Patent ID: 11046030

Abstract:
Marine vessels, including combatant (naval) vessels are produced inexpensively without requiring the use of as many skilled personnel as is conventional. The vessel produced has a high strength metal truss structure (both above and below the water line) capable of carrying major hull loads. A number of curved or doubly curved composite (e. g. GRP) panels produced by vacuum assisted resin transfer molding are fastened by bolts, marine adhesives, and/or rivets to the below water line portions of the truss structure where necessary to handle slamming loads and to reduce water resistance and wake. Substantially flat composite pultruded panels are fastened to the truss structure both above the water line, and below the water line where the resistance to slamming loads and reduction of water resistance and wake are not critical. Necessary equipment is installed within the open truss volume before the above-water-line panels are fully installed.