Laminar-Flow Interrupter Technology

[bucketlist1]

Does any other manufacturers use this technology , or do they have a similar hull design ? Ranger/Cutwater had the patent US5819677A but let it expire many years before the 20 year date . I think it is then public domain ?

 

[C lectric]

Hydroplanes used to use this. If not exactly the same it was very similar. Other builders have used that type of hull. Maybe Ranger came up with a different wrinkle and found it was not worth protecting it.
Thornycrafts were another if I remember correctly.
Or memory is failing me.

 

[FF]

More modern thinking is to capture the laminar flow (water already you paid to accelerate) and use its energy.


A different not new concept is to blow air or exhaust under the vessel to ride on air.

 

[twistedtree]

Does any other manufacturers use this technology , or do they have a similar hull design ? Ranger/Cutwater had the patent US5819677A but let it expire many years before the 20 year date . I think it is then public domain ?

It looks like it expired on the 20 year anniversary of application, which is normal. They just declined to extend it, but I don't really remember the rules around extending protection. Too long ago....

 

[twistedtree]

Just asked Mr Google and Patents can't be extended. So that one would have expired anyway. I just don't know what the note is about it being "fee related".

 

[bucketlist1]

The application was 1996-07-17 and the the expiry do to lack of payment was 2010-11-08 . approx 5 plus years before the 20 year date ( if you pay the fees ) . My question , and I don't know the answer is - can the company advertise '' our patented Laminar Flow Interrupter Technology '' after they let their patent go to public domain ?

 

[Bacchus]

The application was 1996-07-17 and the the expiry do to lack of payment was 2010-11-08 . approx 5 plus years before the 20 year date ( if you pay the fees ) . My question , and I don't know the answer is - can the company advertise '' our patented Laminar Flow Interrupter Technology '' after they let their patent go to public domain ?

I'm no patent / trademark attorney but did a little work with them on a portfolio of patents making decisions re paying the fees, abandoning and offering licensing.

My GUESS is they could advertise as they did invent and was awarded a patent for the technology.
They can't claim exclusivity, and certainly can't prohibit anyone else from using or even advertising use of Laminar Flow Interrupter Technology.

Note: that advice is worth exactly what you paid for it!