Method and system for operating a hydrofoil board
Disclosed is a method for controlling a hydrofoil board powered by a motor driven propeller. The motor is controlled by a hand controller configured with user selectable operating pre-sets including a first operating pre-set, wherein the board is accelerated to a first speed which is less than that required for the board to hydrofoil, and a second operating pre-set, wherein the board is accelerated to a second speed sufficient for the board to hydrofoil. Alternatively, the operating pre-sets may limit the motor power. A system for operating a hydrofoil board is also disclosed, which includes a propulsion control unit comprising a propulsion source, and a hand controller configured to receive a first user input and a second user input and to transmit the user inputs to the propulsion control unit.
1. A method of controlling a hydrofoil board powered by a motor driven propeller, wherein the motor is controlled by a hand controller configured with a throttle for regulating a speed of the board, the hand controller also configured with user selectable operating pre-sets comprising:
a first operating pre-set, wherein the board is accelerated to a maximum first speed which is less than that required for the board to hydrofoil; and
a second operating pre-set, wherein the board is accelerated to a second speed which is sufficient for the board to hydrofoil.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the speed of the board is measured by GPS.
3. A method of controlling a hydrofoil board powered by a motor driven propeller, wherein the motor is controlled by a hand controller configured with a throttle for regulating motor power, the hand controller also configured with user selectable operating pre-sets comprising:
a first operating pre-set, wherein the motor power is limited to a first value which is less than that required for the board to hydrofoil; and
a second operating pre-set, wherein the motor power is limited to a second value which is sufficient for the board to hydrofoil.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the throttle can be operated at the same time as a user switches between the operating pre-sets.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein ten or more operating pre-sets are provided.
6. A system for operating a hydrofoil board, the system comprising:
a propulsion control unit comprising a propulsion source; and
a hand controller configured to receive a first user input and a second user input and to transmit the user inputs to the propulsion control unit, the first user input being a variable throttle value and the second user input selecting one of a plurality of operating pre-sets of operation of the propulsion control unit;
wherein, in response to the user inputs, the propulsion control unit is configured to drive the propulsion source according to the selected throttle value only up to a maximum level that is determined by the selected operating pre-set.
7. The system according to claim 6 , wherein the plurality of operating pre-sets comprises:
a first operating pre-set, wherein the propulsion source increases the speed of the board to a first speed that is less than a hydrofoiling speed; and
a second operating pre-set, wherein the propulsion source increases the speed of the board to a second speed suitable for the board to hydrofoil and rise from the water surface.
8. The system according to claim 6 , wherein the plurality of operating pre-sets comprises:
a first operating pre-set, wherein the power of the propulsion source is limited to a first maximum value that is less than what is required for the board to hydrofoil; and
a second operating pre-set, wherein the power of the propulsion source can increase to a second maximum value suitable for the board to hydrofoil and rise from the water surface.
9. The system according to claim 6 , further comprising a receiver configured to receive and transmit signals between the hand controller and the propulsion control unit.
10. The system according to claim 9 , wherein the receiver is located at a forward portion of the board.
11. The system according to claim 6 , wherein the hand controller comprises an output configured to display one or more performance and/or diagnostic data chosen from the group consisting of: board speed; remaining travel distance; remaining travel time; battery temperature; battery charge; and rate of power consumption.
12. The system according to claim 6 , wherein the propulsion source is deactivated based on proximity and/or relative motion of the hand controller and the board.
13. The system according to claim 6 , wherein the operating pre-set can be automatically changed based on a geographic location of the board.
14. The system according to claim 6 , wherein the hand controller further comprises an output in the form of a buzzer and/or vibrator.
15. A hand controller for use with the system of claim 6 .