Joint Commonality Submersible (JCS)

• US 9,180,343 B2
• Filed: 03/22/2011
• Issued: 11/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Edwin Yeo Chee Hui
• Original Assignee: Opcon Inc
• Inventors: Yeo, Chee Hui
• Primary Examiner(s): Morano, S. Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): Polay, Andrew
• Application Number:
  US13/579,320
• Publication Number:
  US 20120309241A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,694 Days
• Field of Search: 440/1, 440/38, 114/315, 701/21, 362/477, 403/322.4, 403/325, 403/326, 403/327
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 35/12 operated by a motor
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 11/46 Divers' sleds or like craft, i.e. craft on which man in diving-suit rides

Abstract

An underwater propulsion device includes a number of modules allowing it to be used in a range of configurations including a tow/pull type scooter 300, a thigh strap configuration 700, a calf strap configuration 1100, a push configuration 1200, a tank mount configuration 1300. The device may include an underwater changeable battery canister 1600, a hand controller 216 that senses movement about the radius bone to generate direction and speed control signals and/or a front mounted headlight 224.

Claims

1. An underwater propulsion device comprising:

at least one propulsion unit removably attached to a tank, a scooter, a saddle, or adapted to be attached to a user;

a controller configured to receive the user'"'"'s input;

a battery canister removably attached to a scooter, a saddle, or adapted to be attached to a user;

wherein the propulsion unit comprises a thruster and an adapter having an actuator, a latching mechanism, and a longitudinal slot, the thruster being attachable to the adapter by the latching mechanism;

wherein the thruster comprises an engagement portion having a latching gap, wherein the engagement portion is aligned along a main axis of the thruster, and wherein the engagement portion is configured to nest within the longitudinal slot of the adapter;

wherein the latching mechanism comprises;

a first spring mechanism comprising a first spring coupled to a latch, wherein the latch is biased to engage the latching gap of the engagement portion of the thruster when the engagement portion is nested within the longitudinal slot, and

a second spring mechanism comprising a second spring, wherein the second spring biases the engagement portion out of the longitudinal slot when the engagement portion is nested within the longitudinal slot, wherein the latching mechanism is configured to eject the engagement portion from the longitudinal slot along the main axis of the longitudinal slot past the latch when the latch is released from the latching gap; and

wherein the actuator is connected to the latch such that the actuator is depressable against the biasing force of the first spring to release the latch from the latching gap to thereby eject the thruster from the adapter along the main axis of the longitudinal slot.

2. The underwater propulsion device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the propulsion unit, the controller, and the battery canister are configured to be connected by cables that may be removed and reconnected underwater.

3. The underwater propulsion device as claimed in claim 2 wherein each cable includes a wet connector at each end.

4. The underwater propulsion device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the thruster may include a propeller, turbine, jet, or pump.

5. The underwater propulsion device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the controller includes a motion sensor configured to strap to the user approximately above a radius bone or any parts of the user'"'"'s body.

6. The underwater propulsion device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the controller is configured to translate movements of the wrist as detected by the motion sensor into a left or right turn and/or speed control signals to the propulsion unit.

7. The underwater propulsion device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the controller includes a speed control switch or a speed control knob to control the speed of the propulsion unit.

8. The underwater propulsion device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the adapter comprises a hinged mechanism rotatably coupling the thruster to the adapter to angle the thruster substantially away from the user'"'"'s leg.

9. The underwater propulsion device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the battery canister is configured to allow a battery to be removed and to be replaced underwater.

10. The underwater propulsion device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the propulsion unit includes a motor.

11. The underwater propulsion device as claimed in claim 7 further comprising a navigation module configured to vary the left and right and/or speed control signals depending on the output of a flow detector and one or more way points.

12. The underwater propulsion device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an image projection unit and/or an LCD panel configured to display control information received from the controller.

13. The underwater propulsion device as claimed in claim 6, comprising at least two thrusters attachable to the user, wherein the speed control signals are translated to independent drive signals to the at least two thrusters.

14. The underwater propulsion device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one propulsion unit is removably attached to the user, the tank, the scooter, or the saddle by the adapter.

15. The underwater propulsion device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the adapter is received within a slot of the tank, the scooter or the saddle, or wherein the adapter has a strap threaded therethrough for attachment to the user.

16. The underwater propulsion device as claimed in claim 5, wherein one or more fingers of a hand coupled to the wrist remain free of the motion sensor.

17. The underwater propulsion device as claimed in claim 5, further comprising an on/off switch, wherein the on/off switch is configured to be in an on position when disposed towards the user'"'"'s body, and wherein the on/off switch is configured to be in an off position when disposed away from the user'"'"'s body.

18. The underwater propulsion device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator protrudes from an upper surface of the adapter.

19. The underwater propulsion device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of cables, wherein the thruster, the controller, and the battery canister are connected by the plurality of cables.

20. The underwater propulsion device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the at least one cable of the plurality of cables remain coupled to the thruster when the engagement portion is not disposed in the longitudinal slot.