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  Vessel propelled by oscillating fin with control mechanismsUSPTO Application #: 20060019555Title: Vessel propelled by oscillating fin with control mechanisms Abstract: A marine propulsion system emulates the fishes swimming motion yet is highly maneuverable as it permits changes from forward to reverse motion while underway. In other aspects, the propulsion system may be designed and optimized for efficient human powered propulsion. (end of abstract)
Agent: Edward S. Sherman, Esq. - Santa Rosa, CA, US Inventor: Thomas G. McGuinness USPTO Applicaton #: 20060019555 - Class: 440021000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Marine Propulsion, Operator Powered Drive For Propelling Means The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060019555. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claim priority to U.S. provisional patent application entitled "VESSEL PROPELLED BY OSCILLATING FIN WITH CONTROL MECHANISMS", filed May 14, 2003 and having Ser. No. 60/470,954, which is incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to marine propulsion systems and methods, more specifically to a marine propulsion system that is highly efficient, in part, through emulation of a fishes swimming motion. [0003] U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,706 to Wang having issued on Mar. 19, 1991 teaches a rocker arm type propulsion mechanism for a personal water craft type boat which emulates some aspects of a fishes swimming motion. However, Wang's mechanical assembly is complex and inconvenient in the manner in which it controls thrust magnitude and direction. Further, the boat lacks efficient means for steering, dynamic stabilization and control and other practical requirements of watercraft handling. [0004] It is therefore a first object of the present invention to provide an improved marine propulsion system for personal watercraft. The propulsion system is scalable up or down in size for use in larger or smaller vessels, respectively. [0005] It is therefore a second object of the present invention to provide a marine propulsion system having improved propulsion efficiency and reliability using a fewer number of moving parts and incorporating features to resist damage and fouling. [0006] Another object of the invention is to provide an improved and versatile maneuvering system for marine propulsion systems. [0007] Yet another object of the invention is to provide for personal watercraft that is human powered, highly maneuverable and resistant to damage and fouling upon collision with submerged obstructions, floating debris, or grounding/beaching. The propulsion and maneuvering system does not require the use of a hand-held paddle or oar for steering, braking, reverse thrust, launching or docking or other normal maneuvering operations. SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0008] In the present invention, the first object is achieved by providing an efficient marine propulsion system herein disclosed which is capable of generating forward and reverse thrust by approximating the swimming motion of a class of marine animals known as thunniform swimmers. Thunniform swimmers generate thrust by causing an airfoil shaped fin to heave side to side in a periodic manner, while said fin is allowed to pivot in a coordinated manner about the attachment point between the propulsion fin and the portion of the animal's body ahead of the fin causing the heaving motion. This coordinated heaving and pivoting motion produces a favorable angle of attack between the fin and fluid thereby generating a hydrodynamic lift force. The component of the lift force parallel to the direction of swimming provides thrust to overcome drag forces acting in the opposite direction of the animal's forward motion through the water. [0009] In contrast to marine animals, another aspect of the present invention is a method and apparatus to generate the heaving and pivoting motion. This apparatus is not submerged and may be located above the surface of the water, with only the airfoil section of the propulsion fin immersed in the fluid. The propulsion system generates thrust using the principle of lift generated by an airfoil shaped fin of finite span moving through a fluid at some relative velocity and angle of attack. In common with marine animals, and in addition to the hydrodynamic lift generated by the airfoil, the periodic heaving and pitching movement of the airfoil generates a vortex wake structure known as a "reverse Karman street", whereby the opposing direction of rotation of the alternating vortices is though to create a "jet" of higher velocity water between them along the wake longitudinal centerline, thereby improving the propulsive efficiency. It is also thought that reversal of circulation around the fin upon heave-cycle reversal is enhanced by close proximity to the unbound vorticity from the previous heave half-cycle. Propulsion efficiency can therefore be enhanced by operating the propulsion system in a manner that exploits the existence of these wake vortices. [0010] The wake characteristics of the reverse Karman street are usually expressed in terms of the dimensionless Strouhal Number (St=fA/U), where f=tailbeat frequency (Hz), A=peak-to-peak amplitude of the propulsion fin's heaving motion, and U=the boat forward velocity. Triantafyllou et al in U.S. Pat. No. 5,401,196 issued Mar. 28, 1995, which is incorporated herein by reference, have identified that for a variety of fully submerged marine animals swimming at high speeds, optimum propulsion efficiency occurs in the region 0.25<St<0.40. The present invention is capable of operating at a wide range of Strouhal Numbers, including the range identified by Triantafyllou et al. [0011] The propulsion system generates forward and reverse thrust, the magnitude of which is continuously adjustable while underway. The full range of thrust is controllable by a single linear actuator acting upon a sliding yoke. The propulsion system generates heaving motion by means of at least one tail arm boom sweeping side to side above the surface of the water, each boom pivoted about a fixed location on the hull. [0012] In yet another aspect of the invention the propulsion system is capable of using human power, photoelectric power, stored electric power, internal combustion engine power, gas turbine power, steam turbine power, steam engine power, power, electric motor power, or any useful combination thereof. The propulsion system employs variable geometry to facilitate efficient utilization of the available power over the full range of design hull speeds, pedaling frequency, heaving amplitude and fin geometry. For human powered applications, the power input will normally vary anywhere between 0 and 500 watts for cruising, but may reach or exceed 1,000 watts during short-duration sprints. Depending on hull design, boat speeds in excess of 6 miles per hour should be attainable. Maximum vessel speed is generally a function of hull resistance and available power input, and is not inherently limited by any aspect of the propulsion system design concept. [0013] In yet another aspect of the invention, the propulsion system optionally employs tunable energy storage devices for efficient torque/displacement matching of the operator/driver and the rest of the propulsion system. The propulsion system can be configured to exploit the energy storage and resonance characteristics of its torsional pendulum configuration. It is possible to tune the torsional natural frequency of the system for beneficial purposes by changing spring stiffness and/or changing the location of a tuning mass along the tail arm boom. Mass may also be added to, or the location of the mass adjusted on a forward extension of the clevis, which will provide improved static and dynamic balance. Mass may also be added or removed from the pylon crank arm. [0014] Thus, as will be further disclosed, for human-powered applications, the propulsion system exploits the ergonomic advantages and energy potential of the recumbent pedaling position. [0015] Yet a further aspect of the invention is characterized in that a maneuvering and dynamic stabilization system is provided which is capable of providing steering, braking, stabilization of roll/yaw oscillations, and obstacle/debris clearance functions, and which may be controlled by a human operator and/or microprocessor based control system. The maneuvering system exploits the ergonomic benefits and simplicity of a single control handle and single throttle control, facilitating human coordination between and sequencing of propulsion, maneuvering, retraction and throttle actions. The maneuvering system is hydrodynamically and statically balanced, and throttle position automatically maintained in set position, thereby enabling hands-free operation, if desired. [0016] The above and other objects, effects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0017] FIG. 1A is a perspective illustration of a first embodiment of a tailboat illustrating the primary propulsion and steering fins. FIG. 1B is an elevation of a second embodiment of a tailboat illustrating the primary propulsion and steering fins. [0018] FIG. 2 is an elevation of the aft section of the tailboat of FIG. 1 showing further details of the actuators and control mechanisms coupling the propulsion power source and controls to the propulsion fin and rudder fin. [0019] FIG. 3A is an elevation view of the transmission mechanism whereas FIGS. 3B, C, D ,E and F are plan views showing the operation of the transmission with respect to the alternative positions of the propulsion fin for tiller, forward thrust, neutral and reverse thrust operation respectively. [0020] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a portion of the propulsion and maneuvering system Continue reading... Full patent description for Vessel propelled by oscillating fin with control mechanisms Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Vessel propelled by oscillating fin with control mechanisms patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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