Abstract: A system for retracting a foil of a watercraft in the event of an impact has a strut extending from a watercraft, the strut has a pivot at one end that connects the strut to the watercraft and allows the strut to articulate around the pivot, a foil attached at a second end of the strut, wherein the foil has sufficient surface area configured to generate positive lift when the watercraft is traveling over water; and a retraction system including a mechanical fuse connected to the strut, the mechanical fuse holds the strut stationary and is subject to forces from the strut when the strut travels through water, the retraction system allows retraction of the strut around the pivot when the strut experiences a force greater than a predetermined limit, and the foil is configured to articulate on the strut to maintain positive lift orientation as the strut is retracting.

Abstract: A float has a front-to-back length, a width, and a height where the front-to-back length of the float is strictly greater than the height of the float which in turn is strictly greater than the width of the float. At least a bottom portion of the float is watertight. The float includes an access panel to access the inside of the float. A battery is inside the float and is accessible via the access panel.

Abstract: An unmanned vehicle includes a vehicle body having an accommodating space, an arm assembly coupled to the vehicle body, and a floating member connected to a bottom surface of the vehicle body. The arm assembly includes a first rotating member, a second rotating member coupled to the first rotating member, and a propeller. The propeller includes a rotatable axle coupled to the second rotating member and extending along a rotating axis. The second rotating member can turn the propeller by rotating the rotatable axle about the rotating axis. The first rotating member can rotate and effect a movement of the second rotating member so as to selectively adjust the rotatable axle to align the rotating axis with a first axial direction and a second axial direction. The arm assembly can rotate relative to the vehicle body to selectively rotate into or out of the accommodating space.

Abstract: A bumper assembly for a car includes a bumper and at least two buffering assemblies inclined to each other. Each buffering assembly includes an elastic member, a pivoting member, and a coupling rod. The pivoting member is coupled to a first end portion of the elastic member. The pivoting member is configured to pivot to the car. The coupling rod is coupled to a second end portion of the elastic member. An end portion of the coupling rod away from the elastic member is pivoted to the bumper.

Abstract: A hydroplaning vessel with several stability and handling design improvements. It has an enhanced reactive suspension and inner hull lift system positioned in the vessel between a set of separating inner and outer hulls. The outer hull does not float on its own as it has numerous fixed louvers formed there through and also has an open transom. Steering and braking are accomplished by a set of rear elevon flaps affixed to the outer hull. The drive unit resides in the inner hull and is connected by an annular drive transmission which is connected to the jet or prop drive which resides on the outer hull.

Abstract: A boat with several stability and handling design improvements. It has an enhanced reactive suspension system positioned in the vessel between a set of separating hull and body components. The boat also has improved braking, steering and stabilizing systems designed around multiple pivoting mechanisms on the vessel hull that work individually or in unison to achieve the desired braking or steering effect. The stabilizing system is operated by a computerized, gyroscopic hydraulic control to maintain stability and comfort of ride, minimizing the roll, pitch and yaw commonly experienced in the passenger compartment.

Abstract: A watercraft suitable for operation in rough water conditions is disclosed. The watercraft comprises a central platform (13) and two pairs of hull units (60), a forward pair and an aft pair. The hull units are located on opposite sides of tie platform and extend below the platform, with each hull unit comprising a mount (54) attached to the platform and a trailing hull connected to the mount via a movable hull support. The components of the hull units are connected by joints (58,62) arranged to constrain lateral and axial movement of: the hull relative to the platform (12) but to permit pivoting thereof about the mount (54). Each hull unit has a suspension assembly arranged to support the respective hull units, and comprises a suspension member (66) extending from the platform (12) to a mounting point (20) on the hull aft of the respective mount, and being arranged to accommodate movement of the hull relative t) the platform and to apply damping to movement of the hull.

Abstract: A multihull hydrofoil watercraft incorporates a stabilization system wherein the buoyancy of the hulls is used as a sensing and control mechanism for the hydrofoils. The use of hull buoyancy to adjust the hydrofoil lift provides for automatic control of altitude, pitch and roll, and allows the craft to accommodate varying weather and sea conditions while providing a smooth ride for passengers. The stabilization technique eliminates the need for extraneous sensing mechanisms placed in or on the water surface which are subject to fouling, damage, or disruption by localized surface disturbances.

Abstract: An open sea hydrofoil craft comprising a hull (A) with lateral vertically oriented blades (B1,B2) extending longitudinally along the two sides thereof, the interior surfaces of blades (B1,B2) lying one opposite the other being planar and defining in between them an initially convergent and subsequently divergent water flow channel, whilst their exterior surfaces have a curved configuration that dynamically changes in three dimensions (x, y, z) with variable angular parameter (?1) formed by the bottom of blades (B1,B2) with (y) axis, (?2) formed by the curved section of the exterior surfaces or blades (B1,B2) with (z) axis and (?1,?2) formed by an arcuate lateral edge (20) of blades (B1,B2) with (x) axis. Lift producing foils (C1,C2,C3) with a hydrofoil section are provided within the channel formed in between blades (B1,B2), these lift producing foils (C1,C2,C3) being connected to the hull (A) by means of supporting plates (C1?, C2?, C3?) respectively.

Abstract: A water craft including a hull having a main longitudinal axis defining a direction of travel of the craft, a plurality of discs mounted at respective opposed sides of the main longitudinal axis to and below the hull and in combination having sufficient buoyancy to support the hull above the water, each disc comprising an essentially circular convex skimming surface adapted to skim upon the water as the craft moves at low speed, wherein the discs are mounted to the hull such that the skimming surface of each disc faces downwardly with respect to the longitudinal central axis of the hull, and adapted for movement between a low speed orientation in which the discs present a portion of the circular convex skimming surface to the water surface and a high speed orientation in which the discs present a portion of the edge of the disc to the water.

Abstract: A system for minimizing the effects of shock and vibration in a high speed vessel with an inner hull and an outer hull. It is a system of dampers, springs and stabilizer linkages in a high speed vessel that control the relative motion of an inner hull to an outer hull, thereby minimizing the effects of shock and vibration in the inner hull. Leaf spring assemblies may be used or as a substitute, torsion rod assemblies may be used, both in combination with dampers such as shock absorbers.

Abstract: A watercraft allowing relative motion of its deck relative to its hull structure to increase passenger comfort. The deck is mounted to the hull structure in a manner which permits relative motion of the deck structure to the hull in at least two independent axes.

Abstract: A system is disclosed to reduce the impact shock associated with operating a planing boat at high speeds. The system, called "LocalFlex," comprises an outer bottom placed under the inner bottom of the boat. The outer bottom is spaced a distance from the inner bottom. The outer bottom comprises two plates. Each plate is connected to the inner bottom along or near the keel, and along or near the chine. Along the keel, each plate of the outer bottom is attached to one or more hinges or pins rigidly suspended from or below the keel of the inner bottom. At or near the chine, each plate is connected to the boat by one or more springs. The elastic modulus of the plates and that of the springs are selected so that the outer bottom deforms under the pressure spike of an impact in a whip-like flexure that smoothly directs the pressure spike past the chine. After the spike passes the chine, the pressure diminishes and makes no further significant contribution to impact slamming.

Abstract: A hydrofoil marine vehicle having separate forward and rearward hydrofoil wings connected by a center beam. The generally V-shaped hydrofoil wings are affixed to the center beam at either end by means of flexibly mounted struts. The center beam supports a passenger cabin or pod which may also include a gyroscopic element. In one embodiment of the marine vehicle, the pod, which is hydraulically suspended above the center beam, houses a gyroscope which is approximately 4-10 feet in diameter and weighs about 100-500 pounds. The gyroscope acts as a pod stabilizer and energy absorbing mechanism. Static flotation for the marine vehicle is provided by the passenger pod. At slow forward speeds, the hydrofoils are submerged and the upper curved surfaces of the hydrofoils generate the lift required to bring the hydrofoils to the surface of the water.

Abstract: An improved outboard propulsion system for a vessel in which an intake duct having an intake orifice positioned for receiving water. The intake duct includes a curved flow path directing walls curved continuously to provide a 180 degree turn for the water so as to direct the water flowing in an initial direction to a direction opposite the initial direction. An annular duct contiguous with the intake duct at the end of the intake duct is positioned opposite the intake orifice. The annular duct has walls curved continuously to provide a second substantially 180 degree turn to direct water flowing therethrough through a continuous change in direction of substantially 180 degrees such that the water is flowing in a direction approximate that of its initial direction at the intake orifice and substantially opposite the direction to which it entered the annular duct. An impeller discharges into a mixed flow volute.

Abstract: The novel sailboard is arcuate about its longitudinal and transverse axes, and has blading fore and aft for supporting the sailboard upon a frozen surface. The front blading is carried on a pivotal plate which has spring loading and damping, and the rear blading comprises pluralities of blades of varying height and attitude relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A shock damper for a boat includes an impact plate flexibly mounted to the bow of the boat and extending longitudinally along the central axis of the boat. The leading edge of the impact plate is located in front of the bow and above the surface of the water when the boat is moving forward in calm water. The trailing edge is located along the longitudinal axis of the boat beneath the surface of the water. The impact plate is angularly disposed with the leading edge directed obliquely upwards and the leading edge is displaced from the bow a greater distance than the trailing edge.

Abstract: Watercraft including a hull (10), a plurality of foils (12) mounted on the hull for engaging a water surface, and shock absorbing means (16, 18) associated with the plurality of foils for coupling the plurality of foils to at least a portion of the hull and providing at least partial absorption of shock received from waves.

Abstract: A watercraft employs three or more supercavitating hydrofoils. The elements that connect the hydrofoils to the hull may flex to thus raise or lower the hydrofoils relative to the hull. The relative motion between the hydrofoils and the hull is dampened by shock absorbers or the like. A control system operated by the pilot may apply forces tending to raise or lower the hydrofoils relative to the hull. The stern hydrofoil is mounted on a support that also carries a power driven propeller and a rudder.

Abstract: A wind powered vehicle including an operator platform having tilting and stationary sections coupled together via a plurality of hanger bearings and a longitudinal pivot axle. The platform section tilts with foot pressure applied at a stirrup to direct a forward steering assembly. The stationary platform section includes a resilient suspension and supports an opposite foot of the operator. The forward steering assembly provides a tilting, center biased steering turntable and axle. Adjustable axle bearing collar support and shock absorbers support forward and aft pairs of skis, wheels or runners which are tilted at opposite caster angles. The steering assembly, hanger bearings, cable truss supports and a sail coupler are each longitudinally adjustable along the length of the platform. In alternative configurations, wheels are mounted to the fore and aft axles; the platform includes spray guards; or the vehicle is constructed with water skis and the platform is constructed to provide flotation.

Abstract: A multihull ship has springs which, after each movement of the ship at sea, help the combined forces of gravity and flotation re-establish her equilibrium. This makes it possible to combine different types of spring actions, so that the hulls will have the movements best suited to the undulatory movements of the surface of the sea and best suited for achieving minimum drag.

Abstract: A multiple-hulled marine vessel resistant to forces tending to separate the hulls from the platform is provided. The connections between the hulls and the platform include elastic elements which are in a non-tensioned state when the hulls are touching the platform, and are compressed when the hulls separate from the platform.

Abstract: An undercarriage for an aircraft has a safety device which fails under a predetermined breaking load to separate a leg member of the undercarriage from a rigid element of the undercarriage, the rigid element remaining on the aircraft. The aircraft has on the frame thereof a front mounting and a rear mounting for mounting the undercarriage and said undercarriage comprises said leg member and said rigid element which is mounted in and extends between said front and rear mountings and forms an axle about the axis of which the leg member of the undercarriage can be pivoted for raising the lowering the undercarriage.

Abstract: A rotational energy absorbing coupling for shaft-to-shaft and shaft-to-crank applications such as a tiller arm for a steerable strut for hydrofoil ship using a plurality of shear pins spaced in a circular pattern. A first, inner disc is affixed to one shaft and has a circular repeating sequential pattern of a round hole, and a plurality of slots of increasing length all chamfered at the edges. At least a second disc or outer disc are connected to the other coaxial shaft or crank with extended arms and, when more than one is used are sandwiched over the first disc. These discs have a circular pattern of round holes chamfered at the edges and in register with the holes and the center of the slots of the inner disc. A plurality of axially aligned shear pins pass through all the aligned holes thus providing progressive bending of the shear pins due to the chamfered holes, then the shearing of the pins when an overload occurs.

Abstract: A set of plates, one rigidly mounted to the strut and the others to the craft structure. The plates are held together and are interconnected to one another by several sets of dowel pins which are sequenced to shear when an impact load at the foil rotates the strut. Thereafter, a pair of additional energy absorber devices, positioned to the left and right of the strut mounted plate, will likewise absorb energy until a rigid stop is obtained. Finally, a tang portion on the strut mounted plate will be sheared by the rigid stop at a load below which the strut will obtain damage.