US3412705A - Navigational system - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 26, 1968 J. J. NESSON 3,412,705

NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM Filed June 27, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

JEAN J N550N A TT 0015 V5 Nov. 26, 1968 J. J. NESSON 3,412,705

NAVIGAT IONAL SYSTEM Filed June 2'7, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

JEAN J. IVfSSO/V ATTUKNEK? United States Patent 3,412,705 NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM Jean J. Nesson, 3155 Broderick St., San Francisco, Calif. 94123 Filed June 27, 1967, Ser. No. 649,237 2 Claims. (Cl. 115-12) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A navigational system for vessels is provided with a plurality of first ducts extending the length of the vessel below the water line of the hull. A plurality of second ducts extends the width of the vessel below the water line of the hull. Propellers are disposed at the intersections of the ducts. The propellers are provided with means of orientation to preselected positions.

Background of the invention Field of the invention.A navigational system for vessels is provided with a series of intersecting ducts below the water line of the hull. Positioned at the intersections of these ducts are propellers equipped With means of orientation to preselected positions.

Description of the prior art.-A search was made on the navigational system for vessels of this invention prior to the preparation of this application. The results of the search did not produce any disclosures which utilized propellers disposed at the intersections of ducts extending the length and width of the hull of the vessel below the water line.

Summary of the invention The proper docking of boats at piers or the like has been a perplexing problem for seamen and captains the world over. Presently oceangoing freighters and luxury liners require a company of tugs to move the vessel to and from the dock at the start or end of a voyage. This operation is time consuming and expensive but is accepted because present boat construction makes it a requisite.

Applicant has overcome the above problem by providing a vessel which can be easily and safely navigated close to adjacent piers, docks and the like by the orientation of a series of propellers disposed at the intersections of ducts which extend the length and width of the vessel below the water line of the hull.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a new and improved navigational system for vessels.

Another object of the invention is to provide a navigational system for vessels which will be compatible with existing vessel design and construction.

A further object is to provide a navigational system for vessels of the character described which is easy to construct and free from unnecessary mechanical problems.

Description of the drawings FIGURE 1 is a side view of a vessel illustrating the navigational system of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a view taken substantially as indicated along line 22 of FIGURE 1 illustrating the intersecting duct arrangement.

FIGURE 3 is a view taken substantially as indicated along line 33 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a view taken substantially as indicated along line 4-4 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective or isometric view partially in section illustrating the navigational system of the present invention aiiixed to an existing boat structure.

FIGURE 6 is a bottom plan view illustrating the duct and motor arrangement shown in FIGURE 5.

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FIGURE 7 is a view taken substantially as indicated along line 7-7 of FIGURE 5; and

FIGURE 8 illustrates by arrows the various directional arrangement-s available by use of the navigational system of the present invention.

Description of the preferred embodiments Referring particularly to FIGURES 1 and 2 there is shown a vessel, generally indicated 10, constructed in accordance with the present invention and having a hull 12 and a cabin portion 14. Extending the length of the vessel below the water line 16 are two first ducts 18 approximately parallel to each other beginning at openings 20 and terminating in exit ports 22. A second series of ducts 24 approximately parallel to each other extends the width of the vessel 10 below the water line 16 of the hull 12 and has ports 26 on one side and ports 28 on the other side of the vessel. Located in the openings 20 and throughout the ducts 18 a number of protector members 30 which serve to prevent large foreign objects of solid matter from entering the duct system and thereby coming in contact with the power means of the vessel 10. Some of these protector members 30 may be inclined slightly, if desired. Rudders 32 are located in the stern of the vessel 10 adjacent exit ports 22 for steering purposes.

Disposed at the intersections of first ducts 18 and second ducts 24 are propellers, generally indicated 34 (FIGURE 3). Each propeller 34 has a motor casing 36 having a motor therein, a shaft 38, a central hub 40 and radiating blades 42. Attached to the lower portion of said motor casing 36 and encircling but not touching shaft 38 is disc member'44 provided with teeth 46 so that a suitable worm 48 can engage teeth 46 and thereby turn propeller 34 as shown in FIGURE 4. Circular members 50 can be used to protect the blades 42, if desired.

Worm 48 can be rotated by a motor, piston rod or other suitable method. In any event the propellers 34 must be able to assume one position in first ducts 18 and another position in second ducts 24. The front pair of propellers should work together as should the rear pair of propellers. When the propellers 34 are in first ducts 18, the vessel will either go forward as indicated by arrow 52 in FIGURE 8 or backward as indicated by arrow 54 depending upon the direction of rotation of the blades 42 on each propeller. If the blades 42 are rotating clockwise, the vessel will move forward. Likewise, if the blades 42 are rotating counterclockwise the vessel will move backward. With the propellers 34 in second ducts 24, the boat will go sideways in the direction of arrow 56 or sideways in the direction of arrow 58 or make a complete circle as indicated by arrow 60 in FIGURE 8, also depending upon the direction of rotation of the blade 42. In order to obtain the direction indicated by arrow 60, it is necessary that the pair of propellers located near the stern of the boat direct the water in one direction and the pair of propellers located in the front of the boat direct the water in an opposite direction. The position of the propellers determines into which ducts the water is selectively directed when the blades are rotated. Thus, applicant uses the same propellers which move the boat forward or backward to also move the boat sideways to approach a dock or pier or the like.

FIGURE 5 shows the navigational system of the present invention ailixed to an existing vessel generally indicated 62 having a hull 64, a cabin portion 66 and a windshield member 68. Attached to the hull 64 above the keel 70 but extending below the keel 70 are two duct forming members 72 :having a plurality of apertures 74 therein. Positioned within the duct forming member 72 but in line with the side apertures 74 are a plurality of propellers generally indicated 76 having a central hub 78, radiating blades 80, and circular member 82 as well as shaft 84.

3 Rudders 86 are located in the stern of the vessel 62 for steering purposes (FIGURE 6).

The movement and rotation of the propellers 76 is the same as the movement and rotation of propellers 34 in FIGURES 1 through 4 and will not be described in detail again. Suffice it to say that the same directional movements illustrated in FIGURE 8 and previously described can be obtained with the navigational system shown in FIGURES 5 through 7.

I claim:

, 1. A primary navigational system for vessels comprising in combination with the hull of a vessel (a) a plurality of first ducts extending the length of the vessel below the water line of the hull,

(b) a plurality of second ducts extending the width of the vessel below the water line of the hull,

(c) propellers disposed at the four intersections of said first and second ducts,

(d) and means for orientating said propellers to preselected positions wherby water can be selectively directed through said ducts.

2. The navigational system of claim 1 wherein said propellers have a first position in said first ducts and a second position in said second ducts.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1940 Briggs. 8/1967 Cahill 115-12

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