Solar powered boat
AssigneeDavid N. Borton
InventorDavid Newbold BORTON
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A solar powered aquatic vessel includes a hull having an overall length equal to a length of a waterline and a maximum hull draft at station that is located at a position that is approximately 30% of the overall length of the hull. A bottom of the hull has an approximately linear slope from a maximum beam to a transom forming a stern of the hull. A canopy is connected to the hull of the solar powered aquatic vessel and supports at least one photovoltaic panel connected to a photovoltaic system positioned in the hull. The photovoltaic system generates electrical power from a sun that is equal to or greater than an electrical power necessary to propel the solar powered vehicle, and a motor operatively connected to the photovoltaic system.
Claims14
A solar powered aquatic vessel comprising:
- a hull having an overall length about equal to a length of a waterline;
- a maximum hull draft at station that is located at a position that is about 30% of the overall length of the hull;
- a bottom of the hull, said bottom having an approximately linear slope from a point at about a maximum beam length to a transom forming a stern of the hull;
- a canopy connected to the hull of the solar powered aquatic vessel, supporting at least one photovoltaic panel connected to a photovoltaic system positioned in the hull, the photovoltaic system generating electrical power from a sun that is equal to or greater than an electrical power necessary to propel the solar powered vehicle;
- and
- a motor operatively connected to the photovoltaic system, said motor connected to a propeller to cause movement of the hull.
A method for powering a solar powered aquatic vessel comprising the steps of:
- providing a hull having an overall length about equal to a length of a waterline, a maximum hull draft at a station that is located at a position that is about 30% of the overall length of the hull and a bottom of the hull,
- the bottom having an approximately linear slope from a point at about a maximum beam length to a transom forming a stern of the hull;
- connecting a canopy to the hull;
- providing a photovoltaic system having at least one photovoltaic panel;
- attaching a motor operatively connected to the photovoltaic system to the hull;
- positioning the solar cell on a top surface of the canopy;
- generating electrical power by the photovoltaic system from a sun that is equal to or greater than the electrical power necessary for the motor to propel the solar aquatic vessel;
- and
- operating the motor to drive the vessel about half a hull speed to efficiently power the vessel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.