A variable beam vessel

Abstract

Disclosed is a variable beam vessel. The vessel comprises a main hull having a longitudinal axis, a float and a float connection assembly comprising a main support member and actuation system. The main support member is connected to the float and main hull. The actuation system moves the float substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis between an in-use configuration in which the main support member is connected to the main hull and maintains the float a first distance from the main hull, and a stowed configuration in which the main support member maintains the float a second distance from the main hull, the second distance being less than the first distance. The actuation system maintains a common orientation of the float in both the in-use configuration and stowed configuration.

1 . A variable beam vessel, comprising:
 a main hull having a longitudinal axis;   
       a float; 
       a float connection assembly extending between the float and main hull, the float connection assembly comprising:
 a main support member comprising:
 a float end connected to the float at a float connection; and 
 a hull end connectable to the main hull; and 
 
 an actuation system operable to move the float substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis between an in-use configuration in which the main support member is connected to the main hull and maintains the float a first distance from the main hull, and a stowed configuration in which the main support member maintains the float a second distance from the main hull, the second distance being less than the first distance, 
 wherein the actuation system maintains a common orientation of the float in both the in-use configuration and stowed configuration. 
 
     
     
         2 . A variable beam vessel according to  claim 1 , wherein the float connection comprises an abutment formed on a first one of the main support member or the float and located to abut a second one of the main support member and float, to restrict longitudinal relative movement between the main support member and float. 
     
     
         3 . A variable beam vessel according to  claim 1 , wherein the float connection comprises a slot on one of the main support member and float and a pin on the other of the main support member and float, the pin sliding along the slot between a first position corresponding to the in-use configuration and a second position corresponding to the stowed configuration. 
     
     
         4 . A variable beam vessel according to  claim 3 , wherein the first position and second position are at opposite ends of the slot. 
     
     
         5 . A variable beam vessel according to  claim 3 , wherein the slot is shaped to control relative movement of the float and main support member during movement between the in-use configuration and stowed configuration. 
     
     
         6 . A variable beam vessel according to  claim 3 , wherein the float connection further comprises a pivot, the float pivoting on the float end of the main support member between the stowed configuration and in-use configuration. 
     
     
         7 . A variable beam vessel according to  claim 6 , wherein the pin is on the float end and the pivot is located distally of the pin. 
     
     
         8 . A variable beam vessel according to  claim 7 , wherein the pin is one of two pins located on the main support member, and the slot is one of two slots disposed on opposite sides of the main support member in a channel in the float. 
     
     
         9 . A variable beam vessel according to  claim 8 , wherein the channel has two opposite end walls and side walls, the end and side walls converging distally of the pivot, each end wall defining a position of the float end of the main support beam when in a respective one of the stowed configuration and in-use configuration. 
     
     
         10 . A variable beam vessel according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuation system comprises at least two flexible cord lengths each connected at one end to the float and extending from the float to the main hull, and wherein one cord length moves the float connection assembly to the in-use configuration and another cord length moves the float connection assembly to the stowed configuration. 
     
     
         11 . A variable beam vessel according to  claim 1 , comprising two said floats and two float connection assemblies each connecting a respective one of the floats to the main hull. 
     
     
         12 . A variable beam vessel according to  claim 11 , wherein the actuation systems are interconnected such that they can be concurrently operated to move the symmetrically between the in-use configuration and stowed configuration. 
     
     
         13 . A variable beam vessel according to  claim 1 , wherein the hull end is connected to the main hull in the in-use configuration and is disconnected from the main hull in the stowed configuration. 
     
     
         14 . A variable beam vessel according to  claim 13 , wherein the hull end disconnects from the main hull to facilitate movement to the stowed configuration. 
     
     
         15 . A variable beam vessel according to  claim 13 , wherein the hull end of the main support beam elevates above the main hull during movement to the stowed configuration, so that it does not obstruct access along the main hull in the stowed configuration. 
     
     
         16 . A variable beam vessel according to  claim 1 , wherein the float connection assembly is configured to maintain a common draft of the float when in both the in-use configuration and the stowed configuration. 
     
     
         17 . A variable beam vessel according to  claim 1 , further comprising a stabiliser for controlling a position of the main support member relative to the main hull during movement between the in-use configuration and stowed configuration. 
     
     
         18 . A variable beam vessel according to  claim 17 , wherein the stabiliser comprises a frame extending between the main hull and main support member. 
     
     
         19 . A variable beam vessel according to  claim 18 , the stabiliser comprises an alignment member, the alignment member and frame maintaining a perpendicular alignment between the main support member and longitudinal axis during movement between the stowed configuration and in-use configuration. 
     
     
         20 . A variable beam vessel according to  claim 1 , wherein the main support member comprises two spaced support beams each having a respective said float end and respective said hull end.