US4919063A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hull construction for a swath vessel
Assignee: Swath Ocean Systems Inc
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Filing: 1989-03-07
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Granted: 1990-04-24
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Expires: 2009-03-07
Abstract
Abstract An improved hull construction for a SWATH vessel of the type having first and second pontoons disposed beneath a superstructure and coupled thereto by vertically disposed struts. The improvement comprises substantially hollow sponson whose bottom surface defines a relatively narrow horizontally extending strake disposed between the superstructure and each pontoon for producing forces to right the vessel including substantially instantaneously increasing the rate of buoyancy as the superstructure contacts the water surface. In the preferred embodiment, each sponson extends fore and art of the vessel for substantially the entire length of the struts, and includes a bottom surface defining a strake located a prescribed distance below the superstructure for increasing the waterplane area by a prescribed amount when the bottom surfaces of the sponsons contact the water's surface. The bottom surfaces of the sponsons are located so that the vessel is substantially prevented from rolling by more than a first prescribed angle, and from pitching by more than a second prescribed angle from horizontal.
Inventors
- 👤 Nelson W. Hall
- 👤 Paul Kotzebue
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 00:30
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B1/00; B63B1/02; B63B1/10; B63B1/107; B63B2001/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 57
Claim 1
Independent Claim
190 words
In a SWATH type vessel of the type having at least two submerged parallel pontoons, at least one vertical strut extending upwardly from each pontoon cooperatively supporting above the water line a superstructure, the combination comprising: the combined buoyancy of the two pontoons being such as to support the superstructure above the water line even while the vessel is at rest; and at least one reserve buoyancy sponson supported by an associated strut and interposed between the underside of the superstructure and the top surface of a respective pontoon; each sponson being vertically aligned above a respective pontoon and supported on its associated strut adjacent and above the water line while the vessel is at rest; the said sponsons each having a relatively continuous narrow bottom surface extending substantially the length of its associated sponson and aligned with each other in substantially the same horizontal plane; the said sponsons including said bottom surfaces thereof being shaped and configured to greatly increase the overall buoyancy of the vessel at a rapidly accelerated rate when, due to wave action, the lower extremities of the sponsons become increasingly immersed beneath the water line.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
190 words
In a SWATH type vessel of the type having at least two submerged parallel pontoons, at least one vertical strut extending upwardly from each pontoon cooperatively supporting above the water line a superstructure, the combination comprising: the combined buoyancy of the two pontoons being such as to support the superstructure above the water line even while the vessel is at rest; and at least one reserve buoyancy sponson supported by an associated strut and interposed between the underside of the superstructure and the top surface of a respective pontoon; each sponson being vertically aligned above a respective pontoon and supported on its associated strut adjacent and above the water line while the vessel is at rest; the said sponsons each having a relatively continuous narrow bottom surface extending substantially the length of its associated sponson and aligned with each other in substantially the same horizontal plane; the said sponsons including said bottom surfaces thereof being shaped and configured to greatly increase the overall buoyancy of the vessel at a rapidly accelerated rate when, due to wave action, the lower extremities of the sponsons become increasingly immersed beneath the water line.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein each sponson in transverse cross-section defines generally a truncated V-shape.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
74 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein the truncation forming the bottom surface of each sponson defines a horizontally extending strake having an average width of more than 50% of the average transverse width of its associated strut, so as to provide near instantaneous significant increased buoyancy to the vessel upon the truncated bottom surfaces of the sponsons and their respective immediate upwardly diverging conical side surfaces becoming immersed beneath the surface of a wave.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The combination of claim 3 wherein the height above the water line of each strake is such that at any angle roll to port or starboard at or exceeding 12°, the strake on the downside will contact the water and result in substantially instantaneous increased buoyancy tending to upright the vessel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
113 words
A SWATH-type vessel comprising: a superstructure; first and second pontoons disposed beneath the superstructure; at least one strut disposed between each pontoon and the superstructure for supporting the superstructure, so that the combined buoyancy of the first and second pontoons and the struts is sufficient to support the superstructure spaced apart from a waterline by a first prescribed distance when the vessel is disposed in calm water; and first buoyancy rate increasing means, associated with each strut extending in a common horizontal plane substantially the length of each associated strut and disposed between the superstructure and the pontoon, for increasing the rate of buoyancy increase as the superstructure progressively moves toward the waterline.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
113 words
A SWATH-type vessel comprising: a superstructure; first and second pontoons disposed beneath the superstructure; at least one strut disposed between each pontoon and the superstructure for supporting the superstructure, so that the combined buoyancy of the first and second pontoons and the struts is sufficient to support the superstructure spaced apart from a waterline by a first prescribed distance when the vessel is disposed in calm water; and first buoyancy rate increasing means, associated with each strut extending in a common horizontal plane substantially the length of each associated strut and disposed between the superstructure and the pontoon, for increasing the rate of buoyancy increase as the superstructure progressively moves toward the waterline.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The vessel according to claim 5 wherein the first buoyancy rate increasing means increases the rate of buoyancy increase when the superstructure is spaced apart from the waterline by a second prescribed distance, the second distance being less than the first distance.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The vessel according to claim 6 wherein the first buoyancy rate increasing means comprises first waterplane area increasing means for increasing the waterplane area displaced by the vessel when the superstructure is spaced apart from the waterline by the second distance.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The vessel according to claim 7 wherein the first buoyancy rate increasing means comprises a substantially hollow sponson disposed between each strut and the superstructure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The vessel according to claim 8 wherein each sponson includes a bottom surface extending outwardly from its associated strut at the second distance from the superstructure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The vessel according to claim 9 wherein each bottom surface extends symmetrically outwardly from the strut.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The vessel according to claim 10 wherein each sponson extends fore and aft of the vessel along substantially the entire length of its associated strut.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The vessel according to claim 11 wherein the bottom surface of each sponson extends along substantially the entire length of the sponson.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The vessel according to claim 12 wherein the bottom surface of each sponson extends downwardly.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The vessel according to claim 12 wherein the bottom surface of each sponson extends generally perpendicularly from the strut.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The vessel according to claim 12 wherein the forward bottom surface of each sponson extends upwardly.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The vessel according to claim 12 wherein the bottom surface of each sponson extends substantially horizontally.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The vessel according to claim 12 wherein each sponson is disposed adjacent to the superstructure.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The vessel according to claim 17 wherein each sponson has a substantially constant transverse width.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
The vessel according to claim 17 wherein each sponson includes second buoyancy rate increasing means for progressively increasing the waterplane area displaced by the sponson as the sponson is progressively submerged.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
The vessel according to claim 17 wherein each sponson has a side which tapers outwardly for increasing the waterplane area displaced by the sponson as the sponson is progressively submerged.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
The vessel according to claim 9 wherein the first buoyancy rate increasing means substantially prevents the vessel from rolling more than a first prescribed angle from horizontal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
The vessel according to claim 21 wherein the first buoyancy rate increasing means substantially prevents the vessel from pitching more than a second prescribed angle from horizontal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
39 words
The vessel according to claim 9 wherein the bottom surface of each sponson is located so that, when the vessel is disposed at a first prescribed angle to the waterline, the bottom surface of a sponson contacts the waterline.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The vessel according to claim 23 wherein the first prescribed angle is from approximately 8° to approximately 12°.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The vessel according to claim 24 wherein the first prescribed angle is a roll angle.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
39 words
The vessel according to claim 25 wherein a portion of each sponson in close proximity to the bow of the vessel has sufficient volume to substantially prevent the vessel from pitching more than a second prescribed angle from horizontal.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a SWATH-type vessel of the type having a superstructure, first and second submerged pontoons, and a strut disposed between each pontoon and the superstructure for coupling the pontoons to the superstructure, wherein the combined buoyancy of the struts and the pontoons are sufficient to support the superstructure spaced apart from a water surface, the improvement comprising: a first sponson disposed between the superstructure and the pontoons, the sponson including a first elongate smooth horizontal bottom surface for increasing the waterplane area displaced by the vessel and for increasing the buoyancy of the vessel when the bottom surface contacts the water surface.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a SWATH-type vessel of the type having a superstructure, first and second submerged pontoons, and a strut disposed between each pontoon and the superstructure for coupling the pontoons to the superstructure, wherein the combined buoyancy of the struts and the pontoons are sufficient to support the superstructure spaced apart from a water surface, the improvement comprising: a first sponson disposed between the superstructure and the pontoons, the sponson including a first elongate smooth horizontal bottom surface for increasing the waterplane area displaced by the vessel and for increasing the buoyancy of the vessel when the bottom surface contacts the water surface.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
The vessel according to claim 27 wherein the first bottom surface defines a strake having surfaces projecting both inboard and outboard from the vertical sides of its associated strut.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
The vessel according to claim 28 wherein at least some areas of the lateral projecting surfaces of the strake are downwardly angled from the vertical sides of its associated strut.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
13 words
The vessel according to claim 27 wherein the first sponson is substantially hollow.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
The vessel according to claim 30 wherein the first sponson is intended to be located adjacent to the superstructure.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
The vessel according to claim 31 wherein the first sponson is intended to be disposed between a strut and the superstructure.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
The vessel according to claim 32 wherein the first bottom surface extends symmetrically from the strut.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
50 words
The vessel according to claim 32 further comprising: a second sponson disposed between the superstructure and the pontoons, the sponson including a second bottom surface for increasing the waterplane area displaced by the vessel and for increasing the buoyancy of the vessel when the bottom surface contacts the water surface.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
13 words
The vessel according to claim 34 wherein the second sponson is substantially hollow.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
The vessel according to claim 35 wherein the second sponson is intended to be located adjacent to the superstructure.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
38 words
The vessel according to claim 36 wherein the first sponson is intended to be disposed between the first pontoon and the superstructure, and the second sponson is intended to be disposed between the second pontoon and the superstructure.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
39 words
The vessel according to claim 37 wherein the first and second bottom surfaces are located so that at least one of the first and second bottom surfaces contacts the water surface when the vessel rolls by a prescribed amount.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
44 words
The vessel according to claim 37 wherein the first and second bottom surfaces are located so that at least one of the first and second bottom surfaces contacts the water surface when the vessel is disposed at an angle from approximately 8°-12° from horizontal.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
16 words
The vessel according to claim 37 wherein the first and second bottom surfaces are substantially flat.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
15 words
The vessel according to claim 40 wherein the first and second bottom surfaces extend downwardly.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
16 words
The vessel according to claim 40 wherein the first and second bottom surfaces are substantially horizontal.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
15 words
The vessel according to claim 40 wherein the first and second bottom surfaces extend upwardly.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
22 words
The vessel according to claim 41 wherein the first sponson has an outer surface extending from the bottom surface toward the superstructure.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
19 words
The vessel according to claim 44 wherein the outer surface tapers outwardly from the bottom surface to the superstructure.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination of claim 1 and wherein the said relative narrow continuous bottom surface of each sponson defines a horizontal strake having laterally projecting surfaces extending at least beyond the outboard vertical plane of its associated strut.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination of claim 46 and wherein at least one of said laterally projecting surfaces is downwardly angled from the vertical plane of its associated strut.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination of claim 47 and wherein the juncture which joins each downwardly angled projecting surface to its associated strut is arcuately curved.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination of claim 1 and wherein the said relative narrow continuous bottom surface of each sponson defines a horizontal strake having laterally projecting surfaces extending at least beyond the inboard vertical plane of its associated strut.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination of claim 49 and wherein at least one of said laterally projecting surfaces is downwardly angled from the vertical plane of its associated strut.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination of claim 50 and wherein the juncture which joins each downwardly angled projecting surface to its associated strut is arcuately curved.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination of claim 1 and wherein the said relative narrow continuous bottom surface of each sponson defines a horizontal strake having laterally projecting surfaces extending beyond both the inboard and outboard vertical plane of its associated strut.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination of claim 52 and wherein at least one of said laterally projecting surfaces is downwardly angled from the vertical plane of its associated strut.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination of claim 53 and wherein the juncture which joins each downwardly angled projecting surface to its associated strut is arcuately curved.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-04-23 | 1993-10-23 | 1994-04-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-04-23 | 1997-10-23 | 1998-04-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-04-23 | 2001-10-23 | 2002-04-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |