Mechanism for transferring total weight of outboard engine from boat and ship

A mechanism for transferring total weight of outboard engine from a boat to be loaded onto water surface comprises mainly of two parts, first part is to be fixed to the boat and second part to be fixed to an engine where the second part connected to the first part through a connecting component controllable in such a manner that the second part can either move freely vertically or fixed tightly relative to the first part while the first part is stationary to the boat. There is ski structure at the lower end of second part to help carrying weight of the engine and to pass the load onto the water surface while the boat is moving at high speed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to mechanism for transferring the weight of an outboard engine from a boat yet the engine still functions to push the boat forward. This helps that any boat or ship which uses this mechanism needs not carry load of the engine whose weight is mostly the heaviest component of a boat. This is a revolution of using an engine to drive a boat or ship forward. Thus, boat can move efficiently and fuel utilization can be minimized.

Especially, when this mechanism is installed in a ‘Smart Flying Boat’ of Mongkol Jesadanont et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,892,665), it would help reducing the size of the flaps mounted to the boat and allow flying of the boat above water surface more rapidly and efficiently.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A mechanism is invented for transferring weight of an outboard engine from a boat or a ship to be loaded onto water surface through a ski structure while the boat is moving very fast or flying above water surface and while the engine still pushes the boat forward. Boat needs not carry the entire weight of the engine since all the engine weight is transferred to water through the ski structure. The mechanism comprises mainly of two parts, first part is to be fixed to the boat and second part to be fixed to an engine where the second part connected to the first part by a connecting component controllable in such a manner that the second part can either move freely vertically or fixed tightly relative to first part and while first part is stationary to the boat. There is ski structure at the lower end of second part to help carrying weight of engine and to pass the load onto the water surface when moving at high speed where propelling means locates underneath the ski structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

This invented mechanism for transferring entire weight of an engine from a boat or ship is to be used only with engine of outboard type.

All types of engine, either outboard engine or inboard engine currently used must be first modified before assembling to this mechanism invented.

There are three kinds of engine to be modified:

In principle, this is a type of engine of high speed (but not higher than 5,500 round per minute, rpm) yet not efficient enough to allow flying of a boat above the water surface since the propeller of this type of engine drive directly in the water. Thus, acceleration of speed above 5,500 rpm, propeller rotates freely in the water with not enough driving force to push the boat forward. The propeller itself even acts against moving of the boat forward.

Theoretically, smart flying boat of U.S. Pat. No. 6,892,665 can make a greater speed in flying above water surface than to use this type of engine.

Thus, for efficiency, engine type of water jet engine is needed which is an inboard engine used in jet ski boat. This type of engine is with very high speed (5,500-12,000 rpm) which is the best to be used to allow flying of boat above water surface.

2. Water Jet Engine which is an inboard engine installed inside a conventional jet ski boat. This type of engine has to be modified as follows:

FIG. 3shows a jet ski boat using water jet engine30to drive the boat forward where the engine rotates propeller31inside tube32. When propeller31rotates at very high speed (5,500-12,000 rpm.), water is drawn into tube32through inlet33and jetted out of nozzle34at very high speed powerfully to move the boat forward with a speed much greater than when an engine of high speed like that of 1 is used.

The inboard water jet engine30as inFIG. 3is modified to outboard jet engine35as inFIG. 4where engine transmits power through gear units36and37to rotate propeller31and where the length of stem38is extended to a length equals to that of stem22plus element23as inFIG. 2.

When in use, tube32and nozzle34must be under water.

3. Inboard Engine40which is normally installed inside a boat as inFIG. 5.

Inboard engine40is modified to become an outboard engine42as shown inFIG. 6. where its power is transmitted through gear units36and37to rotate propeller39and the length of stem38is extended in similar manner as in 2.

The difference between engine42and engine25and35is that engines25and35use gasoline thus is of high and very high speed; however, they are of low power and lighter weight what available is not greater than 300 horsepower(hp) and not greater than 300 kilogram. These two types of engine are for vessels of smaller size with lighter load yet with high or very high speed, i.e. over 50 knots or 90 km/hr. At this high velocity, flaps installed to a boat would help lifting a boat of lighter weight, perhaps, not greater than one ton to fly above the water surface more easily.

Engine42which is modified from inboard engine40, however, is of diesel type with low speed. Its speed is normally not greater than 3,500 rpm but of greater power, for instance, 5,000 hp with weight of approximately 5000 kilograms or 5 tons. This type of engine is good for vessels of big or very big size with very heavy load. Its speed is quite slow i.e. not greater than 35 knots or 65 km/hr. For this type of vessel, there is no need to install flap as no matter how high the speed is, the vessel can not be lifted above the water surface. Yet, using the presently invented mechanism would help that boat would bear less weight of engine than it really needs to do. Thus, any types of vessel, either the one can fly or can not fly above the water surface if with enough speed to have ski move along the waterline, can use this mechanism to transfer the load of its engine onto the water surface through a ski structure.

The modified engines according to 1-3, when being installed to the presently invented mechanism it has to be in the type of outboard engine such that it can be moved vertically upward and downward during operation.

Steps of assembling are as follows:

Mechanism52of the present invention as shown inFIG. 7comprises of 2 main parts as follows:

1. Part I: to be mounted to rear part of a boat. This part is stationary and composed of 2 rectangular metal tubes54preferably stainless steel, 2 steel plates108, a thick steel plate60, a thick steel plate62, first hydraulic element92and second hydraulic110. The weight of part I all is carried by the boat at its stem through steel plates108.

2. Part II: for mounting of engine thereto. This part can move vertically upward and downward relative to part I and is composed of two rectangular steel shafts56and all the other components fixed to the two steel shafts. Total weight of this part II will be carried by the boat if there is hydraulic fluid and pressure in hydraulic element92. On the other hand, if there is no hydraulic fluid or pressure in hydraulic element92, the boat will not carry the weight of part II. In other word, the boat carries part II through hydraulic element92only when there is hydraulic fluid and pressure in the hydraulic element.

As shown inFIG. 7, the present invention—mechanism52comprises two rectangular metal tubes54having in each metal tube a rectangular shaft56where shaft56can move up and down vertically in metal tube54. The upper portion of the two rectangular shafts56connected to each other with steel plate58.

The upper part of modified engine is mounted to this steel plate58.

Thick steel plate60connects the upper part of the two rectangular metal tube54, while thick steel plate62connects their lower ends.

The lower ends of the two shafts56are connected through steel rod64whose two ends66extended sidewise of shaft56pass through cavities70of thick steel plates68to allow free rotation of steel plates68about ends66.

Ski80made of light durable material is mounted to the lower ends of steel plates68.

Switch82is mounted to front curving end of ski80.

Switch84is mounted to rear straight end of ski80.

Switch85is mounted to lowest point under boat hull at its rear end.

Switches82,84and85function when they are immersed under the water to turn on light bulbs121,122and123, respectively, on the control panel120as shown inFIG. 8to light up. When these switches are lifted above water surface, These light bulbs turn off.

Rings86are fixed at posterior ends both sides of ski80.

Rings88are fixed at outer lower ends of both rectangular shafts56just above steel plates68.

Hydraulic element92locates between steel plates60and62by being hung from mid point of plate60through hook94.

Hook96at the end of stem98of hydraulic element92holds steel rod64at its midpoint where stem98passes through cavity63of steel plate62.

Ski80is pushed or pulled to turn to a desired angle by hydraulics102connecting between rings86located sidewise at the posterior of the ski and rings88at rectangular steel shafts56just above steel plate68.

Steel plates104are mounted upright at the rear end of boat50on each side.

Steel rod106connects two steel plates108.

Each steel plate108is mounted to rectangular metal tube54on each side and can turn pivotally around rod106which has its ends pass through cavities107of steel plates104.

Hydraulic element110connects to the deck at position112where ring116at the end of its stem114mounted to cavity61of steel plate60.

When the boat driver presses a switch to pump hydraulic fluid into the hydraulic. This causes varying of the length of stem114which is under control of hydraulic element110to extend to a particular length as desired.

This hydraulic element92is key element in the present invention. It functions to transfer total weight of engine from boat. When there is fluid in hydraulic element92, there will be pressure within hydraulic cylinder which causes the hydraulic element to connect part II tightly to part I. In this situation, boat carries total weight of engine and mechanism52through stem98where hook96of part I holds weight of part II and engine and where steel plates108is the part that carries mechanism52and total weight of engine. Thus, the boat carries total weight of the engine. That is, part II is connected to part I at the point hook96holds rod64when there is fluid and pressure in hydraulic element92where moving of part II vertically relative to part I can be readily controlled to fix tightly at any level as desired. Once there is no fluid in hydraulic92, part II is then disconnected from part I.

That is, if there is no fluid and pressure in the hydraulic element92, stem98and hook96can not hold part II of mechanism52to part I. The two rectangular steel shafts56thus slide vertically and freely up and down inside the rectangular metal tubes54. In this situation, the total weight of engine together with part II of mechanism52is not held by the boat. While ski80is moving fast on water surface, the engine load is on the ski and water surface takes all the load of engine weight on the ski having propelling means locates underneath the ski. This is just like a man is skiing on water surface as inFIG. 9where all his weight is carried by ski and transferred to water surface. Propelling means may be of any types of propulsion mechanisms such as propeller, water jet propulsion or any means having appropriate driving force.

Therefore, when there is hydraulic fluid in hydraulic element92, part I and part II are connected to each other through hook96of part I to the midpoint of rod64of part II. When there is no fluid, they are disconnected from each other.

Mechanism52is thus composed of two main components. The first part or part I is installed stationary and tightly to the rear of the boat. The second part or part II is connected to the first part through a connecting component in the manner that second part can either be held tightly to first part or second part moves vertically and freely relative to first part. This is achieved by having a connecting component, preferably, a hydraulic element, whose function can be controlled instantaneously. While there is hydraulic fluid and pressure in hydraulic cylinder, second part is held tightly and stationary to first part. But when fluid is exhausted from the hydraulic cylinder, there is then no force thus allowing second part to move freely up and down vertically relative to first part. In such latter situation, rectangular steel shafts of second part move freely up and down inside rectangular metal tubes of first part. The total weight of engine is then loaded onto the ski structure of second part with its propelling means locates underneath the ski, and while boat is moving fast engine weight is thus loaded to water surface that boat needs not carry the engine weight any further. Engine still continuously pushes the boat forward.

If engine25,35or42is installed to steel plate58, while boat is not moving, let hydraulic element92lift engine to a level that lower side of ski80touches water surface. Hydraulic element102moves ski that switch84just slightly immerses under water surface.

Light bulb122at control panel120as inFIG. 8thus lights up. Switch82is still above water surface but switch85immerses under water surface to cause only light bulb123lights up.

In this situation, propeller unit24, tube32and propeller39which are underneath ski80, also slightly immerse under water surface.

If, as inFIG. 10, the engine mounted to steel plate58is engine42which is of diesel type with lower revolution is installed to boat50with no anterior or posterior flaps on the boat. Since engine42is of slower type, thus it can not make to a speed high enough to lift the whole boat up above water surface even though flaps either front and back are installed.

While accelerating the speed of engine42, hydraulic element102is simultaneously controlled that ski80gradually lifts its front up. This hydraulic element102helps adjusting the angle ski80makes relative to waterline. Adjusting of angle of ski is possible at all time during movement of boat at considerably high speed to have best uplift of ski by water underneath. At this velocity, a switch is pressed to allow flow of all the hydraulic fluid out from hydraulic92to be kept in hydraulic fluid tank.

At this point, pressure inside hydraulic92equals zero, i.e. hydraulic element92is powerless and can not carry the weight of engine loaded on the ski any longer. Yet ski80is still moving with good speed on water surface at all time with supporting from water underneath ski. Part II is free from part I and thus total engine weight is transferred from being carried by boat to be loaded onto ski and thus is carried by water underneath. Boat is then moving forward with no load of engine to carry, yet the engine42which is mounted to steel58is capable of pushing the boat to move forward horizontally at all time.

According toFIGS. 11-13, to use this mechanism invented described above in constructing a smart flying outboard boat, to allow flying of boat better and in shorter time and to reduce dimension of flaps to be installed, engine used should be engine25or35which are of faster type to be installed on to steel plate58in addition to installing flaps170and flaps172at the anterior and posterior, respectively, on both sides of the boat. These flaps can be controlled to pivotally move by hydraulic system through pressing a control knob at the control panel.

When boat is moving forward at high speed, it is lifted up further or lowered down slightly due to aerodynamic effect of wind against its front. All the flaps can be controlled to move to a desirable angle together with speed of the boat to have the boat move smoothly at an appropriate level above the water surface.

Since no need any further for boat to carry weight of the engine, if a water jet engine is modified to an outboard engine type, while boat is flying above water surface, the speed might be too high to cause turning of the boat upside down and causes accident. In such situation, flaps170must be turned pivotally up to have the wind presses the anterior of boat slightly down to prevent turning of the boat upside down.

If flaps172is moved pivotally up, the wind will press the rear end of boat down thus lifting up the front of the boat. This will help lifting up the boat to get above water surface more easily.

Hydraulic element110is the part to adjust angle of rectangular metal tubes54and thus engine is also tilted. An experienced driver would adjust the engine to an appropriate angle at a different speed or different level above the water surface to get the best power of the propeller in each situation of driving.

Hydraulic element110itself, if stem114is extended, mechanism52will be pressed tighter to the stern of boat50. If stem114is shortened, mechanism52is moved to lie down onto the deck as inFIG. 14which is a step to keep the engine onto the boat deck while the boat is anchored.

How high is bottom of the boat above water surface is known if switches are installed at different levels along a vertical rod149which is mounted to underneath of the boat as shown inFIG. 11. Switches activate the light bulbs at the control panel120to light up in a following manner:

Any electronics or any systems such as sonar system capable of indicating the level of the bottom of boat above water level can also be used.

This mechanism invented in the present invention is a mechanism to transfer the total weight of the engine from the boat to be carried by the ski which was loaded to the stream of water moving underneath the ski. The boat needs not carry to move the engine forward. On the contrary, total weight of engine is transferred to the ski and loaded onto the water. The engine whose propeller rotates under the ski structure and under the water surface would drive the boat forward at all time. The engine can be mounted to any other appropriate position that makes it function efficiently. In each boat, this mechanism can be used as many units as desired. As a matter of fact, it is possible using this mechanism invented with any kind of vehicle either with or without flaps for water transportation which has engine with power high enough to move the vehicle at high speed enough such that aerodynamically the force wind acts upon the front part of boat would cause uplift of the boat hull and thus the whole boat up above water surface. This mechanism helps relief the very heavy weight of the engine from the boat.

In addition, there is yet another advantage of using as outboard engine, i.e. a boat using inboard engine installed the engine in the boat and not at its stern as when the outboard engine is used. Upon outburst of a fire, mostly occur in an engine room which is very difficult to put out and if there is explosion, then the damage would be greater than when an outboard engine is used. The chance that an outboard engine catches fire is scarce and if a fire occurs then it is much easier to put out as the engine is installed outside the boat hull.

It will be understood that modifications can be made in the above description without departing from the scope of this invention by one of ordinary skill in the art. It is accordingly intended that all matter contained in the above description be interpreted as descriptive and illustrative rather than in a limiting sense. It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention as described herein, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.