Abstract: An inflatable flotation device having a reaction chamber with reactants that generate gas when mixed, said reactants being separated by a barrier assembly; an activating mechanism adapted to remove or puncture the barrier assembly such that said reactants mix; and an inflatable compartment fluidly connected to the reaction chamber by means of a pressure sensitive passageway, adapted to open only when the pressure of the gas in said reaction chamber exceeds a predetermined threshold. This ensures that most of the reactants are used up to generate gas before the gas enters the inflatable chamber, thus preventing scattering of the reactants. Some implementations have a reaction chamber without a barrier assembly, comprising reactants that generate gas when mixed with water and an activating mechanism adapted to expose the reactants to water. A variety of manual or automatic mechanisms may be employed to activate the reaction and inflate the device.

Abstract: A cycloidal dynamic propulsion or positioning system for a ship in water that exhibits a direction of flow, including a frame, a rotor mounted to be movable in rotation on the frame about a main axis at right angles to the flow, including a plurality of arms extending radially with respect to the main axis, a main motor equipped with a rotary coder and driving the rotor in rotation, for each arm, a blade mounted to be movable in rotation on the arm about a secondary axis parallel to the main, for each blade, a secondary motor equipped with a rotary coder and driving the blade in rotation, for at least one blade, a load sensor able to evaluate the loads exerted on the blade, and a control unit connected to each coder, strain sensor and motor and controlling the rotation of each motor in terms of angle and speed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a buoy comprising a buoyant, plastic core component, and a plurality of detachable flotation components that support and surround the core component. The buoy is preferably more than 2.5 metres diameter, but the diameter of the core component is preferably less than or equal to 2.35 metres diameter. This facilitates transport in a single shipping container. A novel tie bar assembly and novel lifting/mooring mounts are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for hydrofoil assemblies with planing blades that may be adjusted, and securely maintained in varying tilts with respect to a support member, using a curved indexing system with a curved ridge and a counterpart groove that utilize interacting position retaining elements to retain a desired tilt in different adjustable positions. In one illustrative system, a planing blade may have a convexly curved ridge disposed on a surface thereof with a series of transverse grooves disposed in the curved ridge. A support member may have a counterpart concavely curved receiver with a series of counterpart transverse grooves formed therein. When a user places the planing blade in position with the convex ridge contacting the concave receiver, the blade may be tilted to a desired position. The counterpart transverse grooves interconnect to provide an indexed positive interlock, securely maintaining the blade in the desired position.

Abstract: A propulsion device for a marine vessel. A base is configured to be coupled to the marine vessel. A shaft includes an upper segment and a lower segment each extending along a length axis, wherein the upper segment is coupled to the base. A propulsor is coupled to the lower segment, where the propulsor is configured to propel the marine vessel in water. A shock absorber includes a resilient member that resiliently couples the upper segment and the lower segment together, where the resilient member dampens impact forces received at the lower segment and reduces transfer of the impact forces to the upper segment.

Abstract: A cold weather survival suit includes a principal body cavity having pneumatically connected extensions to fit body extremities and a coverable cranial opening. The structure of the suit includes a layered structure of mechanically interconnected suits within suits. A composite of tear-proof and insulation material forms an internal suit or first envelope that is surrounded by a waterproof suit and then by a tear resistant suit.

Abstract: A device is constituted by an inflatable neck float (1), with a U shape placed around the neck and closed by a safety closure (2) to allow perfect fitting around the neck, inside said neck float (1) there is a flexible tube (3) that carries a gas (11), introduced in liquid state and which, upon being released suddenly, will expand and inflate the lifesaving neck float.

Abstract: A propulsion device for marine vessel. A base is configured to be coupled to the marine vessel, the base having sides that extend downwardly from the marine vessel. A propulsor is pivotally coupled to the base and pivotable into and between a deployed position and a stowed position. The propulsor comprises a propeller having a hub with blades extending away therefrom. The propulsor is configured to propel the marine vessel in water when in the deployed position by rotating the propeller. An alignment device aligns the blades of the propeller between the sides of the base when the propulsor is in the stowed position.

Abstract: A method of deploying autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), the method comprising loading the AUVs into a deployment device; submerging the deployment device containing the AUVs after the AUVs have been loaded into the deployment device; towing the submerged deployment device containing the AUVs with a surface vessel; deploying the AUVs from the submerged deployment device as it is towed by the surface vessel; and operating a thruster of each AUV after it has been deployed so that it moves away from the submerged deployment device. A method of retrieving autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) is also disclosed, the method comprising towing a submerged retrieval device with a surface vessel; loading the AUVs into the submerged retrieval device as it is towed by the surface vessel; and after the AUVs have been loaded into the submerged retrieval device, lifting the submerged retrieval device containing the AUVs out of the water and onto the surface vessel.

Abstract: A modular hybrid propulsion unit is disclosed that is mountable to a watercraft. According to an example, the modular hybrid propulsion unit includes a housing configured to fit within a complementary housing receiver on a topside of the watercraft, and a rotational output coupling configured to rotationally engage with a rotational input coupling for a propeller of the watercraft. The propulsion unit further includes an electric motor within the housing, the electric motor having a motor shaft connected to the rotational output coupling for providing an electrically powered rotational input to the rotational output coupling. The propulsion unit further includes a crank having one or more crank arms. The crank is connected to the rotational output coupling for providing a human powered rotational input to the rotational output coupling independent of the electrically powered rotational input by the electric motor.

Abstract: A method and a system for controlling a propulsive power output applied to a propeller shaft of a ship. If a current value of a propulsive power of a propulsive power source equals or falls below a lower power limit value, and/or if a current value of an operational parameter reaches a first/lower parameter limit value, a control unit is configured to: increase a power output of an internal combustion engine of the propulsive power source. Thus, operation of the engine below a lower power limit is avoided.

Abstract: The present invention is used in water board sports but maybe of benefit to other water vessels; the present invention assists in the planing of water sport boards; the present invention was initially designed for windsurfing it can be used in surfing, kite-boarding and with other water crafts; the present invention uses one or more hybrid-fins, referred to as Squid-Fins™, along with a new base and fin-box that allows for more adjustments and easier swapping of fins; this system helps the board get up on a plane earlier and stay on that plane longer along with making it possible to add new characteristics to the performance of the board including hydro-foiling.

Abstract: Motor boat comprising a support structure and at least one pair of similar foils arranged on each side of the support structure, each of said foils being defined by a wing and its support; the latter being retractable into the lower part of the structure and mounted so as to be slidable relative thereto; said foils being arranged so as to adopt at least two fixed positions, namely an “active” position in which they are deployed in similar positions and a “passive” position in which said supports are retracted into the support structure; characterized in that the boat is adapted such that the deployment of the foils comprises an initial movement of the supports in a substantially horizontal direction away from the vertical median plane of the support structure, followed by a tilting about an axis parallel or substantially parallel to the main axis of the boat.

Abstract: A kite system having a kite (14) and a hauling rope (15) which extends between the kite (14) and a tow point (16). A marking holder (25) is disposed between the tow point (16) and the kite (14). The marking holder (25) is conceived for changing between an entrained state in relation to the hauling rope (15), and a free-running state in relation to the hauling rope (15). A fitting installation (31) initiates a changeover between the entrained state and the free-running state of the marking holder (25). The invention moreover relates to a method for operating a kite system.

Abstract: The robotic device conducts an action on a curved ferromagnetic surface. The robotic device includes a chassis platform and at least one magnetic side drive module. The chassis platform rolls on the curved ferromagnetic surface and is maintained thereon by virtue of the curved ferromagnetic surface being ferromagnetic. The at least one magnetic side drive module is pivotally attached to the chassis platform and is for conducting the action on the curved ferromagnetic surface as the chassis platform rolls on the curved ferromagnetic surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is inter alia an apparatus (63) for sensing a movement of an object (10, 11) relative to a fluid (12, 13), e.g. for sensing relative movements of a surf board in water. A particular characteristic of the invention is that the housing (21) is mounted in fixed arrangement to a surface (20) of the object, the housing receiving a spring member (62) having a plurality of blades (25a, 25b, 25c, 25d), wherein each blade has an outer end (27) which is fixed to the housing, and an inner end (28) which is connecting to a center portion (65) of the spring, the plurality of blades defining a plane (73), wherein a plurality of strain gauges (26a, 26b, 26c, 26d) is positioned on the blades, and wherein a rigid pin (17) is mounted on the center portion of the spring member which is extending in a direction of a normal vector (74) of the plane and which is protruding from the surface (20) of the object and configured to dip into the fluid.

Abstract: A watercraft comprising a battery ballast system is shown and described. The battery ballast system comprises a plurality of carriage assemblies, each comprising a plurality of tiers along the watercraft's height axis, and each being movable along the watercraft's length axis. The batteries sit on movable supports that are movable along the watercraft's width axis. Each tier is loaded to less than 50 percent with batteries and battery supports so that the batteries in each tier can be moved along the ship's width axis relative to the hull in a manner that will affect the ship's list. The carriage assemblies occupy a portion of the length along which they are movable so that they can be moved along the ship's length axis relative to the hull to affect the ship's trim.

Abstract: A watercraft and associated pedal drive system are provided. Method of operating the pedal drive are also provided. The pedal drive system allows for unassisted manual pedaling to provide thrust to the watercraft. The pedal drive system also provides on demand pedal assistance of varying levels via an assist drive train having an electric motor to supplement the manual pedal force input provided by a user at the pedals of pedal drive system.

Abstract: A stowable propulsion system for a marine vessel. A base is configured to be coupled to the marine vessel. A shaft has a proximal end and a distal end with a length axis defined therebetween, where the shaft is pivotably coupled to the base and pivotable about a transverse axis between a stowed position and a deployed position, and where the distal end is closer to the marine vessel when in the stowed position than in the deployed position. A gearset is engaged between the shaft and the base, where the gearset rotates the shaft about the length axis when the shaft is pivoted between the stowed position and the deployed position. A propulsion device is coupled to the distal end of the shaft. The propulsion device is configured to propel the marine vessel in water when the shaft is in the deployed position.

Abstract: A Kinetic Infinity Mount System (KIMS) comprises an outer housing, first and second outer gears, first and second inner gears, two pins, two screws, two mechanical collars, and a fin box. The KIMS allows different reusable and removable fins to be mounted onto a surfboard or other waterborne vessels. The KIMS provides dynamic, simultaneous adjustment and setting of a toe angle and a camber angle of the fin. The fin box includes two screw holes at each end and four screw holes along the side. Users choose from multiple settings of positive or negative toe angle or camber angle for each fin mounted into the surfboard. Camber and toe angles, in both positive or negative directions, can be adjusted simultaneously or separately to the user's preference. The KIMS allows different types of fins by FCS®, Futures® or similar, rectangular based fins to be mounted into the fin box and adjusted to desired configuration.