A method including operating a vehicle in a medium. The vehicle is subject to advection due to movement of the medium. The method also includes measuring, using a navigation system, positions of a vehicle over time. The method also includes measuring, using a directional sensor, a course-through-medium over the time. The method also includes calculating, using the positions and the course-through-medium, a variation of a speed-over-ground of the vehicle over the time as a function of the course-through-medium over the time. The method also includes concurrently estimating, using the variation, 1) an average speed-through-medium for the vehicle over the time, and 2) an advection rate of the medium, and 3) an advection direction of the medium.

A maneuverable platform capable of operating on both fluid bodies (e.g., lakes, rivers, oceans, etc. in either liquid or frozen form) and land is provided. The platform has an above water portion formed of one or more sections onto discrete sections of which are positioned a number of buoyant propulsion members configured to support the above water portion and engage a fluid body or the ground to collectively provide support, propulsion and steering for the platform. The buoyant propulsion members are configured such that they provide buoyancy to the platform when the platform is at rest and lift when the platform reaches a specified hydrodynamic speed such that the platform planes atop the fluid of the fluid body during operation. The maneuverable platform, including the above water portion and the buoyant propulsion members, may be modular such that the platform may be split into sections of predetermined configuration to operate independently.

A maneuverable platform capable of operating on both fluid bodies (e.g., lakes, rivers, oceans, etc. in either liquid or frozen form) and land is provided. The platform has an above water portion formed of one or more sections onto discrete sections of which are positioned a number of buoyant propulsion members configured to support the above water portion and engage a fluid body or the ground to collectively provide support, propulsion and steering for the platform. The buoyant propulsion members are configured such that they provide buoyancy to the platform when the platform is at rest and lift when the platform reaches a specified hydrodynamic speed such that the platform planes atop the fluid of the fluid body during operation. The maneuverable platform, including the above water portion and the buoyant propulsion members, may be modular such that the platform may be split into sections of predetermined configuration to operate independently.

A method including operating a vehicle in a medium. The vehicle is subject to advection due to movement of the medium. The method also includes measuring, using a navigation system, positions of a vehicle over time. The method also includes measuring, using a directional sensor, a course-through-medium over the time. The method also includes calculating, using the positions and the course-through-medium, a variation of a speed-over-ground of the vehicle over the time as a function of the course-through-medium over the time. The method also includes concurrently estimating, using the variation, 1) an average speed-through-medium for the vehicle over the time, and 2) an advection rate of the medium, and 3) an advection direction of the medium.

The present invention relates generally to facilities and systems capable of initiating and maintaining vertical flow, upward, within an extended-length water column by inducing changes in density throughout the column. Specifically, the induced (vertical) flow of water within an extended water column that is the present invention is accomplished through fluid aeration, with ambient air, which is directed toward producing ascending water flow rates sufficient to generate hydraulic pressure and hydraulic powered energy, through generated radial force in hydraulic turbines. It is another goal of this invention to utilize air infused water, derived from high-density and low depths, to create said vertical flow and induce turbine actuation through said unaltered, recyclable mediums—air and water—resulting in electrical power generation and desalination.

The present invention relates generally to facilities and systems capable of initiating and maintaining vertical flow, upward, within an extended-length water column by inducing changes in density throughout the column. Specifically, the induced (vertical) flow of water within an extended water column that is the present invention is accomplished through fluid aeration, with ambient air, which is directed toward producing ascending water flow rates sufficient to generate hydraulic pressure and hydraulic powered energy, through generated radial force in hydraulic turbines. It is another goal of this invention to utilize air infused water, derived from high-density and low depths, to create said vertical flow and induce turbine actuation through said unaltered, recyclable mediums—air and water—resulting in electrical power generation and desalination.

A power generation method and device utilizes fluid currents to generate power by rotating a rotation element which in turn rotates a cable which turns components within a power generator to generate the power. The rotation element is positioned within the fluid and is able to move to different depths as desired. The power generator is positioned inside or outside of the fluid. The rotation element is able to be a helix, helix-propeller, propeller or any other practical design. The rotation element is also able to implement additional components.

A power generation method and device utilizes fluid currents to generate power by rotating a rotation element which in turn rotates a cable which turns components within a power generator to generate the power. The rotation element is positioned within the fluid and is able to move to different depths as desired. The power generator is positioned inside or outside of the fluid. The rotation element is able to be a helix, helix-propeller, propeller or any other practical design. The rotation element is also able to implement additional components.

A completely transparent spherical body is surrounded externally by a plurality of leaf plates arranged in equal spacing along a main outer ring rack of the spherical body. Two rubber tires are included to wrap the spherical body. A rider inside the spherical body pedals to rotate the spherical body forward. A vehicle having the spherical body can be autonomously operated to move on land or water, and in the air. In addition, to operate this vehicle, no specific road or environmental requirement is needed, and no other obstacle, even a traffic accident can stop its movement.

A completely transparent spherical body is surrounded externally by a plurality of leaf plates arranged in equal spacing along a main outer ring rack of the spherical body. Two rubber tires are included to wrap the spherical body. A rider inside the spherical body pedals to rotate the spherical body forward. A vehicle having the spherical body can be autonomously operated to move on land or water, and in the air. In addition, to operate this vehicle, no specific road or environmental requirement is needed, and no other obstacle, even a traffic accident can stop its movement.