Patent · US Expired

Surface effect boat

US4228752A · kind A · utility

9Cited by
5References
1Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 2, 1976
Grant dateOct 21, 1980
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 2, 1996

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02T70/10
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

The boat or craft disclosed includes two spaced parallel hulls that are connected together by a platform extending between the hulls. The platform and the two hulls form the top and sides of an air space beneath the boat with the hulls supporting the platform above the water. Curtains of flexible material are spaced longitudinally in the air space and extend downwardly from the platform and transversely between the hulls to close the forward and rearward ends of the air space, whereby the pressure in the air space can be maintained above ambient to provide an air cushion to support a portion of the gross weight of the boat. The hulls are designed to provide a buoyant force due to displacement that will support 100% of the design gross weight of the boat when there is no pressure in the air space and the boat is not moving or is moving at a relatively slow speed through the water. The hulls are also designed to provide hydrodynamic forces that will support the boat when the boat is moving at a relatively fast speed with no pressure in the air space and will provide hydrodynamic forces that will support between 25% and 40% of the gross design weight of the boat when the pressure in t…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.