Surface effect ship advancements

Abstract

Presented is an advanced Surface Effect Ship (SES) that offers the high efficiencies of the pressurized air cushion supported generic flexible bow and stem seal SES but without the generic SES's shortcomings that are due largely to its generally about 80 percent total hull width flexible bow and stem seals. This is accomplished in the instant invention by use of forward extending rigid bow members positioned both sides of a pressurized hull supporting gas cushion such that the width of the sidehulls make up a majority of the width of the instant invention advanced surface effect ship with the remainder, normally less than 35 percent of vessel width, made up by a gas cushion forward seal member disposed between the bow members. Gas cushions may extend forward into undersides of the sidehull bow members to further reduce wetted area resistance. Longitudinally oriented fluid fences may be incorporated to at least partially separate portions of the gas cushion and thereby dampen pressure perturbations in the gas cushion(s). A third bow member may be utilized between port and starboard bow members.

What I claim is:  
     
         1 . In an advanced surface effect ship wherein said advanced surface effect ship includes port and starboard bow members and is supported upon a water surface in part by an artificially pressurized gas cushion and wherein said gas cushion is restrained by the port and starboard bow members and a gas cushion forward moveable seal member that is moveable in relation to a hull portion of said advanced surface effect ship and disposed, at least in its majority, between lower inboard portions of the port and starboard bow members and a gas cushion aft seal member, the improvement comprising: 
 said gas cushion forward moveable seal member having lower water contacting portions that extend over less than forty-five percent of a width, as measured in a vertical transverse plane of the advanced surface effect ship proximal the lower water contacting portions of the gas cushion forward moveable seal member, of the advanced surface effect ship when said advanced surface effect ship is moving forward at high speed in a calm sea at a bow up trim angle of one and one-half degrees.    
     
     
         2 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 1  wherein lower water contacting portions of the gas cushion forward moveable seal member extend over less than forty percent of a width, as measured in a vertical transverse plane of the advanced surface effect ship proximal the lower water contacting portions of the gas cushion forward moveable seal member disposed between lower inboard portions of the port and starboard bow members, of the advanced surface effect ship when said advanced surface effect ship is moving forward at high speed in a calm sea at a bow up trim angle of one and one-half degrees.  
     
     
         3 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 1  wherein lower water contacting portions of the gas cushion forward moveable seal member extend over less than thirty-five percent of a width, as measured in a vertical transverse plane of the advanced surface effect ship proximal the lower water contacting portions of the gas cushion forward moveable seal member disposed between lower inboard portions of the port and starboard bow members, of the advanced surface effect ship when said advanced surface effect ship is moving forward at high speed in a calm sea at a bow up trim angle of one and one-half degrees.  
     
     
         4 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 1  wherein lower water contacting portions of the gas cushion forward moveable seal member extend over less than thirty percent of a width, as measured in a vertical transverse plane of the advanced surface effect ship proximal the lower water contacting portions of the gas cushion forward moveable seal member disposed between lower inboard portions of the port and starboard bows, of the advanced surface effect ship when said advanced surface effect ship is moving forward at high speed in a calm sea at a bow up trim angle of one and one-half degrees.  
     
     
         5 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 1  wherein lower water contacting portions of the gas cushion forward moveable seal member extend over less than twenty-five percent of a width, as measured in a vertical transverse plane of the advanced surface effect ship proximal the lower water contacting portions of the gas cushion forward moveable seal member disposed between lower inboard portions of the port and starboard bows, of the advanced surface effect ship when said advanced surface effect ship is moving forward at high speed in a calm sea at a bow up trim angle of one and one-half degrees.  
     
     
         6 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 1  wherein lower water contacting portions of the gas cushion forward moveable seal member extend over less than twenty percent of a width, as measured in a vertical transverse plane of the advanced surface effect ship proximal the lower water contacting portions of the gas cushion forward moveable seal member disposed between lower inboard portions of the port and starboard bows, of the advanced surface effect ship when said advanced surface effect ship is moving forward at high speed in a calm sea at a bow up trim angle of one and one-half degrees.  
     
     
         7 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 1  wherein lower water contacting portions of the port and starboard bows, when said advanced surface effect ship is moving forward at high speed in a calm sea at a bow up trim angle of one and one-half degrees, extend forward of an average position of lower water contacting portions of the gas cushion forward moveable seal member by at least five percent of a waterline length of the advanced surface effect ship.  
     
     
         8 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 1  wherein lower water contacting portions of the sidehulls, when said advanced surface effect ship is moving forward at high speed in a calm sea at a bow up trim angle of one and one-half degrees, extend forward of an average position of lower water contacting portions of the gas cushion forward moveable seal member by at least ten percent of a waterline length of the advanced surface effect ship.  
     
     
         9 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 1  wherein lower water contacting portions of the port and starboard bows, when said advanced surface effect ship is moving forward at high speed in a calm sea at a bow up trim angle of one and one-half degrees, extend forward of an average position of lower water contacting portions of the gas cushion forward moveable seal member by at least fifteen percent of a waterline length advanced surface effect ship.  
     
     
         10 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 1  wherein lower water contacting portions of the port and starboard bows, when said advanced surface effect ship is moving forward at high speed in a calm sea at a bow up trim angle of one and one-half degrees, extend forward of an average position of lower water contacting portions of the gas cushion forward moveable seal member by at least twenty percent of a waterline length of the advanced surface effect ship.  
     
     
         11 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 1  wherein the gas cushion forward moveable seal member is comprised of two or more elements.  
     
     
         12 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 11  wherein elements of the gas cushion forward moveable seal member are in mechanical communication with the hull of the advanced surface effect ship by means of a hinge-like device.  
     
     
         13 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 11  wherein elements of the gas cushion forward moveable seal member are at least mainly constructed of rigid materials.  
     
     
         14 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 11  wherein elements of the gas cushion forward moveable seal member are at least mainly constructed of semi-rigid materials.  
     
     
         15 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 11  wherein elements of the gas cushion seal member are at least mainly constructed of flexible materials.  
     
     
         16 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 1  wherein upper forward portions of the gas cushion forward moveable seal member are, at least in their majority, disposed behind hull structure disposed between the port and starboard bows that is, as seen in a vertical transverse plane of the advanced surface effect ship, angled to horizontal over a majority of its width.  
     
     
         17 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 16  wherein said hull structure disposed forward of the upper forward portions of the gas cushion forward moveable seal member, as seen in a vertical transverse plane of the hull, at least in its majority of an inverted-V shape.  
     
     
         18 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 1  wherein there is a third bow member disposed, at least in its majority, forward of said gas cushion forward moveable seal member.  
     
     
         19 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 1  wherein forward water contacting portions of said port and starboard bow members include artificially pressurized gas cushion portions disposed in their undersides.  
     
     
         20 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 19  wherein the artificially pressurized gas cushion portions disposed in the undersides of the port and starboard bow members extend, as seen when the advanced surface effect ship is moving forward at high speed in a calm sea at a bow up trim angle of one and one-half degrees, forward of an average of longitudinal positions, as seen in longitudinal vertical planes of the advanced surface effect ship, of forward water contacting portions of the gas cushion forward moveable seal member by at least five percent of a waterline length of the advanced surface effect ship.  
     
     
         21 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 19  wherein the artificially pressurized gas cushion portions disposed in the undersides of the port and starboard bow members extend, as seen when the advanced surface effect ship is moving forward at high speed in a calm sea at a bow up trim angle of one and one-half degrees, forward of an average of longitudinal positions, as seen in longitudinal vertical planes of the advanced surface effect ship, of forward water contacting portions of the gas cushion forward moveable seal member by at least ten percent of a waterline length of the advanced surface effect ship.  
     
     
         22 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 19  wherein the artificially pressurized gas cushion portions disposed in the undersides of the port and starboard bow members extend, as seen when the advanced surface effect ship is moving forward at high speed in a calm sea at a bow up trim angle of one and one-half degrees, forward of an average of longitudinal positions, as seen in longitudinal vertical planes of the advanced surface effect ship, of forward water contacting portions of the gas cushion forward moveable seal member by at least fifteen percent of a waterline length of the advanced surface effect ship.  
     
     
         23 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 19  wherein the artificially pressurized gas cushion portions disposed in the undersides of the port and starboard bow members extend, as seen when the advanced surface effect ship is moving forward at high speed in a calm sea at a bow up trim angle of one and one-half degrees, forward of an average of longitudinal positions, as seen in longitudinal vertical planes of the advanced surface effect ship, of forward water contacting portions of the gas cushion forward moveable seal member by at least twenty percent of a waterline length of the advanced surface effect ship.  
     
     
         24 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 19  wherein the gas cushion portions disposed in the undersides of the port and starboard bow members diverge either side of vertical sidehull longitudinal planes going aft from their forward portions.  
     
     
         25 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 24  wherein said vertical longitudinal planes are vertical longitudinal centerline planes of the port and starboard sidehulls.  
     
     
         26 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 1  wherein inboard portions of the port and starboard bow members are at least partially truncated aft of the gas cushion forward moveable bow member.  
     
     
         27 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 1  wherein longitudinally oriented fluid fences extend downward from upper surfaces of the gas cushion recess to thereby restrict fluid flow in the gas cushion.  
     
     
         28 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 27  wherein, when the advanced surface effect ship is moving forward at high speed in a calm sea at a one and one-half degree bow up trim angle, said fluid fences are not in contact with a water surface over a majority of their length.  
     
     
         29 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 1  wherein the artificially pressurized gas cushion has separated compartments.  
     
     
         30 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 1  wherein said gas cushion aft seal member, as seen in a vertical transverse plane of the advanced surface effect ship, is angled to horizontal over a majority of its width.  
     
     
         31 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 1  wherein said gas cushion aft seal member, as seen in a vertical transverse plane of the advanced surface effect ship, includes at least two inverted-V shaped portions.  
     
     
         32 . In an advanced surface effect ship wherein said advanced surface effect ship includes port and starboard bow members and is supported upon a water surface in part by an artificially pressurized gas cushion and wherein said gas cushion is restrained by the port and starboard bow members and a gas cushion forward moveable seal member and a gas cushion aft seal member, the improvement comprising: 
 a third bow member disposed, at least in part, between the port and starboard bow members, and said gas cushion forward moveable seal member has port and starboard portions that are each moveable in relation to a hull of the advanced surface effect ship and having lower water contacting portions of the port forward moveable seal member portion that extends, as seen in a vertical transverse plane of the advanced surface effect ship, between lower portions of the port sidehull and lower portions of the third bow member adjacent the lower portions of the port forward moveable seal member and having lower water contacting portions of the gas cushion starboard forward moveable seal member that extend, as seen in a vertical transverse plane of the advanced surface effect ship, between lower portions of the starboard bow member and lower portions of the third bow member adjacent the lower portions of the gas cushion starboard forward moveable seal member.    
     
     
         33 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 32  wherein forward water contacting portions of said third bow member includes an artificially pressurized gas cushion portion disposed in its underside.  
     
     
         34 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 33  wherein the artificially pressurized gas cushion portion disposed in the underside of the third bow member extends, as seen when the advanced surface effect ship is moving forward at high speed in a calm sea at a bow up trim angle of one and one-half degrees, forward of an average of longitudinal positions, as seen in longitudinal vertical planes of the advanced surface effect ship, of forward water contacting portions of the gas cushion port and starboard forward moveable seal members by at least five percent of a waterline length of the advanced surface effect ship.  
     
     
         35 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 33  wherein the artificially pressurized gas cushion portion disposed in the underside of the third bow member extends, as seen when the advanced surface effect ship is moving forward at high speed in a calm sea at a bow up trim angle of one and one-half degrees, forward of an average of longitudinal positions, as seen in longitudinal vertical planes of the advanced surface effect ship, of forward water contacting portions of the gas cushion port and starboard forward moveable seal members by at least ten percent of a waterline length of the advanced surface effect ship.  
     
     
         36 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 33  wherein the artificially pressurized gas cushion portion disposed in the underside of the third bow member extends, as seen when the advanced surface effect ship is moving forward at high speed in a calm sea at a bow up trim angle of one and one-half degrees, forward of an average of longitudinal positions, as seen in longitudinal vertical planes of the advanced surface effect ship, of forward water contacting portions of the gas cushion port and starboard forward moveable seal members by at least fifteen percent of a waterline length of the advanced surface effect ship.  
     
     
         37 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 32  wherein the gas cushion port and starboard forward moveable seal members each include of two or more elements.  
     
     
         38 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 32  wherein elements of the gas cushion port and starboard forward moveable seal members are in mechanical communication with the hull of the advanced surface effect ship by means of hinge-like devices.  
     
     
         39 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 32  wherein of the gas cushion port and starboard forward moveable seal members are at least mainly constructed of rigid materials.  
     
     
         40 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 32  wherein elements of the gas cushion port and starboard forward moveable seal members are at least mainly constructed of semi-rigid materials.  
     
     
         41 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 32  wherein elements of the gas cushion forward moveable seal members are at least mainly constructed of flexible materials.  
     
     
         42 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 32  wherein longitudinally oriented fluid fences extend downward from upper surfaces of the gas cushion recess to thereby restrict fluid flow in the gas cushion.  
     
     
         43 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 42  wherein, when the advanced surface effect ship is moving forward at high speed in a calm sea at a one and one-half degree bow up trim angle, said fluid fences are not in contact with a water surface over a majority of their length.  
     
     
         44 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 32  wherein the artificially pressurized gas cushion has separated compartments.  
     
     
         45 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 32  wherein said gas cushion aft seal member, as seen in a vertical transverse plane of the advanced surface effect ship, is angled to horizontal over a majority of its width.  
     
     
         46 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 32  wherein said gas cushion aft seal member, as seen in a vertical transverse plane of the advanced surface effect ship, includes at least two inverted-V shaped portions.  
     
     
         47 . In an advanced surface effect ship wherein said advanced surface effect ship includes port and starboard bow members and is supported upon a water surface in part by an artificially pressurized gas cushion and wherein said gas cushion is restrained by the port and starboard bow members and a gas cushion forward moveable seal member that is moveable in relation to a hull portion of said advanced surface effect ship and disposed, at least in its majority, between lower inboard portions of the port and starboard bow members and a gas cushion aft seal member, the improvement comprising: 
 lower water contacting portions of the port and starboard bow members, when said advanced surface effect ship is moving forward at high speed in a calm sea at a bow up trim angle of one and one-half degrees, extend forward of an average position of lower water contacting portions of the gas cushion forward moveable seal member by at least five percent of a waterline length of the advanced surface effect ship and forward water contacting portions of said port and starboard bow members include artificially pressurized gas cushion portions disposed in their undersides.    
     
     
         48 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 47  wherein the artificially pressurized gas cushion portions disposed in the undersides of the port and starboard bow members extend, as seen when the advanced surface effect ship is moving forward at high speed in a calm sea at a bow up trim angle of one and one-half degrees, forward of an average of longitudinal positions, as seen in longitudinal vertical planes of the advanced surface effect ship, of forward water contacting portions of the gas cushion forward moveable seal member by at least five percent of a waterline length of the advanced surface effect ship.  
     
     
         49 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 47  wherein the artificially pressurized gas cushion portions disposed in the undersides of the port and starboard bow members extend, as seen when the advanced surface effect ship is moving forward at high speed in a calm sea at a bow up trim angle of one and one-half degrees, forward of an average of longitudinal positions, as seen in longitudinal vertical planes of the advanced surface effect ship, of forward water contacting portions of the gas cushion forward moveable seal member by at least ten percent of a waterline length of the advanced surface effect ship.  
     
     
         50 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 47  wherein the artificially pressurized gas cushion portions disposed in the undersides of the port and starboard bow members extend, as seen when the advanced surface effect ship is moving forward at high speed in a calm sea at a bow up trim angle of one and one-half degrees, forward of an average of longitudinal positions, as seen in longitudinal vertical planes of the advanced surface effect ship, of forward water contacting portions of the gas cushion forward moveable seal member by at least fifteen percent of a waterline length of the advanced surface effect ship.  
     
     
         51 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 1  wherein lower water contacting portions of the port and starboard bow members, when said advanced surface effect ship is moving forward at high speed in a calm sea at a bow up trim angle of one and one-half degrees, extend forward of an average position of lower water contacting portions of the gas cushion forward moveable seal member by at least ten percent of a waterline length of the advanced surface effect ship.  
     
     
         52 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 1  wherein lower water contacting portions of the port and starboard bow members, when said advanced surface effect ship is moving forward at high speed in a calm sea at a bow up trim angle of one and one-half degrees, extend forward of an average position of lower water contacting portions of the gas cushion forward moveable seal member by at least fifteen percent of a waterline length of the advanced surface effect ship.  
     
     
         53 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 1  wherein lower water contacting portions of the port and starboard bow members, when said advanced surface effect ship is moving forward at high speed in a calm sea at a bow up trim angle of one and one-half degrees, extend forward of an average position of lower water contacting portions of the gas cushion forward moveable seal member by at least twenty percent of a waterline length of the advanced surface effect ship.  
     
     
         54 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 47  wherein lower water contacting portions of the gas cushion forward moveable seal member extend over less than forty-five percent of a width, as measured in a vertical transverse plane of the advanced surface effect ship proximal the lower water contacting portions of the gas cushion forward moveable seal member disposed between lower inboard portions of the port and starboard bow members, of the advanced surface effect ship when said advanced surface effect ship is moving forward at high speed in a calm sea at a bow up trim angle of one and one-half degrees.  
     
     
         55 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 1  wherein lower water contacting portions of the gas cushion forward moveable seal member extend over less than forty percent of a width, as measured in a vertical transverse plane of the advanced surface effect ship proximal the lower water contacting portions of the gas cushion forward moveable seal member disposed between lower inboard portions of the port and starboard bow members, of the advanced surface effect ship when said advanced surface effect ship is moving forward at high speed in a calm sea at a bow up trim angle of one and one-half degrees.  
     
     
         56 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 1  wherein lower water contacting portions of the gas cushion forward moveable seal member extend over less than thirty-five percent of a width, as measured in a vertical transverse plane of the advanced surface effect ship proximal the lower water contacting portions of the gas cushion forward moveable seal member disposed between lower inboard portions of the port and starboard bow members, of the advanced surface effect ship when said advanced surface effect ship is moving forward at high speed in a calm sea at a bow up trim angle of one and one-half degrees.  
     
     
         57 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 47  wherein the gas cushion portions disposed in the undersides of the port and starboard bow members diverge either side of vertical sidehull longitudinal planes going aft from their forward portions.  
     
     
         58 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 57  wherein said vertical longitudinal planes are vertical longitudinal centerline planes of the port and starboard sidehulls.  
     
     
         59 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 47  wherein there is a third bow member disposed, at least in its majority, forward of said gas cushion forward moveable seal member.  
     
     
         60 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 47  wherein inboard portions of the port and starboard bow members are at least partially truncated aft of the gas cushion forward moveable bow member.  
     
     
         61 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 47  wherein longitudinally oriented fluid fences extend downward from upper surfaces of the gas cushion recess to thereby restrict fluid flow in the gas cushion.  
     
     
         62 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 61  wherein, when the advanced surface effect ship is moving forward at high speed in a calm sea at a one and one-half degree bow up trim angle, said fluid fences are not in contact with a water surface over a majority of their length.  
     
     
         63 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 47  wherein the artificially pressurized gas cushion has separated compartments.  
     
     
         64 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 47  wherein longitudinally oriented fluid fences extend downward from upper surfaces of the gas cushion recess to thereby restrict fluid flow in the gas cushion.  
     
     
         65 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 64  wherein, when the advanced surface effect ship is moving forward at high speed in a calm sea at a one and one-half degree bow up trim angle, said fluid fences are not in contact with a water surface over a majority of their length.  
     
     
         66 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 47  wherein said gas cushion aft seal member, as seen in a vertical transverse plane of the advanced surface effect ship, is angled to horizontal over a majority of its width.  
     
     
         67 . The advanced surface effect ship of  claim 47  wherein said gas cushion aft seal member, as seen in a vertical transverse plane of the advanced surface effect ship, includes at least two inverted-V shaped portions.