An aerodynamically optimized drag-reduction means and method for optimal minimization of the drag-induced resistive forces upon a terrestrial vehicle wheel, where the drag-induced resistive moments on wheel surfaces pivoting about the point of ground contact are reduced, and the vehicle propulsive forces needed to countervail the resistive forces on the wheel are reduced. The drag reduction means includes: a streamlined wheel cover positioned on a vehicle to shield the faster moving upper wheel surfaces from headwinds; a streamlined wind-deflecting fairing positioned on a vehicle to shield the faster moving upper wheel surfaces from headwinds; an engine exhaust pipe disposed on a vehicle whereby exhaust gases deflect headwinds to shield the faster moving upper wheel surfaces of an automotive wheel; an automotive spoked wheel having streamlined oval-shaped wheel spokes arranged in one or more rows for greater axial strength; a streamlined tailfin rotatably attached to a wheel spoke, which thereby may pivot about the spoke in response to varying crosswinds; and a tire having streamlined tread blocks arranged in an aerodynamic pattern.

An aerodynamically optimized drag-reduction means and method for optimal minimization of the drag-induced resistive forces upon a terrestrial vehicle wheel, where the drag-induced resistive moments on wheel surfaces pivoting about the point of ground contact are reduced, and the vehicle propulsive forces needed to countervail the resistive forces on the wheel are reduced. The drag reduction means includes: a streamlined wheel cover positioned on a vehicle to shield the faster moving upper wheel surfaces from headwinds; a streamlined wind-deflecting fairing positioned on a vehicle to shield the faster moving upper wheel surfaces from headwinds; an engine exhaust pipe disposed on a vehicle whereby exhaust gases deflect headwinds to shield the faster moving upper wheel surfaces of an automotive wheel; an automotive spoked wheel having streamlined oval-shaped wheel spokes arranged in one or more rows for greater axial strength; a streamlined tailfin rotatably attached to a wheel spoke, which thereby may pivot about the spoke in response to varying crosswinds; and a tire having streamlined tread blocks arranged in an aerodynamic pattern.

A control handle for controlling an electric drive system of a sailboat is provided. The control handle comprises a handle and a handle shaft, where the control handle is provided with a plurality of engagement positions. A first engagement position is adapted to engage a forward drive mode of the electric drive system, a second engagement position is adapted to engage a reverse drive mode of the electric drive system, a third engagement position is adapted to engage an idle drive mode of the electric drive system, and a fourth engagement position is adapted to engage a hydro energy generation mode of the electric drive system.

A control handle for controlling an electric drive system of a sailboat is provided. The control handle comprises a handle and a handle shaft, where the control handle is provided with a plurality of engagement positions. A first engagement position is adapted to engage a forward drive mode of the electric drive system, a second engagement position is adapted to engage a reverse drive mode of the electric drive system, a third engagement position is adapted to engage an idle drive mode of the electric drive system, and a fourth engagement position is adapted to engage a hydro energy generation mode of the electric drive system.

The present disclosure relates to a charging control method and system for a marine propulsion device, and a marine propulsion device. The method includes: acquiring a rotational speed and a regeneration charging power of a motor during a sailing process of a vessel; adjusting the rotational speed to obtain the regeneration charging power corresponding to the adjusted rotational speed, and searching for a power extreme point of the regeneration charging power relative to the rotational speed based on a regeneration charging power varying process; maintaining the rotational speed corresponding to the power extreme point to realize regeneration charging of a battery.

The present disclosure relates to a charging control method and system for a marine propulsion device, and a marine propulsion device. The method includes: acquiring a rotational speed and a regeneration charging power of a motor during a sailing process of a vessel; adjusting the rotational speed to obtain the regeneration charging power corresponding to the adjusted rotational speed, and searching for a power extreme point of the regeneration charging power relative to the rotational speed based on a regeneration charging power varying process; maintaining the rotational speed corresponding to the power extreme point to realize regeneration charging of a battery.

A marine vessel can be propelled by using wind or solar energy. This propulsion results in the forward movement and six degrees of motion (roll, heave, pitch, yaw, surge, and sway) of the marine vessel. This invention capitalizes on the fact that solar, wind and wave energy are cyclical by nature. The present invention enables the vessel to manage stored and harvested energy from these energy sources and use the stored energy during periods when the external natural sources of energy are not available in adequate quantities to maintain a reasonable speed of advance for the marine vessel. The vessel's natural energy management system (NEMS) manages it in such a way that harvesting of the energy during high energy cycles, storing it and using it when needed during low external energy cycles, allows a marine vessel to maintain faster average speed without reliance on any fossil or chemical fuel and by only using renewable energy sources.

Various embodiments of a submerged submersible sailing vessel are disclosed. Such a submerged sailing vessel may comprise a submersible hull assembly, a keel coupled to and extending upwards from hull assembly towards a water surface, and a wind-catching assembly coupled to and extending upwards into the air from the keel for propelling the submerged sailing vessel. The hull assembly and the keel are submerged below the water surface as the vessel is propelled by the wind-catching assembly above the water surface.

Various embodiments of a submerged submersible sailing vessel are disclosed. Such a submerged sailing vessel may comprise a submersible hull assembly, a keel coupled to and extending upwards from hull assembly towards a water surface, and a wind-catching assembly coupled to and extending upwards into the air from the keel for propelling the submerged sailing vessel. The hull assembly and the keel are submerged below the water surface as the vessel is propelled by the wind-catching assembly above the water surface.

The invention relates to a management module for a sailing boat, said sailing boat comprising a wind angle sensor configured to measure the wind angle value of the boat indicating the angle between the wind direction and the sailing direction of the sailing boat, said wind angle value being comprised between −180° and +180°, and an autopilot module configured to receive control commands and to control the trajectory of said sailing boat using said control commands, said management module being configured to receive the wind angle value from said wind angle sensor, generate a control command to control the wind angle of the boat between a first angle threshold and a second angle threshold wherein said first angle threshold and said second angle threshold are greater than or equal to 0° and smaller than or equal to +180° when the wind angle value is between 0° and +180° and greater than or equal to −180° and smaller than or equal to 0° when the wind angle value is between −180° and 0°, and send said generated control command to the autopilot module in order for said autopilot module to control the trajectory of the sailing boat using said control command.