Patent ID: 6938569
Filing Date: 2005-09-06
Classification: B60V,B63B,Y02T

Abstract:
1. In an advanced surface effect ship wherein said advanced surface effect ship includes port and starboard sidehulls that include bow members and is supported upon a water surface in part by an artificially pressurized gas cushion and wherein said gas cushion is restrained by the port and starboard sidehulls, a gas cushion forward moveable, in relation to a hull of the advanced surface effect ship, seal member disposed, at least in its majority, between portions of the port and starboard bow members, a gas cushion aft seal member, and the hull of the advanced surface effect ship, the improvement comprising: said gas cushion forward moveable seal member having water contacting portions that extend over at least a portion of a width of the advanced surface effect ship when said advanced surface effect ship is moving forward at high speed in a calm sea with its air cushion pressurized and wherein said port and starboard sidehulls include artificially pressurized gas cushion portions disposed in their undersides that extend forward of an average longitudinal position of water contacting portions of said gas cushion forward moveable seal member.