Buoyant Trim Tab with Foam Insert Reduces Transom Weight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing boat trim tabs and fabrication methods lack the necessary features and steps to effectively stabilize boats, control pitch, roll, and yaw, and reduce weight on the transom, as they fail to provide adequate buoyancy and structural support for actuators and mounting components.
Innovation Solution
A buoyant trim tab design featuring a composite shell with a styrene acrylonitrile foam insert and carbon fiber layers, allowing the trim tab to float and reduce weight, along with a method of fabrication that includes applying carbon fiber layers over a base and insert, using resin between layers, and shaping the composite material after curing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If traditional trim tabs are used, then structural support for actuators is provided, but weight on the transom is excessive and buoyancy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies buoyancy as a counterweight force to offset the weight of the trim tab and actuator components. The closed-cell foam core provides upward buoyant force that reduces the net weight load on the boat transom, directly addressing the weight reduction goal while maintaining structural capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure combining aluminum or composite exterior shells with closed-cell foam core material. This composite construction provides both the structural support needed for actuator mounting and the buoyancy required to reduce effective weight, resolving the contradiction between structural reliability and weight reduction.
2Reliability
If dense structural materials are used, then structural support is improved, but buoyancy is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite construction with lightweight aluminum or composite shells combined with closed-cell foam cores. This material combination provides adequate structural support for actuator mounting while maintaining high buoyancy, as the foam core is both lightweight and structurally supportive when properly engineered.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material properties to different parts of the trim tab structure. The exterior shells use denser aluminum or composite materials for structural strength and actuator mounting, while the core uses lightweight closed-cell foam for buoyancy, creating local quality variations that optimize both structural support and buoyancy simultaneously.
3Weight of stationary object
If buoyant materials are used, then floating capability is improved, but structural support for actuators is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite construction where the exterior aluminum or composite shells provide structural strength for actuator mounting, while the closed-cell foam core provides buoyancy. This composite approach allows the structure to simultaneously achieve high buoyancy and adequate structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the trim tab into functional segments: the exterior shell structure handles structural support and actuator mounting, while the internal foam core handles buoyancy. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its primary function without compromising the other.
4Weight of moving object
If weight is reduced, then buoyancy is improved, but structural support capability is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite construction with lightweight aluminum or composite shells and closed-cell foam cores. This composite structure achieves weight reduction for improved buoyancy while maintaining structural support capability through the engineered combination of materials and their structural configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material densities and strengths to different regions of the trim tab. The exterior shells use stronger materials for structural support where actuators are mounted, while the core uses lighter buoyant materials, creating local quality variations that optimize both weight reduction and structural support.
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 buoyant trim tab design enhances boat stability by reducing weight on the transom by 15-30 pounds, allowing the trim tab and its components to float, and effectively controlling boat pitch, roll, and yaw, while providing improved structural support and buoyancy.
Implementation Method 1
an insert, wherein the insert comprises a foam section, wherein the foam section comprises a styrene acrylo nitrile foam... wherein the buoyant trim tab is capable of floating the buoyant trim tab, an actuator, and any components used to mount the buoyant trim tab
Data Source
AI summary
A buoyant trim tab comprising a shell, wherein the shell comprises a top and a bottom, and an insert, wherein the insert comprises a foam section, wherein the foam section comprises a styrene acrylo nitrile foam and further wherein the foam section comprises a low-density subsection and a high-density subsection, and wherein the buoyant trim tab is capable of floating the buoyant trim tab, an actuator, and any components used to mount the buoyant trim tab to a boat.