Hydrofoil arrangement, boat and method for a hydrofoil arrangement

Abstract

According to a first aspect, the embodiment herein shows is a hydrofoil device for a boat. The hydrofoil includes a hydrofoil comprising a wing section and a hydrofoil support, a guide rail and a fastener, where the fastener connects the hydrofoil to the guide rail. In a first operating position, the hydrofoil is positioned in a first position at the guide rail where the hydrofoil is at a working angle supporting the boat, and in a second operating position, the hydrofoil is arranged in a second position at the guide rail where the hydrofoil is positioned along a hull of the boat. The guide rail (30) is arranged so that the hydrofoil (20) moves from the first position to the second position in a lifting and turning or rotating motion positioning the wing part of the hydrofoil (201) on the hull (200) of the boat (2), the fastening arrangement comprising a carriage unit, said carriage unit comprising a hydrofoil section (410) and one or more gripping elements (421,422,423) arranged to slide along the guide rail (30) between the two positions. According to a second aspect, the embodiments herein show a boat comprising one or more hydrofoil arrangements according to the embodiments herein. According to a further aspect, the embodiments herein refer to a method for the operation of one or more hydrofoil arrangements.

Description

[0001] HYDROFOIL ARRANGEMENT, BOAT AND METHOD FOR A HYDROFOIL ARRANGEMENT

[0002] TECHNICAL AREA

[0003] Embodiments herein refer to a hydrofoil arrangement, a boat and a method for hydrofoil arrangement for a control of the boat. Furthermore, a computer software product and a computer- readable storage medium are herein provided. In particular, embodiments herein relate to the handling of hydrofoil arrangements on a marine boat under different operating modes.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] A hydrofoil boat is a boat equipped with one or more lifting surfaces, i.e., hydrofoils or so- called foils, that work in water. Hydrofoils are similar in appearance and purpose to wing profiles used by aircraft. Boats that use hydrofoil technology are also simply called hydrofoil boats. When a hydrofoil boat picks up speed, the hydrofoils lift the boat's hull out of the water, reducing drag and allowing for higher speeds and / or a more energy-efficient way of transport.

[0006] As part of the development of these boats, one or more problems have been identified. One of the biggest challenges of using hydrofoils in marine applications is the problem of storing hydrofoils in different operating modes. Above all, it is difficult to easily stow away the hydrofoils when they are not in use. If the hydrofoil is allowed to remain in the water when the boat is stationary, the growth of various organisms increases and, also, does the resistance through the water during operation, which increases energy consumption. Furthermore, the relatively large depth of the hydrofoils at operation mode constitutes a limitation in where it is possible to manoeuvre the boat if the hydrofoil is not folded up. There is thus a need for storage of one or more hydrofoils when the boat is to dock in a port or in similar situations. The solutions for this that exist today are often bulky, or not space efficient, also in the recessed position, and sometimes require a lot of space during the actual procedure for folding.

[0007] SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS

[0008] An object of embodiments herein is to provide a hydrofoil arrangement that stores the hydrofoil(s) efficiently when not in operation.

[0009] The embodiments herein provide an arrangement that enables a lifting, rotating and / or twisting movement of a position of the hydrofoil. In the first position, also called the downward position or down folded position, the lifting wing section of the hydrofoil is mainly across, perpendicular, or similar, the fore and aft line of the boat. In the second position, also called the raised or upper position, the lifting wing section of the hydrofoil is mainly along or parallel the fore and aft line of the boat or along or against the boat's freeboard.

[0010] According to a first aspect, embodiments herein show a hydrofoil arrangement for a boat. The hydrofoil arrangement comprises a hydrofoil comprising a wing section and a hydrofoil support, a guide rail and a fastening arrangement. The fastening arrangement connects the hydrofoil to the guide rail. In a first operating position, the hydrofoil is positioned in a first position at the guide rail where the hydrofoil is at a working angle lifting the boat, and in a second operating position, wherein the hydrofoil is arranged in a second position at the guide rail where the hydrofoil, or the wing section of the hydrofoil, is positioned along a hull of the boat. The guide rail is arranged so that the hydrofoil moves from the first position to the second position in a lifting and twisting and / or rotating motion, placing the wing section of the hydrofoil at, or recessed in, the hull of the boat. The fastening arrangement comprises a trolley arrangement or carriage unit, said trolley arrangement comprising a hydrofoil section and one or more gripping elements arranged to slide along the guide rail between the two positions. The guide rail may comprise one or more tubes or other rail-like profiles that create a track or rails that guide the hydrofoil between the two positions so that the hydrofoil position is as favorable as possible during the movement or motion.

[0011] The hydrofoil may be equipped with a locking device that locks the hydrofoil in the first position and / or in the second position on the guide rail.

[0012] The guide rail may, according to embodiments herein, comprise two guiding lines or rails, where a first guide line is arranged to perform the twisting or rotating movement between the first position to the second position. The first guide line can be curved in such a way that the hydrofoil is rotated by following the curved first guide line during the movement between the two positions. The hydrofoil arrangement may be equipped with a gripping element, of the fastening arrangement for the first guide line in accordance with embodiments herein, flexibly arranged at the hydrofoil part to allow movement between the fastening arrangement and the first guide line.

[0013] According to embodiments herein, the wing section of the hydrofoil may, in the first operating position, extend mainly perpendicular to the fore and aft line or the longitudinal line of the boat, and in the second operating position extend along mainly in line with the fore and aft line or longitudinal line of the boat. In the first operating mode, the hydrofoil support can extend mainly vertically out from the hull of the boat, and in the second operating mode mainly extend horizontally within.

[0014] According to a second aspect, the embodiments herein show a boat comprising one or more hydrofoils according to the embodiments herein.

[0015] According to a further aspect, the embodiments herein refer to methods of manoeuvring one or more hydrofoil arrangements which include a hydrofoil arrangement including a wing section and a hydrofoil, a guide rail and a fastening arrangement, where the fastening arrangement connects the hydrofoil to the guide rail. The method involves moving the hydrofoil between a first operating position and a second operating position, or vice versa, whereby in the first operating position the hydrofoil is placed in a first position at the guide rail where the hydrofoil is at a working angle lifting the boat, and in the second operating position the hydrofoil is positioned in a second position at the guide rail where the wing section of the hydrofoil is positioned along or against a hull of the boat. When moving the hydrofoil, the hydrofoil is arranged to slide along the guide rail during an uplifting and rotating motion. According to other embodiments herein, the uplift and rotation motion can be performed in one continuous motion. According to other methods used herein, the hydrofoil support in the first operating mode may extend mainly vertically from the hull of the boat, and the hydrofoil in the second operating position may extend mainly horizontally inwards.

[0016] BRIEF FIGURE DESCRIPTION

[0017] Fig. 1 shows a boat equipped with a hydrofoil arrangement according to embodiments herein. The hydrofoil arrangement is shown with the hydrofoil in a first operating position.

[0018] Fig. 2 shows a boat where the hydrofoil is shown in a second operating position.

[0019] Fig. 3 shows a boat from the front with the hydrofoil shown in the first operating position.

[0020] Fig. 4 shows a boat from the front with the hydrofoil shown in the second operating position. Figs. 5a and 5b show a hydrofoil arrangement according to the embodiments herein.

[0021] Fig. 6 shows embodiments of two hydrofoils in two operating modes.

[0022] Figs. 7a, 7b and 7c show detailed views of examples of guide rails including rail-like profiles and carriages / trollies in a hydrofoil arrangement according to embodiments herein.

[0023] Figs. 8a and 8b show a detailed view of the fastening arrangement and also the guide rail.

[0024] Fig. 9 shows a boat equipped with a hydrofoil arrangement in perspective.

[0025] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Fig. 1 shows a boat 2 including a hull 200. Furthermore, an example of a design form of a hydrofoil arrangement 1 according to embodiments herein. Hydrofoil Arrangement 1 includes a hydrofoil 20 comprising a wing section 201 and a hydrofoil support 202. In addition, hydrofoil arrangement 1 comprises a guide rail or guide 30 and a fastening arrangement or unit 40. The fastening arrangement 40 connects the hydrofoil 20 with the guide rail 30. Fig. 1 shows the hydrofoil 20 in a first operating position L1 where it is located in a first position at the guide rail 30 where the hydrofoil 20 is at a working angle carrying or lifting the boat 2.

[0027] Fig. 2 shows the same boat 2 and hydrofoil arrangement 1 as in Fig. 1 , but where hydrofoil 20 is shown in a second operating position L2. In the second operating position L2, the hydrofoil 20 is arranged in a second position at the guide rail 30 where the hydrofoil wing section 201 is located along the hull 200 of the boat 2. Furthermore, a recess, countersinking, dent, depression or cavity 200' is shown in the hull and in the second position when the wing part is arranged in the hull, the wing section 201 is taken and thus arranged recessed along or sunk into the hull 200, i.e. in the second position the wing section may be lowered or recessed into the hull. Fig. 3 shows a boat from the front with hydrofoil arrangement 1 . Hydrofoil 20 shown is in the first operating mode L1. It should be noted that hydrofoil arrangement 1 can be used with any type of boat suitable for hydrofoil. The boat can therefore still have one or more hulls. Furthermore, the boat may be equipped with two hydrofoil arrangements 1 , but for the sake of simplicity only one is shown in Figure 3. The hydrofoil arrangement 1 shown in the figure has a guide rail 30 comprising one or more pipes (e.g. 2 pipes), pipe rails or other rail-like profiles 301, 302 that create a track or rails that guide the hydrofoil between the two positions so that the position of the hydrofoil is as favourable as possible during the movement. The fastening arrangement 40 connects the hydrofoil 20 with the two rail-like profiles 301 ,302. The fastening arrangement 40 will be described in more detail later. The fastening arrangement 40 may be locked with a locking device (not shown) in the first operating position L1 where the fastening arrangement is in the first, lower position on the respective rail-like profile 301 , 302 which is mainly used when the boat is driven through the water.

[0028] Fig. 4 shows a boat from the front with the hydrofoil shown in the second operating position L2 located along the hull 200 of the boat 2. Furthermore, the boat is equipped with two hydrofoils 1 as shown in Fig. 4. The rail-like profiles 301 , 302 are arranged so that the wing section of the hydrofoil 201 and the hydrofoil support 202 move from the first position L1 to the second position L2 in a lifting and turning, or rotating, motion positioning the wing section of the hydrofoil 201 towards / against the hull 200 of the boat 2. The rail-like profiles 301 , 302 can be arranged to, from the first position L1 to the second position L2, initially lift the hydrofoil vertically and then move the hydrofoil towards the boat's centerline in a twisting motion. The wing section 201 of the hydrofoil 20 can be rotated 80-100 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise. In this way, the hydrofoil moves in a lifting and turning, or rotating, motion placing the wing part of the hydrofoil 201 towards or tight against the hull 200 of the boat 2. The fastening arrangement 40 can be locked with a locking device (not shown) in the second operating position L2 where the fastening arrangement is in the second, upper position of the respective rail-like profile 301 , 302 which is mainly used when the boat is not driven through the water, but is stationary.

[0029] Figs. 5a and 5b show the hydrofoil arrangement 1 according to one or more embodiments herein. The fastening arrangement 40 running along the respective rail-like profile 301 ,302, or guides or guide lines, may comprise plain bearing or ball-bearing fittings that may be shaped like a claw being a gripping element. Such a claw can enclose the guide rail in whole or in part, as shown in the figure. Alternatively, it can run inside a track in the respective rail-like profile 30, 301 , 302, whose function is also a guide. Figure 5a shows one hydrofoil arrangement and Fig. 5b shows two hydrofoil arrangements with a respective hydrofoil 20 that includes a respective wing section 201 and a respective hydrofoil support 202. The fastening arrangement 40 may be equipped with three claws 421 , 422, 423 in the design shown, which partially enclose the guide rails 301 and 302 respectively. The hydrofoil 20 can be connected to the claws 421 , 422, 423 via a foil carriage that can be a trolley device. The hydrofoil 20 can also be connected to the 421 , 422, 423 claws directly without a trolley or other foil carriage. Two claws can be arranged to slide along the guide rail 302 and one claw can be arranged to slide along the guide rail 301 . See also Figs. 7a-7c.

[0030] Figure 5a shows the hydrofoil in L1 operating position and in Fig. 5b, the respective hydrofoils 20 have been moved to their second position L2 by causing the claws of each fastening arrangement 40 to slide along guide rails 301 , 302 from the first position L1 to the second position L2. The fastening arrangement 40 can be locked with a locking device (not shown in figure) at the respective guide rails 301 , 302 in both position L1 and position L2.

[0031] Fig. 6 shows two hydrofoils in the two operating modes L1 and L2. The guide rail 30 is arranged so that the hydrofoil 20 moves from the first position to the second position in a lifting and turning or rotating motion positioning the wing section of the hydrofoil 201 against / to the hull 200 of the boat 2. The wing section 201 of the hydrofoil 20 can be rotated 80-100 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise.

[0032] Figs. 7a and 7b show examples of guide rails 30 for two hydrofoil arrangements 1 and fastening arrangement 40 in different positions along each guide rail 30. The fastening arrangement 40 may include, in the embodiments herein, a carriage unit, said carriage unit comprising a hydrofoil section 410 and one or more gripping elements 421,422,423 which are arranged to slide along the guide rail 30 between the two positions. Thus, a carriage device comprising the hydrofoil section 410 and one or more gripping elements is shown, shown in the figure as three claws 421 , 422, 423 which enclose the respective rail-like profiles 301 , 302. The claws 421 , 422, 423 are arranged to slide along the rail-like profiles 301 , 302 between the two operating modes L1 and L2. The embodiment of the hydrofoil arrangement 1 shown in the figure is equipped with a gripping element 421 for the fastening arrangement 40 of the first guide line 301 which is flexibly arranged to the hydrofoil section 410 to allow movement between the fastening arrangement and the first guide line. This facilitates the smooth movement of the trolley between the two operating modes L1 and L2 and minimises the risk of the trolley being jammed on the rail. The guide rails 301 , 302 are curved in relation to each other in such a way that a twisting movement of the wagon device, and thus the hydrofoil 20, is obtained during the movement, see in particular Fig. 7b where the wagon device or carriage unit is shown in several positions on its way between the two operating modes L1 and L2. Fig. 7c shows the fastening arrangement 40 arranged on the guide rail 30 in two different positions.

[0033] The movement of the hydrofoil along the rail-like profiles 301 , 302, or the guides, can be affected by mechanical force as well as human hand, directly, via rope or other suitable device. It is possible, for example, to winch up the hydrofoil with the help of a manual or electric winch, or to affect the movement with the help of other mechanical systems.

[0034] The guide rail 30 can include two rail-like profiles 301 , 302 also called rail profiles, guide lines, guide tubes or guides, and can run in a path that is adapted to the boat's geometry.

[0035] If the arrangement is made with two rail-like profiles 301 , 302, one rail-like profile can guide in an approximate two-dimensional plane or other suitable path (inner guide) 302. Then the other rail-like profile (the outer guide) can run along an imaginary surface that is described as a pipe whose center is identical to the center of the inner guide. This geometry makes it favorable to create the mutual positions and technical design of the claws. You can also deviate from the proposal above if the claws are made with the ability to handle different distances from each other.

[0036] To make this possible, the two rail-like profiles 301 , 302 can wind inwards the boat at a distance from each other so that the distance of the claws from each other is kept constant or sufficiently constant so that the mechanical device runs freely without being wedged.

[0037] Figs. 8a and 8b show more detailed views of a trolley device. The guide rail 30 in the figure includes the two rail-like profiles 301 , 302, where a first rail-like profile 301 is arranged to perform the twisting or rotating movement between the first position to the second position. The first rail-like profile 301 is curved in such a way that the hydrofoil is rotated by following the curved first guide line during the movement between the two positions.

[0038] Fig. 8b shows a carriage unit with a hydrofoil section 410 where the hydrofoil 20 (not shown in figure) can be attached. The carriage unit is equipped with three claws 421 , 422, 423 which are arranged to at least partially enclose the respective rail-like profiles 301 and 302.

[0039] The outer claw may need extra freedom of movement as the rail-like profile along which it runs, in certain positions, may run in an unfavourable direction or run with a changed distance from the inner guide.

[0040] One or more of the claws can be articulated to the hydrofoil section 410, which facilitates the sliding movement as described above. One way to make the device work, as shown in the figures, is to place two claws 422, 423 on one side of the hydrofoil and on the other side a claw 421 . The side with two claws, inner claws, will follow the inner guide 302 and the side with one claw, the outer claw, will follow the outer guide 301 . The inner claws can be mounted on a transverse rotatable shaft, or other joint, which gives the inner guide freedom of rotation and thus a smooth movement along the inner guide.

[0041] The outer claw 421 can be placed on a similar shaft or joint to give it freedom of rotation and a smooth movement along the outer guide. The outer claw will in most applications require an additional axial freedom of rotation. This axis is located across the other and can be performed in several different ways. The shaft of the outer claw can be allowed to run freely, or slightly limited by a spring or similar, in the direction of the shaft so that any distance changes between the guides do not adversely affect the movement.

[0042] Hydrofoil arrangement 1 may, according to embodiments herein, be equipped with a locking device that locks the hydrofoil in the first position and / or in the second position on the guide rail.

[0043] The wing section of the hydrofoil 201 may, according to the design forms herein, extend mainly perpendicular to the fore and aft line or longitudinal line of the boat, and the wing part of the hydrofoil in the second operating position extends mainly in line with the fore and aft line or longitudinal line of the boat.

[0044] The hydrofoil support 202 can extend vertically in the first operating mode L1 mainly vertically relative to the hull of the boat 200, and in the second operating mode L2 mainly extend horizontally and within. Thus, the hydrofoil support 202 may move between 60-100 degrees from the vertical axis to the horizontal axis between the first position and the second position. Furthermore, the hydrofoil support 202 may rotate mainly 90 degrees, 80-100 degrees, around its centerline. This means that the wing part moves between 60-100 degrees from the horizontal axis to the vertical axis, and mainly 90 degrees, 80-100 degrees, around its centerline between the two different positions. Furthermore, the wing section is lifted vertically and tightly against or towards the boat body or hull between the first and second positions. In this way, the hydrofoil support will be housed within the hull mainly lying down in the horizontal plane.

[0045] According to a second aspect, the embodiments herein show a boat comprising one or more hydrofoils according to the embodiments herein.

[0046] Fig. 9 shows a boat 2 according to a design herein. Boat 2 is shown with two hydrofoil arrangements 1 in the first operating position L1.

[0047] According to a further aspect, the embodiment herein refers to methods for manoeuvring one or more hydrofoils 1 which include a hydrofoil 20 including a wing section 201 and a hydrofoil support or truss 202. In addition, hydrofoil arrangement 1 copmrises a guide rail 30 and a fastening arrangement 40, where the fastening arrangement 40 connects the hydrofoil 20 with the guide rail 30. The method involves moving the hydrofoil between a first operating position and a second operating position, or vice versa, whereby at the first operating position, the hydrofoil 20 is positioned in a first position at the guide rail 30 where the hydrofoil 20 is at a working angle carrying / lifting the boat 2, and at the second operating position, the hydrofoil 20 is positioned in a second position at the guide rail 30 where the hydrofoil wing section 201 is positioned along or tight against a hull 200 of the boat 2. When moving the hydrofoil 20, the hydrofoil 20 is arranged to slide along the guide rail 30 during an uplifting and rotating / twisting motion. According to other embodiments of methods herein, the uplift and rotation motion can be performed in one continuous motion. According to other methods herein, the hydrofoil support 202 in the first operating mode can extend mainly vertically from the hull of the boat and the hydrofoil support 202 in the second operating mode can mainly extend horizontally.

[0048] It will be realized that the foregoing description and the attached drawings represent nonlimiting examples of the methods and apparatus taught herein. As such, the mechanism and techniques taught herein are not limited by the foregoing description and accompanying drawings. Instead, the embodiments herein are limited only by the following claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS1 . Hydrofoil arrangement (1 ) for a boat (2), comprising a hydrofoil (20) comprising a wing section (201) and a hydrofoil strut or support (202), a guide rail (30) and a fastening arrangement, wherein the fastening arrangement is arranged to connect the hydrofoil (20) to the guide rail (30), and wherein the hydrofoil (20) in a first operating position (L1 ) is located in a first position at the guide rail (30) where the hydrofoil (20) is at a working angle lifting the boat (2), and that the hydrofoil (20) in a second operating position (L2) is arranged in a second position at the steering rail where the hydrofoil wing section (201 ) is positioned along a hull (200) of the boat (2); whereby the guide rail (30) is arranged so that the hydrofoil (20) moves from the first position to the second position in a lifting and twisting, and / or rotating motion positioning the wing section (201 ) of the hydrofoil against the hull (200) of the boat (2), and wherein the fastening arrangement comprises a carriage unit, said carriage unit comprising a hydrofoil section (410) and one or more gripping elements (421 , 422, 423) which are arranged to slide along the guide rail (30) between the two positions.

2. Hydrofoil (1 ) according to claim 1 , including a locking device that locks the hydrofoil (20) in the first position (21 ) and / or the second position on the guide rail (30).

3. Hydrofoil (1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, whereby the guide rail (30) includes two guide lines (301 ,302), whereby at least one first guide line is arranged to perform the twisting or rotating motion between the first position to the second position.

4. Hydrofoil (1 ) according to claim 3, whereby a gripping element (421 ) of the fastening arrangement, for the first guide line is flexibly arranged to the hydrofoil section (410) to allow movement between the fastening arrangement and the first guide line.

5. Hydrofoil (1 ) according to any of the claims 3 or 4, whereby the first guide line is curved in such a way that the hydrofoil is rotated by following the curved first guide line during the movement between the two positions.

6. Hydrofoil (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, whereby the wing section of the hydrofoil (20) in the first operating position extends mainly perpendicular to a fore and aft line of the boat, and the wing section of the hydrofoil in the second operating position extends mainly in line with the fore and aft line of the boat.

7. Hydrofoil (1 ) according to any of the preceding claims, whereby the hydrofoil (20) in the first operating position extends mainly vertically from the hull of the boat, and the hydrofoil (20) in the second operating position extends mainly horizontally.

8. Boat (2) comprising one or more hydrofoil arrangements according to any of the claims 1-7.

9. A method of operation of one or more hydrofoil arrangements (1) comprising a hydrofoil (20) including a wing section (201 ) and a hydrofoil support (202), a guide rail (30), and a fastening arrangement, whereby the fastening arrangement connects the hydrofoil (20) to the guide rail (30), the method of which includes:- moving the hydrofoil between a first operating position (L1 ) and a second operating position, (or vice versa,) whereby in the first operating position (L1) the hydrofoil (20) is positioned in a first position at the guide rail (30) where the hydrofoil (20) is at a working angle lifting the boat (2), and in the second operating position (20) the hydrofoil (20) is positioned in a second position at the guide rail where a wing section (201 ) of the hydrofoil is positioned along a hull (200) of the boat (2), and in the case of the movement of the hydrofoil (20), the hydrofoil is arranged to slide along the guide rail (30) during an uplifting and rotating motion.

10. The method according to claim 9, whereby the uplifting and rotating movement is performed in one continuous motion.

11. The method according to one of the claims 9-10, whereby the hydrofoil (20) of the hydrofoil arrangement in the first operating position extends mainly vertically from the hull of the boat, and the hydrofoil (20) in the second operating position extends mainly horizontally.

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