IP Library Granted Patent US 12,157,541
Granted Patent B2
US 12,157,541 · App. 17/710,580 · Granted Dec 3, 2024

Multi purpose electric hydrofoil

Inventor: Renaud Barbier (Dubai, AE)
Assignee: Renaud Barbier
B63B32/60B60L50/64B63B1/242B63B1/246B63B79/40B63H21/17B63H21/21G05D1/0022B63H2021/216
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,157,541
App. No.
17/710,580
Granted
Dec 3, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A hydrofoil assembly adapted to be attached to a watercraft includes a mast having a mast head adapted to be removably engage with the watercraft and disposed exterior to the watercraft. The hydrofoil assembly also includes a propulsion assembly coupled to the mast and including a propeller and an electric motor for rotating the propeller. The hydrofoil assembly also includes at least one wing coupled to the mas. Moreover, the hydrofoil assembly includes a battery coupled to the mast head and adapted to be arranged exterior to the watercraft.

Claims (52)

1. A hydrofoil assembly configured to be attached to a personal watercraft, the hydrofoil assembly comprising:

a mast comprising a mast head configured to be removably engage with the personal watercraft and disposed exterior to the personal watercraft;

a propulsion assembly coupled to the mast and comprising a propeller and an electric motor operatively coupled to the propeller for rotating the propeller;

at least one wing coupled to the mast and arranged distally from the mast head; and

a battery disposed exterior of the mast head and configured to be arranged exterior of the personal watercraft in an assembly of the mast head with the personal watercraft, wherein the battery is coupled to and supported on the mast head and provides electric power to the electric motor.

2. The hydrofoil assembly of claim 1 , wherein

the mast head comprises a plurality of engagement structures, and

the battery comprises a plurality of retention structures removably engaged with the plurality of engagement structures to facilitate a removable coupling of the battery and the mast head.

3. The hydrofoil assembly of claim 2 , wherein

each engagement structure comprises a tab extending outwardly from a side surface of the mast head, and

each retention structure comprises a lock structure to receive the tab and lock the tab with the battery.

4. The hydrofoil assembly of claim 3 , wherein the tab comprises

an arm structure comprising a first end engaged to the mast head and a second end disposed outwardly of the side surface of the mast head, and

a hook structure arranged at the second end of the arm structure.

5. The hydrofoil assembly of claim 4 , wherein the lock structure comprises

a recess defined by a second surface of the battery, and a stopper structure covering a portion of the recess, wherein

in the engagement of the tab with the lock structure, the hook structure is arranged inside the recess and engaged with the stopper structure such that a portion of the hook structure is arranged underneath the stopper structure.

6. The hydrofoil assembly of claim 1 , wherein

the mast head comprises a plurality of connectors, and

the battery comprises a plurality of couplers configured to engage with the plurality of connectors to electrically couple the battery with the electric motor.

7. The hydrofoil assembly of claim 6 , wherein each connector comprises a connector port and a socket extending through the connector port and arranged coaxially with the connector port defining a gap therebetween.

8. The hydrofoil assembly of claim 7 , wherein each coupler comprises a pin extending outwardly of the battery and a cover arranged circularly around the pin defining a space therebetween, wherein the pin extends inside the socket and the cover is arranged inside the gap in an assembly of the battery with the mast head.

9. The hydrofoil assembly of claim 1 , wherein the battery defines a cut-out extending from the first surface of the battery to a second surface of the battery arranged opposite to the first surface of the battery, and the mast head is arranged, at least partially, inside the cut-out.

10. The hydrofoil assembly of claim 1 further comprising a controller configured to control the electric motor, and a transceiver configured to facilitate a communication of the controller with a remote input device at a sub gigahertz frequency.

11. A watercraft assembly, comprising:

a personal watercraft comprising a first surface configured to support at least one user and a second surface arranged opposite to the first surface; and

a hydrofoil assembly removably engaged to the personal watercraft and arranged exterior to and underneath the personal watercraft, the hydrofoil assembly comprising

a mast comprising a mast head removably engaged with the personal watercraft and disposed exterior to the personal watercraft, the mast head comprising a first surface arranged facing the personal watercraft,

a propulsion assembly coupled to the mast and comprising a propeller and an electric motor operatively coupled to the propeller for rotating the propeller,

at least one wing coupled to the mast and arranged distally from the mast head, and

a battery coupled to the mast head and supported on the mast head, the battery is arranged exterior to the personal watercraft, and provides electric power to the electric motor.

12. The watercraft assembly of claim 11 , wherein

the mast head comprises a second surface arranged opposite to the first surface of the mast head, and the battery is engaged with the mast head such that a first surface of the battery

is arranged flush with the first surface of the mast head.

13. The watercraft assembly of claim 11 , wherein

the mast head comprises a plurality of engagement structures, and

the battery comprises a plurality of retention structures removably engaged with the plurality of engagement structures to facilitate a removable coupling of the battery and the mast head.

14. The watercraft assembly of claim 13 , wherein

each engagement structure comprises a tab extending outwardly from a side surface of the mast head, and

each retention structure comprises a lock structure to receive the tab and lock the tab with the battery.

15. The watercraft assembly of claim 14 , wherein

the tab comprises an arm structure extending outwardly from the mast head and a hook structure extending from the arm structure, and

the lock structure comprises a recess defined by a second surface of the battery and a stopper structure covering a portion of the recess,

wherein

in the engagement of the tab with the lock structure, the hook structure is arranged inside the recess and engaged with the stopper structure such that a portion of the hook structure is arranged underneath the stopper structure.

16. The watercraft assembly of claim 11 , wherein

the mast head comprises a plurality of connectors, and

the battery comprises a plurality of couplers configured to engage with the plurality of connectors to electrically couple the battery with the electric motor.

17. The watercraft assembly of claim 16 , wherein each connector comprises a connector port and a socket extending through the connector port and arranged coaxially with the connector port defining a gap therebetween.

18. The watercraft assembly of claim 17 , wherein each coupler comprises a pin extending outwardly of the battery and a cover arranged circularly around the pin defining a space therebetween, wherein the pin extends inside the socket and the cover is arranged inside the gap in an assembly of the battery with the mast head.

19. The watercraft assembly of claim 11 , wherein the battery comprises a first surface and a second surface arranged opposite to the first surface, wherein the battery defines a cut-out extending from the first surface of the battery to the second surface of the battery, and the mast head is arranged, at least partially, inside the cut-out.

20. The watercraft assembly of claim 11 , wherein the hydrofoil assembly comprises a controller configured to control the electric motor, and a transceiver configured to facilitate a communication of the controller with a remote input device at a sub gigahertz frequency.

Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230312061A1 · Oct 5, 2023