Patent Publication Number: US-2017349051-A1

Title: System and Method for Recharging Power Storage Devices on a Watercraft

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/346,112 filed Jun. 6, 2016, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of ships and more specifically relates to fluid-current motors. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     As the human population grows, more and more people are becoming acutely aware of the environmental impact we have on the world. Vehicles powered by fossil fuels are a large contributor to harmful emissions in our environment. For the last twenty years, motor vehicle manufacturers have produced a wide variety of hybrid vehicles to combat the emissions of the internal combustion engine. A hybrid vehicle uses multiple distinct types of power to power the vehicle such as an internal combustion engine and an electrical engine in combination. 
     While motor vehicles such as passenger cars have been quick to adopt the hybrid trend, many other types of motor vehicles are still behind the curve. One such motor vehicle is watercraft such as boats, ships, and yachts. Watercraft in general tend to consume much more fuel than motor vehicles for land. Furthermore, many watercraft used for commercial purposes such as fishing and shipping have been in service for many years and have outdated, less fuel-efficient engines. The cost of replacing the outdated technology in these watercraft is often obviated by the price of purchasing an entirely new watercraft. A suitable solution is desired. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,508,191 to Raymond Spoljaric relates to an Aqua Turbo Generator. The described Aqua Turbo Generator includes an underwater generator for use with a surface vessel, having a cylindrical housing with two major parts: a turbine and a generator. The turbine is located in the front portion of the device and is connected to the generator in the rear of the device through a set of gears. A conical shaped filter pointed forward is located in the front of the turbine to prevent clogging of the device. The size of the filter rib openings is smaller than the spacing between the turbine blades so that any particulate matter that passes through the filter can freely pass through the turbine and out the housing. At the junction between the conical filter and the main body of the housing, the water is deflected into the housing by a special deflector thus forcing the water to pass through the turbine. A water flow passage is provided for a water outlet and a leak proof enclosure surrounds the turbine, gears and generator. The housing is connected to the vessel by way of mounting frame. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known ships art, the present disclosure provides a novel system and method for recharging power storage devices on a watercraft. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a system and method for recharging power storage devices on a watercraft. 
     A system and method for recharging power storage devices on a watercraft is disclosed herein. The system and method for recharging power storage devices on a watercraft includes a shell, at least one channel fixedly mounted inside the shell, a turbine and a generator. 
     According to another embodiment, a system and method for recharging power storage devices on a watercraft is also disclosed herein. The system and method for recharging power storage devices on a watercraft includes a shell configured to cover the hull of a watercraft from a bow of the watercraft to a stern of the watercraft at least partially below the waterline on a watercraft. 
     The system also includes at least one linear channel, horizontally positioned and traversing the length of the shell. The system may further comprise a turbine positioned within the engine room of the watercraft and a generator positioned within the engine room of the watercraft. According to this embodiment, the shell comprises at least one fastener configured to fixedly attach the shell to the hull of the watercraft. The linear-channel is tapered directionally toward the stern of the watercraft, the linear-channel including a first-opening configured to allow water to enter the linear-channel and a second-opening configured to allow expulsion of water from the linear-channel, and a chamber centrally located along the length of the linear-channel. The chamber may comprise at least one opening to allow water to enter the chamber from the linear-channel and at least one opening to allow water to exit the chamber into the linear-channel. 
     According to this embodiment, the system provides a turbine having at least one rotor which is housed by the chamber of the linear-channel. The rotor further comprises a shaft which extends from the center of the rotor, through the shell, through the hull of the watercraft into the turbine. The turbine is further communicatively coupled to the generator. 
     According to another embodiment, a method for recharging power storage devices on a watercraft is also disclosed herein. The method for recharging power storage devices on a watercraft may include the steps of: installing a shell of a system for recharging power storage devices onto a bottom of the watercraft, channeling water into a channel of the shell via forward movement of the watercraft, rotating a rotor positioned along the channel via passing water, generating kinetic energy via a rotational force of the rotor caused by the passing water, converting potential energy into kinetic energy via a generator to produce electrical current, storing the electrical current to charge a power storage device, and channeling water outside the channel of the shell via at least one exit port. 
     For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a system and method for recharging power storage devices on a watercraft, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the system and method for recharging power storage devices on a watercraft during an ‘in-use’ condition showing water entering a channel of a shell which may be harnessed for hydropower, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the system and method for recharging power storage devices on the watercraft of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the system and method for recharging power storage devices on a watercraft of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of the system and method for recharging power storage devices on a watercraft of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for the system and method for recharging power storage devices on a watercraft, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a fluid-current motor and more particularly to a system and method for recharging power storage devices on a watercraft as used to improve the production of usable energy on watercrafts. 
     Generally, the present invention provides a system and method for recharging power storage devices on a watercraft. The present invention aims to provide a method to manufacture or attach a device to the hull of a watercraft below the waterline that is configured to funnel incoming water into a turbine to produce electricity. The funnel may advantageously decrease in size as it traverses the length of the watercraft, pressurizing the water before it is expelled into a chamber housing a rotor. The pressurized water imparts its energy on the rotor, rotating the blades of the rotor and rotating a shaft which is connected at one end to the rotor. At the opposite end of the shaft there is a generator attached to convert the rotational energy of the turbine into electrical energy which can then be stored in a power storage device and used by the electrical engine of the watercraft. 
     The system and method for recharging power storage devices on a watercraft may be configured to retrofit onto an existing watercraft to provide hybrid-electric power to a watercraft. The retrofit embodiment of the system may be removably or permanently fixable to the hull of a watercraft. The system may also be manufactured into the hulls of newly manufactured watercraft to provide an additional, optional power source for a watercraft. The size of the components of the present invention may vary based upon the size of the watercraft to which they are being applied. 
     Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , various views of a system  100  and method  500  for recharging power storage devices on a watercraft  5 .  FIG. 1  shows the system  100  for recharging power storage devices on a watercraft  5  during an ‘in-use’ condition  150 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the system  100  may be beneficial for use by a user  140  to produce usable energy on watercraft  5  when the watercraft  5  is ‘in use’ traversing through water. 
     As shown, the system  100  for recharging power storage devices on the watercraft  5  may include a shell  110 , the shell  110  having a front, a rear, a first side, a second side, a bottom, and an open top, the open top dimensionally configured to encase a hull of the watercraft  5 . The invention may further comprise at least one linear-channel  120  fixedly mounted inside the shell  110 . The linear-channel(s)  120  may be horizontally positioned and traverse the length of the shell  110 . The linear-channel(s)  120  is/are tapered directionally toward the stern of the watercraft  5 . The linear-channel(s)  120  may comprise a first-opening configured to allow water to enter the linear-channel  120  and a second-opening configured to allow expulsion of water from the linear-channel  120 . 
     According to one embodiment, the system  100  for recharging power storage devices on a watercraft  5  may be arranged as a kit  105 . In particular, the system  100  for recharging power storage devices on a watercraft  5  may include a set of instructions  155 . The instructions  155  may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the system  100  and method  500  for recharging power storage devices on a watercraft  5  (such that the  100  and method  500  for recharging power storage devices on a watercraft  5  can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner). The kit  105  may be useful for retrofit installment of the shell  110  having at least one linear-channel  120  on a watercraft  5 . 
       FIG. 2  shows the system  100  for recharging power storage devices on a watercraft  5  of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the system  100  may include the shell  110  including at least one linear-channel  120  horizontally positioned and traversing the length of the shell  110 . 
     In continuing to refer to  FIG. 2 , the linear-channel(s)  120  may further comprise a centrally located chamber  130 . The chamber  130  may be positioned in abutment to the narrowest point of the linear-channel  120  and includes at least one opening to allow water to enter the chamber  130  from the linear-channel  120 . Further, the linear-channel  120  may comprise at least one opening to allow water to exit the chamber  130  into the linear-channel  120 . The chamber  130  encloses a rotor  205  which is attached to a shaft  210 . 
     In continuing to refer to  FIG. 2 , the system  100  may further comprise a turbine  200 . The turbine  200  comprises the rotor  205  and the shaft  210 . The turbine  200  is positioned such that water flowing through the linear-channel  120  is directed toward the rotor  205  at high pressure. The water imparts its energy on the rotor  205 , rotating it and in turn, rotating the attached shaft  210 . 
       FIG. 3  is a top view of the system  100  and method  500  for recharging power storage devices on a watercraft  5  of  FIGS. 1-2 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the system  100  may include a tapered, linear-channel  120  which directs water toward a turbine  200 . The turbine  200  comprises the rotor  205  and the shaft  210 . The shaft  210  extends from the center of the rotor  205 , through the shell  110 , through the hull of the watercraft  5  into the turbine  200 . The configuration of the shaft  210  and rotor  205  provide a means for the turbine  200  to harness the energy of the water passing through the linear-channel  120 . 
     Preferably, the turbine  200  further comprises a housing which contains the components of the turbine  200  and which may be located in or adjacent to the engine room  10  of a watercraft  5 . This arrangement allows for efficient conversion of the rotational energy from the turbine  200  into electrical energy. The turbine  200  may further include various gearing to increase or decrease the speed of rotation or reverse the direction of the rotational energy provided by the rotor  205 . Furthermore, the turbine  200  may include gearing to transmit the rotational energy provided by the rotor  205  to a different axis to suit the generator  300  to which the energy is being supplied. 
       FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of the system  100  and method  500  for recharging power storage devices on a watercraft  5  of  FIGS. 1-3 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the system  100  may include the turbine  200 . The turbine  200  is communicatively coupled to a generator  300  configured to convert kinetic energy into electrical energy. The generator  300 , which may be located in or adjacent to the engine room  10  of a watercraft  5 , may harness the rotational energy supplied by the turbine  200  and convert it to electrical energy through electromagnetic induction. 
     The rotational energy provided by the turbine  200  may move an electrical conductor such as a wire containing electric charges in a magnetic field to convert the energy into electricity. The electricity produced by the generator  300  may then be used to charge a power storage device  400  on a watercraft  5  for storage for later use. Furthermore, the electricity produced by the generator  300  may be used to directly power an electrical engine or other electrical systems in the watercraft  5 . 
       FIG. 5  is a flow diagram  550  illustrating a method of use  500  for recharging power storage devices  400  on a watercraft  5 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method  500  for recharging power storage devices on a watercraft  5  may include one or more components or features of the system  100  for recharging power storage devices on a watercraft  5  as described above. As illustrated, the method of use  500  may include the steps of: step one  501 , installing a shell  110  onto a bottom of the watercraft  5 ; step two  502 , channeling water into at least one linear-channel  120  of the shell  110  via forward movement of the watercraft  5 ; step three  503 , rotating a rotor  205  positioned along the at least one linear-channel  120  via passing water; step four  504 , generating kinetic energy via a rotational force of the rotor  205  caused by the passing water; step five  505 , converting potential energy into kinetic energy via a generator  300  to produce electrical current; step six  506 , storing the electrical current to charge a power storage device  400 ; and step seven  507 , channeling water outside the at least one linear-channel  120  of the shell  110  via at least one exit port. 
     It should be noted that step six  506  is an optional step and may not be implemented in all cases. Optional steps of method of use  500  are illustrated using dotted lines in  FIG. 5  so as to distinguish them from the other steps of method of use  500 . It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for recharging power storage devices on a watercraft (e.g., different step orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc.), are taught herein. 
     The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.