Propeller tunnel baffle and method
US4689026A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 26, 1985 |
| Grant date | Aug 25, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 26, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB63H2001/185
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A marine craft having a propeller tunnel in which the sidewalls of the tunnel are essentially parallel and vertical and mate with a descending upper surface of the tunnel which optionally can be divided into a transom plate portion, engine plate portion, and bottom plate portion. The bottom plate portion mates with the bottom of the boat hull in a sharp line intersection. A surfacing propeller and associated drive shaft is mounted in the tunnel with a rudder positioned aft of the surfacing propeller. Baffles are provided on the lateral sides of the tunnel and terminate in a forward portion aft of the bottom plate portion of the tunnel. Optionally the exhaust can be vented onto the bottom plate portion of the tunnel to augment the flow of air. The method of the invention is directed to forcing the flow of air inside a surfacing propeller tunnel on a boat to the end that baffles provided on the lateral side are fed by air from the transom portion of the baffle and induced by the forward motion of the boat as well as the pneumatic effect of the surfacing propeller portion which is not in the water to force the air to go into the tunnel portion and thereby minimize any negative pressur…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.