GB2493789A

GB2493789A - Ground effect planing watercraft with a stabilizing hydro-ski

Info

Publication number: GB2493789A
Application number: GB1115350.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Colin Hilton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-07-09
Filing date: 2011-09-06
Publication date: 2013-02-20
Anticipated expiration: 2031-09-06
Also published as: GB201114429D0; GB201114646D0; GB2493789B; GB201115350D0; GB201111750D0

Abstract

A watercraft comprises a rear mounted mainplane 4 that enables flight in ground-effect and which is stabilized by a forward-mounted ski (2, Fig 5) that planes across the water surface. At higher speeds the forward-mounted ski is adapted for continuous or intermittent flight above the surface. The craft may be formed around a pair of lateral spars 12 and an extension 14 to the forward-mounted ski that forms a keel. These are joined by a foreplane 11 at the prow of the watercraft and at the rear by the mainplane, of which the spars form the sides. The keel merges with a vertical fin 5 below the horizontal mainplane. The foreplane may be adapted as a lifting body to include the wave-piercing operation of a conventional bow.

Description

SELF-STAEILISING SEAPLANE

The invention relates to surface-effect vehicles.

A persistent problem that prevents the widespread adoption of these craft is the want of simple means of stability, particularly over rougher surfaces. The invention solves the problem by leading progress over such surfaces with a form of flying ski.

The invention is clear from the diagrams, in which: Figure 1 shows a craft displacing water in schematic form, Figure 2 shows it planing on the water, Figure 3 shows it hydro-planing over water and Figure 4 shows it aero-planing above water.

Figure 5 shows an effective embodiment.

Figure 6 is a ski with aerodynamic effect.

Figure 7 is an adaption to conventional lines.

In Figure 1, a schematic cross-section shows in this case a water surface (1). A craft comprises hydro-ski (2), boom (3) and plane (4). All three components are buoyant to some extent and can be formed of conventional material like timber, or else with types of foam-ifiled plastic composite. As a consequence it is partially submerged.

In Figure 2, under motion the craft rises onto the plane.

In Figure 3, at higher speeds the craft has only the ski (2) in contact with water (1).

In Figure 4, at higher speeds the ski (2) also flies in surface-effect like the plane (4).

In Figure 5, a panel plane (4) is formed of skinned foam of plain or contour profile. It is terminated by fins (5) that assist in planing on water and flight control in air. The craft is powered by an engine (6) and propeller (7) mounted on a pylon (8). Securing the boom (3) is rigging (9), or a delta-shaped extension to the wing.

The boom (3) terminates in a hydro-ski (2) that might castor freely or be steered. A wedge-shaped bracket (10) secures otherwise, and the ski (2) itself could be flexible or

retractable too.

No hydro-ski is without aerodynamic effect, but the invention is the first to benefit from it artificially. Figure 6 thus shows an arrow-shaped ski (2) that provides lift to raise the front-end clear of water. The invention works in any event to stabifise the rear plane (4) in flight. Thus the craft may use a simple ski (2), an aerodynamic one or one combined with a separate wing. For example, a foam-ifiled plane may provide buoyancy here that the ski (2) cannot.

In Figure 7, the invention is seen in full effect as a means of lending what is ostensibly a powerboat the benefits of flight on or over the surface of water. It retains the outline of a planing hull, which is opened up and sub-divided into a lifting body (11) adapted for aerodynamic lift beside piercing waves, and a flying mainplane (4). The foreplane (11) might be three dimensional like a small hull, or like a delta-wing or "flying vee" with dihedral sweep. In the diagram it is an inverted T-section with a planing surface, natural buoyancy in water and aerodynamic lift in air.

The forward section is braced by stringers, which appear here as tensioned laths. Two of these run along either side (12) and another forms a keel (14) for the craft to plane upon. The weight of the engine (6) is supported by the mainplane (4) which has a fin (5) adjoining the keel (14). Other fins (5) are used as outriggers to prevent the craft from leaning. The propeller (7) is positioned forward of the leading edge or connected by a shaft to a position near the foreplane (11). Although a motor can be placed here too, shifting weight forward reduces the moment of an elevator (15). Trailing edges of the mainplane and fins may also feature control surfaces (16).

Many of the disadvantages connected with high-speed watercraft are obviated by the invention, which offers four modes of progress as described above. The craft is much lighter than it need be otherwise, and has no need of water-propellers that can foul up.

It also operates largely clear of surface debris. The foreplane in combination with the mainplane can be used to stabillse both flight above a surface, and hydroplaning on It.

The same results can be achieved by introducing cut-outs in a conventional hull that accommodate an aero-propeller or turbo-jet in this way, lending the arrangement the means to control intermittent or continuous flight.

Claims

<claim-text>CLAIMS1. A watercraft comprising a boom-mounted hydro-ski connected to a rear-mounted mainpiane, the hydro-ski, by hydroplaning contact with the water surface, enabling flight in ground-effect of the mainplane.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A watercraft as claimed in claim 1 wherein all of the boom, the hydro-ski and the mainpiane are buoyant to some extent.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A watercraft as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the hydro-ski is part of a foreplane, which is a truncated bow section, to provide a lifting body adapted for aerodynamic lift.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A watercraft as claimed in claim 3 wherein the foreplane is like a delta-wing or is an inverted T-section with a planing surlace 5. A watercraft as claimed in claim 3 or 4 wherein the foreplane is supported by a pair of longitudinal members attaching to respective sides of the mainplane and held under tension to produce an apex at the bow.6. A watercraft as claimed in claim 5 wherein a third longitudinal member flexed under tension in a vertical plane extends between the foreplane and the mainplane and provides a keel.7. A watercraft as claimed in claim 6 including a vertical fin below the mainplane and adjoining the keel.8. A watercraft as claimed in any preceding claim including tins or outriggers provided at each side of the mainplane to stabilize the craft when planing on water.9. A watercratt as claimed in any preceding claim which is also capable of stabilised flight above the water within surface-effect.10. A watercraft as claimed in any preceding claim including control surfaces on any or a(l of the mainplane, the forepEane and the fins.11. A watercraft substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated by Figure 5 or Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.</claim-text>