CA3146763A1

CA3146763A1 - A personal hydrofoil watercraft with a controllably adjustable center of gravity

Info

Publication number: CA3146763A1
Application number: CA3146763A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Cosimo Damiano Carino
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-01-27
Filing date: 2022-01-26
Publication date: 2022-07-27

Abstract

A novel a personal hydrofoil watercraft for being used within a body of water with a controllably adjustable center of gravity is disclosed. The personal hydrofoil watercraft is formed from an enclosed hull having a flotation volume with a seating assembly for accommodating a buttocks of a human rider and with a handle assembly for being held onto by hands of the human rider. The personal hydrofoil watercraft further including a center of gravity shifting assembly for shifting a center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft through a center of gravity shifting assembly motion platform for shifting a center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft in one of a bow to stern direction and the bow and stern direction and also in a port and starboard direction. A strut is interconnected with a proximal end releasably coupled with the center of gravity shifting assembly motion platform and a hydrofoil assembly fixedly interconnected with the distal end of the strut with a propulsion system disposed proximate the distal end of the strut for propelling the watercraft in the body of water and for at least a portion of the personal hydrofoil watercraft to lift itself out of the water when in use and for a weight of the personal hydrofoil watercraft to be supported by the hydrofoil assembly disposed below a water surface.

Description

Personal Hydrofoil Watercraft with A Controllably Adjustable Center of Gravity Technical Field of the Invention [001] The technical field relates to personal watercraft and more specifically to a personal hydrofoil watercraft with a controllably adjustable center of gravity.
Background of the Invention

[002] Many surfboards on the market for use on water include a hydrofoil, from kiteboards to surfboards. On sailboards and kiteboards, hydrofoils enable higher speeds and they also enable the board to ride above the water and to prevent slapping of the board on the water surface, which may yield a quieter experience. Furthermore this may allow for riding on turbulent surface of the water. Submerged hydrofoils may provide adequate lift for the surfboard while operating at a lower drag than planning hulls. Although riding on an underwater foil or "foiling" can be considered similar to traditional surfing, foil surfing is significantly different than riding a standard surfboard or stand-up paddleboard on the water surface. Riding on a foil requires a different skillset and may not be so easy for novice riders.

[003] As of more recent foiling devices can be powered by electric motors, such as those found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,586,659, 9,359,044 issued to Langelaan. A factor that differentiates surfboards from other watercraft is that control thereof is affected via weight shift rather than Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 by moveable underwater surfaces. Weight shifting is used to control the speed and direction.

[004] Tian U.S. Pat. No. 10,099,754 discloses a "Motorized hydrofoil device" which is in the shape of a surfboard and uses automatic stability control with underwater control surfaces to generate corrective response to various destabilizing hydrodynamic effects to increase the stability of the hydrofoil device. Amongst one of the illustrations, the user may sit on the device and hold onto handlebars mounted to the surfboard upper surface, however there is no additional description to the functions. Such a fully active stabilised device does not offer instability and as such may not be so exciting to operate for more experienced users. It may prove to work well with novice users who wish to sit on an electric surfboard.

[005] Unfortunately, for many novice users, weight shifting and balance are not easy to achieve and are typically frustrating when learning a new sport such as surfing and many novice users end up not pursuing the activity due to the steep learning curve and also because of potential injury which may result from the learning experience and the frustrations that may result. Many novice users fear falling from a standing position into the water.

[006] In addition, many pleasure watercraft have a large majority of the device floating above the water. In the case of foil based watercraft, there is a large portion of the craft below the water surface, and hitting a submerged object (such as a log floating just below the Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 water surface) may result for the user to fly off the watercraft projecting the rider forward. In the case of the handlebars shown in U.S. Pat. No. 10,099,754, the user may end up impaling themselves and causing potential bodily harm through impacting the handlebars.

[007] Unless the motorized surfboard is fully controlled through sensing and control electronics, when the user is seated in a fixed position, the watercraft may porpoise as well as watercraft roll control (or motion that causes the watercraft to turn) may not be easily achievable. Furthermore, the watercraft may porpoise as a seated user is unable to control the pitch of the watercraft when having their body position fixed in relation to the watercraft body. With respect to U.S.
Pat. No. 10,099,754, the case of porpoising may be reduced by offering various underwater control surfaces to actively stabilise the pitch and roll of the device through movement of underwater control surfaces attached to the foil (similar to ailerons and elevators found on an airplane) however this may not prove to be a hydrodynamic option and unnecessary underwater drag may be introduced as well as complication of software control necessary to achieve the aforementioned.

[008] In some of the prior art, there are also watercraft that feature multiple foils, for example one in the front and one in the back of the watercraft with multiple foil support struts, unfortunately these do not allow the watercraft to quick turning and may not be optimal for use by experienced riders.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26

[009] A need therefore exists for a personal watercraft that addressees some of the aforementioned deficiencies for operating of the watercraft while seated. Furthermore a need exists that provides improved control for novice riders as well as advanced riders and that does not provide for a surfing experience. Furthermore this watercraft should be easy to transport, and easy to maintain and better for the environment than gas powered counterparts.
Summary

[0010] In accordance with the embodiments of the invention there is provided a novel personal hydrofoil watercraft.
Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011] FIG. lA illustrates a side view of an inside detail of a preferred embodiment of the invention, a phyto forming assembly;

[0012] FIG. 1B illustrates a side view of an inside detail of a mixing nozzle and a mixing chamber 102 and an output aperture 102a;

[0013] FIG. 1C illustrates a side view of a system and method of 3D
printing phyto material that includes the phyto forming assembly in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention;

[0014] FIG. 2A illustrates a top perspective view of a personal hydrofoil watercraft for being used by a human rider in a body of water;
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26

[0015] FIG. 2B illustrates a bottom perspective view of a personal hydrofoil watercraft for being used by a human rider in a body of water;

[0016] FIG. 2C illustrates a front view of a personal hydrofoil watercraft for being used by a human rider in a body of water;

[0017] FIG. 2D illustrates a top view of a personal hydrofoil watercraft for being used by a human rider in a body of water;

[0018] FIG. 2E illustrates a top front perspective view of a personal hydrofoil watercraft with an opened hatch;

[0019] FIGs. 2F through 2U illustrate various aspects of embodiments of the invention;

[0020] FIGs. 3A trough 6G illustrate various aspects of embodiments of the invention.
Detailed Description of Embodiments of the Invention

[0021] Various apparatuses, methods and compositions are described below to provide an example of an embodiment of each claimed invention. No embodiment described below limits any claimed invention and any claimed invention may cover apparatuses and methods that differ from those described below. The claimed inventions are not limited to apparatuses, methods and compositions having all of the features of any one apparatus, method or composition described below or to features common to multiple or all Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 of the apparatuses, methods or compositions described below. It is possible that an apparatus, method or composition described below is not an embodiment of any claimed invention. Any invention disclosed in an apparatus, method or composition described below that is not claimed in this document may be the subject matter of another protective instrument, for example, a continuing patent application, and the applicant(s), inventor(s) and/or owner(s) do not intend to abandon, disclaim, or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in this document.

[0022] Furthermore, it will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the example embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the example embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the example embodiments described herein. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the example embodiments described herein.

[0023] The terms "an embodiment," "embodiment," "embodiments,"
"the embodiment," "the embodiments," "one or more embodiments,"
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 "some embodiments," and "one embodiment" mean "one or more (but not all) embodiments of the present invention(s)," unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0024] The terms "including," "comprising," and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to," unless expressly specified otherwise. A listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms "a," "an," and "the" mean "one or more," unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0025] FIG. 1 B, 1C illustrates a human rider 199 seated on an efoil (electric waterfoil) surfboard 100 known to those of skill in the art, such as that described by U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,586,659, 9,359,044 issued to Langelaan. LangeIlan teaches of a watercraft 100 may include a flotation board 101, a hydrofoil 102 spaced below the flotation board, a strut 103 connecting the hydrofoil to the board, a propulsion system 104, an electric motor 105, a battery 106, a motor speed controller, and a throttle system. To operate the watercraft as taught by LangeIlan, a user initially lies prone on the flotation board 101. The throttle is engaged, causing the craft to accelerate. As the craft gains speed the user may move to a kneeling or standing position. As the craft further gains speed the hydrofoil generates sufficient lift to raise the board above the water. The user controls altitude of the board by leaning back (to go up) and forward (to go down). With the rider kneeling on the board and remaining in a fixed position without Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 moving their body, the watercraft may porpoise or pitch upwardly (away from the water) because a center of gravity 888 of the system (including the rider or user) remains in the same position. According to Langelaan, the hydrofoils is not movable relative to other parts of the watercraft and the control of the watercraft is solely enabled by the weight shift of the user as opposed to by the combination of the weight shift of the user and the movement of the hydrofoil relative to the other parts of the watercraft.

[0026] If the rider is standing on the surfboard 100, then the rider is able to shift their weight forward and aft and laterally to stabilize the surfboard in conjunction with controllably increasing and decreasing thrust provided by the thruster in order to control the board. A seated rider is unable to perform such motions.

[0027] Referring to prior art FIG. 1A, Tian (U.S. Pat. No. 10,099,754) teaches of a hydrofoil device 100 may include a sailboard 110 having a top surface 112 and a bottom surface 114; a first hydrofoil assembly 120 having a first hydrofoil 121 and a first support unit 122; a second hydrofoil assembly 130 having a second support unit 131 and a second hydrofoil 132; and a propulsion system 140. One end of the first support unit 122 is attached to a predetermined location at the bottom surface 114 of the sailboard 110 between a centre portion and a rear end of the sailboard 110; and the other end of the first support unit 122 is attached to nearly a centre portion of the first hydrofoil 121. Furthermore, the second support unit 131 extends from a front Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 end of the first hydrofoil 121 toward a front end of the sailboard 110 and is connected to the second hydrofoil 132 near the front end of the sailboard 110. The propulsion system 140 is configured to provide power for the hydrofoil device 100. In accordance to Tian, a user 199 can sit on the sailboard to control the hydrofoil device 100 as shown in Prior Art FIG. 1A. Furthermore, Tian requires the use of a sensing unit to detect deviation movement of the hydrofoil apparatus and a control unit to control the actuating units to generate corrective movements to increase stability of the hydrofoil apparatus. Without the active control units to generate corrective movements of the hydrofoil apparatus, a user in a seated position as shown by Tian would result in the user falling backwards and the sailboard 110 to pitch upwards and to porpoise.

[0028] FIG. 1D illustrates another prior art watercraft that has that is in the form of a hydrofoil device 1000 may include a flotation volume 1110 having a top surface 1112 and a bottom surface 1114; a first hydrofoil assembly 1120 having a first hydrofoil 1121 and a first support unit 1122; a second hydrofoil assembly 1130 having a second support unit 1131 and a second hydrofoil 1132; and a propulsion system 1140 disposed proximate the first hydrofoil 1121. A user 199 or rider may be seated on the hydrofoil device 1000 and may grip onto handlebars 1139.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26

[0029] The first support unit 1122 is attached to a predetermined location at the bottom surface 1114 of hydrofoil device 1000 between a centre portion and a rear end of the hydrofoil device 1000.

[0030] The second support unit 1131 is attached to a predetermined location at the bottom surface 1114 of hydrofoil device 1000 between a centre portion and a front end of the hydrofoil device 1000.

[0031] The propulsion system 1140 is configured to provide power for the hydrofoil device 1000 and a rudder 1141 is used to steer the hydrofoil device 1000. Having the first hydrofoil assembly 1120 extending past a rear of the hydrofoil device 1000 and having the second hydrofoil assembly 1130 extend past the front of the hydrofoil device 1000 as well as the rudder steering may provide for an easy riding experience for novice riders and may provide for stability to the watercraft so that it does not porpoise.

[0032] However performance of this watercraft will suffer due to the added stability as well as having the second support unit 1131 create additional drag in the water and furthermore the turning or pitching of this watercraft will have a larger turning radius than that for example as is taught by LangeIlan as the turning is created by the rudder and a lateral drag force will be caused by the second hydrofoil assembly 1130 moving at least partially laterally through the water.

[0033] Furthermore the rudder will cause additional drag in the water when turning at higher speeds and handlebars 1139 proximate Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 knees of the rider 199 may cause harm to the rider in the case of impact of the second hydrofoil 1132 with a slightly submerged object when the hydrofoil device 1000 pitches forward and the rider 199 is launched forward from the watercraft. Similarly, in the case of FIG. 1A, with handlebars 1139 shown in U.S. Pat. No. 10,099,754, the user may end up impaling themselves on the handlebars 1139 when the hydrofoil device 100 pitches forward and the rider 199 is launched forward from the watercraft.

[0034] Referring back to FIGs. 1A and 1B and in conjunction with FIGs. lE and 1F, the user 199 is kneeling on the power surfboard 100 where the user must shift their weight forward to move the center of gravity 888 in a forward direction as the craft further gains speed the hydrofoil generates sufficient lift to raise the board above the water.
The user must then move their weigh backwards to shift the center of gravity move the center of gravity 888 backwards in order to stabilize the power surfboard 100 by leaning back. The user must then actively lean forward and backwards on the board to stabilize the watercraft in conjunction with the application of throttle to shift the move the center of gravity 888 for active weight control.

[0035] A further need therefore exists for a personal watercraft that addressees some of the further aforementioned deficiencies and that provides for a motorcycle riding experience for use with a body of water that allows for a rider to be seated on a watercraft, to be able to steer the watercraft, and to be able to control pitching and rolling of Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 the watercraft while being seated thereon in a generally stationary manner, similar to that of riding a motorcycle.

[0036] FIG. 2A through 2H illustrate a personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 for being used by a human rider 299 in a body of water 298 (FIGs.
2G, 2H) in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.

[0037] FIG. 2A illustrates a top perspective view of a personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 for being used by a human rider 299 in a body of water 298. FIG. 28 illustrates a bottom perspective view of a personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 for being used by a human rider299 in a body of water and FIG. 2C illustrates a front view of a personal hydrofoil watercraft. FIG. 2D illustrates a top view of a personal hydrofoil watercraft.

[0038] The personal hydrofoil watercraft PHW 200 may be formed from an enclosed hull 201 having a flotation volume 202, which may include a water displacement volume, and comprising a bow 200b and a stern 200s and a deck surface 200d abutting a starboard sidewall 203s and a port sidewall 203p extending from the bow 200b to the stern 200s, the enclosed hull 201 having a bow to stern length 200L
(L) along a bow to stern axis 200x greater than a starboard and port sidewall width 200w (W) along a starboard and port axis 200y where the bow to stern axis 200x and a bow to stern plane 200p comprising the bow to stern axis 200x and bisecting the enclosed hull 201 to a starboard side 200ss and a port side 200ps.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26

[0039] As is shown in FIG. 2A, the enclosed hull 201 may comprise a hull surface 201hs and comprising a split line 200s1 propagating from the bow 200b to the stern 200s along the port and starboard sides, the split line 200s1 on each side abutting the starboard sidewall 203s and the port sidewall 203p and the split line 200s1 abutting the hull surface 201hs. The hull surface 201hs may be for facing the body of water 298.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 2D, the bow to stern length 200L (L) may be about 150cm or about 125 to 165cm and the port sidewall width 200w (W) may be at its greatest about 75cm or between 55cm and 85cm. The port sidewall width 200w (W) may be approximately half of the bow to stern length 200L (L). The flotation volume 202 may be about 150 liters to about 300 liters and may be about 260 liters. The deck surface may be about 20 cm to about 30cm in width.

[0041] FIG. 2C illustrates a front view of a personal hydrofoil watercraft, where the hull may resemble a multi chine hull and the hull may also resemble a fully rounded hull as is known to those in the art.

[0042] A seating assembly 204 attached to the deck surface 200d for accommodating a buttocks 299b of the human rider 299 with the human rider 299 straddling the seating assembly 204 and the deck surface 200d with calves 299c of the human rider 299 proximate the starboard and port sidewalls (203s, 203p).
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26

[0043] As may be evident from FIGs. 2E, 2F and FIGs. 2L and 2M, a handle assembly 205 may be disposed proximate the bow 200b for being held onto by hands 299h of the human rider 299.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 2B, a center of gravity shifting assembly (CGSA) 216 may be more clearly shown. The gravity shifting assembly (CGSA) 216 for shifting a center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 and disposed beneath the seating assembly 204 comprising a CGSA motion body 216b fixedly attached with the enclosed hull 201 and proximate the body of water 298.

[0045] A CGSA motion platform 216p movably coupled with the CGSA motion body 216b, the CGSA motion platform 216p for moving in relation to the CGSA motion body 216b for shifting a center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 in the bow to stern plane 200p in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention.
The CGSA motion body 216b may include a first linear motion body 206b fixedly attached with the enclosed hull 201 opposite the deck and proximate the stern 201s and the CGSA motion platform 216p may comprise a first linear motion platform 206p translationally coupled with the first linear motion body 206b. The linear motion platform 206p may move about 40cm or in some cases from 30cm to 60cm. The linear motion platform 206p may move generally under the seating assembly 204.

[0046] A first strut 207 may be provide having a proximal end 207p and a distal end 207d, the proximal end 207p fixedly interconnected Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 with the CGSA motion body 216b and a hydrofoil assembly 208 fixedly interconnected with the distal end 207d of the first strut 207. The first strut 207 extending from the enclosed hull 201 downwards and away from the rider 299 towards the water 298. The first strut 207 proximal end 207p may be fixedly interconnected with the first linear motion platform 206p and bisected by the bow to stern plane 200p, first linear motion platform 206p for controllably moving of the strut 207 within the bow to stern plane 200p and for the controllable adjusting of the watercraft pitch of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200, this may be exemplified, in use, in FIGs 2M and 2N and described hereinbelow.

[0047] The first strut 207 may be manufactured from rigid material and may be formed from an aluminium extrusion or from a fiber-reinforced epoxy, such as a carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy. The cross-section of the first strut 207 may be such to mini minimize drag when moving through the body of water 298 and in addition the strut 207 may be hollow to allow for electrical wires and optionally water cooling lines to be propagated therethrough (FIG. 2K).

[0048] The hydrofoil assembly 208 may be fixedly and rigidly interconnected with the distal end 207d of the strut 207 and a propulsion system 209 disposed proximate the distal end 207d of the strut for propelling the watercraft 200 in the body of water. The strut 207 may maintain the hydrofoil assembly 208 at a fixed distance from Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 the CGSA motion body 216b or from the first linear motion platform 206p, where this distance may be about 60cm to 120cm.

[0049] FIG. 2N illustrates the hydrofoil assembly 208 and the strut 207 and the propulsion system 209 from a perspective stern view and FIG. 2o illustrates the hydrofoil assembly 208 and the strut 207 and the propulsion system 209 from a port side view and in use. Whereby thrust 999 directed away from the stern of the watercraft 200 may be generated by the propulsion system 209.

[0050] FIG. 2K illustrates a side view of the PHW 200 and in conjunction with FIGs. 2G, 2H, 2i and 2j, where the PWH 200 may be divided into a bow section 221 and a stern section 222 through a bow-stern dividing plane 220. The dividing plane 220 may divide the enclosed hull 201 into a bow hull section 201b and a stern hull section 201s. The bow section 221 may include: a bow deck surface 200db; a substantially waterproof compartment 211 formed within the bow section 221 comprising a battery unit 212 and a PHW control assembly 213, which may comprise control electronics and circuitry for controlling electrical components of the PHW 200, an access hatch 211h for providing controllably access to the waterproof compartment 211 for inserting and removing of the battery unit 212 from the substantially waterproof compartment 211; the handle assembly 205;
the stern section 222 comprising: a stern deck surface 200ds onto which may be mounted the seating assembly 204; the CGSA motion platform 216p movably coupled with the CGSA motion body 216b.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 More specifically the CGSA motion body 216b comprising the first linear motion body 206b fixedly attached with the enclosed hull 201 opposite the deck and proximate the stern 201s and the CGSA motion platform 216p may comprise the first linear motion platform 206p translationally coupled with the first linear motion body 206b, and the strut 207 proximal end 207p fixedly interconnected with the first linear motion platform 206p.

[0051] In some embodiments a hydrofoil assembly pitch axis (NAPA) 200pa may be shown and may be approximately perpendicular with the strut 207 and proximate the hydrofoil assembly 208, the hydrofoil assembly pitch axis 200pa may be approximately perpendicular with a direction of motion of the hydrofoil assembly 208 through the body of water 298. A roll axis 200ra may be also shown and the roll axis 200ra may be approximately parallel with a direction of motion of the hydrofoil assembly 208 and may be approximately perpendicular with the pitch axis 200pa. The NAPA 200pa, may be aligned with a center of lift of the hydrofoil assembly 208.

[0052] Pitching of the hydrofoil watercraft 200 about the hydrofoil assembly pitch axis 200pa results from motion of the hydrofoil watercraft 200 within the bow to stern plane 200p and between a bow and stern direction. Rolling of the hydrofoil watercraft 200 may result in motion of the hydrofoil watercraft 200 towards port and starboard directions, or in steering of the hydrofoil watercraft 200 to left and the right, or in banking of the hydrofoil watercraft 200 to the port and starboard sides. The pitching and rolling of the hydrofoil watercraft Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 200 about the hydrofoil assembly pitch axis 200pa and the hydrofoil assembly roll axis 200ra results when the watercraft may be in motion and the thrust 999 may be provided by the propulsion system 209 such that the weight of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 may be rested on the hydrofoil assembly 208 and the first strut 207 proximal end 207p may be other than immersed in the body of water 298 and may be above a water surface of the body of water 298 and may be exposed to air with the hydrofoil assembly 208 and the propulsion system 209 moving through the body of water 298. The hydrofoil assembly roll axis 200ra may bisect the hydrofoil assembly between starboard and port sides thereof.

[0053] Referring to FIGs. 2G and 2H, in use of the watercraft 200 with no thrust being generated by the propulsion system 209 or minimal thrust being generated such that the watercraft may be floating on the body of water 298 with the enclosed hull 201 contacting the body of water 298 and other than being lifted by the hydrofoil assembly 208.

[0054] The human rider 299 may be for being seated in place contacting the seating assembly 204 with their buttocks 299b and holding onto the handle assembly 205 with their hands 299h and approximately positionally fixed in relation to the enclosed hull 201 and where the CGSA 216 may be for being controllably adjusted along the bow to stern plane 200p for controllably adjusting the center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 causing the pitch of Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 within the bow to stern plane 200p about the hull pitch axis 232, which may be parallel with the hydrofoil assembly pitch axis 200pa. In some embodiments the bow-stern dividing plane 220 may include the hull pitch axis (HPA) 232 or the hull pitch axis (HPA) 232 may be proximate the bow-stern dividing plane 220 and may be parallel therewith.

[0055] The pitching of the watercraft 200 with respect to the body of water 298 about the hull pitch axis (HPA) 232 may be controlled through altering of the center of gravity of the watercraft 200 through the movement of the strut 207, propulsion system 209 and the hydrofoil assembly 208 with respect to the enclosed hull 201.

[0056] When in use, with the controllable provision of thrust with the watercraft being lifted above the water surface with the enclosed hull 201 no longer contacting the water surface then the watercraft may exhibit pitching movement of the hydrofoil watercraft 200 about the HAPA. Both the HAPA 200pa and the hull pitch axis (HPA) 232 may be perpendicular to the bow stern plane 220p.

[0057] More specifically, in accordance with the first embodiment, the first linear motion platform 206p translationally coupled with the first linear motion body 206b, the strut 207 proximal end 207p fixedly interconnected with the first linear motion platform 206p and bisected by the bow to stern plane 200p, first linear motion platform 206p for controllably moving of the strut 207 within the bow to stern plane 200p and for the controllable adjusting the pitch of the personal Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 hydrofoil watercraft 200 about the HPA 232 when the watercraft enclosed hull 201 may be contacting the water surface. When the enclosed hull 201 may be lifted above the water surface and the weight of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 may be supported by the hydrofoil assembly 208 and the hydrofoil assembly 208 may be for propagating through the water, then the first linear motion platform 206p for controllably moving of the strut 207 controls the pitch of the watercraft about the HAPA 200pa. In some embodiments the pitch of the watercraft about the HAPA 200pa may be in addition controlled with the use of the thrust 999 generated by the propulsion system 209.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 2K, the bow deck surface 200db and the stern deck surface 200ds may intersect at a deck intersection angle 200da of between 15 and 45 degrees, where this deck intersection angle 200da may be bisected by the bow-stern dividing plane 220.
Furthermore as may be visible in FIG. 2K, the side view of the enclosed hull 201 may resemble a banana shape.

[0059] Referring to FIGs. 2E and 2F and 2K, disposed within the hull 201 there may be a substantially waterproof compartment 211 that contains the battery unit 212 and the PHW control assembly 213, which may comprise control electronics and circuitry for controlling electrical components of the PHW 200. Access to the substantially waterproof compartment 211 may be achieved through an access Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 hatch 211h, where in FIG. 2F the access hatch may be shown open and in FIG. 2F, the access hatch may be shown closed.

[0060] The strut 207, propulsion system 209, and hydrofoil assembly may weigh about 10 to 15kg. The battery may weigh about to 15kg. For a 14s12p battery having a voltage of around 60V, where the battery may be formed from 3000mAh 18650 lithium ion battery cells having 14 cells in series and 12 in parallel. The propulsion system 209 may comprise a brushless DC motor 209m (FIG. 2N) that provides for about 5 to 20 horsepower and may consume up to about 100 Amperes and in some cases may be up to 300A. A propeller as part of the propulsion system 209 may include a shrouded propeller 209p (FIG. 2N) or a ducted propeller or in some cases may have multiple brushless DC motors and multiple propellers or combinations thereof.

[0061] The access hatch may be mounted approximately flush with the deck surface 200d. In addition the PHW 200 may include navigational lights 200n, comprising a red port navigational light may be disposed on the port side and a green starboard navigational light may be disposed on the starboard side and a stern light disposed at the stern. Furthermore proximate the bow of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 there may also be disposed at least a headlight 218 for providing a forward shining light for illuminating in front of the hydrofoil watercraft 200.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26

[0062] Referring to FIGs. 2H, 2H, 2i and 2J, With the battery unit 212 installed within the substantially waterproof compartment 211, the pitch of the watercraft 200 with respect to the body of water 298 about the HPA 232 may be controlled through altering of the center of gravity 888 of the watercraft 200 through the movement of the strut 207, propulsion system 209 and the hydrofoil assembly 208 with respect to the enclosed hull 201 along the bow to stern plane 200p through the use of the linear motion assembly 206.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 2H and 2J the linear motion platform 206p may be movable towards the bow 200b for moving the center of gravity past the bow stern dividing plane 220 to the bow section 221with the strut 207, propulsion system 209 and the hydrofoil assembly 208 moved towards the bow of the PHW 200 with the rider 299 sitting on the seating assembly 204 and gripping the handle assembly 205 with the watercraft being pitched towards the bow about the HPA.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 2G and 21 the linear motion platform 206p may be movable towards the stern 200s for moving the center of gravity past bow stern dividing plane 220 to the stern section 222 with the strut 207, propulsion system 209 and the hydrofoil assembly 208 moved towards the stern of the PHW 200 with the rider 299 sitting on the seating assembly 204 and gripping the handle assembly 205 with the watercraft being pitched towards the stern about the HPA.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26

[0065] Referring to FIGs. 2i and 2j, with the watercraft 200 absent the rider 299, the linear motion platform 206p may be adjusted to have the center of gravity of the watercraft 200 between the bow section 221 and the stern section 222 and result in the watercraft 200 to pitch about the center of gravity 888 which may approximately coincide with the HPA.

[0066] Referring to FIGs. 2G and 2H, with the watercraft 200 having the rider 299 seated thereon, the linear motion platform 206p controllably adjusts the center of gravity of the watercraft 200 between the bow section 221 and the stern section 222. A bow to stern center of gravity of the rider may be approximately oriented along the bow-stern dividing plane 220.

[0067] In some cases a weight of the rider 299 may cause the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 to sit lower in the water as compared to the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 absent the rider. A
freeboard will decrease due to the weight of the rider. In some cases the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 may have its stern section 222 lower than the bow section 221 when floating with the rider 299 on the body of water 298 and absent thrust being generated from the thruster 209. A rider may have a weight of about 60kg to about 100kg and with the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 having a weight of about 20kg to 40kg. Therefore a displacement of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 of about 200 to 300 liters may be desirable.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26

[0068] Referring to FIG. 2P, in a neutral or central position of the linear motion platform 206p with respect to the enclosed hull 201, where the linear motion platform 206p may be approximately centered along the first linear motion body 206b, the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 may float on the body of water 298 where the center of gravity 888 may be approximately aligned with the bow-stern dividing plane 220 and approximately aligned with the HPA 232 and the bow section 221 and the stern section 222 approximately equally float in body of water 298. The flotation volume 202 of the watercraft 200 may include a bow section flotation volume 202bf and a stern section flotation volume 202sf, wherein the flotation volumes are within 20 percent of each other.

[0069] This neutral position or central the linear motion platform 206p may facilitate a rider 299 who has fallen off the watercraft 200 to pull themselves up onto the watercraft 200 to once again be seated on the seating assembly 204.

[0070] A plurality of handle assemblies 200h may be mounted to the starboard and port sidewalls proximate the stern or transom as well as to the stern deck surface 200ds and possibly a transom surface 200dt.
The transom surface 200dt may extend from the stern deck surface 200ds distally towards the stern 200s, wherein the bow deck surface 200db and transom surface 200dt form a mirror angle with the bow-stern dividing plane 220. The plurality of handle assemblies 200h may facilitate the rider to gain access from the body of water 298 to a Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 seated position on seating assembly 204 upon having fallen from the watercraft 200 or upon entering the watercraft 200 from the body of water 298. The rider may grip at least one of the plurality of handle assemblies 200h with their at least a hand and pull themselves along the transom surface 200dt with their chest and contacting the transom surface 200dt and to slide themselves onto the seating assembly 204.
The fallen rider may also grasp onto the foot pegs 241, 242 extending from the port sidewall 203p and the starboard sidewall 203s, respectively. When the rider 299 may be in the seated position and with their buttocks contacting the seating assembly 204 they may place the mid soles on the foot pegs 241, 242, or in some cases foot platforms.

[0071] FIG. 2L illustrates an examplary control system and systems schematic 230 for controlling of the PHW 200 by the rider 299.
Disposed within the substantially waterproof compartment 211 may be the battery unit 212 and a PHW control assembly 213, which may comprise control electronics, microprocessors and circuitry for controlling electrical components of the PHW 200 and an ESC
(electronic speed controller) 213e may be provided and electrically coupled with the propulsion system 209 and more specifically with the brushless DC motor 209m.

[0072] A set of motor wires 209mw may be provided for coupling of the brushless DC motor 209m with the ESC 213e. The set of motor wires 209mw may also include a motor wires coupling port 209p Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 which may allow for disconnecting of the brushless DC motor 209m from the ESC 213e, for example when the first strut 207 may be decoupled from the CGSA motion body 216b, for facilitating transport and storage of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 and recoupled prior to use.

[0073] Additionally, endstop sensors 216e may be provided for sensing when the CGSA motion platform 216p has reached the bow and stern travel limits in relation to the CGSA motion body 216b. The endstop sensors 216e may include indictive proximity sensors or mechanical switches, which are waterproof and may be electrically coupled with the PHW control assembly 213. A first CGSA actuator 216m or motor may be electrically coupled with the PHW control assembly 213.

[0074] The first CGSA actuator 216m may be mechanically attached to a lead screw mechanism 216s and fixedly attached with the CGSA
motion body 216b and a lead screw nut 216n attached with the CGSA
motion platform 216p, where the lead screw nut 216n may be for sliding along the lead screw mechanism 216s upon a rotation of the lead screw mechanism 216s . The lead screw mechanism may result in the lead screw nut 216n to move about 8mm per rotation and the first CGSA actuator 216m may be a worm drive actuator with a gear reduction of about 470:1. An optical encoded may be attached with the first CGSA actuator 216m for counting rotations of the lead screw mechanism 216s for approximating positional feedback of the CGSA
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 motion platform 216p with respect to the CGSA motion body 216b. In some embodiments the CGSA motion platform 216p may also be hydraulically actuated.

[0075] In some embodiments a water pump may be added to draw water from the body of water 298 for cooling of the ESC 213e and potentially other electronics as part of the PHW control assembly 213.
The electric motor may be cooled through thermal contact and thermal dissipation with the body of water 298. A water level sensor 209s (FIG.
2o) may also be mounted proximate the propulsion system 209 proximately of the propulsion system 209 and electrically coupled with the PHW control assembly 213 for sensing when the propulsion system 209 may be within the body of water and prior to a portion of the propulsion system 209 exiting the water for providing a propulsion system exposed signal to the PHW control assembly 213 for reducing thrust being emitted by the propulsion system 209.

[0076] Referring to FIG. 2L and FIG. 2E, the handle assembly 205 may be held onto by hands 299h of the human rider 299 is shown, whereby the handle assembly 205 may comprise a tubular member 205h mounted to the enclosed hull 201 proximate the bow 200b, the tubular member 205h having handlebar ends 205e (FIG. 2M) bounded by the starboard sidewall 203s and the port sidewall 203p and not extending past the starboard sidewall 203s and the port sidewall 203p, the tubular member spaced from the enclosed hull and further Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 comprising handlebar grips 205g for being held onto by hands 299h of the human rider 299.

[0077] The handle assembly 205 may comprise a throttle assembly 205t electrically coupled with the PHW control assembly 213 for being operated by a portion of the right hand of the rider a CGSA motion platform control assembly 205p electrically coupled with the PHW
control assembly 213, PHW control assembly 213 for receiving a throttle signal from the throttle assembly 205t for controllably affecting a thrust of the propulsion system 209 and for receiving a CGSA motion platform control signal from the CGSA motion platform control assembly 205p for controllably positioning of the CGSA motion platform control assembly 205p with respect to the CGSA motion body 216b along the bow to stern plane. The throttle signal for proportionally changing the thrust of the propulsion system 209 as a resistance or position of the throttle assembly 205t may be varied by a thumb of the rider. The CGSA motion platform control signal bidirectionally moving of the CGSA motion platform in response a thumb of the user actuating of the CGSA motion platform control assembly 205p, where the CGSA motion platform control assembly 205p may be a momentary ON-OFF-ON SPST switch. A CGSA motion platform indicator may also be provided to providing a visual indication to the rider of the position of the CGSA motion platform along the CGSA motion body 216b. The CGSA motion platform may travel about 40 to 80mm per second. Advantageously , while gripping handle assembly 205, the rider 299 may be able to controllably move Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 of the linear motion platform 206p they are able to controllably adjust a center of gravity of the PHW 200 from the bow to the stern section and from the stern to the bow section without needing to take their hands off the handle assembly 205 and to operate the throttle assembly 205t and while remaining seated on the seating assembly.

[0078] FIGs. 2Q illustrates a cutaway perspective view and FIGS. 2R
and 2S illustrate the CGSA motion body 216b and the CGSA motion platform 216p in more detail, where the CGSA motion body 216b may be in the form of first linear motion body 206b and the CGSA motion platform 216p may be in the form of detail the first linear motion platform 206p translationally coupled with the first linear motion body 206b as seen fixedly attached within a cavity 201c formed in a bottom of the enclosed hull 201 opposite the seating assembly 204.

[0079] FIG. 2R illustrates a perspective and exploded view of the center of gravity shifting assembly (CGSA) 216 with the CGSA motion platform 216p removed from the CGSA motion body 216b. FIG. 2S
illustrates a front cutaway view of the center of gravity shifting assembly (CGSA) 216. The CGSA motion platform 216p may travel linearly in relation to the CGSA motion body 216b using a plurality of rollers 216r that are for moving within a plurality of tracks 216t.

[0080] FIG. 2T illustrates a hull internal frame 201f of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 about which the deck surface, sidewalls are formed for generating of the enclosed hull 201. The hull internal frame 201f may be manufactured or constructed from wooden Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 stringers 201fs propagating parallel with the bow to stern plane 200p and perpendicular ribs 201fr along with foam disposed between the stringers and ribs with a glass or carbon fiber covering an outside surface of the construction. Have a strong flotation volume that may be light in weight may be advantageous with respect to embodiments of the invention.

[0081] Referring to FIG. 2U, having the light hull internal frame 201f and general construction of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 may facilitate loading of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 on top of a roof rack 912 attached on the top of a vehicle 913, which may facilitate transport of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 without requiring a trailer. The personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 may be made lighter for facilitating loading by removal of the battery unit 212 and through the decoupling of the strut 207 from the CGSA motion platform 216p through uncoupling of a threaded screw connection 207ts (FIG. 2K) or other attachment mechanism. As the strut 207 may be decoupled, the hydrofoil assembly 208 and the propulsion system 209 are similarly decoupled from the CGSA motion platform 216p and motor wires 209mw are decoupled through the port 209p. This may facilitate a weight savings of about 20 to 30kg. Where the enclosed hull 201 with the seating assembly 204 and the center of gravity shifting assembly (CGSA) 216 may weigh about 20 to 30kg. The bow section 221 of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 may contact the roof rack 921 and be strapped down using straps or rope and the stern section 222 may other than be contacting the roof rack 912.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26

[0082] Referring back to FIG. 2A, the hydrofoil assembly 208 may comprise a first passively stable hydrofoil 2081 and a second passively stable hydrofoil 2081, wherein the first passively stable hydrofoil 2081 has a larger surface area than the second passively stable hydrofoil 2081 and wherein the propulsion system 209 may be disposed between the first passively stable hydrofoil 2081 and the second passively stable hydrofoil 2082 and both the first passively stable hydrofoil 2081 and the second passively stable hydrofoil 2082 are fixedly interconnected with the distal end 207d of the strut 207 and spaced apart from each other using at a separation through a second strut 2072. The first passively stable hydrofoil 2081 may have a surface area of about 100 to 200 square inches and the second passively stable hydrofoil 2082 may have a surface area of about 10 to 20% of the surface area of the first passively stable hydrofoil 2081.

[0083] The hydrofoil assembly 208 may include high aspect and low aspect passively stable hydrofoils, which refers to the ratio between a wingspan and a chord of the passively stable hydrofoils. Typically, high aspect wings are wider and more slender while low aspect wings are not as wide and generally fatter. A low aspect shaped passively stable hydrofoil may be more efficient and creates the most amount of lift and the least amount of drag from a given surface area. For high speeds this passively stable hydrofoil wing provides for improved control and at lower speeds it may be harder to control.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26

[0084] A curved first passively stable hydrofoil may inherently be easier to turn or roll from the port to starboard directions and from the starboard to port directions. Passively stable hydrofoil tips or wing tips, may also provide the passively stable hydrofoil with directional stability that may make the foil easier to control. Turned up or down passively stable hydrofoils tips on the second passively stable hydrofoil wing may have the same effect, increasing directional stability. Curved up or down wing tips add directional stability and can reduce turbulence off the wing tips.

[0085] FIG. 3A illustrates steering of the watercraft 200 in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention. Steering of the watercraft 200 may be achievable when in use, with the controllable provision of thrust from the propulsion system 209 with the watercraft being lifted above the water surface with the enclosed hull 201 no longer contacting the water surface and the weight of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 resting on the hydrofoil assembly 208 as it propagates through the water. In this embodiment the watercraft 200 may be absent a rudder and as such does not lend itself to steering using an active underwater control surface.

[0086] With the watercraft being lifted above the water surface with the enclosed hull 201 no longer contacting the water surface and the weight of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 resting on the hydrofoil assembly 208the steering or rolling about the NAPA 200p may be achieve by the rider 299 shifting their buttocks laterally away Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 from the bow to stern plane 200p in a direction of the starboard and port axis 200y, along the seating assembly 204 while maintaining the mid soles on the foot pegs 241, 242 and their hands on the handle assembly 205.

[0087] As may be shown in FIG. 3A, the rider 299 may slide their buttocks 299b towards the starboard side to result in the starboard side of the hydrofoil assembly 208 to have an increased downforce and therefore to initiate a turn a turn to the starboard side, similar to a right airplane wing have less lift during a banking to the right, where the hull of the vehicle will roll to the right.

[0088] The rider may slide their buttocks 299b towards the port side to result in the port side of the foil assembly to have an increased downforce and therefore to initiate a turn a turn to the port side, similar to a left airplane wing have less lift during a banking to the left, where the hull of the vehicle will roll to the left.

[0089] And more specifically, in accordance with the first embodiment, the first linear motion platform 206p translationally coupled with the first linear motion body 206b, the strut 207 proximal end 207p fixedly interconnected with the first linear motion platform 206p and bisected by the bow to stern plane 200p, first linear motion platform 206p for controllably moving of the strut 207 within the bow to stern plane 200p and for the controllable adjusting the pitch of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 about the HPA 232 when the watercraft enclosed hull 201 may be contacting the water surface.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 When the enclosed hull 201 may be lifted above the water surface and the weight of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 may be being supported by the hydrofoil assembly 208 and the hydrofoil assembly 208 may be propagating through the water, then the first linear motion platform 206p for controllably moving of the strut 207 controls the pitch of the watercraft about the HAPA. In some embodiments the pitch of the watercraft about the HAPA 200pa may be in addition controlled with the use of the thrust 999 generated by the propulsion system 209. When in use, with the controllable provision of thrust with the watercraft being lifted above the water surface with the enclosed hull 201 no longer contacting the water surface then the watercraft may exhibit pitching movement of the hydrofoil watercraft 200 about the HAPA. Both the HAPA 200pa and the HPA 232 may be perpendicular to the bow stern plane 220p. The rider may balance the thrust and the position of the CGSA motion platform 216p without forward or backward motion of their body, thus advantageously being able to be seated in a riding position on the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 and shifting their buttocks to the port and starboard directions to turn or to roll of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200, thus mimicking the experience of riding a motorcycle on water.

[0090] In the first embodiment the watercraft 200 may comprise other than a movable watercraft roll control system and rolling of the watercraft may be induced through lateral shifting of the buttocks of the human rider 299 along the seating assembly 204 in parallel with Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 the starboard and port axis 200y and away from the bow to stern plane 200p for causing the center of gravity to move laterally away from the bow to stern plane 200p, the watercraft controllably rolling in the direction of the center of gravity shift about the roll axis 200ra wherein an amount of the center of gravity shift may be proportional to the amount of watercraft controllably rolling, and controllably adjust of the pitch attitude by changing the position of the linear motion platform 206p with respect to the linear motion body 206b as well as through the controllable generation of thrust 999. The rider 299 may move their buttocks 299b between port and starboard directions to roll the watercraft as desired.

[0091] With respect to FIG. 3B, in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, the watercraft 300 may utilize push steering as may be used in a motorcycle when the motorcycle may be to be leaned into a corner to more accurately mimic the motorcycle riding experience. In this second embodiment the bow deck surface 200db may comprise the handle assembly 205 attached with a handle assembly deck surface 200dh, wherein the handle assembly 205 may be rotationally mounted with the handle assembly deck surface 200dh for rotating about a steering axis 200sa for rotating within at most plus and minus 15 degrees about the steering axis 200sa, wherein the lateral shifting of the buttocks of the human rider 299 along the seating assembly 204 to the port side pushes on the port side of the handle assembly 205 towards the bow and thereby extending the left arm of the rider and wherein the lateral shifting of the buttocks of the Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 human rider 299 along the seating assembly 204 to the starboard side pushes on the starboard side of the handle assembly 205 towards the bow and thereby extending the right arm of the rider, the extending of the left and right arms of the rider may facilitate of the buttocks 299b of the rider to move away from the bow to stern plane 200p. As such, the pushing of the rider on the handle assembly 205 may be opposite to the direction of steering. In almost all watercraft, the steering may be in the direction of the turn.

[0092] In some embodiments a rudder control surface may be provided proximate the stern of the hydrofoil watercraft 300 whereby the rudder may be electrically coupled with the handle assembly 205, where at low speeds of the hydrofoil watercraft 300 (where the enclosed hull 201 may be moving along the body of water 298) the rudder may be coordinated in standard steering with the handle assembly 205, such that turning of the handle assembly 205 to the starboard side results in the watercraft 300 to turn to starboard and turning of handle assembly 205 to the port side, results in the in the watercraft 300 to turn to port. Upon the enclosed hull 201 lifting out of the water and resting on the hydrofoil assembly 208, the push steering may be implemented. Of course, the user may select between which steering system they wish to utilize, whether it is conventional or push steering for when the enclosed hull 201 is lifted out of the water under thrust from the propulsion system 209.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26

[0093] Referring to FIG. 3C and 3D, a personal hydrofoil watercraft 400 for being used by a human rider 299 in a body of water 298 may be shown in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention.
Elements in the third embodiment of the invention 300 having similar structure and/or performing similar function as those in the first embodiment of the invention are numbered similarly. Referring to the FIGs. 3C and 3D shown, the enclosed hull 201 may be lifted above the water surface and the weight of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 may be being supported by the hydrofoil assembly 208 and the hydrofoil assembly 208 may be propagating through the water body 298.

[0094] The personal hydrofoil watercraft 400 may be formed from the enclosed hull 201 having a flotation volume 202 and comprising the bow 200b and the stern 200s and the deck surface 200d abutting the starboard sidewall 203s and the port sidewall 203p extending from the bow 200b to the stern 200s, the enclosed hull 201 having the bow to stern length 200L (L) along the bow to stern axis 200x greater than the starboard and port sidewall width 200w (W) along the starboard and port axis 200y where the bow to stern axis 200x.

[0095] The bow to stern plane 200p comprising the bow to stern axis 200x and bisecting the enclosed hull 201 to the starboard side 200ss and the port side 200ps; the seating assembly 204 attached to the deck surface 200d proximate the stern 200s for accommodating the buttocks 299b of the human rider 299 with the human rider 299 Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 straddling the seating assembly 204 and the deck surface 200d proximate the stern 200s with calves 299c of the human rider 299 facing the starboard and port sidewalls (203s, 203p); a handle assembly 305 proximate the bow 200b for being held onto by hands 299h of the human rider 299; the center of gravity shifting assembly (CGSA) 216 for shifting the center of gravity 888 of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 400 and disposed beneath the seating assembly 204 comprising the CGSA motion body 216b fixedly attached with the enclosed hull 201 and proximate the body of water 298.

[0096] The CGSA motion platform 216p movably coupled with the CGSA motion body 216b, the CGSA motion platform 216p for moving in relation to the CGSA motion body 216b for shifting the center of gravity 888 of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 400 in the bow to stern plane 200p and perpendicular to the bow to stern plane 200p parallel with the starboard and port axis 200y.

[0097] The first strut 207 having the proximal end 207p and the distal end 207d, the proximal end 207p fixedly interconnected with the CGSA motion body 216b, the hydrofoil assembly 208 fixedly interconnected with the distal end 207d of the strut 207.

[0098] The propulsion system 209 may be disposed proximate the distal end 207d of the strut for propelling the watercraft 200 in the body of water, wherein the human rider 299 may be for being seated in place contacting the seating assembly 204 and holding onto the handle assembly 205 and where the (CGSA) 216 may be for being Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 controllably adjusted along the bow to stern plane 200p for controllably adjusting the center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 400 causing the pitch of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 within the bow to stern plane 200p and for being controllably adjusted parallel with the starboard and port axis 200y for controllably adjusting the roll of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 400.

[0099] The CGSA 216 comprises: the CGSA motion body 216b comprising: the first linear motion body 206b fixedly attached with the enclosed hull 201 opposite the deck and proximate the stern 201s and the CGSA motion platform 216p comprises: the first linear motion platform 206p translationally coupled with the first linear motion body 206b, the second linear motion body 226b fixedly coupled with first linear motion platform 206p; the second linear motion platform 226p translationally coupled with the second linear motion body 226b, the first strut 207 proximal end 207p fixedly interconnected with the second linear motion platform 226p,wherein the first linear motion platform 206p may be for controllably moving of the first strut 207 parallel with the bow to stern plane 200p for the controllable adjusting the pitch of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 along the bow to stern plane 200p and about the pitch axis 200pa and the second linear motion platform 226p may be for controllably moving of the first strut 207 perpendicular with the bow to stern plane 200p for the controllable adjusting the roll of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 about the roll axis 200ra. In a neutral position of the second linear Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 motion platform 226p, the first strut 207 may be bisected by the bow to stern plane 200p.

[00100] FIG. 3E illustrates an exemplary control system and systems schematic 330 for controlling of the PHW 400 by the rider 299 in accordance with the third embodiment of the invention. Similar to that shown in the second embodiment of the invention, the third embodiment of the invention may utilize push steering or conventional steering and the user may select therebetween.

[00101] A handle assembly 305 may include the steering axis 200sa, which may be disposed within the bow to stern plane 200p and may be approximately perpendicularly with the handle assembly deck surface 200dh. The handle assembly 305 may rotate about plus or minus 15 degrees about the steering axis 200sa. The handle assembly 305 may be coupled with a rotary position sensor 205ps for detecting an angle at which the handle assembly 305 may be relative to the handle assembly deck surface 200dh. The rotary position sensor 205ps may provide a rotary position signal and may comprise a variable resistor or a potentiometer or a powered digital servo, which may provide force feedback to the user when they are turning of the handle assembly 305. A magnetic contactless A55600 position sensor may also be envisaged. A spring and cam assembly may also be utilised to provide a spring force against which the user pushes or pulls the handle assembly 305 to provide for a motorcycle riding feeling. The handle assembly 305 may also feature auto centring, Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 where the handlebar grips 205g may be oriented perpendicular with the bow to stern plane 200p in a neutral position or auto centered position.

[00102] The handle assembly 305 may comprise the throttle assembly 205t and the CGSA motion platform control assembly 205p and the rotary position sensor 205ps, where each may be electrically coupled with a PHW control assembly 313, PHW control assembly 313 for receiving the throttle signal from the throttle assembly 205t for controllably affecting the thrust of the propulsion system 209 and for receiving a first CGSA motion platform control signal from the CGSA
motion platform control assembly 205p for controllably positioning of the first linear motion platform 206p translationally within the first linear motion body 206b and for receiving of a rotary position signal for controllably positioning of the second linear motion platform 226p translationally within the second linear motion body 226b. The second linear motion body 226b may include positioning sensors, or optical pulse counting encoders, for determining an absolute position of the second linear motion platform 226p in relation to the second linear motion body 226b. The second linear motion body 226b and the second linear motion platform 226p may be actuated using lead screw and lead nut assemblies and may include an actuator.

[00103] Referring to FIG. 4A and 48 and in conjunction with figures for the first embodiment, a personal hydrofoil watercraft 500 for being used by the human rider 299 in the body of water 298 may be shown Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention. Elements in the fourth embodiment of the invention 400 having similar structure and/or performing similar function as those in the first embodiment of the invention are numbered similarly. Referring to the FIGs.4A and 4D, shown is the enclosed hull 201 may be lifted above the water surface and the weight of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 400, in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the invention, may be being supported by the hydrofoil assembly 208 and the hydrofoil assembly 208 may be propagating through the water body 298.

[00104] The personal hydrofoil watercraft 500 in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the invention may be formed from the enclosed hull 201 having the flotation volume 202 and comprising the bow 200b and the stern 200s and the deck surface 200d abutting the starboard sidewall 203s and the port sidewall 203p extending from the bow 200b to the stern 200s, the enclosed hull 201 having the bow to stern length 200L (L) along the bow to stern axis 200x greater than the starboard and port sidewall width 200w (W) along the starboard and port axis 200y where the bow to stern axis 200x.

[00105] The bow to stern plane 200p comprising the bow to stern axis 200x and bisecting the enclosed hull 201 to the starboard side 200ss and the port side 200ps; the seating assembly 204 attached to the deck surface 200d proximate the stern 200s for accommodating the buttocks 299b of the human rider 299 with the human rider 299 straddling the seating assembly 204 and the deck surface 200d Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 proximate the stern 200s with calves 299c of the human rider 299 facing the starboard and port sidewalls (203s, 203p); a handle assembly 305 proximate the bow 200b for being held onto by hands 299h of the human rider 299; the center of gravity shifting assembly (CGSA) 216 for shifting the center of gravity 888 of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 500 and disposed beneath the seating assembly 204 comprising the CGSA motion body 216b fixedly attached with the enclosed hull 201 and proximate the body of water 298.

[00106] The CGSA motion platform 216p movably coupled with the CGSA motion body 216b, the CGSA motion platform 216p for moving in relation to the CGSA motion body 216b for shifting the center of gravity 888 of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 in the bow to stern plane 200p and perpendicular to the bow to stern plane 200p and approximately parallel with the starboard and port axis 200y.

[00107] The first strut 207 having the proximal end 207p and the distal end 207d, the proximal end 207p fixedly interconnected with the CGSA motion body 216b, the hydrofoil assembly 208 fixedly interconnected with the distal end 207d of the strut 207.

[00108] The propulsion system 209 may be disposed proximate the distal end 207d of the strut 207 for propelling the watercraft 200 in the body of water, wherein the human rider 299 may be for being seated in place contacting the seating assembly 204 and holding onto the handle assembly 305 and where the (CGSA) 216 may be for being controllably adjusted along the bow to stern plane 200p for Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 controllably adjusting the center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 causing the pitching of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 500 within the bow to stern plane 200p about the pitch axis 200pa and for being controllably adjusted parallel with the starboard and port axis 200y for controllably adjusting the roll of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 500 about the roll axis 200ra.

[00109] Referring in addition to FIGs.4C and 4D, the CGSA 216 may comprise: the CGSA motion body 216b and may comprise the first linear motion body 206b fixedly attached with the enclosed hull 201 opposite the deck and proximate the stern 201s and the CGSA motion platform 216p comprises: the first linear motion platform 206p may be translationally coupled with the first linear motion body 206b, a second tilting motion body 236b fixedly coupled with first linear motion platform 206p; a second tilting motion platform 236p pivotally coupled with the second linear motion body 226b for pivoting about a second tilting pivot axis 236a, the first strut 207 proximal end 207p fixedly interconnected with the second tilting motion platform 236p, wherein the strut distal end 207d may be for pivoting about the second tilting pivot axis 236a for being at a pivot angle (alpha) 236pa to the bow to stern plane 200p (FIG. 4C).

[00110] The first CGSA actuator 216m or motor may be electrically coupled with the PHW control assembly 313 and a second CGSA
actuator 316m may be mechanically attached to a worm drive mechanism 316wd. The worm drive mechanism 316wd may include a Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 shaft with a spiral thread coupled with a drive shaft of the second CGSA actuator 316m that engages with and drives a toothed wheel gear. The first linear motion platform 206p may be fixedly coupled with the second CGSA actuator 316m and the shaft with the spiral thread and the toothed wheel gear may be fixedly coupled with the second tilting motion platform 236p, where a center of the toothed wheel may be coaxial with the second tilting pivot axis 236a. The second tilting motion platform 236p may be controllably movable about plus or minus fifteen degrees in relation to the bow to stern plane 200p. An absolute rotary position sensor may be utilized to detect the pivot angle (alpha) 236pa. When the second tilting motion platform 236p may be in the centred position the strut 207 may be aligned with the bow to stern plane 200p.

[00111] In some embodiments, a inertial measurement unit or IMU be provided for measuring a pitching motion of the various embodiments of the invention and the IMU may provide an IMU signal electrically received by the PHW control assembly for automatically adjusting of the first linear motion platform 206p position in relation to the first linear motion body 206b upon the application and reduction of thrust generated by the propulsion system 209. In some embodiments the IMU may be programmed to maintain the seating assembly 204 approximately parallel with the body of water when the weight of the personal hydrofoil watercraft may be being held up by the hydrofoil assembly 208 moving through the water.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26

[00112] FIG. 5A and 58 illustrate a further advantage of the embodiments of the invention with respect to the handle assembly 205 for being held onto by hands 299h of the human rider 299 may be also shown. The handle assembly 205, 305 may comprise the tubular member 205h mounted to the enclosed hull 201 proximate the bow 200b, the tubular member 205h having handlebar ends 205e bounded by the starboard sidewall 203s and the port sidewall 203p (FIG. 2D) and not extending past the starboard sidewall 203s and the port sidewall 203p, the tubular member spaced from the enclosed hull and further comprising handlebar grips 205g for being held onto by hands 299h of the human rider 299. If the personal hydrofoil watercraft in accordance with embodiments of the invention were to impact a semi submerged or submerged object 911 with the hydrofoil assembly 208 or with the first strut 207 while the PHW may be riding on the hydrofoil assembly 208, there may be a high probability that the rider 299 may be launched forward or towards the bow of the PHW
and away from the PHW as the PHW may be braked in place by the semi submerged or submerged object 911. Having the having handlebar ends 205e bounded by the starboard sidewall 203s and the port sidewall 203p may result in the knees and thighs and calves of the human rider to slide along the starboard sidewall 203s and the port sidewall 203p and past the handle assembly 205 and past the handlebar ends 205e without being harmed by the handle assembly 205. This provides for a significant safety measure over that of the prior art. Furthermore the throttle and CGSA controls may be oriented Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 on the handlebars as such that when the PWC may be pitched forward due to the impact with the a semi submerged or submerged object 911, thumbs of the rider are above and not under the handle assembly 205, thereby further providing for further safety.

[00113] FIG. 6A illustrates a hydrofoil assembly that may include control surfaces 208cs for being actively controlled for controlling the pitching and the rolling motions of the personal hydrofoil watercraft.
FIG. 6B illustrates a hydrofoil assembly that may include dual propulsion system 2091 and 2092 that may provide for redundancy as well as for differential yaw control of the PHW. FIG. 6C and 6D
illustrates a hydrofoil assembly that may include a strut actuator 207sa, the strut actuator 207sa may move the second strut 2072 in a perpendicular bow stern direction in relation to the first strut 207. FIG.
6E and 6F illustrates a hydrofoil assembly that may include a hydrofoil distance actuator 207da, the hydrofoil distance actuator 207da may change a spacing between the first passively stable hydrofoil 2081 and the second passively stable hydrofoil 2082.

[00114] While the above description describes features of example embodiments, it will be appreciated that some features and/or functions of the described embodiments are susceptible to modification without departing from the spirit and principles of operation of the described embodiments. For example, the various characteristics which are described by means of the represented embodiments or examples may be selectively combined with each Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 other. Accordingly, what has been described above is intended to be illustrative of the claimed concept and non-limiting. It will be understood by persons skilled in the art that other variants and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims appended hereto. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments and examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 Claims:
What is claimed is:
[Claim 1] 1. A personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 for being used by a human rider 299 in a body of water 298 comprising:
an enclosed hull 201 having a flotation volume 202 and comprising a bow 200b and a stern 200s and a deck surface 200d abutting a starboard sidewall 203s and a port sidewall 203p extending from the bow 200b to the stern 200s, the enclosed hull 201 having a bow to stern length 200L (L) along a bow to stern axis 200x greater than a starboard and port sidewall width 200w (W) along a starboard and port axis 200y where the bow to stern axis 200x;
a bow to stern plane 200p comprising the bow to stern axis 200x and bisecting the enclosed hull 201 to a starboard side 200ss and a port side 200ps;
a seating assembly 204 attached to the deck surface 200d proximate the stern 200s for accommodating a buttocks 299b of the human rider 299 with the human rider 299 straddling the seating assembly 204 and the deck surface 200d proximate the stern 200s with calves 299c of the human rider 299 facing the starboard and port sidewalls (203s, 203p);
a handle assembly 205 proximate the bow 200b for being held onto by hands 299h of the human rider 299;
a center of gravity shifting assembly (CGSA) 216 for shifting a center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 and disposed beneath the seating assembly 204 comprising a CGSA
motion body 216b fixedly attached with the enclosed hull 201 and proximate the body of water 298, a CGSA motion platform 216p movably coupled with the CGSA motion body 216b, the CGSA motion platform 216p for moving in relation to the CGSA motion body 216b for shifting a center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 in one of:
the bow to stern plane 200p, and the bow to stern plane 200p and perpendicular to the bow to stern plane 200p along the starboard and port axis 200y, a first strut 207 having a proximal end 207p and a distal end 207d, the proximal end 207p fixedly interconnected with the CGSA motion body;
a hydrofoil assembly 208 fixedly interconnected with the distal end 207d of the strut 207, a propulsion system 209 disposed proximate the distal end 207d of the strut for propelling the watercraft 200 in the body of water, wherein the human rider 299 is for being seated in place contacting the seating assembly 204 and holding onto the handle assembly 205 and where the (CGSA) 216 is for being controllably adjusted along the bow to stern plane 200p for controllably adjusting the center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 causing a pitch of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 within the bow to stern plane 200p and for being controllably adjusted Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 within the bow to stern plane 200p for controllably adjusting the center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 causing pitching movement of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 within the bow to stern plane 200p and for being controllably adjusted parallel with the starboard and port axis 200y for controllably adjusting a roll of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200.
[Claim 2] 2. A
personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 1 wherein the CGSA 216 comprises:
the CGSA motion body 216b comprising:
a first linear motion body 206b fixedly attached with the enclosed hull 201 opposite the deck and proximate the stern 201s and the CGSA motion platform 216p comprises:
a first linear motion platform 206p translationally coupled with the first linear motion body 206b, the first strut 207 proximal end 207p fixedly interconnected with the first linear motion platform 206p and bisected by the bow to stern plane 200p, first linear motion platform 206p for controllably moving of the first strut 207 within the bow to stern plane 200p and for the controllable adjusting the pitch of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 [Claim 3] 3. A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 1 wherein the CGSA 216 comprises:
the CGSA motion body 216b comprising:
a first linear motion body 206b fixedly attached with the enclosed hull 201 opposite the deck and proximate the stern 201s and the CGSA motion platform 216p comprises:
a first linear motion platform 206p translationally coupled with the first linear motion body 206b, a second linear motion body 226b fixedly coupled with first linear motion platform 206p;
a second linear motion platform 226p translationally coupled with the second linear motion body 226b, the first strut 207 proximal end 207p fixedly interconnected with the second linear motion platform 226p, wherein the first linear motion platform 206p is for controllably moving of the first strut 207 parallel with the bow to stern plane 200p for the controllable adjusting the pitch of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 along the bow to stern plane 200p and the second linear motion platform 226p is for controllably moving of the first strut 207 perpendicular with the bow to stern plane 200p for the controllable adjusting the roll of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200.
[Claim 4] 3. A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 1 wherein the CGSA 216 comprises:
the CGSA motion body 216b comprising:
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 a first linear motion body 206b fixedly attached with the enclosed hull 201 opposite the deck and proximate the stern 201s and the CGSA motion platform 216p comprises:
a first linear motion platform 206p translationally coupled with the first linear motion body 206b, a second tilting motion body 236b fixedly coupled with first linear motion platform 206p;
a second tilting motion platform 236p pivotally coupled with the second linear motion body 226b for pivoting about a second tilting pivot axis 236a, the first strut 207 proximal end 207p fixedly interconnected with the a second tilting motion platform 236p, wherein the strut distal end 207d is for pivoting about the second tilting pivot axis 236a for being at an angle to the bow to stern plane 200p.
[Claim 5]5. A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 1 comprising a bow-stern dividing plane 220 for dividing the enclosed hull 201 into a bow section 221 and a stern section 222, the bow section 221 comprising:
a bow deck surface 200db;
a substantially waterproof compartment 211 formed within the bow section 221 comprising a battery unit 212 and a PHW
control assembly 213, which comprises control electronics and circuitry for controlling electrical components of the PHW 200;
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 an access hatch 211h for providing controllably access to the waterproof compartment 211 for inserting and removing of the battery unit 212 from the substantially waterproof compartment 211;
the handle assembly 205;
the stern section 222 comprising:
a stern deck surface 200ds onto which is mounted the seating assembly 204,the CGSA motion platform 216p movably coupled with the CGSA motion body 216b, the strut 207.
[Claim 6]6. A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 5 wherein the bow deck surface 200db and the stern deck surface 200ds intersect at an angle of between 15 and 45 degrees.
[Claim 7]7. A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 5 wherein the bow deck surface 200db comprises the handle assembly 205 attached with a handle assembly deck surface 200dh, wherein the handle assembly 205 is one of fixedly mounted with the handle assembly deck surface 200dh and rotationally mounted with the handle assembly deck surface 200dh for rotating about a steering axis 200sa for rotating within plus and minus 15 degrees about the steering axis 200sa.
[Claim 8]8. A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 7 wherein stern section 222 comprising the stern deck surface 200ds and a transom surface 200dt, the transom surface 200dt extending Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 from the stern deck surface 200ds distally towards the stern 200s, wherein the bow deck surface 200db and transom surface 200dt form a mirror angle with the bow-stern dividing plane 220.
[Claim 9]9. A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 5 wherein the flotation volume 202 comprises a bow section flotation volume 202bf and a stern section flotation volume 202sf, wherein the flotation volumes are within 20 percent of each other.
[Claim 10] 10. A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 1 wherein a side view of the enclosed hull 201 comprises a banana shape.
[Claim 11] 11. A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim wherein the CGSA motion body 216b is for controllably adjusting the center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 between the bow section 221 and the stern section 222 and past the bow-stern dividing plane 220.
[Claim 12] 12. A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 1 wherein the enclosed hull 201 comprises a hull surface 201hs and comprising a split line 200s1 propagating from the bow 200b to the stern 200s along the port and starboard sides, the split line 200s1 on each side abutting the starboard sidewall 203s and the port sidewall 203p and the split line 200s1 abutting the hull surface 201hs.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 [Claim 1 3] 13. A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 1 wherein the watercraft comprises:
other than a movable watercraft roll control system and rolling of the watercraft is induced through lateral shifting of the buttocks of the human rider 299 along the seating assembly 204 in parallel with the starboard and port axis 200y and away from the bow to stern plane 200p for causing the center of gravity to move laterally away from the bow to stern plane 200p, the watercraft controllably rolling about a roll axis 200ra in the direction of the center of gravity shift wherein an amount of the center of gravity shift is proportional to the amount of watercraft controllably rolling, and controllably adjust of the pitch attitude by changing the position of the linear motion platform 206p with respect to the linear motion body 206b as well as through the controllable generation of thrust 999.
[Claim 1 4] 14. A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 1 wherein the hydrofoil assembly 208 comprises a first passively stable hydrofoil 2081 and a second passively stable hydrofoil 2081, wherein the first passively stable hydrofoil 2081 has a larger surface area than the second passively stable hydrofoil 2081 and wherein the propulsion system 209 is disposed between the first passively stable hydrofoil 2081 and the second passively stable hydrofoil 2082 and both the first passively stable hydrofoil 2081 and the second passively Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 stable hydrofoil 2082 are fixedly interconnected with the distal end 207d of the first strut 207 and spaced apart from each other using at a separation through a second strut 2072.
[Claim 1 5] 15. A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 1 wherein the handle assembly 205 comprises:
a tubular member 205h mounted to the enclosed hull 201 proximate the bow 200b, the tubular member 205h having handlebar ends 205e bounded by the starboard sidewall 203s and the port sidewall 203p and not extending past the starboard sidewall 203s and the port sidewall 203p, the tubular member spaced from the enclosed hull and further comprising handlebar grips 205g for being held onto by hands 299h of the human rider 299.
[Claim 16] 16. A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim wherein the handle assembly 205 comprises:
a throttle assembly electrically coupled with the PHW
control assembly 213 for being operated by a portion of the right hand of the rider;
a CGSA motion platform control assembly 205p electrically coupled with the PHW control assembly 213, PHW control assembly 213 for receiving a throttle signal from the throttle assembly for controllably affecting a thrust of the propulsion system 209 and for receiving a CGSA motion platform control signal from the CGSA
motion platform control assembly 205p for controllably positioning of Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 the CGSA motion platform control assembly 205p with respect to the CGSA motion body 216b along the bow to stern plane.
[Claim 1 7] 17. A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 13 wherein the bow deck surface 200db comprises the handle assembly 205 attached with a handle assembly deck surface 200dh, wherein the handle assembly 205 is rotationally mounted with the handle assembly deck surface 200dh for rotating about a steering axis 200s for rotating within at most plus and minus 15 degrees about the steering axis 200s, wherein the lateral shifting of the buttocks of the human rider 299 along the seating assembly 204 to the port side pushes on the port side of the handle assembly 205 towards the bow and thereby extending the left arm of the rider and wherein the lateral shifting of the buttocks of the human rider 299 along the seating assembly 204 to the starboard side pushes on the starboard side of the handle assembly 205 towards the bow and thereby extending the right arm of the rider.
[Claim 1 8] 18. A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 1 wherein the watercraft comprises:
other than a movable steering system and steering of the watercraft through causing a roll of the watercraft through lateral shifting of the buttocks of the human rider 299 along the seating assembly 204 in parallel with the starboard and port axis 200y to Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 control roll attitude and to controllably adjust of the pitch attitude by changing a position of the linear motion platform 206p with respect to the linear motion body 206b as well as through the controllable generation of thrust.
[Claim 19] 19. A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 1 comprising a first foot support 241 and a second foot support 242, wherein the first and second foot support extend away from the hull assembly parallel with the starboard and port axis 200y, the foot support for each accommodating a midsole of a foot of the rider.
[Claim 20] 20. A personal hydrofoil watercraft comprising:
an enclosed hull 201 having a flotation volume 202 and comprising a bow 200b and a stern 200s and a deck surface 200d abutting a starboard sidewall 203s and a port sidewall 203p extending from the bow 200b to the stern 200s, the enclosed hull 201 having a bow to stern length 200L (L) along a bow to stern axis 200x greater than a starboard and port sidewall width 200w (W) along a starboard and port axis 200y where the bow to stern axis 200x;
sitting a human rider 299 on a seating assembly 204 attached to the deck surface 200d and the human rider straddling the seating assembly 204 and the deck surface;
gripping to a handle assembly 205 proximate the bow 200b;
controllably applying underwater thrust to lift the enclosed hull 201 away from the water surface through lift being Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 generated by a hydrofoil assembly disposed beneath the water surface and supporting of the personal hydrofoil watercraft and the rider through the generated lift;
controllably pitching of the personal hydrofoil watercraft through controllably adjusting the center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft in the bow stern plane;
controllably rolling of the personal hydrofoil watercraft through controllably adjusting the center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft in a direction perpendicular to the bow stern plane.
[Claim 21] 21. A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 20 wherein the controllably adjusting the center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft involves movement of the hydrofoil assembly relative to the seated rider in at least the bow stern plane and the bow stern plane and the direction perpendicular to the bow stern plane.
[Claim 22] 22. A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 21 providing a center of gravity shifting assembly (CGSA) 216 for shifting a center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 and disposed beneath the seating assembly 204 comprising:
a CGSA motion body 216b fixedly attached with the enclosed hull 201 and proximate the body of water 298, a CGSA motion platform 216p movably coupled with the CGSA motion body 216b, the CGSA motion platform 216p for Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 moving in relation to the CGSA motion body 216b for shifting a center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 in one of:
the bow to stern plane 200p, and the bow to stern plane 200p and perpendicular to the bow to stern plane 200p along the starboard and port axis 200y.
[Claim 23] 23. A
personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 22 comprising a first strut 207 having a proximal end 207p and a distal end 207d, the proximal end 207p fixedly interconnected with the CGSA motion body;
a hydrofoil assembly 208 fixedly interconnected with the distal end 207d of the strut 207, a propulsion system 209 disposed proximate the distal end 207d of the strut for propelling the watercraft 200 in the body of water, wherein the human rider 299 is for being seated in place contacting the seating assembly 204 and holding onto the handle assembly 205 and where the (CGSA) 216 is for being controllably adjusted along the bow to stern plane 200p for controllably adjusting the center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 causing a pitch of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 within the bow to stern plane 200p along a hydrofoil assembly pitch axis and for being controllably adjusted within the bow to stern plane 200p for controllably adjusting the center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 causing pitching movement of the personal Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 hydrofoil watercraft 200 within the bow to stern plane 200p along the hydrofoil assembly pitch axis and for being controllably adjusted parallel with the starboard and port axis 200y for controllably adjusting a roll of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 about a hydrofoil assembly roll axis 200ra.
[Claim 24] 24. A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 1 wherein the rolling movement of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 is about the hydrofoil assembly roll axis 200ra when the proximal end 207p of the first strut and the enclosed hull 201 are above a surface of the body of water.
[Claim 25] 25. A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 1 wherein the pitching movement of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 is about the hydrofoil assembly pitch axis 200pa when the proximal end 207p of the first strut and the enclosed hull 201 are above a surface of the body of water.
[Claim 26] 26. A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 1 wherein the pitching movement of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 is about the hull pitch axis (HPA) 232 when the proximal end 207p of the first strut is below a surface of the body of water and the enclosed hull 201 is buoyant and floating on the body of water.
[Claim 27] 27. A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 2 when the enclosed hull 201 is lifted above the water surface and the weight of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 is being supported by the hydrofoil assembly 208 and the hydrofoil assembly 208 is Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 propagating through the water, then the first linear motion platform 206p for controllably moving of the strut 207 controls the pitch of the watercraft about the HAPA.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 Abstract A novel a personal hydrofoil watercraft with a controllably adjustable center of gravity is disclosed.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 A Personal Hydrofoil Watercraft with a Controllably Adjustable Center of Gravity CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/142,146 filed on January 27, 2021.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[002] The technical field relates to personal watercraft and more specifically to a personal hydrofoil watercraft with a controllably adjustable center of gravity.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[003] Many surfboards on the market for use on water include a hydrofoil, from kiteboards to surfboards. On sailboards and kiteboards, hydrofoils enable higher speeds and they also enable the board to ride above the water and to prevent slapping of the board on the water surface, which may yield a quieter experience. Furthermore this may allow for riding on turbulent surface of the water. Submerged hydrofoils may provide adequate lift for the surfboard while operating at a lower drag than planning hulls. Although riding on an underwater foil or "foiling" can be considered similar to traditional surfing, foil surfing is significantly different than riding a standard surfboard or stand-up paddleboard on the water surface. Riding on a foil requires a different skillset and may not be so easy for novice riders.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 [004] As of more recent foiling devices can be powered by electric motors, such as those found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,586,659, 9,359,044 issued to Langelaan. A factor that differentiates surfboards from other watercraft is that control thereof is affected via weight shift rather than by moveable underwater surfaces. Weight shifting is used to control the speed and direction.
[005] Tian U.S. Pat. No. 10,099,754 discloses a "Motorized hydrofoil device" which is in the shape of a surfboard and uses automatic stability control with underwater control surfaces to generate corrective response to various destabilizing hydrodynamic effects to increase the stability of the hydrofoil device. Amongst one of the illustrations, the user may sit on the device and hold onto handlebars mounted to the surfboard upper surface, however there is no additional description to the functions. Such a fully active stabilised device does not offer instability and as such may not be so exciting to operate for more experienced users. It may prove to work well with novice users who wish to sit on an electric surfboard.
[006] Unfortunately, for many novice users, weight shifting and balance are not easy to achieve and are typically frustrating when learning a new sport such as surfing and many novice users end up not pursuing the activity due to the steep learning curve and also because of potential injury which may result from the learning experience and the frustrations that may result. Many novice users fear falling from a standing position into the water.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 [007] In addition, many pleasure watercraft have a large majority of the device floating above the water. In the case of foil based watercraft, there is a large portion of the craft below the water surface, and hitting a submerged object (such as a log floating just below the water surface) may result for the user to fly off the watercraft projecting the rider forward. In the case of the handlebars shown in U.S. Pat. No. 10,099,754, the user may end up impaling themselves and causing potential bodily harm through impacting the handlebars.
[008] Unless the motorized surfboard is fully controlled through sensing and control electronics, when the user is seated in a fixed position, the watercraft may porpoise as well as watercraft roll control (or motion that causes the watercraft to turn) may not be easily achievable. Furthermore, the watercraft may porpoise as a seated user is unable to control the pitch of the watercraft when having their body position fixed in relation to the watercraft body. With respect to U.S.
Pat. No. 10,099,754, the case of porpoising may be reduced by offering various underwater control surfaces to actively stabilise the pitch and roll of the device through movement of underwater control surfaces attached to the foil (similar to ailerons and elevators found on an airplane) however this may not prove to be a hydrodynamic option and unnecessary underwater drag may be introduced as well as complication of software control necessary to achieve the aforementioned.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 [009] In some of the prior art, there are also watercraft that feature multiple foils, for example one in the front and one in the back of the watercraft with multiple foil support struts, unfortunately these do not allow the watercraft to quick turning and may not be optimal for use by experienced riders.
[0010] A need therefore exists for a personal watercraft that addressees some of the aforementioned deficiencies for operating of the watercraft while seated. Furthermore a need exists that provides improved control for novice riders as well as advanced riders and that does not provide for a surfing experience. Furthermore this watercraft should be easy to transport, and easy to maintain and better for the environment than gas powered counterparts.
SUMMARY
[0011] The following introduction is provided to introduce the reader to the more detailed description to follow and not to limit or define any claimed or as yet unclaimed invention. One or more inventions may reside in any combination or sub-combination of the elements or process steps disclosed in any part of this document including its claims and figures.
[0012] In accordance with a broad aspect, there is provided a personal hydrofoil watercraft for being used by a human rider in a body of water comprising: an enclosed hull having a flotation volume and comprising a bow and a stern and a deck surface abutting a Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 starboard sidewall and a port sidewall extending from the bow to the stern, the enclosed hull having a bow to stern length (L) along a bow to stern axis greater than a starboard and port sidewall width (W) along a starboard and port axis; a bow to stern plane comprising the bow to stern axis and bisecting the enclosed hull to a starboard side and a port side; a seating assembly attached to the deck surface proximate the stern for accommodating a buttocks of the human rider with the human rider straddling the seating assembly and the deck surface proximate the stern with calves of the human rider facing the starboard and port sidewalls; a handle assembly proximate the bow for being held onto by hands of the human rider; a center of gravity shifting assembly for shifting a center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft and disposed at least partially beneath the seating assembly comprising a center of gravity shifting assembly motion body fixedly attached with the enclosed hull and proximate the body of water, a center of gravity shifting assembly motion platform movably coupled with the center of gravity shifting assembly motion body, the center of gravity shifting assembly motion platform for moving in relation to the center of gravity shifting assembly motion body for shifting a center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft in one of: the bow to stern plane, and the bow to stern plane and perpendicular to the bow to stern plane along the starboard and port axis, a first strut having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end fixedly interconnected with the center of gravity shifting assembly motion body; a hydrofoil assembly fixedly interconnected Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 with the distal end of the strut, a propulsion system disposed proximate the distal end of the strut for propelling the watercraft in the body of water, wherein the human rider is for being seated in place contacting the seating assembly and holding onto the handle assembly and where the center of gravity shifting assembly is for being one of: controllably adjusted along the bow to stern plane for controllably adjusting the center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft causing a pitch of the personal hydrofoil watercraft within the bow to stern plane; controllably adjusted within the bow to stern plane for controllably adjusting the center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft causing pitching movement of the personal hydrofoil watercraft within the bow to stern plane and for being controllably adjusted parallel with the starboard and port axis for controllably adjusting a roll of the personal hydrofoil watercraft.
[0013] In some embodiments of the disclosure a personal hydrofoil watercraft is provided wherein the center of gravity shifting assembly comprises: the center of gravity shifting assembly motion body comprising: a first linear motion body fixedly attached with the enclosed hull opposite the deck and proximate the stern and the center of gravity shifting assembly motion platform comprises: a first linear motion platform translationally coupled with the first linear motion body, the first strut proximal end fixedly interconnected with the first linear motion platform and bisected by the bow to stern plane, first linear motion platform for controllably moving of the first Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 strut within the bow to stern plane and for the controllable adjusting the pitch of the personal hydrofoil watercraft.
[0014] In some embodiments of the disclosure a personal hydrofoil watercraft is provided wherein the center of gravity shifting assembly comprises: the center of gravity shifting assembly motion body comprising: a first linear motion body fixedly attached with the enclosed hull opposite the deck and proximate the stern and the center of gravity shifting assembly motion platform comprises: a first linear motion platform translationally coupled with the first linear motion body, a second linear motion body fixedly coupled with first linear motion platform; a second linear motion platform translationally coupled with the second linear motion body, the first strut proximal end fixedly interconnected with the second linear motion platform, wherein the first linear motion platform is for controllably moving of the first strut parallel with the bow to stern plane for the controllable adjusting the pitch of the personal hydrofoil watercraft along the bow to stern plane and the second linear motion platform is for controllably moving of the first strut perpendicular with the bow to stern plane for the controllable adjusting the roll of the personal hydrofoil watercraft.
[0015] In some embodiments of the disclosure a personal hydrofoil watercraft is provided wherein the center of gravity shifting assembly comprises: the center of gravity shifting assembly motion body comprising: a second tilting motion body fixedly attached with the Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 enclosed hull opposite the deck and proximate the stern; a second tilting motion platform pivotally coupled with the second linear motion body for pivoting about a second tilting pivot axis; a first linear motion platform translationally coupled with the second tilting motion platform for translating along the second tilting pivot axis, wherein when the second tilting motion platform pivots about the second tilting pivot axis a translation of the first linear motion platform along the second tilting pivot axis results, the first strut proximal end fixedly interconnected with the first linear motion platform, wherein the strut distal end is for pivoting about the second tilting pivot axis for being at an angle to the bow to stern plane.
[0016] In some embodiments of the disclosure a personal hydrofoil watercraft is provided where there is included a bow-stern dividing plane for dividing the enclosed hull into a bow section and a stern section, the bow section comprising: a bow deck surface; a substantially waterproof compartment formed within the bow section comprising a battery unit and a personal hydrofoil watercraft control assembly, which comprises control electronics and circuitry for controlling electrical components of the personal hydrofoil watercraft;
an access hatch for providing controllably access to the waterproof compartment for inserting and removing of the battery unit from the substantially waterproof compartment; the handle assembly; the stern section comprising: a stern deck surface onto which is mounted the seating assembly, the center of gravity shifting assembly motion Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 platform movably coupled with the center of gravity shifting assembly motion body, the strut.
[0017] In some embodiments of the disclosure a personal hydrofoil watercraft is provided wherein stern section comprising the stern deck surface and a transom surface, the transom surface extending from the stern deck surface distally towards the stern, wherein the bow deck surface and transom surface form a mirror angle with the bow-stern dividing plane.
[0018] In some embodiments of the disclosure a personal hydrofoil watercraft is provided wherein the flotation volume comprises a bow section flotation volume and a stern section flotation volume, wherein the flotation volumes are within twenty percent of each other.
[0019] In some embodiments of the disclosure a personal hydrofoil watercraft is provided wherein a side view of the enclosed hull comprises a banana shape.
[0020] In some embodiments of the disclosure a personal hydrofoil watercraft is provided where the center of gravity shifting assembly motion body is for controllably adjusting the center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft between the bow section and the stern section and past the bow-stern dividing plane.
[0021] In some embodiments of the disclosure a personal hydrofoil watercraft is provided where the enclosed hull comprises a hull surface Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 and comprising a split line propagating from the bow to the stern along the port and starboard sides, the split line on each side abutting the starboard sidewall and the port sidewall and the split line abutting the hull surface.
[0022] In some embodiments of the disclosure a personal hydrofoil watercraft is provided where other than a movable watercraft roll control system and rolling of the watercraft is induced through lateral shifting of the buttocks of the human rider along the seating assembly in parallel with the starboard and port axis and away from the bow to stern plane for causing the center of gravity to move laterally away from the bow to stern plane, the watercraft controllably rolling about a roll axis in the direction of the center of gravity shift wherein an amount of the center of gravity shift is proportional to the amount of watercraft controllably rolling, and controllably adjust of the pitch attitude by changing the position of the linear motion platform with respect to the linear motion body as well as through the controllable generation of thrust.
[0023] In some embodiments of the disclosure a personal hydrofoil watercraft is provided wherein the hydrofoil assembly comprises a first passively stable hydrofoil and a second passively stable hydrofoil, wherein the first passively stable hydrofoil has a larger surface area than the second passively stable hydrofoil and wherein the propulsion system is disposed between the first passively stable hydrofoil and the second passively stable hydrofoil and both the first passively stable Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 hydrofoil and the second passively stable hydrofoil are fixedly interconnected with the distal end of the first strut and spaced apart from each other using at a separation through a second strut, which is fixedly interconnected with the distal end of the first strut.
[0024] In some embodiments of the disclosure a personal hydrofoil watercraft is provided wherein the handle assembly comprises: a tubular member mounted to the enclosed hull proximate the bow, the tubular member having handlebar ends bounded by the starboard sidewall and the port sidewall and not extending past the starboard sidewall and the port sidewall, the tubular member spaced from the enclosed hull and further comprising handlebar grips for being held onto by hands of the human rider.
[0025] In some embodiments of the disclosure a personal hydrofoil watercraft is provided wherein the handle assembly comprises: a throttle assembly electrically coupled with the personal hydrofoil watercraft control assembly for being operated by a portion of the right hand of the rider; a center of gravity shifting assembly motion platform control assembly electrically coupled with the personal hydrofoil watercraft control assembly, personal hydrofoil watercraft control assembly for receiving a throttle signal from the throttle assembly for controllably affecting a thrust of the propulsion system and for receiving a center of gravity shifting assembly motion platform control signal from the center of gravity shifting assembly motion Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 platform control assembly for controllably positioning of the center of gravity shifting assembly motion platform control assembly with respect to the center of gravity shifting assembly motion body along the bow to stern plane.
[0026] In some embodiments of the disclosure a personal hydrofoil watercraft is provided wherein the watercraft comprises: other than a movable steering system and steering of the watercraft through causing a roll of the watercraft through lateral shifting of the buttocks of the human rider along the seating assembly in parallel with the starboard and port axis to control roll attitude and to controllably adjust of the pitch attitude by changing a position of the linear motion platform with respect to the linear motion body as well as through the controllable generation of thrust.
[0027] In accordance with a broad aspect, there is provided a personal hydrofoil watercraft comprising: an enclosed hull having a flotation volume and comprising a bow and a stern and a deck surface abutting a starboard sidewall and a port sidewall extending from the bow to the stern, the enclosed hull having a bow to stern length along a bow to stern axis greater than a starboard and port sidewall width along a starboard and port axis where the bow to stern axis is perpendicular with the starboard and port axis; sitting a human rider on a seating assembly attached to the deck surface and the human rider straddling the seating assembly and the deck surface; gripping to a handle assembly proximate the bow; controllably applying Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 underwater thrust to lift the enclosed hull away from the water surface through lift being generated by a hydrofoil assembly disposed beneath the water surface and propagating through the water, the hydrofoil assembly supporting of the personal hydrofoil watercraft and the rider through the generated lift; controllably pitching of the personal hydrofoil watercraft through controllably adjusting the center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft along the bow stern plane;
controllably rolling of the personal hydrofoil watercraft through controllably adjusting the center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft in a direction perpendicular to the bow stern plane, the flotation volume for providing flotation of the personal hydrofoil watercraft and the sitting human rider, wherein the handle assembly is above a water surface.
[0028] In some embodiments of the disclosure a personal hydrofoil watercraft is provided wherein the controllably adjusting the center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft involves movement of the hydrofoil assembly relative to the seated rider in one of the bow stern plane and the bow stern plane and the direction perpendicular to the bow stern plane.
[0029] In some embodiments of the disclosure a personal hydrofoil watercraft is provided where a center of gravity shifting assembly for shifting a center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft and disposed at least partially beneath the seating assembly comprising: a center of gravity shifting assembly motion body fixedly attached with Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 the enclosed hull and proximate the body of water, a center of gravity shifting assembly motion platform movably coupled with the center of gravity shifting assembly motion body, the center of gravity shifting assembly motion platform for moving in relation to the center of gravity shifting assembly motion body for shifting a center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft in one of: the bow to stern plane, and the bow to stern plane and perpendicular to the bow to stern plane along the starboard and port axis.
[0030] In some embodiments of the disclosure a personal hydrofoil watercraft is provided where there is provided a center of gravity shifting assembly for shifting a center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft and disposed at least partially beneath the seating assembly comprising: providing a second tilting motion body fixedly attached with the enclosed hull opposite the deck and proximate the stern; providing a second tilting motion platform pivotally coupled with the second linear motion body for pivoting about a second tilting pivot axis; providing a first linear motion platform translationally coupled with the second tilting motion platform for translating along the second tilting pivot axis, wherein when the second tilting motion platform pivots about the second tilting pivot axis a translation of the first linear motion platform along the second tilting pivot axis results, the first strut proximal end fixedly interconnected with the first linear motion platform, wherein the strut distal end for pivoting about the second tilting pivot axis for being at an angle to the bow to stern plane.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 [0031] In some embodiments of the disclosure a personal hydrofoil watercraft is provided having a first strut having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end fixedly interconnected with the center of gravity shifting assembly motion body; a hydrofoil assembly fixedly interconnected with the distal end of the strut, and a propulsion system disposed proximate the distal end of the strut for propelling the watercraft in the body of water, wherein the human rider is for being seated in place contacting the seating assembly and holding onto the handle assembly and where the center of gravity shifting assembly is for being controllably adjusted along the bow to stern plane for one of: controllably adjusting the center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft causing a pitch of the personal hydrofoil watercraft within the bow to stern plane along a hydrofoil assembly pitch axis and for being controllably adjusted within the bow to stern plane and, for controllably adjusting the center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft causing pitching movement of the personal hydrofoil watercraft within the bow to stern plane along the hydrofoil assembly pitch axis and for being controllably adjusted parallel with the starboard and port axis for controllably adjusting a roll of the personal hydrofoil watercraft about a hydrofoil assembly roll axis.
[0032] In some embodiments of the disclosure a personal hydrofoil watercraft is provided having a first strut having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end fixedly interconnected with the center of Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 gravity shifting assembly motion body; a hydrofoil assembly fixedly interconnected with the distal end of the strut and a proximal end of the hydrofoil assembly through a releasable connection, a propulsion system disposed proximate the distal end of the strut for propelling the watercraft in the body of water, wherein the human rider is for being seated in place contacting the seating assembly and holding onto the handle assembly and where the center of gravity shifting assembly is for one of: being controllably adjusted along the bow to stern plane for controllably adjusting the center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft causing a pitch of the personal hydrofoil watercraft within the bow to stern plane along a hydrofoil assembly pitch axis; and for being controllably adjusted within the bow to stern plane for controllably adjusting the center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft causing pitching movement of the personal hydrofoil watercraft within the bow to stern plane along the hydrofoil assembly pitch axis and for being controllably adjusted parallel with the starboard and port axis for controllably adjusting a roll of the personal hydrofoil watercraft about a hydrofoil assembly roll axis.
[0033] In some embodiments of the disclosure a personal hydrofoil watercraft is provided wherein the rolling movement of the personal hydrofoil watercraft is about the hydrofoil assembly roll axis when the proximal end of the first strut and the enclosed hull are above a surface of the body of water.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 [0034] In some embodiments of the disclosure a personal hydrofoil watercraft is provided wherein the pitching movement of the personal hydrofoil watercraft is about the hydrofoil assembly pitch axis when the proximal end of the first strut and the enclosed hull are above a surface of the body of water.
[0035] In some embodiments of the disclosure a personal hydrofoil watercraft is provided wherein the pitching movement of the personal hydrofoil watercraft is about the hull pitch axis when the proximal end of the first strut is below a surface of the body of water and the enclosed hull is buoyant and floating on the body of water.
[0036] In accordance with a broad aspect, there is provided a personal hydrofoil watercraft for being used by a human rider in a body of water comprising: an enclosed hull having a flotation volume and comprising a bow and a stern and a deck surface abutting a starboard sidewall and a port sidewall extending from the bow to the stern, the enclosed hull having a bow to stern length along a bow to stern axis where the bow to stern length is greater than a starboard and port sidewall width along a starboard and port axis; a bow to stern plane comprising the bow to stern axis and bisecting the enclosed hull to a starboard side and a port side; a seating assembly attached to the deck surface proximate the stern for accommodating a buttocks of the human rider with the human rider straddling the seating assembly and the deck surface proximate the stern; a handle assembly proximate the bow for being held onto by hands of the human rider; a center of gravity shifting assembly for shifting a center of gravity of the Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 personal hydrofoil watercraft and disposed at least partially beneath the seating assembly; a second tilting motion body fixedly attached with the enclosed hull opposite the deck and proximate the stern; a second tilting motion platform pivotally coupled with the second linear motion body for pivoting about a second tilting pivot axis; a first linear motion platform translationally coupled with the second tilting motion platform for translating along the second tilting pivot axis, wherein when the second tilting motion platform pivots about the second tilting pivot axis a translation of the first linear motion platform along the second tilting pivot axis, the first strut proximal end releasably interconnected with the first linear motion platform, wherein the strut distal end for pivoting about the second tilting pivot axis for being at an angle to the bow to stern plane; a hydrofoil assembly fixedly interconnected with the distal end of the strut having a propulsion system disposed proximate the distal end of the strut for propelling the watercraft in the body of water, the center of gravity shifting assembly for controllably adjusting the center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft causing pitching movement of the personal hydrofoil watercraft within the bow to stern plane along a hydrofoil assembly pitch axis and for being controllably adjusted parallel with the starboard and port axis for controllably adjusting a roll of the personal hydrofoil watercraft about a hydrofoil assembly roll axis, the hydrofoil assembly comprising a first passively stable hydrofoil and a second passively stable hydrofoil, wherein the first passively stable hydrofoil has a larger surface area than the second Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 passively stable hydrofoil and comprises the hydrofoil assembly pitch axis along its width and wherein the propulsion system is disposed between the first passively stable hydrofoil and the second passively stable hydrofoil and both the first passively stable hydrofoil and the second passively stable hydrofoil are fixedly interconnected with the distal end of the first strut and spaced apart from each other using at a separation through a second strut comprising the hydrofoil assembly roll axis along its length, which is fixedly interconnected with the distal end of the first strut.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] For a better understanding of the described embodiments and to show more clearly how they may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0038] FIG. 1A illustrates a side view of prior art hydrofoil device;
[0039] FIG. 1B illustrates a side view of a user kneeling on a prior art hydrofoil device;
[0040] FIG. 1C illustrates a side view of a user kneeling on a prior art hydrofoil device with the hydrofoil device pitch upwards and to porpoise;
[0041] FIG. 1D illustrates a perspective view of another prior art watercraft having first and second hydrofoil assemblies;
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 [0042] FIG. lE illustrates a side view of a user shifting their upper body weight forward (towards a bow) to move a center of gravity in a forward direction;
[0043] FIG. 1F illustrates a side view of a user shifting their upper body weight backward (towards a stern) to move a center of gravity in a backwards direction;
[0044] FIG. 2A illustrates a side and top perspective view of a personal hydrofoil watercraft for being used by a human rider in a body of water and in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;
[0045] FIG. 28 illustrates a bottom perspective view of a personal hydrofoil watercraft for being used by a human rider in a body of water;
[0046] FIG. 2C illustrates a front view of a personal hydrofoil watercraft for being used by a human rider in a body of water;
[0047] FIG. 2D illustrates a top view of a personal hydrofoil watercraft for being used by a human rider in a body of water;
[0048] FIG. 2E illustrates a top view of a personal hydrofoil watercraft with an access hatch being shown closed;
[0049] FIG. 2F illustrates a top view of a personal hydrofoil watercraft with an access hatch being shown open;
[0050] FIG. 2G illustrates a side view of a personal hydrofoil watercraft being used by a human rider in a body of water and a linear motion platform controllably adjusted a center of gravity towards a stern of the watercraft;
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 [0051] FIG. 2H illustrates a side view of a personal hydrofoil watercraft being used by a human rider in a body of water and a linear motion platform controllably adjusted a center of gravity towards a bow of the watercraft;
[0052] FIG. 2i illustrates a side view of a personal hydrofoil watercraft in a body of water and a linear motion platform controllably adjusted a center of gravity towards a stern of the watercraft;
[0053] FIG. 2j illustrates a side view of a personal hydrofoil watercraft in a body of water and a linear motion platform controllably adjusted a center of gravity towards a bow of the watercraft;
[0054] FIG. 2K illustrates a side view of a personal hydrofoil watercraft with a bow stern diving plane that divides the watercraft into a bow section and a stern section;
[0055] FIG. 2L illustrates an exemplary control system and systems schematic for controlling of a personal hydrofoil watercraft by a human rider;
[0056] FIG. 2M illustrates a handle assembly for being held onto by hands of a human rider;
[0057] FIG. 2N illustrates a hydrofoil assembly and strut and the propulsion system from a perspective stern view;
[0058] FIG. 20 illustrates a hydrofoil assembly a and a strut a and a propulsion system a from a port side view and in use;
[0059] FIG. 2P illustrates a neutral or central position of a linear motion platform with respect to an enclosed hull with a human rider boarding a personal hydrofoil watercraft from a stern;
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 [0060] FIG. 2Q illustrates a bottom perspective view of a center of gravity shifting assembly motion body and a center of gravity shifting assembly motion platform;
[0061] FIG. 2R illustrates a perspective and exploded view of the center of gravity shifting assembly with a center of gravity shifting assembly motion platform removed from the center of gravity shifting assembly motion body;
[0062] FIG. 2S illustrates a front cutaway view of the center of gravity shifting assembly;
[0063] FIG. 2T illustrates a personal hydrofoil watercraft mounted on top of a roof rack attached on a roof of a vehicle;
[0064] FIG. 3A illustrates steering in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention of a personal hydrofoil watercraft;
[0065] FIG. 3B illustrates steering in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention of a personal hydrofoil watercraft;
[0066] FIG. 3C illustrates a front view of a personal hydrofoil watercraft for being used by a human rider in a body of water in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention with a center of gravity being shifted towards a port side;
[0067] FIG. 3D illustrates a front view of a personal hydrofoil watercraft for being used by a human rider in a body of water in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention with a center of gravity being shifted towards a starboard side;
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 [0068] FIG. 3E illustrates an exemplary control system and systems schematic for controlling of the personal hydrofoil watercraft in accordance with the third embodiment of the invention;
[0069] FIG. 4A illustrates a front view of a personal hydrofoil watercraft for being used by a human rider in a body of water in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention with a center of gravity being shifted towards a port side;
[0070] FIG. 48 illustrates a front view of a personal hydrofoil watercraft for being used by a human rider in a body of water in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention with a center of gravity being shifted towards a starboard side;
[0071] FIG. 4C illustrates top perspective view of a center of gravity shifting assembly in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention;
[0072] FIG. 4D illustrates a front view of a center of gravity shifting assembly and motion platform in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention;
[0073] FIG. 4E illustrates a bottom perspective view of a center of gravity shifting assembly and motion platform in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the invention;
[0074] FIG. 4F illustrates a bottom perspective view of second tilting motion platform;
[0075] FIG. 4G illustrates a perspective view of a mechanical linkage between handlebar assembly and a second tilting motion platform;
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 [0076] FIG. 4H illustrates a personal hydrofoil watercraft in accordance with embodiments having an inflatable flotation volume;
[0077] FIG. 5A illustrates a side view of a personal hydrofoil watercraft in accordance with embodiments of the invention and in use and prior to impact a semi submerged or submerged object;
[0078] FIG. 5B illustrates a side view of a personal hydrofoil watercraft in accordance with embodiments of the invention and in use and after impacting a semi submerged or submerged object;
[0079] FIG. 6A illustrates a hydrofoil assembly that may include adjustable control surfaces;
[0080] FIG. 6B illustrates a hydrofoil assembly that may include dual propulsion system;
[0081] FIG. 6C illustrates a hydrofoil assembly that may include a strut actuator with a second strut oriented towards a stern;
[0082] FIG. 6D illustrates a hydrofoil assembly that may include a strut actuator with a second strut oriented towards a bow;
[0083] FIG. 6E illustrates a hydrofoil assembly that may include a hydrofoil spacing actuator with a reduced spacing between a first passively stable hydrofoil and a second passively stable hydrofoil; and [0084] FIG. 6F illustrates a hydrofoil assembly that may include a hydrofoil spacing actuator with an increased spacing between a first passively stable hydrofoil and a second passively stable hydrofoil.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 [0085] Various apparatuses, methods and compositions are described below to provide an example of an embodiment of each claimed invention. No embodiment described below limits any claimed invention and any claimed invention may cover apparatuses and methods that differ from those described below. The claimed inventions are not limited to apparatuses, methods and compositions having all of the features of any one apparatus, method or composition described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses, methods or compositions described below. It is possible that an apparatus, method or composition described below is not an embodiment of any claimed invention. Any invention disclosed in an apparatus, method or composition described below that is not claimed in this document may be the subject matter of another protective instrument, for example, a continuing patent application, and the applicant(s), inventor(s) and/or owner(s) do not intend to abandon, disclaim, or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in this document.
[0086] Furthermore, it will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the example embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the example embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the example embodiments described herein. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the example embodiments described herein.
[0087] The terms "an embodiment," "embodiment," "embodiments,"
"the embodiment," "the embodiments," "one or more embodiments,"
"some embodiments," and "one embodiment" mean "one or more (but not all) embodiments of the present invention(s)," unless expressly specified otherwise.
[0088] The terms "including," "comprising," and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to," unless expressly specified otherwise. A listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms "a," "an," and "the" mean "one or more," unless expressly specified otherwise.
[0089] FIGs. 1B and1C illustrates a human rider 199 kneeling on an efoil (electric waterfoil) surfboard 100 known to those of skill in the art, such as that described by U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,586,659, 9,359,044 issued to Langelaan. LangeIlan teaches of a watercraft 100 may include a flotation board 101, a hydrofoil 102 spaced below the flotation board, a strut 103 connecting the hydrofoil to the board, a propulsion system 104, an electric motor 105, a battery 106, a motor speed controller, and a throttle system. To operate the watercraft as Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 taught by LangeIlan, a user initially lies prone on the flotation board 101. The throttle is engaged, causing the craft to accelerate as is shown in FIG. 1B. As the craft gains speed the user may move to a kneeling or standing position. As the efoil surfboard 100 further gains speed the hydrofoil generates sufficient lift to raise the efoil surfboard 100 above the water. The user controls attitude of the board by leaning back (to go up) and forward (to go down). With the rider kneeling on the board and remaining in a fixed position without moving their body from back to front relative to the hydrofoil, the watercraft may porpoise or pitch upwardly (away from the water), as is shown in FIG. 1C, because a center of gravity 888 of the system (including the rider or user) remains in the same position. According to Langelaan, the hydrofoils is not movable relative to other parts of the watercraft and the control of the watercraft is solely enabled by the weight shift of the user as opposed to by the combination of the weight shift of the user and the movement of the hydrofoil relative to the other parts of the watercraft.
[0090] If the rider is standing on the surfboard 100, then the rider is able to shift their weight forward and aft to stabilize the surfboard about a lateral axis in conjunction with controllably increasing and decreasing thrust provided by the thruster in order to control the board. A seated rider is unable to comfortably perform such motions in order to control the pitch of and yaw of the watercraft such that the watercraft is able to remain at sufficient speed for the hydrofoil to generate sufficient lift to raise the efoil surfboard 100 above the water Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 [0091] Referring to prior art FIG. 1A, Tian (U.S. Pat. No. 10,099,754) teaches of a hydrofoil device 100 may include a sailboard 110 having a top surface 112 and a bottom surface 114. A first hydrofoil assembly 120 having a first hydrofoil 121 and a first support unit 122 and a second hydrofoil assembly 130 having a second support unit 131 and a second hydrofoil 132 and a propulsion system 140. One end of the first support unit 122 is attached to a predetermined location at the bottom surface 114 of the sailboard 110 between a centre portion and a rear end of the sailboard 110; and the other end of the first support unit 122 is attached to nearly a centre portion of the first hydrofoil 121. Furthermore, the second support unit 131 extends from a front end of the first hydrofoil 121 toward a front end of the sailboard 110 and is connected to the second hydrofoil 132 near the front end of the sailboard 110. The propulsion system 140 is configured to provide power for the hydrofoil device 100. In accordance to Tian, a user 199 can sit on the sailboard to control the hydrofoil device 100 as shown in Prior Art FIG. 1A. Furthermore, Tian requires the use of a sensing unit to detect deviation movement of the hydrofoil apparatus and a control unit to control the actuating units to generate corrective movements to increase stability of the hydrofoil apparatus. Without the active control units to generate corrective movements of the hydrofoil apparatus, a user in a seated position as shown by Tian would result in the user falling backwards and the sailboard 110 to pitch upwards (away from the water) and to porpoise when the propulsion system 140 would be engaged.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 [0092] FIG. 1D illustrates another prior art watercraft that has that is in the form of a hydrofoil device 1000 may include a flotation volume 1110 having a top surface 1112 and a bottom surface 1114 and a first hydrofoil assembly 1120 having a first hydrofoil 1121 and a first support unit 1122; a second hydrofoil assembly 1130 having a second support unit 1131 and a second hydrofoil 1132; and a propulsion system 1140 disposed proximate the first hydrofoil 1121. A user 199 or rider may be seated on the hydrofoil device 1000 and may grip onto handlebars 1139.
[0093] The first support unit 1122 is attached to a predetermined location at the bottom surface 1114 of hydrofoil device 1000 between a centre portion and a rear end of the hydrofoil device 1000.The second support unit 1131 is attached to a predetermined location at the bottom surface 1114 of hydrofoil device 1000 between a centre portion and a front end of the hydrofoil device 1000.
[0094] The propulsion system 1140 is configured to provide power for the hydrofoil device 1000 and a rudder 1141 is used to steer the hydrofoil device 1000. Having the first hydrofoil assembly 1120 extending past a rear of the hydrofoil device 1000 and having the second hydrofoil assembly 1130 extend past the front of the hydrofoil device 1000 as well as the rudder steering may provide for an easy riding experience for novice riders and may provide for stability to the watercraft so that it does not porpoise.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 [0095] However performance of this watercraft will suffer due to the added stability as well as having the second support unit 1131 create additional drag in the water and furthermore the turning or pitching of this watercraft will have a larger turning radius than that for example as is taught by LangeIlan as the turning is created by the rudder and a lateral drag force will be caused by the second hydrofoil assembly 1130 moving at least partially laterally through the water.
[0096] Furthermore the rudder will cause additional drag in the water when turning at higher speeds and handlebars 1139 proximate knees of the rider 199 may cause harm to the rider in the case of impact of the second hydrofoil 1132 with a slightly submerged object when the hydrofoil device 1000 pitches forward and the rider 199 is launched forward from the watercraft. Similarly, in the case of FIG. 1A, with handlebars 1139 shown in U.S. Pat. No. 10,099,754, the user may end up impaling themselves on the handlebars 1139 when the hydrofoil device 100 pitches forward and the rider 199 is launched forward from the watercraft.
[0097] Referring back to FIGs. 1A and 1B and in conjunction with FIGs. lE and 1F, the user 199 is kneeling on the power surfboard 100 where the user must shift their upper body weight forward (towards a bow) to move the center of gravity 888 in a forward direction as the craft further gains speed the hydrofoil generates sufficient lift to raise the board above the water. The user must then move their upper body weigh backwards (towards a stern) to shift the center of gravity move Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 the center of gravity 888 backwards, towards the stern, in order to stabilize the power surfboard 100 by leaning back. The user must then actively lean forward and backwards on the board to stabilize the watercraft in conjunction with the application of throttle to shift the move the center of gravity 888 for active weight control for pitching of the watercraft about the lateral axis. Such forward and backward shifting of the upper body weight maybe cumbersome when in a seated and other than kneeling position.
[0098] A further need therefore exists for a personal watercraft that addressees some of the further aforementioned deficiencies and that provides for a motorcycle riding experience for use with a body of water that allows for a rider to be seated on a watercraft, to be able to steer the watercraft, and to be able to control pitching and rolling of the watercraft while being seated thereon in a generally stationary manner, while gripping handlebars, similar to that of riding a motorcycle [0099] FIGs. 2A through 2H illustrate a personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 for being used by a human rider 299 in a body of water 298 (FIGs.
2G, 2H) in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.
[00100] FIG. 2A illustrates a top perspective view of a personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 for being used by a human rider 299 in a body of water 298. FIG. 28 illustrates a bottom perspective view of a personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 for being used by a human rider 299 in a body of water and FIG. 2C illustrates a front view of a personal Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 hydrofoil watercraft. FIG. 2D illustrates a top view of a personal hydrofoil watercraft.
[00101] The personal hydrofoil watercraft (PHW) 200 may be formed from an enclosed hull 201 having a flotation volume 202, which may include a water displacement volume, and comprising a bow 200b and a stern 200s and a deck surface 200d abutting a starboard sidewall 203s and a port sidewall 203p extending from the bow 200b to the stern 200s, the enclosed hull 201 having a bow to stern length 200L
(L) along a bow to stern axis 200x greater than a starboard and port sidewall width 200w (W) along a starboard and port axis 200y where the bow to stern axis 200x and a bow to stern plane 200p comprising the bow to stern axis 200x and bisecting the enclosed hull 201 to a starboard side 200ss and a port side 200ps.
[00102] As is shown in FIG. 2A, the enclosed hull 201 may comprise a hull surface 201hs and comprising a split line 200s1 propagating from the bow 200b to the stern 200s along the port and starboard sides, the split line 200s1 on each side abutting the starboard sidewall 203s and the port sidewall 203p and the split line 200s1 abutting the hull surface 201hs. The hull surface 201hs may be for facing the body of water 298.
[00103] Referring to FIG. 2D, the bow to stern length 200L (L) may be about 150cm or about 125 to 165cm and the port sidewall width 200w (W) may be at its greatest about 75cm or between 55cm and 85cm. The port sidewall width 200w (W) may be approximately half of Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 the bow to stern length 200L (L). The flotation volume 202 may be about 150 liters to about 300 liters and may be about 260 liters. The deck surface may be about 20 cm to about 30cm in width.
[00104] FIG. 2C illustrates a front view of a personal hydrofoil watercraft, where the hull may resemble a multi chine hull and the hull may also resemble a fully rounded hull as is known to those in the art.
[00105] A seating assembly 204 may be attached to the deck surface 200d for accommodating a buttocks 299b of the human rider 299 with the human rider 299 straddling the seating assembly 204 and the deck surface 200d with calves 299c of the human rider 299 proximate the starboard and port sidewalls (203s, 203p).
[00106] As may be evident from FIGs. 2E, 2F and FIGs. 2L and 2M, a handle assembly 205 may be disposed proximate the bow 200b for being held onto by hands 299h of the human rider 299.
[00107] Referring to FIG. 2B, a center of gravity shifting assembly (CGSA) 216 may be more clearly shown. The center of gravity shifting assembly (CGSA) 216 may be for shifting a center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 and disposed beneath the seating assembly 204 comprising a CGSA motion body 216b fixedly attached with the enclosed hull 201 and proximate the body of water 298.
[00108] A CGSA motion platform 216p movably coupled with the CGSA motion body 216b, the CGSA motion platform 216p for moving in relation to the CGSA motion body 216b for shifting a center of Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 in the bow to stern plane 200p in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention.
The CGSA motion body 216b may include a first linear motion body 206b fixedly attached with the enclosed hull 201 opposite the deck and proximate the stern 201s and the CGSA motion platform 216p may comprise a first linear motion platform 206p translationally coupled with the first linear motion body 206b. The linear motion platform 206p may move about 40cm or in some cases from 30cm to 60cm and in some cases about 100cm. The linear motion platform 206p may move generally disposed under the seating assembly 204 or may at least be partially therein disposed.
[00109] A first strut 207 may be provide having a proximal end 207p and a distal end 207d, the proximal end 207p fixedly interconnected with the CGSA motion body 216b and a hydrofoil assembly 208 fixedly interconnected with the distal end 207d of the first strut 207. The first strut 207 extending from the enclosed hull 201 downwards and away from the rider 299 towards the water 298. The first strut 207 proximal end 207p may be fixedly interconnected with the first linear motion platform 206p and bisected by the bow to stern plane 200p, first linear motion platform 206p for controllably moving of the strut 207 within the bow to stern plane 200p and for the controllable adjusting of the watercraft pitch of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200, this may be exemplified, in use, in FIGs 2M and 2N and described hereinbelow.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 [00110] The first strut 207 may be manufactured from rigid material and may be formed from an aluminium extrusion or from a fiber-reinforced epoxy, such as a carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy. The cross-section of the first strut 207 may be such to mini minimize drag when moving through the body of water 298 and in addition the strut 207 may contain hollow portions to allow for electrical wires and optionally water cooling lines to be propagated therethrough (FIG. 2K).
[00111] The hydrofoil assembly 208 may be fixedly and rigidly interconnected with the distal end 207d of the strut 207 and a propulsion system 209 disposed proximate the distal end 207d of the strut for propelling the watercraft 200 in the body of water. The strut 207 may maintain the hydrofoil assembly 208 at a fixed distance from the CGSA motion body 216b or from the first linear motion platform 206p, where this distance may be about 60cm to 120cm and in some cases about 85cm.
[00112] FIG. 2N illustrates the hydrofoil assembly 208 and the strut 207 and the propulsion system 209 from a perspective stern view and FIG. 20 illustrates the hydrofoil assembly 208 and the strut 207 and the propulsion system 209 from a port side view and in use. Whereby thrust 999 directed away from the stern of the watercraft 200 may be generated by the propulsion system 209.
[00113] FIG. 2K illustrates a side view of the PHW 200 and in conjunction with FIGs. 2G, 2H, 2i and 2j, where the PWH 200 may be divided into a bow section 221 and a stern section 222 through a Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 bow-stern dividing plane 220. The dividing plane 220 may divide the enclosed hull 201 into a bow hull section 201b and a stern hull section 201s. The bow section 221 may include a bow deck surface 200db and a substantially waterproof compartment 211 formed within the bow section 221 comprising a battery unit 212 and a PHW control assembly 213, which may comprise control electronics and circuitry for controlling electrical components of the PHW 200, an access hatch 211h for providing controllably access to the waterproof compartment 211 for inserting and removing of the battery unit 212 from the substantially waterproof compartment 211, the handle assembly 205, the stern section 222. The stern section 222 may include a stern deck surface 200ds onto which may be mounted the seating assembly 204.
The CGSA motion platform 216p may be movably coupled with the CGSA motion body 216b. More specifically the CGSA motion body 216b may include the first linear motion body 206b fixedly attached with the enclosed hull 201 opposite the deck and proximate the stern 201s and the CGSA motion platform 216p may comprise the first linear motion platform 206p translationally coupled with the first linear motion body 206b, and the strut 207 proximal end 207p fixedly interconnected with the first linear motion platform 206p.
[00114] In some embodiments a hydrofoil assembly pitch axis (HAPA) 200pa may be shown and may be approximately perpendicular with the strut 207 and proximate the hydrofoil assembly 208, the hydrofoil assembly pitch axis 200pa may be approximately perpendicular with a Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 direction of motion of the hydrofoil assembly 208 through the body of water 298. A roll axis 200ra may be also shown and the roll axis 200ra may be approximately parallel with a direction of motion of the hydrofoil assembly 208 and may be approximately perpendicular with the pitch axis 200pa. The NAPA 200pa, may be aligned with a center of lift of the hydrofoil assembly 208.

[00115] Pitching of the hydrofoil watercraft 200 about the hydrofoil assembly pitch axis 200pa may result from motion of the hydrofoil watercraft 200 within the bow to stern plane 200p and between a bow and stern direction. Rolling of the hydrofoil watercraft 200 may result in motion of the hydrofoil watercraft 200 towards port and starboard directions, or in steering of the hydrofoil watercraft 200 to left and the right, or in banking of the hydrofoil watercraft 200 to the port and starboard sides. The pitching and rolling of the hydrofoil watercraft 200 about the hydrofoil assembly pitch axis 200pa and the hydrofoil assembly roll axis 200ra results when the watercraft may be in motion and the thrust 999 may be provided by the propulsion system 209 such that the weight of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 may be rested on the hydrofoil assembly 208 and the first strut 207 proximal end 207p may be other than immersed in the body of water 298 and may be above a water surface of the body of water 298 and may be exposed to air with the hydrofoil assembly 208 and the propulsion system 209 moving through the body of water 298. The hydrofoil assembly roll axis 200ra may bisect the hydrofoil assembly between starboard and port sides thereof. In use the propulsion system and Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 hydrofoil assembly is below the water surface and the rest of the hydrofoil watercraft is above the water surface when there is sufficient thrust for a lifting force of the hydrofoil assembly to equal that of a weight of the hydrofoil watercraft. In cases of insufficient thrust, the hydrofoil watercraft may be propagating through the water with the weight of the hydrofoil watercraft being supported by the flotation volume. Preferably when the weight of the hydrofoil watercraft is supported by the flotation volume at least the handlebar assembly is above the water surface. In some embodiments when the weight of the hydrofoil watercraft is supported by the flotation volume at least the handlebar assembly and seating assembly is above the water surface.

[00116] Referring to FIGs. 2G and 2H, in use of the watercraft 200 with no thrust being generated by the propulsion system 209 or minimal thrust being generated such that the watercraft may be floating on the body of water 298 with the enclosed hull 201 contacting the body of water 298 and other than being lifted by the hydrofoil assembly 208.

[00117] The human rider 299 may be for being seated in place contacting the seating assembly 204 with their buttocks 299b and holding onto the handle assembly 205 with their hands 299h and approximately positionally fixed in relation to the enclosed hull 201 and where the CGSA 216 may be for being controllably adjusted along the bow to stern plane 200p for controllably adjusting the center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 causing the pitch of Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 within the bow to stern plane 200p about the hull pitch axis 232, which may be parallel with the hydrofoil assembly pitch axis 200pa. In some embodiments the bow-stern dividing plane 220 may include the hull pitch axis (HPA) 232 or the hull pitch axis (HPA) 232 may be proximate the bow-stern dividing plane 220 and may be parallel therewith.

[00118] The pitching of the watercraft 200 with respect to the body of water 298 about the hull pitch axis 232 may be controlled through altering of the center of gravity of the watercraft 200 through the movement of the strut 207, propulsion system 209 and the hydrofoil assembly 208 with respect to the enclosed hull 201.

[00119] When in use, with the controllable provision of thrust with the watercraft being lifted above the water surface with the enclosed hull 201 no longer contacting the water surface then the watercraft may exhibit pitching movement of the hydrofoil watercraft 200 about the HAPA. Both the HAPA 200pa and the HPA 232 may be perpendicular to the bow stern plane 220p.

[00120] More specifically, in accordance with the first embodiment, the first linear motion platform 206p translationally coupled with the first linear motion body 206b, the strut 207 proximal end 207p fixedly interconnected with the first linear motion platform 206p and bisected by the bow to stern plane 200p, first linear motion platform 206p for controllably moving of the strut 207 within the bow to stern plane 200p and for the controllable adjusting the pitch of the personal Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 hydrofoil watercraft 200 about the HPA 232 when the watercraft enclosed hull 201 may be contacting the water surface. When the enclosed hull 201 may be lifted above the water surface and the weight of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 may be supported by the hydrofoil assembly 208 and the hydrofoil assembly 208 may be for propagating through the water, then the first linear motion platform 206p for controllably moving of the strut 207 controls the pitch of the watercraft about the HAPA 200pa. In some embodiments the pitch of the watercraft about the HAPA 200pa may be in addition controlled with the use of the thrust 999 generated by the propulsion system 209.

[00121] As shown in FIG. 2K, the bow deck surface 200db and the stern deck surface 200ds may intersect at a deck intersection angle 200da of between 15 and 45 degrees, where this deck intersection angle 200da may be bisected by the bow-stern dividing plane 220.
Furthermore as may be visible in FIG. 2K, the side view of the enclosed hull 201 may resemble a banana shape.

[00122] Referring to FIGs. 2E and 2F and 2K, disposed within the hull 201 there may be a substantially waterproof compartment 211 that contains the battery unit 212 and the PHW control assembly 213, which may comprise control electronics and circuitry for controlling electrical components of the PHW 200. Access to the substantially waterproof compartment 211 may be achieved through an access Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 hatch 211h, where in FIG. 2F the access hatch may be shown open and in FIG. 2E, the access hatch may be shown closed.

[00123] The strut 207, propulsion system 209, and hydrofoil assembly may weigh about 10 to 15kg. The battery may weigh about to 15kg. For a 14s12p battery having a voltage of around 60V, where the battery may be formed from 3000mAh 18650 lithium ion battery cells having 14 cells in series and 12 in parallel. The propulsion system 209 may comprise a brushless DC motor 209m (FIG. 2N) that provides for about 5 to 20 horsepower and may consume up to about 100 amperes and in some cases may be up to 300A. A propeller as part of the propulsion system 209 may include a shrouded propeller 209p (FIG. 2N) or a ducted propeller or in some cases may have multiple brushless DC motors and multiple propellers or combinations thereof. The propeller may be about 6 inches to about 8 inches in diameter and thrust may be directed towards the stern of the watercraft.

[00124] The access hatch may be mounted approximately flush with the deck surface 200d. In addition the PHW 200 may include navigational lights 200n, comprising a red port navigational light may be disposed on the port side and a green starboard navigational light may be disposed on the starboard side and a stern light disposed at the stern. Furthermore proximate the bow of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 there may also be disposed at least a headlight 218 for Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 providing a forward shining light for illuminating in front of the hydrofoil watercraft 200.

[00125] Referring to FIGs. 2H, 2H, 2i and 2.1, With the battery unit 212 installed within the substantially waterproof compartment 211, the pitch of the watercraft 200 with respect to the body of water 298 about the HPA 232 may be controlled through altering of the center of gravity 888 of the watercraft 200 through the movement of the strut 207, propulsion system 209 and the hydrofoil assembly 208 with respect to the enclosed hull 201 along the bow to stern plane 200p through the use of the CGSA 216.

[00126] Referring to FIG. 2H and 2.1the linear motion platform 206p may be movable towards the bow 200b for moving the center of gravity past the bow stern dividing plane 220 to the bow section 221with the strut 207, propulsion system 209 and the hydrofoil assembly 208 moved towards the bow of the PHW 200 with the rider 299 sitting on the seating assembly 204 and gripping the handle assembly 205 with the watercraft being pitched towards the bow about the HPA.

[00127] Referring to FIG. 2G and 2i the linear motion platform 206p may be movable towards the stern 200s for moving the center of gravity past bow stern dividing plane 220 to the stern section 222 with the strut 207, propulsion system 209 and the hydrofoil assembly 208 moved towards the stern of the PHW 200 with the rider 299 sitting on Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 the seating assembly 204 and gripping the handle assembly 205 with the watercraft being pitched towards the stern about the HPA.

[00128] Referring to FIGs. 2i and 2j, with the watercraft 200 absent the rider 299, the linear motion platform 206p may be adjusted to have the center of gravity of the watercraft 200 between the bow section 221 and the stern section 222 and result in the watercraft 200 to pitch about the center of gravity 888 which may approximately coincide with the HPA.

[00129] Referring to FIGs. 2G and 2H, with the watercraft 200 having the rider 299 seated thereon, the linear motion platform 206p controllably adjusts the center of gravity of the watercraft 200 between the bow section 221 or towards the bow section 221 and the stern section 222 or towards the stern section 222. A bow to stern center of gravity of the rider may be approximately oriented along the bow-stern dividing plane 220.

[00130] In some cases a weight of the rider 299 may cause the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 to sit lower in the water as compared to the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 absent the rider. A
freeboard will decrease due to the weight of the rider. In some cases the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 may have its stern section 222 lower than the bow section 221 when floating with the rider 299 on the body of water 298 and absent thrust being generated from the thruster 209. A rider may have a weight of about 60kg to about 100kg and with the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 having a weight of Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 about 20kg to 40kg. Therefore a displacement of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 of about 200 to 300 liters may be desirable.

[00131] Referring to FIG. 2P, in a neutral or central position of the linear motion platform 206p with respect to the enclosed hull 201, where the linear motion platform 206p may be approximately centered along the first linear motion body 206b, the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 may float on the body of water 298 where the center of gravity 888 may be approximately aligned with the bow-stern dividing plane 220 and approximately aligned with the HPA 232 and the bow section 221 and the stern section 222 approximately equally float in body of water 298. The flotation volume 202 of the watercraft 200 may include a bow section flotation volume 202bf and a stern section flotation volume 202sf, wherein the flotation volumes are within 20 percent of each other.

[00132] This neutral position or central the linear motion platform 206p may facilitate a rider 299 who has fallen off the watercraft 200 to pull themselves up onto the watercraft 200 to once again be seated on the seating assembly 204.

[00133] A plurality of handle assemblies 200h may be mounted to the starboard and port sidewalls proximate the stern or transom as well as to the stern deck surface 200ds and possibly a transom surface 200dt.
The transom surface 200dt may extend from the stern deck surface 200ds distally towards the stern 200s, wherein the bow deck surface 200db and transom surface 200dt form a mirror angle with the bow-Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 stern dividing plane 220. The plurality of handle assemblies 200h may facilitate the rider to gain access from the body of water 298 to a seated position on seating assembly 204 upon having fallen from the watercraft 200 or upon entering the watercraft 200 from the body of water 298. The rider may grip at least one of the plurality of handle assemblies 200h with their at least a hand and pull themselves along the transom surface 200dt with their chest and contacting the transom surface 200dt and to slide themselves onto the seating assembly 204.
The fallen rider may also grasp onto the foot pegs 241, 242 extending from the port sidewall 203p and the starboard sidewall 203s, respectively. When the rider 299 may be in the seated position and with their buttocks contacting the seating assembly 204 they may place the mid soles on the foot pegs 241, 242, or in some cases foot platforms.

[00134] FIG. 2L illustrates an exemplary control system and systems schematic 230 for controlling of the PHW 200 by the rider 299.
Disposed within the substantially waterproof compartment 211 may be the battery unit 212 and a PHW control assembly 213, which may comprise control electronics, microprocessors and circuitry for controlling electrical components of the PHW 200 and an ESC
(electronic speed controller) 213e may be provided and electrically coupled with the propulsion system 209 and more specifically with the brushless DC motor 209m.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26

[00135] A set of motor wires 209mw may be provided for coupling of the brushless DC motor 209m with the ESC 213e. The set of motor wires 209mw may also include a motor wires coupling port 209p which may allow for disconnecting of the brushless DC motor 209m from the ESC 213e, for example when the first strut 207 may be decoupled from the CGSA motion body 216b, for facilitating transport and storage of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 and recoupled prior to use.

[00136] Additionally, end stop sensors 216e may be provided for sensing when the CGSA motion platform 216p has reached the bow and stern travel limits in relation to the CGSA motion body 216b. The end stop sensors 216e may include indictive proximity sensors or mechanical switches, which are waterproof and may be electrically coupled with the PHW control assembly 213. A first CGSA actuator 216m or motor may be electrically coupled with the PHW control assembly 213.

[00137] The first CGSA actuator 216m may be mechanically attached to a lead screw mechanism 216s and fixedly attached with the CGSA
motion body 216b and a lead screw nut 216n attached with the CGSA
motion platform 216p, where the lead screw nut 216n may be for sliding along the lead screw mechanism 216s upon a rotation of the lead screw mechanism 216s.

[00138] The lead screw mechanism may result in the lead screw nut 216n to move about 8mm per rotation, or 25mm per rotation and the Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 first CGSA actuator 216m may be a worm drive actuator with a gear reduction of about 470:1. An optical encoded may be attached with the first CGSA actuator 216m for counting rotations of the lead screw mechanism 216s for approximating positional feedback of the CGSA
motion platform 216p with respect to the CGSA motion body 216b. In some embodiments the CGSA motion platform 216p may also be hydraulically actuated.

[00139] In some embodiments a water pump may be added to draw water from the body of water 298 for cooling of the ESC 213e and potentially other electronics as part of the PHW control assembly 213.
The electric motor may be cooled through thermal contact and thermal dissipation with the body of water 298. A water level sensor 209s (FIG.
20) may also be mounted proximate the propulsion system 209 proximately of the propulsion system 209 and electrically coupled with the PHW control assembly 213 for sensing when the propulsion system 209 may be within the body of water and prior to a portion of the propulsion system 209 exiting the water for providing a propulsion system exposed signal to the PHW control assembly 213 for reducing thrust being emitted by the propulsion system 209.

[00140] Referring to FIG. 2L and FIG. 2E, the handle assembly 205 may be held onto by hands 299h of the human rider 299 is shown, whereby the handle assembly 205 may comprise a tubular member 205h mounted to the enclosed hull 201 proximate the bow 200b, the tubular member 205h having handlebar ends 205e (FIG. 2M) bounded Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 by the starboard sidewall 203s and the port sidewall 203p and preferably other than extending past the starboard sidewall 203s and the port sidewall 203p, the tubular member spaced from the enclosed hull and further comprising handlebar grips 205g for being held onto by hands 299h of the human rider 299.

[00141] The handle assembly 205 may comprise a throttle assembly 205t electrically coupled with the PHW control assembly 213 for being operated by a portion of the right hand of the rider a CGSA motion platform control assembly 205p electrically coupled with the PHW
control assembly 213, PHW control assembly 213 for receiving a throttle signal from the throttle assembly 205t for controllably affecting a thrust of the propulsion system 209 and for receiving a CGSA motion platform control signal from the CGSA motion platform control assembly 205p for controllably positioning of the CGSA motion platform control assembly 205p with respect to the CGSA motion body 216b along the bow to stern plane. The throttle signal for proportionally changing the thrust of the propulsion system 209 as a resistance or position of the throttle assembly 205t may be varied by a thumb of the rider. The CGSA motion platform control signal bidirectionally moving of the CGSA motion platform in response a thumb of the user actuating of the CGSA motion platform control assembly 205p, where the CGSA motion platform control assembly 205p may be a momentary ON-OFF-ON SPST switch. A CGSA motion platform indicator may also be provided to providing a visual indication to the rider of the position of the CGSA motion platform Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 along the CGSA motion body 216b. The CGSA motion platform may travel about 40 to 80mm per second. Advantageously , while gripping handle assembly 205, the rider 299 may be able to controllably move of the linear motion platform 206p they are able to controllably adjust a center of gravity of the PHW 200 from the bow to the stern section and from the stern to the bow section without needing to take their hands off the handle assembly 205 and to operate the throttle assembly 205t and while remaining seated on the seating assembly.

[00142] FIGs. 2Q illustrates a bottom perspective view and FIGS. 2R
and 2S illustrate the CGSA motion body 216b and the CGSA motion platform 216p in more detail, where the CGSA motion body 216b may be in the form of first linear motion body 206b and the CGSA motion platform 216p may be in the form of detail the first linear motion platform 206p translationally coupled with the first linear motion body 206b as seen fixedly attached within a cavity 201c formed in a bottom of the enclosed hull 201 opposite the seating assembly 204.

[00143] FIG. 2R illustrates a perspective and exploded view of the CGSA 216 with the CGSA motion platform 216p removed from the CGSA motion body 216b. FIG. 2S illustrates a front cutaway view of the CGSA 216. The CGSA motion platform 216p may travel linearly in relation to the CGSA motion body 216b using a plurality of rollers 216r that are for moving within a plurality of tracks 216t.

[00144] The personal hydrofoil watercraft hull may be formed from an internal frame and may be manufactured or constructed from Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 wooden stringers propagating parallel with the bow to stern plane 200p and perpendicular ribs along with foam disposed between the stringers and ribs with a glass or carbon fiber covering an outside surface of the construction. Have a strong flotation volume that may be light in weight may be advantageous with respect to embodiments of the invention.

[00145] Referring to FIG. 2T, having the light hull internal frame 201f and general construction of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 may facilitate loading of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 on top of a roof rack 912 attached on the roof of a vehicle 913, which may facilitate transport of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 without requiring a trailer. The personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 may be made lighter for facilitating loading by removal of the battery unit 212 and through the decoupling of the strut 207 from the CGSA motion platform 216p through uncoupling of a threaded screw connection 207ts (FIG. 2K) or other attachment mechanism for facilitating a releasable connection (such as a connection that uses screws or a tongue and groove assembly) of the proximal end of the strut from the CGSA motion platform. The strut 207 proximal end may be decoupled, the hydrofoil assembly 208 and the propulsion system 209 are similarly decoupled from the CGSA motion platform 216p and motor wires 209mw are decoupled through the port 209p. This may facilitate a weight savings of about 10 to 30kg for the strut propulsion system and hydrofoil assembly. Where the enclosed hull 201 with the seating assembly 204 and the center of gravity shifting assembly (CGSA) 216 Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 may weigh about 10 to 30kg. The bow section 221 of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 may contact the roof rack 921 and be strapped down using straps or rope and the stern section 222 may other than be contacting the roof rack 912.

[00146] Referring back to FIG. 2A, the hydrofoil assembly 208 may comprise a first passively stable hydrofoil 2081 and a second passively stable hydrofoil 2081, wherein the first passively stable hydrofoil 2081 has a larger surface area than the second passively stable hydrofoil 2081. The hydrofoil assembly pitch axis formed along a width of the first passively stable hydrofoil and wherein the propulsion system 209 may be disposed between the first passively stable hydrofoil 2081 and the second passively stable hydrofoil 2082 and both the first passively stable hydrofoil 2081 and the second passively stable hydrofoil 2082 are fixedly interconnected with the distal end 207d of the strut 207 and spaced apart from each other using at a separation through a second strut 2072 comprising the hydrofoil assembly roll axis along its length. The first passively stable hydrofoil 2081 may have a surface area of about 100 to 400 square inches and the second passively stable hydrofoil 2082 may have a surface area of about 5% to 30% of the surface area of the first passively stable hydrofoil 2081. The hydrofoil assembly roll axis and the hydrofoil assembly pitch axis may be perpendicular to each other. The larger the hydrofoil surface area the larger a drag of the hydrofoil when propagating through the water and the more lift it provides. Smaller hydrofoils have less surface area and less drag and need more thrust than larger hydrofoil. Through a Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 weight of the hydrofoil watercraft and a desired travel speed these parameters are easily determinable.

[00147] The hydrofoil assembly 208 may include high aspect and low aspect passively stable hydrofoils, which refers to the ratio between a wingspan and a chord of the passively stable hydrofoils. Typically, high aspect wings are wider and more slender while low aspect wings are not as wide and generally fatter. A low aspect shaped passively stable hydrofoil may be more efficient and creates the most amount of lift and the least amount of drag from a given surface area. For high speeds this passively stable hydrofoil wing provides for improved control and at lower speeds it may be harder to control at slower speeds.

[00148] A curved first passively stable hydrofoil may inherently be easier to turn or roll from the port to starboard directions and from the starboard to port directions. Passively stable hydrofoil tips or wing tips, may also provide the passively stable hydrofoil with directional stability that may make the foil easier to control. Turned up or down passively stable hydrofoils tips on the second passively stable hydrofoil wing may have the same effect, increasing directional stability. Curved up or down wing tips add directional stability and can reduce turbulence off the wing tips.

[00149] FIG. 3A illustrates steering of the watercraft 200 in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention. Steering of the watercraft 200 may be achievable when in use, with the controllable Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 provision of thrust from the propulsion system 209 with the watercraft being lifted above the water surface with the enclosed hull 201 no longer contacting the water surface and the weight of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 resting on the hydrofoil assembly 208 as it propagates through the water. In this embodiment the watercraft 200 may be absent a rudder and as such does not lend itself to steering using an active underwater control surface.

[00150] With the watercraft being lifted above the water surface with the enclosed hull 201 no longer contacting the water surface and the weight of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 resting on the hydrofoil assembly 208the steering or rolling about the NAPA 200p may be achieve by the rider 299 shifting their buttocks laterally away from the bow to stern plane 200p in a direction of the starboard and port axis 200y, along the seating assembly 204 while maintaining the mid soles on the foot pegs 241, 242 and their hands on the handle assembly 205.

[00151] As may be shown in FIG. 3A, the rider 299 may slide their buttocks 299b towards the starboard side to result in the starboard side of the hydrofoil assembly 208 to have an increased downforce and therefore to initiate a turn a turn to the starboard side, similar to a right airplane wing have less lift during a banking to the right, where the hull of the vehicle will roll to the right or to starboard.

[00152] The rider may slide their buttocks 299b towards the port side to result in the port side of the foil assembly to have an increased Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 downforce and therefore to initiate a turn a turn to the port side, similar to a left airplane wing have less lift during a banking to the left, where the hull of the vehicle will roll to the left or port.

[00153] And more specifically, in accordance with the first embodiment, the first linear motion platform 206p translationally coupled with the first linear motion body 206b, the strut 207 proximal end 207p fixedly interconnected with the first linear motion platform 206p and bisected by the bow to stern plane 200p, first linear motion platform 206p for controllably moving of the strut 207 within the bow to stern plane 200p and for the controllable adjusting the pitch of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 about the HPA 232 when the watercraft enclosed hull 201 may be contacting the water surface.
When the enclosed hull 201 may be lifted above the water surface and the weight of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 may be being supported by the hydrofoil assembly 208 and the hydrofoil assembly 208 may be propagating through the water, then the first linear motion platform 206p for controllably moving of the strut 207 controls the pitch of the watercraft about the HAPA. In some embodiments the pitch of the watercraft about the HAPA 200pa may be in addition controlled with the use of the thrust 999 generated by the propulsion system 209. When in use, with the controllable provision of thrust with the watercraft being lifted above the water surface with the enclosed hull 201 no longer contacting the water surface then the watercraft may exhibit pitching movement of the hydrofoil watercraft 200 about the HAPA. Both the HAPA 200pa and Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 the HPA 232 may be perpendicular to the bow stern plane 220p. The rider may balance the thrust and the position of the CGSA motion platform 216p without forward or backward motion of their body, thus advantageously being able to be seated in a riding position on the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 and shifting their buttocks to the port and starboard directions to turn or to roll of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200, thus mimicking the experience of riding a motorcycle on water.

[00154] In the first embodiment the watercraft 200 may comprise other than a movable watercraft roll control system and rolling of the watercraft may be induced through lateral shifting of the buttocks of the human rider 299 along the seating assembly 204 in parallel with the starboard and port axis 200y and away from the bow to stern plane 200p for causing the center of gravity to move laterally away from the bow to stern plane 200p, the watercraft controllably rolling in the direction of the center of gravity shift about the roll axis 200ra wherein an amount of the center of gravity shift may be proportional to the amount of watercraft controllably rolling, and controllably adjust of the pitch attitude by changing the position of the linear motion platform 206p with respect to the linear motion body 206b as well as through the controllable generation of thrust 999. The rider 299 may move their buttocks 299b between port and starboard directions to roll the watercraft as desired.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26

[00155] With respect to FIG. 3B, in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, the watercraft 300 may utilize push steering as may be used in a motorcycle when the motorcycle may be to be leaned into a corner to more accurately mimic the motorcycle riding experience. In this second embodiment the bow deck surface 200db may comprise the handle assembly 205 attached with a handle assembly deck surface 200dh, wherein the handle assembly 205 may be rotationally mounted with the handle assembly deck surface 200dh for rotating about a steering axis 200sa for rotating within at in some cases within plus and minus 15 degrees about the steering axis 200sa or in some cases plus and minus 30 degrees, which may be at an angle to a line formed between proximal and distal ends of the strut, wherein the lateral shifting of the buttocks of the human rider 299 along the seating assembly 204 to the port side pushes on the port side of the handle assembly 205 towards the bow and thereby extending the left arm of the rider and wherein the lateral shifting of the buttocks of the human rider 299 along the seating assembly 204 to the starboard side pushes on the starboard side of the handle assembly 205 towards the bow and thereby extending the right arm of the rider, the extending of the left and right arms of the rider may facilitate of the buttocks 299b of the rider to move away from the bow to stern plane 200p. As such, the pushing of the rider on the handle assembly 205 may be opposite to the direction of steering. In almost all watercraft, the steering may be in the direction of the turn.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26

[00156] In some embodiments a rudder control surface may be provided proximate the stern of the hydrofoil watercraft 300 whereby the rudder may be electrically coupled with the handle assembly 205, where at low speeds of the hydrofoil watercraft 300 (where the enclosed hull 201 may be moving along the body of water 298) the rudder may be coordinated in standard steering with the handle assembly 205, such that turning of the handle assembly 205 to the starboard side results in the watercraft 300 to turn to starboard and turning of handle assembly 205 to the port side, results in the in the watercraft 300 to turn to port. Upon the enclosed hull 201 lifting out of the water and resting on the hydrofoil assembly 208, the push steering may be implemented. Of course, the user may select between which steering system they wish to utilize, whether it is conventional or push steering for when the enclosed hull 201 is lifted out of the water under thrust from the propulsion system 209.

[00157] Referring to FIG. 3C and 3D, a personal hydrofoil watercraft 400 for being used by a human rider 299 in a body of water 298 may be shown in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention.
Elements in the third embodiment of the invention 300 having similar structure and/or performing similar function as those in the first embodiment of the invention are numbered similarly. Referring to the FIGs. 3C and 3D shown, in use, the enclosed hull 201 may be lifted above the water surface and the weight of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 may be being supported by the hydrofoil assembly 208 Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 and the hydrofoil assembly 208 may be propagating through the water body 298.

[00158] The personal hydrofoil watercraft 400 may be formed from the enclosed hull 201 having a flotation volume 202 and comprising the bow 200b and the stern 200s and the deck surface 200d abutting the starboard sidewall 203s and the port sidewall 203p extending from the bow 200b to the stern 200s, the enclosed hull 201 having the bow to stern length 200L (L) along the bow to stern axis 200x greater than the starboard and port sidewall width 200w (W) along the starboard and port axis 200y where the bow to stern axis 200x.

[00159] The bow to stern plane 200p comprising the bow to stern axis 200x and bisecting the enclosed hull 201 to the starboard side 200ss and the port side 200ps; the seating assembly 204 attached to the deck surface 200d proximate the stern 200s for accommodating the buttocks 299b of the human rider 299 with the human rider 299 straddling the seating assembly 204 and the deck surface 200d proximate the stern 200s with calves 299c of the human rider 299 facing the starboard and port sidewalls (203s, 203p). A handle assembly 305 may be provided proximate the bow 200b for being held onto by hands 299h of the human rider 299, the center of gravity CGSA 216 for shifting the center of gravity 888 of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 400 and disposed beneath the seating assembly 204 comprising the CGSA motion body 216b fixedly attached with the enclosed hull 201 and proximate the body of water 298.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26

[00160] The CGSA motion platform 216p movably coupled with the CGSA motion body 216b, the CGSA motion platform 216p for moving in relation to the CGSA motion body 216b for shifting the center of gravity 888 of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 400 in the bow to stern plane 200p and perpendicular to the bow to stern plane 200p parallel with the starboard and port axis 200y.

[00161] The first strut 207 having the proximal end 207p and the distal end 207d, the proximal end 207p fixedly interconnected with the CGSA motion body 216b, the hydrofoil assembly 208 fixedly interconnected with the distal end 207d of the strut 207.

[00162] The propulsion system 209 may be disposed proximate the distal end 207d of the strut for propelling the watercraft 200 in the body of water, wherein the human rider 299 may be for being seated in place contacting the seating assembly 204 and holding onto the handle assembly 205 and where the (CGSA) 216 may be for being controllably adjusted along the bow to stern plane 200p for controllably adjusting the center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 400 causing the pitch of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 within the bow to stern plane 200p and for being controllably adjusted parallel with the starboard and port axis 200y for controllably adjusting the roll of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 400.

[00163] The CGSA 216 may include the CGSA motion body 216b and the first linear motion body 206b fixedly attached with the enclosed hull 201 opposite the deck and proximate the stern 201s and the Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 CGSA motion platform 216p may include the first linear motion platform 206p translationally coupled with the first linear motion body 206b, the second linear motion body 226b fixedly coupled with first linear motion platform 206p; the second linear motion platform 226p translationally coupled with the second linear motion body 226b, the first strut 207 proximal end 207p fixedly interconnected with the second linear motion platform 226p,wherein the first linear motion platform 206p may be for controllably moving of the first strut 207 parallel with the bow to stern plane 200p for the controllable adjusting the pitch of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 along the bow to stern plane 200p and about the pitch axis 200pa and the second linear motion platform 226p may be for controllably moving of the first strut 207 perpendicular with the bow to stern plane 200p for the controllable adjusting the roll of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 about the roll axis 200ra. In a neutral position of the second linear motion platform 226p, the first strut 207 may be bisected by the bow to stern plane 200p. FIG. 3C illustrates the center of gravity 888 of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 400 being shifted to the port side and FIG. 3D illustrates the center of gravity 888 of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 400 being shifted to the starboard side.

[00164] FIG. 3E illustrates an exemplary control system and systems schematic 330 for controlling of the PHW 400 by the rider 299 in accordance with the third embodiment of the invention. Similar to that shown in the second embodiment of the invention, the third Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 embodiment of the invention may utilize push steering or conventional steering and the user may select therebetween.

[00165] A handle assembly 305 may include the steering axis 200sa, which may be disposed within the bow to stern plane 200p and may be approximately perpendicularly with the handle assembly deck surface 200dh. The handle assembly 305 may rotate about plus or minus 15 degrees or in some cases about plus or minus 30 degrees about the steering axis 200sa. The handle assembly 305 may be coupled with a rotary position sensor 205ps for detecting an angle at which the handle assembly 305 may be relative to the handle assembly deck surface 200dh. The rotary position sensor 205ps may provide a rotary position signal and may comprise a variable resistor or a potentiometer or a powered digital servo, which may provide force feedback to the user when they are turning of the handle assembly 305. A magnetic contactless AS5600 position sensor may also be envisaged for measuring rotation angle. A spring and cam assembly may also be utilised to provide a spring force against which the user pushes or pulls the handle assembly 305 to provide for a motorcycle riding feeling. The handle assembly 305 may also feature auto centring, where the handlebar grips 205g may be oriented perpendicular with the bow to stern plane 200p in a neutral position or auto centered position.

[00166] The handle assembly 305 may comprise the throttle assembly 205t and the CGSA motion platform control assembly 205p Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 and the rotary position sensor 205ps, where each may be electrically coupled with a PHW control assembly 313, PHW control assembly 313 for receiving the throttle signal from the throttle assembly 205t for controllably affecting the thrust of the propulsion system 209 and for receiving a first CGSA motion platform control signal from the CGSA
motion platform control assembly 205p for controllably positioning of the first linear motion platform 206p translationally within the first linear motion body 206b and for receiving of a rotary position signal for controllably positioning of the second linear motion platform 226p translationally within the second linear motion body 226b. The second linear motion body 226b may include positioning sensors, or optical pulse counting encoders, for determining an absolute position of the second linear motion platform 226p in relation to the second linear motion body 226b. The second linear motion body 226b and the second linear motion platform 226p may be actuated using lead screw and lead nut assemblies and may include an actuator.

[00167] Referring to FIG. 4A and 48 and in conjunction with figures for the first embodiment, a personal hydrofoil watercraft 500 for being used by the human rider 299 in the body of water 298 may be shown in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention. Elements in the fourth embodiment of the invention 400 having similar structure and/or performing similar function as those in the first embodiment of the invention are numbered similarly.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26

[00168] Referring to the FIGs.4A and 4D, shown is the enclosed hull 201 may be lifted above the water surface and the weight of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 400, in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the invention, may be being supported by the hydrofoil assembly 208 and the hydrofoil assembly 208 may be propagating through the water body 298.

[00169] The personal hydrofoil watercraft 500 in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the invention may be formed from the enclosed hull 201 having the flotation volume 202 and comprising the bow 200b and the stern 200s and the deck surface 200d abutting the starboard sidewall 203s and the port sidewall 203p extending from the bow 200b to the stern 200s, the enclosed hull 201 having the bow to stern length 200L (L) along the bow to stern axis 200x greater than the starboard and port sidewall width 200w (W) along the starboard and port axis 200y where the bow to stern axis 200x. The flotation volume for providing flotation of the personal hydrofoil watercraft and the sitting human rider, wherein the handle assembly is above a water surface when the personal hydrofoil watercraft is being floated in the water. Preferably at least the seating assembly and the seat and the handle assembly is above the water surface when the personal hydrofoil watercraft is being floated in the water.

[00170] The bow to stern plane 200p comprising the bow to stern axis 200x and bisecting the enclosed hull 201 to the starboard side 200ss and the port side 200ps. The seating assembly 204 attached to Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 the deck surface 200d proximate the stern 200s for accommodating the buttocks 299b of the human rider 299 with the human rider 299 straddling the seating assembly 204 and the deck surface 200d proximate the stern 200s with calves 299c of the human rider 299 facing the starboard and port sidewalls (203s, 203p) and a handle assembly 305 proximate the bow 200b for being held onto by hands 299h of the human rider 299. The center of gravity shifting assembly (CGSA) 216 for shifting the center of gravity 888 of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 500 and disposed at least beneath the seating assembly 204 comprising the CGSA motion body 216b fixedly attached with the enclosed hull 201 and proximate the body of water 298.

[00171] The CGSA motion platform 216p movably coupled with the CGSA motion body 216b, the CGSA motion platform 216p for moving in relation to the CGSA motion body 216b for shifting the center of gravity 888 of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 in the bow to stern plane 200p and perpendicular to the bow to stern plane 200p and approximately parallel with the starboard and port axis 200y.

[00172] The first strut 207 having the proximal end 207p and the distal end 207d, the proximal end 207p fixedly as well as removably interconnected with the CGSA motion body 216b, the hydrofoil assembly 208 fixedly interconnected with the distal end 207d of the strut 207.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26

[00173] The propulsion system 209 may be disposed proximate the distal end 207d of the strut 207 for propelling the watercraft 200 in the body of water, wherein the human rider 299 may be for being seated in place contacting the seating assembly 204 and holding onto the handle assembly 305 and where the CGSA 216 may be for being controllably adjusted along the bow to stern plane 200p for controllably adjusting the center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 200 causing the pitching of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 500 within the bow to stern plane 200p about the pitch axis 200pa and for being controllably adjusted parallel with the starboard and port axis 200y for controllably adjusting the roll of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 500 about the roll axis 200ra. FIG. 4A illustrates the center of gravity 888 of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 500 being shifted to the port side and FIG. 4B illustrates the center of gravity 888 of the personal hydrofoil watercraft 500 being shifted to the starboard side.

[00174] Referring in addition to FIGs.4C and 4D, the CGSA 216 may comprise: the CGSA motion body 216b and may comprise the first linear motion body 206b fixedly attached with the enclosed hull 201 opposite the deck and proximate the stern 201s and the CGSA motion platform 216p. The first linear motion platform 206p may be translationally coupled with the first linear motion body 206b, a second tilting motion body 236b fixedly coupled with first linear motion platform 206p. A second tilting motion platform 236p may be pivotally coupled with the second linear motion body 226b for pivoting Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 about a second tilting pivot axis 236a, the first strut 207 proximal end 207p fixedly interconnected with the second tilting motion platform 236p, wherein the strut distal end 207d may be for pivoting about the second tilting pivot axis 236a for being at a pivot angle (alpha) 236pa to the bow to stern plane 200p (FIG. 4C).

[00175] Referring to FIG. 4C, the first CGSA actuator 216m or motor may be electrically coupled with the PHW control assembly 313 and a second CGSA actuator 316m may be mechanically attached to a worm drive mechanism 316wd. The worm drive mechanism 316wd may include a shaft with a spiral thread coupled with a drive shaft of the second CGSA actuator 316m that engages with and drives a toothed wheel gear. The first linear motion platform 206p may be fixedly coupled with the second CGSA actuator 316m and the shaft with the spiral thread and the toothed wheel gear may be fixedly coupled with the second tilting motion platform 236p, where a center of the toothed wheel may be coaxial with the second tilting pivot axis 236a.

[00176] Referring to FIG. 4D, the second tilting motion platform 236p may be controllably movable about plus or minus fifteen degrees or in some cases plus or minus 20 degrees in relation to the bow to stern plane 200p (for moving of the strut 207 towards a stern or bow direction). An absolute rotary position sensor may be utilized to detect the pivot angle (alpha) 236pa. When the second tilting motion platform 236p may be in the centred position the strut 207 may be Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 aligned with the bow to stern plane 200p and approximately centered thereon.

[00177] FIGs.4E illustrates a bottom perspective view of a CGSA 2216 in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4F
illustrates a bottom perspective view of second tilting motion platform 2236p. In this embodiment CGSA 2216 is comprised of a second tilting motion body 2236b fixedly attached with the enclosed hull 201 opposite the deck and proximate the stern 201s. The second tilting motion platform 2236p may be pivotally coupled with the second linear motion body 2226b for pivoting about a second tilting pivot axis 2236a. A first linear motion platform 2206p may be translationally coupled with the second tilting motion platform 2236p for translating along the second tilting pivot axis 2236a, wherein when the second tilting motion platform 2236p pivots about the second tilting pivot axis 2236a a translation of the first linear motion platform 2206p along the second tilting pivot axis 2236a results. The first linear motion platform 2206p may also then pivot about the second tilting pivot axis 2236a.

[00178] A first linear motion platform 2206p may frictionally engage the second tilting motion platform 2236p and may utilize sliders or wheels to engage the second tilting motion platform 2236p. Where for example the second tilting motion platform 2236p may be formed from first and second rails 2991 and 2992 that are connected to each other at opposite ends.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26

[00179] A first CGSA actuator 2216m may be mechanically attached to a lead screw mechanism 2216s and fixedly attached with the second tilting motion body 2236b and a lead screw nut 2216n may be attached with the first linear motion platform 2206p, where the lead screw nut 2216n may be for sliding along the lead screw mechanism 2216s upon a rotation of the lead screw mechanism 2216s. The lead screw mechanism may result in the lead screw nut 2216n to move about 8mm per rotation, or 25mm per rotation and the first CGSA
actuator 2216m may be a worm drive actuator with a gear reduction of about 470:1 or in some cases 250:1. The first CGSA actuator 2216m may rotate the lead screw mechanism 2216s about the second tilting pivot axis 2236a and be coaxial therewith.

[00180] The second tilting motion platform 2236p pivotally coupled with the second linear motion body 2226b for pivoting about a second tilting pivot axis 2236a may share the same axis as the lead screw mechanism 2216s. Through sharing of the same axis, any tilting of the second tilting motion platform 2236p in relation to the second linear motion body 2226b may result in the movement of the first linear motion platform along the second tilting motion platform 2236p as a result of the lead screw nut 2216n turning about the lead screw mechanism 2216s. A movement of the first linear motion platform along the second tilting motion platform 2236p is dependent upon a pitch of the lead screw mechanism, a higher pitch will result in more linear motion. Also a higher pitch lead screw may result in larger Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 distance being travelled by the lead screw nut with respect to the lead screw mechanism 2216s.

[00181] In some embodiments a sensor may be used to detect an amount of rotation of the second tilting motion platform 2236p in relation to the second linear motion body 2226b and control circuit electronics to adjust the first CGSA actuator 2216m to maintain the first linear motion platform 2206p in a same linear position in relation to the second tilting motion body 2236b through simultaneous rotation of the lead screw. The second tilting pivot axis 2236a may be parallel with the bow to stern axis 200x and perpendicular with the starboard and port axis 200y.

[00182] Referring to FIG. 4G, in some embodiments the second tilting motion platform 236p may be at least partially directly coupled with the handle assembly 305 such that an at least partial direct mechanical linkage 2325 through universal joints or a steering linkage steering cables may be achieved where at least some of the force applied to the handle assembly 305 by the human rider may be used to controllably move of the second tilting motion platform 2236p in relation to the bow to stern plane 200p and pivoting about the second tilting pivot axis 2236a and for the strut 207 tilting towards port or starboard. In some cases a worm drive mechanism 2316wd having an output shaft coaxial with the second tilting pivot axis 2236a and fixedly coupled with the second tilting motion platform 2236p to pivot of the second tilting motion platform 2236p about the output shaft. Where a body of Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 worm drive mechanism may be fixedly coupled with the second tilting motion body 2236b. The worm drive mechanism may facilitate holding of the second tilting motion platform 2236p in place when forces are applied to the strut 207. In some cases there may be a speed increased provided from the handle assembly 305 for increasing a rotation angle of the handle assembly 30, for example 1:5, meaning that a movement of the handle assembly 305 of about 50 degrees may result in a shaft rotation of about 250 degrees and the worm drive mechanism 2316wd may have a reduction of about 5:1, or 3:1 or 6:1.
The handle assembly 305 rotation may be correlated to an angle of tilting of the second tilting motion platform 2236p through a non-direct 1:1 relationship.

[00183] FIG. 4H illustrates an enclosed hull 201 having a flotation volume 202 and similar to that shown in FIG. 28 and in this embodiment the flotation volume 202 may include at least a partial flotation volume formed from an inflatable pontoon 202p or pontoons and a combination of a frame assembly 202f or at least a partially enclosed frame assembly. As with that shown in FIG. 2A, there is also the seating assembly 204 with the human rider 299 with the human rider 299 straddling the seating assembly and also the handle assembly 305 proximate the bow 200b for being held onto by hands 299h of the human rider 299. The inflatable pontoon 202p flotation volume may be sufficient to provide flotation to the PHW as well as to the rider 299 where the flotation volume for providing flotation of the personal hydrofoil watercraft and the sitting human rider, wherein at Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 least the handle assembly is above a water surface. A rigid frame may be integrated with a inflatable flotation volume for ease of transport.

[00184] In some embodiments, an inertial measurement unit or IMU
be provided for measuring a pitching motion of the various embodiments of the invention and the IMU may provide an IMU signal electrically received by the PHW control assembly for automatically adjusting of the first linear motion platform 206p position in relation to the first linear motion body 206b upon the application and reduction of thrust generated by the propulsion system 209. In some embodiments the IMU may be programmed to maintain the seating assembly 204 approximately parallel with the body of water when the weight of the personal hydrofoil watercraft may be being held up by the hydrofoil assembly 208 moving through the water.

[00185] FIG. 5A and 58 illustrate a further advantage of the embodiments of the invention with respect to the handle assembly 205 for being held onto by hands 299h of the human rider 299 may be also shown. The handle assembly 205, 305 may comprise the tubular member 205h mounted to the enclosed hull 201 proximate the bow 200b, the tubular member 205h having handlebar ends 205e bounded by the starboard sidewall 203s and the port sidewall 203p (FIG. 2D) and not extending past the starboard sidewall 203s and the port sidewall 203p, the tubular member spaced from the enclosed hull and further comprising handlebar grips 205g for being held onto by hands 299h of the human rider 299. If the personal hydrofoil Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 watercraft in accordance with embodiments of the invention were to impact a semi submerged or submerged object 911 with the hydrofoil assembly 208 or with the first strut 207 while the PHW may be riding on the hydrofoil assembly 208, there may be a high probability that the rider 299 may be launched forward or towards the bow of the PHW
and away from the PHW as the PHW may be braked in place by the semi submerged or submerged object 911. Having the having handlebar ends 205e bounded by the starboard sidewall 203s and the port sidewall 203p may result in the knees and thighs and calves of the human rider to slide along the starboard sidewall 203s and the port sidewall 203p and past the handle assembly 205 and past the handlebar ends 205e without being harmed by the handle assembly 205. This provides for a significant safety measure over that of the prior art. Furthermore the throttle and CGSA controls may be oriented on the handlebars as such that when the PWC may be pitched forward due to the impact with the a semi submerged or submerged object 911, thumbs of the rider are above and not under the handle assembly 205, thereby further providing for further safety.

[00186] FIG. 6A illustrates a hydrofoil assembly that may include adjustable control surfaces 208cs for being actively controlled using actuators for additional controlling pitching and the rolling motions of the personal hydrofoil watercraft. In some embodiments these may be passively controlled and set into position prior to use. In other embodiments linkages may be used for these control surfaces 208cs to act as trim tabs to fine tune performance of the hydrofoil assembly.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26

[00187] FIG. 6B illustrates a hydrofoil assembly that may include dual propulsion system 2091 and 2092 that may provide for redundancy as well as for differential yaw control of the PHW. FIG. 6C and 6D
illustrates a hydrofoil assembly that may include a strut actuator 207sa, the strut actuator 207sa may move the second strut 2072 in a perpendicular bow stern direction in relation to the first strut 207, where in FIG. 6C the second strut 2072 is oriented more towards the stern than the bow as shown in FIG 6D.

[00188] FIG. 6E and 6F illustrates a hydrofoil assembly that may include a hydrofoil spacing actuator 207da, the hydrofoil spacing actuator 207da may change a spacing between the first passively stable hydrofoil 2081 and the second passively stable hydrofoil 2082, where this spacing is reduced in FIG. 6F as compared to FIG. 6E.

[00189] In accordance with the embodiments of the invention there are multiple advantages offered as compare to that of the prior art.
The user or rider is able to sit comfortably on the seat and to be able to control the pitching of the PHW through the movement of the linear motion platform as well as through the use of the throttle for the application of thrust. Balancing between these two controls to control the pitching of the PHW. Steering of the PHW may be achieved by the human rider to shift their buttocks laterally towards the port and starboard directions in order to change the center of gravity of the PHW in order to control the rolling. A combination of the PHW rolling motion as well as the thrust will result in the PHW to execute a turn to Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 either port or starboard in dependence upon a side of the generated center of gravity instability. Recovering from turning motion of the PHW in either the port or starboard direction may be accomplished through changing the center of gravity to be in the opposite direction (Le. the PHW turning to port may have the center of gravity shifted to starboard in order to facilitate the PHW to turn to starboard).
Accordingly through the embodiments of the invention the PHW may provide for an aquatic motorcycle riding experience using a hydrofoil watercraft that overcomes the deficiencies in the prior art.

[00190] While the above description describes features of example embodiments, it will be appreciated that some features and/or functions of the described embodiments are susceptible to modification without departing from the spirit and principles of operation of the described embodiments. For example, the various characteristics which are described by means of the represented embodiments or examples may be selectively combined with each other. Accordingly, what has been described above is intended to be illustrative of the claimed concept and non-limiting. It will be understood by persons skilled in the art that other variants and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims appended hereto. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments and examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26

Claims

Claims:
What l claim is:
[Claim 1] 1. A
personal hydrofoil watercraft for being used by a human rider in a body of water comprising:
an enclosed hull having a flotation volume and comprising a bow and a stern and a deck surface abutting a starboard sidewall and a port sidewall extending from the bow to the stern, the enclosed hull having a bow to stern length (L) along a bow to stern axis greater than a starboard and port sidewall width (W) along a starboard and port axis;
a bow to stern plane comprising the bow to stern axis and bisecting the enclosed hull to a starboard side and a port side;
a seating assembly attached to the deck surface proximate the stern for accommodating a buttocks of the human rider with the human rider straddling the seating assembly and the deck surface proximate the stern with calves of the human rider facing the starboard and port sidewalls;
a handle assembly proximate the bow for being held onto by hands of the human rider;
a center of gravity shifting assembly for shifting a center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft and disposed at least partially beneath the seating assembly comprising a center of gravity shifting assembly motion body fixedly attached with the enclosed hull and proximate the body of water, Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 a center of gravity shifting assembly motion platform movably coupled with the center of gravity shifting assembly motion body, the center of gravity shifting assembly motion platform for moving in relation to the center of gravity shifting assembly motion body for shifting a center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft in one of:
the bow to stern plane, and the bow to stern plane and perpendicular to the bow to stern plane along the starboard and port axis, a first strut having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end fixedly interconnected with the center of gravity shifting assembly motion body;
a hydrofoil assembly fixedly interconnected with the distal end of the strut, a propulsion system disposed proximate the distal end of the strut for propelling the watercraft in the body of water, wherein the human rider is for being seated in place contacting the seating assembly and holding onto the handle assembly and where the center of gravity shifting assembly is for being one of:
controllably adjusted along the bow to stern plane for controllably adjusting the center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft causing a pitch of the personal hydrofoil watercraft within the bow to stern plane;
controllably adjusted within the bow to stern plane for controllably adjusting the center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 watercraft causing pitching movement of the personal hydrofoil watercraft within the bow to stern plane and for being controllably adjusted parallel with the starboard and port axis for controllably adjusting a roll of the personal hydrofoil watercraft.
[Claim 2] 2. A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 1 wherein the center of gravity shifting assembly comprises:
the center of gravity shifting assembly motion body comprising:
a first linear motion body fixedly attached with the enclosed hull opposite the deck and proximate the stern and the center of gravity shifting assembly motion platform comprises:
a first linear motion platform translationally coupled with the first linear motion body, the first strut proximal end fixedly interconnected with the first linear motion platform and bisected by the bow to stern plane, first linear motion platform for controllably moving of the first strut within the bow to stern plane and for the controllable adjusting the pitch of the personal hydrofoil watercraft.
[Claim 3] 3. A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 1 wherein the center of gravity shifting assembly comprises:
the center of gravity shifting assembly motion body comprising:
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 a first linear motion body fixedly attached with the enclosed hull opposite the deck and proximate the stern and the center of gravity shifting assembly motion platform comprises:
a first linear motion platform translationally coupled with the first linear motion body, a second linear motion body fixedly coupled with first linear motion platform;
a second linear motion platform translationally coupled with the second linear motion body, the first strut proximal end fixedly interconnected with the second linear motion platform, wherein the first linear motion platform is for controllably moving of the first strut parallel with the bow to stern plane for the controllable adjusting the pitch of the personal hydrofoil watercraft along the bow to stern plane and the second linear motion platform is for controllably moving of the first strut perpendicular with the bow to stern plane for the controllable adjusting the roll of the personal hydrofoil watercraft.
[Claim 4] 4. A
personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 1 wherein the center of gravity shifting assembly comprises:
the center of gravity shifting assembly motion body comprising:
a second tilting motion body fixedly attached with the enclosed hull opposite the deck and proximate the stern;
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 a second tilting motion platform pivotally coupled with the second linear motion body for pivoting about a second tilting pivot axis;
a first linear motion platform translationally coupled with the second tilting motion platform for translating along the second tilting pivot axis, wherein when the second tilting motion platform pivots about the second tilting pivot axis a translation of the first linear motion platform along the second tilting pivot axis results, the first strut proximal end fixedly interconnected with the first linear motion platform, wherein the strut distal end is for pivoting about the second tilting pivot axis for being at an angle to the bow to stern plane.
[Claim 5] 5. A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 1 comprising a bow-stern dividing plane for dividing the enclosed hull into a bow section and a stern section, the bow section comprising:
a bow deck surface;
a substantially waterproof compartment formed within the bow section comprising a battery unit and a personal hydrofoil watercraft control assembly, which comprises control electronics and circuitry for controlling electrical components of the personal hydrofoil watercraft;
an access hatch for providing controllably access to the waterproof compartment for inserting and removing of the battery unit from the substantially waterproof compartment;
the handle assembly;
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 the stern section comprising:
a stern deck surface onto which is mounted the seating assembly, the center of gravity shifting assembly motion platform movably coupled with the center of gravity shifting assembly motion body, the strut.
[Claim 6] 6. A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 5 wherein stern section comprising the stern deck surface and a transom surface, the transom surface extending from the stern deck surface distally towards the stern, wherein the bow deck surface and transom surface form a mirror angle with the bow-stern dividing plane.
[Claim 7] 7. A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 5 wherein the flotation volume comprises a bow section flotation volume and a stern section flotation volume, wherein the flotation volumes are within twenty percent of each other.
[Claim 8] 8. A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 1 wherein a side view of the enclosed hull comprises a banana shape.
[Claim 9] 9. A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 3 wherein the center of gravity shifting assembly motion body is for controllably adjusting the center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft between the bow section and the stern section and past the bow-stern dividing plane.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 [Claim 1 0] 1 O. A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 1 wherein the enclosed hull comprises a hull surface and comprising a split line propagating from the bow to the stern along the port and starboard sides, the split line on each side abutting the starboard sidewall and the port sidewall and the split line abutting the hull surface.
[Claim 1 1] 1 1 . A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 1 wherein the watercraft comprises:
other than a movable watercraft roll control system and rolling of the watercraft is induced through lateral shifting of the buttocks of the human rider along the seating assembly in parallel with the starboard and port axis for causing the center of gravity to move laterally away from the bow to stern plane, the watercraft controllably rolling about a roll axis in the direction of the center of gravity shift wherein an amount of the center of gravity shift is proportional to the amount of watercraft controllably rolling, and controllably adjust of the pitch attitude by changing the position of the linear motion platform with respect to the linear motion body as well as through the controllable generation of thrust.
[Claim 1 2] 1 2. A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 1 wherein the hydrofoil assembly comprises a first passively stable hydrofoil and a second passively stable hydrofoil, wherein the first passively stable hydrofoil has a larger surface area than the second passively stable hydrofoil and wherein the propulsion system is Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 disposed between the first passively stable hydrofoil and the second passively stable hydrofoil and both the first passively stable hydrofoil and the second passively stable hydrofoil are fixedly interconnected with the distal end of the first strut and spaced apart from each other using at a separation through a second strut, which is fixedly interconnected with the distal end of the first strut.
[Claim 1 3] 1 3. A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 1 wherein the handle assembly comprises:
a tubular member mounted to the enclosed hull proximate the bow, the tubular member having handlebar ends bounded by the starboard sidewall and the port sidewall and not extending past the starboard sidewall and the port sidewall, the tubular member spaced from the enclosed hull and further comprising handlebar grips for being held onto by hands of the human rider.
[Claim 1 4] 1 4. A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim wherein the handle assembly comprises:
a throttle assembly electrically coupled with the personal hydrofoil watercraft control assembly for being operated by a portion of the right hand of the rider;
a center of gravity shifting assembly motion platform control assembly electrically coupled with the personal hydrofoil watercraft control assembly, personal hydrofoil watercraft control assembly for receiving a throttle signal from the throttle assembly for controllably affecting a thrust of the propulsion system and for Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 receiving a center of gravity shifting assembly motion platform control signal from the center of gravity shifting assembly motion platform control assembly for controllably positioning of the center of gravity shifting assembly motion platform control assembly with respect to the center of gravity shifting assembly motion body along the bow to stern plane.
[Claim 1 5] 1 5. A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 1 wherein the watercraft comprises:
other than a movable steering system and steering of the watercraft through causing a roll of the watercraft through lateral shifting of the buttocks of the human rider along the seating assembly in parallel with the starboard and port axis to control roll attitude and to controllably adjust of the pitch attitude by changing a position of the linear motion platform with respect to the linear motion body as well as through the controllable generation of thrust.
[Claim 1 6] 1 6. A personal hydrofoil watercraft comprising:
an enclosed hull having a flotation volume and comprising a bow and a stern and a deck surface abutting a starboard sidewall and a port sidewall extending from the bow to the stern, the enclosed hull having a bow to stern length along a bow to stern axis greater than a starboard and port sidewall width along a starboard and port axis where the bow to stern axis is perpendicular with the starboard and port axis;
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 sitting a human rider on a seating assembly attached to the deck surface and the human rider straddling the seating assembly and the deck surface;
gripping to a handle assembly proximate the bow;
controllably applying underwater thrust to lift the enclosed hull away from the water surface through lift being generated by a hydrofoil assembly disposed beneath the water surface and propagating through the water, the hydrofoil assembly supporting of the personal hydrofoil watercraft and the rider through the generated lift;
controllably pitching of the personal hydrofoil watercraft through controllably adjusting the center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft along the bow stern plane;
controllably rolling of the personal hydrofoil watercraft through controllably adjusting the center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft in a direction perpendicular to the bow stern plane, the flotation volume for providing flotation of the personal hydrofoil watercraft and the sitting human rider, wherein the handle assembly is above a water surface.
[Claim 1 7] 1 7. A
personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 16 wherein the controllably adjusting the center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft involves movement of the hydrofoil assembly relative to the seated rider in one of the bow stern plane and the bow stern plane and the direction perpendicular to the bow stern plane.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 [Claim 1 8] 1 8. A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 17 providing a center of gravity shifting assembly for shifting a center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft and disposed at least partially beneath the seating assembly comprising:
a center of gravity shifting assembly motion body fixedly attached with the enclosed hull and proximate the body of water, a center of gravity shifting assembly motion platform movably coupled with the center of gravity shifting assembly motion body, the center of gravity shifting assembly motion platform for moving in relation to the center of gravity shifting assembly motion body for shifting a center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft in one of:
the bow to stern plane, and the bow to stern plane and perpendicular to the bow to stern plane along the starboard and port axis.
[Claim 1 9] 1 9. A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 16 comprising:
providing a center of gravity shifting assembly for shifting a center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft and disposed at least partially beneath the seating assembly comprising:
providing a second tilting motion body fixedly attached with the enclosed hull opposite the deck and proximate the stern;
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 providing a second tilting motion platform pivotally coupled with the second linear motion body for pivoting about a second tilting pivot axis;
providing a first linear motion platform translationally coupled with the second tilting motion platform for translating along the second tilting pivot axis, wherein when the second tilting motion platform pivots about the second tilting pivot axis a translation of the first linear motion platform along the second tilting pivot axis results, the first strut proximal end fixedly interconnected with the first linear motion platform, wherein the strut distal end for pivoting about the second tilting pivot axis for being at an angle to the bow to stern plane.
[Claim 20] 20. A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 16 comprising:
a first strut having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end fixedly interconnected with the center of gravity shifting assembly motion body;
a hydrofoil assembly fixedly interconnected with the distal end of the strut, and a propulsion system disposed proximate the distal end of the strut for propelling the watercraft in the body of water, wherein the human rider is for being seated and contacting the seating assembly and holding onto the handle assembly and where the center of gravity shifting assembly is for being controllably adjusted along the bow to stern plane for one of:
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 controllably adjusting the center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft causing a pitch of the personal hydrofoil watercraft within the bow to stern plane along a hydrofoil assembly pitch axis and for being controllably adjusted within the bow to stern plane and, for controllably adjusting the center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft causing pitching movement of the personal hydrofoil watercraft within the bow to stern plane along the hydrofoil assembly pitch axis and for being controllably adjusted parallel with the starboard and port axis for controllably adjusting a roll of the personal hydrofoil watercraft about a hydrofoil assembly roll axis.
[Claim 21] 2 1 . A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 19 comprising a first strut having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end fixedly interconnected with the center of gravity shifting assembly motion body;
a hydrofoil assembly fixedly interconnected with the distal end of the strut and a proximal end of the hydrofoil assembly through a releasable connection, a propulsion system disposed proximate the distal end of the strut for propelling the watercraft in the body of water, wherein the human rider is for being seated in place contacting the seating assembly and holding onto the handle assembly and where the center of gravity shifting assembly is for one of:
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 being controllably adjusted along the bow to stern plane for controllably adjusting the center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft causing a pitch of the personal hydrofoil watercraft within the bow to stern plane along a hydrofoil assembly pitch axis; and for being controllably adjusted within the bow to stern plane for controllably adjusting the center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft causing pitching movement of the personal hydrofoil watercraft within the bow to stern plane along the hydrofoil assembly pitch axis and for being controllably adjusted parallel with the starboard and port axis for controllably adjusting a roll of the personal hydrofoil watercraft about a hydrofoil assembly roll axis.
[Claim 22] 22. A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 20 wherein the rolling movement of the personal hydrofoil watercraft is about the hydrofoil assembly roll axis when the proximal end of the first strut and the enclosed hull are above a surface of the body of water.
[Claim 23] 23. A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 20 wherein the pitching movement of the personal hydrofoil watercraft is about the hydrofoil assembly pitch axis when the proximal end of the first strut and the enclosed hull are above a surface of the body of water.
[Claim 24] 24. A personal hydrofoil watercraft according to claim 21 wherein the pitching movement of the personal hydrofoil watercraft Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 is about the hull pitch axis when the proximal end of the first strut is below a surface of the body of water and the enclosed hull is buoyant and floating on the body of water.
[Claim 25] 25. A
personal hydrofoil watercraft for being used by a human rider in a body of water comprising:
an enclosed hull having a flotation volume and comprising a bow and a stern and a deck surface abutting a starboard sidewall and a port sidewall extending from the bow to the stern, the enclosed hull having a bow to stern length along a bow to stern axis where the bow to stern length is greater than a starboard and port sidewall width along a starboard and port axis;
a bow to stern plane comprising the bow to stern axis and bisecting the enclosed hull to a starboard side and a port side;
a seating assembly attached to the deck surface proximate the stern for accommodating a buttocks of the human rider with the human rider straddling the seating assembly and the deck surface proximate the stern;
a handle assembly proximate the bow for being held onto by hands of the human rider;
a center of gravity shifting assembly for shifting a center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft and disposed at least partially beneath the seating assembly;
a second tilting motion body fixedly attached with the enclosed hull opposite the deck and proximate the stern;
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 a second tilting motion platform pivotally coupled with the second linear motion body for pivoting about a second tilting pivot axis;
a first linear motion platform translationally coupled with the second tilting motion platform for translating along the second tilting pivot axis, wherein when the second tilting motion platform pivots about the second tilting pivot axis a translation of the first linear motion platform along the second tilting pivot axis, the first strut proximal end releasably interconnected with the first linear motion platform, wherein the strut distal end for pivoting about the second tilting pivot axis for being at an angle to the bow to stern plane;
a hydrofoil assembly fixedly interconnected with the distal end of the strut having a propulsion system disposed proximate the distal end of the strut for propelling the watercraft in the body of water, the center of gravity shifting assembly for controllably adjusting the center of gravity of the personal hydrofoil watercraft causing pitching movement of the personal hydrofoil watercraft within the bow to stern plane along a hydrofoil assembly pitch axis and for being controllably adjusted parallel with the starboard and port axis for controllably adjusting a roll of the personal hydrofoil watercraft about a hydrofoil assembly roll axis, the hydrofoil assembly comprising a first passively stable hydrofoil and a second passively stable hydrofoil, wherein the first passively stable hydrofoil has a larger surface area than the Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26 second passively stable hydrofoil and comprises the hydrofoil assembly pitch axis along its width and wherein the propulsion system is disposed between the first passively stable hydrofoil and the second passively stable hydrofoil and both the first passively stable hydrofoil and the second passively stable hydrofoil are fixedly interconnected with the distal end of the first strut and spaced apart from each other using at a separation through a second strut comprising the hydrofoil assembly roll axis along its length, which is fixedly interconnected with the distal end of the first strut.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-01-26