Patent ID: 7371136
Filing Date: 2008-05-13
Classification: B63B,B63H,Y02T

Abstract:
1. A wave-powered water vehicle which comprises (1) a float, (2) a swimmer, and (3) a tether connecting the float and the swimmer; the float, swimmer and tether being such that, when the vehicle is in still water, (i) the float is on or near the surface of the water, (ii) the swimmer is submerged below the float, and (iii) the tether is under tension; the swimmer comprising (2a) a swimmer body having a longitudinal axis, and (2b) a fin system which the vehicle having one or more of the following characteristics: (A) the fin system comprises a fin which rotates about an axis of rotation, the axis of rotation having a spatial relationship to the swimmer body which changes when the vehicle is in wave-bearing water; (B) the fin system comprises a fin having a leading edge which comprises (i) a relatively rigid central section which has a fixed spatial relationship with the swimmer body, and (ii) relatively deformable outboard sections; (C) the fin system comprises two generally laminar fins, each of which rotates about an axis of rotation generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the swimmer body; (D) the swimmer body has a substantially rigid fore section, a midsection which is relatively flexible in the vertical plane, and a substantially rigid aft section; (E) the swimmer comprises a swimmer body comprising a central tubular housing and wave-actuated fins which extend either side of the housing; and (F) the swimmer body comprises a generally tubular housing and vertical fin surfaces respectively adjacent to the leading end and the trailing end of the swimmer body.