Personal propulsion device

• US 20060054735A1
• Filed: 03/23/2005
• Published: 03/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ZapIP, LLC
• Original Assignee: Raymond Li
• Inventors: Li, Raymond
• Granted Patent: US 7,258,301 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/4.A
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 35/00 Swimming framework with driving mechanisms operated by the swimmer or by a motor other vessels or like floating structures for pleasure or sport B63B32/00, B63B34/00; divers' sleds or like craft B63C11/46
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 34/15 for hydroflight sports
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 11/04 by means of pumps
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 2011/006 with propulsive medium supplied from sources external to propelled vessel, e.g. water from public water supply

Abstract

The present invention provides a personal propulsion device including a body unit having a center of gravity, where the body unit includes a thrust assembly providing a main conduit in fluid communication with at least two thrust nozzles, with the thrust nozzles being located above the center of gravity of the body unit. The thrust nozzles are independently pivotable about a transverse axis located above the center of gravity, and may be independently controlled by a single common linkage. The present invention may further include a base unit having an engine and a pump, which provides pressurized fluid to the body unit through a delivery conduit in fluid communication with both the base unit and the thrust assembly.

Claims

1. A personal propulsion device, comprising:

a body unit having a center of gravity, wherein the body unit includes a thrust assembly having at least two thrust nozzles located above the center of gravity;

a delivery conduit in fluid communication with the thrust assembly; and

a base unit in fluid communication with the delivery conduit, the base unit capable of delivering pressurized fluid to the delivery conduit.

2. The personal propulsion device according to claim 1, wherein the at least two thrust nozzles are independently pivotable.

3. The personal propulsion device according to claim 2, wherein the at least two thrust nozzles are independently pivotable about a transverse axis located above the center of gravity of the body unit.

4. The personal propulsion device according to claim 3, wherein the body unit further includes a single common linkage coupled to the at least two thrust nozzles to accomplish pivoting.

5. The personal propulsion device according to claim 4, wherein the single common linkage has a flexible joint.

6. The personal propulsion device according to claim 4, wherein the body unit further includes a throttle in communication with the base unit for regulating the flow of pressurized fluid to the delivery conduit.

7. The personal propulsion device according to claim 6, wherein the single common linkage further includes a twist-grip in communication with the throttle.

8. The personal propulsion device according to claim 1, wherein the body unit is buoyant.

9. The personal propulsion device according to claim 8, wherein the body unit is sufficiently buoyant in water to maintain floatation of at least 30 pounds.

10. The personal propulsion device according to claim 1, the thrust assembly further having a main conduit, wherein the main conduit is in fluid communication with the at least two thrust nozzles and the delivery conduit.

11. The personal propulsion device according to claim 10, wherein the main conduit is pivotable.

12. The personal propulsion device according to claim 1l, wherein the main conduit is pivotable about a transverse axis above the center of gravity of the body unit.

13. The personal propulsion device according to claim 1, wherein the base unit includes a pump, the pump being in fluid communication with the delivery conduit.

14. The personal propulsion device according to claim 13, wherein the pump can provide a mass flow rate of water to the thrust assembly sufficient to lift 200 pounds a height of 30 feet for a sustained period of time.

15. The personal propulsion device according to claim 1, wherein the base unit includes a wave-piercing hull, a water-tight deck and a snorkel mast extending from the water-tight deck

16. The personal propulsion device according to claim 15, wherein the base unit further includes an engine located within the hull, wherein the engine powers a drive shaft that rotates an impeller in a pump located within the hull, the pump being capable of delivering pressurized fluid to the delivery conduit.

17. The personal propulsion device according to claim 16, wherein the pump can provide a mass flow rate of fluid to the delivery conduit and the thrust assembly sufficient to lift 200 pounds a height of 30 feet for a sustained period of time.

18. A personal propulsion device, comprising:

a body unit having a center of gravity, wherein the body unit includes a thrust assembly having a main conduit in fluid communication with at least two thrust nozzles, the thrust nozzles being located above the center of gravity, wherein the at least two thrust nozzles are independently pivotable about a transverse axis located above the center of gravity;

a base unit having a pump; and

a delivery conduit in fluid communication with the pump and the main conduit.

19. The personal propulsion device according to claim 18, wherein the pump can provide a mass flow rate of fluid to the delivery conduit and the thrust assembly sufficient to lift 200 pounds a height of 30 feet for a sustained period of time.

20. A personal propulsion device, comprising:

a body unit having a center of gravity, wherein the body unit includes a thrust assembly having a main conduit in fluid communication with at least two thrust nozzles, the thrust nozzles being located above the center of gravity, wherein the at least two thrust nozzles are independently pivotable about a transverse axis located above the center of gravity, the body unit further including a single common linkage coupled to the at least two thrust nozzles to accomplish pivoting;

a base unit including wave-piercing hull, a water-tight deck and a snorkel mast extending from the water-tight deck, the base unit further including an engine located within the hull, wherein the engine powers a drive shaft that rotates an impeller in a pump located within the hull, the pump being capable of delivering pressurized fluid to the delivery conduit; and

a delivery conduit in fluid communication with the pump and the main conduit.