Abstract: A personal watercraft comprises a body including a deck and a hull, the hull includes a bottom surface facing downward and side surfaces facing outward in a rightward and leftward direction, the bottom surface has a shape in which a width in the rightward and leftward direction is reduced from its center portion in a forward and rearward direction to its rear portion, in a center portion of the hull in a forward and rearward direction, each of the side surfaces includes an upper side surface and a lower side surface, the lower side surface and the bottom surface are connected to each other to form an obtuse angle in a cross-section viewed from a rear, and an inclination angle formed between the lower side surface and a vertical line is set to be greater than an inclination angle formed between the upper side surface and the vertical line.

Abstract: A novel hull form is described consisting of a base hull that incorporates flared sides along a bow, middle, and stern sections with raked bow and stern stem lines. The bow and stern sections have lateral oriented shapes, either as an attachment or integral to the hull, spanning the hull beam. The cross sections of these shapes have a novel and specific geometric relationship in conjunction with the base hull to provide a constant cross sectional area between the forward and aft perpendiculars. The shape improves the powering and seakeeping of the vessel hull in the marine environment.

Abstract: The invention relates a body fin for aiding in maneuvering a swimmer through water. The body fin comprises an upper body member adapted to be attached around sections of a human forearm, upper arm, shoulder, back and waist. The body fin also includes a lower body member that can be attached around a human waist, thigh, and ankle. The lower body fin includes a flexible fin having a first area contoured with a front side of the waist, thigh, and ankle and a second area extending away from the first section and the surface of the thighs and ankle. The upper body member also includes a first flexible fin extending from the surface of the forearm and a second flexible fin extending from the surface of the upper arm, shoulder, and waist, the ends of the first flexible fin terminating substantially at the surface of the sections.

Abstract: An apparatus includes first and second tanks each configured to receive and store a refrigerant under pressure. The apparatus also includes at least one generator configured to receive flows of the refrigerant between the tanks and to generate electrical power based on the flows of the refrigerant. The apparatus further includes first and second hydraulic drives associated with the first and second tanks, respectively. Each hydraulic drive includes a first piston within the associated tank, a channel fluidly coupled to the associated tank and configured to contain hydraulic fluid, and a second piston within the channel and configured to move within the channel in order to vary an amount of the hydraulic fluid within the associated tank and vary a position of the first piston within the associated tank. The channel of each hydraulic drive has a cross-sectional area that is less than a cross-sectional area of the associated tank.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a steering arrangement for steering a kite driven watercraft (14) which includes a mounting member (base, 20) which is configured to be mounted on a watercraft (14), a first connecting member for connecting a leading edge region (16) of a canopy (12) of the kite to the mounting member, a second connecting member for connecting a trailing edge region (18) of the canopy (12) to the mounting member and a control device for controlling the displacement of the canopy relative to the watercraft via at least the second connecting member.

Abstract: A mooring system (10) for use in mooring a marine device (24) within a fluid (12) subject to flow comprises a mooring line (16) to be secured to an anchor (18) and defining a tether point for a marine device (24), and a loading assembly (20) secured to the mooring line (16) and configured to generate hydrodynamic lift when exposed to flow to apply tension to the mooring line (16). In embodiments of the invention the loading assembly (20) is configured to also generate a buoyancy force, such that tension is applied to the mooring line (16) by a combination of the hydrodynamic lift force and the buoyancy force.

Abstract: A boat seat accessory stand includes a main support member, a sleeve member, a lower brace member, and an upper brace member for attaching an umbrella or other accessory to a typical pedestal mount boat seat. The boat seat accessory stand provides for support and rotation of the attached umbrella around the boat seat.

Abstract: An outboard motor for a marine vessel application, and related methods of making and operating same, are disclosed herein. In at least one embodiment, the outboard motor includes a horizontal-crankshaft engine in an upper portion of the outboard motor, positioned substantially positioned above a trimming axis of the outboard motor. In at least another embodiment, first, second and third transmission devices are employed to transmit rotational power from the engine to one or more propellers at a lower portion of the outboard motor. In at least a further embodiment, the outboard motor is made to include a rigid interior assembly formed by the engine, multiple transmission devices, and a further structural component. In further embodiments, the outboard motor includes numerous cooling, exhaust, and/or oil system components, as well as other transmission features.

Abstract: A dinghy has a hull with gunwales supporting a Bimini top. The Bimini top includes a primary bow supporting secondary and intermediate bows. A UV stabilized polyester Bimini canvas is supported on the bows by fore, aft, and intermediate sleeve portions. The underside of the Bimini canvas supports port and starboard buoyancy aid assemblies each comprising a bladder which is inflatable by an inflation mechanism and CO2 cartridge, and is maintained in its collapsed state by tape loop assemblies adjustable by hook-pile self-fastenings which are frangible on inflation. A protective cover is stitched to the Bimini canvas and is provided with hook-pile fastening means frangible on inflation. A toggle handle pulls a lanyard which passes into the primary bow to operate the mechanism to inflate the bladder.

Abstract: An outboard motor for a marine vessel application, and related methods of making and operating same, are disclosed herein. In at least one embodiment, the outboard motor includes a horizontal-crankshaft engine in an upper portion of the outboard motor, positioned substantially positioned above a trimming axis of the outboard motor. In at least another embodiment, first, second and third transmission devices are employed to transmit rotational power from the engine to one or more propellers at a lower portion of the outboard motor. In at least a further embodiment, the outboard motor is made to include a rigid interior assembly formed by the engine, multiple transmission devices, and a further structural component. In further embodiments, the outboard motor includes numerous cooling, exhaust, and/or oil system components, as well as other transmission features.

Abstract: A structure of a floating, semi-submersible wind turbine platform is provided. The floating wind turbine platform includes three elongate stabilizing columns, each having a top end, a keel end, and an outer shell containing an inner shaft. Each stabilizing column further includes a water entrapment plate at its keel cantilevered in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the stabilizing column. The floating wind turbine platform also includes three truss members, each truss member including two horizontal main tubular members and two diagonal tubular members. The truss members connect the stabilizing columns to form a triangular cross-section. An elongate wind turbine tower is disposed over the top end of one of the three stabilizing columns such that the longitudinal axis of the tower is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stabilizing column.

Abstract: An outboard motor for a marine vessel application, and related methods of making and operating same, are disclosed herein. In at least one embodiment, the outboard motor includes a horizontal-crankshaft engine in an upper portion of the outboard motor, positioned substantially positioned above a trimming axis of the outboard motor. In at least another embodiment, first, second and third transmission devices are employed to transmit rotational power from the engine to one or more propellers at a lower portion of the outboard motor. In at least a further embodiment, the outboard motor is made to include a rigid interior assembly formed by the engine, multiple transmission devices, and a further structural component. In further embodiments, the outboard motor includes numerous cooling, exhaust, and/or oil system components, as well as other transmission features.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting an additional structure near a surface of a body of water, and a system which includes the apparatus and further includes the structure attached to the apparatus. The apparatus and the system are each configured to assume a rest position and orientation when the apparatus or system is floating at the surface and when the body of water is substantially still, where the rest orientation defines a vertical direction extending from the surface to a keel at a lowermost position of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a support member, which, in use, is attached to the additional structure; and buoyant units. Each buoyant unit is attached to the support member at or near the keel and extends from the keel in a longitudinal direction of the buoyant unit, which longitudinal direction defines an angle of approximately 35°-65° with respect to the vertical direction.

Abstract: There are provided a piston rod having one end portion attached to a marine vessel propulsion machine main body; an inner cylinder; an inner piston mounted in the other end portion of the piston rod, dividing a space in the inner cylinder into a fourth chamber and a fifth chamber; an outer cylinder accommodating the inner cylinder therein; a cap covering an opening portion of one end portion of the outer cylinder; and an outer piston dividing a space in the outer cylinder into a second chamber and a first chamber, is formed with a through hole that allows the fourth chamber and the second chamber to communicate with each other, comes into contact with the cap to divide the third space into an inner space on a more inner side than the through hole and an outer space on a more outer side than the inner space.

Abstract: A segmented-foil divertor for marine towed application, such as marine seismic exploration, having a plurality of longitudinally stackable foil segments with an internal conduit extending along the span of each segment to receive a cable passing therethrough.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a passive flow control device, mounted vertically forward of the helicopter launch and recovery area on a ship flight deck. The vertical flow control device reduces the airwake effect on the ship flight deck for safer operation of helicopters during launch and recovery missions from ships. The device is retractable to reduce the ships topside signature and increase the ship's military effectiveness. It can also be modified for maximum effectiveness based on a combination of the ship's topside features, the ship's operation speeds, helicopter operations, and environmental conditions.

Abstract: An outboard motor has a drive unit including an engine rotating output shaft and a driveshaft extending along a driveshaft axis and having an upper end coupled in torque-transmitting relationship with the output shaft. A propulsor shaft extends along a propulsor shaft axis and has a first end coupled in torque-transmitting relationship to a lower end of the driveshaft and a second end coupled to a propulsor. The propulsor shaft axis defines a direction of thrust generated by the propulsor. A transom bracket couples the drive unit to the marine vessel. A steering support couples the drive unit to the transom bracket and rotates the drive unit about a steering axis to change a direction of the thrust generated by the propulsor. The steering axis is substantially non-parallel to the driveshaft axis, and is oriented with respect to the driveshaft axis at a given angle of less than 45 degrees.

Abstract: Unmanned underwater vehicle with variable-geometry internally pressurized hull that enables the underwater vehicle to submerge/emerge and change submersion depth by varying hull's buoyancy and not the vehicle weight.

Abstract: A swim fin and a method proving thrust propulsion during a swimmer's kicking cycle may include a foot pocket and a fin blade extending from the foot pocket. Fin rails may extend along the lateral edges of the fin blade. The fin rails may include an integral fin spine or separately assembled fin spine configured to provide a swim fin with predetermined hydrodynamic characteristics.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to watercraft with retractable drive mechanisms. One example provides a watercraft including a hull having a receiving compartment, and also having a deck. The watercraft also includes a drive unit extending through the deck and the hull of the watercraft and being configured to receive rotational input. The drive unit includes a driveshaft and propeller moveable between an extended position in which the propeller is positioned underneath the hull and a retracted position in which the propeller is positioned at least partially within the receiving compartment.