Electric-powered boat with retractable hydrofoil

Abstract

An electric-powered watercraft with at least one retractable hydrofoil and an advanced guidance and control system is described. The retractable aspect of the at least one hydrofoil allows for simpler dry-land and shallow-water transport and handling of the watercraft. The guidance and control system allows for improved maneuverability, better stability, greater motor efficiency and reduced power consumption.

1 . A watercraft comprising at least one hydrofoil and at least one retractable strut wherein the at least one hydrofoil is attached fixedly to the at least one retractable strut. 
     
     
         2 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one strut retracts through the action of an actuator. 
     
     
         3 . The watercraft of  claim 2 , wherein the watercraft further comprises a rotational joint, wherein the at least one rotational strut is rotatably attached to the joint at its first end and attached fixedly to the main hydrofoil at its second end. 
     
     
         4 . The watercraft of  claim 2 , further comprising a motor foil assembly (MFA), the MFA comprising an electric motor and at least one propeller. 
     
     
         5 . The watercraft of  claim 4 , wherein the MFA is attached to the at least one retractable strut. 
     
     
         6 . The watercraft of  claim 5 , wherein the MFA further comprises the at least one hydrofoil. 
     
     
         7 . The watercraft of  claim 5 , wherein the MFA further comprises a battery. 
     
     
         8 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one hydrofoil further comprises at least one aileron formed moveably on the trailing edge of the at least one hydrofoil. 
     
     
         9 . The watercraft of  claim 8  further comprising a rear strut, a rear hydrofoil and an elevator, wherein the rear strut is rotatably and retractably attached to the watercraft, the rear hydrofoil is fixedly attached to the rear strut, and the rear hydrofoil comprises an elevator formed moveably on the trailing edge of the rear hydrofoil. 
     
     
         10 . The watercraft of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one strut comprises a push-rod aileron actuator, wherein the push-rod aileron actuator is movably attached at its first end to the at least one aileron. 
     
     
         11 . The watercraft of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one sensor enabled to detect at least one object or measurement, the object or measurement selected from a list consisting of shallow water, rocks, obstacles substantially under the water, obstacles near the surface of the water, obstacles floating in the water, other watercraft, fish, water pressure, depth below the surface of the water, and speed. 
     
     
         12 . The watercraft of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one sensor is a scanning sonar module. 
     
     
         13 . The watercraft of  claim 11 , further comprising a hull, wherein the at least one sensor is mounted fixedly as part of one of the at least one retractable strut, the hydrofoil, the hull or the aileron. 
     
     
         14 . The watercraft of  claim 11 , further comprising a control system enabled to accept data from the at least one sensor and analyze the data of the object or measurement to determine if the object or measurement is a source of potential damage to the watercraft and take an appropriate action to avoid the source of potential damage. 
     
     
         15 . The watercraft of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one hydrofoil further comprises:
 at least one aileron formed moveably on the trailing edge of the at least one hydrofoil; and   a control system further configured to:
 accept data from the at least one sensor; 
 analyze the data; and 
 as a result of the analysis make a change to at least one of the motor speed and the shape of the at least one hydrofoil through the actuation of the at least one aileron.