Watercraft equipped with a hybrid wave-powered electricity generating and propulsion system
AssigneeLiquid Robotics, Inc.
InventorsRoger G. Hine, Derek L. Hine
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This disclosure provides improved nautical craft that can travel and navigate on their own. A hybrid vessel is described that converts wave motion to locomotive thrust by mechanical means, and also converts wave motion to electrical power for storage in a battery. The electrical power can then be tapped to provide locomotive power during periods where wave motion is inadequate and during deployment. The electrical power can also be tapped to even out the undulating thrust that is created when locomotion of the vessel is powered by wave motion alone.
Claims21
-25. (canceled)
A wave powered vessel, comprising:
- a buoyant vessel body;
- a swimmer body, mechanically coupled to the vessel body;
- a propulsion system that is structured to mechanically convert at least a first portion of a movement of the vessel body relative to the swimmer body caused by wave motion into locomotive thrust;
- and
- a generating system structured to convert at least a second portion of the movement of the vessel body relative to the swimmer body caused by wave motion into electrical power.
A method of powering a vessel comprising buoyant vessel body mechanically coupled to a swimmer body, comprising:
- mechanically converting, with a propulsion system, at least a first portion a movement of the vessel body relative to the swimmer body caused by wave motion into locomotive thrust;
- and
- mechanically converting, with a generating system, at least a second portion of the movement of the vessel body relative to the swimmer body caused by wave motion into electrical power.
A wave powered vessel, comprising:
- a buoyant vessel body;
- a swimmer body, mechanically coupled to the vessel body;
- a propulsion system that is structured to mechanically convert at least a first portion of a movement of the vessel body relative to the swimmer body caused by wave motion into locomotive thrust;
- a generating system structured to convert at least a second portion of the movement of the vessel body relative to the swimmer body caused by wave motion into electrical power;
- and
- a microprocessor, the microprocessor programmed to control a proportion of the at least the first portion movement of the vessel body relative to the swimmer body converted to the locomotive thrust to the at least the second portion of the movement of the vessel body relative to the swimmer body converted to electrical power.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.