Patent Application
20240286716
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
This invention relates generally to the field of watercraft engineering, particularly to systems designed for generating shaped waves suitable for water sports such as wake surfing and wakeboarding.
The popularity of water sports, especially wake surfing and wakeboarding, has led to significant advancements in watercraft technology aimed at enhancing the wave generation capabilities of boats. Traditional watercraft designed for these sports have employed various mechanisms to create waves, such as ballast systems to weigh down the boat and alter its wake, and specialized hull designs to manipulate water flow.
However, these conventional methods have limitations. Ballast systems can significantly increase the weight of the boat, affecting its maneuverability and fuel efficiency. Moreover, the waves generated by traditional hull designs often lack the customization necessary for different skill levels and styles of wake surfing.
Recent advancements have introduced thrust systems that actively shape the water flow to create customizable waves. These systems generally include thrusters or similar mechanisms attached to the stern of the boat. While these systems offer improved wave customization, they still face challenges in terms of energy efficiency, ease of use, and the ability to consistently generate desired wave shapes without adversely affecting the boat's stability and handling.
Additionally, many of these systems create significant cavitation, which can lead to reduced efficiency and potential damage to the thruster components. The complexity and cost of installing and maintaining these advanced systems have also been a concern for users.
Therefore, there exists a need for an improved watercraft thrust system that addresses these limitations. The ideal system would efficiently generate customizable waves suitable for various water sports, minimize cavitation, and maintain the stability and maneuverability of the watercraft, all while being user-friendly and cost-effective.
No prior art is known to the Applicant.
A tab body 200 to create shaped waves in a water 104 behind a watercraft 102 for water sports, such as wake surfing. Wherein, said tab body 200 comprise a portion of a wave forming tab assembly 100. Said wave forming tab assembly 100 are attached to said watercraft 102. Said tab body 200 includes a length 300, a width 302, a height 304, a top surface 306, a bottom surface 308, a leading end 320, a trailing end 322, one or more hydro channels 204, an interior edge 1000, an exterior edge 1002, a planar portion 1004 and an outward angle 1006. Said interior edge 1000 is proximate to a center line 106 of said watercraft 102. Said exterior edge 1002 is distal from said center line 106 of said watercraft 102. Said planar portion 1004 located proximate to said exterior edge 1002. Said planar portion 1004 is configured to extend outward from said center line 106 of said watercraft 102 and to displace water for creating a transom lift to assist in wave formation. Said one or more hydro channels 204 located proximate to said interior edge 1000. Each among said one or more hydro channels 204 is rounded and arranged in an inside-out configuration relative to a direction of travel 324 of said watercraft 102, and wherein said one or more hydro channels 204 are arranged at said outward angle 1006 between 5 and 35 degrees relative to said center line 106, facilitating an outward throw of water to enhance wave shaping capability and to counteract the rolling motion of said watercraft 102, thereby providing a stable and controlled wake surfing experience.
The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention as claimed and is provided in the context of the particular examples discussed below, variations of which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation (as in any development project), design decisions must be made to achieve the designers' specific goals (e.g., compliance with system- and business-related constraints), and that these goals will vary from one implementation to another. It will also be appreciated that such development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the field of the appropriate art having the benefit of this disclosure. Accordingly, the claims appended hereto are not intended to be limited by the disclosed embodiments, but are to be accorded their widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.
In one embodiment, two of said wave forming tab assembly 100 can be attached to 102/, as illustrated, comprising a first tab assembly 100a and a second tab assembly 100b.
In one embodiment, said wave forming tab assembly 100 can comprise a plurality of parts designed to create shaped waves in a water 104 behind said watercraft 102 for water sports, such as wake surfing.
For reference, said watercraft 102 can comprise a center line 106 comprising a line through the central lengthwise portion of the boat, being midway between a port side 108 and a starboard side 110.
In one embodiment, said wave forming tab assembly 100 can comprise a mount receiver 202, and one or more hydro channels 204 (which can comprise a first hydro channel 204a, and a second hydro channel 204b) formed into said tab body 200.
In one embodiment, said tab body 200 can comprise a length 300, a width 302, and a height 304. Further, said tab body 200 can comprise a top surface 306 and a bottom surface 308.
Relative to a direction of travel 324 for said watercraft 102 in said water 104, said tab body 200 can comprise a leading end 320 and a trailing end 322.
Said mount receiver 202 can comprise a central portion of said tab body 200 and configured to selectively attach to an actuator assembly 326, as discussed below.
In one embodiment, said one or more hydro channels 204 can comprise a raised portion of said mount receiver 202 and arranged substantially between said leading end 320 and said trailing end 322. Said one or more hydro channels 204 can begin at a point proximate to said leading end 320 and raise at a channel rise angle 330. In one embodiment, a hydro channel exit 332 of said one or more hydro channels 204 can substantially align with said trailing end 322. In one embodiment, said one or more hydro channels 204 can comprise a height equal to said height 304 of said tab body 200.
Further, said one or more hydro channels 204 can each comprise a substantially cylindrical shape being cut into said mount receiver 202 and arranged at said channel rise angle 330, as illustrated. Thus, on account of said channel rise angle 330, a side view of said one or more hydro channels 204 can comprise a substantially wedge shape.
Said wave forming tab assembly 100 can further comprise a leading-edge hinge 500 at said leading end 320, and an actuator bracket assembly 502. In one embodiment, said actuator bracket assembly 502 can be configured to attach to said mount receiver 202.
As shown, said first tab assembly 100a is in a disengaged configuration 702 and said second tab assembly 100b is in a partially engaged configuration 704. In one embodiment, with said tab body 200 fully extended, said wave forming tab assembly 100 can further comprise a fully engaged configuration 706.
As shown, said wave forming tab assembly 100 can be arranged on said stern portion 700 of said watercraft 102 and attached proximate to said port side 108 and said starboard side 110 of said watercraft 102.
In one embodiment, said wave forming tab assembly 100 can be attached to said stern portion 700 of said watercraft 102 and partially submerged beneath said water 104. In one embodiment, transitioning between said disengaged configuration 702, said partially engaged configuration 704 and said fully engaged configuration 706 can cause portions of said tab body 200 to be further submerged in said water 104. In one embodiment, one objective of said wave forming tab assembly 100 is to shape a portion of said water 104 as said watercraft 102 moves in said direction of travel 324.
In one embodiment, said wave forming tab assembly 100 can be attached to a portion of said watercraft 102 with said leading-edge hinge 500. Said actuator assembly 326 can selectively push said tab body 200 using said actuator bracket assembly 502 between said disengaged configuration 702, said partially engaged configuration 704 and said fully engaged configuration 706.
In one embodiment, said wave forming tab assembly 100 can further comprise a controller 800 for managing a state of said wave forming tab assembly 100.
Said tab body 200 is optimize the water flow dynamics in a manner that enhances the performance of said watercraft 102 for water sports activities, especially wake surfing.
Said tab body 200 comprises an interior edge 1000 and an exterior edge 1002, where said interior edge 1000 is proximate to said center line 106 and said exterior edge 1002 is distal therefrom.
As illustrated, said tab body 200 can comprise a planar portion 1004 and said one or more hydro channels 204. Wherein, said planar portion 1004 can be proximate to said exterior edge 1002 and said one or more hydro channels 204 can be proximate to said interior edge 1000.
In one embodiment, said planar portion 1004 can extend outward from the centerline of said watercraft 102, and can serve a dual purpose. Primarily, it displaces water to create a transom lift, which is instrumental in rolling said watercraft 1028 for desired wave formation. Secondly, said planar portion 1004, in conjunction with the outward flow of water from said one or more hydro channels 204, counteracts the rolling motion of the boat, providing a stable and controlled wake surfing experience.
In one embodiment, said one or more hydro channels 204 can be arranged at an outward angle 1006. Further, said one or more hydro channels 204 can be arranged proximate to said interior edge 1000 and said center line 106.
Each of the rounded channels within said tab body 200, can be arranged in an inside-out configuration and configured for directing the flow of water outwardly in relation to said direction of travel 324 of said watercraft 102. In one embodiment, said one or more hydro channels 204 can be arranged at said outward angle 1006, an outward angulation relative to said center line 106 of said watercraft 102. In one embodiment, said outward angle 1006 can comprise between 5 and 35 degrees, which facilitates the outward throw of water, thereby enhancing the wave shaping capability of the system. Among these, a preferred embodiment utilizes channels with said outward angle 1006 of 20 degrees F. or optimal performance.
The design of said tab body 200 with its rounded channels effectively minimizes cavitation as water passes through. This is achieved by avoiding sharp 90-degree turns in the water flow path, thus ensuring a smoother and more efficient water flow.
The innovative design of said tab body 200 as described, therefore, plays a crucial role in the overall functionality of the watercraft's thrust system, offering enhanced control and efficiency for water sports activities.
Various changes in the details of the illustrated operational methods are possible without departing from the scope of the following claims. Some embodiments may combine the activities described herein as being separate steps. Similarly, one or more of the described steps may be omitted, depending upon the specific operational environment the method is being implemented in. It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments may be used in combination with each other. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.”
This application claims benefit to U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/198,046 claimed by 17486819, filed on 2020 Sep. 25 and 2021 Sep. 27, respectively. Further it claims 63/619,679 filed 2024 Jan. 10. Additionally, Applicant further notes that he has previously filed and issued patents based on application Ser. No. 16/681,817 filed Nov. 12, 2019, with registration number 11541972; provisional application No. 62/758,306 filed Nov. 9, 2018; application Ser. No. 15/165,467 filed May 26, 2016 with registration number 9545977; and application Ser. No. 14/757,728 filed Dec. 22, 2015 with registration number 9550551. All prior filings by Applicant are hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63198046 | Sep 2020 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17486819 | Sep 2021 | US |
| Child | 18657733 | US |
