Powerboat with disappearing tunnel
US7228810B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 15, 2005 |
| Grant date | Jun 12, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 15, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB63H5/16
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A shallow draft boat has a hull that protects a propulsion propeller within a tunnel that passes only partially through the hull from stern to bow. The hull has a mechanism, such as a flap for selectively permitting or blocking water flow access to the tunnel from under the boat. The boat also has a lift mechanism preferably in the shape or adjustable parallelogram for selectively positioning a propeller of a propulsion unit substantially directly behind the tunnel or below the tunnel. The boat can operate in two modes. In one, water access to the tunnel is permitted and the propeller is positioned above the bottom of the hull and behind the tunnel. In the other, water access to the tunnel is blocked and the propeller is positioned below the bottom of the hull. This construction permits selective operation in a shallow draft mode, in a normal draft mode or in between. In the shallow draft mode, the boat prevents propulsion unit malfunction by keeping obstacles, such as debris, crab pots and mammals such as manatees from contact with the propeller.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.