Flexible Fluke Watercraft Propulsion with Manual Motor Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing propulsion devices for floating watercraft, such as those with flexible flukes, face issues with debris obstruction and the need for additional safety measures like oars or distress signals due to limited functionality when running out of fuel or battery power, and are prone to damage from water debris.
Innovation Solution
A propulsion device with a flexible fluke pivotal about a horizontal axis, allowing for manual power mode operation via a hand-lever and motor-powered mode with isolated hand-lever motion, enabling safe switching between modes and eliminating the need for an impeller by reconfiguring the fluke's direction, reducing the risk of damage from debris.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an impeller is used for propulsion and speed reduction, then the watercraft can be propelled forward and reversed, but the impeller inlet may be blocked by debris such as plastic sheet, limiting the watercraft's ability to stop and reverse
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the impeller component entirely and replaces it with a flexible fluke propulsion system. The fluke is a simple flexible blade that oscillates in water to provide propulsion, eliminating the vulnerable impeller inlet that was susceptible to debris blockage while maintaining the ability to propel the watercraft forward and backward
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the propulsion mechanism from a rotary impeller to an oscillating flexible fluke. The fluke oscillates back and forth in a planar motion, creating thrust through water resistance rather than through rotational impeller action, thereby avoiding debris blockage issues while preserving bidirectional propulsion capability
2Extent of automation
If a motor is used to power the fluke, then automated propulsion is achieved, but the watercraft becomes helpless when running out of fuel or battery power
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible fluke propulsion system serves dual purposes: it can be powered by a motor for automated propulsion, or it can be manually operated by an individual gripping and moving the fluke to propel the watercraft. This multi-functionality ensures the watercraft remains operational even when motor power is depleted
Solution Approach 2:
The fluke is designed to be directly manipulatable by a person, allowing the operator to manually propel the watercraft without requiring additional emergency equipment. The same propulsion mechanism serves both motorized and manual operation modes, enabling self-rescue capability
3Adaptability or versatility
If a hand-lever is mechanically engaged with the fluke for manual operation, then manual propulsion is enabled, but the operator may get injured by the hand-lever when switching to motor-powered mode
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the hand-lever and fluke is made dynamic rather than fixed. A releasable connector allows the hand-lever to be engaged with the fluke for manual propulsion and disengaged when motor-powered mode is activated, eliminating the risk of operator injury from moving parts while preserving manual operation capability
Solution Approach 2:
A releasable connector acts as an intermediary between the hand-lever and fluke. This connector can be engaged to transmit manual forces from the hand-lever to the fluke, and disengaged to isolate the hand-lever from the motor-driven fluke motion, thereby preventing operator injury while maintaining both manual and motorized propulsion modes
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b~2c
AI summary
A propulsion device for propelling a floating watercraft comprises a flexible fluke (16) that is pivotal about a substantially horizontal fluke pivot axis, and means for transmitting an oscillatory motion about said fluke pivot axis to said fluke (16). The propulsion device (10) may be reconfigured between two or more modes or combinations of modes, for example - a manual power mode, in which a hand-lever is mechanically engaged with the fluke (16) for transmitting an oscillatory, propulsive motion to the fluke (16) by means of a reciprocating movement of the hand-lever; - a motor-powered mode, in which a motor is mechanically engaged with the fluke (16), and the motion of the hand-lever is isolated from any propulsive motion of the fluke (16) about said fluke pivot axis; - a forward mode, in which a main portion of the fluke (16) extends astern of the pivot axis (21); and - a reverse mode, in which a main portion of the fluke (16) extends afore of the fluke pivot axis (21).