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A trim tab shape control system for a boat with a transom according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a flexible plate and a trim tab control system. The flexible plate has a forward end attached to the transom, a rearward end, and an operative bottom surface. The trim tab control

A trim tab shape control system for a boat with a transom according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a flexible plate and a trim tab control system. The flexible plate has a forward end attached to the transom, a rearward end, and an operative bottom surface. The trim tab control system includes a first force mechanism that is attached near the rearward end of the flexible plate and at least one second force mechanism interfacing the flexible plate between the transom and the first force mechanism. The force mechanisms are operative to deflect the operative bottom surface of the flexible plate in a controlled curve while in an up position, where the plate retains a shape in a down position which varies with force applied by the first and second force mechanisms and the operating conditions of the boat.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A trim tab shape control system for a boat with a transom, comprising: a flexible plate having a forward end for attaching to the transom of the boat, a rearward end, and an operative bottom surface; and a trim tab control system, for attaching to the transom of the boat, com

What is claimed is: 1. A trim tab shape control system for a boat with a transom, comprising: a flexible plate having a forward end for attaching to the transom of the boat, a rearward end, and an operative bottom surface; and a trim tab control system, for attaching to the transom of the boat, comprising a first force mechanism that is attached near said rearward end of said flexible plate and at least one second force mechanism interfacing said flexible plate between the transom and said first force mechanism, wherein said first and second force mechanisms are operative to deflect said operative bottom surface of said flexible plate in a controlled curve from said forward end to said rearward end in an up position and to retain a shape in a down position which varies with force applied by at least one of said first and second force mechanisms and operating conditions of the boat. 2. The trim tab shape control system of claim 1, wherein said controlled curve has a parabolic shape. 3. The trim tab shape control system of claim 1, wherein said flexible plate is attached with hinges to the transom of the boat. 4. The trim tab shape control system of claim 1, wherein said flexible plate is attached to the transom of the boat as a cantilever. 5. The trim tab shape control system of claim 1, wherein said flexible plate has a uniform thickness from said forward end to said rearward end. 6. The trim tab shape control system of claim 1, wherein: said second force mechanism comprises a resilient platen having a forward end for attaching to the transom of the boat immediately above said flexible plate and having a rearward end, wherein said resilient platen has a regressive flexural stiffness from said forward end to said rearward end of said resilient platen; and wherein said first force mechanism pulls said flexible plate against said resilient platen to form said operative bottom surface into said controlled curve when said first upward force is applied. 7. The trim tab shape control system of claim 1, wherein: said second force mechanism comprises: a resilient platen having a forward end for attaching to the transom of the boat immediately above said flexible plate and having a rearward end, wherein said platen has a uniform thickness; and a plurality of platen rams coupled along said resilient platen between said forward end and said rearward end of said resilient platen and each for attaching to the transom of the boat; wherein said first force mechanism comprises a force ram coupled to said rearward end of said flexible plate and for attaching to the transom of the boat for applying said upward and downward forces; and wherein said force ram pulls said flexible plate against said resilient platen and wherein said plurality of platen rams are displaced to form said operative bottom surface of said flexible plate into said controlled curve. 8. The trim tab shape control system of claim 1, wherein said first and second force mechanisms comprise: a yardarm for attaching to the transom of the boat above said flexible plate; and a plurality of force rams interfaced with said flexible plate between said forward end and said rearward end of said flexible plate and each attached to said yardarm. 9. The trim tab shape control system of claim 8, wherein at least one of said plurality of force rams comprises a shoe for interfacing said flexible plate. 10. The trim tab shape control system of claim 1, wherein: said second force mechanism comprises a platen comprising a stack of progressively shorter lengths of cantilevered beams of uniform thickness attached to the transom of the boat immediately above said flexible plate; and wherein said first force mechanism pulls said flexible plate against said resilient platen to form said operative bottom surface into said controlled curve. 11. The trim tab shape control system of claim 10, wherein each cantilevered beam includes a pad to separate said stack of cantilevered beams from each other and from said flexible plate. 12. The trim tab shape control system of claim 1, wherein said trim tab control system comprises: a yardarm for attaching to the transom of the boat above said flexible plate; wherein said first control mechanism comprises a force ram coupled to said rearward end of said flexible plate and attached to said yardarm for applying said upward and downward forces; and wherein said second force mechanism comprises a plurality of springs attached to said yardarm and interfaced with said flexible plate between said forward end and said rearward end. 13. The trim tab shape control system of claim 1, wherein said trim tab control system comprises: a yardarm for attaching to the transom of the boat above said flexible plate; wherein said first control mechanism comprises a force ram attached to said rearward end of said flexible plate and attached to said yardarm for applying said upward and downward forces; and wherein said second force mechanism comprises a plurality of mechanical devices interfaced said forward end and said rearward end of said flexible plate and each attached to said yardarm. 14. The trim tab shape control system of claim 13, wherein said plurality of mechanical devices comprises a plurality of jackscrews. 15. The trim tab shape control system of claim 13, wherein said plurality of mechanical devices comprises a plurality of cams. 16. The trim tab shape control system of claim 13, further comprising: a ramp attached to an underside of said yardarm; and wherein said plurality of mechanical devices comprises a plurality of rods that slide along said ramp. 17. The trim tab shape control system of claim 1, wherein said trim tab control system comprises: a yardarm for attaching to the transom of the boat above said flexible plate; wherein said first control mechanism comprises a force ram coupled to said rearward end of said flexible plate and attached to said yardarm for applying said upward and downward forces; and wherein said second force mechanism comprises: a plurality of extendable toggles attached to said yardarm; and a plurality of rollers, each attached to a corresponding one of said extendable toggles, that interface said flexible plate between said forward end and said rearward end of said flexible plate. 18. The trim tab shape control system of claim 1, wherein said trim tab control system comprises: a yardarm for attaching to the transom of the boat above said flexible plate; wherein said first control mechanism comprises a force ram coupled to said rearward end of said flexible plate and attached to said yardarm for applying said upward and downward forces; and wherein said second force mechanism comprises a plurality of bladders interfaced between said yardarm and said flexible plate and distributed between said forward end and said rearward end of said flexible plate. 19. The trim tab shape control system of claim 1, wherein said trim tab control system comprises: a plurality of pressure sensing ports in communication with said operative bottom surface of said flexible plate; said first and second force mechanisms comprising a plurality of actuators interfacing said flexible plate between said forward end and said rearward end of said flexible plate; and a logic box communicatively interfaced with said plurality of pressure sensing ports and said plurality of actuators to optimize performance of the boat. 20. The trim tab shape control system of claim 19, wherein said plurality of pressure sensing ports are arranged in a two dimensional array. 21. The adjustable trim table of claim 19, wherein said logic box controls said plurality of actuators based on communications from said plurality of pressure sensing ports to decrease pitch action of the boat. 22. The trim tab shape control system of claim 19, wherein said logic box controls said plurality of actuators based on communications from said plurality of pressure sensing ports to decrease roll action of the boat. 23. The trim tab shape control system of claim 1, wherein said trim tab control system comprises a backstop and adjustment screw interfaced between the transom of the boat and said flexible plate. 24. The trim tab shape control system of claim 1, wherein: said second force mechanism comprises: a resilient platen integrally mounted to the transom of the boat immediately above said flexible plate and having a rearward end; and a platen ram for attaching to the transom of the boat and mounted to said resilient platen; and wherein said first force mechanism pulls said flexible plate against said resilient platen to form said operative bottom surface into said controlled curve. 25. The trim tab shape control system of claim 24, wherein said first force mechanism comprises a force ram attached between said platen ram and said flexible plate. 26. The trim tab shape control system of claim 24, wherein said first force mechanism comprises a force ram attached between said resilient platen and said flexible plate. 27. The trim tab shape control system of claim 1, wherein: said flexible plate is pivotally attached to the transom of the boat; wherein said second force mechanism comprises: a platen pivotally attached to the transom of the boat immediately above said flexible plate and having a rearward end; a platen ram for attaching to the transom of the boat and attached to said platen; and wherein said first force mechanism pulls said flexible plate against said platen to form said operative bottom surface into said controlled curve. 28. A boat, comprising: a hull with a transom; and a trim tab shape control system attached to said transom, comprising: a flexible plate having a forward end attached to said transom, a rearward end, and an operative bottom surface; and a trim tab control system, attached to said transom, comprising a first force mechanism that is attached near said rearward end of said flexible plate and at least one second force mechanism interfacing said flexible plate between the transom and said first force mechanism, wherein said first and second force mechanisms are operative to deflect said operative bottom surface of said flexible plate in a controlled curve from said forward end to said rearward end in an up position and to retain a shape in a down position which varies with force applied by at least one of said first and second force mechanisms and operating conditions of the boat. 29. A boat, comprising: a hull with a transom; and a trim tab shape control system attached to said transom, comprising: a flexible plate having a forward end attached to said transom, a rearward end, an operative bottom surface, and a plurality of pressure sensing ports in communication with said operative bottom surface; and a trim tab control system, attached to said transom, comprising a first force mechanism that is attached near said rearward end of said flexible plate and at least one second force mechanism interfacing said flexible plate between the transom and said first force mechanism, wherein said first and second force mechanisms are operative to deflect said operative bottom surface of said flexible plate in a controlled curve from said forward end to said rearward end in an up position and to retain a shape in a down position which varies with force applied by at least one of said first and second force mechanisms and operating conditions of the boat; and a logic box communicatively interfaced with said plurality of pressure sensing ports and said trim tab control system.