System for air supply to engine of a motor boat

Abstract

The present invention is a system for air supply to the engine of a motor float comprising a bottom part and an upper part of the body defining the inner space of the float, in which a combustion engine is arranged, wherein the upper part of the body is in its front part provided with an air supply, characterized in that the combustion engine is arranged in the engine compartment and separated from the rest of the inner space of the float by means of a partition provided with a suction opening in its front part, wherein to provide the circulation of air in the inner space of the float a sealing rib extends from the front part of the partition towards the tip of the float, separating the air supply and suction opening from one another, wherein at least one rear pump for sucking the leaking water is arranged in the rear part of the inner space of the float. The main object of the invention is thus to use the interspace of the float to provide separation of water and air, when eventual separated water may be sucked away by a pump operating on any principle (electric, vacuum, etc.).

Claims

1. A system for air supply to the engine of a motor float comprising a bottom part and an upper part of the body defining the inner space of the float, in which a combustion engine is arranged, wherein the upper part of the body is in its front section provided with an air supply, wherein the combustion engine is arranged in an engine compartment, which is separated from the rest of the inner space of the float by means of a partition provided in the front part with a suction opening, wherein to secure the air circulation in the inner space of the float a sealing rib extends from the front part of the partition towards the tip of the float, separating the air supply and the suction opening from one another, wherein in the rear part of the inner space of the float at least one rear pump for sucking out the leaked water is arranged.

2. The system for air supply to the engine of a motor float according to claim 1 wherein the suction opening is arranged above the level of the bottom part of the body.

3. The system for air supply to the engine of a motor float according to claim 1 wherein the partition has a shaped profile.

4. The system for air supply to the engine of a motor float according to claim 1 further including at least one transverse or longitudinal reinforced rib arranged in the inner space of the float.

5. The system for air supply to the engine of a motor float according to claim 1 further including at least one pump arranged in the rear part of the engine compartment.

6. The system for air supply to the engine of a motor float according to claim 5, wherein a mechanical pump using underpressure generated by engine and an electric pump controlled by electronics and powered by batteries are arranged in the engine compartment.

7. The system for air supply to the engine of a motor float according to claim 1 wherein elements made of floating material are arranged in the inner space of the float.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will be disclosed in more detail by means of drawings, in which

(2) FIG. 1 shows a normal working position of the float during driving of a straight driver,

(3) FIG. 2 shows a view on an assembled float,

(4) FIG. 3 schematically illustrates air circulation and pumps for water suction,

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates the float without the upper part being shown,

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary shaped profiles of the partition defining the engine compartment,

(7) FIG. 6 schematically illustrates minimal engine compartment,

(8) FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary arrangement of the reinforced rib in the engine compartment, which is connected to the partition,

(9) FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary arrangement of the transverse reinforced rib in the engine compartment,

(10) FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary arrangement of transverse reinforced ribs outside the engine compartment,

(11) FIG. 10 an exemplary embodiment of longitudinal reinforced ribs in the engine compartment and the

(12) FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary arrangement of the floating material in the inner space of the float.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

(13) The object of invention is a system for air supply to the engine of a motor float, which will be further characterized by means of exemplary embodiments with references to the respective drawings.

(14) The body of the motor float consists of a bottom part 1 and an upper part 2, as illustrated in the FIG. 2, between which a partition 4 defining the engine compartment is arranged, and a sealing rib 6 see FIG. 4. Input into the inner space of the motor float is secured by a cover 3. The engine 7 and other equipment necessary for operation of the engine (not shown) are arranged in the engine compartment. The shaft extends from the engine compartment towards the turbine which drives its own float.

(15) The engine 7 in the engine compartment may be oriented longitudinally as well as transversely. Mounts for the engine 7 may be arranged on the 4 itself or on the bottom part 1 of the body. Arrangement of the mounts directly of the engine 7 directly on the partition 4 reduces vibrations of the whole system and contributes to smooth operation and reduced wear of particular components.

(16) The supply of air into the inner space of the float is done by an air supply 5 arranged in the front section of the upper part 2 of the float body, which is made of material which is flexible as well as sufficiently strong to keep its shape in a straight position at about 20 cm above the outside upper surface of the float to eliminate majority of streaking water.

(17) The body of motor float as well as partitions are made of carbon fibre reinforced composite. Dimensions of an exemplary float are: length 1800 mm, width 600 mm, height 150 mm. The weight of the float including fuel is 14 kg, maximum speed is 57 km/h with fuel consumption of 2 l/h. Performance of an installed two-stroke engine ranges from about 10 to 15 hp depending on a configured exhaust and other components. The float is provided with fully automatic electronic ignition with integrated batteries allowing for 4 h of continuous driving.

(18) Inner volume of the float is cca 80 l, thanks to the labyrinth system an engine compartment without the presence of water with volume of about 35 l is obtained. With engine's air consumption of 6 l/s, the stock of air in case of sinking under water is sufficient for 5.8 s. Ratios of particular volumes, the whole float and the engine compartment may vary depending on the purpose of the float.

(19) Air sucked into the inner space of the float must flow around the engine compartment into the rear section of the inner space of the float and from there it returns around the engine compartment into the front section of the inner space of the float, where the partition 4 is provided with a suction opening 12 arranged above the level of the bottom part 1 of the body, where air enters the engine compartment, as illustrated in the FIG. 3. Air is subsequently sucked away by the engine 7 into the carburator 8. Air circulation in the inner space of the float is secured by the sealing rib 6, which divides the air supply 5 and the suction opening 12.

(20) Due to reaction forces from the compulsion of the float and the position of the driver, the float is tilted during driving towards the water surface in sagittal plane, as illustrated in the FIG. 1. The tilt angle is variable depending on the speed. Thanks to the tilt, water which leaked into the inner space of the float flows into the rear part, where it is sucked by the rear pump 10 by means of underpressure from the turbine 9 outside the float. This will prevent water from leaking into the engine compartment during driving, neither in sharp turns nor jumps, as the front part is always higher than the rear part. In case the float is overturned or due to untightness, water leaks into the engine compartment, two pumps 11 are arranged therein to remove the water. The first mechanical pump uses underpressure generated by the engine, the second electric pump is controlled electronically and powered by batteries. The electric pump is controlled based on time intervals and sensing of water presence. In case water is present, the electric pump is turned on the longer time interval, in case water is not present, the electric pump remains turned off. This allows to achieve maximum energy performance of the whole suction system without reverse valves and flaps, which may lead to failure and a breakdown of the whole system.

(21) The partition 4 defining the engine compartment is shaped, due to low buckling stability of composite elements, in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the fibres. The shape of the partition divides the loading force into the composite fibres and thus reduces the strain in the structure. The shaped partition at the same time serves as a suspension element, which eliminates and divides the dynamic shocks into the whole structure of the body. The most preferable profile is S, U, or similar round shapes, as illustrated in the FIG. 5.

(22) Arrangement of the engine compartment as well as its dimensions may be determined based on requirements on the inner space of the float. This minimal space is illustrated in the FIG. 6. In this minimal variant, when the engine compartment closely surrounds the engine 7, ignition 14 tank 15 and exhaust 16, a problem occurs in leading a long sealing rib and the solution is not optimal, due to leaking water a very high performance of suction pumps is required. A suitable variant is obtained by elongating the engine compartment and shortening the sealing rib 6 as illustrated in FIG. 3. In this variant, a labyrinth system is formed, which serves for water separation.

(23) In case an excessive pressure is exerted on the float, e.g. driving in waves or jumps, it is possible to arrange a reinforcing rib 17 into the engine compartment, which is connected to the partition and provided with a suction opening, see FIG. 7. FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary arrangement of a transverse reinforcing rib 17 in the engine compartment. FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary arrangement of an elongated reinforcing rib 17 in the engine compartment. If necessary, it is possible to arrange several reinforcing ribs 17 which at the same time make resistance and slow down flowing waterthis variant, of which the exemplary embodiment is illustrated in the FIG. 9, is suitable mainly for extreme driving conditions, such as big waves and frequent sinking. In such case, it is possible to arrange the reinforcing ribs 17 in a perpendicular direction as well as inside the engine compartment.

(24) In case an unsinkable float is required, it is possible to use the embodiment illustrated in the FIG. 11 with elongated reinforcing ribs 17 when suitable shaped elements 18 made of floating material, e.g. air, foam, polystyrene, etc., are arranged into the resulting space. To provide air circulation around the elements 18 made of floating material, it is possible to use the elongated reinforcing rib 17 having a curved profile, which corresponds to the profile of the partition 4 as illustrated in the FIG. 5. In arrangement of a pair of such reinforcing ribs 17 in a mirror manner, space allowing flow of air into the engine 7 is created.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

(25) System for air supply to the engine of a motor float according to this invention may be used in motor floats driven by a combustion engine arranged in the inner space of the float, which are intended for one's ride over a water surface.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(26) 1. Bottom part 2. Upper part 3. Cover 4. Partition 5. Air supply 6. Sealing rib 7. Engine 8. Carburator 9. Turbine 10. Rear pump 11. Pump 12. Suction opening 13. Driver 14. Ignition 15. Tank 16. Exhaust 17. Reinforced rib 18. Element made of floating material