US 5,785,564 A · Water craft with a hydrofoil-bladed wheel assembly

Abstract

A self-propelled water craft includes a hydrofoil-bladed wheel assembly which allows an individual to propel the water craft through the water at a relatively high speed. The assembly comprises an open frame with attachment means for securing to a stern of the water craft's boat hull, a drive shaft rotatably mounted on the open frame, at least one bladed wheel permanently secured to the shaft to rotate with the shaft, and a hydrofoil mounted on the open frame directly below the bladed wheel. The blades are mounted on the periphery of each wheel and are angled backwardly. The blades are also curved. As the blades move through water they force water flow over the hydrofoil in a manner which propels the water craft forwardly and provides the proper lift to the water craft so as to lessen water resistance against the boat hull.

Claims28

Dependent claims

A hydrofoil-bladed wheel assembly for attachment to a boat hull of a self-propelled water craft to effect efficient transfer of power from an individual in the water craft to propel the water craft through water at a relatively fast speed, said assembly comprising:

(a) an open frame with attachment means for securing said open frame to a stern of the boat hull;
(b) a drive shaft rotatably mounted on the open frame to extend transversely across the frame and transversely to a longitudinal axis of the boat;
(c) at least one wheel having a center axis and immovably mounted at its center axis to the drive shaft so as to rotate with said shaft, further each said wheel having a set of curved blades mounted on the wheel's periphery so as to move through the water during use, each said blade angled backwardly away from the boat hull;
and
(d) a hydrofoil mounted on the open frame so as to extend transversely across the open frame directly below each wheel and in operable association with the blades of each wheel whereby rotation of each wheel causes each blade to create a water flow guided by the hydrofoil to provide a forward propulsion force and to effect a lifting action of the boat hull in the water and allow said boat hull to move more quickly through the water.

2 more elements

A self-propelled water craft capable of quickly moving through water, said water craft comprising:

(a) a boat hull;
(b) an open frame with attachment means for securing said open frame to a stern of the boat hull;
(c) a drive shaft rotatably mounted on the open frame to extend transversely across the frame and transversely to a longitudinal axis of the boat;
(d) at least one wheel having a center axis and immovably mounted at its center axis to the drive shaft so as to rotate with said shaft, further each said wheel having a set of curved blades mounted on the wheel's periphery so as to move through the water during use, each said blade angled backwardly away from the boat hull;
(e) a hydrofoil mounted on the open frame so as to extend transversely across the open frame directly below each wheel and in operable association with the blades of each wheel;
and
(f) a power transmission system for transferring power from the individual in the water craft to the drive shaft whereby rotation of each said wheel causes each blade thereon to move water into contact with the hydrofoil to provide a forward propulsion force and to effect a lifting action of the boat hull in the water and allow said boat hull to move more quickly through the water.

4 more elements

(a) an open frame with attachment means for securing said open frame to a stern of the boat hull;
(b) a drive shaft rotatably mounted on the open frame to extend transversely across the frame and transversely to a longitudinal axis of the boat;
(c) at least one wheel having a center axis and immovably mounted at its center axis to the drive shaft so as to rotate with said shaft, further each said wheel having a set of curved blades mounted on the wheel's periphery so as to move through the water during use, each said curved blade having a constant curve and each said curved blade mounted on said wheel at a backward angle of inclination of about 20 degrees to about 30 degrees from a radius vector extending from the wheel's center axis;
and
(d) a hydrofoil mounted on the open frame so as to extend transversely across the open frame and to be in operable association with the blades of each wheel whereby rotation of each wheel causes each blade to create a water flow guided by the hydrofoil to provide a forward propulsion force and to effect a lifting action of the boat hull in the water and allow said boat hull to move more quickly through the water.