System of articulated fins for a boat

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system of articulated fins for a boat ( 1 ) having a hull ( 2 ), the system of fins comprising at least two fins ( 10 ) having a respective end fastened to an element of the hull ( 2 ) of the boat ( 1 ), the two fins ( 10 ) being situated one on each side of a longitudinal axis of the boat ( 1 ), each fin ( 10 ) being intended to be completely submerged in a deployed position of the fin, each fin ( 10 ) also having a folded position in which the fin ( 10 ) is intended to come up against the hull ( 2 ) of the boat ( 1 ), and each fin ( 10 ) having operating means configured to move the fin ( 10 ) between the folded position and the deployed position, and vice versa. The fin ( 10 ) has a web and a working portion fastened to the web.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A system of articulated fins for a boat having a hull, the system of fins comprising at least two fins having a respective end fastened to an element of the hull of the boat, the two fins being located one on each side of a longitudinal axis of the boat, each fin being configured to be completely submerged in a deployed position of the fin, each fin also having a folded position in which the fin is configured to bear against the hull of the boat, and each fin having operating means configured to move the fin between the folded position and the deployed position and vice versa,
 each fin comprising a web made of titanium and a working portion fastened to the web by means of fastening means, and the web being fastened securely to the operating means.   
     
     
         22 . The system of articulated fins as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein each fin has a leading edge, i.e. facing the bow of the boat, curved rearwards, for example so as to give the fin the shape of a shark's or dolphin's pectoral fin. 
     
     
         23 . The system of articulated fins as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the fastening means are fusible. 
     
     
         24 . The system of articulated fins as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein each fin has a shape adapted to match a predefined shape of the hull of the boat, in the folded position, in which the fin is pivoted to bear against a side flank of the hull of the boat. 
     
     
         25 . The system of articulated fins as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein each fin comprises an anti-listing portion having a lifting surface and an anti-drift portion, the anti-listing portion being substantially horizontal and the anti-drift portion being substantially vertical when the fin is in the deployed position. 
     
     
         26 . The system of articulated fins as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein, for each fin, the operating means comprise pivoting means comprising at least one pivot, adapted to pivot the fin about a pivot axis, between the folded position and the deployed position and vice versa. 
     
     
         27 . The system of articulated fins according to  claim 26 , wherein the pivoting means are configured to be fastened to a lower part of the hull, between the keel and the side chine of the boat. 
     
     
         28 . The system of articulated fins according to  claim 26 , wherein, for each fin, the operating means comprise means for moving the pivot axis (X) of the fin, configured to modify the incidence of the fin. 
     
     
         29 . The system of articulated fins as claimed in  claim 25 , comprising control means configured to keep the anti-listing portions of the fins horizontal. 
     
     
         30 . The system of articulated fins as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein, for each fin, the fastening means are fusible and are configured to allow the working portion to be separated from the web, either automatically or in a controlled manner. 
     
     
         31 . The system of articulated fins as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein each fin comprises a cable connecting the working portion to the web and configured so that, when the working portion is separated from the web, the cable pulls the working portion to the side and/or to the stern of the boat during sailing. 
     
     
         32 . The system of articulated fins as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein each fin comprises locking means for locking an angular position of the fin between a plurality of positions comprising at least the folded position and the deployed position. 
     
     
         33 . A boat, comprising a hull having a flat rear portion, and a system of articulated fins as claimed in claim  1 , the system of fins being fastened to the hull of the boat. 
     
     
         34 . The boat as claimed in  claim 33 , comprising electrical power generation means connected to the articulation and pivoting device and configured to generate electrical power when the boat is at anchor. 
     
     
         35 . The boat according to  claim 33 , wherein the system of articulated fins comprising a pair of front fins and a pair of rear fins, wherein the front fins have a lifting incidence and the rear fins are configured such that, when the port front fin is in the deployed position and the starboard front fin is in the folded position, with the wind coming from the starboard side, then the starboard rear fin is in the deployed position and its incidence is adjusted so as to be diving, the port rear fin being in the folded position or in the deployed position with a lifting incidence, and, conversely, when the starboard front fin is in the deployed position and the port front fin is in the folded position, the wind is coming from the port side, so the port rear fin is in the deployed position and its incidence is adjusted so as to be diving, the starboard rear fin being in the folded position or in the deployed position with a lifting incidence. 
     
     
         36 . The boat according to  claim 33 , comprising a waterline length, wherein the respective incidence of the articulated fins is configured to raise the bow of the boat. 
     
     
         37 . The boat according to  claim 33 , the system of articulated fins comprising a pair of front fins, wherein the pivot axis of the front fins is pinched forward. 
     
     
         38 . The boat according to  claim 33 , wherein the articulated fins are connected to the keel and are configured to rest on the bottom when the boat is grounded. 
     
     
         39 . The boat according to  claim 33 , wherein the articulated fins are configured to be deployed at anchor, the system comprising at least one nitrogen ball connected to the articulation and pivoting device and configured to dampen the pivoting movements of the fins due to surf. 
     
     
         40 . The boat according to  claim 33 , the system of articulated fins comprising a pair of front fins, wherein the front fins generate a center of pressure participating in a bow lift of the boat located forward of a center of buoyancy of the boat, on either side of the longitudinal axis of the boat, for example from 8% to 10%, of the waterline length of the boat, forward of the center of buoyancy of the boat.