Patent classifications
B63B32/64
Method and system for operating a hydrofoil board
Disclosed is a method for controlling a hydrofoil board powered by a motor driven propeller. The motor is controlled by a hand controller configured with user selectable operating pre-sets including a first operating pre-set, wherein the board is accelerated to a first speed which is less than that required for the board to hydrofoil, and a second operating pre-set, wherein the board is accelerated to a second speed sufficient for the board to hydrofoil. Alternatively, the operating pre-sets may limit the motor power. A system for operating a hydrofoil board is also disclosed, which includes a propulsion control unit comprising a propulsion source, and a hand controller configured to receive a first user input and a second user input and to transmit the user inputs to the propulsion control unit.
Hydrofoil assembly with indexing wing adjustment
Systems, apparatus, and methods for hydrofoil assemblies with planing blades that may be adjusted, and securely maintained in varying tilts with respect to a support member, using a curved indexing system with a curved ridge and a counterpart groove that utilize interacting position retaining elements to retain a desired tilt in different adjustable positions. In one illustrative system, a planing blade may have a convexly curved ridge disposed on a surface thereof with a series of transverse grooves disposed in the curved ridge. A support member may have a counterpart concavely curved receiver with a series of counterpart transverse grooves formed therein. When a user places the planing blade in position with the convex ridge contacting the concave receiver, the blade may be tilted to a desired position. The counterpart transverse grooves interconnect to provide an indexed positive interlock, securely maintaining the blade in the desired position.
Hydrofoil assembly with indexing wing adjustment
Systems, apparatus, and methods for hydrofoil assemblies with planing blades that may be adjusted, and securely maintained in varying tilts with respect to a support member, using a curved indexing system with a curved ridge and a counterpart groove that utilize interacting position retaining elements to retain a desired tilt in different adjustable positions. In one illustrative system, a planing blade may have a convexly curved ridge disposed on a surface thereof with a series of transverse grooves disposed in the curved ridge. A support member may have a counterpart concavely curved receiver with a series of counterpart transverse grooves formed therein. When a user places the planing blade in position with the convex ridge contacting the concave receiver, the blade may be tilted to a desired position. The counterpart transverse grooves interconnect to provide an indexed positive interlock, securely maintaining the blade in the desired position.
STEERABLE HYDROFOIL WATERCRAFT
A hydrofoil watercraft system comprising: a flotation device; a downward mast extending from a bottom surface of the flotation device; a fuselage, a foil wing extending from one first end of the fuselage; and a plurality of fins independently movable independent of one another, wherein at least two of the movable fins extend in opposite directions from one second end of the fuselage, where the movable fins are used for steering the watercraft. The system further includes a controller for receiving user input, wherein the controller drives the movable fins respectively based on the user input. One of the movable fins is driven by the controller to rotate along a first axis while another of the movable fins is driven by the controller to rotate along a second axis, wherein the first axis and the second axis are substantially symmetrical with respect to the fuselage.
STEERABLE HYDROFOIL WATERCRAFT
A hydrofoil watercraft system comprising: a flotation device; a downward mast extending from a bottom surface of the flotation device; a fuselage, a foil wing extending from one first end of the fuselage; and a plurality of fins independently movable independent of one another, wherein at least two of the movable fins extend in opposite directions from one second end of the fuselage, where the movable fins are used for steering the watercraft. The system further includes a controller for receiving user input, wherein the controller drives the movable fins respectively based on the user input. One of the movable fins is driven by the controller to rotate along a first axis while another of the movable fins is driven by the controller to rotate along a second axis, wherein the first axis and the second axis are substantially symmetrical with respect to the fuselage.
Enhanced Planning Device and Systems
The present invention is used in water board sports but maybe of benefit to other water vessels; the present invention assists in the planing of water sport boards; the present invention was initially designed for windsurfing it can be used in surfing, kite-boarding and with other water crafts; the present invention uses one or more hybrid-fins, referred to as Squid-Fins™, along with a new base and fin-box that allows for more adjustments and easier swapping of fins; this system helps the board get up on a plane earlier and stay on that plane longer along with making it possible to add new characteristics to the performance of the board including hydro-foiling.
Enhanced Planning Device and Systems
The present invention is used in water board sports but maybe of benefit to other water vessels; the present invention assists in the planing of water sport boards; the present invention was initially designed for windsurfing it can be used in surfing, kite-boarding and with other water crafts; the present invention uses one or more hybrid-fins, referred to as Squid-Fins™, along with a new base and fin-box that allows for more adjustments and easier swapping of fins; this system helps the board get up on a plane earlier and stay on that plane longer along with making it possible to add new characteristics to the performance of the board including hydro-foiling.
ATTACHABLE-AND-RELEASEABLE (SWAPPABLE) FIN FOR SPORT BOARD, AND ADJUSTABLE MAST FOR FOILING SYSTEMS
An embodiment of a mast includes a first support configured for coupling to one of a foiling platform and a foiling assembly, and a second support configured for coupling to the other of the foiling platform and the foiling assembly and for coupling to the first support in a manner that allows adjustment of a combined height of the first and second supports. For example, such a mast can be configured to have first and second telescoping supports that can be extended and retracted to different heights so that surfers of different skill levels can use the same mast.
ATTACHABLE-AND-RELEASEABLE (SWAPPABLE) FIN FOR SPORT BOARD, AND ADJUSTABLE MAST FOR FOILING SYSTEMS
An embodiment of a mast includes a first support configured for coupling to one of a foiling platform and a foiling assembly, and a second support configured for coupling to the other of the foiling platform and the foiling assembly and for coupling to the first support in a manner that allows adjustment of a combined height of the first and second supports. For example, such a mast can be configured to have first and second telescoping supports that can be extended and retracted to different heights so that surfers of different skill levels can use the same mast.
MULTIPLE POSITION FIN SUPPORT
An improved support for a fin extending downwardly from the undersurface of a water sport board provides detented rotational positioning of the fin at a selected one of a plurality of angular positions including a vertical position for use, a right side position and a left side position both of which protect the fin from damage during periods of nonuse, transport and storage and which avoid the need for removal and reattachment of the fin between periods of use and periods of nonuse, transport and storage.