Pendulum Propulsion System for Self-Powered Watercraft

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing self-powered watercraft that use peddles and gears lose significant energy due to friction and mechanical inefficiencies, making them less efficient and requiring more effort to propel through water.

Innovation Solution

A watercraft design that utilizes the operator's full body weight in a standing position, with left and right pendulum assemblies that mimic a natural walking or jogging motion, propelling paddles submerged in the water to minimize energy loss and maximize propulsion efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If peddles, gears, and moving mechanisms are used to propel the watercraft, then the watercraft can be self-powered, but at least 15% of energy is lost from friction and turning gears, belt drives, shafts and propellers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepropulsion efficiencyVSAvoidenergy loss from friction and mechanical components

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the complex mechanical transmission system (gears, belts, shafts, propellers) from the propulsion mechanism. Instead, it uses a direct pendulum-driven paddle system where the operator's body motion directly drives the paddles through water, removing the source of mechanical friction losses entirely

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the traditional mechanical transmission system with a pendulum-based mechanical system. The operator's body weight and natural walking motion drive the pendulum assemblies, which directly move the paddles through water, substituting complex gear-driven mechanics with simpler pendulum mechanics that have minimal friction losses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If elaborate arrangements of gears are used to translate arm and leg motion into propulsion force, then the watercraft can be propelled, but energy efficiency decreases due to friction and mechanical inefficiencies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation capabilityVSAvoidenergy loss from mechanical inefficiencies

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs dynamic pendulum assemblies that move through arcs driven by the operator's natural walking motion. The pendulum members pivot on vertical axes and drive paddles through water in a dynamic, continuous motion that mimics natural human gait, eliminating the need for static gear arrangements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes periodic alternating motion of the operator's legs and arms in a natural walking pattern to drive the left and right pendulum assemblies in alternating fashion. This periodic action continuously propels the watercraft forward without requiring complex mechanical transmissions to convert motion types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The pendulum propulsion system achieves high efficiency, with minimal resistance and energy loss, allowing for faster movement with less physical effort, approaching 94% use of people power for propulsion.

Implementation Method 1

The watercraft utilizes the operator's full body weight in a standing position in order to propel the watercraft

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

left and right pendulum assemblies that are each moved in a forward and rear direction, in alternating fashion, by the operator's arms and legs

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPendulum motion: Pendulum

Implementation Method 3

spaced paddles that are normally at least partially submerged below the surface of the water during operation of the watercraft

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrodynamic drag: Drag

Data Source

PatentUS10543894B2Self-powered standup personal watercraft

Publication Date: 2020.01.28 MARTIN WILLIAM F

AI summary

A watercraft includes left and right hull members that are held in spaced apart, parallel relation by a supporting frame structure. A pendulum propulsion assembly mounts to the frame structure, between the hull members, and includes left and right pendulum assemblies that are each movable in a forward and rear direction by the operator's arms and legs. Each pendulum assembly includes at least a forward pendulum member extending through an upper pivotal connection to a lower pivot element coupled to a horizontal pendulum plane. A paddle holder mounted below the pendulum plane supports an arrangement of spaced paddles. Operation of the left and right pendulum assemblies in the forward and reverse alternating action through a normal stride causes the paddles to propel the watercraft in a forward direction. Forward flexing of the paddles in the power stroke is limited by tethers connecting between the paddles and the paddle support.