US3468276A - Marine vehicles - Google Patents

Description

.hmmm mmwg nu@ QU Sep. 23, 19469 F, B, POLLARD ET AL 3,468,276

MARINE VEHICLES Filed March 25, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet l EQSSQ Nw. NW nl QM:

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United States Patent O 3,468,276 MARINE VEHICLES Frank Bowles Pollard, 2722 Ardmore Ave., Manhattan Beach, Calif. 90266, and Jack Harold Arnold, Jr.,

8035-6 Canby Ave., Reseda, Calif. 91335 Filed Mar. 25, 1968, Ser. No. 715,852 Int. Cl. B63g l/00 U.S. Cl. 114-1 6 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure relates to marine vessels, and particularly to omnidirectional marine vessels adapted for fast motion and superior maneuverability in shallow waters. A machine vessel according to the present disclosure comprises a hull which is circular in plan view. Drive means is moun-ted to said hull for driving the vessel, the drive means being independently rotatable with respect to the hulll to drive the hull in any desired direction. It is adaptable to carrying a wide range of armament on an independently rotatable body, and to carrying still additional drive means for exerting lateral thrust through the central axis to aid the vessel in escaping from perilous circumstances.

This invention relates to marine vessels, and particularly to omnidirectional marine warfare vessels.

Hulls of marine craft have heretofore been substantially longer than they have been wide. rIhe ability of such craft to maneuver in confined areas has been limited by the length of the hull and the steering radius of the craft. By way of example, patrol boats on missions in river delta areas of Southeast Asia have encountered manuevering diiiicu-lties due to shallow rivers, prolific marine growth in the rivers, and dense jungle vegetation fringing -the rivers. In regions such 'as South Vietnam, where a state of insurgency presently exists, it is desirable to control river waterways which provide natural transportation routes for the enemy. To prevent enemy control of such waterways, patrol boats which should be armed with a broad mix of armaments are needed to patrol the waterways, many of which are very shallow. It has been observed that the enemy usually sleects ambush sites where the maneuverability of the craft is most difiicult, to prevent the craft from concentrating its fire power upon that of the enemy and at the same time to prevent the craft from seeking a better position. Typically, dense vegetation fringing the waterways offers protection to the enemy while exposing the craft to ambush.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a shallow draft marine vessel having relatively high maneuverability within confined areas, and the capacity for high speeds, acceleration and deceleration. The tare weight of this vehicle is quite low compared with vessels suited for comparable missions.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a marine craft capable of selectively concentrating re power, and at the same time be capable of such maneuvering tactics that it can readily evacuate an area or seek better tactical positions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a marine craft capable of addressing its fire power against the enemy in an omnidirectional fashion while performing evasive maneuvers.

A marine craft according to the present invention comprises a hull which is circular in plan view, together with propulsion means which can be turned in any direction independently of the hull, whereby the hull can be maneuvered in al1 directions without rotating it around its own axis.

JCC

According -to an optional and desirable feature of the present invention, a weapons platform and turrets are provided on the marine craft and the craft is capable of independently rotating the weapons platform and turrets with respect to the maneuvering portions of the craft, the craft thereby providing independent rotation of the weaponry for selected concentration of fire power and independent maneuverabi-lity of the craft.

According to still another preferred but optional feature of the invention, the various sections of the craft are unitized so as individually to be removable and replaceable.

The above and other features of the present invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation in cutaway cross-section of a marine craft according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the craft taken at line 2 2 in FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a section view of the craft taken at line 3-3 in FIG. l;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the craft taken at line 4-4 in FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 5-7 are fragmentary section views of various modifications of the craft according to the present invention.

Referring to the drawings there is illustrated a marine surface craft according to the presently preferred embodiment of the present invention. Craft 10 includes a hull 12 constructed of suitable armor material, such as steel. Hull 12 has a substantially circular plan view, and includes a fiat circular base portion 14 and a conical portion 16. This is an example of a planing hull which, when sufiicient velocity is attained, will rise out of the water, thereby reducing frictional drag. The hull comprises three bodies: first body 18, second body 34, and third body 74.

Craft 10 includes a first body 18 fxedly mounted to base portion 14, the base and the conical portions thereby forming part of the first body, a second body 34 journaled to the hull and to the first body, a second body 74 journaled to the first body. The bodies are preferably symmetrical about the central, vertical axis 11 of the craft. Body 18 includes horizontally disposed partition 20` fixedly mounted to fiat portion 14 such as by bolts, vertically disposed partitions 22, 24 and 26 fixed to partition 20, and horizontally disposed partition 28 fixed to partitions 24 and 26. Chamber 30, which may form a fuel storage area, is formed between partitions 20, 24, 26 and 28, and chamber 32, which may form crew and fire control areas, is formed between partitions 22 and 24.

Second body 34 includes conical partition 36 journaled to conical portion 16 by means of bearings 38. Partition is mounted to partition 36 and is journaled to partition 26 by means of bearings 42. Partition 44 is mounted between partitions 36 and 40 to form chamber 46 therebetween, and is also journaled to partition 28 by means of bearings 48. Partition is journaled to partition 24 by means of bearings 52. Partition 54 extends over charnber 32 and supports partition 56. Partition 58 is mounted between partitions 56 and the extremities of partitions 36 and 44. Partition 58 is preferably arcuate in crosssection and is constructed of suitable armor material, such as steel. Turrets 60 are mounted to partition 58 and weapons such as guns 62 are adapted to extend from turrets 60 in a manner well known in the art. Weapons 62 may be any suitable weapon dependent upon the intended use of craft 10, 50-caliber automatic machine guns being typical of one type of weapon 62 which may be used.

Water-tight hatch 64 is mounted to partition 58 to permit personnel access through hatch 64 and Opening I66 3 in partition 54. Thus, personnel may gain access to chamber 32 through hatch 64 and opening 66. Openings 68 and 70 are provided through partitions 24 and 50, respectively, to permit personnel access between chambers 32 yand 72, chamber 72 being formed between partitions 44, 50 and 58.

Third body 74 comprises a substantially cylindrical partition 76 having circular partitions 78 and 80 disposed therein. Window 82, preferably in the form of a plastic bubble, closes the top of partition 76 forming chamber 84 therein. Chamber 86 is formed between partitions 76, 78 and 80. Partition 76 is journaled to partition 22 by means of bearings 88 and to partition 56 by means of bearings 90. These are thrust bearings which restrain the chambers axially, relative to one another. Bubble 82 is preferably hinged to partition 7.6 by suitable hinge means (not shown) so that the bubble may be pivotally opened and closed to permit personnel to gain access to chamber 84.

As shown in FIG. l, chamber 86 preferably contains motors 96 and pump 98. Fuel supply lines lead from the fuel chambers to the motor. They may be coiled around chamber 86 in the manner of a hose reel to permit the necessary relative rotation, Similar provisions will be made for the other control, signal and power lines. Chamber 84 is the pilots cockpit and includes control mechanism (not shown) for operating the craft. Chamber 32 is the crew and fire control area and is used to house the automatic fire control, target acquisition and navigation equipment, as well as the crew quarters and such other facilities as will be considered necessary for the craft. Preferably, chamber 32 is divided into a plurality of sections, such as four equal quadrants, by partitions 100 (FIG. 3), so the four quadrants may be individually removed and replaced, thereby to reduce ref pair time.

Chamber 30 may be used for storing the fuel necessary for operating motor 96 and is preferably divided into a plurality of sections, such as Ifour quadrants, by partitions 102 and 104. Partitions 102 and 104 function as -antislosh plates to prevent shifting of the fuel during maneuvering operations of the craft. Retractable stabilizing ns 106 are mounted between adjacent partitions 102 and 104 and are adapted to be extended and retracted through the bottom of hull 12 for navigational purposes.

Chamber 46 can be used for storage of ammunit1on, and a suitable opening (not shown) in partition 44 may provide automatic feed of amunition to chamber 72. Chamber 72 is conveniently used as a weapons platform from which guns 62 are operated. As illustrated in the drawings, there is preferably a plurality of substantially equally spaced turrets disposed about the craft. As shown in FIG. 2, eight turrets are mounted to the craft, although the number may vary in accordance with particular design requirements. Preferably, partitions 108 sepa rate each turret platform chamber |72.

Steering of the craft is accomplished by rotating the outflow direction of a jetting device L110 (sometimes called first drive means) when a water jet is used, or of the axis of a propellor when a propellor is used. It is immaterial what portion of the hull leads, the hull being completely omnidirectional. It will usually, but not always, be desirable to have the thrust be directed rearwardly relative to the pilot, and for that reason the pilots cockpit and the motor chamber 56 are rotatable together in FIG. 1. Nozzle 110 is fixed to the motor chamber, and therefore turns with it in the preferred ernbodiment.

Power for forward motion is provided by jetting device 110 which is in fluid communication with pump 98. Pump 98 is driven by motor 96. As stated, jet device 110 is mounted to partition 80 so that the direction that jet 110 assumes is dependent upon the angular disposition of the pilots cock-pit and motor chamber about axis 11 of the craft. Preferably, directional jets `112 and 114 Cil are fixedly mounted to partition to form a couple which will rotate the partition. These are sometimes called second drive means. Valves, not shown, will control the direction and power of the couple.

There will, of course, be some drag tending to rotate the hull, but this is opposed by Water friction. The direction any point on the hull faces relative to forward motion is immaterial, so that random rotation of the hull is permissible. Conventional fire control systems will provide such compensation as is necessary to keep the armament properly aimed. However, it may be that some particular one of the weapons should face in a particular direction. For this purpose, the first body is fitted with similar jets 120 and 122 which can rotate it. These are sometimes called third drive means. During the rotation, partitions 26 and 40 can be locked together to turn the first and second bodies together. Alternatively, gear means may join partitions 26 and 40, which will provide for relative rotation of these two bodies, the effect of which will be, of course, a mutual counterrotation, and an independent setting of the relative positions of the two bodies. The jets will be preferred -because of their convenience, but will, of course, be most effective when submerged. They are typical nozzles, and valving means will determine the direction and force and thereby the sense and magnitude of the couple.

To summarize, in operation of the craft according to FIG. 1, second body 34 may be rotated about axis 11 of the craft to rotate the weapons platform turrets 60 to position guns 62 in a favorable location. Rotation of body 34 may be accomplished by selectively operating jets 120 and 122 to rotate hull 12 about the axis of the craft. Rotation of the hull will cause rotation of the entire craft about the axis of the craft. If desired, suitable locking means (not shown) may be provided between bodies 18 and 34 or between bodies 34 and the hull to assure proper rotation of the body. If desired, separate motor means (not shown) may be used for rotating second body 34 independently of the hull (and of the first body).

If the craft should happen to be grounded, as fotexample by becoming lodged on a sandbar or the like, housing 74 may be rotated so as to position jetting device to provide maximum thrust to the craft in a direction which would remove it from the sandbar. In addition, jetting devices 116 such as rockets, which may be placed at angular intervals all the way around the hull, may be selectively fired to boost the craft from the sandbar. .letting devices 116 are spaced about the periphery of the hull and are positioned to provide thrust to the craft perpendicular to the axis of the craft, and are sometimes referred to herein as fourth drive means.

When the craft is in water, water may tend to enter the space between partitions 76 and 22. Since bearings 88 are preferably water-resistant, water in the space surrounding bearings 88 between partitions 76 and 22 will cause no damage. If water should enter the space between hull 12 and body 34, it may simply be drained from the hull through suitable drain holes (not shown) through the hull.

Fuel for motor 96 is delivered from fuel tanks 30 by means of suitable flexible conduits (not shown). To accomplish delivery of fuel from rotating body 18 to rotating body 74, a suitable hose reel (not shown) may be positioned in the space between partitions 22 and 76. Suitable stop mechanisms (not shown) may be provided for such a hose reel to prevent rotation of the hose reel beyond its limit. Also, indicating mechanism (not shown) may be provided in the pilots cockpit to indicate to the pilot the relative position of the hose on the hose reel.

The present invention thus provides a marine craft having a plurality of independently rotatable bodies. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 4, the pilots cockpit and drive mechanisms are independently rotatable with respect to the hull to drive the craft in any direction.

FIG. 5 illustrates a modification of the invention wherein the motor chamber is stationary with respect to the hull, but the drive mechanism and pilots cockpit are rotatable relative to both. Common numerals are used as far as possible.

In FIG. 5, motor chamber 86 is held against rotation relative to body 18, and pilots cockpit 84 is rotatable about the axis of the craft (as a third body). In this device, the pilot turns relative to the engine compartment, and the engine compartment turns with the hull. Chamber 86 is formed by partition 22 and between horizontally disposed partitions 130 and 132. Chamber 84 is formed by partitions 134 and 136 and is `closed at the top by bubble 82. Partition 134 is cylindrical and is journaled t0 partition 22 by bearing 88, and partition 136 is journaled to partition 130 by means of bearing 138. Main jetting device 110 is journaled to partition 132 by bearing 140 and is connected to pump 98 by swivel joint 142. Jetting device 110 is nonrotatably connected to partition 136 by shaft 144 which is rotatably journaled to partition 130 by means of bearing 146. A bidirectional jetting device 148 is connected to jetting device 110 tangentially to the axis of the craft. Selective operation of jet 148 will exert a torque t cause rotation of shaft 144 about the axis of the craft thereby rotating main jetting device 110 and the pilots cockpit. The direction of thrust provided by jetting device 110 may thereby be selected for maneuvering purposes.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. offers the advantage of eliminating a hose reel-type connection between the fuel supply and motor 96 since motor chamber 86 is fixedly connected to and rotatable with the body containing the fuel tanks.

In FIG. 6 there is illustrated another modification of a marine craft in accordance with the present invention wherein the pilots cockpit 84 is fixed to body 18 but motor chamber 86 is freely rotatable about the axis of the craft. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, chamber 84 is formed between partition 22, bubble 84 and partition 150. Chamber 86 is formed by cylindrical partition 152 which is journaled to partition 22 by means of bearing 88 and by horizontally disposed partitions 154 and 156. Partition 154 is journaled to partition 150 by means of bearings 138 and partition 156 supports jetting devices 112 and 114 for rotation of chamber 86 about the axis of the craft in a manner similar to the operation illustrated in FIGS. 1-4.

letting device 110 is in fluid communication with pump 98 which is driven by motor 96. As in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, a suitable hose reel-type connection may be utilized for delivering fuel to motor 96. If desired, mechanical steering apparatus such as steering wheel 158 may be mounted in the pilots cockpit 84 and connected to shaft 160 which in turn is connected to partition 154 and journaled to partition 150 by means of bearings 162. This illustrates another means for mechanically turning the steering means relative to the hull. Rotation of wheel 158 causes rotation of chamber 86 about the axis of the craft to thereby turn jetting device 110` in the desired direction of movement of the craft. If desired, suitable openings 164 may be provided in partition 22 to permit access between pilots cockpit 84 and the crew and fire control chamber 32.

FIG. 7 illustrates another modification of the marine craft according to the present invention wherein the pilots cockpit 84 and motor chamber 86 are both separately rotatable relative to the hull and to each other around the axis of the craft. In this instance, pilots cockpit 84 is formed between bubble 82 and partition 136 and by cylindrical partition 134 which is journaled to partition 22 by means of bearing 88. Chamber 86 (third body) is formed by partitions 152, 154 and 156 and includes steering jets 112 and 114 for purposes hereinbefore described, and mechanical steering wheel 158 mounted in the pilots cockpit and journaled to partition 136 by means of bearing 162 for mechanically rotating the motor chamber. This embodiment may be converted to the other embodiments by selectively locking sections to each other. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 offers the additional advantage of permitting the pilot to rotate his cockpit independently of the craft and independently of the motor chamber, to enable the pilot to survey the area surrounding the craft. Like the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 and '6, a suitable hose reel-type connection may be provided for delivering fuel to motor 96.

The flat-sloped shape of the upper surface of the craft discourages penetration by shells, and requires less armor for this purpose than conventional structure. Thus, the craft may be lighter than prior art crafts.

Only one embodiment of bottom is shown. It is intended to typify the wide family of planing hulls. In general these hulls have a leading section with a fairly flat slope, and then a at or gently `convex bottom. Their feature is that of rising in, and partly out of the water at some critical velocity, whereby to reduce power requirements otherwise expanded in forming a bow wave.

A water jet is shown for propulsion. Water is withdrawn from outside, and then pumped through a discharge nozzle which ordinarily works best when submerged, although it also works when above water. Propellor-type drives can also be used, but they must be attached to a mast so as to remain submerged.

The various illustrated central structures are all useful with the same outside hull, and they may be substituted for each other as units, and the hull sections are also readily removed and replaced.

The pilot of this craft need be provided with only the simplest types of controls. Essentially they comprise means for orienting the direction of application of power, and for rotating the hull or the second body to bring selected armamelnt to bear. In normal cruising operation, the angular orientation of the hull is immaterial. It is also immaterial whether the pilot turns with the jet. This is a matter of choice, and as shown in FIG. 6 independent orientation means can be provided for all sections.

A postulated craft according to this invention requires a draft of only 1.5 feet and cruises at 23 knots with a flank speed of 38 knots. Conventional patrol craft require between 2 and 3 feet of draft and have cruising speeds of approximately 15 knots and flank speeds of approximately 24 knots. A fully armed and fueled craft according to the present invention is capable of carrying substantially more payload than conventional craft. By way of example, the payload-to-weight ratio of a fully armed, fully fueled conventional craft is approximately 20%, while a craft in accordance with the present invention will have payloadto-weight ratio of 50% A calculated gross weight for a riverine craft of this type with a plan diameter of 36 feet is 25,844 pounds. Its draft is only 1.5 feet -compared with about twice that for other craft. Its ammunition capacity is nearly double that of other craft. 'Ihe radially directed rocket means (fourth drive means) enable the craft to be dislodged from beaching predicaments without aid from others.

This craft is expected to be operated by only three men: a pilot, a gunner, and a navigator-engine man, and constitutes an economy of manpower at the same time that its low, flat silhouette provides the men with far greater security from hostile action. Furthermore, the illustrated shapes are inherently safer against blast effects, and calculations indicate that the illustrated craft will resist underwater blasts of pounds of explosives at a distance of 20 feet.

A typical armament mix will include at least eight major weapons. This many major weapons cannot currently be accommodated in shallow-draft vessels, and the instant invention greatly increases the fire power available for riverine missions.

The extraordinary freedom of design and operation is further illustrated in FIG. 1 wherein the weapons mix can 7 be turned freely relative to the hull, or locked to the hull and turned by and with it.

The riverine craft according to the present invention is therefore highly useful in marine warfare, and particularly as a patrol warcraft in regions requiring small draft craft. The craft is highly maneuverable, economical of manpower, adapted to carry very heavy armament, and is readily serviced and repaired.

What is claimed is:

1. A marine vessel having a circular plan hull with an outer surface formed as a surface of revolution around an upright central axis, said hull comprising a iirst body for providing useful space, a second body journaled to the rst body for rotation around said central axis to serve as a weapons platform; a third body centrally journaled in said first body for rotation around said central axis; rst drive means fixedly mounted to said third body and adapted to exert a lateral force on the hull; second drive means mounted to said third body to rotate the same relative to the first body and determine the direction of said lateral force; third drive means mounted to said first body to and adapted to exert a tangential force to rotate the first body around the central axis; and fourth drive means comprising a plurality of radially spaced apart jet producing devices each mounted to the rst body and adapted to exert a lateral force on the hull through the central axis.

2. A marine vessel according to claim 1 in which the hull is a planing hull.

3. A marine vessel according to claim 2 in which the hull further includes a fourth body rotatably journaled t the first body on the central axis for independent rotation relative thereto, the first drive means being mounted to said third body, and the fourth body also carrying controls for the vessel.

4. A marine vessel having a circular plan hull with an outer surface formed as a surface of rotation around an upright central axis, said hull comprising a first body for providing useful space and a second body journaled to the first body for independent rotation relative thereto around said central axis, weapons means mounted to said second body, and first drive means mounted to said hull and independently rotatable around said central axis, adapted to exert a lateral force on said hull to drive the same, the direction being determined by turning the iirst drive means, said first and second bodies being independently rotatable relative to said hull about said axis.

5. A marine vessel according to claim 4 in which the hull is a planing hull.

6. A marine vessel having a circular plan hull with an outer surface formed as a surface of revolution around an upright central axis, first drive means mounted to the hull and independently rotatable around said central axis adapted to exert a lateral force on said hull to drive the same, the direction being determined by turning the iirst drive means, and additional drive means comprising a plurality of angularly spaced apart jet producing devices mounted to said hull, each of which is capable of providing lateral thrust to the vessel.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1967 Sharp 9-1 7/1968 Buster d 115-12 U.S. C1. X.R. 9-1

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