Sailboat keel apparatus

Claim 2

In a boat, attitude control apparatus comprising a keel axis mounted for elevational angulation at a medial point on the underside of said boat; first positioning means coupled to said keel axis for adjusting the elevation angle between said keel axis and the longitudinal axis of said boat and for maintaining said keel axis in fixed orientation, after adjustment, relative to the longitudinal axis of said boat; a keel means pendant from said keel axis for angulation about said fixedly oriented keel axis; and second positioning means coupled to said keel means for adjusting the angular position of said keel means about said keel axis.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said keel means comprises port and starboard facing angularly opposed keel sections each independently angularly positionable about said keel axis; and wherein said second positioning means includes a port keel section positioning actuator coupled to said port facing keel section and a starboard keel section positioning actuator coupled to said starboard facing keel section.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein, said port and starboard keel section positioning actuators respectively comprise opposed port and starboard hydraulic slave cylinders; said apparatus further comprising port and starboard hydraulic master cylinders within said boat respectively hydraulically coupled to said port and starboard slave cylinders, each of said master cylinders having a piston, first control means coupled between the pistons of said port and starboard master cylinders for simultaneously increasing the hydraulic volume of a selected one of said master cylinders and decreasing the hydraulic volume of the other of said master cylinders for selectively causing said port and starboard facing keel sections to rotate angularly in the same direction about said keel axis and second control means comprising hydraulic pump means coupled hydraulically to each of said master cylinders for selectively causing said port and starboard facing keel sections to rotate angularly in opposite directions about said keel axis.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said port and starboard keel section positioning actuators comprise cylinders for receiving opposed hydraulic and air pressures, said cylinders being directed for angularly downwardly rotating said keel sections in response to an excess of hydraulic pressure with respect to air pressure and angularly upwardly rotating said keel sections in response to an excess of air pressure with respect to hydraulic pressure; control means within said boat coupled for applying selected hydraulic pressures to said cylinders; and air pressure storage tank means within said boat coupled for applying air pressure to said cylinders; whereby said keel sections may be raised in opposite directions by air pressure from said storage tank means upon the application of no or relatively small hydraulic pressures from said control means.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the end of each keel section is configured to carry the axle of a removeable tractive wheel to enable the boat to be supported and moved on land.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said keel means is hollow substantially throughout its radial extent and further comprising flowable ballast partially filling said keel means, wherein when said keel means is in a raised position with the radial extremity of said keel means above said keel axis, said ballast flows radially inward, in response to gravitational forces, toward said keel axis for reducing the forces required by said second positioning means for maintaining said keel means in said raised position.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of said port and starboard facing keel sections is hollow substantially throughout its radial extent, and further comprising flowable ballast partially filling each said keel section, wherein when a keel section is in a raised position with the radial extremity of said keel section above said keel axis, said ballast flows radially inward, in response to gravitational forces, toward said keel axis for reducing the force required by the associated actuator for maintaining the keel section in said raised position.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said keel means has port and starboard facing sides and wherein said second positioning means comprises a port keel means positioning actuator coupled to the port facing side of said keel means and a starboard keel means positioning actuator coupled to the starboard facing side of said keel means.

Claim 10

The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said port and starboard keel means positioning actuators respectively comprise opposed port and starboard hydraulic slave cylinders, said apparatus further comprising port and starboard hydraulic master cylinders within said boat respectively hydraulically coupled to said port and starboard slave cylinders, each of said master cylinders having a piston, mechanical control means coupled between the pistons of said port and starboard master cylinders for simultaneously increasing the hydraulic volume of a selected one of said master cylinders and decreasing the hydraulic volume of the other of said master cylinders for rotating said keel means angularly in a selected direction.

Claim 11

In a boat, combined attitude control and trailering means comprising: a generally longitudinally directed keel axis mounted at a medial point on the underside of said boat, port and starboard facing angularly opposed keel sections mounted for independent angular positioning about said keel axis; port and starboard keel section positioning actuators respectively coupled to said port and starboard facing keel sections for independently angularly positioning said keel sections about said keel axis for attitude control of said boat; the end of each keel section being configured to engage the axle of removeable tractive wheel to enable the boat to be supported and moved on land.

Claim 12

In a boat, combined attitude control and trailering means comprising: a generally longitudinally directed keel axis mounted at a medial point on the underside of said boat, port and starboard facing angularly opposed keel sections mounted for independent angular positioning about said keel axis; port and starboard keel section positioning actuators respectively coupled to said port and starboard facing keel sections for independently angularly positioning said keel sections about said keel axis for attitude control of said boat; the end of each keel section being configured to engage the axle of removeable tractive wheel to enable the boat to be supported and moved on land.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said port and starboard keel section positioning actuators respectively comprise opposed port and starboard hydraulic slave cylinders; said apparatus further comprising port and starboard hydraulic master cylinders within said boat respectively hydraulically coupled to said port and starboard slave cylinders each of said master cylinders having a piston, first control means coupled between the pistons of said port and starboard master cylinders for simultaneously increasing the hydraulic volume of a selected one of said master cylinders and decreasing the hydraulic volume of the other of said master cylinders for selectively causing said port and starboard facing keel sections to rotate angularly in the same direction about said keel axis, and second control means comprising hydraulic pump means coupled hydraulically to each of said master cylinders for selectively causing said port and starboard facing keel sections to rotate angularly in opposite directions about said keel axis.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said port and starboard keel section positioning actuators comprise cylinders being directed for angularly downwardly rotating said keel sections in response to an excess of hydraulic pressure with respect to air pressure and angularly upwardly rotating said keel sections in response to an excess of air pressure with respect to hydraulic pressure; control means within said boat coupled for applying selected hydraulic pressures to said cylinders; and air pressure storage tank means within said boat coupled for applying air pressure to said cylinders; whereby said keel sections may be raised in opposite directions by air pressure from said storage tank means upon the application of no or relatively small hydraulic pressures from said control means.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 10, wherein each of said port and starboard facing keel sections is hollow substantially throughout its radial extent, and further comprising flowable ballast partially filling each said keel section, wherein when a keel section is in a raised position with the radial extremity of said keel section above said keel axis, said ballast flows radially inward toward said keel axis for reducing the force required by the associated actuator for maintaining the keel section in said raised position.

Claim 16

In a boat, attitude control apparatus comprising: a generally longitudinally directed keel axis mounted at a medial point on the underside of said boat, a keel means pendant from said keel axis for angulation about said keel axis; said keel means having port and starboard facing sides, port and starboard facing shock absorber means comprising port and starboard facing tracks respectively in the port and starboard facing sides of said keel means, said tracks being directed radially from said keel axis, and port and starboard facing sliders captured respectively in said port and starboard facing tracks, said tracks and sliders being configured to cooperate with ambient water about said keel means, to produce viscous frictional forces opposing movement of said sliders along said tracks; arising from ambient water displaced by the movement of said sliders being forced through relatively narrow openings in said tracks; and port and starboard actuators respectively connected to said port and starboard facing sliders for positioning said keel means angularly about said keel axis.

Claim 17

In a boat, attitude control apparatus comprising: a generally longitudinally directed keel axis mounted at a medial point on the underside of said boat, a keel means pendant from said keel axis for angulation about said keel axis; said keel means having port and starboard facing sides, port and starboard facing shock absorber means comprising port and starboard facing tracks respectively in the port and starboard facing sides of said keel means, said tracks being directed radially from said keel axis, and port and starboard facing sliders captured respectively in said port and starboard facing tracks, said tracks and sliders being configured to cooperate with ambient water about said keel means, to produce viscous frictional forces opposing movement of said sliders along said tracks; arising from ambient water displaced by the movement of said sliders being forced through relatively narrow openings in said tracks; and port and starboard actuators respectively connected to said port and starboard facing sliders for positioning said keel means angularly about said keel axis.

Claim 18

The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said keel means is hollow substantially throughout its radial extent and further comprising flowable ballast partially filling said keel means, wherein when said keel means is in a raised position with the radial extremity of said keel means above said keel axis, said ballast flows radially inward, in response to gravitational forces, toward said keel axis for reducing the force required by said port and starboard actuators for maintaining said keel means in said raised position.

Claim 19

The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said keel means comprises port and starboard facing angularly opposed keel sections each independently angularly positionable about said keel axis, said port and starboard facing shock absorber means being respectively carried by said port and starboard facing keel sections.

Claim 20

The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the end of each keel section is configured to carry the axle of a removeable tractive wheel to enable the boat to be supported and moved on land.

Claim 21

The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said port and starboard actuators respectively comprise opposed port and starboard hydraulic slave cylinders; said apparatus further comprising port and starboard hydraulic master cylinders within said boat respectively hydraulically coupled to said port and starboard slave cylinders each of said master cylinders having a piston, first control means coupled between the pistons of said port and starboard master cylinders for simultaneously increasing the hydraulic volume of a selected one of said master cylinders and decreasing the hydraulic volume of the other of said master cylinders for selectively causing said port and starboard facing keel sections to rotate angularly in the same direction about said keel axis, and second control means comprising hydraulic pump means coupled hydraulically to each of said master cylinders for selectively causing said port and starboard facing keel sections to rotate angularly in opposite directions about said keel axis.

Claim 22

The apparatus of claim 16 wherein, said port and starboard actuators comprise cylinders for receiving opposed hydraulic and air pressures, said cylinders being directed for angularly downwardly rotating said keel sections in response to an excess of hydraulic pressure with respect to air pressure and angularly upwardly rotating said keel sections in response to an excess of air pressure with respect to hydraulic pressure; control means within said boat coupled for applying selected hydraulic pressures to said cylinders; and air pressure storage tank means within said boat coupled for applying air pressure to said cylinders; whereby said keel sections may be raised in opposite directions by air pressure from said storage tank means upon the application of no or relatively small hydraulic pressures from said control means.

Claim 23

In a boat, attitude control apparatus comprising: a generally longitudinally directed keel axis mounted at a medial point on the underside of said boat; a keel means, comprising angularly opposed independently positionable port and starboard keel sections, pendant from said keel axis for angulation about said keel axis; port and starboard keel section positioning actuators respectively coupled to said port and starboard keel sections for independently angularly positioning said port and starboard keel sections about said keel axis, said port and starboard keel sections positioning actuators respectively comprising opposed port and starboard hydraulic slave cylinders; said apparatus further comprising port and starboard hydraulic master cylinders within said boat respectively hydraulically coupled to said port and starboard slave cylinders, each of said master cylinders having a piston, and control means coupled between the pistons of said port and starboard master cylinders for selectively simultaneously increasing the hydraulic volume of a selected one of said master cylinders and decreasing the hydraulic volume of the other of said master cylinders, for selectively causing said port and starboard keel sections to rotate in the same direction, and hydraulic means coupled hydraulically to each of said master cylinders for selectively causing said port and starboard keel sections to rotate angularly in opposite directions.

Claim 24

In a boat, attitude control apparatus comprising: a generally longitudinally directed keel axis mounted at a medial point on the underside of said boat; a keel means, comprising angularly opposed independently positionable port and starboard keel sections, pendant from said keel axis for angulation about said keel axis; port and starboard keel section positioning actuators respectively coupled to said port and starboard keel sections for independently angularly positioning said port and starboard keel sections about said keel axis, said port and starboard keel sections positioning actuators respectively comprising opposed port and starboard hydraulic slave cylinders; said apparatus further comprising port and starboard hydraulic master cylinders within said boat respectively hydraulically coupled to said port and starboard slave cylinders, each of said master cylinders having a piston, and control means coupled between the pistons of said port and starboard master cylinders for selectively simultaneously increasing the hydraulic volume of a selected one of said master cylinders and decreasing the hydraulic volume of the other of said master cylinders, for selectively causing said port and starboard keel sections to rotate in the same direction, and hydraulic means coupled hydraulically to each of said master cylinders for selectively causing said port and starboard keel sections to rotate angularly in opposite directions.

Claim 25

The apparatus of claim 20 wherein, said port and starboard slave cylinders are configured for receiving opposed hydraulic and air pressures, said slave cylinders being directed for angularly downwardly rotating said keel sections in response to an excess of hydraulic pressure with respect to air pressure and angularly upwardly rotating said keel sections in response to an excess of air pressure with respect to hydraulic pressure, said hydraulic pressures being supplied to said port and starboard slave cylinders respectively by said port and starboard master cylinders; and an air pressure storage tank means within said boat coupled for applying air pressure to said slave cylinders, whereby said keel sections may be raised in opposite directions by air pressure from said storage tank means in response to the supply to said slave cylinders of no or relatively small hydraulic pressures from said master cylinders.

Claim 26

The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the end of each keel section is configured to carry the axle of a removable tractive wheel to enable the boat to be supported and moved on land.

Claim 27

The apparatus of claim 20, wherein each of said port and starboard facing keel sections is hollow substantially throughout its radial extent, and further comprising flowable ballast partially filling each said keel section, wherein when a keel section is in a raised position with the radial extremity of said keel section above said keel axis, said ballast flows radially inward toward said keel axis for reducing the force required by the associated slave cylinder for maintaining the keel section in said raised position.

Claim 28

In a boat, attitude control apparatus comprising: a generally longitudinally directed keel axis mounted at a medial point on the underside of said boat, port and starboard facing angularly opposed keel sections mounted for independent angular positioning about said keel axis; port and starboard keel section positioning actuators respectively coupled to said port and starboard facing keel sections for angularly positioning said keel sections about said keel axis, said port and starboard keel section positioning actuators comprising cylinders for receiving opposed hydraulic and air pressures, said cylinders being directed for angularly downwardly rotating said keel sections in response to an excess of hydraulic pressure with respect to air pressure and angularly upwardly rotating said keel sections in response to an excess of air pressure with respect to hydraulic pressure; control means within said boat coupled for applying selected hydraulic pressures to said cylinders and air pressure storage tank means within said boat coupled for applying air pressure to said cylinders; whereby said keel sections may be raised in opposite directions by air pressure from said storage tanks upon the application of no or relatively small hydraulic pressure from said control means.

Claim 29

In a boat, attitude control apparatus comprising: a generally longitudinally directed keel axis mounted at a medial point on the underside of said boat, port and starboard facing angularly opposed keel sections mounted for independent angular positioning about said keel axis; port and starboard keel section positioning actuators respectively coupled to said port and starboard facing keel sections for angularly positioning said keel sections about said keel axis, said port and starboard keel section positioning actuators comprising cylinders for receiving opposed hydraulic and air pressures, said cylinders being directed for angularly downwardly rotating said keel sections in response to an excess of hydraulic pressure with respect to air pressure and angularly upwardly rotating said keel sections in response to an excess of air pressure with respect to hydraulic pressure; control means within said boat coupled for applying selected hydraulic pressures to said cylinders and air pressure storage tank means within said boat coupled for applying air pressure to said cylinders; whereby said keel sections may be raised in opposite directions by air pressure from said storage tanks upon the application of no or relatively small hydraulic pressure from said control means.

Claim 30

The apparatus of claim 24 wherein, the end of each keel section is configured to carry the axle of a removable tractive wheel to enable the boat to be supported and moved on land.

Claim 31

The apparatus of claim 24 wherein, each of said port and starboard facing keel sections is hollow substantially throughout its radial extent, and further comprising flowable ballast partially filling each said keel section, wherein when a keel section is in a raised position with the radial extremity of said keel section above said keel axis, said ballast flows radially inward toward said keel axis for reducing the force required by the associated actuator for maintaining the keel section in said raised position.