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US 10,099,753 B2Granted
Automatic return system for a flotation device
OwnerKevin Rearickinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for automatically returning a flotation device to a user when the user becomes separated from it and is greater than some predetermined distance away. The user may have a tracking device that is operable to determine its location and transmit this information to an automatic recovery unit coupled to the flotation device. The recovery unit may be configured to activate when it is greater than the predetermined distance from the tracking device, and may be operable to propel the flotation device steering it toward the tracking device to close the distance between them.
Claims27
A system, comprising:
- a flotation device;
- a kite configured for use with the flotation device;
- a tracking device comprising:
- a tracking device locator configured to determine a first location for the tracking device;
- and
- a transmitter configured to transmit the first location;
- a recovery unit mounted to the flotation device, the recovery unit comprising:
- a receiver responsive to the transmitter and configured to receive the first location from the transmitter;
- a recovery system locator configured to determine a second location for the flotation device;
- a propulsion system responsive to the controller that includes a first motor, a battery, and a propeller, the battery and the propeller coupled to the first motor,
- a controller coupled to the receiver and the recovery system locator, the controller having a processor, wherein the controller is configured to use the first and second locations to activate the propulsion system and steering mechanism of the recovery unit when the controller determines that a range to the first location from the second location exceeds a threshold limit,
- wherein the propulsion system is configured to propel the flotation device when activated by the controller.
9 more elements
A system, comprising:
- a flotation device;
- a tracking device having a location finding system configured to determine a location of the tracking device, and a transmitter for transmitting the location of the tracking device;
- a recovery unit mounted to the flotation device, comprising:
- a propulsion system configured to propel the flotation device;
- a steering mechanism operable to steer the flotation device;
- and
- a controller coupled to the propulsion system, and steering mechanism, the controller configured determine the location of the flotation device, and to activate the propulsion and steering systems when a distance between the flotation device and the tracking device exceeds a threshold limit;
- wherein the controller is operable to control the propulsion system to propel the flotation device;
- and
- wherein the controller is operable to control the steering mechanism to direct the flotation device toward the tracking device.
7 more elements
A system, comprising:
- a flotation device;
- a kite configured for use with the flotation device;
- a tracking device configured to determine its location;
- a recovery unit mounted to the flotation device that includes a propulsion system and a controller responsive to the tracking device and coupled to the propulsion system, the controller configured to:
- determine the location of the flotation device;
- determine the location of the tracking device;
- calculate a bearing to intercept the tracking device;
- and
- control the propulsion system to propel the flotation device toward the tracking device using the bearing.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.