Electric watercycle with variable electronic gearing and human power amplification

A watercraft comprising:

• a.) an energy storage means for storing electrical energy,
• b.) a human-powered generator convening mechanical power to electric power,
• c.) a first electronic circuit configured to condition the electric power produced by the said generator to a DC power at a voltage compatible with the said energy storage means, the first electronic circuit further configured to supply an operating point signal representative of the said generator load operating point, and the first electronic circuit further configured to control the power flow from the generator to the said energy storage means according to a received generator command signal,
• d.) a propulsion unit comprising of at least one electric motor and propeller,
• e.) a second electronic circuit configured to control power flow from the said energy storage means to the said electric motor according to a received motor command signal,
• f.) a third electronic circuit configured to receive the operating point signal supplied by the first electronic circuit, the third electronic circuit further configured to supply the generator command signal to the first electronic circuit according to the received operating point signal and a generator load characteristics function selected by a watercraft operator, and the third electronic circuit further configured to supply the motor command signal to the second electronic circuit according to the received operating point signal and a gain factor selected by the watercraft operator.

A method of powering and controlling a watercraft, comprising:

• a.) providing at least one electric generator that converts human kinetic energy to electrical energy,
• b.) providing at least one electric motor and at least one apparatus for converting the motor torque to propelling thrust,
• c.) providing an energy storage means and configuring it to receive and store electrical energy, and further configuring it to supply electrical energy to the said electric motor,
• d.) providing, a means of controlling the loading characteristics of the said generator according to an operator adjustable function of a load point parameter of the said generator, and
• e.) providing a means of controlling the electrical power supplied to the said electric motor as a function of a load point of the said generator.