Reconfigurable Boat Hull Running Surface for Wake Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current watersports boats lack the ability to fine-tune wake patterns to meet individual water sports performers' preferences, as they are often designed to operate well in only one or two operational modes, limiting adaptability for activities like skiing, wakeboarding, and wakesurfing.
Innovation Solution
A watersports boat hull design featuring a running surface with a V-shaped keel member and variable planing surfaces that allow for adjustable wake production, enabling larger wakes for wakeboarding and wakesurfing, and smaller wakes for waterskiing, through a combination of angled surfaces and a pivotable running surface extension member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the boat is designed with a fixed hull shape optimized for one operational mode, then the performance in that specific mode is improved, but the adaptability to different water sports activities deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the running surface reconfigurable through a movable extension member that can change position relative to the transom. This allows the hull's effective shape to dynamically adapt between different operational modes (displacement, semi-planing, planing) and wake preferences, resolving the contradiction between optimized single-mode performance and multi-activity adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the running surface by allowing the extension member to move between retracted and extended positions. This parameter change (length and position of the running surface) enables the same hull to produce different wake patterns and performance characteristics for different water sports activities
2Shape
If the running surface is extended aft beyond the transom, then larger wakes are produced for wakeboarding and wakesurfing, but the boat's ability to plane efficiently deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The extension member is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be extended when large wakes are needed (wakeboarding/wakesurfing) and retracted when planing efficiency is prioritized (waterskiing). This dynamic configuration resolves the contradiction between wake size and planing efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The running surface is segmented into the fixed portion and the movable extension member. This segmentation allows the extension member to be independently positioned to optimize for different conditions - extended for wake generation, retracted for efficient planing - without permanently compromising the other performance aspect
3Shape
If the keel member is positioned with an apex lower than the aft running surface section, then larger wakes are produced in pre-planing mode, but the boat's stability in planing mode deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The combination of the fixed keel member geometry and the movable extension member creates a dynamic system where the extension can be adjusted to compensate for the low apex keel position. When extended, it provides additional stability in planing mode while allowing the keel to generate large wakes in pre-planing mode
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The hull design allows for adaptable wake production, enhancing performance across different water sports by adjusting the wake size and shape based on operational mode, providing a more personalized experience for users.
Implementation Method 1
In semi-planing mode, the hull is traveling at sufficient speed to generate a moderate amount of hydrodynamic lift, but the primary force that supports the boat's weight is still buoyancy. In planing mode, the hull generates even more lift so that the primary forces supporting the boat's weight are hydrodynamic rather than buoyant.
Implementation Method 2
The shape of the keel member advantageously allows the boat to produce larger wakes in pre-planing mode than conventional watersports boats.
Data Source
AI summary
A watersports boat includes a hull having an underside extending from a forward bow to an aft transom along a longitudinal centerline. The underside defines a running surface that contacts water when the hull moves therein. The running surface includes a bow section and port and starboard midship running surface sections that flatten moving aft to an aft running surface section. The port and starboard midship running surface sections are separated by a keel member. The keel member has an apex lower than the aft running surface section and that inclines toward the aft running surface section aft the apex and forward a propeller positioned beneath the aft running surface section.