Powered Hydrofoil Board

• US 20160185430A1
• Filed: 03/08/2016
• Published: 06/30/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MHL Custom, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Jacob Willem Langelaan
• Inventors: Langelaan, Jacob Willem
• Granted Patent: US 9,586,659 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 32/10 Motor-propelled water sports boards power-driven personal watercraft B63B34/10
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 32/40 Twintip boards; Wakeboards; Surfboards; Windsurfing boards; Paddle boards, e.g. SUP boards; Accessories specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 32/50 Boards characterised by their constructional features
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 32/64 Adjustable, e.g. by adding sections, by removing sections or by changing orientation or profile
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 32/66 Arrangements for fixation to the board, e.g. fin boxes or foil boxes
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 1/16 having a shrouding ring attached to blades
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 11/04 by means of pumps
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 21/17 by electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 21/21 Control means for engine or transmission, specially adapted for use on marine vessels
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 5/14 characterised by being mounted in non-rotating ducts or rings, e.g. adjustable for steering purpose shrouding ring attached to blades B63H1/16; jet propulsion B63H11/00

Abstract

A passively stable personal hydrofoil watercraft that has a flotation device, wherein a user can ride in a prone, kneeling, or standing position. The watercraft includes a strut having an upper end interconnected with the flotation device and lower end connected with a hydrofoil. The hydrofoil greatly reduces the power required to travel at higher speed. The watercraft also includes a propulsion system connected to the hydrofoil. Both longitudinal and directional control of the watercraft is via weight shift, eliminating the need of any movable surfaces. The flotation device, strut, and hydrofoil may be permanently interconnected or may be detachable.

Claims

1. A passively stable, weight-shift controlled personal hydrofoil watercraft, comprising:

a flotation device that has a fore-aft length greater than a lateral width, the floating device having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein a user can be disposed on the top surface of the floating device in a prone, kneeling, or standing position, the floatation device having a forward section, a middle section, and a rear section;

a strut having a upper end and a lower end, the upper end fixedly interconnected with the flotation device between the middle section and the rear section of the floating device;

a hydrofoil fixedly interconnected with the lower end of the strut, the hydrofoil having no movable surface;

a propulsion system for propelling the watercraft in a body of water, wherein the propulsion system is connected to the hydrofoil; and

the watercraft having no movable steering system.

2. A watercraft in accordance with claim 1, wherein the propulsion system comprises a battery, an electric motor, a motor speed controller, and a propulsor, the propulsor selected from a propeller, a ducted propeller, or a pump-jet.

3. A watercraft in accordance with claim 2, wherein the propulsor is disposed below the hydrofoil.

4. A watercraft in accordance with claim 1, wherein the propulsion system is integrated in the hydrofoil and has an inlet near a leading end of the hydrofoil and an outlet near a trailing edge of the hydrofoil.

5. A watercraft in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a fixed vertical tail connected to the hydrofoil.

6. A watercraft in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a fixed horizontal tail connected to the hydrofoil.

7. A watercraft in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a canard that extends forwardly of the hydrofoil, wherein the canard is fixedly connected with the hydrofoil.

8. A watercraft in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a tail that extends rear of the hydrofoil, wherein the tail is fixedly connected with the hydrofoil.

9. A watercraft in accordance with claim 1, wherein the hydrofoil is a generally flat wing having a curved front edge.

10. A watercraft in accordance with claim 1, wherein the hydrofoil includes winglets.

11. A watercraft in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a secondary hydrofoil that extends forwardly of the hydrofoil, wherein the secondary hydrofoil is fixedly connected with the hydrofoil.

12. A watercraft in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a secondary hydrofoil that extends rear of the hydrofoil, wherein the secondary hydrofoil is fixedly connected with the hydrofoil.