초록 ▼

An engine-powered watercraft includes three parallel hulls, namely a center hull with two or more transverse steps, and two smaller outer hulls or amas on either side of the center hull that are configured to form two vent ducts on either side of the center hull, disposed between the center hull sid

An engine-powered watercraft includes three parallel hulls, namely a center hull with two or more transverse steps, and two smaller outer hulls or amas on either side of the center hull that are configured to form two vent ducts on either side of the center hull, disposed between the center hull sides and the amas. The amas, steps and vent ducts are disposed along the length of the watercraft and are configured to enable high speed capability and to facilitate pressurization of the vent ducts. The pressurized vent duct maximizes ventilation of the running bottom of the watercraft so as to improve efficiency and to reduce drag thereon. The pressurized vent duct creates an area of lift at the widest, aft-most points of the running bottom, which thereby results in improving the transverse and longitudinal stability of the watercraft and in reducing the trim for better seakeeping.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A watercraft comprising a center hull and a pair of outer side hulls respectively located on opposite sides of the center hull and including outer surfaces forming portions of the outer sides of the watercraft, said center hull having a v-form including varying deadrise from the bow to at least a

1. A watercraft comprising a center hull and a pair of outer side hulls respectively located on opposite sides of the center hull and including outer surfaces forming portions of the outer sides of the watercraft, said center hull having a v-form including varying deadrise from the bow to at least a predetermined point forward of the stem, and said side hulls each having inner surface portions facing the center hull having greater reverse deadrise than the deadrise of the opposing surface of the center hull; said outer surfaces of the side hulls being substantially vertical to the water surface when the hull is at rest and extend to a lower keel; said center hull also having vertical surface portions facing the reverse deadrise surface portions of said outer hulls; and having a vent duct deadrise surface structure between the center hull and side hull forming a flat deadrise surface portion extending from said center hull vertical surface portions and intersecting with the reverse deadrise surface portion of an adjacent outer hull on each side of center hull, whereby said center hull vertical surface portions, side hull reverse deadrise surfaces and vent duct deadrise surface portions define a vent duct on each side of the center hull; and said center hull having at least two transverse steps that extend from the center hull across the vent duct deadrise surface portions on either side of the center hull, to end at the inner surfaces of the side hull; wherein said outer hulls include lower edges extending to a greater depth below the waterline than said vertical surface portions of the center hull. 2. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein the pair of outer side hulls each comprises a plurality of air entry points, disposed to intersect with respective step cavities defined along the center hull. 3. The watercraft of claim 2, wherein the air entry points comprise cut outs. 4. The watercraft of claim 2, wherein the air entry points comprise partial step cutouts that pierce said side hulls. 5. The watercraft of claim 2, wherein said air entry points comprise three per each side hull. 6. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein the vent duct is configured to allow formation of a water plug that prevents ventilation of the vent duct. 7. The watercraft of claim 6, wherein the vent duct is configured to cause pressurization at the fore of the water plug. 8. The watercraft of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of step cavities disposed along a running bottom of the center hull, wherein each step cavity is configured to receive air ventilated from the vent ducts so that certain portions of the vent duct remain dry, and said step cavity being configured to direct the air away from the water plug and through the running bottom. 9. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein the center hull and side hulls include aft transom portions. 10. The watercraft of claim 9, further comprising an engine coupled to the transom portions. 11. The watercraft of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of running strakes disposed on a bow of the center hull and running therefrom to a predetermined point amidship. 12. A watercraft comprising a center hull and a pair of side hulls respectively located on opposite sides of the center hull and including outer surfaces forming portions of the outer sides of the watercraft, said center hull having a v-form including varying deadrise from the bow to at least a predetermined point forward of the stern, and said side hulls each having inner surface portions facing the center hull having greater reverse deadrise than the deadrise of the opposing surface of the center hull; said center hull also having vertical surface portions facing the reverse deadrise surface portions of said outer hulls; said center hull including a deadrise surface portion on each of its sides extending from said vertical surface portions and intersecting with the reverse deadrise surface portion of its adjacent outer hull; and said center hull including a running bottom with a plurality of step cavities disposed therein, whereby said vertical surface portions, reverse deadrise surface portions and deadrise surface portions define a vent duct on each side of the center hull, each said vent duct including a plurality of air entry points configured to encourage intake of air flow that pressurizes the vent duct and that ventilates through the step cavities and onto the running bottom. 13. The watercraft of claim 12, wherein the air entry points comprise cut outs. 14. The watercraft of claim 12, where the air entry points comprise partial step cutouts that pierce said side hulls. 15. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein the pair of outer side hulls each comprises at least one air entry point disposed to intersect with a respective step cavity defined along the center hull. 16. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein the vent duct is configured to allow formation of a water plug that blocks air from flowing out of aft portions of the vent duct. 17. The watercraft of claim 16, wherein the vent duct is configured to cause pressurization forward of the water plug. 18. The watercraft of claim 1, further comprising at least one running strake disposed longitudinally from the bow of the center hull and running aft therefrom towards a transom. 19. The watercraft of claim 1, further comprising at least one running strake disposed longitudinally from the bow of the center hull and running aft therefrom towards a predetermined point forward of the transom. 20. A method of constructing a watercraft having a center hull and two outer hulls disposed about either side of the center hull to form respective vent ducts there between, the method comprising: integrating a plurality of parameters indicative of aspects related to the watercraft to allow formation of wetted areas at the vent ducts;forming the vent ducts to be in communication with a plurality of step cavities in order to cause the wetted areas to pressurize the vent ducts; andconfiguring certain portions of the vent ducts to remain dry by enabling ventilation of the vent ducts away from the wetted areas, through the plurality of step cavities and onto a running bottom of the center hull, wherein integrating a plurality of parameters comprises determining air and water intake parameters that influence operation of the vent ducts, and determining points within the vent ducts to form said wetted areas that block the air from flowing out of aft portions of the vent ducts. 21. A method of constructing a watercraft having a center hull and two outer hulls disposed about either side of the center hull to form respective vent ducts there between, the method comprising: integrating a plurality of parameters indicative of aspects related to the watercraft to allow formation of wetted areas at the vent ducts;forming the vent ducts to be in communication with a plurality of step cavities in order to cause the wetted areas to pressurize the vent ducts;configuring certain portions of the vent ducts to remain dry by enabling ventilation of the vent ducts away from the wetted areas, through the plurality of step cavities and onto a running bottom of the center hull;enabling the wetted areas to form water plugs at aft portions of the vent ducts; andenabling peak pressure to be attained at aft-most and widest points on the watercraft. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the watercraft is configured to attain increased stability, responsive to enabling the peak pressure.