A propulsion device includes a platform which provides support for a passenger. The platform comprises an upper surface and a lower surface, and cooperates with means for collecting and distributing a pressurized fluid to a primary nozzle expelling the fluid from a fluid outlet in a fluid expulsion direction. The means are supplied with pressurized fluid by a fluid supply conduit. The primary nozzle is oriented substantially from the bow to the stern of the platform. The fluid expulsion direction of the primary nozzle is located in a median plane of the platform. The fluid expulsion direction of the primary nozzle describes defines an angle comprised between 10 and +45 with a longitudinal axis of the platform contained in the median plane. The means for collecting and distributing a fluid cooperate with the platform by an embedding link.

A propulsion device including a platform on which a passenger is positioned, said platform comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, and cooperating with means for collecting and distributing a pressurized fluid to a primary nozzle expelling said fluid from a fluid outlet in a given direction, said means being supplied with pressurized fluid by a fluid supply conduit, the device being characterized in that: the primary nozzle is oriented substantially from the bow to the stern of the platform; the fluid expulsion direction fits in a median plane of the platform; the fluid expulsion direction of the primary nozzle describes an angle comprised between 10 and +45 with a longitudinal axis of the platform contained in said median plane.

A propulsion device, including a platform arranged to seat a passenger; a thrust assembly coupled to the platform, the thrust assembly including at least two nozzles configured to discharge a pressurized fluid therefrom that are movable with respect to the platform; a plurality of actuators, wherein each actuator is coupled to one of the at least two nozzles, wherein each actuator is configured to adjust an angular orientation of its respective nozzle with respect to the platform; a first sensor coupled to the platform to measure at least one of a pitch and roll of the platform; and a controller in communication with the first sensor and the plurality of actuators, wherein the controller is configured to adjust an operation of the actuators based at least in part on information from the first sensor to modify an angular orientation of the at least two nozzles.

A method of operating a personal propulsion device, including coupling a personal watercraft to a personal propulsion device having a platform configured to support a passenger, wherein the platform is coupled to one or more fluid outlets, and wherein the personal watercraft has first and second fluid discharge ports; delivering a pressurized fluid from the first fluid discharge port to the one or more fluid outlets such that the fluid outlets discharge the pressurized fluid to directly elevate the platform; and discharging pressurized fluid from the second fluid discharge port to move the personal watercraft.

A personal propulsion device, including a platform configured to support at least one passenger; a first fluid outlet coupled to the platform; a first fluid conduit in fluid communication with the first fluid outlet; and a personal watercraft having first and second fluid discharge ports, wherein the first fluid discharge port is in fluid communication with the first fluid conduit, and the second fluid discharge port is configured to discharge pressurized fluid to move the personal watercraft.

A personal propulsion device, including a platform configured to support a passenger's body; and at least one fluid discharge nozzle coupled to the platform and angled with respect to the platform, where the angle defined between the nozzle and the platform is between approximately 95 and 120; where the personal propulsion device is configured to receive pressurized fluid from a remote pressurized fluid source, and where the personal propulsion device is configured to achieve flight.

A novel two-way splitter having reduced distance between outlets, while enabling smooth, efficient fluid flow (e.g., water flow) is provided. In a variant, the splitter includes a first pipe and a second pipe meeting at an interface near the inlet and extending away from the inlet, wherein portions of the first pipe and the second pipe proximal to the inlet are substantially helical and are intertwined with each other. In another variant, the first and second pipes have first portions proximal to the inlet which extend vertically side by side away from the inlet, such that the width of each first portion decreases and the depth of each first portion increases as a vertical distance from the inlet increases.

A personal propulsion device adapted to achieve flight by discharging a fluid, including a passenger assembly adapted to support an individual person; at least one fluid discharge nozzle coupled to the passenger assembly, where the nozzle is movable with respect to the passenger assembly to define a range of motion, and where the nozzle is biased towards at least one position in the range of motion.

The disclosure relates to a fluid outlet interface for a personal watercraft, so that the latter can collect and divert a very small portion of the fluid pressurized by said vehicle and thus create a sufficient Venturi effect to drive the emptying of the bilge of said vehicle. The disclosure also relates to a personal watercraft, or more generally any floating device delivering a pressurized fluid, comprising such an interface.

A personal propulsion device adapted to achieve flight by discharging a fluid, including a passenger assembly adapted to support an individual person; at least one fluid discharge nozzle coupled to the passenger assembly, where the nozzle is movable with respect to the passenger assembly to define a range of motion, and where the nozzle is biased towards at least one position in the range of motion.