System for attitude control and stabilization of a marine craft

Abstract

A system for attitude control and stabilization of a marine craft includes at least one elongate substantially planar surface, which may be rigid or flexible, disposed on either side of and in substantial alignment with a bottom of the planing hull of the marine craft. The elongate surface, in a rigid form, includes a tongue-like distal end confined within a fluid hinge enclosure upon a region of the hull about 2 to 8 feet forward of the transom. In a flexible form, a distal end of the elongate planar surface is secured directly to the hull. The elongate surface further includes an actuation portion proximal to a transom of the craft. The system also includes an actuator selectably slidable and securable within an actuation sleeve, the sleeve secured to the transom of the craft. Also included in the system are elements, manual, hydraulic or electrical, for selectably advancing the actuator relative to the hull to induce a selectable angulation of the elongate planar surface relative the bottom of the hull of the craft.

1 . A system for attitude control and stabilizing of a marine craft, the system comprising:
 (a) at least one elongate substantially planar surface disposed substantially in parallel with a bow-to-stern axis of one side of a bottom of a hull of the marine craft, said elongate planar surface further including a proximal actuatable portion at a stern end of said planar surface, said proximal portion extending from beneath said hull to beyond a transom of the craft;   (b) an actuator slidably positionable within a substantially vertical containment sleeve, said sleeve secured to a transom of said marine craft, a lower end of said actuator in selectable contact with said proximal portion of said elongate planar surface;   (c) means for selectably advancing said actuator within said sleeve against said proximal portion of said planar surface to define a planing angle of said elongate planar surface relative to said one side of said hull of the marine craft to which it is secured; and   (d) distal end of said elongate planar surface defines a tongue-like geometry confined within a fluid hinge defining enclosure secured upon said hull of the craft.   
     
     
         2 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , in which a range of adjustment of said elongate planar surface relative to the axis of the bottom of the hull of the marine craft is in a range of about zero to at least 15 degrees. 
     
     
         3 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a stop limit to preclude over extension of said actuator relative to said actuation sleeve. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , in which a transverse cross-section of said actuator and sleeve each define a square or rectangle. 
     
     
         6 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , in which a traverse cross-section of said actuator and sleeve each define a circle. 
     
     
         7 . The system as recited in  claim 9 , said elongate planar surface comprises:
 downwardly directed integral side edge elements substantially along an entire length of said elongate planar surface.   
     
     
         8 . The system as recited in  claim 3 , in which a transverse cross-sectional of said elongate planar surface defines an inverted letter “U” at the proximal region of said elongate surface. 
     
     
         9 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , in which said elongate planar surface comprises a rigid material. 
     
     
         10 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , in which said elongate planer surface comprises a flexible material, a distal end of said surface rigidly secured to said hull of the vessel. 
     
     
         11 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , in which said actuator comprises a power actuator. 
     
     
         12 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , in which said actuator comprises one or more manual and hydraulic actuators mounted together with each other. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , in which said fluid hinge defining enclosure defines a location of between about 2 feet and about 8 feet forward of the transom. 
     
     
         15 . The system as recited in  claim 3 , in which said distal end of said elongate planar surface includes male elements proportioned for complemental engagement of female elements depending from an opposing surface of the hull of the marine craft. 
     
     
         16 . The system as recited in  claim 8 , in which said distal end of said elongate planar surface includes male elements proportioned for complemental engagement of female elements depending from an opposing surface of the hull of the marine craft.