Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60V—AIR-CUSHION VEHICLES
  • B60V3/00—Land vehicles, waterborne vessels, or aircraft, adapted or modified to travel on air cushions
  • B60V3/06—Waterborne vessels
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60V—AIR-CUSHION VEHICLES
  • B60V1/00—Air-cushion
  • B60V1/04—Air-cushion wherein the cushion is contained at least in part by walls
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
  • B63B1/00—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils
  • B63B1/02—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement
  • B63B1/10—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement with multiple hulls
  • B63B1/12—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement with multiple hulls the hulls being interconnected rigidly
  • B63B1/121—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement with multiple hulls the hulls being interconnected rigidly comprising two hulls

Definitions

• the present invention relates to catamaran air cushion ships. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved surface effect ship or air cushion ship with a catamaran hull having a folding side seal arrangement that features lockable hinged doors and an inflatable seal portion .
• the present invention provides a catamaran surface effect ship that has a catamaran hull having spaced apart hulls connected with a platform and an integral propulsion system for propelling the hull.
• the hull has forward and aft flexible seals and flexible side seals that enable pressurized air to be trapped in an air space that is positioned generally in between the hulls and in between the forward and aft flexible seals.
• the hull has a powered lift fan system for transmitting pressurized air to the air space.
• the side seal system for each hull includes a movable door that is movably (e.g. pivotally) attached to the side of each hull.
• An inflatable seal expands below the door and in between the door and the hull.
• Locking dogs e.g. motorized positively lock the doors shut when the side cushion is deflated.
• Figure 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.
• Figure 2 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention
• Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of figure 1;
• Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of figure 2;
• Figure 5 is a schematic sectional, elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.
• Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention
• Figure 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention
• Figure 8 is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.
• Figure 9 is a perspective view from the stern of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention .
• the marine vessel 10 of the present invention is designed to operate as both a catamaran and air cushion vessel.
• the catamaran air cushion vessel of the present invention is designated generally by the numeral 10 in Figures 1-9.
• Marine vessel 10 has several advantages over previous air cushion and surface effect ship designs. Marine vessel 10 has a robust structure having sufficient strength to withstand sea, cargo and beach operation loads. Marine vessel 10 also is lightweight for speed, endurance and cargo capacity performance .
• Catamaran air cushion ship 10 is shown generally in figures 1-9 and includes port hull 11, starboard hull 12, bow 13 and stern 14.
• Ship 10 may be constructed, for example, of high strength steel, aluminum, titanium, or composite materials such as fiberglass or carbon epoxy laminate .
• Platform 15 spans between and connects the port hull 11 and starboard hull 12.
• the hull 12 is generally of the same configuration as the hull 11 of figures 3-5. Platform
• Deck area 26 is capable of withstanding local pressures greater than 500 psf (0.244 kg/cm 2 ) from the carriage of wheeled or tracked vehicles.
• a forward seal 16 is provided at bow 13 and an aft or stern seal 17 is provided at stern 14.
• forward seal 16 can be in the form of a plurality of individual finger seals.
• Such seals 16, 17 can be seen for example in prior US Patents 3,621,932; 3,987,865; and 4,646,866 each hereby incorporated herein by reference.
• Forward seal 17 and stern seal 17 are capable of surviving high speed flow without significant impact on SES or Catamaran mode resistance .
• Each hull 11, 12 provides a curved bottom 18, an outer side wall 19, and an inner side wall 21.
• the catamaran air cushion vessel 10 of the present invention can be scaled to a wide range of ship sizes, with overall length typically in the range of 100 feet to 1000 feet (30.5 m to 305 m) , and beam in the range of 30 feet to 300 feet (9.1 m to 91 m) . Cargo capacity will typically be 20% to 50% of full load displacement, which can range from 100 tons to 100,000 tons (90.7 metric tons to 90,700 metric tons).
• the air cushion ship 10 has multiple water propellers 20, preferably a single water propeller 20 positioned at the stern of each hull 11, 12.
• the air cushion ship 10 also provides air propellers 22 that extend upwardly from the port hull 11 and starboard hull 12 as shown in figures 1-2.
• Inner side wall 21 is provided for each hull 11, 12 for enabling a cushion pressure (Pc) to be generated in between hulls 11, 12, platform 15 and waterline 39 as shown in figures 3, 4 and 5.
• Rudders can be provided at 23, 24 including port rudder 23 and starboard rudder 24 as shown.
• Platform 15 provides deck area 26 that communicates with bow ramp 27 and stern ramp 28. Vehicles and/or cargo can thus be driven or towed to deck area 26 using either bow ramp 27 or stern ramp 28. Likewise, vehicles, cargo and the like can be unloaded from the deck area 27 using either bow ramp 27 or stern ramp 28.
• Superstructure 29 supports air propeller 22 and a pilot house 25, crew quarters or the like.
• a folding side seal 30 is provided for each hull 11, 12.
• the folding side seal 30 includes a door 32 that is movably attached to a hull 11 or 12 using for example hinge 31.
• the cushion pressure air (Pc) can be transmitted to inflate folding side seal 30 by routing the pressurized air via channel 33 to the interior of the folding side seal 30.
• Channel 33 can be valved using a valve 34.
• Side seal 30 is capable of sustaining high speed flow without significant impact on SES or Catamaran mode resistance.
• the ability of side seal 30 to deploy and retract accommodates both SES and Catamaran modes of operation of marine vessel 10.
• the folding side seal 30 includes a tension membrane 35 that extends between the bottom of each hull 11 or 12 and the lower end portion of door 32 as shown in figures 3- 5 and 8.
• the tension membrane 35 limits pivotal movement of door 32 to its maximum opening position of figures 2 and 4.
• Arrow 55 shows door 32 opening in the outboard direction.
• Arrow 56 shows door 32 closing in the inboard direction.
• a fender 36 can be positioned above hinge 31 as shown in figure 1-5 and 8.
• Inflatable fingers 38 extend below tension membrane 35 as shown in figures 3-5 and 8.
• Fingers 38 can be generally u-shaped in transverse cross section. Such fingers 38 can be of the type shown for example in the patents that were incorporated herein by reference.
• Air cushion pressure (Pc) communicates with fingers 38 below hull 11 or 12, extending them outwardly (see figures 3-5, 8) .
• End webs 37 can be provided on each hull 11, 12 fore and aft the fingers 38.
• FIG. 4 An inflated position of folding side seal 30 is shown in figures 2, 4 and 8.
• inflation is indicated by arrows 49 with air being transmitted from the space 48 that is under platform 15, in between hulls 11, 12 and above waterline 39.
• Arrows 49 illustrate the flow path of air as it travels to inflate the folding side seal 30.
• locking dogs 43 are released, door 32 swings in the outboard direction 55 and fingers 38 are deployed/inflated.
• FIG. 1 A closed, folded position is shown in figures 1 and 3.
• air is removed from fingers 38, repositioning locking dogs 43, allowing door 32 to swings in the inboard direction 56.
• a vacuum can be provided.
• the vacuum can be a venturi arrangement 54 that includes flow line 40, valve 41 and a source of vacuum as indicated schematically by arrow 42 in figure 5.
• the vacuum 42 can be used to remove air from inflatable side seal 30, though hydrostatic pressure will also help collapse and deflate the fingers 38.
• the side seal 30 can be locked in a closed position using motor operated locking dogs 43, each being powered with motor 44.
• a locked position 45 is shown in figure 3.
• An unlocked, operating position 46 is shown in figure 4.
• Figures 3-5 illustrate inflation of seal 30, partial inflation being shown in figure 5 and complete inflation (operating ACV mode) being shown in figure 4.
• the full inflation position is indicated schematically by the numeral 47.
• a drain arrangement is shown in figures 6-7 for preventing accumulation of water above tension membrane 35. Opening 50 in tension membrane 35 allows water to drain from the upper surface of membrane 35 downwardly.
• a valving member 51 is mounted to the under surface of membrane 35 below opening 50. Valving member 51 is attached to the underside of membrane 35 at attached edge 52. Free edge 53 separates from membrane 35 when draining water from the upper surface of membrane 35 via opening 50. The following is a list of suitable for the various elements of the preferred embodiment of the present invention .
• valve 42 vacuum source - venturi arrow

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
• Transportation (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Bag Frames (AREA)
• Specific Sealing Or Ventilating Devices For Doors And Windows (AREA)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Publications (2)

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Country Status (3)

Cited By (1)

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Citations (10)

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• 2006
  • 2006-11-20 US US11/561,691 patent/US7464657B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2006-12-14 JP JP2008548802A patent/JP2009522159A/ja active Pending
  • 2006-12-14 WO PCT/US2006/062101 patent/WO2007079345A2/en not_active Ceased

Patent Citations (10)

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