Computer controlled watercraft
First Claim
1. A sailboat comprising:
- (a) an elongated submerged central support member having an upper surface and at least one strut or must attached to the upper surface;
(b) an electric motor and a low energy density power source within the support member, wherein the low energy density power source comprises at least 25% of the total watercraft weight;
(c) two elongated floats one of each side of the central support member, each float having an upper surface with at least one strut attached to the upper surface; and
(c) a platform attached to the upper ends of the struts and held above the support member and float(s).
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Accused Products
Abstract
New electric boat designs are provided that exploit the weight of a battery to stabilize the boat and in some cases to overcome the hull speed limitation problem. The battery mass is enclosed in one or two torpedo-like structures that are mostly or completely submerged. A platform is spaced above the torpedo(s) via one or more struts that may allow wave energy to pass through the watercraft rather than collide with large vertical surfaces. The design minimizes wake formation, wave sensitivity and is useful for new kinds of electric boats that can dive with an air bubble to allow submarine use, higher speed pleasure craft, and sailing craft that can remain stable in shallow draft waters. The stabilized watercraft optionally have computer monitoring of wave activity and control for greater resistance to adverse weather conditions.
19 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A sailboat comprising:
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(a) an elongated submerged central support member having an upper surface and at least one strut or must attached to the upper surface;
(b) an electric motor and a low energy density power source within the support member, wherein the low energy density power source comprises at least 25% of the total watercraft weight;
(c) two elongated floats one of each side of the central support member, each float having an upper surface with at least one strut attached to the upper surface; and
(c) a platform attached to the upper ends of the struts and held above the support member and float(s). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A computer controlled watercraft comprising at least two sensors at separate locations on the watercraft, a computer and an actuator, wherein the sensors detect wave height with respect to a position on the watercraft, the sensors provide signals to the computer and the computer outputs a response useful for correcting the watercraft speed, depth, direction or attitude, and wherein the response is at least one of:
- a rudder movement;
a ballast shift;
a motor speed change; and
a motor thrust vector change. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
- a rudder movement;
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15. An electric powered watercraft having at least one enclosed cabin capable of traveling in seas with waves that exceed 3 feet high comprising;
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(a) an elongated submerged support member that comprises more than 25% of the watercraft weight, having an upper surface, and at least one strut attached to the upper surface;
(b) at least two floats having upper surfaces and at least one strut attached to each upper surface, wherein the floats are positioned parallel to but above the submerged support member; and
(c) a platform that comprises the cabin, such that the platform is attached to the upper ends of the struts and held above the support member and float(s), and wherein the platform and cabin can be submerged during normal operation. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification