Centreboard of unique design

Abstract

 The boat stabilizer fin with unique structure, particularly for a catamaran according to the invention comprises a fin box and at least two panels with streamline, symmetrical cross-section, in which at least two panels with streamline, symmetrical cross-section are connected in their upper parts in a permanent and inseparable manner to an element filling the interior of the stabilizer fin box, and are connected to a set of hydro-wings

Description

[0001] The subject of this invention is a boat stabilizer fin with unique structure improving performance, stability and maneuverability at regatta competitions.

[0002] The water vehicle stabilizing devices, commonly referred to as stabilizer fins are usually formed as load-bearing fins directed downwards (along the boat axis, perpendicularly to the bottom), and their primary objective is to eliminate floating unit driftage and to stabilize the unit vertically in the event of excessive forces acting on the sail.

[0003] Applied are both stabilizing fin structures which may be concealed in the so-called fin box or fixed structures protruding from the hull outline. Due to varying depth of water reservoirs, and recurring shallows, or varying depth specification of ports, the majority of boats are equipped with folded stabilizer fins or with fins that may be concealed in the hull structure.

[0004] Patent claim number US 2002/0040673 specifies a boat structure which, apart from a stabilizer fin, is equipped with a wing which is permanently fixed to the rudder, which aims at additionally stabilizing the rudder and level the impact of waves and resistances acting on the rudder.

[0005] High-speed floating units, such as hydrofoil boats utilize multiple stabilizer fins equipped with additional wings (hydro-wings). These wings are shaped like airplane wings, as a result of which they are sucked into water surface, elevating the hull of the floating unit above the water surface as the velocity of the water flowing around the fins increases.

[0006] Patent claim number US 6948441 specifies a floating unit hydro-wing structure, characterized in that the multiple fins are equipped with wings, out of which the lowest ones are directed horizontally, whereas the higher wings form a V shape, whereas the wings that are closest to the water surface are mobile and take on a vertical position after leaving water, in order not to create any additional resistance.

[0007] In the case of floating units with sail drive only, dedicated to regatta competitions, the possibility of applying fixed or folded fins is very limited by class regulations. For instance, class A regatta catamarans must be equipped with stabilizer fins which are entirely folded into the hull to ensure that they do not protrude from the hull outline, and their fragment directed towards the catamaran axis cannot extend into the water for more than 40 cm. Therefore, the objective was to develop a floating unit structure, particularly a multiple-hull one, which would observe all limitations enforced by class regulations, and which would allow for acquiring advantage in speed and maneuverability during regatta competitions.

[0008] The boat stabilizer fin with unique structure according to the invention guarantees improved performance while maintaining the requirements of class regulations.

[0009] The boat stabilizer fin with unique structure, particularly for a catamaran according to the invention comprises a fin box and at least two panels cooperating with the fin box, connected in their upper parts in a permanent and inseparable manner with the element filling the interior of the stabilizer fin box, and connected to two panels using a set of hydro-wings. In a beneficial embodiment of the invention, the surfaces of both panels are not parallel and are inclined so that their upper parts approach one another.

[0010] In the case of applying a stabilizer fin box with round cross-section, the upper element of the fin, in its fully folded position, is secured against unfolding, however, thanks to the installation of at least one bearing between the stabilizer fin box and at least two streamlined panels, may freely move at 360°. The axes of vertical panel surfaces are slightly withdrawn in relation to the fin rotation axis. In a beneficial embodiment of the invention, at least 60% of their lateral surfaces is located outside the symmetry surface set by the rotation axis and the perpendicular to their lateral surface.

[0011] At least two panels with streamline, symmetrical cross-section with a set of hydro-wings connected to them, all cooperating with the stabilizer fin box in a reciprocating motion, and, while in the completely unfolded or folded position, the vertical motion of the panels and the set of hydro-wings is blocked by a dedicated lock.

[0012] In a beneficial embodiment of the invention, at least two panels with streamline, symmetrical cross-section are performed as NACA 63-012 profile cross-section panels or panels of similar type.

[0013] Depending on the embodiment, the stabilizer fin box is rectangular or round in cross-section and allows for completely unfolding the fin from the stabilizer fin box.

[0014] In the lower part, two vertical stabilizer fins are connected with an element, through which a link of the set of hydro-wings passes. The set of hydro-wings comprises the upper hydro-wing panel mounted to the rotating axis, to which, the lower hydro-wing is mounted using at least two, beneficially vertical links. A link running to the socket located in the upper part of the stabilizer fin is mounted to the upper surface of the upper hydro-wing. The socket area limits the range of motion of the link, which has direct control of the maximum lean of the hydro-wing surfaces. In a beneficial embodiment of the invention, the socket is equipped with a spring and/or an element muffling too abrupt changes in the angle of attack of the hydro-wings.

[0015] The link is equipped with an additional setting hydro-wing, non-connected to the remaining streamline panels.

[0016] Horizontally mounted hydro-wings may have symmetrical cross-section, e.g. in the NACA 63-012 or similar profile. When a need to generate larger forces arises, for instance when a given boat has been reaching lower velocities or when the boat is relatively heavier, then, depending on the needs, the hydro-wings may have non-symmetrical cross-section, e.g. NACA 63-112; 63-212; 63-312; 63-412 or similar. Horizontally, the mounted hydro-wings are contained within the stabilizer fin box outline and may thus be completely unfolded together with the entire fin system.

[0017] The boat stabilizer fin with unique structure according to the invention was presented in the figure, in which fig. 1a, b, c and d present a non-rotating version of the boat stabilizer fin, and fig. 2a, b, c, d present a rotating version of the boat stabilizer fin according to the invention.

Example I

[0018] The boat stabilizer fin with unique structure, particularly for a catamaran according to the invention comprises a fin box 1 and at least two panels 2 and 2' cooperating with the fin box, connected in their upper parts in a permanent and inseparable manner with the element 3 filling the interior of the stabilizer fin box 1, and connected to two panels 2 and 2' using a set of hydro-wings 4. The surfaces of both panels are parallel.

[0019] Panels with streamline, symmetrical cross-section with a set of hydro-wings 4 connected to them, all cooperating with the stabilizer fin box 1 in a reciprocating motion, and, while in the completely unfolded or folded position, the vertical motion of the panels 2 and 2' and the set of hydro-wings 4 is blocked by a dedicated lock.

[0020] Two panels 2 and 2' with streamline, symmetrical cross-section are performed as NACA 63-012 profile cross-section panels.

[0021] The stabilizer fin box 1 is rectangular in cross-section and allows for completely unfolding the fin from the stabilizer fin box 1.

[0022] In the lower part, two vertical profiles 2 and 2' are connected with an element 5, through which a link 6 of the set of hydro-wings 4 passes. The set of hydro-wings 4 comprises the upper hydro-wing panel mounted to the rotating axis, to which, the lower hydro-wing 8 is mounted using at least two vertical links 7. A link 6 running to the socket 9 located in the upper part of the stabilizer fin is mounted to the upper surface of the upper hydro-wing. The socket 9 area limits the range of motion of the link 6, which has direct control of the maximum lean of the hydro-wing surfaces. The socket 9 is equipped with a spring and/or an element muffling too abrupt changes in the angle of attack of the hydro-wings.

[0023] The link 6 is equipped with an additional setting hydro-wing 10, non-connected to the remaining streamline panels 2 and 2'.

[0024] Horizontally mounted hydro-wings may have symmetrical cross-section, e.g. in the NACA 63-012 or similar profile. Horizontally, the mounted hydro-wings are contained within the stabilizer fin box outline and may thus be completely unfolded together with the entire fin system.

Example II

[0025] The boat stabilizer fin with unique structure, particularly for a catamaran according to the invention comprises a fin box 1 and at least two streamline, symmetrical panels 2 and 2' cooperating with the fin box, connected in their upper parts in a permanent and inseparable manner with the element 3 filling the interior of the stabilizer fin box 1, and connected to two panels 2 and 2' using a set of hydro-wings 4. The surfaces of both panels 2 and 2' are not parallel and are inclined so that their upper parts approach one another.

[0026] The stabilizer fin box 1 has round cross-section, and the upper element 3 of the fin, in its fully folded position, is secured against unfolding, however, thanks to the installation of at least one bearing between the stabilizer fin box and at least two streamlined panels 2 and 2', may freely move at 360°. The axes of vertical panel 2 and 2' surfaces are slightly withdrawn in relation to the fin rotation axis, so that at least 60% of their lateral surfaces is located outside the symmetry surface set by the rotation axis and the perpendicular to their lateral surface.

[0027] Panels 2 and 2' with streamline, symmetrical cross-section with a set of hydro-wings 4 connected to them, all cooperating with the stabilizer fin box 1 in a reciprocating motion, and, while in the completely unfolded or folded position, the vertical motion of the panels and the set of hydro-wings is blocked by a dedicated lock.

[0028] Two panels 2 and 2' with streamline, symmetrical cross-section are performed as NACA 63-012 profile cross-section panels.

[0029] The stabilizer fin box 1 is round in cross-section and allows for completely unfolding the fin from the stabilizer fin box 1.

[0030] In the lower part, two vertical profiles 2 and 2' are connected with an element 5, through which a link 6 of the set of hydro-wings 4 passes. The set of hydro-wings 4 comprises the upper hydro-wing panel mounted to the rotating axis, to which, the lower hydro-wing 8 is mounted using at least two vertical links 7. A link 6 running to the socket 9 located in the upper part of the stabilizer fin is mounted to the upper surface of the upper hydro-wing. The socket 9 area limits the range of motion of the link 6, which has direct control of the maximum lean of the hydro-wing surfaces. The socket 9 is equipped with a spring and/or an element muffling too abrupt changes in the angle of attack of the hydro-wings.

[0031] The link 6 is equipped with an additional setting hydro-wing 10, non-connected to the remaining streamline panels 2 and 2'.

[0032] Horizontally mounted hydro-wings may have symmetrical cross-section, e.g. in the NACA 63-012 or similar profile. Horizontally, the mounted hydro-wings are contained within the stabilizer fin box 1 outline and may thus be completely unfolded together with the entire fin system.

Claims

1. The boat stabilizer fin with unique structure, particularly for a catamaran comprising a fin box (1) and at least two streamline panels with symmetrical cross-section cooperating with the fin box, characterized in that in their upper parts, at least two panels (2 and 2') are connected in a permanent and inseparable manner with the element (3) filling the interior of the stabilizer fin box (1), and are connected to a set of hydro-wings (4).

2. A boat stabilizer fin as per claim 1, characterized in that the surfaces of both panels (2 and 2') are not parallel and are inclined so that their upper parts approach one another.

3. A boat stabilizer fin as per claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the stabilizer fin box (1) has round cross-section, and the upper element (3) of the fin, in its fully folded position, is secured against unfolding, however, thanks to the installation of at least one bearing between the stabilizer fin box (1) and at least two streamlined panels (2 and 2'), may freely move at 360°.

4. A boat stabilizer fin as per claim 1, 2 or 3 characterized in that the axes of vertical panel (2 and 2') surfaces are slightly withdrawn in relation to the fin rotation axis, so that at least 60% of their lateral surfaces is located outside the symmetry surface set by the rotation axis and the perpendicular to their lateral surface.

5. A boat stabilizer fin as per claim 1, 2, 3 or 4 characterized in that panels (2 or 2') with streamline, symmetrical cross-section with a set of hydro-wings (4) connected to them, all cooperating with the stabilizer fin box (1) in a reciprocating motion, and, while in the completely unfolded or folded position, the vertical motion of the panels and the set of hydro-wings (4) is blocked by a dedicated lock.

6. A boat stabilizer fin as per claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 characterized in that in the lower part, two vertical profiles (2 and 2') are connected with an element (5), through which a link and a rotation axis of the set of hydro-wings (4) passes.

7. A boat stabilizer fin as per claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 characterized in that the set of hydro-wings (4) comprises the upper hydro-wing panel mounted to the rotating axis, to which, the lower hydro-wing (8) is mounted using at least two vertical links (7). A link (6) running to the socket (9) is located in the lower part of the stabilizer fin (1).

8. A boat stabilizer fin as per claim 7 characterized in that the socket (9) area limits the range of motion of the link (6), and that the socket (9) is equipped with a spring and/or an element muffling too abrupt changes in the angle of attack of the hydro-wings

9. A boat stabilizer fin as per claim 8 characterized in that the muffling element is a spring.

10. A boat stabilizer fin as per claim 6, 7 or 8 characterized in that the link (6) is equipped with an additional setting hydro-wing (10), non-connected to the remaining streamline panels (2 and 2').

11. A boat stabilizer fin as per claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 characterized in that the hydro-wings mounted have a symmetrical cross-section.

12. A boat stabilizer fin as per claim 11 characterized in that the horizontal panels are performed in the NACA 63-012 profile.

13. A boat stabilizer fin as per claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 characterized in that the horizontally mounted hydro-wings have non-symmetrical cross-section.

14. A boat stabilizer fin as per claim 11 characterized in that the horizontal profiles have a selected structure, e.g. NACA 63-112; 63-212; 63-312; 63-412.

15. A boat stabilizer fin as per claims 1 to 14 characterized in that the mounted hydro-wings are contained within the stabilizer fin box (1) outline and may thus be completely unfolded together with the entire fin (1) system.

16. A boat stabilizer fin as per claims 1 to 15 characterized in that the panels with streamline, symmetrical cross-section are performed as NACA 63-012 profile cross-section panels.

17. A boat stabilizer fin as per claims 1 to 15 characterized in that the panel (2 and 2') surfaces with streamline, symmetrical cross-section are parallel.

Drawing