Powered hydrofoil board

Abstract

A passively stable personal hydrofoil watercraft that has a flotation device, wherein a user can ride in a prone, kneeling, or standing position. The watercraft includes a strut having an upper end interconnected with the flotation device and lower end connected with a hydrofoil. The hydrofoil greatly reduces the power required to travel at higher speed. The watercraft also includes a propulsion system connected to the hydrofoil. Both longitudinal and directional control of the watercraft is via weight shift, eliminating the need of any movable surfaces. The flotation device, strut, and hydrofoil may be permanently interconnected or may be detachable.

I claim: 
     
         1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A passively stable, weight-shift controlled personal hydrofoil watercraft, comprising:
 a surfboard-shaped flotation device that has a fore-aft length greater than a lateral width, the flotation device having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface has a substantially horizontal supporting surface configured to support a user in a prone, kneeling, or standing position, the flotation device having a forward section, a middle section, and a rear section;   a strut having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end fixedly interconnected with the flotation device's bottom surface;   a hydrofoil fixedly interconnected with the lower end of the strut, the hydrofoil being designed to provide passive static stability controlled solely by weight shift of the user;   a propulsion system attached to the surfboard-shaped flotation device for propelling the watercraft in a body of water, the propulsion system comprising a motor, a motor speed controller, and a propulsor, wherein the propulsor is selected from a propeller, a ducted propeller, or a pump-jet; and   the watercraft having no movable steering system.   
     
     
         3 . A watercraft in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the propulsion system comprises a battery, and the motor is an electric motor. 
     
     
         4 . A watercraft in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the hydrofoil is indirectly connected to the strut. 
     
     
         5 . A watercraft in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the strut is directly connected to the propulsion system. 
     
     
         6 . A watercraft in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein a first hydrofoil wing of the hydrofoil is indirectly connected to the strut through the propulsion system. 
     
     
         7 . A watercraft in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the hydrofoil comprises a plurality of wings that are interconnected by way of a strut. 
     
     
         8 . A watercraft in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the motor is an electric motor integrated into a waterproof, streamlined pod. 
     
     
         9 . A watercraft in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein the waterproof, streamlined pod is removably interconnected with the hydrofoil through a fitting. 
     
     
         10 . A watercraft in accordance with  claim 2 , further comprising a wireless handheld controller having a transmitter, and a throttle interface having a receiver, wherein the transmitter is adapted to send wireless signals to the receiver that cause an output of the propulsion system to change. 
     
     
         11 . A watercraft in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the propulsion system directly or indirectly connected to the hydrofoil. 
     
     
         12 . A personal hydrofoil watercraft, comprising:
 a surfboard-shaped flotation device that has a fore-aft length greater than a lateral width, the flotation device having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface has a substantially horizontal supporting surface configured to support a user in a prone, kneeling, or standing position, the flotation device having a forward section, a middle section, and a rear section;   a hydrofoil interconnected with the surfboard-shaped flotation device, the hydrofoil having a strut and a first hydrofoil wing, an upper end of the strut being fixedly interconnected with the surfboard-shaped flotation device;   a propulsion system attached to the surfboard-shaped flotation device for propelling the watercraft in a body of water, the propulsion system comprising a motor, a motor speed controller, and a propulsor, wherein the propulsor is selected from a propeller, a ducted propeller, or a pump-jet, and wherein the motor is integrated into a waterproof, streamlined pod removably interconnected with the hydrofoil through a fitting;   the watercraft having no movable steering system;   a handheld controller having a throttle; and   a throttle interface, wherein the throttle is adapted to send electronic signals to the throttle interface that cause an output of the propulsion system to change.   
     
     
         13 . A watercraft in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the hydrofoil comprises a plurality of hydrofoil wings including the first hydrofoil wing and a second hydrofoil wing, the first and second hydrofoil wings being connected by way of a strut. 
     
     
         14 . A watercraft in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the motor is an electric motor and the watercraft further comprises a battery coupled to the electric motor, the battery being disposed in the strut or the first wing of the hydrofoil. 
     
     
         15 . A watercraft in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the handheld controller comprises a wireless transmitter operatively coupled to the throttle and the throttle interface includes a receiver, the transmitter being adapted to send wireless signals to the receiver in response to actuation of the throttle that cause an output of the propulsion system to change. 
     
     
         16 . A watercraft in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the waterproof, streamlined pod is directly connected to the strut. 
     
     
         17 . A watercraft in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the motor is an electric motor and the watercraft further comprises a battery coupled to the electric motor, and the battery is disposed in a water-tight compartment integrated into the watercraft. 
     
     
         18 . A personal hydrofoil watercraft, comprising:
 a surfboard-shaped flotation device that has a fore-aft length greater than a lateral width, the flotation device having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface has a substantially horizontal supporting surface configured to support a user in a prone, kneeling, or standing position, the flotation device having a forward section, a middle section, and a rear section;   a hydrofoil interconnected with the surfboard-shaped flotation device, the hydrofoil having a strut and a first hydrofoil wing, an upper end of the strut being fixedly interconnected with the surfboard-shaped flotation device;   a propulsion system attached to the surfboard-shaped flotation device for propelling the watercraft in a body of water, the propulsion system comprising a motor, a motor speed controller, and a propulsor, wherein the propulsor is selected from a propeller, a ducted propeller, or a pump-jet, and wherein the motor is integrated into a waterproof, streamlined pod and the first hydrofoil wing extends from the waterproof, streamlined pod;   the watercraft having no movable steering system;   a handheld controller having a throttle; and   a throttle interface, wherein the throttle is adapted to send electronic signals to the throttle interface that cause an output of the propulsion system to change.   
     
     
         19 . A watercraft in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein the motor is an electric motor and the watercraft further comprises a battery coupled to the electric motor, and the battery is disposed in a water-tight compartment integrated into the watercraft. 
     
     
         20 . A watercraft in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein the waterproof, streamlined pod is directly connected to the strut. 
     
     
         21 . A watercraft in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein the watercraft comprises a cooling system for cooling the motor. 
     
     
         22 . A watercraft in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein the hydrofoil comprises a plurality of hydrofoil wings including the first hydrofoil wing and a second hydrofoil wing, the first and second hydrofoil wings being connected by way of a strut. 
     
     
         23 . A watercraft in accordance with  claim 18 , wherein the waterproof streamlined pod is removably interconnected with the hydrofoil through a fitting.