Patent ID: 6694910
Filing Date: 2004-02-24
Classification: B63B,B63H

Abstract:
A floating island for enabling control of its movement or stability on the surface of water which flows in a given direction and in which the surface overlies a underwater current flow in an other direction at an angle with respect to the given direction, the floating island comprising a main body (1,9) having underwater and surface sections (2,3) of positive buoyancy, an underwater sail (4) having at least one side with a frontal area, a system of cables (51. 52. 53. 54.) which connect the sail with the underwater section (2), the cables positioning the sail so that the frontal area of its one side is at a lateral angle with respect to the given direction of the underwater current, the lateral angle being sufficient to cause said underwater current flow to impact against the frontal area with a force having a magnitude F that is transmitted from the sail through the system of cables to the floating island, and means for varying the lateral angle of the one side with respect to the given direction sufficient to vary the magnitude of force F to cause either movent of the floating island in a desired direction on the surface or maintaining its stability with respect to the water.