US3589325A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for steering marine craft
Assignee: Hovermarine Ltd
•
Filing: 1968-11-27
•
Granted: 1971-06-29
•
Expires: 1988-11-27
Abstract
Abstract A marine craft fitted with a water-jet propulsion unit having a rudder disposed adjacent the outlet of the unit so as to influence the direction taken by water discharged from the outlet. The rudder, besides being pivotable about an axis passing through the plane of its surface, is also rotatable about an axis passing through the outlet of the unit. When executing a turn the rudder is not only pivoted to execute the turn but is also rotated, in the general direction of the turn, so as to create an upward component of force on the rudder which tends to cause the craft to bank into the turn.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward Gunston Tallersall
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 05:06
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63H; B63H11/00; B63H11/02; B63H11/10; B63H11/107; B63H11/117; B63H2011/008; B63H23/00; B63H2023/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
In a steerable propulsion driven marine craft, a duct extending generally fore and aft of the craft, having its foremost end open in position to provide a water inlet, and having its sternmost end open and providing a water outlet; means for impelling water through said duct for discharge from said water outlet; a rudder; means mounting said rudder at said water outlet for rotation about a first axis extending through said water outlet and for pivotal movement about a second axis substantially normal to said first axis; and means for respectively rotating and pivoting said rudder about said axes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
In a steerable propulsion driven marine craft, a duct extending generally fore and aft of the craft, having its foremost end open in position to provide a water inlet, and having its sternmost end open and providing a water outlet; means for impelling water through said duct for discharge from said water outlet; a rudder; means mounting said rudder at said water outlet for rotation about a first axis extending through said water outlet and for pivotal movement about a second axis substantially normal to said first axis; and means for respectively rotating and pivoting said rudder about said axes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
A marine crAft according to claim 1 in which the rudder mounting means comprises a toothed ring mounted in said craft for rotation about said first axis; a pinion meshing with said ring; and bearing means carried by said ring and mounting said rudder for pivotal movement about said second axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
108 words
In a marine craft having a steering control member defining a surface normally disposed substantially vertically and aligned generally in a fore and aft direction, the improvement comprising first means mounting the control member for angular displacement about a substantially fore and aft first axis, second means supporting the control member on said first means and permitting angular displacement of said control member about a second axis perpendicular to said first axis, first control means for effecting angular displacement of said control member about said substantially fore and aft first axis, and second control means for effecting pivotal angular displacement of said control member about said second axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
108 words
In a marine craft having a steering control member defining a surface normally disposed substantially vertically and aligned generally in a fore and aft direction, the improvement comprising first means mounting the control member for angular displacement about a substantially fore and aft first axis, second means supporting the control member on said first means and permitting angular displacement of said control member about a second axis perpendicular to said first axis, first control means for effecting angular displacement of said control member about said substantially fore and aft first axis, and second control means for effecting pivotal angular displacement of said control member about said second axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The improvement according to claim 3 in which said first means mounting said control member comprises a frame surrounding said control member and being mounted in said craft for angular displacement about said first axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The improvement according to claim 4 in which said frame comprises a toothed ring and in which said first control means comprises a pinion meshing with the teeth of said ring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The improvement according to claim 5 in which said second control means comprises a pair of oppositely disposed pivots carried by the inner periphery of said ring; and remotely actuated drive means in one of said pivots for effecting angular displacement of said control member about said second axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
142 words
In a marine craft having a hull and being provided with at least two steering control members each formed with a surface normally disposed substantially vertically and aligned generally in a fore and aft direction, the improvement which comprises first means mounting said control members for angular displacement about respective, substantially fore and aft axes located symmetrically with respect to the centerline of the hull, second means supporting each control member on its associated said first means and permitting angular displacement of each control member about a second axis perpendicular to said first axis, and control mechanism for effecting angular displacement of said control members about said substantially fore and aft axes to enable their relative angular positions in reference to said first axis to be adjusted when steering movements are imparted to said control members by operation of said second means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
142 words
In a marine craft having a hull and being provided with at least two steering control members each formed with a surface normally disposed substantially vertically and aligned generally in a fore and aft direction, the improvement which comprises first means mounting said control members for angular displacement about respective, substantially fore and aft axes located symmetrically with respect to the centerline of the hull, second means supporting each control member on its associated said first means and permitting angular displacement of each control member about a second axis perpendicular to said first axis, and control mechanism for effecting angular displacement of said control members about said substantially fore and aft axes to enable their relative angular positions in reference to said first axis to be adjusted when steering movements are imparted to said control members by operation of said second means.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
105 words
The method of controlling the displacement, during a turn, of a marine craft having two steering control members movable respectively about substantially vertical axes disposed symmetrically with respect to the centerline of the craft to effect steering, said method comprising, in executing a turn of said craft, imparting angular displacement to said steering control members about respective substantially fore and aft horizontal axes to vary the angular relation of their control surfaces to one another about said respective substantially fore and aft horizontal axes, whereby movement of said control members to effect steering provides components of force acting to bank the craft into a turn.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
105 words
The method of controlling the displacement, during a turn, of a marine craft having two steering control members movable respectively about substantially vertical axes disposed symmetrically with respect to the centerline of the craft to effect steering, said method comprising, in executing a turn of said craft, imparting angular displacement to said steering control members about respective substantially fore and aft horizontal axes to vary the angular relation of their control surfaces to one another about said respective substantially fore and aft horizontal axes, whereby movement of said control members to effect steering provides components of force acting to bank the craft into a turn.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
102 words
The method of controlling the displacement, during a turn, of a marine craft having two control surfaces disposed symmetrically laterally spaced beneath the craft waterline, said method comprising pivoting said surfaces about respective substantially vertical first axes to steer the craft, and rotating said control surfaces independently about respective substantially horizontal fore and aft second axes respectively intersecting said substantially vertical first axes, whereby pivotal movement of said control surfaces about the respective first axes and angular displacement of said control surfaces about said respective second axes provides components of Steering force in the vertical as well as in the horizontal direction.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
102 words
The method of controlling the displacement, during a turn, of a marine craft having two control surfaces disposed symmetrically laterally spaced beneath the craft waterline, said method comprising pivoting said surfaces about respective substantially vertical first axes to steer the craft, and rotating said control surfaces independently about respective substantially horizontal fore and aft second axes respectively intersecting said substantially vertical first axes, whereby pivotal movement of said control surfaces about the respective first axes and angular displacement of said control surfaces about said respective second axes provides components of Steering force in the vertical as well as in the horizontal direction.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
46 words
The improvement according to claim 3 including an open-ended duct extending in a substantially fore and aft direction with its front end disposed below the craft waterline, said control member being mounted adjacent the duct rear end; and an impeller mounted for rotation in said duct.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
48 words
The improvement according to claim 7 including open-ended duct means extending in a substantially fore and aft direction with its front end disposed below the craft waterline, said control members being mounted adjacent the duct means rear end; and impeller means mounted for rotation in said duct means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
99 words
In a steerable propulsion driven marine craft, a duct extending generally fore and aft of the craft, having its foremost end open in position to provide a water inlet, and having its sternmost end open and providing a water outlet; means for impelling water through said duct for discharge from said water outlet; a rudder; means mounting said rudder at in the path of water discharged from said water outlet for pivotal movement about an axis inclined to and intersecting a vertical plane containing the longitudinal axis of the duct; and means for pivoting said rudder about said axis.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
99 words
In a steerable propulsion driven marine craft, a duct extending generally fore and aft of the craft, having its foremost end open in position to provide a water inlet, and having its sternmost end open and providing a water outlet; means for impelling water through said duct for discharge from said water outlet; a rudder; means mounting said rudder at in the path of water discharged from said water outlet for pivotal movement about an axis inclined to and intersecting a vertical plane containing the longitudinal axis of the duct; and means for pivoting said rudder about said axis.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
71 words
A marine craft according to claim 12, comprising a pair of laterally spaced sidewall structures connected by a central body, and wherein each of said sidewall structures is provided with a duct, means for propelling water through said duct, a rudder, rudder mounting means and rudder pivoting means as specified in claim 12, the projected area of each rudder being approximately one-eighth that of the immersed portion of each sidewall structure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-28 | 1974-12-28 | 1975-06-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-28 | 1978-12-28 | 1979-06-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-28 | 1982-12-28 | 1983-06-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |