Hydroplane

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There is some ambiguity in the meaning of the term hydroplane, which can refer to a type of boat that's not really an aircraft.

Per Baker, 1912, What is a hydroplane? The evolution of a new type of craft:

The hydroplane has a bottom structure which, though heavier than its displaced water, yet stays on the surface like a skipping-stone by constantly moving on the water; the aeroplane is a heavier-than-air structure which stays up like a kite by continually moving against the air. The hydroplane is upheld because its velocity develops a sufficient upward thrust of the water over which it is passing, just as the aeroplane is upheld because its velocity develops a sufficient upward thrust of the air through which it is passing.

Definition and distinction from hydro-aeroplane, or seaplane

Hydro-aeroplane (and variations thereon) more clearly refers to an airplane that also floats and can take off and land from water. Seaplane may be a synonym for the latter.

The word is not found in the 1901 Oxford English Dictionary[1] or in the concise OED of 1911.[2] (We may in the future be able to find the right volume from a complete edition closer to 1910).

In Patent US-1911-1203550, Glenn Curtiss calls the vessel as a whole a hydroaeroplane, but makes frequent use of the term hydroplane to describe the water-borne surface and its action of lifting the vessel when propelled forward—with phrases such as: "hydroplane surface", "hydroplane bottom", "hydroplane lift".

Similarly we have in Patent GB-1910-30111, "Improvement in Flying Machines", by Henri Fabre (with Lloyd Wise & Co. his British agent):

This invention relates to a flying machine of the type known as hydro-aeroplanes. In the improved hydro-aeroplane the hydroplane is formed in such a manner as to be always subject to a vertical upward thrust due to its own speed and to receive such thrust even should the shells of the floats that serve to sustain it on the water be completely submerged, either by the waves of owing to some other cause.
[...]

According to the present invention means are provided such that the forces due to the speed of the water, far from creating a downward thrust, tend on the contrary to cause the portions accidentally submerged either by the waves or owing to some other cause, such as the shock of alighting, to rise again to the surface.

For this purpose a hydro-aeroplane according to this invention comprises hydroplane floats arranged on in advance of the other and disposed at such an angle of attack to the horizontal as to form a sustaining surface either in the air or completely submerged in the water or sliding over the surface of water.

References

  1. ↑ See p. 490.
  2. ↑ See p. 309.
Enclosing categories Marine
Subcategories
Keywords CPC B64C35/00, USPC 244/101, Speed, Aerodynamics
Start year
End year

Publications referring to hydroplane

Patents in category Hydroplane
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