BACKGROUND
Marine vessel hulls may include openings for securing windows and hatches therein. These openings may decrease the structural integrity of the hull and may be easily detectable by radar.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top view of one embodiment of a marine vessel including one embodiment of a coaming structure securing two different embodiments of a closure structure thereto.
FIG. 2 is a top view of one embodiment of a closure structure secured by a coaming structure.
FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a coaming structure secured to a marine vessel hull and having a closure structure secured thereto.
FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the closure structure of FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is a top view of another embodiment of a closure structure.
FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the closure structure of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a bottom view of another embodiment of a closure structure secured by another embodiment of a coaming structure.
FIG. 8 is a bottom view of another embodiment of a coaming structure flange.
FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view along line 9—9 of FIG. 8.
FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line 10—10 of FIG. 7.
FIG. 11 is a bottom view of another embodiment of a closure structure secured by a coaming structure.
FIG. 12 is a bottom view of another embodiment of a coaming structure flange.
FIG. 13 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line 13—13 of FIG. 11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top view of one embodiment of a marine vessel 10 including two embodiments of a closure structure 12, such as a hatch or a window. Vessel 10 may comprise any vessel adapted for use on or in water, such as a boat, a submarine, or a plane adapted for landing on water. In the embodiment shown, vessel 10 may comprise a boat including a hull 14, wherein hull 14 may comprise a portion of vessel 10 that may come into contact with a body of water through which vessel 10 moves. Vessel 10 may further include a control area 16 for crew members or control components. Hull 14 may include an exterior surface 18 that may be generally streamlined and/or have a smooth surface so as to cut through the water and/or air during movement of vessel 10 therethrough. Closure structure 12 may be positioned anywhere on hull 14 but generally may be positioned on a region of hull 14 that may come into contact with water 20 surrounding hull 14 so that closure structure 12 and a coaming structure (see FIG. 3) to which the closure structure is attached may define a water-tight seal. The coaming structure and the closure structure 12 may be positioned on a portion of hull 14 that may be walked on, so that it may be desirable that closure structure 12, and the coaming structure to which it is secured, may support the weight of a person without appreciably deforming.
FIG. 2 is a top view of one embodiment of closure structure 12 secured by a coaming structure 22 to hull 14, wherein closure structure 12 has a generally oblong shape. In the embodiment shown, coaming structure 22 may include a base region 24 that may define a top surface 26, wherein top surface 26 may define a plane 28. Coaming structure 22 may be machined from a single block of material so as to reduce stress within the structure that may be caused by other manufacturing techniques. Exterior surface 18 of hull 14 may also define a plane 30, and in the embodiment shown, plane 30 of hull 14 may be substantially contiguous with plane 28 of coaming structure 22. In other words, in the embodiment shown, plane 28 and plane 30 may define the same, single plane or may be positioned within 0.25 inches of each other. Hull 14 may include an aperture 32 wherein base region 24 of coaming structure 22 may be secured within aperture 32, such as by a weld 34. Weld 34 may define a top surface 36 that may be positioned substantially in plane 28 and plane 30. In other embodiments, coaming structure 22 and aperture 32 may abut against one another and weld 34 may be positioned on an interior surface of hull 14 and coaming structure 22 so as to secure the coaming structure to the hull. Closure structure 12 may also define a top surface 38 that may be positioned substantially in planes 28 and 30 when closure structure 12 is secured on coaming structure 22. Weld 34 may fill a gap 40 between hull 14 and coaming structure 22 and may be sanded or otherwise smoothed after welding so that the weld defines a smooth outer surface in planes 28 and 30. Closure structure 12 may define a perimeter 42 that may substantially match a perimeter 44 of an inner aperture 46 of coaming structure 22 such that there is no appreciably visible gap between coaming structure 22 and closure structure 12. Accordingly, hull 14, weld 34, coaming structure 22 and closure structure 12 may define a substantially smooth, continuous exterior surface of marine vessel 10 having no substantial steps (vertical discontinuities) and no substantial gaps (horizontal discontinuities) such that marine vessel 10 may be substantially undetectable by radar systems.
FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of one embodiment of coaming structure 22 secured to marine vessel hull 14 and having closure structure 12 secured thereto. Coaming structure 22 may include base region 24 which may include an edge region 26 secured to aperture 32 of hull 14 by weld 34. Hull 14 and edge region 26 of coaming structure 22 may each define a thickness 50 and 52, respectively, that may each be approximately one quarter of an inch thick. Base region 24 may be connected to a block region 54 that may define a thickness 56 that may be at least double the thickness of edge region 26. In the embodiment shown, block region 54 of coaming structure 22 may be approximately one inch thick. The thickness 56 of block region 54 of coaming structure 22 may provide structural strength to coaming structure 22 such that coaming structure 22, and a closure structure 12 supported thereon, may support the weight of a person without appreciably deforming. Moreover, the thickness 56 of coaming structure 22 may also function to replace a strength of hull 14 that may have been lost due to the material that has been removed from hull 14 to form opening 32.
Block region 54 may include a groove or a recess 58 that may define a depth 60 adapted to receive closure structure 12 therein such that top surface 38 of closure structure 12 may be positioned in planes 28 and 30 (which in the embodiment shown represent substantially the same plane) of coaming structure 22 and hull 14, respectively. In the embodiment shown, closure structure 12 may have a thickness 62 in an edge region 64 of approximately one quarter of an inch, and recess 58 may define a depth 60 of approximately one quarter of an inch.
Recess 58 of block region 54 of coaming structure 22 may receive edge region 64 of closure structure 12 directly thereon. Accordingly, in an embodiment wherein coaming structure 22 and closure structure 12 are each manufactured of an electrically conductive material, such as aluminum and/or electrically conductive glass, coaming structure 22 may provide a continuous electrical conductivity path between coaming structure 22 and closure structure 12. Moreover, this direct conductivity contact between recess 58 of coaming structure 22 and edge region 64 of closure structure 12 may extend substantially around a perimeter 42 (see FIG. 2) of closure structure 12. Similarly, in an embodiment wherein hull 14, coaming structure 22 and weld 34 are each manufactured of an electrically conductive material, such as aluminum and/or electrically conductive glass, coaming structure 22 may provide a continuous electrical conductivity path between coaming structure 22 and hull 14. Moreover, this direct conductivity contact between hull 14 and coaming structure 22 may extend substantially around a perimeter 66 (see FIG. 2) of aperture 32 of hull 14 due to weld 34. In the embodiment shown, therefore, hull 14, weld 34, coaming structure 22 and closure structure 12 may define a substantially continuous conductivity path through these structural components such that marine vessel 10 may be substantially undetectable by radar systems.
Coaming structure 22 may further include a flange 68 manufactured integral with block region 54 and edge region 26 (in other embodiments flange 68 may be a separate structural component attached thereto by a fastener, see FIG. 10). Flange 68 may be positioned adjacent recess 58 and may define a drainage region 70 and an upwardly extending lip 72 adapted for receiving a seal 74 thereon. Seal 74 may comprise an elastomeric material and may be adapted for defining a water-tight seal between closure structure 12 and coaming structure 22. Seal 74 may be secured to closure structure 12 or to flange 68 of coaming structure 22. In either case, seal 74 may be adapted for being positioned on lip 72 when closure structure 12 is in a closed position on coaming structure 22 so to as to define a water-tight seal between coaming structure 22 and closure structure 12. In another embodiment, structure 74 may comprise an isolator or a cushion used for creating a cushion between the glass cover and the aluminum coaming structure. In such an embodiment, a water tight seal may be created between closure structure 12 and coaming structure 22 by the frictional fit at recess 58. In such an embodiment, cushion 74 may be manufactured of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE).
Flange 68 may further include an outwardly extending lip 76 adapted for receiving a securement mechanism 78 of closure structure 12 so as to secure closure structure 12 in a secured position on coaming structure 22. In the embodiment shown, securement mechanism 78 may comprise a manually pivotable lever that is captured by a lower surface 80 of lip 76. In other embodiments, other securement mechanisms, including automated securement mechanisms, may be utilized.
FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the closure structure 12 of FIG. 2. Coaming structure 22 may include hinges 82 that may be secured to closure structure 12 so that closure structure 12 may be pivotally moved with respect to coaming structure 12. In an embodiment including hinges 82, closure structure 12 may comprise a hatch for movement of crew members and/or cargo therethrough. Coaming structure 22 may further include a drainage output 84 that may be connected to drainage region 70, wherein drainage region 70 may extend substantially around perimeter 44 of aperture 46 of coaming structure 22.
FIG. 5 is a top view of another embodiment of a closure structure 12 wherein closure structure 12 has a generally square shape.
FIG. 6 is a bottom view of closure structure 12 of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a bottom view of another embodiment of a closure structure 90 secured by another embodiment of a coaming structure 92. In this embodiment, closure structure 90 may comprise a window manufactured of an electrically conductive glass and may be positioned in control area 16 (see FIG. 1) of marine vessel 10 such that the view of FIG. 7 is looking outwardly from inside control area 16 (see FIG. 1). In this embodiment, closure structure 90 may comprise two windows positioned side by side and coaming structure 92 may comprise two apertures 94 for receiving the two closure structures 90. Closure structures 90 may each be secured to coaming structure 92 by a securement mechanism 96 extending through a flange 98 that may be shaped to substantially match the outer shape of closure structures 90. Securement mechanisms 96 may comprise any type of securement mechanism and, in the embodiment shown, may comprise a fastener such as threaded screws.
FIG. 8 is a bottom view of coaming structure flanges 98 shaped to secure the closure structures 90 of FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view along line 9—9 of FIG. 8. Flange 98 may include a first region 100 including apertures 102 therein for receiving fasteners 96 (see FIG. 7). Flange 98 may include a second region 104 adapted to extend over an edge region 106 of closure structure 90 (see FIG. 10) so as to secure closure structure 90 to coaming structure 92.
FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line 10—10 of FIG. 7 of coaming structure 92 with flange 98 and closure structure 90 secured thereto. Coaming structure 92 may include a block region 54 including a recess 58 adapted for receiving edge region 106 of closure structure 90. In the embodiment shown, recess 58 may be in direct contact with edge region 106 of closure structure 90 such that, in the embodiment wherein coaming structure 92 and closure structure 90 are both manufactured of an electrically conductive material, coaming structure 92 may define an electrical conductivity path between hull 14, through coaming structure 92 and to closure structure 90. In the embodiment shown, hull 14, coaming structure 92, and flange 98 may each be manufactured of a conductive material, such as aluminum, whereas closure structure 90 may be manufactured of a transparent and conductive material such as conductive glass. In the embodiment shown, therefore, hull 14, weld 34, coaming structure 92 and closure structure 90 may define a substantially continuous conductivity path through these structural components such that marine vessel 10 may be substantially undetectable by radar systems.
Still referring to FIG. 10, a seal 74 may be positioned between closure structure 90 and flange 98 so as to provide a water-tight seal between coaming structure 92 and closure structure 90. Coaming structure 92 may be secured to hull 14 at an edge region 26 of a base region 24 by a weld 34. Weld 34 may define a top or outer surface 36 that may be positioned substantially in the same plane 28 and/or 30 as top surface 26 of coaming structure 92 and exterior surface 18 of hull 14, respectively. In the embodiment shown, plane 28 of top surface 26 of coaming structure 92 and plane 30 of exterior surface 18 of hull 14 define substantially the same, single plane. Accordingly, hull 14, weld 34, coaming structure 92 and closure structure 90 may define a substantially smooth, continuous exterior surface of marine vessel 10 having no substantial steps (vertical discontinuities) and no substantial gaps (horizontal discontinuities) such that marine vessel 10 may be substantially undetectable by radar systems.
FIG. 11 is a bottom view of another embodiment of a closure structure 90 secured by a coaming structure 92. In this embodiment, closure structure 90 and coaming structure 92 may both comprise a substantially parallelogram shape.
FIG. 12 is a bottom view of another embodiment of a coaming structure flange 98 sized to secure the closure structure 90 of FIG. 11.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13—13 of FIG. 11 of coaming structure 92 with flange 98 and closure structure 90 secured thereto.
Other variations and modifications of the concepts described herein may be utilized and fall within the scope of the claims below.
Patent Grant
7004096
