US3802368A

US3802368A - Hydrofoil boat

Info

Publication number: US3802368A
Application number: US00191520A
Authority: US
Inventors: H Henkel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-06-12
Filing date: 1971-10-21
Publication date: 1974-04-09
Anticipated expiration: 1991-04-09

Abstract

A boat having a hull with two elongated transversely and longitudinally extending hydrofoils, each being substantially horizontally disposed and in a transversely spaced relation with respect to each other and spaced from the hull throughout the length of the hydrofoil through the use of supports depending from the hull and supporting the hydrofoil.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Henkel Apr. 9, 1974 HYDROFOIL BOAT 2,708,894 5 1955 Hook 1l4/66.5 H 2,709,979 6/1955 Bush et a1.... 114/665 H [76] Inventor: Henry Henkel, 430 E. 63rd St., New 3,395,666 8/1968 Moisdon 4/665 H York, 14304 3,463,109 8/1969 Weiler 114/665 P [22] Filed: Oct. 21, 1971 Primary ExaminerDuane A. Reger 1211 Appl' 191,520 Assistant Examiner-Jesus D. Sotelo R l d US. A li ti n D t Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Burgess, Dinklage & [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 832,739, June 12, Sprung 1969, abandoned.

57 ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl. 114/665 H 1 51 1111.01 B63b 1/18 A boat havmg a Wlth two elongated tmr'sversely [58] Field of Search 114/665 R, 66.5 H 665 p; and longitudinally extending hydrofoils, each being 7 244/85; 137/62522, 62523 substantially horizontally disposed and in a transversely spaced relation with respect to each other and [56] References Cited spaced from the hull throughout the length of 'the hydrofoil through the use of supports depending from 1 860 510 EA Q I PATENTS 244/85 the hull and supporting the hydrofoil.

c an ey 2,704,529 3/1955 Hulett l14/66.5 H 25 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR 9 I974 SHEET E OF 4 INVENTOR HENRY HE N%| Q (P ATTORNEYS.

PATENTEH APR 9 I974 SHEET 3 BF 4 INVENTOR HENRY HENKEL BY V ATTORNEYS.

PATENTEDAPRYQIBM, 3,802,368

T sum-aura FIG. 9a. "Fl-6. 9b..

' NEUTRAL HOUSING NEUTRAL HOUISING NEUTRAL ROTOR cw ROTOR ccw HOUSING cw HOUSING Qcw ROTOR NEUTRAL T ROTOR NEUTRAL INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

HYDROFOIL BOAT This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 832,739, filed June 12, 1969, now abandoned the said prior application being incorporated herein by reference.

' BACKGROUND The possibilities for improving the operation of boats by the use of hydrofoils is indicated by the numerous proposals and experiments with boats outfitted with elements intended to function as foils. Attention directed to the problem has increased as more powerful boat drives have become available. At present, driving power is not an obstacle, yet no hydrofoil design has encountered any widespread acceptance. In large part, this is true because hydrofoil members were attached to the boat after it was designed rather than being considered as a basic part of the boat design itself. The instant invention is an effort to break through to the expectations which the art holds for hydrofoil designs.

It is an object of the invention to provide a new type of hydrofoil boat characterized in the use of an underwater runner and an elevator which together can serve to make possible positioning of the boat at a desired level above the normal water line.

Further to the just stated object, it is intended to provide a simple and dependable mechanism for selection of the boat height, coupled with means for banking the boat at high speeds.

Another object is a hydrofoil design and associated control system effective to sense and respond to the wave pattern in the direction of travel of the boat so that the boat rides in modified phase with the wave pattern, rather than pounding or broaching the waves as is customary in boat operation.

Roll stability and resistance to tilting while underway is another object. With small and even large craft, offcenter cargo loading or people gathering on one side of the boat will cause tilting. However, with the system described herein, even the slightest degree of off-center loading, will cause elevators to assumevarying degrees of angular lift, causing more of an upward thrust on the more heavily loaded side of the boat.

Still another object is to support the runnersby V- shaped supporting members which serve to counteract the bottoming tendency occuring with ongoing i.e. when moving from wave creast to wave trough) waves.

Another object is to outfit a boat with elongated,

spaced hydrofoils so that when the boat is riding with the hydrofoils at an elevated, but still submerged position, air will be entrapped beneath the boat hull and between the hydrofoil supporting members. The entrapped air contributes a buoyant effect, and, further, tends to reduce suddeness of response to waves.

Further, it is an object of the invention to provide a simple and dependable fluid or hydraulic system for control of the elevators provided for cooperation with the hydrofoils or runners.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for selectively adjusting the sensitivity of the elevator control system so that small waves do not have a substantial effect on the control system.

Another object is a design which reduces movement of the boat when it is not underway. The elongated runners serve to restrain up and downmotion in response to water movement and currents.

Another object is to provide a hydrofoil type boat that can be beached with the hydrofoils in their normal operating position.

Further, it is an object of the invention to provide a hydrofoil design which serves to provide beaching sup ports. For the usual boat designs, special support cradles are necessary for beaching. The elongated foils secured to the boat hull, according to the invention, make unnecessary the use of support cradles.

THE INVENTION The invention provides a boat comprising a hull; two elongated transversely and longitudinally extending hydrofoils, each being substantially horizontally disposed and spaced from the hull throughout the length of the hydrofoil and having exposed upper and lower surfaces positioned below the hull and extending over a substantial length thereof, with the hydrofoils being in transversely spaced relation with respect to each other; and support means foreach hydrofoil depending from the hull and supporting the hydrofoil from the hull.

More than two hydrofoils of the character described can be employed.

The disposition of the foils is defined with. respect to the water line of the boat, i.e. the hull. That disposition is substantially horizontal, i.e. substantially parallel to the water line of the boat. The hydrofoils, while being substantially horizontal, as stated, can be inclined slightly, so as to converge with respect to the hull water line, toward the bow of the boat, to provide a desired angle of attack for the hydrofoils. As is known in the art, an angle of attack of about 4-5 is desirable for hydrofoil operation. The hydrofoil construction of the invention, however, is distinct from water ski boats, as is described, e.g. in U.S. Fat. to Hulett No. 2,704,529, wherein the design is such that the boat skis over the water, i.e. underside of the runner or runners working against the surface of the water while the runner or runners ride on the water with the upper surface or surfaces thereof exposed to the air and not substantially submerged in the water. I

Desirably, the supporting members for the hydrofoils are three dimensional elongated body members, as is illustrated in the accompanying drawings described in detail hereinafter, which impart buoyancy for the boat for catamaran operation of the boat with the supports serving as catamaran hulls. Catamaran boats are commonly thought of as boats having two buoyancy imparting members. Herein the term is used to indicate two ormore buoyancy imparting members.

EMBODIMENTS The manner in which the stated objectives and still other objectives are met by the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view, with parts broken away, and parts in section, of a boat according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section taken along line 2-2 in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the control valve of the invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged and detailed view of the stern portion of the hydrofoil of the embodiment shown in FIG. I;

FIG. 6 is a view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-section of an alternative embodiment of the hydrofoil design of the invention;

FIG. 8b and FIG. 8t are schematic, flow diagrams, representations of a fluid or hydraulic control system for the hydrofoil design of the invention; and

FIGS. 9a 9e are schematic showings indicating different valve positions or conditions of the valve according to the invention.

In the drawings, like reference characters refer to the same or corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings, and, particularly FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a boat according to the invention comprises a hull 21 having a bottom 22 on which two hydrofoils 23 are mounted by supports 24. The hydrofoils 23 are runners, and are elongated, horizontally disposed, and positioned below the hull, spaced therefrom, and extend over a substantial length of the hull. While any number of hydrofoils can be used, preferably, two hydrofoils 23 are provided, the said two hydrofoils being disposed in parallel, spaced relationship. Further, the boat is provided with an elevator for changing the attitude of the boat in the direction of travel. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the two hydrofoils 23 is provided with an elevator 25 connected by a hinge 26 to its hydrofoil (FIG. 1).

Also provided are elevator moving means for moving the operating position of the elevator of elevators 25, and actuator means for controlling the elevator moving means.

In the illustrated embodiment, each hydrofoil 23 has associated therewith a wave sensor 34 and an elevator 25, and the wave sensors are effective to control the elevators, so that the boat moves in phase with the wave motion in the direction of boat travel.

The elevator moving means comprises a fluid control system for cooperation with the actuator means (e.g. wave sensors) for control of the elevators 25. The fluid control system is preferably a hydraulic system as is depicted in FIG. 8b and 8!, which are described in detail hereinafter. Staying with FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the hydraulic control system includes, for each elevator 25, a piston-cylinder assembly 27 having piston 30 and cylinder 29, operatively connected to its elevator 25 by a connecting rod 28, and also includes a control valve 33 for controlling flow to the piston-cylinder assembly. The hydraulic system further includes a pump 96 (FIG. 8b and FIG. 8!), and a conduit system operatively connecting the pump and each piston-cylinder assembly through the valve or valves 33. The conduit system includes for each piston-cylinder assembly 27, a conduit 31 which connects the valve 33 with the top of the cylinder 29, and conduit 32 which connects the valve 33 with the bottom of the cylinder 29.

As is described in more detail hereinafter, the actuator means for operating the valve 33, determines flow of hydraulic fluid to the piston-cylinder assembly 27. One of three conditions are provided: (I) shut-off of flow to hold the elevator 25 in a fixed position, (2) movement of the piston to raise the elevator 25, or (3) movement of the piston to lower the elevator 25. The actuator means are operatively connected to the control valve 33 for setting of the valve condition.

The actuator means can be for response to one or more operations, such as response to waves or response to manual operation by the boat pilot.

As actuator means, wave sensors 34 have been mentioned. Each of the wave sensors 34 comprises a sensor arm 82, fixedly connected to the crank arm 83, which in turn is linked to rotor arm 68 of the valve 33. In operation, as the boat moves through the water, an oncoming wave will lift the sensor arms 82, so that the rotor arms 68 will be moved to direct flow from the pump of the hydraulic system through line 32, to the bottom of the cylinder 29 of the piston-cylinder assembly 27, while simultaneously permitting flow from the top of the cylinder 29 through line 31 to the reservoir of the hydraulic system, so that the elevator 25 will be raised. This will cause the boat to assume an attitude for rising in response to the motivating boat power. By opposite operations, in response to an ongoing wave, the system will operate so that the boat will be inclined downwardly in attitude during riding of the ongoing wave, (i.e. moving from a wave crest to a wave trough). Thus, the wave sensors 34 cause the boat to move in phase with the wave motion in the direction of boat travel.

The actuator means for the valves 33 can include manually controllable means for selection of the operating position of the elevators 25 by the boat pilot. The said manually controllable means can be hand control and/or foot control means, of which more hereinafter.

The invention provides a valve, such as the valves 33, for use in the flow control system. The valve construction is indicated in FIGS. 2-4. The valve comprises a fixedly positioned mounting plate 46, which can be secured to bracing member 46a (FIG. 2), and a housing rotatably mounted in the mounting plate. The housing includes body member 50 and rotor cover 51. The rotor 52 is contained within the rotor housing portion 51 and is rotatable with respect to the housing.

As indicated, the housing is rotatably mounted on the mounting plate 46. Sleeve ring 48 is received in opening 47 of the mounting plate 46, with the sleeve 48a in opening 47 while flange 48b extends radially outwardly of the opening. Bolts 67 disposed inwardly of the periphery of the opening 47, pass through the bolt holes 66 in the retaining ring 49, sleeve ring 48 and flanges of the housing, including a flange 51a of the rotor cover 51 and the flange 50a of housing body portion 50, so that the retaining ring 49, sleeve ring 48, and valve housing including the rotor cover 51 and the housing body portion 50 are secured together as a unit, rotatable with respect to the mounting plate 46. Rotation of the housing moves the housing relative to the rotor 52, as well as relative to the mounting plate 46.

Further, the rotor 52 can be rotated relative to the valve housing. Thus, rotor arm 68 is fixedly connected with the rotor 52 by screw 69, which is threaded into rotor connector 53 and is held in place in the rotor arm 68 by the set screw 70 and is held in place in rotor connector 53 by set screw 53a.

Thus, the rotor 52 can be rotated by pivoting of the rotor arm 68. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the rotor arm 68 is linked with a wave sensor 34. Further, means are provided for rotating the housing. Thus, plate 71 (FIG. 4) is welded to the retaining ring 49, and push rods 78 and 79 (described in more detail hereinafter) pass through, respectively, guide rings 80 and 81 and openings 76 and 77 in guide block 75, to engagement with plate 71, so that the push rods can be operated to rotate the valve housing with respect to the mounting plate 46.

The valve housing has flow passageways therein, including an inlet passageway 55, terminating in opening 55a, from the hydraulic pump 96 (FIGS. 8b and St), a discharge passageway 56, terminating in opening 56a, to the hydraulic system reservoir 99 (FIGS. 8b and 8t), and two inlet-outlet passageways, including inlet-outlet passageway 57, terminating in opening 57a, and another inlet-outlet passageway terminating in opening 58a. Flexible conduits such as 55b and 5611 are utilized for making connection with the valve housing passageways, to permit the rotation of the valve housing.

The rotor 52 has flow passageways in the form of rotor channels 54, so that by selective rotation of the rotor 52 with respect to the housing, the housing flow passageway inlet 55 can be communicated with either of the housing inlet-outlet passageways, while simultaneously the housing flow discharge passageway 56 will be communicated with the other of said inlet-outlet passageways. Also, the rotor can be positioned with respect to the housing so that flow through the valve is shut off.

As mentioned, in the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the rotor arm 68 is linked with a wave sensor 34. The wave sensor 34 is an actuator means for the system. Other actuator means can be connectedto the housing, whereby the housing can be rotated. Thus, hand control lever 35 (FIG. 1) is connected to pushpullcable 37 which terminates in push rod 79 (FIG. 2 and FIG. 3). The push rod 79 in turn works against the bracket 71. A spring 81 (FIG. 3) urges the bracket 71 upwardly into engagement with the push rod 79. As previously described, the bracket 71 is fixedly secured to the retaining ring 49 of the valve housing, and, accordingly, movement of the bracket 71 causes rotation of the valve housing. As the hand control 35 is moved forward, the push rod 79- is forced down, causing the housing of the valve, referring to FIG. 3, to move clockwise. Oppositely, retraction of the hand control 35, and

corresponding upward movement of the push rod 79, by reason of operation of the spring 81, will cause the valve housing to move counterclockwise.

Rotation of the valve housing causing rotation thereof relative to the rotor determines flow through the valve in the manner, described above, that rotation of the rotor relative to the housing determines flow.

The foregoing description of the control of rotation of the valve housing is with reference to valve 33 shown in FIG. 3, which is the left hand valve shown in FIG. 2. Similar connection and operation for the right hand valve shown in FIG. 2 is effected by means of push pull cable 38 (FIG. 1), which, like push pull cable 37, is connected to the hand control 35.

Thus, the operation of the valve 33, in response to either the wave sensors 34 or operation of the hand control 35 is effective to direct flow to the top or the bottom of cylinder-piston assemblies 27, to control the operation of the elevators 25. s

The operation of the wave sensors 34 to cause the boat to move in phase with the wave motion in the direction of travel of the boat has been described above. In that operation, the valve rotor 52 is rotated to provide the desired control. The valve housing 50 is rotated by means of the hand control 35 to control the level of the boat in the water. Thus, the hand control 35 can be shifted to cause the elevator 25 to rise so that the boat will rise in the water. Details of the fluid or hydraulic control system are described hereinafter.

As thus far explained, the actuator means can include a first actuator member in the form of sensors 34, conv nected to the rotors 52, and a second actuator member connected to the housing of each of the valves 33 for rotation thereof with respect to the rotor, and for controlling the level of the boat in the water. Further, a third actuating member can be provided. In the illustrated embodiment, the third actuating member comprises a foot pedal for each valve 33, including a right hand foot pedal 36, shown in FIG. 1, and a left hand foot pedal (not shown).

Foot pedal 36 is connected to push-pull cable 39 which terminates in push rod 79 (FIG. 3 and FIG. 4). A spring 36a (FIG. 1) urges the cable 39 rearwardly so that the push rod 79 is normally in a retracted position.

Thus, in the normal position, the push rod 79 does not interfere with the operation of the hand control 35 to rotate the valve housing.

In order to bank the boat in a turn, the inside (with respect to the turn) pedal can be depressed. This will cause the corresponding elevator 25 to be lowered, causing the side of the boat on the inside of the turn to take a lower position in the water. Thus, in a right hand turn, the foot pedal 36 is depressed, causing the push rod 39 to engage the bracket 71 (FIG. 3). Further movement of the push rod, in the same direction, causes the valve housing to rotate clockwise, whereupon fluid passes to the top of piston 29, causing the elevator 25 to be lowered. Upon removing the foot from the foot pedal, the spring 36a urges the cable 39 rearwardly, so that the push rod 79 is retracted. The push rod 79 cooperates with the bracket 71 in the manner described above for the cooperation of the push rod 78 andthe bracket 71. In utilizing the foot pedals, such as pedal 36, only one pedal is operated at a time. In FIG. 1, cable 39a is provided for the left hand foot pedal (not shown).-

In FIG. 5 and FIg. 6, the construction and mounting of the elevator 25 is indicated. The elevator 25 is hinged at 26 to the runner 23, and is provided with upwardly extending lugs 25a, in which slots 25b are provided. A pin 87 is mounted in the lower end portion of the connecting rod' 28, and extends through the slots 25b.

In FIG. 7 an embodiment is indicated wherein means are provided for pumping air to the underside of the foils 23. Thus, as is known, a layer of air can be maintained between a large part of the hydrofoil lower surface, and the confronting water or sand such as when encountering shallow water or when engaged in beaching a small boat. Conduit 89 is connected to an air supplying means (not shown), and terminates in the runner 23 where it communicates with the passageways 90, which lead to the undersurface of the runner 23.

By cooperation of the boat drive and the hydrofoil system described above, the boat can be maintained at any level between the normal level of the boat, when the hydrofoil system is not in operation, to a level at which the hydrofoils 23 are in close proximity to the surface of the water. The embodiment shown in FIG. 7, particularly contemplates travelling with the underside of the hydrofoils 23 riding near the surface of the water.

The hydraulic control system is depicted schematically, in detail, in FIG. 8b and 8!. Referring to FIG. 8b, the hydraulic system includes pump 96, accumulator 97, check valve 97a, relief valve 98, and reservoir 99. The outlet side of the accumulator 97 is communicated with the pump inlet P (corresponding withpump inlet 55 in FIG. 4) of the valve housing body portion H (50 in FIG. 4). Valve discharge passageway D (56 in FIG. 4) is communicated with the reservoir 99. Valve housing passageway CB (corresponding to 58a in FIG. 4) is communicated by a line 32 with the bottom of cylinder 29 of piston-cylinder assembly 27, while valve housing passageway CT (corresponding to 570 in FIG. 4) is communicated by a line 31 with the top of the cylinder 29. Depending upon the relative position of the valve housing body portion H and the rotor (52 in FIG. 4; not shown in FIG. 8b or 81). The pump inlet P is communicated with either the cylinder bottom passageway CB or the cylinder top passageway CT. Communication between the pump inlet passageway P and cylinder bottom passageway CB and between the discharge passageway D and the cylinder top passageway CT is indicated in FIG. 8b by the phantom indication for the operating position of the rotor channels 54 (FIG. 4), indicated by the reference characters RC. An opposite position of the rotor channels with respect to the valve housing body portion is indicated in FIG. 8t.

Flow regulating valve 106 is provided to permit operator control of the response to existing wave patterns. Valve 106 is a throttle valve which is interconnected with knob 106a on the pilot control panel (FIG. 1). Should the waves be of moderate height, the knob 106a will be turned in the direction which will severely limit the amount of hydraulic fluid directed to the bottom of the hydraulic cylinder. The height of the boat above water will therefore remain relatively unchanged in its course of travel. However, if the waves are of significant height in that they are higher than the runner supports 24, the flow regulating valve knob 106a will be turned in the direction to allow the maximum flow of fluid to the cylinder. For medium conditions, a medium setting of the control valve will be established.

Check valve 108 is mounted in parallel with the flow regulating valve 106 primarily to permit a quick return of the cylinder from a raised to a relatively lower position. Valve 108 permits maximum flow to the top of the cylinder when moving from a wave crest toward a wave trough, to cause prompt return of the elevator to its normal operating position so that the system following response to a wave is ready for response to another wave. Valve 108 is set to open in response to a small differential pressure between the inlet and outlet sides thereof. Also, when turning and putting the boat in a banking position. it is important that the flow control valve be by-passed so as to permit full flow of the hydraulic fluid to the top of the actuator cylinder for rapid shifting of the elevator 25. Valve 108 permits such operation.

Valve 107 is still another by-pass valve for valve 106. Valve 107 is a solenoid valve which on being actuated, opens permitting fluid to pass from the top of cylinder 29, for prompt raising of elevator 25 for prompt recovcry from a turning attitude. Valve 107 is actuated by operation of the foot button 107a (FIG. 1) by the pilot.

It will be understood that the hydraulic systems includes one pump 96 and one of each of the pump auxiliary units including the reservoir 99, etc., and a valve 33 for each elevator 25, and that each valve 33 will have auxiliary equipment between it and its hydraulic cylinder as is illustrated for the valve 33 shown in FIG. 8b. If desired, to simplify operation, but a single foot button 107a (FIG. 1) need be provided, as the operation of all valves 107 together is appropriate, though only one would affect the operation of its elevator.

Various relative positions of the rotor channels RC and the passageways in the housing portion H of valve 33 are indicated in FIGS. 9a 9e. In these figures, CW and CCW stand for, respectively, clockwise and counterclockwise and the notation in FIGS. 9b 9e is with respect to the positions indicated in FIG. 9a. Further, operation of actuators and the corresponding responses are indicated'in the following table.

The valve 33 described above can be a Barksdale (Los Angeles, Calif.) valve modified so that the valve housing is rotatable with respect to its mounting. The valve 33 described can be in the off position, any desired partially open position, or a full open position, and thus throttling of flow through the valve occurs during normal operation of the system.

Another alternate system to control the flow of hydraulic fluid to the cylinder provides for two microlimit switches which serve to establish the neutral position of the sensor arm. These switches are mounted on a common place which in turn is rotated by the hand control cable or foot actuated pedal indentical to the hydraulic housing arrangement described previously. Movement of the sensor arm in either direction will cause either limit switch to be actuated by a lever attached to the sensor arm shaft. The limit switch actuated will cause a double solenoid valve to move from its normally neutral position to admit oil to the bottom or top of the actuator cylinder depending upon which limit switch was contacted by the sensor arm lever.

This system is less desirable than the first described as it responds equally to small or large rotational movements of the sensor arm, instead of gradually opening or closing valve ports, providing throttling action, as in the case of the rotary valve system.

If desired, to limit roll due to wave motion perpendicular to the direction of boat travel, and to reduce skin friction for large boats, openings can be provided in the support members 24, permitting free passage of waves through the support members. Further, the support members 24 can be hollow shells filled with rigid foamed plastic 24a.

The drive (not shown) can be either a long shaft outboard motor or a long shaft inboard-outboard drive. The boat can be any length, for example, about l6-lOO feet; the smaller sizes, e.g. 16-40 feet, are particularly contemplated.

The propeller can be disposed so that its lower periphery is above the bottom of the hydrofoils. The propeller is then in a protected position in the event of going aground.

As is shown in FIG. 1, the hydrofoils 23 terminate along the bottom of the supports 24, which should preferably be provided with streamlined bows, i.e. the bows of the supports preferably each converge to a knife edge.

For example, for an 18 foot boat, the hydrofoils can be disposed about 2 /2 feet below the bottom 22 of the hull 21. For larger boats the spacing is preferably f. actuator means for controlling the elevator moving greater. means.

The angle of inclination of hydrofoils (angle with re- 6. Boat according to claim 5, spect to the water-line of the boat), if any, can be suitg. the actuator means comprising a wave sensor and able to provide an appropriate angle of attack for the being effective to control the elevator moving hydrofoils with the boat underway, as was stated previmeans so that the boat moves in phase with the ously. Thus the angle of convergence of the hydrofoils wave motion in the direction of boat travel. toward the bow, with respect to the water-line of the 7. Boat according to claim 5, boat can be 0, preferably 0-5, but as much as or h. the actuator means comprising manually controllaeven more. As noted previously, the prior art teaches 10 ble means for selection of the operating position of about 4-5. The angle, however, must not be so great the elevators y the t p l tas to interfere with operation of the runners as hydro- Boat according to Claim foils or so great as to cause water skiing in normal operthe actuator means pr ing manually Controllaation of the craft. The forward end of the hydrofoils are bte means for selection of the Operating Position of disposed at a level substantially spaced from the hull the elevators yt boat P and from the level of the bow end of the boat so as to I Boat according to Claim 8, Said manually controllafavor underwater submerged flight of the hydrofoils bte means Comprising! during normal boat operation as distinct from water lhand control means, and skiing with the forward end of the runners disposed out foot Control meansf above h water l l, 2O 10. Boat according to claim 3, said elevators being When elevators are provided, they of course serve for hinged to the Stem end of the hy variation of the angle of attack. Also, the use of eleva- Boataccording to l m tors permits use of hydrofoils which have 0 inclination l. a fluid control system for cooperation with the acwith respect to the water-line. tuator means (f) and control of each elevator and Initial responses Actuator and its movements Cause or result Rotor or housing Oil to cyl. Elevator Boat Terminal responses Sensor, rises Oneoming wave R, CW Bottom... Rises Rises Sensor drops; rotor COW; valve Stick, back Hand controL. Il', COW do d0 d0 close:- Right pedal, depressed. Foot control 11, CW Top Right elevator Right side Right sensor raised, right roto lowered. lowered. OW; right valve closed.

1 CW moans clockwise. (W means counter clockwise.

*What is claimed is: i 7 including 1. Boat comprising: 40 m. a pump,

a. a hull e.. said elevator moving means (e) comprising a pisb. two elongated, transversely and longitudinally ex- 1 ton-cylinder assembly operatively connected to the tending hydrofoils each being substantially horielevator,

zontally disposed and spaced from the hull, and n. a conduit system operatively connecting the pump having exposed upper and lower surfaces posi- (m) and piston-cylinder assembly (e),

tioned below thehull and extending over a substano. a control valve in the conduit system for controltial length thereof, said hydrofoils being in trans ling flow to the piston-cylinder assembly to provide versely spaced relation withrespect to each o ther, one of three conditions: (i) shut-off flow to holdc. support means for each hydrofoil depending from the elevator in a fixed position, or (2) move the pisthe hull and supporting the hydrofoil from the hull ton to raise the elevator, or (3) move the piston to in said spaced relation, each hydrofoil being spaced lower the elevator,

from the hull by the support means throughout the f. said actuator means being operatively connected length thereof, the spacing from the waterline of to the control valve (0) for setting of the valve conthe boat being substantially equal throughout the dition.

length of each hydrofoil. 12. Boat according to claim 11, wherein 2. Boat according to claim- 1, said supports being Said Control Valve pr g: three dimensional elongated body members for impart- P- a housing having flow passageways th ei ing buoyancy for the boat for catamaran operation of a rotof havmg flow passageways there! P the boat with the supports serving as catamaran hulls. able respect to thehousmg for Selecttvety 3. Boat according to claim I, and an elevator eommumeatmg the housmg flow passageways t0 mounted on each hydrofoil for changing the attitude of i Provide one of Said three Conditions the boat in the direction of travel. Said actuator means including:

4, B according t l i 2, d an l v r. afirst actuator member, said first actuator memmounted on each hydrofoil for changing the attitude of her being connected to the rotor to control the the boat in the direction of travel. rotation thereof,

5. Boat according to claim 3 and: s. a second actuator member, said second actuator e. elevator moving means for moving the operating member being connected to the housing for rotaposition of each elevator, tion thereof with respect to the rotor.

13. Boat according to claim 12,

r'. the first actuator member being a wave sensor connected to the control valve for operation thereof so that the boat moves in phase with the wave motion in the direction of boat travel,

s. the second actuator member being a manually controllable means for selection of the operating position of the elevator by the boat pilot.

14. Boat according to claim 13, each hydrofoil having elevator moving means (e), actuator means (f), and fluid control system (1) as aforesaid, and

t. a third actuator member, said third actuator member being connected to its valve housing for rotation of the housing with respect to the rotor, said third actuator member being a manually controllable means for selection of the operating position of the elevator by the boat pilot.

15. Boat according to claim 14, each of the second actuator members comprising a linkage terminating in a push rod, each control valve having a plate fixedly mounted on the housing for cooperation with its push rod and spring means urging the plate into abutting relation with its push rod, and a handle connected to said linkages for operation thereof by the pilot of the boat to change the position of the push rods and rotate the valve housings, each of the third actuator members comprising a linkage terminating in a push rod for cooperation with its plate and a foot pedal connected to each of the third actuator member linkages for selective operation of one of the third actuator members to lower the corresponding elevator to facilitate turning of the boat.

16. Boat according to claim 14,

s. the second actuator members being operable for selective rotation of their respective housing in either direction,

t. the third actuator members being operable for selective rotation of their respective housings in only one direction.

17. Boat according to claim 4, said support means tapering downwardly from the hull to the hydrofoils.

18. Boat comprising:

a. a hull b. an elongated, horizontally disposed hydrofoil positioned below the hull spaced therefrom and extending over a substantial length of the hull,

c. support means supporting the hydrofoil from the hull,

d. an elevator for changing the attitude of the boat in the direction of travel thereof when the boat is riding on the hydrofoil,

e. elevator moving means for moving the operating position of the elevator,

f. actuator means for controlling the elevator moving means,

g. a fluid control system for cooperation with the actuator means and control of the elevator and including h. a pump,

i. said elevator moving means comprising a pistoncylinder assembly operatively connected to the elevator,

j. a conduit system operatively connecting the pump and piston-cylinder assembly,

k. a control valve in the conduit system for controlling flow to the piston-cylinder assembly to provide one of three conditions: 1. shut-off flow to hold the elevator in a fixed position, or 2. move the piston to raise the elevator, or 3. move the piston to lower the elevator, I. said actuator means being operatively connected to the control valve for setting of the valve condition,

m. said control valve comprising:

n. a housing having flow passageways therein,

0. a rotor having flow passageways therein rotatable with respect to the housing for selectively communicating the housing flow passageways to provide one of said three conditions,

p. said actuator means including:

q. a first actuator member, said first actuator member being connected to the rotor to control the rotation thereof,

. a second actuator member, said second actuator member being connected to the housing for rotation thereof with respect to the rotor,

s. the first actuator member being a wave sensor connected to the control valve for operation thereof so that the boat moves in phase with the wave motion in the direction of boat travel,

t. the second actuator member being a manually controllable means for selection of the operating position of the elevator by the boat pilot.

19. Boat according to claim 18, and having two hydrofoils said hydrofoils being spaced from each other, each hydrofoil having support means, and elevator, elevator moving means, actuator means, and fluid control system as aforesaid, and

u. a third actuator member, said third actuator member being connected to its valve housing for rotation of the housing with respect to the rotor, said third actuator member being a manually controllable means for selection of the operating position of the elevator by the boat pilot.

20. Boat according to claim 19, each of the second actuator members comprising a linkage terminating in a push rod, each control valve having a plate fixedly mounted on the housing for cooperation with its push rod and spring means urging the plate into abutting relation with its push rod, and a handle connected to said linkages for operation thereof by the pilot of the boat to change the position of the push rods and rotate the valve housings, each of the third actuator members comprising a linkage terminating in a push rod for cooperation with its plate and a foot pedal connected to each of the third actuator member linkages for selective operation of one of the third actuator members to lower the corresponding elevator to facilitate turning of the boat. I

21. Boat according to claim 19,

e. support means for each hydrofoil depending from the hull and supporting the hydrofoil from the hull,

d. an elevator mounted on each hydrofoil for changing the attitude of the boat in the direction of travel, 2

e. elevator moving means for moving the operating position of each elevator,

f. actuator means for controlling the elevator moving means,

g. a fluid control system for cooperation with the actuator means (f) and control of each elevator and including h. a pump,

i. said elevator moving means (e) comprising a piston-cylinder assembly operatively connected to the elevator,

j. a conduit system operatively connecting the pump (h) and piston-cylinder assembly (i),

k. a control valve in the conduit system for controlling flow to the piston-cylinder assembly to provide one of three conditions: l) shut-off flow to hold the elevator in a fixed position, or 2) move the piston to raise the elevator, or (3) move the piston to lower the elevator,

. said actuator means being operatively connected to the control valve k) for setting of the valve condition.

m. said control valve (k) comprising:

p. a housing having flow passageways therein,

q. a rotor having flow passageways therein rotatable with respect to the housing for selectively communicating the housing flow passageways to provide one of said three conditions n. said actuator means including:

r. a first actuator member, said first actuator member being connected to the rotor to control the rotation thereof,

s. a second actuator member, said second actuator member being connected to the housing for rotation thereof with respect to the rotor.

o. the first actuator member being a wave sensor connected to the control valve for operation thereof so that the boat moves in phase with the wave motion in the direction of boat travel,

p. the second actuator member being a manually controllable means for selection of the the operating position of the elevator by the boat pilot.

23. Boat according to claim 22, each hydrofoil having elevator moving means (e), actuator means (f), and fluid control system l) as aforesaid, and

24. Boat according to claim 23, each of the second actuator members comprising a linkage terminating in a push rod, each' control valve having a plate fixedly mounted on the housing for cooperation with its push rod and spring means urging the plate into abutting relation with its push rod, and a handle connected to said linkages for operation thereof by the pilot of the boat to change the position of the push rods and rotate the valve housings, each of the third actuator members comprising a linkage terminating in a push rod for cooperation with its plate and a foot pedal connected to each of the third actuator member linkages for selective operation of one of the third actuator members to lower the corresponding elevator to facilitate turning of the boat.

25. Boat according to claim 23,

Claims

1. Boat comprising: a. a hull b. two elongated, transversely and longitudinally extending hydrofoils each being substantially horizontally disposed and spaced from the hull, and having exposed upper and lower surfaces positioned below the hull and extending over a substantial length thereof, said hydrofoils being in transversely spaced relation with respect to each other, c. support means for each hydrofoil depending from the hull and supporting the hydrofoil from the hull in said spaced relation, each hydrofoil being spaced from the hull by the support means throughout the length thereof, the spacing from the waterline of the boat being substantially equal throughout the length of each hydrofoil.

2. Boat according to claim 1, said supports being three dimensional elongated body members for imparting buoyancy for the boat for catamaran operation of the boat with the supports serving as catamaran hulls.

2. move the piston to raise the elevator, or

3. Boat according to claim 1, and an elevator mounted on each hydrofoil for changing the attitude of the boat in the direction of travel.

3. move the piston to lower the elevator, l. said actuator means being operatively connected to the control valve for setting of the valve condition, m. said control valve comprising: n. a housing having flow passageways therein, o. a rotor having flow passageways therein rotatable with respect to the housing for selectively communicating the housing flow passageways to provide one of said three conditions, p. said actuator means including: q. a first actuator member, said first actuator member being connected to the rotor to control the rotation thereof, r. a second actuator member, said second actuator member being connected to the housing for rotation thereof with respect to the rotor, s. the first actuator member being a wave sensor connected to the control valve for operation thereof so that the boat moves in phase with the wave motion in the direction of boat travel, t. the second actuator member being a manually controllable means for selection of the operating position of the elevator by the boat pilot.

4. Boat according to claim 2, and an elevator mounted on each hydrofoil for changing the attitude of the boat in the direction of travel.

5. Boat according to claim 3 and: e. elevator moving means for moving the operating position of each elevator, f. actuator means for controlling the elevator moving means.

6. Boat according to claim 5, g. the actuator means comprising a wave sensor and being effective to control the elevator moving means so that the boat moves in phase with the wave motion in the direction of boat travel.

7. Boat according to claim 5, h. the actuator means comprising manually controllable means for selection of the operating position of the elevators by the boat pilot.

8. Boat according to claim 4, h. the actuator means comprising manually controllable means for selection of the operating position of the elevators by the boat pilot.

9. Boat according to claim 8, said manually controllable means comprising: j. hand control means, and k. foot control means.

10. Boat according to claim 3, said elevators being hinged to the Stern end of the hydrofoils.

11. Boat according to claim 5,

12. Boat according to claim 11, wherein o''. said control valve (o) comprising: p. a housing having flow passageways therein, q. a rotor having flow passageways therein rotatable with respect to the housing for selectively communicating the housing flow passageways to provide one of said three conditions f''. said actuator means including: r. a first actuator member, said first actuator member being connected to the rotor to control the rotation thereof, s. a second actuator member, said second actuator member being connected to the housing for rotation thereof with respect to the rotor.

13. Boat according to claim 12, r''. the first actuator member being a wave sensor connected to the control valve for operation thereof so that the boat moves in phase with the wave motion in the direction of boat travel, s''. the second actuator member being a manually controllable means for selection of the operating position of the elevator by the boat pilot.

14. Boat according to claim 13, each hydrofoil having elevator moving means (e), actuator means (f), and fluid control system (l) as aforesaid, and t. a third actuator member, said third actuator member being connected to its valve housing for rotation of the housing with respect to the rotor, said third actuator member being a manually controllable means for selection of the operating position of the elevator by the boat pilot.

16. Boat according to claim 14, s''. the second actuator members being operable for selective rotation of their respective housing in either direction, t''. the third actuator members being operable for selective rotation of their respective housings in only one direction.

18. Boat comprising: a. a hull b. an elongated, horizontally disposed hydrofoil positioned below the hull spaced therefrom and extending over a substantial length of the hull, c. support means supporting the hydrofoil from the hull, d. an elevator for changing the attitude of the boat in the direction of travel thereof when the boat is riding on the hydrofoil, e. elevator moving means for moving the operating position of the elevator, f. actuator means for controlling the elevator moving means, g. a fluid control system for cooperation with The actuator means and control of the elevator and including h. a pump, i. said elevator moving means comprising a piston-cylinder assembly operatively connected to the elevator, j. a conduit system operatively connecting the pump and piston-cylinder assembly, k. a control valve in the conduit system for controlling flow to the piston-cylinder assembly to provide one of three conditions:

19. Boat according to claim 18, and having two hydrofoils said hydrofoils being spaced from each other, each hydrofoil having support means, and elevator, elevator moving means, actuator means, and fluid control system as aforesaid, and u. a third actuator member, said third actuator member being connected to its valve housing for rotation of the housing with respect to the rotor, said third actuator member being a manually controllable means for selection of the operating position of the elevator by the boat pilot.

20. Boat according to claim 19, each of the second actuator members comprising a linkage terminating in a push rod, each control valve having a plate fixedly mounted on the housing for cooperation with its push rod and spring means urging the plate into abutting relation with its push rod, and a handle connected to said linkages for operation thereof by the pilot of the boat to change the position of the push rods and rotate the valve housings, each of the third actuator members comprising a linkage terminating in a push rod for cooperation with its plate and a foot pedal connected to each of the third actuator member linkages for selective operation of one of the third actuator members to lower the corresponding elevator to facilitate turning of the boat.

21. Boat according to claim 19, v. the second actuator members being operable for selective rotation of their respective housing in either direction, w. the third actuator members being operable for selective rotation of their respective housings in only one direction.

22. Boat comprising: a. a hull b. two elongated, transversely and longitudinally extending hydrofoils each being substantially horizontally disposed and spaced from the hull throughout its length, and having exposed upper and lower surfaces positioned below the hull and extending over a substantial length thereof, said hydrofoils being in transversely spaced relation with respect to each other, c. support means for each hydrofoil depending from the hull and supporting the hydrofoil from the hull, d. an elevator mounted on each hydrofoil for changing the attitude of the boat in the direction of travel, e. elevator moving means for moving the operating position of each elevator, f. actuator means for controlling the elevator moving means, g. a fluid control system for cooperation wiTh the actuator means (f) and control of each elevator and including h. a pump, i. said elevator moving means (e) comprising a piston-cylinder assembly operatively connected to the elevator, j. a conduit system operatively connecting the pump (h) and piston-cylinder assembly (i), k. a control valve in the conduit system for controlling flow to the piston-cylinder assembly to provide one of three conditions: (1) shut-off flow to hold the elevator in a fixed position, or (2) move the piston to raise the elevator, or (3) move the piston to lower the elevator, l. said actuator means being operatively connected to the control valve (k) for setting of the valve condition. m. said control valve (k) comprising: p. a housing having flow passageways therein, q. a rotor having flow passageways therein rotatable with respect to the housing for selectively communicating the housing flow passageways to provide one of said three conditions n. said actuator means including: r. a first actuator member, said first actuator member being connected to the rotor to control the rotation thereof, s. a second actuator member, said second actuator member being connected to the housing for rotation thereof with respect to the rotor. o. the first actuator member being a wave sensor connected to the control valve for operation thereof so that the boat moves in phase with the wave motion in the direction of boat travel, p. the second actuator member being a manually controllable means for selection of the the operating position of the elevator by the boat pilot.

23. Boat according to claim 22, each hydrofoil having elevator moving means (e), actuator means (f), and fluid control system (l) as aforesaid, and t. a third actuator member, said third actuator member being connected to its valve housing for rotation of the housing with respect to the rotor, said third actuator member being a manually controllable means for selection of the operating position of the elevator by the boat pilot.

24. Boat according to claim 23, each of the second actuator members comprising a linkage terminating in a push rod, each control valve having a plate fixedly mounted on the housing for cooperation with its push rod and spring means urging the plate into abutting relation with its push rod, and a handle connected to said linkages for operation thereof by the pilot of the boat to change the position of the push rods and rotate the valve housings, each of the third actuator members comprising a linkage terminating in a push rod for cooperation with its plate and a foot pedal connected to each of the third actuator member linkages for selective operation of one of the third actuator members to lower the corresponding elevator to facilitate turning of the boat.

25. Boat according to claim 23, s''. the second actuator members being operable for selective rotation of their respective housing in either direction, t''. the third actuator members being operable for selective rotation of their respective housings in only one direction.