A modular hybrid propulsion unit is disclosed that is mountable to a watercraft. According to an example, the modular hybrid propulsion unit includes a housing configured to fit within a complementary housing receiver on a topside of the watercraft, and a rotational output coupling configured to rotationally engage with a rotational input coupling for a propeller of the watercraft. The propulsion unit further includes an electric motor within the housing, the electric motor having a motor shaft connected to the rotational output coupling for providing an electrically powered rotational input to the rotational output coupling. The propulsion unit further includes a crank having one or more crank arms. The crank is connected to the rotational output coupling for providing a human powered rotational input to the rotational output coupling independent of the electrically powered rotational input by the electric motor.

A float (1) suitable for use as a buoy or as a component for a wave-powered vehicle. The float (1) includes an upper member (12) whose height can be changed and/or which remained substantially vertical even when the float is in wave-bearing water. A low drag cable (2) suitable for use as a tether in a wave-powered vehicle has a streamlined cross-section and includes a tensile member (21) near the front of the cross-section, at least one non-load-bearing member (22) behind the tensile member, and a polymeric jacket (23). Wave-powered vehicles having a float (1), a submerged swimmer (3) and a tether (2) connecting the float and the swimmer, include a means for determining whether the tether is twisted; or a means (91) for untwisting the tether; or a pressure-sensitive connection (71, 72, 73) which can disconnect the tether when the vehicle is dragged downwards by entanglement with a whale; or a 2-axis universal joint securing the tether to the float or to the swimmer; or elastic elements which absorb snap loads created by the tether; or two or more of these.

A multi-engine powertrain control system apparatus and method for activating and engaging a second, third, fourth, or more engines into a powertrain of a vehicle, vessel, or powerhouse, while running, without interruption, as needed under changing conditions requiring more power, and disengaging and de-activating engines when not needed, in order to conserve energy. The invention further provides real-time sensing of powertrain conditions and external conditions, provides pre-set parameters with user override, provides automatic engagement and disengagement based on real-time conditions, and provides for continued operation in the event of an engine's failure.

The invention relates to a hybrid power system (1). System (1) has an internal combustion engine (2), a gear box (3) having an input (4) connectable to the engine and an output shaft (5) to drive a vehicle, a first power drive and take off (10) releasably connectable to the gear box input, a second power drive and take off (30) releasably connectable to the gear box output, at least one motor/generator (21,41) connected the first and/or second power drive and take off, a connecting clutch (50) to releasable connecting the first and second power drive and take off, and a battery (60) to power or be charged by the or each motor generator.

A device and method of acquiring mechanical energy by using a wind power generator employing sails is described. A sail is mounted on a towing carriage that is used for the rotation of a propulsion wheel of the mechanical gear is added. The towing carriage is connected to a strand and the strand transfers the force originated by the sail to the propulsion wheel of the power plant. The sail has the ability of adjustment of its angle position to the direction of the wind, the total exploitation cycle of the wind power generator employing sails consists of the working part during which the sail is moving along the direction of wind.

A vessel propulsion apparatus includes an engine, an electric motor located farther forward than a propeller, a propeller shaft, a first transmission that defines a first transmission path extending from the engine to the propeller shaft to transmit power of the engine to the propeller shaft along the first transmission path, and a second transmission that defines a second transmission path, different from the first transmission path, extending from the electric motor to the propeller shaft to transmit power of the electric motor to the propeller shaft along the second transmission path.

A power generation device is adapted to be driven by ocean currents, and includes a craft body unit, a plurality of blade units, a plurality of power generators, and a plurality of sails. The blade units are mounted on the craft body unit, and are adapted to extend into the sea and to be driven rotatably by the ocean currents. The power generators are mounted on the craft body unit and connected respectively to the blade units for converting a kinetic energy of the blade units into electrical energy. The sails are mounted on the craft body unit for capturing the wind to maintain a location of the craft body unit against drifting from a force of the ocean currents applied to the craft body unit.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a steering arrangement for steering a kite driven watercraft (14) which includes a mounting member (base, 20) which is configured to be mounted on a watercraft (14), a first connecting member for connecting a leading edge region (16) of a canopy (12) of the kite to the mounting member, a second connecting member for connecting a trailing edge region (18) of the canopy (12) to the mounting member and a control device for controlling the displacement of the canopy relative to the watercraft via at least the second connecting member.

A Flettner rotor that employs localized suction over its surface improves performance and fuel efficiency. Simulations and analysis show that such a method can significantly improve the performance of the Flettner rotor. Improvements in rotor performance enable reduction in fuel costs and greenhouse gas emission by ships or other modes of transport. Improvements in rotor performance can also reduce noise for applications such as drones or other devices having rotors.

The propulsion system for vessels comprises at least one suction sail (3), said at least one suction sail (3) comprising a suction system (10) and a transmission unit (8) to drive the rotation of said suction sail (3), wherein the suction sail (3) comprises at least two suction zones (7) arranged symmetrically on two sides of the suction sail (3), said suction zones (7) comprising variable suction means.

It provides a propulsion system for vessels that allows reducing their fuel consumption and polluting emissions by using an improved version of suction sails.