Hull unit with a hydrofoil system and marine vessel

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12371131-B2
Application number	US-201917756846-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 10, 2019
Priority date	Dec 10, 2019
Publication date	Jul 29, 2025
Grant date	Jul 29, 2025

Abstract

An auxiliary hull unit detachably mounted to a transom on a marine vessel, wherein the hull unit is mounted at least partially below the water line of the vessel and arranged to extend rearwards parallel to the rearward extension of hull sections adjacent to the hull unit. The hull unit comprises a rear hydrofoil system for the marine vessel; the rear hydrofoil system comprising at least one pair of foldable hydrofoils which are pivotable in a lateral direction relative to the hull unit, wherein each hydrofoil is controllable by at least one actuator for displacement of the at least one pair of foldable hydrofoils in the lateral direction of the hull unit between a stowed position and a deployed position. The hull unit can be provided with a propulsion unit.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An auxiliary hull unit detachably mountable to a transom on a marine vessel, wherein the hull unit is mountable at least partially below the water line of the vessel and arranged to extend rearwards parallel to a rearward extension of hull sections adjacent to the hull unit, the hull unit comprises a rear hydrofoil system for the marine vessel; the rear hydrofoil system comprising at least one pair of foldable hydrofoils which are pivotable in a lateral direction relative to the hull unit, wherein each hydrofoil is controllable by at least one actuator for displacement of the at least one pair of foldable hydrofoils in the lateral direction of the hull unit between a stowed position and a deployed position, wherein
each foldable hydrofoil comprises a first portion comprising a first end which first end is mounted hinged relative to the hull unit and on opposite sides thereof;
each foldable hydrofoil comprises a second portion comprising a free second end extending away from the respective first portion towards the opposite side of the hull unit and at an obtuse angle relative to the first portion;
wherein the foldable hydrofoils are at least flush with the hull unit in the stowed position.

2. Auxiliary hull unit according to claim 1 , wherein
the first portion of each hydrofoil extends adjacent the hull unit along its entire length when the hydrofoil is in the stowed position; and
the second portion of each hydrofoil is arranged to extend into a lateral cavity in the hull unit when the hydrofoil is in the stowed position.

3. Auxiliary hull unit according to claim 2 , wherein
the second portion of each hydrofoil is arranged to extend inwards and upwards into the lateral cavity in the hull unit when the hydrofoil is in the stowed position.

4. Auxiliary hull unit according to claim 2 , wherein
the free second end of each second portion is arranged to extend up to a vertical plane through the longitudinal axis of the hull unit when the hydrofoil is in the stowed position.

5. Auxiliary hull unit according to claim 1 , wherein
each first portion extends adjacent the hull unit up to a central longitudinal axis of the hull unit when the hydrofoil is in the stowed position; and
the free second end of each hydrofoil extends adjacent the hull unit past the central longitudinal axis of the hull unit.

6. Auxiliary hull unit according to claim 5 , wherein the free second ends of each pair of hydrofoils are arranged to extend a predetermined distance past the central longitudinal axis of the hull unit.

7. Auxiliary hull unit according to claim 5 , wherein the free second ends of each pair of hydrofoils are arranged to overlap when the hydrofoils are in the stowed position.

8. Auxiliary hull unit according to claim 5 , wherein the overlapping hydrofoils are arranged to be displaced sequentially when moved towards the deployed position.

9. Auxiliary hull unit according to claim 1 , wherein the first end of each foldable hydrofoil comprises a hinge having parallel pivot axes extending in the longitudinal axis of the hull unit.

10. Auxiliary hull unit according to claim 1 , wherein each hydrofoil is connected to the at least one actuator arranged within the hull unit and arranged to displace the hydrofoils between their stowed and deployed positions.

11. Auxiliary hull unit according to claim 10 , wherein the at least one actuator is arranged to be operated by a power source within the hull unit ( 101 ).

12. Auxiliary hull unit according to claim 1 , wherein the hull unit comprises a pod propulsion unit arranged to be vertically displaceable between a stowed position and a deployed position.

13. Auxiliary hull unit according to claim 12 , wherein the hull unit comprises a power storage connected to the pod propulsion unit.

14. A marine vessel, comprising an auxiliary hull unit according to claim 1 , which is detachably mounted to a transom on the marine vessel.

Assignees

• Volvo Penta Corp

Inventors

• Wessman Björn
• Fredrik Brodén

Classifications

• Y02T70/10

  Measures concerning design or construction of watercraft hulls · CPC title

• B63B83/30

  for improving energy efficiency, e.g. by improving hydrodynamics or by upgrading the power plant · CPC title

• B63H2005/1258

  with electric power transmission to propellers, i.e. with integrated electric propeller motors · CPC title

• B63H2005/1256

  with mechanical power transmission to propellers · CPC title

• B63H20/106

  Means enabling lifting of the propulsion element in a substantially vertical, linearly sliding movement · CPC title