US20250100665A1

US20250100665A1 - Modular Water Propulsion With Interchangeable Mounts and Controls

Info

Publication number: US20250100665A1
Application number: US18/371,354
Authority: US
Inventors: Julian Phox Containne
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2023-09-21
Filing date: 2023-09-21
Publication date: 2025-03-27

Abstract

A portable, modular, water turbine solution consisting of a mount base, water turbine, and watercraft appropriate controller. The mount base is attachable to a variety of personal watercraft using a mounting mechanism, such as, but not limited to, a nylon strap or adhesive. The motors can be easily detached from one mount on a watercraft to another mount on a different watercraft. Different control schemes may also be swapped out depending on the watercraft in question.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to small water propulsion devices, specifically to mount and control small or personal watercraft such as, but not limited to: a floating innertube, a stand up paddleboard, or kayak.

BACKGROUND

Water based activities, such as tubing and sand up paddleboarding, often require individuals to swim or paddle for extended periods, which can be tiring. Persons with disabilities may also not be able to participate in said activities due to the physical effort involved. Devices have been developed to assist individuals move through water with less effort, however, these devices can be bulky, expensive, have limited control options, and are not easily attachable to existing recreational watercraft.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a modular water turbine, controller, and mount system that are compatible with various consumer watercraft. This mount enables a user to attach a compact underwater motor to their existing innertube, paddleboard, or kayak transforming them into electric propulsion devices and opening up opportunities for persons with mobility challenges. Different control options are able to interface with the motors based on craft design or special need. For example, a foot pedal control module would be more useful to a stand up paddle board while hand controls make more sense for an inner tube. The invention is designed to be cost-effective since the turbine interfaces into a cost effective mount for each type of watercraft instead of buying multiple custom motors. The flexibility of being able to 3D print mounts allows the opportunity to easily customize mounting solutions along with opening up new opportunities for recreation and water mobility. For example, a two person innertube can have 1 motor mounted on each side providing a cooperative mobility experience. The units are lightweight, and easy to use, making it suitable for a wide range of water activities such as river/lake floating, fishing, and pool use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 a, 1 b, 1 c, and 1 d is a three view plus perspective of the base mounting plate that holds the turbine module.

FIGS. 2 a, 2 b, 2 c, and 2 d is a three view plus perspective of a variation of the mounting plate that holds the turbine module specific to stand up paddleboards.

FIGS. 3 a, 3 b, 3 c, and 3 d is a three view plus perspective of a variation of the mounting plate that holds the turbine module for general mounting for nonspecific watercraft.

FIGS. 4 a, 4 b, 4 c, and 4 d is a three view plus perspective of the water turbine module.

FIGS. 6 a, 6 b, 6 c, and 6 d is a three view plus perspective of the controller specific to stand up paddleboards.

FIGS. 7 a, 7 b, and 7 c is a three view of the controller specific to hand controls and innertubes.

FIGS. 8 a and 8 b show a front and side view with 2 base mounting plates, 2 nylon straps, 2 turbine modules, 2 controllers, and 2 batteries attached to an innertube.

FIGS. 9 a and 9 b show a side view of a stand up paddleboard mount plate with turbine module, battery, and foot pedal controller.

REFERENCE NUMERALS OF DRAWINGS

- 200 Draft feature to secure turbine module into mount
- 210 Endstop feature to prevent turbine module from over running the mount
- 220 Keyway feature to allow locking key to secure turbine module into mount
- 225 Keyway feature to allow locking key to secure mount to stand up paddleboard
- 300 Feature to allow the capturing of SUP mount to paddleboard
- 310 Hole feature to accommodate lanyard string for holding locking keys
- 320 Motor and propeller assembly
- 400 Slot feature to allow for strap mounting to various watercraft
- 600 Top body of paddleboard switch
- 610 Bottom body of paddleboard switch
- 620 Microcontroller
- 700 Controller body
- 710 Controller thumb switch
- 800 Whole hand control
- 810 Whole turbine module with mount
- 820 Battery
- 840 Optional nylon strap
- 900 Whole foot pedal assembly for paddleboard

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of the preferred embodiments are not exclusive uses of this invention.
In FIG. 1 , FIG. 2 , and FIG. 3 , the mounting base geometry is such that is conforms to the turbine mount module. The varying mounting bases designed to interface with the turbine motor module. Each mount base has special considerations depending on the watercraft in question.
In FIG. 4 the motor housing encloses and protects the underwater motor from the surrounding water, ensuring proper functioning and durability and is interchangeable within this mounting regime. The propulsion system includes a compact underwater motor, a propeller, and a water intake and outlet system, designed to provide efficient and powerful thrust underwater.
In FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 includes a user-friendly control system for adjusting the motor's speed and direction in the case where multiple motors are controlled independently
In FIG. 8 the example of the innertube setup is shown.
In FIG. 9 the example of the stand up paddleboard is shown.
The underwater motor mount can be made from materials suitable for use in underwater environments, such as corrosion-resistant metals, plastics, and rubber.
The present invention provides a versatile and cost-effective solution for those looking to enhance their underwater experiences with the convenience of a water propulsion device.

Claims

1: A portable, modular, water turbine solution consisting of a mount base, water turbine, and watercraft appropriate controller.

2: A standardized mounting base interface geometry wherein the turbine in claim 1 will interface.

3: The mounting device of claim 1, using the geometry in claim 2, wherein the mount base installation is a strap made from varying materials.

4: The mounting device of claim 1, using the geometry in claim 2, wherein the mount base installation is an adhesive.

5: The mounting device of claim 1, using the geometry in claim 2, wherein the mount base installation is a jig composed of varying materials.

6: The mounting device of claim 1, using the geometry in claim 2, wherein the turbine is easily installed/removed to the mount.

7: The mounting device of claims 3, 4, 5 and 6, wherein the mount base has accommodations for a mechanism for securing the turbine module while attached to the base.

10: The mounting device of claims 3, 4, 5 and 6, comprising a removable tether or leash for additional security of the turbine module.

11: The mounting device of claims 3, 4, 5 and 6, wherein the mount base has accommodations for a locking mechanism for securing the mount to a watercraft.

12: The turbine module of claim 1, wherein the motor may be controlled by a foot control

13: The turbine module of claim 1, wherein the motor may be controlled by a hand control

14: The turbine module of claim 1, wherein the motor may be controlled by any means as to accommodate unforeseen control situations not covered by claims 12 and 13 for the purpose of but not limited to the complex nature of disabilities

15: The control methods as defined by claims 12, 13, and 14, wherein the turbine module may be controlled by a wireless control

16: The control methods as defined by claims 12, 13, and 14, wherein the turbine module may be used to wirelessly control watercraft not limited to innertubes and floating ice chests.

17: The control methods as defined by claims 12, 13, and 14, wherein the turbine module may be used in any combination of wireless/wired configuration including the use of multiple controls schemes on a single motor.

18: The control methods as defined by claims 12, 13, and 14, wherein the turbine module may be controlled with analog or digital signaling for the purpose of controlling speed and direction.

19: The control methods as defined by claims 12, 13, and 14, wherein the turbine module controls may send forward and reverse signals for the purpose of controlling speed and turning.

20: The mounting device of claims 3, 4, 5 and 6, wherein the turbine modules may be installed unconventionally such as in, but not limited to, innertubes that are tied together to provide cooperative propulsion and control schemes.

21: The mounting device of claim 1, using the geometry in claim 2, wherein the mount base should be easily created using cheap manufacturing and materials such as 3d printing and plastics.

22: The turbine module of claim 1, wherein the motor may be powered by any power source between the acceptable range of the motor controller.