Abstract:
A passively stable personal hydrofoil watercraft that has a flotation device, wherein a user can ride in a prone, kneeling, or standing position. The watercraft includes a strut having an upper end interconnected with the flotation device and lower end connected with a hydrofoil. The hydrofoil greatly reduces the power required to travel at higher speed. The watercraft also includes a propulsion system connected to the hydrofoil. Both longitudinal and directional control of the watercraft is via weight shift, eliminating the need of any movable surfaces. The flotation device, strut, and hydrofoil may be permanently interconnected or may be detachable.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 14/509,289, filed Oct. 8, 2014, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/889,071, filed Oct. 10, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entireties. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to personal watercraft; specifically, an electrically powered hydrofoil surfboard that is controlled by weight shift. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Hydrofoils have been used on surfboards (U.S. Pat. No. 5,062,378 A, Bateman; U.S. Pat. No. 3,747,138, Morgan; U.S. Pat. No. 7,144,285 B1, Tareah), sailboards (U.S. Pat. No. 4,508,046 Shannon), water skis (U.S. Pat. No. 7,232,355, Woolley), and devices for swimmers (U.S. Pat. No. 2,931,332, Hebrank) as well as ships and boats (e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 3,227,123 A Voigt). The purpose of hydrofoils on surfboards is typically to enable higher speeds and to lift the surfboard above the choppy, turbulent surface of the water, thus enabling surfing on larger waves. On sailboards and kiteboards, hydrofoils enable higher speeds; and on water skis hydrofoils enable new forms of trick skiing. 
         [0004]    Powered surfboards have been developed for reducing the effort required in paddling (U.S. Pat. No. 7,731,555 B2 Railey) and as personal watercraft (U.S. Pat. No. 6,702,634 B2 Jung, U.S. Pat. No. 3,262,413 A Bloomingdale et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,192,817 B1 Dec, U.S. Pat. No. 4,971,586 A Walsh, U.S. Pat. No. 4,274,357 A Dawson). A particularly well-designed example of this type is the Jet-Surf (http://www.jet-surf.es). However, significant power is required to achieve speeds typical of surfing (up to ten horsepower to achieve thirty miles per hour), precluding the use of battery-powered motors for operationally useful periods. 
         [0005]    A major factor that distinguishes surfboards from other watercraft is that control (both speed and directional) is affected via weight shift rather than by moveable surfaces (such as rudders) or thrust vectoring. Indeed, other methods of transport (skateboards and snowboards) also rely heavily on weight shift, and this method of control is central to the experience of surfing, snowboarding, and skateboarding. 
         [0006]    An electrically powered hydrofoil device is described in Chen (U.S. Pat. No. 7,047,901 B2). The watercraft in that disclosure has two main disadvantages. First, the device in Chen requires a stabilizing component that controls the depth of the hydrofoil. Second, a steering mechanism is used for directional control. Therefore it does not (and cannot) accurately mimic the experience of surfing or snowboarding. 
         [0007]    A need therefore exists for a personal watercraft that provides improved control and performance while providing a “surfing feel.” In addition, this personal watercraft should be mechanically simple, easy to transport, and easy to maintain. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Embodiments of the present invention improve upon the powered surfboard by incorporating a hydrofoil. The hydrofoil greatly reduces the power required to travel at “fun” speeds (ranging from twenty to thirty miles per hour, but can be higher or lower depending on the user), so that a battery-powered electric motor (rather than an internal combustion engine) can be used to power the propulsion system. This results in reduced noise and vibration as well as reduced environmental impact. 
         [0009]    Embodiments of the present invention also improve upon the powered hydrofoil surfboard. The hydrofoil of the present invention has been designed to provide passive stability in the longitudinal direction, making traditional altitude control systems based on moveable surfaces unnecessary. Further, both longitudinal and directional control of the board is via weight shift, so that riding the board is similar in feel to surfing or snowboarding, and the lack of a mechanical steering system makes the craft lighter, reduces parts count, and reduces the likelihood of a mechanical failure. Speed control is provided through a combination of throttle and weight shift. 
         [0010]    The prior art in powered hydrofoil surfboards have all relied on moveable surfaces for control, and have ignored the possibility of designing the hydrofoil for passive static stability. The watercraft of the present invention is specifically designed to achieve desired levels of stability and controllability without the need for moveable surfaces. This is done through a combination of airfoil design, planform design, and tailoring the span-wise twist distribution to achieve desired outcomes. 
         [0011]    Specific hydrofoils can be designed for different purposes: a larger foil results in lower speeds, more suitable for training; smaller foils operate at higher speeds for more advanced user; and tuning of the specific profile, twist, and dihedral can also be used to tailor the board to the user. A fixed canard or horizontal tail surface can also be added to further improve passive longitudinal stability as a training aid while still requiring the use of weight shift for control. A fixed vertical tail can be added to improve lateral stability as a training aid while still requiring the use of weight shift for control. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a personal hydrofoil watercraft in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view showing one embodiment of the hydrofoil and propulsion system assembly; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view from underneath a personal hydrofoil watercraft in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view showing an alternate embodiment of the hydrofoil and propulsion system assembly; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view from underneath a personal hydrofoil watercraft with the hydrofoil and propulsion system of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the hydrofoil and propulsion system as an integrated body; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view from underneath a personal hydrofoil watercraft with the hydrofoil and propulsion system of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  shows perspective views of alternate examples of hydrofoil planform designs; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a schematic illustrating hydrofoil flow definitions; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a schematic showing hydrofoil geometry parameters 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a hydrofoil watercraft  100  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Watercraft  100  may include a flotation board  101 , a hydrofoil  102  spaced below the flotation board, a strut  103  connecting the hydrofoil to the board, a propulsion system  104 , an electric motor  105 , a battery  106 , a motor speed controller  107 , a throttle system  108 , a throttle interface  109 , and a spring-loaded trigger  110 . 
         [0023]    The flotation board  101  of  FIG. 1  is similar to those used in surfing or sailboarding. In the illustrated embodiment, the flotation board has a fore-aft length L that is greater than its lateral width W. Generally, the ratio of lateral width W to length L may be between 0.2 and 0.5. The length L will generally be in the range of 5 to 8 feet and the width W will generally be in the range of 1.5 to feet. The primary function of the flotation board is to provide flotation at low speeds, and it is preferentially configured with a flat upper surface to allow an adult human to lie prone, sit, kneel or stand on it and an opposed bottom surface facing the water. The lower surface may be almost flat to permit good hydroplaning. 
         [0024]    The flotation board  101  can be made of foam, fiber-reinforced epoxy (using glass, carbon, or Kevlar fibers), or other suitable materials known to those of skill in the art. It may have a watertight compartment defined therein to contain the battery  106 , motor speed controller  107  and throttle interface  109 . The flotation board  101  provides an attachment structure for attaching the strut  103 . The attachment structure may be a releasable mechanism to permit easy assembly and dis-assembly for transport. The flotation board  101  may be said to have a forward section F at the front end, a rear section R at the rear end and a middle section M intermediate the front and rear ends. Element M may also represent a midpoint that is halfway between the front and rear ends. As shown, the strut  103  is connected to the flotation board between the middle section M and the rear section R. The connection is behind the midpoint M and centered side to side. A throttle cable may connect the throttle module  108  to the throttle interface  109  or wireless communication may be provided between the throttle module  108  and throttle interface  109 . In an alternate arrangement, the batteries  106  may be contained in the strut  103  or embedded in the hydrofoil  102 . Each configuration has advantages and disadvantages ranging from ease of access for charging (in the case of a compartment in the flotation board) to reduction in the length of wires needed to connect the battery to the motor (in the case of containment in the strut or hydrofoil). 
         [0025]    The strut  103  can be made of extruded aluminum, fiber-reinforced epoxy (using glass, carbon, or Kevlar fibers), or other suitable materials known to those of skill in the art. As shown, the strut is streamlined in cross-section to minimize drag. The strut may be constructed so as to allow passage of electrical wires from the motor speed controller  107  to the electric motor  105 , such as inside or attached to the strut. The primary function of the strut is to rigidly connect the hydrofoil  102  at a fixed distance H from the board  101 . The distance H will generally be in the range of 1 to 4 feet. In an alternative embodiment, more than one strut may be used or the strut may be shaped differently than shown. 
         [0026]    The hydrofoil  102  of  FIG. 1  is specifically designed to be statically stable in the longitudinal degrees of freedom via a combination of airfoil design, planform design and span-wise twist distribution. The hydrofoil  102  has a wingspan S (see  FIG. 2 ). The wingspan will generally be in the range of 1 to 4 feet. It is also designed to be stable in sideslip (“weathercock stability”) either via planform design or via the addition of small vertical foils (winglets or fins). In some cases it may be advantageous to add a fixed canard or horizontal tail to further enhance static longitudinal stability (for example, for training purposes). The fixed distance H (see  FIG. 2 ) of the strut  103  may be greater than the wingspan S of the hydrofoil  102  so that the hydrofoil remains fully submerged even when the user is leaning to turn. 
         [0027]    The propulsion system  104  (discussed in more detail below) may comprise a ducted propeller or pump-jet, or may be of another type. The propulsion system is driven by the electric motor  105 . 
         [0028]    The electric motor  105  is connected to the motor speed controller  107  using wires sized to carry the required voltage and current. The motor speed controller  107  may include other functionality such as a low-voltage alarm or other protective circuitry for the battery  106 ; alternately, such circuitry may be included in the throttle interface  109 . The main function of the throttle interface is to connect the motor speed controller  107  to the throttle module  108 . 
         [0029]    The throttle module  108  may be a hand-held device with a spring-loaded trigger  110  (so the throttle disengages automatically when it is released). Pulling or depressing the trigger causes the motor to turn a propeller or impeller in the propulsion system  104 , with motor speed being proportional to the degree the trigger is pulled or depressed. The throttle module communicates the degree of trigger pull/depression to the throttle interface  109  via a cable or wirelessly. The throttle module may take other forms, such as being operated by other body parts. 
         [0030]    The throttle interface  109  may in addition include circuitry and connections to permit charging of the battery  106 . This would include battery protection circuits. The throttle interface may also include a means to display battery information to the user (for example, via LEDs to indicate charge state). Alternately, such information may be displayed on the throttle module  108 . 
         [0031]    To operate the watercraft  100 , a user initially lies prone on the flotation board  101 . The throttle is engaged, causing the craft to accelerate. As the craft gains speed the user may move to a kneeling or standing position. As the craft further gains speed the hydrofoil generates sufficient lift to raise the board above the water. The user controls altitude of the board by leaning back (to go up) and forward (to go down). The user can steer left or right by leaning in the appropriate direction. Releasing the throttle causes the motor to stop, reducing speed. The watercraft  100  may have other safety devices and features which causes the electric motor  105  to stop when the rider falls off the flotation board  101 . These devices may monitor the presence of a user on the flotation board  101 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 2  shows an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the hydrofoil  102 , strut  103 , propulsion system  104 , and electric motor  105 . The electric motor  105  and propulsion system  104  are integrated into a waterproof, streamlined pod  201  that is designed to be embedded in the hydrofoil  102 . The pod  201  also defines the lower end of the strut  103 . The streamlined pod performs two main structural functions: it transmits propulsion forces to the strut  103  and it transmits lift forces from the hydrofoil  102  to the strut  103 . It may also contain provisions for cooling the electric motor  105 . The pod  201  is connected to the hydrofoil  102  either by a fitting (so that the hydrofoil can be easily removed) or it is integrally manufactured with the hydrofoil  102 . 
         [0033]    In its preferential form the electric motor  105  is a high efficiency brushless motor. A gearbox may be provided to ensure that the propeller or impeller of the propulsion system  104  operates over an appropriate range of speeds. 
         [0034]    The strut  103  contains at its upper end a fitting  202  to attach the strut to the flotation board  101  of  FIG. 1 . This fitting fits into a complementary slot in flotation board  101  and may use one of several methods to attach the strut  103  to the flotation board  101 : examples include bolts, pins, or latches. Any other attachment approach may be used, or the strut and/or foil and/or flotation board may be integrally formed or permanently interconnected. 
         [0035]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the watercraft  100  from below. In its preferred form the propulsion system  104  comprises a propeller  104   a  and a duct  104   b . The duct has two purposes: it acts as a propeller guard and it is designed to increase propeller thrust. In an alternate form the propulsion system may comprise a pump-jet. 
         [0036]      FIG. 4  shows an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the hydrofoil  102 , strut  103 , electric motor  105  and propulsion system  401 . In this embodiment the propulsion system comprises a long duct and may contain a stator assembly. The duct functions both as a guard for the propeller (shown in  FIG. 3 ) and to improve hydrodynamic efficiency. A stator (not shown) aft of the propeller can also be included to improve propulsive efficiency. In this embodiment the electric motor  105  is enclosed in a streamlined pod embedded in the propulsion system. In the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the propulsion system is mounted below the hydrofoil  102 .  FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the watercraft  100  from below with the propulsion system  401  mounted below the hydrofoil  102 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the hydrofoil  102 , strut  103 , and propulsion system  601 . In this embodiment the propulsion system is integrated in the hydrofoil so that the inlet is at or near the forward (leading) edge of the hydrofoil and the outlet is at or near the rear (trailing) edge of the hydrofoil. As in the embodiments of  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , the propulsion system comprises a duct, a propeller, electric motor, and may include a stator. 
         [0038]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of the watercraft  100  from below with the propulsion system of  FIG. 6  integrated in the hydrofoil. 
         [0039]      FIG. 8  shows perspective views of alternative embodiments of the hydrofoil planform. Hydrofoil  801  includes a fixed canard that increases stability (suitable for training). Note that this canard is fixed, not movable: control still occurs through weight shift. Hydrofoil  102  is shown in earlier drawings, and can be considered a baseline “all around” hydrofoil (suitable for a wide range of abilities). Foils  802  and  803  are progressively higher performance, permitting higher speeds and/or greater maneuverability. Foil  803  includes winglets, which increase directional stability and decrease drag. Foil  804  includes a horizontal tail, which improves longitudinal stability (similar to  801 , it is suitable for training). Foil  805  includes both a horizontal tail and a vertical tail, improving longitudinal stability and directional stability (suitable for training). These tails may be considered a secondary hydrofoil. Note that other versions of the hydrofoil are possible: the key is designing the hydrofoil for passive static stability via planform design, airfoil design, and span-wise twist distribution. 
         [0040]    Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a hydrofoil watercraft with a fixed hydrofoil connected to a flotation board by one or more struts, with the fixed hydrofoil having no movable or adjustable surfaces. No movable hydrofoil is provided, but secondary hydrofoils on one or more struts (as shown in  801 ,  804 , and  805 ) may be included. Additionally, no movable steering system is provided, as the watercraft is maneuvered by weight shifts. 
         [0041]    This invention exploits passive stability to obviate the necessity for mechanisms or active control systems to provide stability. This passive stability allows the watercraft to be controlled by weight shift rather than by mechanical systems.  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10  show the hydrofoil flow definitions and hydrofoil geometry parameters respectively. For the hydrofoil, longitudinally trimmed motion occurs when the total pitching moment is zero. This trim condition is stable if a disturbance results in a restoring moment that returns the hydrofoil to its original condition. The pitching moment coefficient can be written as C m =C m0 +C m     α   α+C m     Q   Q where C m0  is the pitching moment coefficient at zero angle of attack and zero pitch rate, C m     α    is the derivative of pitching moment coefficient with respect to angle of attack (called pitch stiffness), α is the angle of attack (the angle between the flow direction and the chord of the hydrofoil), C m     Q    is the derivative of pitching moment coefficient with respect to pitch rate (called pitch damping), and Q is the pitch rate. To ensure a trimmable, stable hydrofoil, the following conditions must be true: C m0 &gt;0, C m     α   &lt;0, C m     Q   &lt;0. This is achieved with a combination of airfoil selection, hydrofoil sweep and span-wise twist. The exact ratios of wing sweep and twist are dependent on the degree of stability desired and are also affected by the pitching moment characteristics of the airfoil. The derivative C m     Q    determines the “quickness” of the longitudinal response. Typically it will lie between −2 and −20, with more negative values leading to a “sluggish” feel. In the steady state (when Q=0) the angle of attack (and thus speed) at which trim occurs is a function of C m0  and C m     α   . 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               α 
               trim 
             
             = 
             
               - 
               
                 
                   C 
                   
                     m 
                      
                     
                         
                     
                      
                     0 
                   
                 
                 
                   C 
                   
                     m 
                     α 
                   
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
         [0000]    C m0  is defined entirely by hydrofoil design parameters; C m     α    is defined by a combination of hydrofoil design parameters and the location of the center of gravity: this is the means by which weight shift enables longitudinal control of the hydrofoil watercraft. 
         [0042]    Similarly for lateral motion, trim occurs when the yawing moment and rolling moment are zero. It is further desirable that this occurs at zero sideslip angle, so the hydrofoil “tracks straight” through the water. When the yaw rate is zero, rolling moment coefficient and yawing moment coefficient can be written as 
         [0000]    
       
      
       C 
       l 
       =C 
       l0 
       +C 
       l 
       
         β 
       
       β+C 
       l 
       
         p 
       
       P  
      
     
         [0000]    
       
      
       C 
       n 
       =C 
       n0 
       +C 
       n 
       
         β 
       
       β+C 
       n 
       
         p 
       
       P  
      
     
         [0000]    where C l0  and C n0  are the roll rate and yaw rate at zero slideslip, respectively, C l     β    and C n     β    are the derivatives of roll rate and yaw rate with respect to sideslip angle, respectively, C l     p    and C n     p    are the derivatives of roll rate and yaw rate with respect to roll rate, respectively. Note that C n     β    is sometimes called weathercock stiffness and C l     p    is sometimes called roll damping. Trimmable, stable motion at zero sideslip is achieved by ensuring that the following conditions are true: 
         [0000]        C   l0 =0 
         [0000]        C   n0 =0 
         [0000]        C   l     β   &lt;0 
         [0000]        C   n     β   &gt;0 
         [0000]        C   l     p   &lt;0 
         [0000]    This is achieved through a combination of sweep and dihedral and can also be influenced with the addition of winglets or a fin. The practical upper limit of C n     β    and practical lower limits of C l     β    and C l     p    are determined by the practicality of hydrofoil design. For example, sweep angles greater that 60 degrees are unlikely to lead to useable designs and twist of greater than 15 degrees is unlikely to lead to useable designs. Given these geometric limits and the subjective judgment of “ride quality” on the part of a user, bounds on the roll and yaw derivatives exist but are not quantifiable to a useful degree of precision. 
         [0043]    Directional control is achieved by the weight shift and the weathercock stability stiffness. Shifting weight to one side causes the watercraft to roll to that side; this causes sideslip in the direction of the weight shift, and the C n     β    term causes the vehicle to turn in the direction of the lean. It should be noted that there is a trade-off between stability and maneuverability. More experienced users generally want a watercraft that is somewhat less stable to provide greater maneuverability. In contrast, less experienced users may want a watercraft that has more stability, and this may be done through appropriate design of the hydrofoil to give the desired stability and maneuverability characteristics. 
         [0044]    As will be clear to those of skill in the art, the herein described embodiments of the present invention may be altered in various ways without departing from the scope or teaching of the present invention. It is the following claims, including all equivalents, which define the scope of the invention.