Other

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

University of New Orleans Research and Technology Foundation, Inc.

Robert G Latorre

A series of foils with air or gas injection at their tips are arranged in rows that project outward from the forward submerged section of a ship, boat or submerged hull section. The foils are arranged in single or multiple rows with tip height set to provide suitable bubble injection into the boundary layer surrounding the moving hull surface. The foils can be arranged in single or multiple strips along the hull depending on the amount of air/gas injection.

Hull attachment for placement of drag reducing bubbles

An attachable vertical bow plate set a distance ahead of the existing bow, preferably extending above and below the water surface, helps to reduce drag associated with a vessel. The plate's lower edge is preferably set at a depth corresponding to the depth where the existing bow begins to have its cut away.

Attachable bow plate for reducing bow sinkage and vessel drag

A catamaran-type boat having two or more demi-hulls that are connected by a wing-shaped superstructure is disclosed. The demi-hulls are further connected by two or more transverse hydrofoils. A tunnel is created between the demi-hulls and the superstructure. The shape of the superstructure takes advantage of the airflow through the tunnel to provide aerodynamic lift. The hydrofoils serve two purposes. The first is to provide hydrodynamic lift, and the second is to cancel wave build up between the hulls. The wave cancellation assists the stability of the craft by providing a relatively flat surface for the wing, to provide stable additional lift through the 'wing in ground' effect. The combination of hydrodynamic lift, wave cancellation, and aerodynamic lift decreases the ship's drag and increases its speed.

Growing community of inventors

Metairie, LA, United States of America

Robert G Latorre