# US 10,730,623 B2 · Pressurized-fluid flight systems and methods of use thereof > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,730,623 B2 - Document ID: US10730623B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/805,490 - Filed: 2017-11-07 - Published: 2018-05-10 - Granted: 2020-08-04 - Earliest claimed: 2016-11-07 - Assignees: Ziph2O - Applicants: ZipH2O - Inventors: Franky Zapata - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10730623B2 ## CPC - B63H 11/04: by means of pumps - A63B 35/12: operated by a motor - B63B 34/15: for hydroflight sports - B63H 11/00: Marine propulsion by water jets - B63H 11/08: of rotary type - B63H 11/113: Pivoted outlet - B64C 25/54: Floats - B63H 2011/006: {with propulsive medium supplied from sources external to propelled vessel, e.g. water from public water supply} - B63H 2011/081: {with axial flow, i.e. the axis of rotation being parallel to the flow direction} - B63H: MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING (propulsion of air-cushion vehicles B60V1/14; specially adapted for submarines, other than nuclear propulsion, B63G; specially adapted for torpedoes F42B19/00) - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) - B63B: SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING (arrangements of vessel ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning B63J2/00; floating substructures as supports of dredgers or soil-shifting machines E02F9/06) - B64C: AEROPLANES; HELICOPTERS ## Abstract A propulsion device, including a platform arranged to seat a passenger; a thrust assembly coupled to the platform, the thrust assembly including at least two nozzles configured to discharge a pressurized fluid therefrom that are movable with respect to the platform; a plurality of actuators, wherein each actuator is coupled to one of the at least two nozzles, wherein each actuator is configured to adjust an angular orientation of its respective nozzle with respect to the platform; a first sensor coupled to the platform to measure at least one of a pitch and roll of the platform; and a controller in communication with the first sensor and the plurality of actuators, wherein the controller is configured to adjust an operation of the actuators based at least in part on information from the first sensor to modify an angular orientation of the at least two nozzles. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A propulsion device, comprising: a platform arranged to seat a passenger; a thrust assembly coupled to the platform, the thrust assembly including at least two nozzles configured to discharge a pressurized fluid therefrom, wherein the at least two nozzles are movable with respect to the platform; a plurality of actuators, wherein each actuator is coupled to one of the at least two nozzles, wherein each actuator is configured to adjust an angular orientation of its respective nozzle with respect to the platform; a first sensor coupled to the platform to measure at least one of a pitch and roll of the platform; and a controller in communication with the first sensor and the plurality of actuators, wherein the controller is configured to adjust an operation of the actuators based at least in part on information from the first sensor to modify an angular orientation of the at least two nozzles. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The propulsion device according to claim 1, further comprising a remote pressurization station supplying pressurized fluid to the thrust assembly. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The propulsion device according to claim 2, wherein the remote pressurization station is coupled to the assembly by a flexible supply conduit. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The propulsion device according to claim 3, wherein the remote pressurization station is a personal watercraft. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The propulsion device according to claim 1, wherein the at least two nozzles are respectively positioned at port and starboard positions of the platform. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The propulsion device according to claim 1, further comprising a second sensor configured to measure a pressure of a pressurized fluid flowing through the thrust assembly, wherein the second sensor is in communication with the controller. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The propulsion device according to claim 6, wherein the controller is configured to adjust an operation of the actuators based at least in part on information from the second sensor. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The propulsion device according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of second sensors, wherein each of the plurality of second sensors is configured to measure an angular position of one of the at least two nozzles, and wherein the plurality of second sensors is in communication with the controller. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The propulsion device according to claim 8, wherein the controller is configured to adjust an operation of the actuators based at least in part on information from the plurality of second sensors. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The propulsion device according to claim 1, further comprising a user interface coupled to the platform that is configured to receive input from a user comprising at least one of a change of direction input and a change of altitude input, and wherein the controller is in communication with the user interface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The propulsion device according to claim 1, wherein the user interface includes handle bars rotatably coupled to the platform. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The propulsion device according to claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to adjust an operation of the actuators based at least in part on information from the user interface. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The propulsion device according to claim 1, further comprising a second sensor coupled to the platform configured to measure an altitude of the platform, wherein the second sensor is in communication with the controller, and wherein the controller is configured to adjust an operation of the actuators based at least in part on information from the second sensor. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The propulsion device according to claim 1, wherein the controller implements a PID calculation to adjust an operation of the actuators. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The propulsion device according to claim 1, wherein the at least two nozzles are movable in a plane that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the platform extending from a stern to a bow of the platform. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The propulsion device according to claim 1, further comprising a stern nozzle immovably affixed to the platform at a rear portion of the platform. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The propulsion device according to claim 16, wherein the stern nozzle defines an oblong cross-section along a portion thereof. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The propulsion device according to claim 16, wherein at least two nozzles are positioned at a bow or front portion of the platform. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The propulsion device according to claim 18, wherein the thrust assembly includes a substantially rigid fluid delivery conduit extending from the stern nozzle to the at least two nozzles. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The propulsion device according to claim 19, further comprising a seat coupled to the substantially rigid fluid delivery conduit.