A recreational floating craft with a fin propulsion system

Abstract

This utility model relates to watercraft designed for human-powered propulsion, such as stand-up paddleboards (SUPs), surfboards, and similar floating platforms. The utility model, consisting of a fin (1), a buoyancy body (2), a supporting axis, a frame, and tension straps, features a fin propulsion system without a drive mechanism. The supporting axis is fixed, while the fin rotates to a limited extent relative to it. The propulsion force of the watercraft is generated by the oscillation of the buoyancy body around an axis aligned with the vessel's course. The technical result is that the elimination of the drive mechanism simplifies the design. Furthermore, efficiency is improved, and the speed is increased.And since the fin propulsion unit is designed as a separate unit, it can be installed sequentially on a variety of different watercraft without the use of tools, without modification, directly at the site of use. 5 pp. f-ly, 3 ill.

Description

[0001] Technical field

[0002] The utility model relates to water transport, namely to floating vehicles designed for movement on water using the muscular power of the user, such as SUP boards, surfboards, kayaks, canoes, and similar floating platforms.

[0003] Technology Level

[0004] Floating craft with a fin propulsion system that utilize the user's muscular power and have a horizontal fin arrangement are known from the prior art, for example, the utility model "Pleasure Craft" (RU 72 456 U1) and the invention "Board "YUL"" (RU 2 139 221 C1).

[0005] These devices contain a fin propulsor, driven by the user's muscular force, which causes the watercraft to rock. The fin propulsors are positioned in a plane parallel to the water's surface, with propulsion achieved by the watercraft's longitudinal oscillations, back and forth, which requires the user to position themselves sideways to the vessel's course. The fin propulsor is positioned outside the hull's planform and below the waterline.

[0006] The common disadvantage of both analogues is:

[0007] - cannot be used effectively on flat-bottomed watercraft, in particular SUP boards, due to the limited ability to swing in the longitudinal direction;

[0008] - reduced ergonomics due to the need to position the user sideways to the direction of the vessel's course, which impairs visibility when turning and increases fatigue;

[0009] - stationary design of the fin propulsion mounting unit, which does not ensure its quick installation at the place of use (beach) and compatibility with previously purchased floating equipment;

[0010] - low performance due to the increased dimensions of the structure, caused by the removal of the fin propulsion elements outside the hull.

[0011] These shortcomings limit the scope of application of the devices and reduce their performance.

[0012] The closest to the claimed utility model in terms of a set of features, selected as a prototype, is the "Surfing with a flipper-shaped mover" (RU2576212 C1), comprising a hull and a flipper-shaped mover mounted on it, located vertically and with one of its ends attached to a rod passing through the hull in the plane of its symmetry with the possibility of rotation, on the front part of the bottom of the hull in the plane of its symmetry there is a keel stabilizer, on the hull with the possibility of rotation there is a platform attached, interacting with limiters of its rotation, between which and the hull there is a bearing installed, and an axis is attached to the platform, passing through the hull with the possibility of rotation, to the rod and the axis under the hull at right angles there are levers attached, one of which is connected to the slider with the help of a cylindrical hinge, and the second is a guide for the slider.

[0013] The reasons that prevent the achievement of the technical result specified below, when using the prototype, include the presence of a drive mechanism in the design, which:

[0014] - complicates the design and reduces its reliability when used in an aquatic environment, including due to the effects of corrosion;

[0015] - reduces efficiency due to friction;

[0016] - limits versatility due to the impossibility of installation on various types of previously purchased watercraft;

[0017] - increases the cost of production and maintenance.

[0018] The operational shortcomings of the prototype include:

[0019] - the need to make irreversible design changes to the hull of a watercraft when installing a propeller on it;

[0020] - incompatibility with inflatable watercraft due to the need to make through holes for the drive elements;

[0021] - increased dimensions, requiring a large amount of storage space and complicating transportation.

[0022] The ergonomic disadvantage of the prototype is that the user needs to simultaneously perform reciprocating rotational movements in the horizontal plane to create propulsion, and balance in the vertical plane to maintain balance, which creates a high threshold for entering the swimming technique in terms of user skills.

[0023] Disclosure of the essence of the utility model

[0024] Problem of the utility model

[0025] The objective of the utility model is to simplify the design, increase efficiency, achieve greater versatility, durability, reliability, and improve performance.

[0026] Technical result and essence of the utility model

[0027] The design is simplified by making the fin mover without using a drive mechanism and placing fin rotation limiters between the fin and its supporting axis.

[0028] Brief description of the drawings and composition of the utility model

[0029] Fig. 1 shows the driving circuit of a recreational watercraft with a fin propulsor. Fig. 2 shows the structure of a recreational watercraft with a fin propulsor. Fig. 3 shows the operating principle of the fin propulsor of a recreational watercraft.

[0030] The recreational floating craft with a fin propulsion "FIN YULE" consists of a fin (1), a buoyancy body (2), a supporting axis (3), a frame (4), tension straps (5), and rotation limiters (6).

[0031] Implementation of a utility model

[0032] The implementation of the utility model is illustrated by drawings (Fig. 1-3) and is described using the example of the preparation and operation of a fin propulsion device on a SUP board.

[0033] Installation and preparation for operation are carried out as follows:

[0034] On the beach or pier, the user moves the SUP board from the transport position to the operating position (Fig. 2) and inflates it to operating pressure. The user installs the frame (4) on the bottom of the SUP board (2) and secures it with two hand-tightening straps (5). The straps are adjusted until they are securely fastened without damaging the surface of the board. The supporting axle (3) with the fin (1) attached to it is then inserted into the flange of the frame (4). The fin (1) can be rigidly fixed to the supporting axle (3). In this case, the rotation limiters (6) may not be installed, and the deflection of the fin (1) from the direction of the boat's (2) course will be ensured solely by its flexibility.

[0035] Installation is completed without special tools in 5-7 minutes.

[0036] The driving force is created as follows:

[0037] After launching the watercraft, the user (Fig. 1) takes a position facing the vessel's course (standing or sitting) and begins to cyclically shift his body weight from starboard to port, rocking the watercraft. As a result (Fig. 3), the supporting axis (3) of the fin (1) oscillates in the transverse direction. Each time the fin hits the turn limiter, due to the angle φ between the plane of the fin (1) and the vessel's course, a hydrodynamic force F is generated, which is decomposed into two orthogonal components:

[0038] - longitudinal (driving) force Fdir, directed along the vessel’s course;

[0039] - transverse (lateral) force Fflat, directed perpendicular to the movement.

[0040] The longitudinal component ensures the boat's directional speed. The transverse component creates lateral support, stabilizing the user's position on the water.

[0041] To turn, the user continues the rocking motion while simultaneously leaning the SUP board toward the corresponding side. The turn is achieved by creating an angle with the fin and by the contours of the SUP board.

[0042] Specific implementation example

[0043] Floatation body (2): SUP board, length 3600mm, width 800mm, thickness 140mm.

[0044] Fin (1): length - 360 mm, height - 250 mm. Thickness of the elastic fin: front part - 50 mm, rear part - 3 mm (ensures a decrease in elasticity towards the stern). Material - rubber with stiffeners (polyurethane, thermoplastic elastomer are acceptable). Elastic modulus - 25 MPa.

[0045] Fastening: 2500mm long tension strap (5), manual installation and removal without modification of the housing.

Claims

1. A recreational watercraft comprising a buoyancy body and a fin propulsion device mounted thereon, including a vertically positioned fin and a supporting axis, characterized in that the fin propulsion device is made without the use of a drive mechanism, while the supporting axis is fixed, and the fin is made with the possibility of limited rotation relative to the axis.

2. The device according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the fin is made in the form of a flexible blade with elasticity decreasing in the direction of the stern.

3. The device according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the fin rotation limiters are placed between the fin and its supporting axis.

4. The device according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the fin propulsion device is made in the form of a separate portable module.

5. The device according to paragraph 4, characterized in that the fin propulsion mount is designed with the possibility of installation on the buoyancy body without modification of the latter.

6. The device according to paragraph 4, characterized in that the fin propulsion fastening is designed with the possibility of its installation and removal without the use of tools.

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