US 7,546,814 B1
Launch and recovery ramp system
Brian R. Said, Jupiter, Fla. (US)
Assigned to Lockheed Martin Corp., Bethesda, Md. (US)
Filed on Apr. 11, 2007, as Appl. No. 11/733,784.
Claims priority of provisional application 60/791210, filed on Apr. 12, 2006.
Int. Cl. B63B 35/40 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 114—259  [114/362] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A ramp for the launching or recovery of a sub-ordinate vessel from a host watercraft vessel, comprising:
a ramp structure connected to a host vessel for relative movement therebetween and having an end thereof for at least partial submersion into the water; and
at least one flow port in the ramp structure having an adjustable cross-section flow path therethrough extending from one side of the ramp to another side thereof located at or toward the submersible end of the ramp structure for controlling the angular relationship of the ramp structure relative to the host vessel as a function of the cross-section of the flow path therethrough and the flow of water therethrough from said one side of the ramp to said another side thereof.