TRIMARAN HAVING OUTRIGGERS WITH PROPULSORS

• US 20140158037A1
• Filed: 12/10/2012
• Published: 06/12/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Teledyne Instruments Incorporated (Teledyne Technologies Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Teledyne Instruments Incorporated (Teledyne Technologies Incorporated)
• Inventors: George, Ronald A.
• Application Number:
  US13/709,516
• Publication Number:
  US 20140158037A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 114/283
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 1/125 comprising more than two hulls B63B1/107 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 1/32 Other means for varying the inherent hydrodynamic characteristics of hulls
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2035/006 Unmanned surface vessels, e.g. remotely controlled
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2211/02 Oceanography
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2241/26 for transport on roads, e.g. hull shape with maximum dimensions for public roads
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 7/02 comprising only rigid parts
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 2011/008 Arrangements of two or more jet units
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 2025/028 using remote control means, e.g. wireless control; Equipment or accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 25/42 Steering or dynamic anchoring by propulsive elements by jets B63H25/46; Steering or dynamic anchoring by propellers used therefor only; Steering or dynamic anchoring by rudders carrying propellers
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 5/08 of more than one propeller

Abstract

An improved trimaran of a type having a central hull, a starboard outrigger, a port outrigger, a starboard crossbar for attaching the starboard outrigger laterally to the starboard of the central hull, and a port crossbar for attaching the port outrigger laterally to the port of the central hull is provided. The improvement comprises a starboard propulsor attached to the starboard outrigger for propelling the trimaran, a port propulsor attached to the port outrigger for propelling the trimaran; and a motor controller connected to both the starboard and port propulsors for controlling the combined propulsion of the starboard and port propulsors for controlling both the speed and direction of the trimaran by tank steering.

Claims

1. An improved trimaran of a type having a central hull, a starboard outrigger, a port outrigger, a starboard crossbar for attaching the starboard outrigger laterally to the starboard of the central hull, and a port crossbar for attaching the port outrigger laterally to the port of the central hull, wherein the improvement comprises:

a starboard propulsor attached to the starboard outrigger for propelling the trimaran;

a port propulsor attached to the port outrigger for propelling the trimaran; and

a motor controller connected to both the starboard and port propulsors for controlling the combined propulsion of the starboard and port propulsors for controlling both the speed and direction of the trimaran by tank steering.

2. An improved trimaran as described in claim 1 wherein:

the trimaran lacking a common deck or platform simultaneously overlaying, at least in part, the central hull and both the port and starboard outriggers.

3. An improved trimaran as described in claim 1 wherein:

the trimaran lacking a rudder.

4. An improved trimaran as described in claim 1 wherein:

the central hull, port outrigger, and starboard outrigger each having hull conformations and buoyancy, and weight distribution for wave-piercing.

5. An improved trimaran as described in claim 4 wherein:

the trimaran lacking a common deck or platform simultaneously overlaying, at least in part, the central hull and both the port and starboard outriggers.

6. An improved trimaran as described in claim 5 wherein:

the hull, port outrigger, and starboard outrigger each having a topside deck submersible during wave-piercing.

7. An improved trimaran as described in claim 1 wherein:

the starboard cross bar includes a first hinge for rotating the starboard outrigger from an extended position employable for water navigation and a folded position for folding the starboard outrigger below the bottom side of the central hull for transporting the trimaran out of water; and

the port cross bar includes a second hinge for rotating the port outrigger from an extended position employable for water navigation and a folded position for folding the port outrigger below the bottom side of the central hull for transporting the trimaran out of water.

8. An improved trimaran as described in claim 1 wherein:

said starboard and port propulsors both being inboard.

9. An improved trimaran as described in claim 1 wherein:

said starboard and port propulsors both being outboard.

10. An improved trimaran as described in claim 1 wherein the trimaran further comprising:

remote control electronics connected to the motor controller for controlling the trimaran remotely in an unmanned fashion.

11. An improved trimaran as described in claim 10 wherein:

said remote control electronics executing pre-planned path navigation for controlling the speed and direction of the trimaran for survey purposes.

12. An improved trimaran as described in claim 1 wherein:

the central hull defining an instrument well for housing hydrological or other instrumentation.

13. An improved trimaran as described in claim 1 wherein the trimaran further comprising:

an energy source housed in the central hull and

port and starboard power lines connected to and running from said energy source to said port and starboard propulsors for powering said port and starboard propulsors.

14. A method for steering a trimaran having port and starboard propulsors in port and starboard outriggers respectively, the method comprising the step of:

exerting differential control of the propulsion from the port and starboard propulsors for controlling the speed and direction of the trimaran by tank steering.