Systems and methods are provided for continuously and automatically monitoring, controlling, and combining shore-based AC power sources for waterborne vessels while the vessels are at dock or in port. The systems can allow a one or more shore AC power AC to power the entire vessel, and automatically and safely join multiple power sources to power a single higher-current-capacity electrical distribution bus on the vessel. The systems can automatically monitor and evaluate the characteristics of multiple shore power sources to determine when it is possible to safely combine the sources. Also, the systems can recognize the disconnection/disablement of a shore power source, and can un-combine that power source from the other power sources feeding the system. The systems can automatically evaluate the phase, current and voltage of multiple AC sources, and combine the sources only after a specific set of conditions are satisfied.

A power system for supplying electric power from shore-side to a vessel is presented. The power system includes one or more shore-side converters (101-112) for receiving electric power from a shore-side alternating voltage network (137) and for producing one or more direct voltages. Each shore-side converter can be a controllable converter for controlling the produced direct voltage to be suitable for the vessel in accordance with a control signal received from the vessel, or the vessel may include a direct voltage converter for converting the direct voltage received from the shore-side to be suitable for the vessel. The vessel can be an electric vessel which includes a chargeable battery (132) for supplying electric power to the propulsion system (135) of the vessel.

An electrical distribution system for personal water craft. The primary components include a digital switching device; a series of power lines; and one or more remote controls, a control panel, or both. The digital switching device is preferably a bank of solid state relay switches controlled by an MCU. The control panel also has an MCU. The control panel MCU communicates with the digital switching device MCU. This allows signals from the control panel to travel on a single communication cable to the digital switching device, significantly reducing the control panel footprint compared to prior art control panels. When a radio frequency (RF) receiver is provided, the electrical distribution system may receive signals from a remote control. The remote control may be utilized in addition to or in lieu of the control panel. Power lines run from the digital switching device to wherever power is desired in the vessel.

A drive system mounted to the hull of a buoyant vessel, the drive system having a rectifier, a generator, an AC bus in communication with shore power or a charging system and the rectifier, a DC bus in communication with the rectifier, at least one energy storage system, an inverter, a prime mover, a load regenerating device, and a control and monitor system which has predefined specifications for at least one of: storage units of at least one energy storage system; stored therein and wherein the control and monitor system is adapted to: automatically control the DC/DC converters, relieve a current draw from one or more storage units, provide charging current, and automatically draw power and redirect energy.

A mobile power station for the purpose of recharging electric vehicles is provided. The charging station includes separate, but different, types of electrical generation capabilities. For example, the charging station may include two or more of: wind power, solar power and power generated from oscillators, which charge its battery pack over land. If desired, the mobile power station can be amphibious, as well, and can navigate large bodies of water.

A vessel includes electric connectors for receiving one or more direct voltages from a shore-side electric power system. The vessel includes a transmitter for transmitting, to the shore-side electric power system, a control signal enabling the shore-side electric power system to control the one or more direct voltages to be suitable for the vessel. Alternatively, the vessel includes one or more controllable direct voltage converters and a control system for controlling the one or more controllable direct voltage converters to convert the one or more direct voltages into one or more direct voltages suitable for the vessel. The vessel can be for example a ship, a boat, or a ferry.

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 buoyant vessel having a hull and a drive system mounted to the hull, the system having a rectifier, a generator, an AC bus in communication with shore power or a charging system and the rectifier, a DC bus in communication with the rectifier, at least one energy storage system, an inverter, a prime mover, a load regenerating device, and a control and monitor system which has predefined specifications for at least one of: storage units of at least one energy storage system; stored therein and wherein the control and monitor system is adapted to: automatically control the DC/DC converters, relieve a current draw from one or more storage units, provide charging current, and automatically draw power and redirect energy.

The disclosure relates to a charging cable for charging an at least partly electrically driven marine vessel. The charging cable has an at least substantially flat cross-section and is arranged to be rolled up onto a cable reel.

A buoyant vessel having a hull and a drive system mounted to the hull, the system having a rectifier, a generator, an AC bus in communication with shore power or a charging system and the rectifier, a DC bus in communication with the rectifier, at least one energy storage system, an inverter, a prime mover, a load regenerating device, and a control and monitor system which has predefined specifications for at least one of: storage units of at least one energy storage system; stored therein and wherein the control and monitor system is adapted to: automatically control the DC/DC converters, relieve a current draw from one or more storage units, provide charging current, and automatically draw power and redirect energy.