, if those functions are not automated, the person needs to be trained. Of course, the amphibious catamaran may not be fully occupied at all times, in which case the input station is occupied by a receiver (not shown) and may receive a remote control signal. It is possible, or a combination of person and receiver is possible. The input station may include a simple free standing steering position or may include a fully enclosed cabin.
[0063]
The input station is provided with all necessary controls for operating the amphibious catamaran (not shown) and preferably a computer (not shown) for automating some functions. ing.
[0064]
motor
The basic power acting on the movement of the amphibious catamaran comes from hydraulic motors or hydraulic rams. These are preferably driven by a pair of serially mounted hydraulic pumps (not shown) which are directly connected to the output shaft of a turbo diesel motor 14 of about 150-200 HP (110-150 kW). ing.
[0065]
A diesel motor preferably operates a generator (not shown) and a compressor (not shown); the generator is for providing an electrical energy supply; It provides the high pressure air needed to operate the tool, and the power tool is like a jack or spreader to help those trapped in a distress, such as an airplane.
[0066]
wrap up
The advantages of the above-described structure are as follows. The hulls 1, 2 are firmly fixed to the frame structure 3, and there is no compromise in that respect. This has resulted in a structure with the required strength for drag on the amphibious catamaran above the water, which, of course, is very important for passenger safety. It is important.
[0067]
Certain versions of amphibious catamaran may be prevented from running at high speed on land. Perhaps speeds up to about 40 kph will be practical. The aim is for the amphibious catamaran to have sufficient overland performance so that it can be moved to a suitable storage location on land-close to the owner's home, if possible. The speed on water is desirably about 20 kn or more. It is different from military purposes.
[0068]
When used as a rescue boat, if the frame structure 3 is equipped with a deck, the deck becomes a number of rescue pods (not illustrated) that can be transported and extended to people underwater, and a number of Providing appropriate support to people as quickly as possible.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG.
FIG. 1 shows a side view of an amphibious catamaran at its maximum height above ground.
FIG. 2
FIG. 2 shows a side view of the amphibious catamaran in normal operating mode above water, with some details in FIG. 1 omitted for clarity.
FIG. 3
FIG. 3 shows a side view of the amphibious catamaran in normal constant speed mode of operation on land, with some details in FIG. 1 omitted for clarity.
FIG. 4
FIG. 4 shows a view of the arrangement of the motor and the steering of the right front wheel for land on the left as viewed from the center plane, and for the sake of clarity, some details in FIG. 1 are omitted. ing.
FIG. 5
FIG. 5 shows a side view of the drive unit and the depth control means, for clarity some details in FIG. 1 have been omitted.
FIG. 6
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the hull, in which an engagement portion of the frame structure is enlarged, and a detailed part in FIG. 1 is omitted for clarity.
FIG. 7
FIG. 7 shows the rear adjustment means, and for the sake of clarity some details in FIG. 1 have been omitted.
FIG. 8
FIG. 8 shows a plan view from the top, with some details in FIG. 1 omitted for clarity.
[Explanation of symbols]
1. Hull
2 ... hull
3… Frame structure
4: Foam wrap
5 ... Expansion tube
6 ... cloth
7 ... Boots
9 ... Keel
10. Projection
11 ... Innermost layer foam
12 ... Bolt rope truck
12 '… Bolt rope channel
13. Bolt rope track
13 '… Bolt rope channel
14. Turbo diesel motor
15 ... Tip
16 ... Tip
17: Tip ram
18 ... tail ram
19 ... Tail
20 ... tail
21 ... Drive unit
22 ... Propeller
23 Depth control device
24 ... Top arm
25 ... Bottom arm
26 ... ram
27 ... Height control ram
29 ... axis
29 '... axis
30 ... Propeller motor
31 ... casing
32 ... Shroud
33 Shroud control means
40 ... land front wheel
41 ... land front wheel
42… land rear wheel
43… land rear wheel
44… Auxiliary frame
45 ... rear auxiliary frame
46 ... Front height adjusting means
47: Back height adjusting means
50 ... front ram
51 ... rear ram
52 ... front leg
53 ... front leg
54 ... rear leg
55 ... rear leg
56 ... front axle
57 ... rear transverse member
59 ... Input station
60 ... cone

Claims (33)

Amphibious catamaran:
Two spaced apart hulls;
A frame structure supporting the hull;
A motor supported by the frame structure;
A drive unit for water propulsion activated by the motor in use;
At least three land wheels;
Two auxiliary frames, each supporting one or more land wheels;
A height adjusting means, wherein in use, the land wheels separate the hull from the land during land running and stably support the amphibious catamaran; Height adjustment means for allowing one of the auxiliary frames to move with respect to the frame structure from a position where the ground wheels mounted are raised upward above the bottom of the hull;
Driving means for land travel in cooperation with one or more of the land wheels;
Steering means for steering the amphibious catamaran on water and on land;
An input station for any person operating the amphibious catamaran on water and on land, or for receiving a remote signal to control operation during use, or for both purposes;
An amphibious catamaran comprising: A front or front auxiliary frame is pivoted at its rear end relative to the frame structure, and a rear or rear auxiliary frame is pivoted at its front end with respect to the frame structure, and both auxiliary frames are 2. An amphibious catamaran according to claim 1, wherein the amphibian catamaran is pivoted to pivot about a substantially horizontal and substantially parallel axis orthogonal to the straight line of travel of the amphibian catamaran. The height adjusting means can position each auxiliary frame in at least three positions, the three positions being:
The highest position;
The lowest position;
An intermediate position, wherein the hull is off land on the minimum distance required for safe road travel;
3. An amphibious catamaran according to claim 2, wherein: Wherein the height adjustment means allows the front auxiliary frame, the rear auxiliary frame and the land wheels attached thereto to be generally raised above the bottom of the hull in use. Item 6. An amphibious catamaran according to item 3. An amphibious catamaran according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the height adjusting means comprises a pneumatic ram and / or a hydraulic ram. An amphibious catamaran according to claim 5, wherein said height adjustment means comprises a double acting hydraulic ram. The hydraulic circuit supplying the double-acting hydraulic ram includes at least one sealing gas spring to provide resilience to a suspension of the frame structure on the land wheels. An amphibious catamaran according to claim 6. The hydraulic circuit supplying the double acting hydraulic ram includes a number of seal gas springs, some of which select resilience in suspension of the frame structure on the land wheels. An amphibious catamaran according to claim 6, wherein the amphibian is adapted to be selected to allow for the following. The drive unit is a propeller, the propeller being supported by depth control means, which controls the height of the propeller relative to the hull to utilize available water, if any; An amphibious catamaran according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the depth can be adjusted. An amphibious catamaran according to claim 9, wherein the depth control means is a parallelogram linkage adapted to maintain the trim of the propeller at any selected depth. An amphibious catamaran according to claim 10, wherein the upper and / or lower arms of the parallelogram linkage are adjustable in length to change the trim of the propeller. . 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the upper arm and / or the lower arm comprises or is integral with a double-acting pneumatic ram or a double-acting hydraulic ram for effecting a length adjustment. An amphibious catamaran as described in. The propeller is hydraulically driven through a hydraulic motor that is not normally submerged during use, and the hydraulic motor is a substantially vertical drive that drives the propeller through a pair of bevel gears submerged during use. An amphibious catamaran according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the amphibian is driving a partially submerged shaft. Claims wherein the propeller shroud is allowed to be lowered by shroud control means near the top of the propeller, or to be raised to water conditions to increase propeller thrust. An amphibious catamaran according to any one of Items 9 to 13. An amphibious catamaran according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the hull is not rigid. An amphibious catamaran according to claim 15, wherein the hull is at least partially inflatable. Each of the hulls includes one or more inflatable tubes circumferentially covered by a flexible foam of a closed cell, wherein the flexible foam of the closed cell further partially or externally covers the outer surface of the hull. 17. An amphibious catamaran according to claim 16, wrapped in a protective cloth provided entirely. 18. An amphibious catamaran according to claim 17, wherein the outermost surface of the lowermost fabric of each of the hulls is externally reinforced by semi-rigid boots. 19. An amphibious catamaran according to claim 18, wherein said boots comprise a keel. 20. An amphibious catamaran according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the boot covers an internal strongback embedded in the flexible foam. The bow or tip of each of the hulls includes a rigid foam core of a tapered closed cell, covered by a flexible foam sheath of the closed cell, wherein the flexible foam of the closed cell is further provided by the cloth. An amphibious catamaran according to any of claims 17 to 20, wherein the amphibian is wrapped. 22. An amphibious catamaran according to claim 21, wherein said tip is capable of tilting upward through a double acting ram to a landing position. 23. Any one of claims 15 to 22, wherein the stern or tail of each of the hulls can be depressed and / or raised relative to other portions of the hull by tail adjustment means. An amphibious catamaran according to paragraph. Where the hull is at least partially inflatable, and the tail facilitates raising the tail to facilitate lifting or lowering of land wheels past the tail. 24. An amphibious catamaran according to claim 23, which allows it to be selectively contracted to do so. 25. An amphibious catamaran according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the hull is removably attached to the frame structure by bolt rope tracks. Claims comprising two spaced apart aft rear wheels supported by the aft frame and a track of the aft rear wheels approximately equal to the maximum width of the amphibious catamaran traversing the hull. 26. An amphibious catamaran according to claim 2 or any one of claims 1 to 25 dependent on claim 2. 27. The amphibian of claim 26, comprising two spaced-apart front wheels supported by the front assistance frame, and a track of the land front wheels that is smaller than a minimum space between the hulls. Catamaran. 28. An amphibious catamaran according to claim 27, wherein the land front wheels are mounted on a centrally rotating beam axle such that the amphibious catamaran has a three-point suspension. An amphibious catamaran according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein all drivable land wheels are drivable in a forward or reverse direction. 30. An amphibious catamaran according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein all land wheels are steerable. 31. An amphibious catamaran according to claim 30, wherein the pair of land wheels is steerable in opposite directions. The claim, wherein the hull is at least partially inflatable, the motor is a turbo diesel motor, and further wherein the structure is made available for inflating the hull. An amphibious catamaran according to any one of Items 1 to 31. 33. An amphibious catamaran according to claim 32, wherein said structure is adapted to utilize said turbodiesel motor to contract said hull.