An underwater propulsion device is disclosed comprising two sleeves for fitting around each of a user's lower legs, with each sleeve mounting a propulsion unit, and the sleeves being connectable by a bar between them during underwater operation of the device by the user.

A watercraft comprising a compressed air propulsion system is shown and described. The watercraft includes at least one propeller operatively connected to an air motor. Storage tanks supply compressed air having a pressure of at least 2000 psi to a pressure regulator that reduces the pressure and supplies air to an air control valve. User controls adjust the air control valve to adjust the flow rate of air to the air motor which in turn adjusts the direction and/or speed of rotation of the propeller. An on-board air compressor energized by a plurality of lithium iron phosphate batteries provides air to the air storage tanks when the pressure falls below a specified value. In certain examples, the electric and air propulsion system is used to replace a fossil fuel engine in an existing watercraft and can remain at sea longer than the existing watercraft.

A watercraft comprising a compressed air propulsion system is shown and described. The watercraft includes at least one propeller operatively connected to an air motor. Storage tanks supply compressed air having a pressure of at least 2000 psi to a pressure regulator that reduces the pressure and supplies air to an air control valve. User controls adjust the air control valve to adjust the flow rate of air to the air motor which in turn adjusts the direction and/or speed of rotation of the propeller. An on-board air compressor energized by a plurality of lithium iron phosphate batteries provides air to the air storage tanks when the pressure falls below a specified value. In certain examples, the electric and air propulsion system is used to replace a fossil fuel engine in an existing watercraft and can remain at sea longer than the existing watercraft.

A drive module for submersible autonomous vehicles is disclosed. The drive module includes a propulsion element configured to engage and rotate against a surface, a motor configured to drive the propulsion element, and a controller configured to cause the motor to drive the propulsion element. The drive module also includes a housing configured to be removably, releasably coupled to the exterior of a submersible autonomous vehicle. The motor and the controller are disposed within the housing.

The invention relates to a vessel (1) comprising a hull (2) for non-planing operation, during operation displaying a waterline (3) and having a forward direction in a horizontal plane (4) with a forward portion, an aft portion (5), and a central portion, the aft portion having a smaller water displacement relative to a water displacement of the central portion; and an aft, primary foil (6) affixed to the aft hull portion with a connecting member (7), configured to be below the waterline during operation, spaced from the hull, the aft foil having a span, a chord, a profile, a leading edge (8) and a trailing edge (9) relative to the forward direction, characterized by adjustment means (10) connected to the aft foil and configured for adjusting an angle of incidence (.sub.c, af) of the chord of the aft foil.

A drive module for submersible autonomous vehicles is disclosed. The drive module includes a propulsion element configured to engage and rotate against a surface, a motor configured to drive the propulsion element, and a controller configured to cause the motor to drive the propulsion element. The drive module also includes a housing configured to be removably, releasably coupled to the exterior of a submersible autonomous vehicle. The motor and the controller are disposed within the housing.

In one embodiment, a general-purpose wireless mobile device having a touch-sensitive screen and executing a remote control application is used to remotely control a vehicle (e.g., a marine vessel). The general-purpose wireless mobile device communicates via a wireless network with an interface (e.g., a server) that is coupled to an electronic control system of the vehicle (e.g., the vessel). In operation, environmental information and/or system status information is collected through the electronic control system, propagated to the interface (e.g., server), and then sent over the wireless network to the wireless mobile device. Similarly, control input is sent over the wireless network to the interface (e.g., server), which passes the information to the electronic control system, which in turn issues appropriate control signals to the vehicle subsystems (e.g., marine subsystems) to control the motion of the vehicle (e.g., the vessel).

In one embodiment, a general-purpose wireless mobile device having a touch-sensitive screen and executing a remote control application is used to remotely control a vehicle (e.g., a marine vessel). The general-purpose wireless mobile device communicates via a wireless network with an interface (e.g., a server) that is coupled to an electronic control system of the vehicle (e.g., the vessel). In operation, environmental information and/or system status information is collected through the electronic control system, propagated to the interface (e.g., server), and then sent over the wireless network to the wireless mobile device. Similarly, control input is sent over the wireless network to the interface (e.g., server), which passes the information to the electronic control system, which in turn issues appropriate control signals to the vehicle subsystems (e.g., marine subsystems) to control the motion of the vehicle (e.g., the vessel).

A robotic jellyfish comprises a torque reaction engine and a jellyfish body, wherein the torque reaction engine cyclically oscillates and causes a wave to propagate across the jellyfish body, accelerating thrust fluid and propelling the robotic jellyfish.

A robotic jellyfish comprises a torque reaction engine and a jellyfish body, wherein the torque reaction engine cyclically oscillates and causes a wave to propagate across the jellyfish body, accelerating thrust fluid and propelling the robotic jellyfish.