Electrically powered surfboard

Abstract

Conventional unpowered surfboards enable riders to catch and ride waves towards a shoreline and experience the thrill and power of ocean waves. An electric powered surfboard has been developed to assist novice riders or riders who have suffered injuries or impairments which limit their ability to paddle are effectively prevented, or at least impaired from enjoying this activity. The surfboard comprises one or more propulsion systems which each comprise an electric motor, a drive shaft and a rotor. The rotor may be a propeller mounted in a fin of the board, or it may be an impellor in a water jet. The surfboard also comprises a power control system for controlling power to the propulsion system and comprises a speed controller and a battery as well as a cooling system for cooling the motor and speed controller. The surfboard may also comprise a monitoring system which comprises a power monitor and an output device for indicating the remaining capacity to the rider. This has the advantage of improved reliability as well as informing the user of their use and remaining capacity to ensure they are able to safely return to the shore.

1 . An electric powered surfboard comprising:
 at least one propulsion system comprising an electric motor and a rotor assembly;   a power control system for controlling power to the at least one propulsion system comprising a speed controller and at least one battery; and   a cooling system for cooling the motor and speed controller.   
     
     
         2 . The electric powered surfboard as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a monitoring system comprising a power monitor and an output device for indicating a remaining capacity to the rider.   
     
     
         3 . The electric powered surfboard as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the remaining capacity is indicated as an estimate of the time remaining determined from a predefined battery capacity. 
     
     
         4 . The electric powered surfboard as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the estimate of the time remaining is based upon the recent power usage levels. 
     
     
         5 . The electric powered surfboard as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the remaining capacity is indicated as a percentage of total capacity determined from a predefined battery capacity. 
     
     
         6 . The electric powered surfboard as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the output device is a digital display device mounted in or on the board. 
     
     
         7 . The electric powered surfboard as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the output device is a remote display device in wireless communication with the power monitor. 
     
     
         8 . The electric powered surfboard as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the monitoring system further comprises one or more warning indicators. 
     
     
         9 . The electric powered surfboard as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the monitoring system comprises a temperature sensor and the one or more warning indicators comprises an over temperature indicator. 
     
     
         10 . The electric powered surfboard as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the one or more warning indicators comprises a low power indicator. 
     
     
         11 . The electric powered surfboard as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the one or more warning indicators are provided on the top surface of the board. 
     
     
         12 . The electric powered surfboard as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the propulsion system the electric motor is a brushless DC motor which is rated with a power rating in excess of 500 W. 
     
     
         13 . The electric powered surfboard as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a fin, and wherein the rotor assembly comprises a drive shaft and a propeller located in the fin. 
     
     
         14 . The electric powered surfboard as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the drive shaft exits a lower surface of the surfboard and enters a forward edge of the fin, and the propeller is located in a cut out portion in the rear of the fin. 
     
     
         15 . The electric powered surfboard as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the fin further comprises a propeller guard. 
     
     
         16 . The electric powered surfboard as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the rotor assembly comprises a drive shaft and a water jet and the drive shaft drives an impellor in the water jet. 
     
     
         17 . The electric powered surfboard as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the at least one propulsion system further comprises a scoop and a thruster tube, wherein the scoop projects from the bottom surface of the board to draw water into the water jet and the thruster tube directs water from the water jet to the rear of the board where it is expelled. 
     
     
         18 . The electric powered surfboard as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cooling system is an open loop system comprising an intake port and an exhaust port. 
     
     
         19 . The electric powered surfboard as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the intake port is located on a lower surface in a front half of the board, and the exhaust port is located on a upper surface in a rear of half of the board. 
     
     
         20 . The electric powered surfboard as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cooling system is a passive cooling system. 
     
     
         21 . The electric powered surfboard as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the speed controller and electric motor are mounted in a metal heat sink box located near a top surface of the board. 
     
     
         22 . The electric powered surfboard as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cooling system is a closed loop system comprising a pump and a heat exchange region. 
     
     
         23 . The electric powered surfboard as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the heat exchange region is located in an upper region of the board.