Electronic shark deterrent apparatus for use on watercraft and boards

Abstract

An electronic shark deterrent apparatus for use on watercraft, such as canoes, surfskis, kayaks, surfboards, paddleboards, or other devices used in ocean water, which produces electrical pulses that are passed through seawater to produce an electrical current in a field-like pattern. The apparatus consists of an electronic unit ( 50 ), electrodes ( 30, 31 ) and connections ( 20, 21 ). Portions of the connections and the electrodes that attach below the waterline of a watercraft, board, or other device used in ocean water and are less than or equal to 2 millimeters thick in order to eliminate perceptible drag and do not require significant modification to the watercraft, board, or other device used in ocean or seawater.

1 . A shark deterrent apparatus comprising: an electronic unit that can be attached to a watercraft or board, connected to two or more electrodes, whereby said electrodes are attached below the waterline to a watercraft, board, or other object used in ocean or seawater, whereby the electrodes have a thickness of less than or equal to 2 millimeters, whereby said electronic unit sends pulses of electrical current through said electrodes in order to pass an electrical current through the water. 
     
     
         2 . The shark deterrent apparatus of  claim 1  wherein portions of connections between the electronic unit and the electrodes that are attached below the waterline have a thickness of less than or equal to 2 millimeters. 
     
     
         3 . The shark deterrent apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the electronic unit can be attached to the surface of the watercraft, board, or other object used in ocean or seawater. 
     
     
         4 . The shark deterrent apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the electronic unit detects when the electrodes are not in contact with water, and does not send pulses of electricity to the electrodes when the electrodes are not in contact with water. 
     
     
         5 . The shark deterrent apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the electronic unit detects when the electrodes are in contact with water, and sends pulses of electricity to the electrodes when the electrodes are in contact with water. 
     
     
         6 . The shark deterrent apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic unit has a low power mode whereby the pulse frequency, pulse duration, or pulse power can be reduced. 
     
     
         7 . The shark deterrent apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the low power mode is selected by the user. 
     
     
         8 . The shark deterrent apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the low power mode is selected automatically by the electronic unit when the electronic unit detects that available power is limited. 
     
     
         9 . The shark deterrent apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the electronic unit has a boost mode, whereby the pulse frequency, pulse duration, or pulse power is increased. 
     
     
         10 . The shark deterrent apparatus of  claim 9  whereby the boost mode is selected by the user.