The invention provides a device which can reduce the drag and assist the steering of the ship, mainly to set up a 3-way pipe in the bow where is below the water level. The 3-way pipe leads to three openings at the stem, the port side and the starboard side respectively. At least one control valve (or deflector) can be provided in the 3-way piping system. The valve (or deflector) can be controlled from the bridge, with a diversion device. When the ship sails forward, water flows into the 3-way pipe from the forward pipe, distributed to both side pipes and then outflow, so that it can reduce the pressure drag to the stem, improve the ship's speed and save bunker. When the valve (or deflector) is set as neutral, the water will be distributed evenly to both side pipes, which will not affect the ship's heading. When the valve (or deflector) deflects more water to either side's pipe, the ship will turn to the opposite side.

A marine vessel comprising: at least one buoyant tubular foil; and at least one baffle plate positioned about the perimeter of the at least one buoyant tubular foil so as to protrude into the flow of water passing by the perimeter of the at least one buoyant tubular foil, whereby to create a high-pressure zone fore of the at least one baffle plate and a low-pressure zone immediately aft of the at least one baffle plate, whereby to create a dense stream of supercavitated water immediately aft of the at least one baffle plate.

A marine vessel comprising: at least one buoyant tubular foil; and at least one baffle plate positioned about the perimeter of the at least one buoyant tubular foil so as to protrude into the flow of water passing by the perimeter of the at least one buoyant tubular foil, whereby to create a high-pressure zone fore of the at least one baffle plate and a low-pressure zone immediately aft of the at least one baffle plate, whereby to create a dense stream of supercavitated water immediately aft of the at least one baffle plate.

This disclosure describes a configuration of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that will facilitate extended flight duration. The UAV may have any number of lifting motors. For example, the UAV may include four lifting motors (also known as a quad-copter), eight lifting motors (also known as an octo-copter), etc. Likewise, to improve the efficiency of horizontal flight, the UAV also includes a pivot assembly that may rotate about an axis from a lifting position to a thrusting position. The pivot assembly may include two or more offset motors that generate a differential force that will cause the pivot assembly to rotate between the lifting position and the thrusting position without the need for any additional motors or gears.

This disclosure describes a configuration of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that will facilitate extended flight duration. The UAV may have any number of lifting motors. For example, the UAV may include four lifting motors (also known as a quad-copter), eight lifting motors (also known as an octo-copter), etc. Likewise, to improve the efficiency of horizontal flight, the UAV also includes a pivot assembly that may rotate about an axis from a lifting position to a thrusting position. The pivot assembly may include two or more offset motors that generate a differential force that will cause the pivot assembly to rotate between the lifting position and the thrusting position without the need for any additional motors or gears.

A transom mounted fluid hinge bracket having one mounting plate that is connected at a lower distal end to a horizontal bracket portion which extends forward and aft of the transom of a watercraft in a bow to stern axial displacement, the horizontal bracket abutting the underside of the hull of a watercraft sitting flush with the underside of the watercraft, at least one fluid hinge receiver secured to the back side of the horizontal bracket portion on which the back of the substantially planar surface of the trim tab may rest, the at least one fluid hinge receiver containing the substantially planar surface in a position of the planar surface resting about parallel to the hull of the watercraft, and the at least one fluid hinge receiver without any load from the planar surface except at rest keeping the planar surface from descending below a horizon parallel to that of a horizon of the hull.

A transom mounted fluid hinge bracket having one mounting plate that is connected at a lower distal end to a horizontal bracket portion which extends forward and aft of the transom of a watercraft in a bow to stern axial displacement, the horizontal bracket abutting the underside of the hull of a watercraft sitting flush with the underside of the watercraft, at least one fluid hinge receiver secured to the back side of the horizontal bracket portion on which the back of the substantially planar surface of the trim tab may rest, the at least one fluid hinge receiver containing the substantially planar surface in a position of the planar surface resting about parallel to the hull of the watercraft, and the at least one fluid hinge receiver without any load from the planar surface except at rest keeping the planar surface from descending below a horizon parallel to that of a horizon of the hull.

A pontoon boat includes a deck supported by two pontoons extending in a fore-aft direction and water diverters mounted to the pontoons, the water diverters being movable between a neutral position that does not substantially divert water and a deployed position extended laterally from the boat to divert water.

A pontoon boat includes a deck supported by two pontoons extending in a fore-aft direction and water diverters mounted to the pontoons, the water diverters being movable between a neutral position that does not substantially divert water and a deployed position extended laterally from the boat to divert water.

Wakeboat hull control systems and methods are provided to permit the accurate reproduction of a wake behind a wakeboat. The onboard wake control system receives data from a draft measuring system. Incorporation of the data from the draft measuring system permits accurate reproduction of a wake behind the wakeboat after a change in an onboard variable such as the number, weight or position of passengers, the weight or position of cargo and the position of trim tabs or amount/location of ballast.