Variable Planing Inflatable Hull System

Abstract

Variable planing inflatable hull system having a planing surface on inflatable hulls at the side and disposable central hull. The central hull is typically a rigid hull, with the inflatable hulls providing low wetted area planing surfaces for speed, shock absorbing and efficiency of the vessels. Various embodiments are disclosed.

1 . A water vessel comprising:
 a central hull section   first and second inflatable hulls, each disposed at and connected to a respective side of the central hull section;   the first and second inflatable hulls each having a planing member located adjacent the bottom thereof when the first and second inflatable hulls are deployed to support the central hull section above a water surface;   the central hull section including a propulsion system for the water vessel.   
   
   
       2 . The water vessel of  claim 1  wherein the central hull section has a central hull section extension connected thereto through a transverse hinge, the central hull section extension, the propulsion system being in the central hull section extension. 
   
   
       3 . The water vessel of  claim 1  wherein the transverse hinge allows the hull section extension to rotate as required to maintain the propulsion system in the water. 
   
   
       4 . The water vessel of  claim 1  further comprising a control system for controlling air pressure in the first and second inflatable hulls. 
   
   
       5 . The water vessel of  claim 1  wherein the first and second inflatable hulls are each connected to a respective side of the central hull section thorough adjustable struts, wherein the position of the first and second inflatable hulls may be adjusted relative to the central hull section to control the angle the planing members make with the water. 
   
   
       6 . The water vessel of  claim 5  wherein the adjustable struts are hydraulically controlled struts. 
   
   
       7 . The water vessel of  claim 1  wherein the first and second inflatable hulls are each connected to a respective side of the central hull section thorough adjustable struts, wherein the first and second inflatable hulls may be withdrawn to a position adjacent the central hull section and at least partially deflated to reduce the width of the water vessel. 
   
   
       8 . The water vessel of  claim 1  wherein the first and second inflatable hulls are each connected to a respective side of the central hull section thorough spring loaded struts. 
   
   
       9 . The water vessel of  claim 1  wherein the inflatable hulls are attached to the central hull section thorough longitudinal attachments that allow the inflatable hulls to rotate upward around the longitudinal attachments, the inflatable hulls being held with the planing members downward by inflatable cushions above and between the inflatable hulls and the central hull section. 
   
   
       10 . The water vessel of  claim 1  wherein the central hull section is a rigid hull section. 
   
   
       11 . A water vessel comprising:
 a rigid central hull section;   first and second inflatable hulls, each disposed at and connected to a respective side of the central hull section;   the first and second inflatable hulls each having a planing member located adjacent the bottom thereof when the first and second inflatable hulls are deployed to support the central hull section above a water surface;   the central hull section including a central hull section extension connected thereto through a transverse hinge and having a propulsion system for the water vessel, the transverse hinge allowing the hull section extension to rotate as required to maintain the propulsion system in the water.   
   
   
       12 . The water vessel of  claim 11  further comprising a control system for controlling air pressure in the first and second inflatable hulls. 
   
   
       13 . The water vessel of  claim 11  wherein the first and second inflatable hulls are each connected to a respective side of the central hull section thorough adjustable struts, wherein the position of the first and second inflatable hulls may be adjusted relative to the central hull section to control the angle the planing members make with the water. 
   
   
       14 . The water vessel of  claim 13  wherein the adjustable struts are hydraulically controlled struts. 
   
   
       15 . The water vessel of  claim 11  wherein the first and second inflatable hulls are each connected to a respective side of the central hull section thorough adjustable struts, wherein the first and second inflatable hulls may withdrawn to a position adjacent the central hull section and at least partially deflated to reduce the width of the water vessel. 
   
   
       16 . The water vessel of  claim 11  wherein the first and second inflatable hulls are each connected to a respective side of the central hull section thorough spring loaded struts. 
   
   
       17 . The water vessel of  claim 11  wherein the inflatable hulls are attached to the central hull section thorough longitudinal attachments that allow the inflatable hulls to rotate upward around the longitudinal attachments, the inflatable hulls being held with the planing members downward by inflatable cushions above and between the inflatable hulls and the central hull section.