Computer controlled electric watercraft

• US 20020088387A1
• Filed: 08/13/2001
• Published: 07/11/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kayo Motsenbocker, Marvin A. Motsenbocker
• Original Assignee: Kayo Motsenbocker, Marvin A. Motsenbocker
• Inventors: Motsenbocker, Marvin A., Motsenbocker, Kayo
• Granted Patent: US 6,571,722 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 114/61.1
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 1/107 Semi-submersibles; Small waterline area multiple hull vessels and the like, e.g. SWATH
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 1/12 the hulls being interconnected rigidly B63B1/107 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 1/125 comprising more than two hulls B63B1/107 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 1/14 the hulls being interconnected resiliently or having means for actively varying hull shape or configuration collapsible, foldable, inflatable or like vessels B63B7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 39/005 Equipment to decrease ship's vibrations produced externally to the ship, e.g. wave-induced vibrations propulsion mountings for anti-vibration purposes B63H21/30; vibration dampers, suppression of vibration in systems F16F
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 43/04 by improving stability
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 21/17 by electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 70/50 Measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions related to the propulsion system
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

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.

Claims

1. An electric powered watercraft capable of exceeding its calculated hull speed comprising:

(a) at least one elongated submerged support member having an upper surface and at least one strut attached to the upper surface;

(b) a propulsion unit and a low energy density power source within the at least one support member;

(c) at least one float having a convex upper surface and 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(s) and float(s).

2. The watercraft of claim 1, having a length less than 35 feet.

3. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein the low energy density power source comprises at least 25% of the total watercraft weight.

4. The watercraft of claim 1, wherein the top of each support member submerges below the water surface by at least the maximum diameter of the support member.

5. The watercraft of claim 1, comprising a single support member less than 12 feet long and two floating skis and wherein the platform comprises a seat for a rider.

6. The watercraft of claim 1, further comprising a means to prevent submersion of the platform.

7. The watercraft of claim 1, further comprising at least one a mechanical force deflector on a strut or on the platform to prevent immersion of the platform during forward motion of the watercraft, the deflector comprising a surface attached within the forward half of the watercraft above the water line and which forces the front of the watercraft up when the deflector hits the water surface.

8. The electric watercraft of claim 1, comprising a fossil fuel powered electric generator capable of regenerating the low energy density power source.

9. An electric powered watercraft capable of both cruising at the water surface and diving comprising:

(a) two elongated submersible support members, each having at least one strut attached to its upper surface;

(b) a propulsion unit and a low energy density power source within each support member; and

(c) a platform attached to and positioned above the struts of the support members, the platform comprising a cabin having a top and sides, with an opening at its bottom that allows a diver to enter and exit the cabin at ambient pressure;

wherein at least the top of the cabin is held above the water surface while the watercraft cruises at the water surface and the entire cabin submerges during diving.

10. The diving electric watercraft of claim 9, wherein the anterior edge of each support member is curved upwards to allow the support member to rise towards the water surface during forward motion and thereby push at least part of the platform above the water surface during forward motion.

11. The electric powered watercraft of claim 9, wherein the negative buoyancy of the total mass of the low energy density power sources exceeds the buoyancy of the air filled cabin during diving.

12. The electric powered watercraft of claim 9, wherein the two submerged support members comprise chambers that are ballasted with air having a total volume that exceeds the volume of the air filled cabin.

13. The electric powered watercraft of claim 9, wherein the outside top of the cabin comprises a fixture to allow at least one passenger to ride while cruising at the water surface.

14. The electric powered watercraft of claim 9, wherein the cabin rises at least partially out of the water during forward movement via lifting action due to the curvature of the leading edge of each support member.

15. The electric powered watercraft of claim 9 having a center of gravity that is at least two feet below its center of buoyancy while diving.

17. The watercraft of claim 16, wherein the length of the support member exceeds the length of the platform by at least twice the average distance provided by the strut(s).

18. The watercraft of claim 16 having a length less than 25 feet.

19. The watercraft of claim 16 having a length less than 15 feet.

20. The watercraft of claim 16, wherein the means for preventing submersion of the platform is selected from the group consisting of:

a horizontal stabilizer operably connected to a movable deflector, the movable deflector affixed to the watercraft above the waterline;

a passive mechanical force deflector affixed to the front half of the watercraft and that automatically pulls the front of the watercraft up upon collision with waves;

a bow-mounted propeller having a thrust that inclines and that is controlled by a submersion monitoring system;

monitoring watercraft depth electronically and compensating by stopping the watercraft, decreasing the watercraft speed, shifting weight distribution in the watercraft and/or steering the watercraft to compensate the detected vertical movement;

an inclined surface at the leading edge of the platform that forces the watercraft up upon collision with the water; and

flotation material within the platform.

21. The watercraft of claim 16, comprising at least one sensor to detect water movement with respect to a position on the watercraft and a computer that receives a signal from the sensor(s) and wherein the computer monitors the attitude of the watercraft and/or wave activity.

22. The watercraft of claim 16, comprising one central support member that comprises a low energy density power source that makes up at least 25% of the total watercraft weight, two laterally arranged floats, at least one room within the platform and wherein the watercraft exceeds 20 feet in length.

16. A non-vessel type of watercraft less than 40 feet in length, comprising:

(a) at least one support member comprising at least one strut at its top surface and a low energy density power source;

(b) a platform attached to the top end of the strut of the support member and held above the support member by a distance; and

(b) a means for preventing submersion of the platform.