Patent classifications
B63B1/248
CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A HYDROFOIL WATERCRAFT WITH FULLY SUBMERGED HYDROFOIL
A stabilized a hydrofoil water craft comprising: a water-craft base member, a hydrofoil mast having proximal and distal portions; said proximal portion mechanically connected to said bottom side of said water-craft base member, a fuselage mechanically connected to said distal portion of said at least one hydrofoil mast, a rudder configured for controlling a yaw angle of said water craft, an elevator rotatable around an axis lying in a plane parallel to water-craft base member and a stabilization arrangement further comprising at least one sensor configured for detecting a 3D orientation of said water-craft base member, an estimator configured for estimating the 3D orientation, actuators for manipulating the rudder and elevator and a controller for analyzing the estimated 3D orientation and controlling the actuators. In response to a disturb roll inclination of the water craft, the controller generates a command to a rudder actuator to compensate the detected inclination.
Stepped Cambered Planing Hull
Various embodiments are disclosed for a stepped cambered planing hull for a boat including a swept back cambered planing surface having a non-linear distribution of camber. The non-linear distribution of camber along the swept back cambered planing surface may enable stepped cambered planing hulls having high deadrise (i.e., greater than 15 degrees). The stepped cambered planing hull may include a shaped hydrofoil that generates further hydrodynamic lift by piercing the free surface wake produced by the swept back cambered planing surface. The stepped cambered planing hull may have external bottom surfaces adapted at the after-body and transom to accommodate a distinctive profile of the free surface wake produced by the swept back cambered planing surface. The stepped cambered planing hull may include an adjustable interceptor blade to regulate hydrodynamic lift at low speeds or to ensure an optimal dynamic trim angle in a wide range of speeds.
Underwater wings for providing lift to boats
A hydrofoil system provides lift to a motor-powered displacement hull without raising the hull out of the water. The hydrofoil system includes a pair of laterally opposed forward hydrofoil wings positioned respectively on the first pontoon and second pontoon forward a center of gravity of the hull. The forward hydrofoil wings extend laterally inboard and downwards towards each other. The hydrofoil system also includes a pair of laterally opposed aft hydrofoil wings positioned near the stern of the hull on the first pontoon and second pontoon respectively. The aft hydrofoil wings extend laterally inboard towards each other and have an upper surface with convex curvature that extends from the respective first pontoon or second pontoon to an inboard terminal end thereof.
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.
Rapid flap deflection for high lift transients
A wing, a method of controlling lift on a wing, and a system to produce lift on a wing are provided. The wing may include a fore-element, an aft-element, a pivotable linkage that operatively connects the aft-element leading edge to the fore-element trailing edge in a span-wise direction, and an actuator. The actuator may deflect the aft-element through a predetermined deflection angle about the pivotable linkage relative to the fore-element within less than or equal to two convective periods. The method may include deflecting a span-wise flap through the deflection angle in less than or equal to two convective periods to produce high lift. The system may include a sensor to detect an input and a controller to deflect the span-wise flap of the wing by the deflection angle in not more than two convective periods based on the received input signal.
WATER SPORTS BOAT WITH FOIL DISPLACEMENT SYSTEM
A foil displacement system includes one or more foils that can be deployed and stowed. When deployed, each foil can exert downforce or uplift depending on its orientation. For example, each foil may be positioned to have an angle of attack that creates a downward force effectively transmitted to the hull to pull the hull deeper within the water to, for example, create a larger wake. Use of the foil displacement system can enhance or replace the use of a ballast tank system, can be integrated into a new boat or retrofitted to existing boats, can be electronically or manually positioned, can enhance activities such as wake surfing, wake boarding, water skiing or other similar or related water sports.
Quick release mast mounting assemblies for hydrofoil sports boards
This disclosure extends to systems, apparatus, and methods for quick release mast mounting assemblies for board mounted hydrofoil assemblies. In one exemplary system, a quick release mounting assembly may include board mountable base receiver for mounting to a sports board, which defines a longitudinal receiving recess. A resilient locking member is disposed at a front end of the base receiver. A separate mast connection member formed as a body configured for connection to an upper end of a hydrofoil mast, corresponds to the longitudinal receiving recess, and includes a counterpart structure for forming a secure connection with the resilient locking member. The mast connection member may include opposite shoulder or wing members that extend laterally orthogonal to the longitudinal axis thereof and the receiving recess may include counterpart slots for receiving these members. The resilient locking member may include a separate spring assembly or be a unitary member.
HYDROFOIL CAVITATING FLOW CONTROL STRUCTURE
A hydrofoil cavitating flow control structure includes a hydrofoil. A primary protuberant stripe is disposed in a middle position of a suction side of the hydrofoil, a plurality of symmetrically-distributed secondary protuberant stripes are disposed obliquely at both sides of the primary protuberant stripe, and the plurality of secondary protuberant stripes are uniformly and equidistantly distributed along the length direction of the primary protuberant stripe. By changing geometric parameters such as an included angle between the primary protuberant stripe and the second protuberant stripe, a ratio of cross section diameters and a distribution spacing of the second protuberant stripes along a chord length direction of the hydrofoil and the like, the shedding of cloud cavitation on a hydrofoil surface is effectively suppressed, and cavitation erosion and pressure pulsation generated by cavitation collapse is reduced, thus improving the operation efficiency and the service life of hydraulic machinery.
WATERCRAFT
A watercraft (10) including a board (12), a mast (16) extending below the board, (12) the mast (16) carrying a foil (20) and a propeller (30) that is driven by a motor (32), the motor (32) being carried in a tube (18) connected to or extending from the mast (16), wherein a motor controller (34) is also positioned within the tube (18). In this manner, heat generated by the motor controller during use is dissipated into the water through which the watercraft is travelling. The watercraft (10) may also have a receptacle for holding lubricant, the receptacle being located above the motor, wherein the mast has a conduit that provides fluid communication between the receptacle and the lubricant lubricating the motor and/or driveshaft such that lubricant in the receptacle provides a hydrostatic head of pressure to prevent or minimise water ingress around a propeller seal or a driveshaft seal located adjacent a region where the driveshaft exits into the water.
Human powered hydrofoil vehicle and use method
The human powered hydrofoil bicycle includes multiple subsystems integrated together including a structural frame subsystem with associated steering and tiller module, a hydrofoil subsystem to provide vehicle lift, and a powertrain subsystem. The structural frame subsystem may be fitted with buoyancy modules to provide the overall vehicle with a near neutrally buoyant character. The structural frame subsystem also supports a seat for an operator and provides structural support for the steering and tiller module for the hydrofoil subsystem and the drivetrain subsystem. The hydrofoil subsystem includes multiple hydrofoil elements at lowermost portions of the vehicle. These hydrofoil elements generally include in a preferred embodiment a larger rear foil and a smaller front foil. The powertrain subsystem generally includes pedals rotatably supported on the vehicle at a convenient location for engagement and driving by feet of an operator. Power transmission elements extend from the pedals down to a prime mover such as a propeller.