Boat Hull Stabiliser Fin Deployment System

Abstract

A stabiliser fin deployment system configured to retract a stabiliser fin within a boat hull, the stabiliser fin having a length. The system includes a stabiliser fin housing having a height, width, and depth. The housing has an aperture configured to accommodate the entire length of the stabiliser fin therein. The housing is configured for insertion into a boat hull so that the housing resides within the hull. The system further includes a retractor configured to move the stabiliser fin into and out of the housing.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present description relates to improvements in a boat stabilisation system that includes a housing and retractor to move a stabiliser fin out of and into the boat hull to move between a deployed and undeployed position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional boat stabiliser fins are either attached to vertically moveable poles, or fixed to a frame attachable to an exterior of a boat hull. Such arrangements have an array of problems, for example, creation of drag, even at high speeds while the boat is in the water due to the presence of the external fin frame structure; and typically an inability to adequately protect the fins while the boat is docked, or dry docked. Swaying of a dry docked boat invites potential bumping with adjacent boats or other structures, and external fin structures are at risk of damage if they hit. Accordingly, there exists a need to provide an improved boat stabiliser fin system less prone to one or more of the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY

Described herein in one or more aspects is a stabiliser fin deployment system for a boat hull. In one or more aspects, the fin deployment system facilitates efficient storage of at least part of the fin within the boat hull, which in one or more preferred aspects, can be operated even while the boat is in the water and completely operated within the boat.

In one preferred aspect the present description describes a boat hull including a port sidewall, a starboard sidewall, a bow, a rear, a bottom, a top, a central longitudinal axis through the bow and the rear, and a height from the bottom to the top. The boat hull includes at least one longitudinal slot perpendicular to the height of the hull in each of the port sidewall and the starboard sidewall, the longitudinal slot having a width, a height, and a depth, the width of the longitudinal slot being at least 200 mm wide, the depth of the longitudinal slot being at least 200 mm deep. The boat hull further includes a retractor configured to retract and extend a fin housed within the longitudinal slot in the hull.

In another preferred aspect, the present description describes a stabiliser fin deployment system configured to deploy and to retract a stabiliser fin within a boat hull, the stabiliser fin having a length. The system includes a stabiliser fin housing having a height, width, and depth, the housing having an aperture configured to accommodate the entire length of the stabiliser fin therein, the housing being configured for insertion into a boat hull so that the housing resides within the hull. The system further includes a retractor configured to move the stabiliser fin into and out of the housing.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. In the present specification and claims, the word “comprising” and its derivatives including “comprises” and “comprise” include each of the stated integers, but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers. It will be appreciated that reference herein to “preferred” or “preferably” is intended as exemplary only.

The claims as filed and attached with this specification are hereby incorporated by reference into the text of the present description. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2023903806 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a boat hull with the stabiliser fins retracted into the hull in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present description.

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the hull of FIG. 1 with the stabiliser fins extended and deployed.

FIG. 3 is top plan view of a stabiliser fin housing.

FIG. 3A is a partial cross sectional front view taken along line 3A of FIG. 3.

FIG. 3B is a partial cross sectional front view of the fin housing of FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross sectional front view of a hull cut out of the hull shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5A is a front elevation view of a stabiliser fin.

FIG. 5B is a top plan view of a stabiliser fin.

FIG. 6A is a cross sectional front view of a fin shoe.

FIG. 6B is a top plan view of the fin shoe of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C is a partial side cross sectional view of the fin shoe of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the stabiliser fin in the fin housing.

FIG. 8A is a partial cross sectional top view of the stabiliser fin deployment system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8B is an expanded view of the entrance of the stabiliser fin deployment system shown in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8C is a partial cross sectional front view of the stabiliser fin deployment system of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9A is a partial top view of a straight fin in an extended position out of the fin housing.

FIG. 9B is a partial top view of a curved fin in an extended position out of a curved fin housing in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present description.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a stabiliser fin in accordance with another preferred embodiment.

FIGS. 11A to D are top plan views of the stabiliser fin of FIG. 10 having different depth and widths.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the stabiliser fin of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1-9A show a preferred embodiment of a boat hull 100 having a fin deployment system 102 residing therein. Deployment system 102 includes a fin housing 104 configured to house a fin 106 and a retractor 108 to move an end of fin 106 into and out of housing 104. The preferred elements of hull 100 and system 102, and their interrelationship are described below.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, boat hull 100 has a port side 110, a starboard side 112, a bow 114, a rear 116, a bottom 118, and a top 120. The sides of hull 100 further include a plurality of longitudinal slots 122. Each slot is preferably parallel to a horizontal plane of the hull. Preferably, hull 100 includes a pair of slots opposite one another along the width of the hull towards bow 114, and a second pair of slots opposite one another towards rear 116 of the hull. As shown in FIG. 1, slots 122 are preferably oriented along the height to be below the normal waterline of the hull when the hull is partially submerged in water. Each slot may include a protective coating such as glass, fibre glass, or a durable plastic or polymer.

FIGS. 3, 3A, 3B, and 8A to 8C show fin housing 104. Fin housing 104 has a top 124, a bottom 126, and an opening 128 leading to a fin aperture 130 and a retractor aperture portion 132. Fin aperture 130 preferably has a length configured to accommodate the entire length of fin 106 when inserted therein. Retractor aperture portion 132 is located proximate opening 128 and results in an area of greater width near the front of the housing closest to the hull exterior compared to the rear of the housing. The retractor aperture portion preferably includes at least one opening therethrough to accommodate a shaft 142 to rotate the retractor. The shaft opening is sealingly engaged with the shaft to prevent water from escaping into the hull interior.

As shown in FIG. 3A, fin housing 104 has a variable height in that side portions 134, 136 bookend a central portion 138 of reduced height. The height of central portion 138 is preferably such that it slidingly receives fin 106 therein, but snugly retains fin 106 once inserted into housing 104.

FIG. 4 shows a front view of longitudinal slot 122 as a hull cut out shaped to accommodate placement of fin housing 104 therein. The variable height of the slot cut out in the hull facilitates a more secure placement and engagement of the fin housing into hull 100.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show stabiliser fin 106. Fin 106 has a distal end 107 configured to extend away from hull 100, and a proximal end 109 oriented towards the interior of hull 100. Fin 106 is preferably configured for cooperative engagement with retractor 108. For example, fin 106 may include a plurality of gear teeth along its rearward edge.

The dimensions of the fin may vary depending on the vehicle size and weight. For example, for smaller vessels, the fin may have a width/length dimension 300 mm×300 mm, or up to 1,300 mm x 1,300 mm for larger vessels. The dimension can increase increments of 200 mm for increasing vessel size. These ranges may include a subset of ranges therein without departing from the scope of the present description.

FIGS. 6A to 6C show a fin shoe 140 configured to seal off opening 128 of fin housing 104, when fins 106 are not intended to be used. As shown in FIG. 6C, fin shoe 140 preferably includes a stem 141 that is configured to extend part way into the depth of fin housing 104. The fin shoe preferably functions as a cap to seal and protect the internal workings of the fin housing, and fin 106.

As shown in FIG. 7, the width and height of fin housing 104 is configured so that fin 106 is stabilised within housing 104 to adequately accommodate any torsional forces experienced by the fin.

FIGS. 8A to 8C show retractor 108 within fin housing 104. Retractor 108 is anchored within fin aperture 130 in such a way to permit rotational movement around its shaft 142, roughly oriented parallel to the height of fin housing 104. Retractor 108 preferably includes a plurality of sprockets 144 around its circumference. Sprockets 144 cooperatively engage teeth present on the rear side of fin 106. Alternatively, sprockets 144 may be constructed from a fungible material such as a rubber or plastic to permit compressing engagement with fin 106 so that retractor may work with a fin having no teeth, but would compressingly engage the fin to move the fin in and out of the longitudinal slot. Retractor 108 may be rotated via its shaft 142 with a 4:1 gearing. It is possible to move retractor 108 with a 16:1 gear ratio if desired.

FIG. 9A shows where fin 106 is moved by a pivoting rotating nut, which is very similar to a bearing that allows the push rod of an actuator to swivel on its axis. This arrangement permits the free movement of the fin, whether straight or curved as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B.

References to “left,” “right” and “centre” are for illustrative convenience only as would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art.

Preferably, the width of longitudinal slot 122 is in the range of 150 mm to 600 mm, more preferably 200 mm to 300 mm, and around 250 mm. The depth of the fin aperture of the fin housing is in the range of 200 mm to 600 mm, more preferably 300 mm to 500 mm, and around 400 mm. The ranges described above may include a subset of ranges therein without departing from the scope of the present description.

Preferred dimensions are set forth below, although it will be appreciated that the dimensions may be varied as suitable for the intended application. Preferably, for 30 foot vessels, the depth of the fin housing ranges between 250 mm to 450 mm, more preferably, 300 mm to 400 mm. The width of the fin housing ranges between 250 mm to 500 mm, more preferably, 300 mm to 450 mm. Preferably, the width of the opening of the fin housing is greater than the height of the opening. Similarly, the width of the fin housing is greater than the height of the fin housing. It will be appreciated that these dimensions are representative only and may be varied as appropriate.

Having described the preferred components of hull 100 and deployment system 102, a preferred method of use will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 8, and 9A. In use, in an undeployed state, fins 106 are fully retracted within hull 100. To deploy fins 106, a user or crewperson either manually rotates retractor 108 via a hand wheel, or more preferably, actuates an electrical system to cause retractor 108 to rotate counter clockwise around shaft 142 from a top view to move distal end 107 of fin 106 out of fin housing 104, until the fin has reached a predetermined maximal extension point along its length such that proximal end 109 of the fin is still securely engaged within the fin housing. Once the fin has reached the predetermined point, it is in its fully deployed position as shown in FIG. 2. It will be appreciated that the fins may be deployed to a partial deployed position to extend only part way out of the hull, if desired. The ability to variably control the extent of fin deployment while the boat is in motion in the water permits a sailor considerable flexibility to adjust fin deployment (and external length) to best suite weather and water conditions, and can provide a competitive edge during sailing competitions, particularly as crew can continue with their normal race postures instead of spending time and energy (and attention) to manually adjust any individual fins, if the boat is even equipped with manual stabiliser fin movement.

In an exemplary boating situation, the fins are retracted to one half the depth (e.g., 150 mm to 200 mm) of the fin housing to move around 15 to 25 knots. The fins may be retracted to two-thirds the depth of the fin housing to move around 25 to 35 knots.

A full retraction of the fins would be suitable for speeds exceeding 35 knots. The fins may be deployed 120% while the boat is at anchor.

It will be appreciated that the steps described above may be performed in a different order, varied, or certain steps omitted entirely without departing from the scope of the present description.

Referring now to FIG. 9B, a fin housing 204 and stabiliser fin 206 are shown in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. Housing 204 is similar to housing 104 except that housing 204 has a depth that is curved to accommodate the curvature of fin 206. Fin 206 is curved or arcuate along its length, generally from one end to the other end. Retraction of fin 206 within housing 204 follows a path that is non-perpendicular to the length of the boat hull, more preferably, along a curved, arcuate path within a horizontal plane of the hull.

FIGS. 10 to 12 show a stabiliser fin 306 shaped and configured to extend through the hull from around a chine in the hull. Fin 306 preferably has a width from end to end that is equal to or greater than its length extending from the hull. A longer width (which runs roughly parallel to the length of the watercraft) helps to stabilise the watercraft when close to the waterline. Fin 306 is preferably retractable in a similar fashion as fin 106, the main differences being the dimensional orientation, and positioning of fin 306 proximate the chine.

FIGS. 11A to D show fin 306 with various dimensional orientations. For example, in FIG. 11A, the width of fin 306A is a little greater than its length. FIG. 11B shows a fin 306B more pronounced longer width/length ratio. FIG. 11C shows a fin 306C with a width approximately equal to the length. FIG. 11D shows a fin 306D with a width much greater than the length, with ends that are more angled relative to the hull.

The foregoing description is by way of example only, and may be varied considerably without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example only, the deployment system may be configured for manual or powered retraction. For manual retraction, a crank wheel and gears may be used to permit the crew to manually extend and retract the fins. Individual retraction means may be placed proximate each fin housing to permit for individual fin movement, or the deployment system may be configured to operate a pair of fins, or multiple pairs of fins simultaneously.

The retractor may be electrically operated, and may driven by any one or more of scissor lifts, ball screws, screw jacks, actuators, and/or electric drives. The drive means desired is usually influenced by allowable headspace within the internal vessel structure.

The longitudinal slot maybe of a shallow depth to match the wall thickness, while the depth of the fin housing is deeper to accommodate the fin.

The number, placement, shape of the fins may be varied without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, the fins may be positioned in an alternating configuration along the length of the hull, or may be positioned along one side only. The fins may be configured in a “boomerang” shape if desired.

The fins may be manufactured from a variety of materials, such as for example, fibreglass, aluminium, stainless steel, and carbon fibre.

The features described with respect to one embodiment may be applied to other embodiments, or combined with or interchanged with the features of other embodiments, as appropriate, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The deployment system may be configured for use with hydrofoils on watercraft such as boats, jet skis, windsurfing boards, and other watercraft. When used with smaller boards like windsurfing boards, an actuator like a push button actuator may be used to deploy any hydrofoils.

The present invention in a preferred form provides the advantages of ease of manoeuvrability of the fin relative to the boat hull, the reduction of drag, particularly at critical moments while the boat is travelling through the water, especially in a race competition, and minimisation of the risk of damage to the fin while in its retracted, undeployed state.

Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

1. A boat hull, comprising: a port sidewall, a starboard sidewall, a bow, a rear, a bottom, a top, a central longitudinal axis through said bow and said rear, and a height from said bottom to said top;at least one longitudinal slot perpendicular to the height of the hull in each of said port sidewall and said starboard sidewall, said longitudinal slot having a width, a height, and a depth, the width of said longitudinal slot being at least 200 mm wide, the depth of said longitudinal slot being at least 200 mm deep; anda retractor configured to retract and extend a fin housed within said longitudinal slot in said hull.

2. The hull of claim 1, wherein the depth of said slot is greater than the width of said slot.

3. The hull of claim 1, wherein the slot is configured to be below the waterline when the hull partially submerged.

4. The hull of claim 1, wherein said slot has an interior portion coated with glass.

5. The hull of claim 1, wherein the depth of said slot is curved to accommodate a longitudinally curved fin.

6. The hull of claim 1, further comprising a stabiliser fin configured to cooperatively engage with said retractor.

7. The hull of claim 6, wherein said stabiliser fin has a length that is curved.

8. The hull of claim 6, wherein said stabiliser fin has a length that is straight.

9. A stabiliser fin deployment system configured to retract a stabiliser fin within a boat hull, the stabiliser fin having a length, comprising: a stabiliser fin housing having a height, width, and depth, said housing having an aperture configured to accommodate the entire length of the stabiliser fin therein, said housing being configured for insertion into a boat hull so that the housing resides within the hull; anda retractor configured to move the stabiliser fin into and out of said housing.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said retractor is gear-driven.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the depth of said housing is greater than the width of said housing.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the width of said housing is greater than the height of said housing.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein said aperture has a depth that is curved to accommodate a curved stabiliser fin therein.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein said aperture is coated with glass.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein said housing is adapted to be inserted into a slot in the boat hull that is below a normal waterline of the hull.

16. A stabiliser fin deployment system configured to retract a stabiliser fin within a boat hull, the stabiliser fin having a width oriented roughly parallel to the length of the hull when connected thereto, comprising: a stabiliser fin housing having a height, width, and depth, said housing having an aperture configured to accommodate the entire width of the stabiliser fin therein, said housing being configured for insertion into a boat hull proximate a chine in the hull so that the housing resides within the hull; anda retractor configured to move the stabiliser fin into and out of said housing.