Patent ID: 7188580
Filing Date: 2007-03-13
Classification: B60V

Abstract:
1. A marine wing-in-ground effect vehicle capable of sustained high speed maneuverable operation in varying seas, said vehicle comprising: an aerodynamic lifting wing having fore and aft ends, port and starboard ends, and a longitudinal centerline extending medially in fore-and-aft direction of the wing, the wing further having a substantially flat underside; a fuselage formed in the wing and comprising a cockpit, the fuselage having a streamlined nose pod extending forward of the fore end of the wing; a longitudinal keel member formed under the wing for providing additional interior space and for increasing directional stability, the keel member extending substantially along the centerline; a propulsion unit installed in the keel member, the propulsion unit having air intakes positioned above the wing on each side of the centerline; air inlet scoops formed above the wing for ducting cooling air to the propulsion unit, the scoops provided on each side of the centerline; a vertical stabilizer airfoil mounted on top of the wing proximal the aft end of the wing, the stabilizer airfoil extending substantially along the centerline; an overturn prevention tail on the aft end of the wing, the tail extending aft of the propulsion unit and the vertical stabilizer airfoil; port and starboard surface foils pivotably mounted under the wing and extending longitudinally along the fore-and-aft direction of the wing, each surface foil mounted substantially at the respective one of the port and starboard ends, each surface foil tapering from a wider front end to a substantially narrow trailing end and comprising a hinge device proximal the front end for attaching the surface foil to the wing, each surface foil further having a V-shaped surface adapted for planing on water; and an actuator attached to each surface foil, wherein each actuator is adapted to selectively and independently pivot the respective surface foil between a deployed position and a retracted position.