Electrically adjustable side sponsons for a watercraft

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrically adjustable side sponson system (1) for installation on a watercraft hull (2). Said sponson system (1) comprises a sponson body (4), two guiding elements (5) equipped with teeth (6) for adjusting the position of the sponson relative to the watercraft hull (2), two electrically operated driving mechanisms (9) comprising a gear (7) engaging with said teeth (6), as well as four fixing guiding devices (8) for attaching the sponson to the watercraft hull (2).

Description

[0001] ELECTRICALLY ADJUSTABLE SIDE SPONSO S FORA WATERCRAFT DESCRIPTION

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003]

[0001] The invention relates to watercrafts, in particular, to lateral stabilizers for watercrafts, namely sponsons, the height of which is adjustable to affect the vehicle's handling characteristics in various operating conditions.

[0004] Background of the invention

[0005]

[0002] The hull of watercrafts is designed in such a way that it determines the vehicle's buoyancy, stability and maneuverability. In order to improve or adapt these properties to the user's needs, sponsons are often installed on the hull of the watercraft. These are hydrodynamic elements that change the nature of the water flow around the sides of the vehicle, thus affecting the handling of the watercraft, for example, during acceleration, turns or gliding mode.

[0006]

[0003] The prior art discloses sponson systems whose adjustment is carried out manually by changing the height of the sponsons from one fixed position to another. This adjustment usually takes place when the vehicle is out of the water or at a standstill. Thus, adjustment of such sponsons while driving is impossible. Furthermore, existing systems often lack the ability to dynamically adapt to changing driving conditions, such as the state of the water surface, driving speed, load or maneuvering mode.

[0007]

[0004] International patent application WO2023233294 Al describes a sponson system for a watercraft with adjustable sponson height relative to the vehicles hull. According to the disclosure, the movement trajectory of the sponson is determined by guiding elements provided for it. However, one of the disadvantages of the described system is a limited number of fixation positions within the guiding element, which is essentially limited to positions when the sponson is in the raised or lowered position.

[0008]

[0005] Therefore, the aim of the invention is to provide an improved sponson system for watercraft, which allows for adjusting its height, thus providing for effective, versatile and real-time adaptive improvement of handling characteristics, especially in dynamically changing driving conditions.

[0009] Brief description of drawings

[0006] The drawings generally illustrate, by way of example, but not limitation, an embodiment of the subject matter of the invention.

[0010]

[0007] Fig. 1 is a sponson system (1) in assembled state with a protective plate (3), mounted on the hull (2) of a watercraft.

[0011]

[0008] Fig. 2 is the sponson system (1) without the protective plate (3). Said sponson system (1) comprises a sponson body (4), two guiding elements (5), each equipped with teeth (6), for adjusting the position of the sponson relative to the watercraft hull (2), two electrically operated driving mechanisms with gears (7), as well as four fixation guides (8) for attaching the sponson to the watercraft hull (2).

[0012]

[0009] Fig. 3 is an electrically operated driving mechanism (9) of the sponson system (1).

[0013] Detailed description of the embodiments

[0014]

[0010] The terms “sponson” and “sponson system” are used as equivalent terms referring to the sponson as a whole, that is, a single element with all its components that is attached to the hull of a watercraft.

[0015]

[0011] As shown in Fig. 1, a watercraft, for example, a jet ski, comprises a hull (2) and sponson systems (1), which are movably attached to the hull (2) of the watercraft and are arranged on opposite sides of the hull (2) with respect to the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the vehicle. Each of the sponson systems (1) mounted on the hull (2) of the vehicle is movable with respect to the vertical axis of the vehicle. The essential structural elements of the sponson system (1) are covered by a protective plate (3). Said protective plate (3) ensures protection of the internal components of the sponson system (1) against mechanical damage. The following description of the invention discusses in detail such sponson system, taking into account that the sponson systems arranged on both sides of the watercraft are identical in terms of construction and operation.

[0016]

[0012] The sponson system (1) according to one embodiment of the invention (Fig. 2) comprises a sponson body (4) and two guiding elements (5) for adjusting the position of the sponson relative to the hull (2) of the watercraft. Each of said two guiding elements (5) is equipped with teeth (6) on one side thereof, parallel to the direction of movement of the sponson, which ensures precise and gradual vertical translational movement of the sponson along the guiding element (5), while at the same time allowing the sponson to be fixed in a plurality of predetermined positions during operation, i.e. adjusted relatively to the hull of the vehicle. In addition, the sponson system (1) comprises twoelectrically operated driving mechanisms (9) (Fig. 3) for moving the sponson between the fully raised and fully lowered positions. Each driving mechanism (9) comprises a gear (7) that engages with the teeth (6) of the respective guiding element (5). The sponson system (1) additionally comprises four fixation guides (8), each of which serves as a mechanical fastening element for fixing the sponson body (4) relative to the hull (2) of the watercraft. The sponson system (1) may be attached to the hull (2), for example, by means of bolts or other elements of similar purpose, while not limiting its vertical movement along the fixation guides (8).

[0017]

[0013] The fully raised and lowered position of the sponson (1) is determined by the vertical size of the sponson body (4), as well as the length of the respective guiding devices (5, 8), which limit the range of vertical movement and ensure the adjustment of the vehicle's handling. Depending on the user's wishes, it is possible to install sponsons on the vehicle on different height in relation to the water level or on different fixed positions depending on the desired handling of the watercraft. Usually, for more stable handling, sponsons are mounted in relation to the hull with a lower draught. In turn, to ensure that the watercraft has less contact with the surface of the water, the sponsons are raised and fixed in a higher position relative to the water level.

[0018]

[0014] To ensure the durability and reliability of the sponson system (1) under operating conditions, high-quality materials and components, such as brass, stainless steel, aluminum and various polymer materials, are used in its construction. The selection of such materials allows for effective reduction of the risk of corrosion and provides increased resistance to moisture, salt water and mechanical loads.

[0019]

[0015] The invention is defined by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A sponson system (1) for a watercraft comprises:- a sponson body (4),- two guiding elements (5) for adjusting the position of the sponson body (4) relative to the watercraft hull (2);- two electrically operated driving mechanisms (9);- four fixation guides (8) for fixing the sponson body (4) to the watercraft hull (2); wherein each of said two electrically operated driving mechanisms (9) comprises a gear (7), wherein each of said two guiding elements (5) on one side thereof, parallel to the direction of movement of the sponson, comprises teeth (6) for engagement with said gear (7),wherein each of the two electrically operated driving mechanisms (9) is connected to the steering mechanism of the watercraft.

2. The watercraft comprising the sponson system (1) according to claim 1.

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