US3099240A

US3099240A - Boat construction

Info

Publication number: US3099240A
Application number: US112443A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr Charles A Montague
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1961-05-24
Filing date: 1961-05-24
Publication date: 1963-07-30
Anticipated expiration: 1980-07-30

Description

United States Patent 3,09,24l BQAT CUNSTRUCTEGN Charles A. Montague, Jr., 5269 Pecan Grove Lane, Memphis 17, Tenn. Filed May 24, 1961, filer. No. 112,443 13 Claims. (Cl. 1l4o6.5)

This invention relates to improvements in boats and more particularly to means for rapidly accelerating such boats.

One of the primary objects of the present invention is to provide a boat that is capable of obtaining rapid acceleration.

A [further object is to obtain acceleration of the boat with less power than is required by conventional arrangements.

A further object is to provide means in a boat to lift the boat during the initial phases of the operation of the propeller and before the boat begins to move through the water, so that rapid acceleration may be obtained.

A further object is to obtain lift regardless of the acceleration of the boat through the utilization of the velocity imparted to the water by the propeller acting on the lifting device of the present invention.

A further object is to increase the load starting and towing capacity of a heat.

A further object is to decrease the wake formed by a boat, which otherwise would be hazardous to water skiing, fishing and boat riding.

A further object is to increase the overall efiiciency of a boat by obtaining power use while decreasing the power lost due to reducing the displaced volume of water.

A [further object is to utilize the lift obtained by the present invention to improve the boats attitude in the water during starting and running.

A (further object is to provide a boat which is particularly useful for high-speed patrol craft, military attack craft, rescue boats, racing, sporting boats, high-speed ferries and other uses in which rapid acceleration is required or desired.

A further object is to provide a boat which is capable of furnishing immediate power starting from standstill that is necessary in pulling water skiers.

A further object is to provide an attachment for boat motors which will cause the boat to which the motor is attached to rise in the water, thereby reducing the displacement area of the boat, to improve the attitude of the boat in the water and thereby to provide rapid acceleration and other advantages.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the specification hereinafter set forth and the novel features thereof defined in the appended claims.

The means by which the foregoing and other objects of the present invention are accomplished and the manner of their accomplishment will be readily understood from the following specification upon reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the boat construction of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof with parts broken away for purposes of illustration.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of the attachment of the present invention shown attached to an outboard motor, with only a fragmentary lower portion of the outboard motor being shown.

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the device shown in FIG. 3 with a part broken away for purposes of illust-ration.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken as on the line VV of FIG. 4.

ice

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the attachment itself.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken as on the line VIIVII of FIG. 4 of a preferred form of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 of an alternate form of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 7 of still another alternate form of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings in which the various parts are indicated by numerals, FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings show a boat 11 employing the present invention wherein it will be seen a plurality of propelling units 13 are shown attached to hull 15 of boat 11. Propelling units 13 are preferably though not necessarily, three in number and preferably located so that when the propelling units cause a lift, as will be later described, the upward lift will be transmitted to the boat 11 in a substantially balanced manner. Thus, a propelling unit 13 is preferably attached on each side of boat 11 intermediate the ends thereof. The propelling units 13 on the sides of the boat are attached by any suitable means, as braces 17. In addition, a propelling unit 13 is attached adjacent the stern of the boat 11 in the usual manner so that the propelling unit is pivotable about a substantially vertical axis to steer the boat, as by means of the usual handle 19. The propelling units 13 are preferably centrally controlled as by a conventional remote gear shift and throttle control as at 20. Each propelling unit 13 is substantially the same in construction, and the following description for one will sufiice for all.

Each unit 13 preferably comprises the usual propelling means including a motor 21, having the usual housing 23 depending therefrom to which is mounted adjacent the lower end thereof the usual gear box 25. In addition, the usual propeller 27 is rotatably mounted from gear box 25 for drive by motor 21, and the usual propeller guard 29 depends from gear box 25 to protect propeller 27. Although an outboard propelling unit 13 is illustrated in the drawings, it will be understood that an inboard propelling unit or the like may be provided without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention Each of propelling units 13 includes a lifting device 31 of the present invention, which lifting device is located below the lower portion of propeller 27 and arranged in such a manner that when the propeller is rotated -a flow of water will be accelerated through the lifting device.

Lifting device 31 comprises in general a substantially vertical post 33, a rearward portion 35 and a narrow lower neck portion 37 rigidly and integrally interconnecting the post and the rearward portion. Rearward portion 35 is in the form of a generally channebshaped member and includes 'a pair of upwardly curved wing portions 39 which extend upwardly on opposite sides of propeller 27 in closely spaced relationship thereto and terminate substantially level with the mid-point of the propeller. When viewed from the rear, as in FIG. 4, rearward portion 35 forms substantially a semi-circle of a greater diameter than the circular path of propeller 27. The forward side edges 41 of rearward portion 35 lead upwardly and outwardly from lower neck portion 3-7 to the circular rearward edge 43 of the rearward portion. In other words, rearward portion 35 may be thought of as being formed from the lower half of a hollow and substantially cylindrical piece with the axis of the cylinder extending horizontally in substantial coincidence with the axis of rotation of propeller 27 and with portions of the cylinder being cut away on opposite sides thereof along :arcuate lines extending from adjacent neck portion 37 outwardly and upwardly to rearward edge 43 to establish edges 41.

Means is provided for attaching lifting device 31 so that it is located below propeller 27, as heretofore described, and this means preferably comprises a cap 45.

Cap 45 is adapted to fit around the lower portion 47 of gear box 25 and around propeller guard 2% in spaced relationship to the portion 47 and guard 29 with a rubber fill 49 or the like being provided therebetween to establish a firm connection. In other words, cap 45 is in the same general configuration as portion 47 and guard 29 but larger so that the portion and the guard are adapted to fit into the cap with a void therebetween which is filled with rubber or the like. The rearward end wall 51 of cap 45 is even with the rearward end of gear box 25 and extends thereto. Cap 45 is preferably held in place by means of screws 53, which are preferably the same screws that normally hold the lower portion 47 of the gear box to the remainder of the gear box. The rearward portion of cap 45 is preferably flat as at 55 to receive in flat face-to-face engagement the forward face 57 of post 33, which post is firmly anchored to the cap by means of bolts 59 extending through bores 61 provided in the post and threadedly engaged in threaded sockets 63 respectively aligned with bores 61. If desired, cap 45 may be omitted and the post 33 attached directly to guard 29, as by bolts or the like, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Boat 11 is preferably provided with a stabilizing device 65 which includes a vane 67 pivotally supported below hull 15 for pivot about a horizontal axis, as by means of struts 69 attached to the bottom of boat 11 and depending therefrom and connected to vane 67 by a pivot axle 7.1. A link 73 is pivotally attached to vane 67 adjacent the rearward end thereof as at 75. Link 73 slidably extends upwardly through a bore 77 in boat 11, which is provided with suitable sealing means to prevent water from entering the boat. The upper end of link 73 is pivotally attached to one end of a crank lever 79 as at 81. Crank lever 79 is pivotally mounted zfrom the inside of bull 15 as at 83 and bears against suitable well-known notched means 85 so that the crank lever can be moved but will remain in the position into which moved. A knob 87 is provided on crank lever 79 so that the crank lever can be pivoted to move link 73 up and down which in turn will pivot vane 67, whereby the vane may be moved to a desired position for stabilizing and adjusting the attitude and the depth of the vane 67 in thewater.

In describing the operation of boat 11, it is assumed that the boat is at a standstill with the propelling units in an idling disposition, that is, with propellers 27 either stopped or slowly revolving. Then, when propellers 27 are accelerated a high velocity of water will be caused to pass through lifting device 31, which high velocity is in contrast to the low or zero velocity of water around the outside of lifting device 31. It will be understood that with this difference in the velocities there will be a littt imparted to lifting device 31 which in turn will be transmitted to boat 11 through the propelling units 13 so that prior to and during the actual movement 01f the boat through the water, the boat will be lifted upwardly and there will be less displacement of the water by the hull with a more rapid acceleration of the boat being permitted. Thus, it will be seen that a degree of lift is generated when propellers 27 are rotated regardless of the movement of the propelled boat 11. This lift is due to the relative velocities described which result from [the propelling of water through the lifting device 31 prior to the boat 11 obtaining its speed. As the boat 11 gains speed, the relative velocities of the water inside of device 31 and outside of the device may increase or decrease depending upon the horsepower required to accelerate and maintain the speed of the boat at various speeds and attitudes in the water. Consequently, this lift will vary with the actual slippage of the water about the projected circumference of the propeller which results. If it is desired to increase the lift above that caused by slippage, this is done by using a hydrofoil section, as in the preferred section shown in FIG. 7, which will generate a difference in water velocity above and below lifting device 31 caused by the absolute speed of boat 11. This difference in velocity will be caused by the fact that the water allowing over the curved upper surface 57 of the hydrofoil section has to travel a greater distance than the water flowing under the straight lower surface 59 of the hydrofoil section. However, if it is desired to decrease the lift resulting from the slippage, a reverse or upsidedown hydrofoil section, as shown in FIG. 8, may be employed, which has a straight upper surface 61 and a longer curved lower surface 63. In addition, if it is desired to equal the lift resulting from the slippage at various speeds, a streamlined section, as shown in FIG. 9, can be used, where the upper and lower

curved surfaces

65, 67 are substantially equal in distance. In other words, various effects may be had by a variation of the section from a foil section to a more nearly streamlined or streamlined section and to a reverse foil section. It will be understood that the overall efiect of lifting device 31 will 'be to cause a lifting force to be exerted regardless of the shape of the foil section, and that the foil section will only affect the degree of the lift.

It will be understood that stabilizing device 65 is useful in stabilizing boat 11, or changing the trim thereof.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that a boat 11 is provided which is adapted to have rapid acceleration from a start dead in the water to full speed. In addition, it will be understood that such a boat is provided which offers many advantages to boats attempting to start towed loads, such as boats pulling water skiers, or for rescue vessels which would need to have a rapid acceleration. Other useful applications would be for high-speed patrol craft, military attack craft, bigh-speed ferries and racing boats. It will be understood that when multiple propelling units 13 are used, this allows the entire propelled boat to be lifted from the water by the lifting devices 31 immediately upon acceleration of the propellers. However, it will be understood that, if desired, only a single propelling unit 13 need be used, as .for example, in a motor boat to pull water skiers. In this latter event the improved load starting and acceleration characteristics would be gained primarily from the improved attitude of the boat in the water resulting from the lift provided by subject invention. This lift would act to overcome the heavy weight of the motor on the rear of the boat and the undesired rotational movement exerted on the boat by the thrust of the motor, both of which tend to impair the attitude of the boat in the water, particularly upon initial acceleration.

Although the invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity or understanding, it is to be understood that changes and modifications may be made therein which are within the dull intended scope of this invention as hereinaflter claimed.

I claim:

1. A boat comprising a hull, a plurality of spaced propelling units attached to said :hull for the propelling thereof, said propelling units including propellers rotatably mounted for rotation about substantially horizontal axes, means for rotatably driving said propellers, a plurality of channel-shaped members, each of said channel-shaped members being of substantially the shape of a portion of a hollow cylinder and having a substantially horizontal axis, said channel-shaped members being respectively mounted substantially below said propellers with the axes thereof being respectively substantially coincident with the axes of rotation of said propellers and with said channel-shaped members extending upwardly on opposite sides of said propellers to places of termination substantially at a level with the middle of said propellers so that said channel-shaped members respectively substantially surround the lower halves of the path of rotation of said propellers in closely spaced relationship thereto, whereby the flow of water from said propellers respectively over said channel-shaped members causes an upward lift of said hull, and adjustable vane means supported from said hull and extending therebelow for adjusting the attitude of said boat.

2. A boat comprising a hull, a plurality of spaced propelling units attached to said hull for the propelling thereof, said propelling units including propellers rotatably mounted for rotation about substantially horizontal axes, means for rotatably driving said propellers, a plurality of channel-shaped members, each of said channelshaped members being of substantially the shape of a portion of a hollow cylinder and having a substantially horizontal axis, said channel-shaped members being respectively mounted substantially below said propellers with the axes thereof being respectively substantially coincident with the axes of rotation of said propellers and with said channel-shaped members extending upwardly on opposite sides of said propellers to places of termination substantially at a level with the middle of said propellers so that said channel-shaped members respectively substantially surround the lower halves of the path of rotation of said propellers in closely spaced relationship thereto, whereby the flow of water from said propellers respectively over said channel-shaped members causes an upward lift of said hull.

3. A boat comprising a hull, at least one propelling unit attached to said hull for the propelling thereof, said propelling unit including a propeller with said propeller being unobstructed over the top of the path of rotation thereof, means for rotatably driving said propeller to cause a rearward flow of water from said propeller, a channel-shaped member, said channel-shaped member being mounted on said propelling unit in such a position that the rearward flow of water from said propeller passes over said channel-shaped member to cause an upward lift thereon.

4. In a boat having at least one propelling unit adjacent the rearward end thereof with said propelling unit including a rotatably driven propeller for establishing a rearward flow of water and with said propeller being unobstructed over the top of the path of rotation thereof, means for causing a lifting force to be exerted on said boat at said propelling unit comprising a channel-shaped member including a pair of wings, said channel-shaped member being attached to said propelling unit and mounted so that the rearward how of water from said propeller passes over said channel-shaped member to cause an upward lift thereon.

5. The structure according to claim 1 in which the cross-section of said channel-shaped member is in the shape of a hydrofoil having a straight lower surface and a longer curved upper surface.

6. The structure according to claim 1 in which the cross-section of said channel-shaped member is in the shape of a reverse hydrofoil having a straight upper surface and a longer curved lower surface.

7. The structure according to claim 1 in which the cross-section of said channel-shaped member is in a streamlined shape having upper and lower curved surfaces of substantially equal distances therearound.

8. The structure according to claim 4 in which (the cross-section of said channel-shaped member is in the shape of a hydrofoil having a straight lower surface and a longer curved upper surface.

9. The structure according to claim 4 in which the cross-section of said channel-shaped member is in the shape of a reverse hydrofoil having a straight upper surface and a longer curved lower surface.

10. In a boat having at least one propelling unit ineluding a propeller guard and a rotatably driven propeller having a substantially horizontal axis of rotation with said propeller being unobstructed over the top of the path of rotation thereof, an attachment for said propelling unit comprising a cap, a post, means rigidly connecting said cap and said post, a channel-shaped member of substantially the shape of a portion of a hollow cylinder, a narrow neck portion integrally interconnecting said post and said channel-shaped member, said channelshaped member having a substantially semi-circular rearward edge and having opposite side edges extending arcuately upwardly and outwardly from said narrow neck portion to said rearward edge, said cap being disposed over said guard with a space therebetween, a resilient fill in the space between said guard and said cap, and means attaching said cap to said propelling unit to support said channel-shaped member below said propeller, said channel-shaped member surrounding the lower half of the path of rotation of said propeller.

11. An attachment for a propelling unit having a rotatably driven propeller and a propeller guard adjacent thereto, said attachment comprising a cap, a post, means rigidly connecting said cap and said post, a channelshaped member of substantially the shape of a portion of a hollow cylinder, a narrow neck portion integrally interconnecting said post and said channel-shaped member, said channel-shaped member having a substantially semi-circular rearward edge and having opposite side edges extending upwardly and outwardly from said narrow neck portion to said rearward edge, said cap being of a shape to fit over said guard for attachment thereto to support said channel-shaped member below said propeller.

12. An attachment for a propelling unit of the outboard motor type having a rotatably driven propeller unobstructed over the top of the path of rotation thereof, said attachment comprising a post, a channel-shaped member including a pair of wings arranged in a semicircular arc for enclosing the lower half of the path of rotation of said propeller, a narrow neck portion integrally interconnecting said post and said channel-shaped member, and means attached to said post for connecting said attachment to a propelling unit to support said channel-shaped member substantially below the propeller of the propelling unit to which attached.

13. In a boat having at least one propelling unit pivotally mounted adjacent the rearward end thereof for pivot about a substantially vertical axis to guide the boat and with said propel-ling unit including a rotatably driven propeller for establishing a rearward flow of water, said propeller being unobstructed over the top of the path of rotation rthereof, means for causing a lifting force to be exerted on said boat at said propelling unit comprising a channel-shaped member including a pair of wings, said channel-shaped member being attached to said propelling unit and mounted so that the rearward fiow of water from said propeller passes over said channel-shaped member to cause an upward lift thereon, said wings being closely adjacent to said propeller and enclosing the lower half of the path of rotation of said propeller, and said channel-shaped member being movable with said propelling unit when said propelling unit is pivoted to turn said boat.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 804,497 Palmer Nov. 14, 1905 806,484 Palmer Dec. 5, 1905 985,187 Lindgren Feb. 28, 1911 1,976,046 Tietjens Oct. 9, 1934 2,274,200 Hill Feb. 24, 1942 2,749,870 Vavra June 12, 1956 2,773,467 Bailey Dec. 11, 1956 2,985,133 Shaffer May 23, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 147,473 Sweden Oct. 26, 1954

Claims

1. A BOAT COMPRISING A HULL, A PLURALITY OF SPACED PROPELLING UNITS ATTACHED TO SAID HULL FOR THE PROPELLING THEREOF, SAID PROPELLING UNITS INCLUDING PROPELLERS ROTATABLY MOUNTED FOR ROTATION ABOUT SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL AXES, MEANS FOR ROTATABLY DRIVING SID PROPELLERS, A PLURALITY OF CHANNEL-SHAPED MEMBERS, EACH OF SAID CHANNEL-SHAPED MEMBERS BEING OF SUBSTANTIALLY THE SHAPE OF A PORTION OF A HOLLOW CYLINDER AND HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL AXIS, SAID CHANNEL-SHAPED MEMBERS BEING RESPECTIVELY MOUNTED SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW SAID PROPELLERS WITH THE AXES THEREOF BEING RESPECTIVELY SUBSTANTIALLY COINCIDENT WITH THE AXES OF ROTAWTION OF SAID PROPELLERS AND WITH SAID CHANNEL-SHAPED MEMBERS EXTENDING UPWARDLY ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID PROPELLERS TO PLACE OF TERMINATION SUBSTANTIALLY AT A LEVEL WITH THE MIDDLE OF SAID PROPELLERS SO THAT SAID CHANNEL-SHAPED MEMBERS RESPECTIVELY SUBSTANTTIALY SURROUND THE LOWER HALVES OF THE PATH OF ROTATION OF SAID PROPELLERS IN CLOSELY SPACED RELATIONSHIP THERETO, WHEREBY THE FLOW OF WATER FROM SAID PROPELLERS RESPECTIVELY OVER SAID CHANNEL-SHAPED MEMBERS CAUSES AN UPWARD LIFT OF SAID HULL, AND ADJUSTABLE VANE MEANS SUPPORTED FROM SAID HULL AND EXTENDING THEREBELOW FOR ADJUSTING THE ATTITUDE OF SAID BOAT,