Textron Corporation

Robert G Moore

W Keith Dubose

Kenneth J Maloney

E Douglass Whittaker

John B Chaplin

Anthony Y Simpson

Brett G Martin

Howard W Keefe

Jared M Acosta

John M Ryken

A vessel transfer system utilizes a larger, surface effect vessel with a hull and a cargo deck, having a pressurized volume of air under its hull. The larger vessel cargo deck is lowered relative to a water surface in order to receive a smaller vessel. Lowering is achieved by depressurizing the volume of pressurized air under the hull. Movable propulsors on an air cushion vehicle permit efficient operation under way in an outer position, while minimizing the envelope dimensions for stowage in a well deck, providing clearance from bridges, docks, etc. in an inner position. In the outer position, the propellers operate in more uniform inflow conditions, resulting in improved performance and lower noise levels. In addition, the craft can be arranged to use a full width stern ramp resulting in time saved during cargo loading/unloading. The propellers will be less likely to ingest green water in high sea states.

Marine vessel transfer system

A vessel designed to operate efficiently as both a catamaran and air cushion vessel can travel at low speed in a catamaran or displacement mode, high speed in an air cushion mode, and amphibiously with the aid of deployable side seals. The vessel includes catamaran hulls and flexible air cushion bow and stern seal systems together with retractable side seals having hinged doors containing inflatable, retractable flexible components. The doors form part of the side seal system in the deployed position, and protect the flexible components of the seal in the retracted position. The arrangement reduces the drag associated with the side seals while the vessel operates in its catamaran or surface effect ship modes, and prevents damage to the seals during operation in the high speeds SES mode.

Catamaran air cushion ship with folding, retractable seals

There is disclosed a marine vessel which is particularly suited for mine hunting operations or the like because of improved survivability characteristics in the presence of multi-directed underwater transmitted excessive shock or vibration forces, such as are generated by a nearby exploding mine or the like. The ship is of the propeller driven type having a propeller shaft driving engine and gearbox unit mounted inboard of the vessel hull upon a rigid sled-like platform which in turn is resiliently supported relative to rigid structure of the vessel by spring means sandwiched therebetween. The spring means are of such nature as to resiliently yield in response to excessive compression, tension, shear or roll forces encountered from any direction. The spring means comprises an array of spaced apart spring devices, and back-up blocks of non-resilient compression-deformable material are provided in association therewith.

Surface effect ship engine mount system

There is disclosed in a multiple lobe air cushion seal system an auxiliary air inflated bounce damping lobe interfacing the cleft between the lower ends of the two lowermost lobes of the system.

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Lacombe, LA, United States of America

Robert G Moore