WO1997036780A1 - Constant-propulsion suspension for watercraft - Google Patents

Abstract

A watercraft suspension system comprising at least one flat-bottomed float (2) having vertical sides and a non-negligible parallelepiped internal space and supporting the hull (1) via adjustable shock absorbers (3) arranged at the front and at the back of the float (2) and between the hull (1) and the float (2). A plate (5) or base (36) supporting the engine (13) and mounted at the back end of the float via a hinge (78) is in turn hinged to the hull by means of a set of parallel pivotable arms (6) for transmitting propulsion forces to the hull (1) regardless of whether the suspension is in the raised or lowered position or in a position intermediate same. The entire assembly is guided within a housing 43 with side walls engaged by rollers (4) to provide shock absorption at the front (A) and at the back (B). The watercraft can thus glide smoothly over the surface of a smooth or choppy body of water until the suspension is saturated.

Description

CONSTANT PROPULSION NAUTICAL SUSPENSION

1

The present invention is a water suspension for motor boat, which offers the advantage to suspend the shell and equipped for a gay n comfort, ^energy and long life to the power unit The invention is characterized in that it is consisting of a float 2 carrier flat bottom bow on its front, flat on the back, bordered by two fins 38 which increase the lift forces, on the rear of this hull This hull or this float which carries the boat is connected to the nautical craft, thanks to at least two shock absorbers, judiciously installed at the front and at the rear thereof, guided laterally by a box 43 adjusts to the maximum vertical shapes and deflections One or more connecting rods 6 serve to retain the float under the thrust of the engine 13 or of the propellant or base 36, fixed through a plate or articulated support 5 This suspension thanks to this specific mounting allows a constant thrust in p uissance direction and bearing incidence of the propeller 37 whatever the high or low position of the latter The carrier float 2 can take a front impact at A such that a wave and without B not moving and vice versa the impact can s 'apply at B without the position of A moving with a constant incidence of the propeller thrust relative to the general axis of the boat The suspension is fitted with a shock absorber 3 of the automotive type, on which a bellows or lung tire is sealingly installed allowing both to protect the ^damper rod from corrosion, and pressurizing and curing the slurry navigation Indeed more hull accelerates hard water, ιl is therefore necessary to harden the suspension as a function of the speed of the ship, either automatically, coupled to the engine power control, so thanks to a hydropneumatic amplifier relay piloted by a tube for taking total pressure capturing the press ion of the carrier fluid A manual control makes it possible to pressurize the suspension more or less thanks to a pneumatic circuit supplied with air by a compressor controlled by a pressure switch which regulates the pressure in a volume, a reservoir Two solenoid valves 27, 28 make it possible to inflate or deflate the cockpit control circuit

The accompanying drawings, given by way ^of example to better understand the invention and the advantages that it can provide the FIG Represents ^the perspective of a carrier shell of the ^invention without its engine for the highlight mounting FIG 2A shows the bursts in side view of the suspension F IG 2b shows the front view of the ^invention FIG 2C shows the front view ^of a passenger catamaran F IG 2D shows the perspective view ^of a racing catamaran FIG 3A shows the cross-sectional view ^of a damper 3 I of invention FIG 3B shows the sectional view ^of a pneumatic relay ampl ificateur FIG 4, a, b, c Represents the patterns of the invention FIG 5 control circuit represents ^the implantation ^of a propellant base of the Z drive type commercially FIG 6 shows the implantation ^of a so-called base in the trade igne FIG 7, a, bc shows the details of a suspension which equip ships commercial without suspension

FIG 8 shows a transmission of multiple hydrostatic whose diagram is to extrapolate in a power transmission FIG 9 shows a catamaran hull has two covers, Pleasure suspended on torsion bar FIG 1 0 Represents the mounting type ^of an engine 1 3 embeds in the main shell 1 FIG 1 1 shows the mounting of an outboard motor on a race shell According to ^the invention Figure 1 shows a float 2 equipped ^with damper 3 'on ^the front and on ^the rear Side rollers 4 allow good sliding in the box 43, on the internal walls of the two half-floats 9 Two sets of connecting rods 6 parallel linked to an articulated vertical plate 5, motor support, fluctuate in height under the impulse of the back 78 of two articulated float control end in the travel by ^the damper 3 This shell has a monocoque suspension is comprised of two lateral shells 8 V to pronounce outside ensuring good stabi lity in turn as in the waves, the shell being supported by the float suspension 2 Two garlic lerons vertical extensions 38 and tapering towards ^the front bordering the rear of the float allowing greater lift performance This suspension can therefore undergo frontal and rear impact without disturbing the operation of the engine and without rebound until saturation of the suspension according to ^the invention Figure 2a shows the installation of an outboard motor 13 Mtr hull suspension 1 can fl uctuate altitude according to the vertical jn dotted axis \ ec an angle R constant after adjustment of one engine angle a second float 2 of suspension is mounted in front of and in series with the first in order ^to ameliorei distribution operation according to ^invention 2b shows a monocoque evolving face on its suspension 2 equi free on its two lateral floats 8 and two tunnels formanl two non-motorized two suspensions linked by a deck 1 carrying a tunnel between the two shells 8 ', in which is implanted in its center a shell-shaped wedge 8 ^"V pronounced non-carrier which allows the installation ^of a motor central with a submerged propeller 37 cl its base 36 of the trade

According to the invention Figure 2d shows a perspective view of a catamaran with two suspension 2 without drive in the floats 8 ^'and one, two central ^"carrier of said motor 13 according to ^the invention Figure 3a shows .the an automotive shock absorber 16 in combination with a bellows or lung tire 1 5 elastic trade whose double purpose is both to protect the rod of ^the damper 18 especially corrosion el adjust the suspension hardness and posi tion in navigation Two circular flanges January 7 sealingly mounted and ^the axis on the body of ^the damper 16 on the one hand, on ^the upper 19 of extremπe ^the other. close the two ends of the bellows 15 of resilient rubber and transmit the thrust to the fasteners 19 on ^the one hand to the shell 1, on ^the other hand to the float 2, all without leakage P2 According to ^the invention 3b shows a pneumatic amplifier relay hydro¬ composed of three elemen ts 20 stacked and separated by two membranes watertight February 1 carrying an upper cavity subjected to the PI pressure by stacking transmits the thrust to the lower cavity through ^a piston 23, which pushes a multiple needle 22 will pass in P2 the control pressure in proportion to PI. to ^balance the upper part of the needle releases ^air in the atmosphere Pa P2, if IP decay

According to ^the invention Figure 4a shows a pneumatic control circuit of the suspension. A manually operated compressor 23 compresses ^air in a volume. a tank 24 controlled at maximum pressure level by a pressure switch 29 Two solenoid valves 27,28 controlled from the cockpit by the contacts 3 1, authorize the inflation and deflation of the suspension 3 A pressure gauge 25 indicates the pressure in the control station

According to ^the invention Figure 4b shows a pneumatic control circuit of the suspension. automatic that inflates the suspension when you accelerate the engine and deflates the suspension when you idle

The control 32 ^of an expander 33. acceleration driver which is adjustable, _ shiftable, the control station through the flywheel 34 This circuit is powered by a compressor 23. a tank 24. a pressure switch 29, which provide pressure ^uti lisation P0. upstream at 33 which delivers, according to the command, a pressure P2 on the suspension This pi ession deflates in automatic, piloted by a hydropneumatic amplifier relay which controls the control pressure P2 to the pressure PI generated by the speed of the carrier fluid detected by the total pressure probe 35 The faster the hull advances the more the pressure PI increases, the more the pressure P2

5 of the suspension is significant

According to ^the invention Figure 5 shows the mounting of a base of Business 36 Z or (Z drive) fixed to the body 3 two dampers dimensioned for this purpose, with the plate 5 that the combined, themselves articulated on float 2 A transmission 60 and its seal

IQ CONSTANT VELOCITY 42 transmit the engine power, sealingly mounted in the shell 1, to the propeller 37 The damper 3 is mounted between the shell 1 and ^the rear of the float 2 through fasteners provided for this purpose According to ^'ιn \ entιon 6 shows the ^installation of two bases in a line and divided into 36 42. trade rel ied by a biel January 4

] S controlled in direction by a veπn 39, actuated in depth by two veπns 40 whose upper part is attached to the body of ^the shock absorber 3 below the bellows This arrangement ensures a constant thrust angle, regardless of the position of the suspension 2 both hel ices turn in 37 against rotation which improves the performance of ^all

2o According to ^the inv ention Figure 7 shows a set of adaptable suspension to commercial shells corresponding to the performance of ^the invention this assembly is to be installed preferably at the level ^of a lowest point of the hull thus treated, or in the edges or outside corner of the hull for lateral suspensions Les Tigures 7c i ll ustrent des

25 installation solutions for box 43, laminate, glue at the appropriate locations. Reinforcements or leaves are provided for this purpose The suspension (s) is positioned behind and in alignment with the prow (s) of the hull thus treated in order to improve iorer the penetration of said suspension, in waves The box 43 made of moldable and reproducible materials.

30 plastic. composite. resin. metals, light alloy, adjusted in its internal shapes to the various elements of the suspension, and their deflections Bosses 44 receive a shock absorber 3 ^' a connecting rod 6 with their fastening provided for this purpose Rollers 4 ensure minimum friction between the float 2 and the box 43 The table. the rear plate

35 5 is pierced and articulated in 75, according to ^the invention permitting the mounting of the bases 36 already have commented. with their l ines ^of articulated shafts connected to the motor output these standardized sets, real ises following several templates can equip a unequipped hull range of the ^invention by achieving _^ or \ ertures provided for this purpose in the hulls I The forms of

40 these suspensions are asvmetnques on the coasts a slope borders the lower external coasts, like deflectors oriented \ ers down A opening . a recess 76, located in the deck of the float 2 opens onto the support plate 5, a location which is particularly suitable for a turbine or hydrojet. According to the invention Figure 8 represents one of the modes of transmission of the engine power 13 ^' to the various propellers 37 a boat engine is instal threaded into one, coupled to a stack of three motors or hydraulic pump 45, which by high pressure hoses feeding 3 turbine 46 installed al ^rear three floats 2 dotted It suspended mounting simplifies installing a multiple suspension, thanks to the flexible tuvaux following without mechanical complication, the movement of the suspension a reservoir 47 ^of the hui and that ^a pump ensures the functioning of various organs. of direction 48 veπns According to ^the invention Figure 9 shows a sailing catamaran has two hulls 8 ^"carriers I invention two dampers 3 are both linked to the shell 1. by the levers 64 connected together by a torsion bar 6 1 commands in the high or low position by a control lever and pilot by a double effect veπn 62 and its control 63 This torsion bar is guided in rotation in a sheath A fixed bearing on the shell 1 authorizes the control rotation and supports of the suspension thrust forces on both the ^other dampers 3

According to ^the invention the Tigure 10 shows the installation ^of a motor 13 embarks on board, the output of box 65 is located on the front so that the shaft line 60 fluctuates in accompanying the suspension below float 2 through to the two constant velocity joints 42 According to the invention, Tigure 1 I represents the outboard engine mounting. with its base 36 and ^the propeller 37, which is integral with ^the invention ^by means of the motor plate 5 through which the veπn 67 controls ^the motor The impact plate 5 is hinged to the parralle- lograme deformable, formed of two mechanical welds 6 in the form of a flat FI This plate 5 is connected to the parallelogram by means of the joints 72 provided for this purpose, produced in the form of a tenon and clevis dimensioned for this purpose This plate carries two ears 76 or the jack is fixed, controlled in a conventional manner by a pump 70 The two branches 6 secured to the flails of the paral lelogram allow the control of the suspension bone because they contain the effects of compression and relaxation of the bellows 3 themselves references a, the hull by the beam 66 on which they are fixed on either ^of another stack A damper 3 ^"between the shell 1 ^and all of the parallelogram quickly the panic of ^the moving assembly A compressor 69 feeds a request by the two bellows 3 means ^{of a} flexible conduit This engine hanger is preferably made of light alloy. or steel. or made of composite material provided for this purpose. The latter is mounted adjusted in a cavity provided for this purpose. wherein are mounted points ^inking friction slide rails are installed for high powers motors

It is therefore possible, thanks to this assembly, to raise the propeller relative to the lateral floats and thus to approach a beach or pass deep sea This invention is therefore implanted on hulls not equipped with this invention thanks to assemblies or (kιt). . floater 2, connecting rod 6, damper 3. tHEREFOR this suspension absorbs shock fronts or bitter without disturbing one plate of the shell 1 j usqu ^'saturation of the latter the necessary commands to the navigation, management, reverse running before, acceleration. raising or lowering of ^the base tπm or adjusting the ^incidence of thrust of the propeller The own commands 1 invention are suspension stiffness, higher or lower position and its coupling to the throttle control or automatic preview ll categories, sizes, dimensions, position and number of passengers may be envisaged for ^installation of the invention, pourv u as the shapes and characteristics of the shell be dimensioned for this purpose this suspension is therefore a floating suspension in an box. at constant propeller thrust The effect of increased lift generated by the fins 38 is modifiable by the two half-floats 9 Indeed when the float 2 goes up it discovers the internal walls of the box 43, delimited by the two lower edges of the two half floats 9 which thus become fins has-form area depending on the speed ^the retaining effect of the motor driven by the connecting rod 6 is replaced by the mounting guides roller, gl issuant on the vertical front and rear walls of the box 43 in the case of non-motorized suspension the way to mount the propeller of the ^invention is adaptable to single or multiple suspensions hinged flaps technologies, details and improvements terrestrial automobile suspensions are applicable to the present invention ^implantation of a turbine or ^a water jet is particularly suitable for ^the invention suspensions without drive. are particularly usable on the catam formula; n with a base or a fixed central motor This invention therefore allows gains ^significant energy through a navigation now possible on flat surfaces. single, multiple. or I series one behind ^the other, carrier ^of gear nautique.de boats of all kinds and of any template A 1 stop the slurry back through a pneumatic bellows 3 "ludicieusement implanted A return spring can replace the The watercraft of suspension is characterized in that ^it comprises at least one float 2 has a flat bottom, with vertical sidewalls. with significant volume forming a parallelepiped, which carries the shell I thanks to the adjustable shock absorbers 3. located at the front and ^the back 2, between the shell 1 and the float 2, which at the rear end support at the joint 78 a motor support plate 1 3 or base 36, itself articulated and attached to the hull by a set of parallel connecting rods 6 which transmit the propelling forces to the hull 1, whatever the high or low or intermediate position of the suspension all guides in a box 43 on your sides from which the rollers 4 come s ^support The brand ensures a shock absorbing front and rear a B. the whole plane without rebound on the surface of the water body with more or less tormented waves, | usqu ^" to saturation of ia suspension This suspension comprises a vertical and articulated plate 5 which supports the engine 13 or base 36. which thanks to its articulation 78 transmits the high position

, intermediate. float 2 bottom to propeller 37 surface or submerged. as well as the thrust to the hull 1 ^by means of parallel narrow rods game 6 This suspension is controlled by a damper 3 automotive type 16 which is combined with a bellows or lung tire 1 5 commerce whose double aim is to both to protect the rod of ^the damper 1 8 of the corrosion and especially to adjust the suspension hardness and position with two circular flanges 17 sealingly mounted, on ^the one hand on the body of the shock absorber 16 of elsewhere on the upper end 19. flanges that close the two ends of the bellows 1 5 and transmit the thrust to the shell 1 on ^the one hand and to the float 2 to ^the other control by an automatic pneumatic circuit or manual Propulsion is provided by a LEMENT engines empi or hydraulic pumps 45 coupled to a heat engine 13. connected to turbines 46 each installed on a float 2, by means of flexible piping. thus allowing multiple propulsion without mechanical complication for driving propellers 37 The dampers 3 are also share commands and sides ^of the hull 1 by a torsion bar 61 and its controls levers in position by a cylinder 62

Claims

CLAIMS l) Suspensιon of watercraft characterized in that ^it comprises at least one float 2 with a flat bottom, the sides vertical .to significant volume forming a parallelepiped, which carries the hull through adjustable dampers 3, located at the 'front and rear of 2, between hull 1 and float 2, which at its rear end supports at articulation 78 a support plate 5 for motor 1 3 or base 36, itself articulated and attached to the shell by a plurality of parallel rods 6 which transmit propulsive forces to the hull 1, irrespective of the high or low or intermediate position of the suspension all guided in a housing 43 on the sides which the rollers 4 come s ^support , all ensuring a shock absorption before a and B back, ^the flat together without rebound to the surface of the ^water body to v agues more or less troubled, up ^to saturation of the suspension 2) Suspension according to claim 1 characterized in that ^it comprises a vertical and articulated plate 5 which supports the motor 13 or ^the base 36, which thanks to its articulation 78 transmits the high position, intermediary. bottom of float 2 to propeller 37 of surface or submerged. as well as the thrust to the hull 1 ^by means of the set of parallel rods 6 3) Suspension according to claim 1 characterized in that ^the shock absorber 3 automotive type 16 is combined with a bellows or lung tire 15 Trade whose double purpose is both to protect the rod of ^the shock absorber 1 8 of the corrosion and especially to adjust the hardness and suspended position by means of two circular flanges 1 7 sealingly mounted, on ^the one hand on the body of ^the shock absorber 16 on ^the other hand on the upper end flanges which 1 9. closing both ends of the bellows 1 5 and transmit the thrust to the shell I on ^the one hand and to the float 2 to ^the other. controlled by an automatic or manual pneumatic circuit 4) Suspension according to claim 1 characterized in that the propulsion is provided by a stack of motors or hydraulic pumps 45 couples to a heat engine 1 3, connected to turbines 46 each installed on a float 2, thanks to a flexible pipe. thus allowing multiple propulsion without mechanical complications for the propeller drive 37 5) Suspension according to claim 1 characterized in that the damper 3 are controlled on both sides ^of the hull 1 by a torsion bar 6 and 1 .Controller levers in position by a veπn 62