Patent ID: 8262424
Filing Date: 2012-09-11
Classification: B63H

Abstract:
1. A marine transportation system, comprising: a vessel capable of progressing through water; and a linear pump including a generally rigid outer chamber having at least one fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet and an inner chamber disposed within said outer chamber, said inner chamber having at least one fluid inlet and at least one fluid outlet and comprising a plurality of generally rigid articulating walls coupled together via articulating joints to provide bi-directional radial movement of said walls to expand and contract the volume of fluid within said inner chamber and at least one linear motor disposed proximate each end of the inner chamber and coupled to at least one of said plurality of generally rigid articulating walls such that actuation of said linear motor causes said bi-directional radial movement of said walls such that a circumference of said inner chamber at least one of increases and decreases along a longitudinal axis to facilitate the simultaneous influx of fluid through said at least one fluid inlet of said inner chamber and expulsion of fluid through said at least one fluid outlet of said outer chamber, said linear pump coupled to said vessel for propelling said vessel through said water.