Personal Watercraft as Mobile Fluid Compression Station

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aerial and aquatic propulsion devices using pressurized fluid for personal flight are limited by high cost, restricted movement capabilities, and the need for dedicated compressor stations, which restricts freedom and variety of movement.

Innovation Solution

Adapting a nautical motor vehicle to function as a fluid compression station, allowing it to deliver compressed fluid to a propulsion device, enabling more agile and playful movement by positioning nozzles below the center of gravity and using the vehicle's natural compression capacity, thus reducing costs and enhancing usability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If a dedicated remote compression station is used to deliver pressurized water to a propulsion device, then the propulsion system can achieve sustained flight and movement, but the system cost increases significantly due to the need for specialized compressor equipment and infrastructure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflight durationVSAvoidsystem cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling a watercraft to serve dual purposes: its original navigation function and a new function as a mobile compression station for delivering pressurized water to propulsion devices. The watercraft's existing propulsion system is repurposed to compress and deliver water through a supply conduit, eliminating the need for dedicated compressor infrastructure while extending flight duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If nozzles are positioned above the center of gravity of the device-passenger assembly to simplify piloting and reduce physical effort, then ease of operation improves, but the passenger loses freedom and variety of movements including acrobatic figures and feels suspended rather than free

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepiloting easeVSAvoidmovement variety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional nozzle positioning by placing nozzles below the center of gravity instead of above it. This inversion fundamentally changes the control dynamics: passengers now control the device by shifting their body weight and position, creating a more natural and versatile control experience that enables acrobatic movements and varied trajectories while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If a watercraft is adapted to function as a compression station with a supply conduit positioned along the hull from rear to front, then the system can deliver pressurized fluid effectively, but the supply conduit may obstruct the fluid inlet at the bow when the vehicle is towed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid delivery efficiencyVSAvoidtowing capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the supply conduit flexible rather than rigid, allowing it to adapt its position based on the watercraft's operational mode. When towed, the flexible conduit can be repositioned or routed to avoid obstructing the bow inlet. When functioning as a compression station, the conduit is positioned along the hull to optimize fluid delivery efficiency to the propulsion device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution provides a cost-effective, versatile, and playful system for fluid propulsion, allowing for a wide range of movements and applications, including acrobatics and security uses, while maintaining the vehicle's buoyancy and ease of return to its original function.

Implementation Method 1

propulsion means (32) compressing a fluid (water) ingested from an inlet (33) and expelling said fluid thus pressurized from a fluid outlet (34)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

a propeller (32b) rotating about an axis (32a) substantially perpendicular to the direction of motion of the vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrodynamic thrust: Jet

Data Source

PatentEP2758307B1Personal watercraft capable of delivering a pressurised fluid and an associated system
Publication Date: 2019.10.30 ZIPH20
  • EP2758307B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2758307B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2758307B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Personal watercraft capable of delivering a pressurised fluid and an associated system. The invention concerns a personal watercraft (30) or PWC capable of operating as a fluid compression station in addition to its primary transport function. Such a PWC can thus deliver said compressed fluid to a third-party device. Preferably, but non-limitatively, such a PWC can supply a passenger propulsion device in order for the latter to be able move in the air or in a fluid. The invention also preferably concerns a propulsion system in which a remote station is a personal watercraft capable of cooperating with a propulsion device.