초록 ▼

A drag-reduction system incorporated within an inwardly stepped underside of a boat hull for reducing a degree of water pressure forces exerted upon the boat hull during travel of the boat upon a body of water. A plurality of spaced apart rollers are secured at a generally aft location of the boat h

A drag-reduction system incorporated within an inwardly stepped underside of a boat hull for reducing a degree of water pressure forces exerted upon the boat hull during travel of the boat upon a body of water. A plurality of spaced apart rollers are secured at a generally aft location of the boat hull associated with the inwardly stepped underside and extend in parallel spaced apart fashion and perpendicularly to a longitudinal water flow across the boat hull experienced during propulsion of the hull. An elongate and planar shaped belt of a water impervious material having an established width and defining a continuous extending and closed loop is mounted over the plurality of spaced apart rollers. A first linearly extending location of the continuous belt is recessed within the stepped underside of the hull and a second linearly extending location is in contact with the longitudinal water flow. The second linearly extending location of the belt is capable of being translated in a direction consistent with the longitudinal water flow across the boat hull. A single drive roller or pair of drive rollers associated with the plurality of spaced apart rollers is capable of driving the belt at a velocity equal to or greater than a velocity of the longitudinal water flow traveling along the boat hull.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] A drag-reduction system incorporated within an inwardly stepped underside of a boat hull for reducing a degree of frictional water forces exerted upon the boat hull during travel of the boat upon a body of water, said system comprising:a plurality of spaced apart rollers which are s

[ I claim:] [1.] A drag-reduction system incorporated within an inwardly stepped underside of a boat hull for reducing a degree of frictional water forces exerted upon the boat hull during travel of the boat upon a body of water, said system comprising:a plurality of spaced apart rollers which are secured between brackets at a generally aft location of the boat hull associated with the inwardly stepped underside, said rollers extending in spaced apart fashion relative to one another, a longitudinal water flow across the boat hull being experienced during movement of the hull;an elongate and planar shaped belt, said belt having an established width and defining a continuous extending and closed loop which is mounted over said plurality of spaced apart rollers, a first linearly extending location of said continuous belt being recessed within the stepped underside of the hull, a second linearly extending location of said continuous belt being in contact with said longitudinal water flow; andmeans for causing said second linearly extending location of said belt to translate in a direction consistent with the longitudinal water flow acrossthe boat hull and at a belt speed equal to or lesser than a velocity of the longitudinal water flow.