초록 ▼

An improved tunnel configuration for tunnel mounted surface piercing propellers. The improved tunnel configuration provides a flooding suction to the tunnel to allow flooded propeller operation at speeds below planning. The tunnel is stepped whereby an upper portion of the tunnel is sized to allow t

An improved tunnel configuration for tunnel mounted surface piercing propellers. The improved tunnel configuration provides a flooding suction to the tunnel to allow flooded propeller operation at speeds below planning. The tunnel is stepped whereby an upper portion of the tunnel is sized to allow the propeller to draw air at high speeds. The lower portion of the tunnel is sized to allow the propeller to be flooded resulting in smooth acceleration, improved handling in forward and reverse and a reduction of the transition period.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. In an engine driven marine vessel having a hull and at least one engine driven propeller operatively associated with a tunnel formed integral with said hull of said vessel, said tunnel having first and second surfaces which run generally parallel to a longitudinal axis

The invention claimed is: 1. In an engine driven marine vessel having a hull and at least one engine driven propeller operatively associated with a tunnel formed integral with said hull of said vessel, said tunnel having first and second surfaces which run generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of said vessel, said first surface and second surface being contiguous with a bottom side of said hull, a third surface running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vessel being contiguous with said first and second surfaces and forming a roof of said tunnel; said first and second surfaces each further including at least one transition section which connects each of said first and second surfaces respectively, with the bottom of the hull of the vessel, said propeller being of a predetermined diameter, said first and second surfaces define a width of the tunnel, the width of said tunnel located at and above a center axis of said propeller being in the range of 1.03 to 1.1 times the diameter of the propeller, an air inlet connected to a vent, said vent in communication with said tunnel, said vent extending from a transom of said vessel to a location forward of the propeller, an additional air inlet in the transom, and an additional vent, said additional vent positioned generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vessel and is also in communication with said tunnel. 2. The engine driven vessel of claim 1, wherein the width of the tunnel located at and below a horizontal plane passing through a center axis of said propeller being in the range of 1.03 to 1.1 times the diameter of the propeller. 3. The engine driven vessel of claim 1, wherein the width of the tunnel located at and below a horizontal plane passing through a center axis of said propeller being in the range of 1.1 to 2.0 times the diameter of the propeller. 4. The engine driven vessel of claim 1, wherein the width of the tunnel located at and below a horizontal plane passing through a center axis of said propeller being greater than 1.1 times the diameter of the propeller. 5. The engine driven vessel of claim 1 wherein said transition section is a surface configured as a curved radius. 6. The engine driven vessel of claim 1, wherein said transition section is configured as a chamfered surface. 7. The engine driven vessel of claim 1, wherein said transition section is configured as a stepped surface. 8. In an engine driven marine vessel having a hull and at least one engine driven propeller operatively associated with a tunnel formed integral with said hull of said vessel, said tunnel having first and second surfaces which run generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of said vessel, said first surface and second surface being contiguous with a bottom side of said hull, a third surface running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vessel being contiguous with said first and second surfaces and forming a roof of said tunnel; said first and second surfaces each further including at least one transition section which connects each of said first and second surfaces respectively, with the bottom of the hull of the vessel, said propeller being of a predetermined diameter, said first and second surfaces define a width of the tunnel, the width of said tunnel located at and above a center axis of said propeller being in the range of 1.03 to 1.1 times the diameter of the propeller, an air inlet connected to a vent, said vent in communication with said tunnel, said vent extending from a transom of said vessel to a location forward of the propeller, said air inlet extends from a horizontal plane generally located at the top wall of the tunnel and extends vertically to a horizontal plane generally passing through the axis of the drive shaft. 9. In an engine driven marine vessel having a hull and at least one engine driven propeller operatively associated with a tunnel formed integral with said hull of said vessel, said tunnel having first and second surfaces which run generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of said vessel, said first surface and second surface being contiguous with a bottom side of said hull, a third surface running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vessel being contiguous with said first and second surfaces and forming a roof of said tunnel; said first and second surfaces each further including at least one transition section which connects each of said first and second surfaces respectively, with the bottom of the hull of the vessel, said propeller being of a predetermined diameter, said first and second surfaces define a width of the tunnel, the width of said tunnel located at and above a center axis of said propeller being in the range of 1.03 to 1.1 times the diameter of the propeller, an air inlet connected to a vent, said vent in communication with said tunnel, said vent extending from a transom of said vessel to a location forward of the propeller, said air inlet extends from a horizontal plane generally located at the top wall of the tunnel and extends vertically to a location adjacent the bottom surface of the hull. 10. In an engine driven marine vessel having a hull and at least one engine driven propeller operatively associated with a tunnel formed integral with said hull of said vessel, said tunnel having first and second surfaces which run generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of said vessel, said first surface and second surface being contiguous with a bottom side of said hull, a third surface running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vessel being contiguous with said first and second surfaces and forming a roof of said tunnel; said first and second surfaces each further including at least one transition section which connects each of said first and second surfaces respectively, with the bottom of the hull of the vessel, said propeller being of a predetermined diameter, said first and second surfaces define a width of the tunnel, the width of said tunnel located at and above a center axis of said propeller being in the range of 1.03 to 1.1 times the diameter of the propeller, said tunnel width increases in a tunnel section aft of the propeller, whereby the flow of water into the propeller is improved when the vessel is driven in reverse. 11. In an engine driven marine vessel having a hull and at least one engine driven propeller operatively associated with a tunnel formed integral with said hull of said vessel, said tunnel having first and second surfaces which run generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of said vessel, said first surface and second surface being contiguous with a bottom side of said hull, a third surface running parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vessel being contiguous with said first and second surfaces and forming a roof of said tunnel; said first and second surfaces each further including at least one transition section which connects each of said first and second surfaces respectively, with the bottom of the hull of the vessel, said propeller being of a predetermined diameter, said first and second surfaces define a width of the tunnel, the width of said tunnel located at and above a center axis of said propeller being in the range of 1.03 to 1.1 times the diameter of the propeller, the roof of said tunnel aft of the propeller slopes down until the trailing edge of the roof is at or below the surface of the water when the boat is at rest, whereby the roof stops air from entering the tunnel when the vessel is operated in reverse. 12. The engine driven vessel of claim 11, wherein said roof of said tunnel aft of the propeller is fixed. 13. The engine driven vessel of claim 11, wherein said roof of said tunnel aft of the propeller is a hinged panel that drops down when the vessel is operated in reverse and lifts up when the vessel is operated in a forward direction.