US20060162639A1 - Touch tunnel - Google Patents
Touch tunnel Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20060162639A1 US20060162639A1 US10/100,385 US10038502A US2006162639A1 US 20060162639 A1 US20060162639 A1 US 20060162639A1 US 10038502 A US10038502 A US 10038502A US 2006162639 A1 US2006162639 A1 US 2006162639A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- hull
- tunnel
- segments
- hulls
- boat
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
- B63H5/00—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water
- B63H5/07—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water of propellers
- B63H5/14—Arrangements on vessels of propulsion elements directly acting on water of propellers characterised by being mounted in non-rotating ducts or rings, e.g. adjustable for steering purpose
Definitions
- the field of this invention relates to planing boat hulls in general.
- it relates to boats that need to operate in shallow or habitat-sensitive areas, using a method of reducing vessel draft while on plane.
- skiffs planing hulls
- these hulls range from flat bottoms to a deadrise of less than 20 degrees.
- These boats can usually operate in 18 inches to 36 inches of water, but because the propeller is fixed below the transom, operation in shallower areas can cause habitat (grass flats or coral flats) destruction and/or damage to marine animals (manatees, turtles, etc.).
- the idea for this invention was inspired by an encounter with a manatee, while operating a conventionally-hulled skiff.
- the inventor's objective was not to design an articulating tunnel to run in extremely shallow water (as most tunnels will do), but rather to try to elevate the propeller into a “non-intrusive mode.”
- the effective height of the inventor's type of tunnel is more extreme than most, to help achieve this “non-intrusive mode.”
- One of the objectives of this invention is to design an articulating tunnel to allow an operator to choose the most desirable hull configuration for changing operating conditions while underway or at rest.
- a further objective is to produce a method of articulation that is adaptable to a broad selection of planing hull types.
- Another objective is to produce a tunnel design with a more extreme effective height than most tunnel designs, to allow the propeller to be raised higher, relative to the bottom of the hull, thus creating a less intrusive mode of operation for habitat-sensitive areas.
- Another objective is to design the invention as a module, made to be placed into a mold at the time of boat manufacture.
- FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the tunnel module along the plane 1 - 1 of FIG. 2 , showing hull segments in down (conventional) position.
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the tunnel module along the plane 2 - 2 of FIG. 1 , showing hull segments in down (conventional) position.
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tunnel module along the plane 2 - 2 of FIG. 1 , showing hull segments in raised (tunnel) position.
- FIG. 4 is an elevation end view of the stem of the hull, showing module with hull segments in down (conventional) position.
- FIG. 5 is an elevation end view of the stem of the hull, showing module with hull segments in raised (tunnel) position.
- FIG. 6 is a detail of FIG. 2 showing plate hinge hull and module attachment.
- FIG. 7 is a detail of FIG. 2 showing a partial view of typical imbedded strap hinge attachment.
- FIG. 8 is a detail of FIG. 4 showing Tee clip supports and travel-limit stops.
- the tunnel module is shown in plan view, installed in a conventional skiff hull.
- the top of the module and the cap of the boat are not shown.
- the hull segments shown ( 1 - 6 ) are fabricated from hull material (typically fiberglass and Kevlar), taken from a partial lay-up in a factory mold. Since the prototype utilizes imbedded strap hinges (typically conveyor belt material) for its hull segment articulation, the strap hinges were laid in the mold prior to the lay-up, leaving the hull material flush with the planing surfaces of the hull segments.
- hull material typically fiberglass and Kevlar
- the hull segments were then cut apart at the flex line indicated at the center of the strap hinge, between the front hull segments (bow end) and the rear hull segments (stem end).
- a perpendicular cross piece was then formed at the rear of the front hull segments 1 , 2 , and 3 , and both the front and rear of the rear hull segments 4 , 5 , and 6 (see FIG. 1 , FIG. 4 and FIG. 8 ).
- Hull segments 1 through 6 were then attached to the strap hinges (see FIG. 7 ).
- the plate hinges are then fastened to the flange on the front of front hull segment 2 , and in turn fastened to the front of the tunnel module (see FIG. 6 ).
- the cylinder ram is attached to rear hull segment 5 (see FIGS. 1 through 5 ). Since all hull segments are now tied together, when the ram presses down hull segment 5 onto the module's support clip (see FIG. 8 ), this assembly now becomes a rigid unit (as the perpendicular cross pieces and stiffeners now butt up and brace into each other). In this “down” position, the profile of the hull segments now match the profile of a conventional hull.
- This raised position produces a tunnel shape within the inside of the tunnel module.
- This shape focuses water upward between the walls of the box and the planing surfaces of segments 1 , 2 and 3 , toward the flat, horizontal lift pad formed by the planing surfaces of segments 4 , 5 , and 6 (see FIGS. 3, 5 and 8 ).
- a boat operator may engage the mechanism, up or down, underway or at rest, with the touch of a standard, directional toggle switch.
Abstract
This invention is a method of using articulating boat hull segments to allow a boat operator to convert between a conventionally-hulled and a tunnel-hulled configuration.
Description
- A Provisional Patent Application No. 60/277,895 submitted on filing date Mar. 23,2001 by Applicant: James Michael Costello, Titled: Touch Tunnel.
- Not Applicable
- Not Applicable
- The field of this invention relates to planing boat hulls in general. In particular, it relates to boats that need to operate in shallow or habitat-sensitive areas, using a method of reducing vessel draft while on plane.
- It is known that some planing hulls are designed to operate in shallow water. Usually called skiff or flats boats (herein referred to as “skiffs”), these hulls range from flat bottoms to a deadrise of less than 20 degrees. These boats can usually operate in 18 inches to 36 inches of water, but because the propeller is fixed below the transom, operation in shallower areas can cause habitat (grass flats or coral flats) destruction and/or damage to marine animals (manatees, turtles, etc.).
- It is known that by building a tunnel into these types of hulls, water is redirected upward in a manner that allows the motor (and thus the propeller) to be mounted in a significantly higher position on the transom. Because only a few inches of water are needed to fill the tunnel, this type of hull can perform in much shallower areas than conventionally-hulled skiffs, while reducing or eliminating propeller damage to habitat-sensitive areas.
- Because conventionally-hulled skiffs are relatively fast and efficient (but draft deeper), and tunnel hulled skiffs are usually slower and less efficient (but draft shallower), a choice of hulls has been one or the other, prior to this invention. There is a need for boats that can display the best advantages of both configurations, as desired. It is necessary that these hulls have some means of raising and lowering the motor/propeller (such as a jackplate, etc.).
- The idea for this invention was inspired by an encounter with a manatee, while operating a conventionally-hulled skiff. The inventor's objective was not to design an articulating tunnel to run in extremely shallow water (as most tunnels will do), but rather to try to elevate the propeller into a “non-intrusive mode.” The effective height of the inventor's type of tunnel is more extreme than most, to help achieve this “non-intrusive mode.”
- One of the objectives of this invention is to design an articulating tunnel to allow an operator to choose the most desirable hull configuration for changing operating conditions while underway or at rest.
- A further objective is to produce a method of articulation that is adaptable to a broad selection of planing hull types.
- Another objective is to produce a tunnel design with a more extreme effective height than most tunnel designs, to allow the propeller to be raised higher, relative to the bottom of the hull, thus creating a less intrusive mode of operation for habitat-sensitive areas.
- Another objective is to design the invention as a module, made to be placed into a mold at the time of boat manufacture.
-
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the tunnel module along the plane 1-1 ofFIG. 2 , showing hull segments in down (conventional) position. -
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the tunnel module along the plane 2-2 ofFIG. 1 , showing hull segments in down (conventional) position. -
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tunnel module along the plane 2-2 ofFIG. 1 , showing hull segments in raised (tunnel) position. -
FIG. 4 is an elevation end view of the stem of the hull, showing module with hull segments in down (conventional) position. -
FIG. 5 is an elevation end view of the stem of the hull, showing module with hull segments in raised (tunnel) position. -
FIG. 6 is a detail ofFIG. 2 showing plate hinge hull and module attachment. -
FIG. 7 is a detail ofFIG. 2 showing a partial view of typical imbedded strap hinge attachment. -
FIG. 8 is a detail ofFIG. 4 showing Tee clip supports and travel-limit stops. - Referring first to
FIG. 1 , the tunnel module is shown in plan view, installed in a conventional skiff hull. For clarity, The top of the module and the cap of the boat are not shown. The hull segments shown (1-6) are fabricated from hull material (typically fiberglass and Kevlar), taken from a partial lay-up in a factory mold. Since the prototype utilizes imbedded strap hinges (typically conveyor belt material) for its hull segment articulation, the strap hinges were laid in the mold prior to the lay-up, leaving the hull material flush with the planing surfaces of the hull segments. The hull segments were then cut apart at the flex line indicated at the center of the strap hinge, between the front hull segments (bow end) and the rear hull segments (stem end). A perpendicular cross piece was then formed at the rear of thefront hull segments rear hull segments FIG. 1 ,FIG. 4 andFIG. 8 ). An additional perpendicular cross piece with a horizontal flange made for the attachment of plate hinges, was also formed at the front of front hull segment 2 (seeFIG. 6 ). The remaining cuts are made along the flex lines indicated at the center of the strap hinges (FIG. 1 ), and projected through the cross pieces, separatingsegments rear hull segments FIG. 1 ,FIG. 4 andFIG. 8 ). -
Hull segments 1 through 6 were then attached to the strap hinges (seeFIG. 7 ). The plate hinges are then fastened to the flange on the front offront hull segment 2, and in turn fastened to the front of the tunnel module (seeFIG. 6 ). The cylinder ram is attached to rear hull segment 5 (seeFIGS. 1 through 5 ). Since all hull segments are now tied together, when the ram presses downhull segment 5 onto the module's support clip (seeFIG. 8 ), this assembly now becomes a rigid unit (as the perpendicular cross pieces and stiffeners now butt up and brace into each other). In this “down” position, the profile of the hull segments now match the profile of a conventional hull. - When the cylinder switch is reversed, the ram lifts hull segment 5 (
FIG. 1 ,FIG. 4 ,FIG. 5 andFIG. 8 ). Because of the common strap hinge,hull segments FIGS. 2, 3 , 4, 5, and 8). Hull segments 4, 5, and 6 swing out until they form a flat surface. They will not swing any further becausesegments FIG. 8 ). As the ram reaches the top of its stroke, the outside edges ofsegments FIG. 8 ). This raised position produces a tunnel shape within the inside of the tunnel module. This shape focuses water upward between the walls of the box and the planing surfaces ofsegments segments FIGS. 3, 5 and 8). A boat operator may engage the mechanism, up or down, underway or at rest, with the touch of a standard, directional toggle switch. - While it is to be understood that the illustrations shown imply a specific structure embodying the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes may be made without departing from the spirit, method and scope of the invention.
Claims (3)
1. What I claim as my invention is a method of using articulating boat hull segments that allows a boat operator to convert a conventional hull configuration to a tunnel hull configuration, or vice versa.
2. The hull segment articulation method is adaptable to most conventional planing hulls.
3. This method can be scaled larger or smaller to accommodate different sizes of hulls and propellers.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/100,385 US20060162639A1 (en) | 2001-03-23 | 2002-03-18 | Touch tunnel |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US27789501P | 2001-03-23 | 2001-03-23 | |
US10/100,385 US20060162639A1 (en) | 2001-03-23 | 2002-03-18 | Touch tunnel |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20060162639A1 true US20060162639A1 (en) | 2006-07-27 |
Family
ID=36695355
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/100,385 Abandoned US20060162639A1 (en) | 2001-03-23 | 2002-03-18 | Touch tunnel |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20060162639A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20060096515A1 (en) * | 2004-11-04 | 2006-05-11 | Snook William N | Boat hull dispersion tunnel engagement device and method |
US8955452B1 (en) | 2013-11-21 | 2015-02-17 | Harley Wilson | Adjustable planing device for pontoon boats |
US9233732B2 (en) | 2013-11-21 | 2016-01-12 | Harley Wilson | Adjustable planing device for pontoon boats |
US10501149B1 (en) * | 2017-06-21 | 2019-12-10 | Danny R. Hall | Draft adjustable watercraft |
Citations (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2265079A (en) * | 1939-08-02 | 1941-12-02 | Paul F Mettair | Tilting propeller boat construction |
USRE24451E (en) * | 1958-04-08 | Swingable boat propulsion and steering unit | ||
US2961988A (en) * | 1958-03-04 | 1960-11-29 | Wilfred R Wood | Inboard propulsion unit for boats |
US4713028A (en) * | 1986-06-19 | 1987-12-15 | Don Duff | Shallow water boat design |
US5317982A (en) * | 1991-09-21 | 1994-06-07 | Jaegers Leopold | Ship |
US5812748A (en) * | 1993-06-23 | 1998-09-22 | Vinca Corporation | Method for improving recovery performance from hardware and software errors in a fault-tolerant computer system |
US5848921A (en) * | 1997-03-04 | 1998-12-15 | Mochida; Kenji | Power driven vessel having propelling power mounting apparatus |
US6088727A (en) * | 1996-10-28 | 2000-07-11 | Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | Cluster controlling system operating on a plurality of computers in a cluster system |
US6185695B1 (en) * | 1998-04-09 | 2001-02-06 | Sun Microsystems, Inc. | Method and apparatus for transparent server failover for highly available objects |
US6266781B1 (en) * | 1998-07-20 | 2001-07-24 | Academia Sinica | Method and apparatus for providing failure detection and recovery with predetermined replication style for distributed applications in a network |
US6438705B1 (en) * | 1999-01-29 | 2002-08-20 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method and apparatus for building and managing multi-clustered computer systems |
US20040049573A1 (en) * | 2000-09-08 | 2004-03-11 | Olmstead Gregory A | System and method for managing clusters containing multiple nodes |
US6772304B2 (en) * | 2001-09-04 | 2004-08-03 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Control method for a data storage system |
US6863013B2 (en) * | 2000-10-12 | 2005-03-08 | Evan L. Noyes, Jr. | Boat propulsion system |
-
2002
- 2002-03-18 US US10/100,385 patent/US20060162639A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
USRE24451E (en) * | 1958-04-08 | Swingable boat propulsion and steering unit | ||
US2265079A (en) * | 1939-08-02 | 1941-12-02 | Paul F Mettair | Tilting propeller boat construction |
US2961988A (en) * | 1958-03-04 | 1960-11-29 | Wilfred R Wood | Inboard propulsion unit for boats |
US4713028A (en) * | 1986-06-19 | 1987-12-15 | Don Duff | Shallow water boat design |
US5317982A (en) * | 1991-09-21 | 1994-06-07 | Jaegers Leopold | Ship |
US5812748A (en) * | 1993-06-23 | 1998-09-22 | Vinca Corporation | Method for improving recovery performance from hardware and software errors in a fault-tolerant computer system |
US6088727A (en) * | 1996-10-28 | 2000-07-11 | Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha | Cluster controlling system operating on a plurality of computers in a cluster system |
US5848921A (en) * | 1997-03-04 | 1998-12-15 | Mochida; Kenji | Power driven vessel having propelling power mounting apparatus |
US6185695B1 (en) * | 1998-04-09 | 2001-02-06 | Sun Microsystems, Inc. | Method and apparatus for transparent server failover for highly available objects |
US6266781B1 (en) * | 1998-07-20 | 2001-07-24 | Academia Sinica | Method and apparatus for providing failure detection and recovery with predetermined replication style for distributed applications in a network |
US6438705B1 (en) * | 1999-01-29 | 2002-08-20 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method and apparatus for building and managing multi-clustered computer systems |
US20040049573A1 (en) * | 2000-09-08 | 2004-03-11 | Olmstead Gregory A | System and method for managing clusters containing multiple nodes |
US6863013B2 (en) * | 2000-10-12 | 2005-03-08 | Evan L. Noyes, Jr. | Boat propulsion system |
US6772304B2 (en) * | 2001-09-04 | 2004-08-03 | Hitachi, Ltd. | Control method for a data storage system |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20060096515A1 (en) * | 2004-11-04 | 2006-05-11 | Snook William N | Boat hull dispersion tunnel engagement device and method |
US7246565B2 (en) * | 2004-11-04 | 2007-07-24 | Correct Craft, Inc. | Boat hull dispersion tunnel engagement device and method |
US8955452B1 (en) | 2013-11-21 | 2015-02-17 | Harley Wilson | Adjustable planing device for pontoon boats |
US9233732B2 (en) | 2013-11-21 | 2016-01-12 | Harley Wilson | Adjustable planing device for pontoon boats |
US10501149B1 (en) * | 2017-06-21 | 2019-12-10 | Danny R. Hall | Draft adjustable watercraft |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US11214335B2 (en) | Wake-modifying device for a boat | |
US20210024173A1 (en) | Wake-Modifying Device for a Boat | |
US7946243B1 (en) | Double acting lift mechanism for boat platform | |
US7216601B1 (en) | Apparatus and method for a dual hull boat with control gate | |
US6941884B2 (en) | Wake control mechanism | |
US5044298A (en) | Movable boat canopy | |
US8479677B2 (en) | Lift mechanism for lifting a swim platform above and over a rear deck of a boat | |
US6547485B2 (en) | Stern-on mooring boat lift | |
US9862457B2 (en) | Rear extensions for boats | |
JP2016016678A (en) | Reaping work ship | |
CA2215116A1 (en) | Boat hull | |
US4519336A (en) | Rear extension for boat hull | |
US8943994B2 (en) | Catamaran-style watercraft with a manually adjustable beam | |
WO2006068725A3 (en) | Ocean-going vessels | |
US20060162639A1 (en) | Touch tunnel | |
US11459063B2 (en) | System and method of a modified trim tab system with fluid hinge for variable-transom watercrafts | |
US11878779B2 (en) | Enhanced trim tab system with fluid hinge for variable-transom watercrafts | |
US4261117A (en) | Dredging vessel | |
US20100127150A1 (en) | Outboard Motor Mount | |
WO2007035706A3 (en) | Hull and steering mechanism for a marine vessel | |
US20160090162A1 (en) | Tractor-type drive for boats with trim plane | |
JPH0616172A (en) | Ship with movable bow valve also used for anti-pitching | |
US11465717B1 (en) | Floating lift system for floating or fixed docks and method of use | |
RU2371348C1 (en) | Metal hull radio transparent part structure | |
US20060090684A1 (en) | Powerboat with disappearing tunnel |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |