Central Wake Control Fin and Underwater Exhaust System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wake control systems for motorboats are cumbersome, dangerous, and inefficient, often requiring hardware that protrudes from the vessel, causing drag and interfering with docks, swimmers, and other vessels, while failing to provide simple and effective means to redirect the rideable wake from one side to another.
Innovation Solution
A wake control system using vertically oriented fins slidingly mounted to a fin base, which can be adjusted transversely across the hull, and an underwater exhaust system routing exhaust gases through the hull bottom, eliminating external hardware and reducing noise and hazards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If variable ballast systems or drag hardware are deployed at the sides of the vessel to redirect the wake, then the rideable portion of the wake can be moved from one side to another, but the system becomes cumbersome and dangerous to riders, operators, and surrounding vessels
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the wake redirection function from external protruding hardware and relocates it to a centrally-mounted fin system that pivots about a vertical axis. This eliminates the need for side-deployed ballast tanks or drag devices, removing the safety hazards associated with protruding hardware while maintaining wake redirection capability through controlled fin positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of deploying hardware outward from the sides of the vessel to redirect wake, the invention inverts the approach by mounting the wake control fin centrally and using its pivoting capability to redirect wake in opposite directions. The fin can be positioned to the port or starboard side of the centerline to achieve wake redirection without external protrusions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If variable ballast systems or drag hardware are deployed at the sides of the vessel to redirect the wake, then the wake can be switched to the desired side, but the vessel becomes difficult to steer due to increased drag
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the drag-inducing side-deployed hardware and extracts the essential wake redirection function, relocating it to a compact central fin system. This eliminates the parasitic drag caused by protruding ballast tanks or drag devices while preserving the ability to control which side of the vessel produces the rideable wake.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention inverts the conventional approach by positioning wake control hardware centrally rather than at the sides. The pivoting fin mounted on the centerline can redirect wake to either port or starboard side without creating the drag penalties associated with side-deployed hardware, thereby maintaining ease of steering.
3Adaptability or versatility
If hardware protrudes from the envelope of the vessel to control wake, then wake redirection is achieved, but the hardware interferes with docks, swimmers, and other vessels
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the wake control function from protruding side hardware and relocates it to a central mounting system. The fin and its actuation mechanism are positioned within the vessel's hull envelope, eliminating interference with docks, swimmers, and other vessels while maintaining full wake modification capability through controlled fin positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of allowing control hardware to protrude outward from the vessel sides, the invention inverts the arrangement by mounting the wake control fin centrally and using its pivoting capability to redirect wake. This ensures all control hardware remains within the vessel's envelope, preventing interference with the surrounding environment.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If conventional exhaust systems route exhaust gases through transom outlets, then exhaust is discharged above water line, but noise and hazards from external exhaust fumes increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the exhaust discharge function from the conventional transom outlet location and relocates it to the bottom of the vessel's hull. This reroutes exhaust gases through the water rather than discharging them above the water line, significantly reducing noise and eliminating the hazard of external exhaust fumes while maintaining effective exhaust disposal.
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
Enables cost-effective and operationally efficient redirection of the wake without protruding hardware, enhancing rideability and safety by protecting the system within the vessel's hull and swim platform, while reducing drag and hazards from external exhaust fumes and noise.
Implementation Method 1
a typical motorboat generates a wake that, due to various hydrodynamic forces, is only surfable or rideable on one side
Implementation Method 2
an underwater exhaust system routing exhaust gases through the hull bottom
Data Source
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AI summary
A wake control system aft of the driveshaft, propeller, and rudder of a vessel includes a fin base and at least one fin slidingly engaged with the fin base. The fin(s) are vertically oriented and extend down into the water surface. The fins are transversely adjustable along the fin base to redirect a wake generated by the boat. In other embodiments, the control system comprises a starboard fin tab adjacent to a port fin tab, each of the independent fin tabs hingeably attached to the aft section of the hull, at the transom. Each fin tab includes at least one extending fin. Fin tabs are selectively deployable and retractable into and out of the water surface to redirect a wake generated by the vessel from one side to the other. A novel underwater exhaust system redirects exhaust depending on speed of the vessel and complements the wake control system.