System and related methods for marine transportation

• US 8,262,424 B1
• Filed: 06/11/2009
• Issued: 09/11/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Anthony C. Ross, Russel Ross
• Original Assignee: Anthony C. Ross, Russel Ross
• Inventors: Ross, Anthony C., Ross, Russel
• Primary Examiner(s): Vasudeva, Ajay
• Application Number:
  US12/482,740
• Time in Patent Office: 1,188 Days
• Field of Search: 440/38, 440/40, 440/44, 440/47, 602/21, 602/22, 417/392, 417/394, 417/412, 417472-475, 417/478
• US Class Current: 440/38
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 11/04 by means of pumps
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 11/06 of reciprocating type

Abstract

A system and related methods for manned and/or unmanned marine transportation involving equipping a vessel capable with a linear pump for propelling the vessel through or substantially over a body of water.

Claims

1. A marine transportation system, comprising:

a vessel capable of progressing through water; and

a linear pump including a generally rigid outer chamber having at least one fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet and an inner chamber disposed within said outer chamber, said inner chamber having at least one fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet and comprising a plurality of generally rigid articulating walls coupled together via articulating joints to provide bi-directional radial movement of said walls to expand and contract the volume of fluid within said inner chamber and at least one linear motor disposed proximate each end of the inner chamber and coupled to at least one of said plurality of generally rigid articulating walls such that actuation of said linear motor causes said bi-directional radial movement of said walls such that a circumference of said inner chamber at least one of increases and decreases along a longitudinal axis to facilitate the simultaneous influx of fluid through said at least one fluid inlet of said inner chamber and expulsion of fluid through said at least one fluid outlet of said outer chamber,

said linear pump coupled to said vessel for propelling said vessel through said water.

2. The marine transportation system of claim 1, wherein said bi-directional radial movement of said walls further facilitates the simultaneous influx of fluid through said at least one fluid inlet of said outer chamber and expulsion of fluid through said at least one fluid outlet of said inner chamber.

3. The marine transportation system of claim 1 and further, wherein said vessel is dimensioned to progress substantially above the surface of said water.

4. The marine transportation system of claim 1 and further, wherein said linear pump is coupled to said vessel via a swivel arrangement capable of positioning said linear pump to provide at least two degrees of directional control.

5. The marine transportation system of claim 1 and further, comprising a power supply system including at least one battery for supplying power to said linear pump.

6. The marine transportation system of claim 1 and further, comprising a power supply system including at least one solar cell for supplying power to said linear pump.

7. The marine transportation system of claim 1 and further, comprising a computer guidance system for guiding and operating said linear pump.

8. The marine transportation system of claim 1 and further, comprising at least one sensor for providing feedback to said linear pump.

9. The marine transportation system of claim 1 and further, wherein said vessel is equipped with at least one seat for carrying a passenger.

10. The marine transportation system of claim 1 and further, comprising at least one antenna for at least one of sending signals from said vessel and receiving signals on said vessel.

11. A method of providing marine transportation, comprising:

equipping a vessel capable of progressing through water with a linear pump capable of propelling said vessel through said water, said linear pump including a generally rigid outer chamber having at least one fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet and an inner chamber disposed within said outer chamber, said inner chamber having at least one fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet and comprising a plurality of generally rigid articulating walls coupled together via articulating joints to provide bi-directional radial movement of said walls to expand and contract the volume of fluid within said inner chamber and at least one linear motor disposed proximate each end of the inner chamber and coupled to at least one of said plurality of generally rigid articulating walls such that actuation of said linear motor causes said bi-directional radial movement of said walls such that a circumference of said inner chamber at least one of increases and decreases along a longitudinal axis to facilitate the simultaneous influx of fluid through said at least one fluid inlet of said inner chamber and expulsion of fluid through said at least one fluid outlet of said outer chamber.

12. The marine transportation system of claim 11, wherein said bi-directional radial movement of said walls further facilitates the simultaneous influx of fluid through said at least one fluid inlet of said outer chamber and expulsion of fluid through said at least one fluid outlet of said inner chamber.

13. The method of providing marine transportation of claim 11 and further, including the sub-step of dimensioning said vessel to progress substantially above the surface of said water.

14. The method of providing marine transportation of claim 11 and further, including the sub-step of coupling said linear pump to said vessel via a swivel arrangement capable of positioning said linear pump to provide at least two degrees of directional control.

15. The method of providing marine transportation of claim 11 and further, including the step of providing a power supply system including at least one battery for supplying power to said linear pump.

16. The method of providing marine transportation of claim 11 and further, including the step of providing a power supply system including at least one solar cell for supplying power to said linear pump.

17. The method of providing marine transportation of claim 11 and further, including the step of providing a computer guidance system for guiding and operating said linear pump.

18. The method of providing marine transportation of claim 11 and further, including the step of providing at least one sensor for providing feedback to said linear pump.

19. The method of providing marine transportation of claim 11 and further, including the sub-step of equipping said vessel with at least one seat for carrying a passenger.

20. The method of providing marine transportation of claim 11 and further, including the step of providing at least one antenna for at least one of sending signals from said vessel and receiving signals on said vessel.