초록 ▼

A vessel is provided, adapted for operating at the surface of the ocean, useful for a combination of functions, including providing food, fiber for clothing, living space, fresh water, transportation, and domestic energy for at least one person, as well as excess energy, food, fiber and fresh water

A vessel is provided, adapted for operating at the surface of the ocean, useful for a combination of functions, including providing food, fiber for clothing, living space, fresh water, transportation, and domestic energy for at least one person, as well as excess energy, food, fiber and fresh water for sale. The vessel comprises at least two hulls coupled with streamlined struts, the upper hull vertically aligned with the lower, the lower hull being fully submerged and the upper hull being fully unsubmerged, and both hulls having substantially the same volume. The vessel is stabilized by a combination of passive lift and stabilization surfaces while the vessel is in motion, and laterally mounted stabilization reservoirs for use when the vessel is not moving. The vessel is controlled and stabilized against wave-generated motion by a combination of actively controllable moveable surfaces, and is propelled by a sail and a water propellor. A combination of energy harvesting means is mounted on the vessel, including a sail augmented wind tubine, a water wave tubine, and a combination of concentrating and flat panel solar radiant energy collectors. Means is provided for converting the harvested energy into a storable form (hydrogen and oxygen) for later use or sale. Shelter is provided within the vessel for all daily living activities of an individual or a family. Means is provided for growing land food crops as well as sea food products for support of an individual or a family.

대표청구항 ▼

A vessel adapted for operating at the surface of the ocean, said vessel comprising: a first hull and a second hull, said first hull being vertically aligned with said second hull, said first hull to be fully submerged and said second hull to be fully unsubmerged; streamlined struts coupling said fir

A vessel adapted for operating at the surface of the ocean, said vessel comprising: a first hull and a second hull, said first hull being vertically aligned with said second hull, said first hull to be fully submerged and said second hull to be fully unsubmerged; streamlined struts coupling said first hull and said second hull together; fixed and moveable lift and stabilization means coupled to said first hull for operating said vessel at near neutral buoyancy; and lift means adjusted to operate said vessel at a depth so that the average waterline is approximately halfway between said first hull and said second hull, thus providing a small vessel area at the waterline even when the overall vessel displacement is large; said stabilization means comprising a combination of fixed passive lift and stabilization surfaces which automatically stabilize said vessel without requiring control movements for use when the vessel is in motion, said combination comprising: first, substantially horizontal appendages (sea-stabilizers) of such an area as to provide stabilizing moments around the center of gravity for stabilizing said vessel in pitch and fixedly coupled to the first hull to the rear of the center-of-gravity of the vessel and having an angular tilt with respect to the horizontal plane fixed to provide stabilizing moments to suppress combination roll, pitch, and yaw instabilities; second, substantially vertical appendages (sea-fins) of such an area as to provide stabilizing moments around the center of gravity for stabilizing said vessel in yaw and fixedly coupled to the first hull to the rear of the center-of-gravity of said vessel and having a tilt with respect to the vertical plane fixed to provide stabilizing moments to suppress combination roll, pitch, and yaw instabilities; third, substantially horizontal appendages (sea-wings) of such an area as to provide lift and stabilizing moments around the center of gravity for supporting and stabilizing said vessel in roll and fixedly coupled to the first submerged hull near the center-of gravity, having a tilt or dihedral with respect to the horizontal plane fixed to provide stabilizing moments to ensure roll stability; fourth, fixed stabilization reservoir means for providing stability automatically when the vessel is not moving, said stabilization reservoir means comprising at least two tanks coupled to the tips of the sea-wings, each said tank capable of containing the amount of air and water needed for zero-velocity stability, said tanks and wings being capable of being pivoted into vertical position when said vessel is docked.