Abstract:
A maneuverable platform capable of operating on both fluid bodies (e.g., lakes, rivers, oceans, etc. in either liquid or frozen form) and land is provided. The platform has an above water portion formed of one or more sections onto discrete sections of which are positioned a number of buoyant propulsion members configured to support the above water portion and engage a fluid body or the ground to collectively provide support, propulsion and steering for the platform. The buoyant propulsion members are configured such that they provide buoyancy to the platform when the platform is at rest and lift when the platform reaches a specified hydrodynamic speed such that the platform planes atop the fluid of the fluid body during operation. The maneuverable platform, including the above water portion and the buoyant propulsion members, may be modular such that the platform may be split into sections of predetermined configuration to operate independently.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a method of water board propulsion comprising placing a buoyant board with a flexible water catching pocket having an open proximal end and at least a partially closed distal end affixed to a bottom surface of the water board in a current of water moving at a speed which is faster than the buoyant board; positioning said open proximal end to receive the flowing water; receiving water flow into the open proximal end; and, accelerating the board in the direction the current with greater acceleration than the same board without a water catching flexible pocket.
Abstract:
A robotic mechanical fin, having a motor housing containing a plurality of rib rotation motors, rib spars, and a plurality of ribs, mechanically movable and communicatively coupled to the plurality of rib rotation motors and shafts, where the plurality of ribs are rotationally coupled to and actuated by the plurality of rib rotation motors and shafts. The mechanical fin further includes a flexible fin casing, within which the ribs reside, forming the complete actively controlled curvature robotic propulsion and steering apparatus. The mechanical fin is connected to a plurality of control electronics circuits and a computer processor programmed with actuation code that when executed by the computer processor causes automated actuation of simultaneous propulsion and steering maneuverability of the actively controlled curvature, robotic, mechanical fin.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a vessel propulsion system and, more specifically, to a vessel propulsion system with improved efficiency and which leads to reduced wave formation, which comprises a propulsion device immersed at least partially in water and which rotates about at least one axis of rotation essentially extending perpendicularly to the propulsion device, as well as a cover partially enclosing the propulsion device, whereby the cover and the propulsion device together form a water conveying flow channel when the propulsion device is operated.
Abstract:
Watercrafts comprising rotatable hulls that serve as propulsors. The hulls are rotors with paddle surfaces and are arranged three-dimensionally to gain the capability of actively diverting water toward the side and the rear, for the purpose of drastically reducing frontal drag and the capability of minimizing friction drag on their wetted surfaces. Watercrafts with rotatable hulls are essentially amphibious.
Abstract:
A non sinkable, easily re-rightable aquatic vehicle has a lightweight body with a front, a rear, a bottom and opposite sides and contains a seat for supporting a pilot. A pair of front sheaves are rotatably mounted to opposite sides of the body near the front of the body and a pair of rear sheaves are rotatably mounted to opposite sides of the body near the rear thereof. A first flotation track is engaged around and extends between the front and rear sheaves on one side of the body and a second flotation track is engaged around and extends between the front and rear sheaves on the other side of the body. Each said flotation track includes an endless band engaged around a front and rear sheave and a multiplicity of buoyant flotation treads connected to the band at spaced apart locations therealong to form upper and lower series of flotation treads extending between the associated front and rear sheaves. A pedal drive is mounted to the body for producing an output torque which is coupled to at least one of the sheaves on each side of said body so as to advance the tracks in order to propel the vehicle and brakes are provided to steer and stop the vehicle. A mast and sail may also be mounted to the body in such a way that the mast can be tilted in any direction and rotated about its axis to operate the vehicle under sail with maximum ease and efficiency.
Abstract:
A modular navigation vessel having rotating floats includes a forward module ending in a stem, a central module in the form of a caisson and a rear module, all three modules being ridigly assembled by means of removable connection means. The modules are provided with lateral walls which are connected together in an uninterrupted manner to form a regular hull from the stem to the stern, where at least the second and third modules are equipped with axles carrying rotating floats having a size which keeps the hull entirely above the surface of the water. The floats are equipped in the vicinity of their periphery with a plurality of rigid paddles which are spaced at a constant angle from one another and have a concave shape.
Abstract:
An aquatic wheelchair having a main flotation body of thermoplastic material of closed cell construction including a seat portion and an integral backrest portion. Flotation paddle wheels are connected to the seat portion and a flotation stabilizer wheel assembly is detachably connected to the backrest portion. The flotation paddle wheels are constructed and arranged to facilitate the grasping thereof by the user for manually propelling the wheelchair not only on soft terrain but also in water.
Abstract:
A boat hull is provided with a series of steps which are angled toward the center of the hull from the front to the rear of the hull. In order to permit easy riding up of the hull on the steps progressively, as the speed of the hull is increased, the steps are carried over the side of the hull above the normal water line of the hull when the boat is stationary. As the power is increased, the wetted area of the hull is progressively decreased and the friction of the hull and its resistance to forward motion is progressively decreased as the hull rides further out of the water. The principles as described above are applicable to airplane hulls, the wheels of amphibious vehicles, and other variations of normal type boat hulls.
Abstract:
A nautical vehicle comprising at least one pedal system, adapted to be operated by at least one user to drive inflatable wheels providing the floatation, propulsion and direction of the vehicle, preferably it further comprises a differential gear for transmitting a rotating movement from the pedal driving system to at least two wheels mounted on either side of the vehicle respectively, and devices for separately braking of the two wheels.