Solar charged, electrically driven watercraft

• US 7,047,902 B1
• Filed: 06/23/2003
• Issued: 05/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Rolland N. Little
• Original Assignee: Rolland N. Little
• Inventors: Little, Rolland N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Olson, Lars A.
• Application Number:
  US10/601,830
• Time in Patent Office: 1,065 Days
• Field of Search: 114/61.1, 114/61.12, 114/343, 114/361, 114/211, 114/56.1, 114/292, 180/2.2
• US Class Current: 114/361
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 17/02 Awnings , including rigid weather protection structures, e.g. sunroofs; Tarpaulins; Accessories for awnings or tarpaulins
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2209/18 solar energy
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 2021/171 making use of photovoltaic energy conversion, e.g. using solar panels
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 21/17 by electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 70/5236 Renewable or hybrid-electric solutions

Abstract

A solar powered watercraft including a pontoon section, a strut section, a deck section, and a solar canopy section is provided. The canopy section comprises a headliner layer, a ventilation space, and means for receiving solar radiation. The solar canopy may further comprise a means for flowing air through the ventilation space that includes a fan, a thermostatic switch, a photocell, air inlet ports, and air exhaust ports. The aft section of the pontoon, moreover, may possess a dual tapered design that reduces water friction and wake. The watercraft further includes means for containing a battery pack that, in turn, comprises means for removing heat and gaseous byproducts from the containing means. The containing means is either made integral with the pontoon or is attached to the pontoon'"'"'s outer surface. The watercraft may possess an aft-oriented trim, which stabilizes the craft and reduces the effect of water forces.

Claims

1. A solar-powered watercraft comprising:

a craft body including a deck;

at least one pontoon having a centerline of flotation, said pontoon being disposed in depending relation from said body and comprising first and second sides, a forward terminal end toward which said sides taper and intersect at a forward terminal edge oriented perpendicularly to said deck, an intermediate portion, and an aft terminal end toward which said sides taper and intersect at an aft terminal edge oriented perpendicularly to said deck;

a canopy secured to said body and disposed above said deck, wherein said canopy includes means for receiving solar radiation;

at least one battery pack for powering said watercraft, wherein said pack is secured to said pontoon; and

means for transferring energy from the solar reception means to the battery pack;

wherein the canopy further comprises a headliner disposed substantially parallel to and in vertically spaced relation from the solar reception means to define a ventilation space between the solar reception means and the headliner, and wherein the canopy further includes means for flowing air through the ventilation space comprising a fan connected in circuit to a photocell.

2. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein the battery pack is mounted on an exterior surface of the pontoon.

3. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein the battery pack is mounted at least partially inside the pontoon.

4. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein said solar reception means comprises at least one solar panel.

5. The watercraft of claim 4, wherein the solar panel comprises a non-flexible monocrystalline or polycrystalline module.

6. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein

said forward terminal end defines a water-cutting edge;

said intermediate portion includes the centerline of flotation; and

said sides at said aft terminal end taper both rearward and downward to converge to said aft terminal edge.

7. The watercraft of claim 1 further comprising means for containing the battery pack located near the flotation centerline.

8. The watercraft of claim 7, wherein the battery pack containing means comprises means for air inlet and means for air outlet.

9. The watercraft of claim 1 wherein the means for transferring energy from the solar reception means to the battery pack comprises a control console secured above the deck.

10. The watercraft of claim 9, wherein the control console comprises means for ventilating air.

11. The watercraft of claim 10, wherein the air ventilation means comprises a fan connected in series to a thermostatic switch.

12. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein the watercraft possesses an aft-oriented trim at rest or in motion.

13. A pontoon for a watercraft comprising

a forward terminal end;

an intermediate portion including a vertical centerline of flotation, the centerline of flotation comprising a point along the pontoon located halfway between a forward point where the diameter is 75% of the full pontoon diameter and an aft point where the diameter is equal to or greater than 80% of the full pontoon diameter;

an aft terminal end; and

a bay configured to receive battery containing means.

14. The pontoon of claim 13, wherein the pontoon bay intersects the centerline of flotation.

15. The pontoon of claim 14 further including battery containing means secured to the battery bay.

16. A pontoon for a watercraft comprising

a first side and a second side;

a forward section having a terminal end;

an intermediate section including a flotation centerline;

an aft section having a terminal end; and

means for containing at least one battery pack secured to the intermediate section;

wherein, at said aft terminal end, said sides include a downward taper and a rearward taper converging and intersecting at an edge.

17. The pontoon of claim 16, wherein the battery pack containing means is mounted on the exterior surface of the pontoon.

18. The pontoon of claim 16, wherein the means for containing a battery pack is mounted at least partially inside the pontoon.

19. The pontoon of claim 16, wherein the battery pack containing means comprises means for air inlet and means for air outlet.

20. The pontoon of claim 16, wherein the battery pack containing means intersects the flotation centerline.

21. A solar-powered watercraft comprising

a craft body including a deck;

at least one pontoon secured in depending relation from said body, said pontoon including

a centerline of flotation oriented perpendicular to said deck,

a bay comprising a recessed surface area on the pontoon, said bay positioned to intersect the centerline of flotation,

battery containing means at least partially positioned within said bay, said battery containing means including a means for air inlet and a means for air outlet;

a canopy secured to said body and disposed above said deck, wherein said canopy includes means for receiving solar radiation;

at least one battery pack for powering said watercraft, wherein said pack is contained within said battery containing means; and

means for transferring energy from the solar reception means to the battery pack.

22. The watercraft of claim 21, wherein the centerline of flotation is a point along the pontoon located halfway between a forward point where the diameter is 75% of the full pontoon diameter and an aft point where the diameter is equal to or greater than 80% of the full pontoon diameter.

23. A solar-powered watercraft comprising

a craft body including a deck;

at least one pontoon secured in depending relation from the body, the pontoon including

a container configured to house a battery pack, and

a bay configured to receive the container, wherein the container is secured to the bay;

a battery pack housed in the container;

a canopy secured to said body and disposed above said deck, said canopy including a panel operable to receive solar radiation; and

a control console operable to transfer energy from the solar panel to the battery pack;

wherein the control console further includes a ventilator configured to ventilate the battery pack container and the control console.

24. A solar-powered watercraft comprising

a craft body including a deck;

at least one pontoon secured in depending relation from said body;

a canopy secured to said body and disposed above said deck, wherein said canopy includes

a frame comprising an open channel;

a headliner attached to the frame channel; and

a panel configured to receive solar radiation attached to said frame and disposed substantially parallel to and in vertically spaced relation from the headliner to define a ventilation space between the panel and the headliner, said panel positioned above the headliner such that the panel comprises the layer furthest from the deck;

a battery pack that powers the watercraft; and

a control console operable to transfer energy from the panel to the battery pack.

25. The watercraft of claim 24, wherein the canopy further includes means for flowing air through the ventilation space comprising a fan connected in circuit to a photocell, said photocell configured to make inoperable the fan when insufficient sunlight is present.

26. A solar-powered watercraft comprising:

a craft body including a deck;

at least one pontoon disposed in depending relation from the body and comprising first and second sides,

a forward terminal end toward which the sides taper and intersect at a forward terminal edge oriented perpendicularly to the deck, wherein the forward terminal end defines a water-cutting edge,

an intermediate portion comprising a centerline of flotation, and

an aft terminal end toward which the sides taper rearward and downward to intersect at an aft terminal edge oriented perpendicularly to the deck;

a canopy secured to the body and disposed above the deck, wherein said canopy is operable to receive solar radiation;

at least one battery pack for powering the watercraft, wherein the at least one battery pack is secured to the pontoon; and

means for transferring energy from the solar reception means to the battery pack.