Apparatus and method for controlling fluid propulsion
AssigneeAmphi Americas LLC
InventorsMarek Swoboda, Michal Swoboda
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system, methods and apparatus for powered monofin that propels a swimmer through water uses one of two modes of power: 1. An electric-assist mode, in which the propulsor responds to a swimmer's kick by multiplying the work of the swimmer; 2. Inverse mode, in which the propulsor deactivates when the swimmer is working. In this mode, propulsion is inversely related to the work of the swimmer. As the swimmer does more work, power from the monofin is reduced, to a predetermined, average level of propulsion. As the swimmer does less work propulsion increases to the predetermined level.
Claims17
An apparatus for propelling a body through water comprising:
- at least one propulsor;
- and
- a power source with a microcontroller;
- a housing, fixedly engaged with said at least one propulsor, for containing the power source, microcontroller, and control circuitry;
- and
- said housing and at least one propulsor fixedly engaged with at least one fin;
- and
- at least one shoe engaged with said at least one fin;
- wherein
- the user's feet, when inserted into the at least one shoe, move to control the fin;
- and
- the action of the fin-movement causes said power source to activate the at least one propulsor, propelling the user through the water while swimming.
A method for controlling a propulsor on at least one fin coupled with a proximity sensor comprising:
- a user interface for setting the sensitivity between the reading of a proximity sensor and the change in revolutions per minute of said propulsor;
- and
- information derived from user interface settings is converted to a non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions;
- and
- said instructions are stored on memory electronically coupled with said propulsor;
- and
- said instructions query activity from said user interface;
- and
- when no activity from said user interface is confirmed, instructions from said stored memory control said propulsor;
- and
- when activity from said user interface is confirmed, information from said user interface is converted to a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions to control said propulsor;
- and
- said instructions read information from said proximity sensor and calculate force on said fin by the equation:
- F=R(S)
- where F is force applied to said fin;
- and R is the flexion of said fin;
- and
- S is the change in the distance between said fin and said housing as measured by said proximity sensor;
- and
- said instructions convert change in force exerted on said fin to a change in revolutions per minute of said propulsor;
- and
- said instructions convert settings for the sensitivity between changes in proximity-sensor readings to changes in revolutions per minute of said propulsor;
- and
- said instructions wait a preset number of milliseconds and return to query activity from said user interface.
A method for controlling a propulsor on at least one fin coupled with a proximity sensor comprising:
- a user interface for setting the decay after a reading showing no movement from the reading of a proximity sensor and the change in revolutions per minute of said propulsor;
- and
- information derived from user interface settings is converted to a non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions;
- and
- said instructions are stored on memory electronically coupled with said propulsor;
- and
- said instructions query activity from said user interface;
- and
- when no activity from said user interface is confirmed, instructions from said stored memory control said propulsor;
- and
- when activity from said user interface is confirmed, information from said user interface is converted to a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions to control said propulsor;
- and
- said instructions read information from said proximity sensor and calculate force on said fin by the equation:
- F=R(S)
- where F is force applied to said fin;
- and R is the flexion of said fin;
- and
- S is the change and rate of change of the distance between said fin and said housing as measured by said proximity sensor;
- and
- said instructions convert change in force exerted on said fin to a change in revolutions per minute of said propulsor;
- and
- said instructions convert settings for the decay after minimal proximity-sensor readings to changes in revolutions per minute of said propulsor;
- and
- said instructions wait a preset number of milliseconds and return to query activity from said user interface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.