Powered hydrofoil board with integrated control flap

Abstract

A hydrofoil board having a hydrofoil configured to be automatically controlled to stabilize the board in a level position even when incurring waves. The hydrofoil includes a pair of individually controllable flaps that control the pitch and direction of the hydrofoil board when propelled in motion. A processor uses an inertial measurement unit (IMU) to obtain orientation and acceleration information of the hydrofoil board. A global positioning system (GPS) unit is also used as an additional speed and location sensor. The processor combines IMU data with a user/rider's input, such as selected speed and direction via handheld wireless controller, and individually controls the flap motors to position the flaps, and the propulsion motor to set speed. In one example, the controller is configured to bring the hydrofoil board to a complete and stabile stop.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hydrofoil board, comprising:
 a floatable board having a top surface configured to support a user;   a strut coupled to the floatable board;   a propulsion system coupled to the strut and configured to propel the floatable board in a direction;   a hydrofoil coupled to the strut and having a flap configured to stabilize the floatable board when in motion;   an inertial measurement unit (IMU);   a processor configured to control the propulsion system and the flap;   a wireless controller operable by a user and configured to send control signals to control the processor to control the hydrofoil board; and   wherein the processor is configured to selectively supersede the control signals provided by the wireless controller such that the wireless controller has limited control of the hydrofoil board.   
     
     
         2 . The hydrofoil board as specified in  claim 1 , wherein the wireless controller is configured to control the flap. 
     
     
         3 . The hydrofoil board as specified in  claim 1 , wherein the hydrofoil board comprises two said flaps. 
     
     
         4 . The hydrofoil board as specified in  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to automatically position the floatable board in a level position when in motion. 
     
     
         5 . The hydrofoil board as specified in  claim 4 , wherein the processor in combination with the IMU is configured to automatically stabilize the floatable board when in motion. 
     
     
         6 . The hydrofoil board as specified in  claim 1 , wherein the hydrofoil has a hydrofoil top surface and the flap has a flap top surface, wherein there is a smooth continuous surface between the hydrofoil top surface and the flap top surface. 
     
     
         7 . The hydrofoil board as specified in  claim 1 , further comprising an interface between the flap and the hydrofoil comprising a smooth continuous surface. 
     
     
         8 . A method of operating a hydrofoil board including a floatable board having a top surface configured to support a user, a strut coupled to the floatable board, a propulsion system coupled to the strut and configured to propel the floatable board in a direction, a hydrofoil coupled to the strut and having a flap configured to stabilize the floatable board when in motion, an inertial measurement unit (IMU), a processor configured to control the propulsion system and the flap, a wireless controller operable by a user and configured to send control signals to control the processor to control the hydrofoil board, wherein the processor is configured to selectively supersede the control signals provided by the wireless controller, comprising:
 the processor receiving instructions from the wireless controller to control the propulsion system and the flap;   the processor selectively superseding the control signals provided by the wireless controller such that the wireless controller has limited control of the hydrofoil board.   
     
     
         9 . The method as specified in  claim 8 , wherein the wireless controller controls the flap. 
     
     
         10 . The method as specified in  claim 8 , wherein the hydrofoil board comprises two said flaps. 
     
     
         11 . The method as specified in  claim 8 , wherein the processor automatically positions the floatable board in a level position when in motion. 
     
     
         12 . The method as specified in  claim 11 , wherein the processor in combination with the IMU automatically stabilizes the floatable board when in motion. 
     
     
         13 . The method as specified in  claim 8 , wherein the hydrofoil has a hydrofoil top surface and the flap has a flap top surface, wherein there is a smooth continuous surface between the hydrofoil top surface and the flap top surface. 
     
     
         14 . The method as specified in  claim 8 , wherein the hydrofoil board comprises an interface between the flap and the hydrofoil comprising a smooth continuous surface. 
     
     
         15 . A non-transitory computer readable medium having computer readable code that when executed by a processor of a hydrofoil board including a floatable board having a top surface configured to support a user, a strut coupled to the floatable board, a propulsion system coupled to the strut and configured to propel the floatable board in a direction, a hydrofoil coupled to the strut and having a flap configured to stabilize the floatable board when in motion, an inertial measurement unit (IMU), the processor configured to control the propulsion system and the flap, a wireless controller operable by a user and configured to send control signals to control the processor to control the hydrofoil board, wherein the processor is configured to selectively supersede the control signals provided by the wireless controller, is operable to:
 receive instructions from the wireless controller to control the propulsion system and the flap; and   selectively superseding the control signals provided by the wireless controller such that the wireless controller has limited control of the hydrofoil board.   
     
     
         16 . The non-transitory computer readable medium as specified in  claim 15 , wherein the wireless controller controls the flap. 
     
     
         17 . The non-transitory computer readable medium as specified in  claim 15 , wherein the hydrofoil board comprises two said flaps. 
     
     
         18 . The non-transitory computer readable medium as specified in  claim 15 , wherein the processor automatically positions the floatable board in a level position when in motion. 
     
     
         19 . The non-transitory computer readable medium as specified in  claim 18 , wherein the processor in combination with the IMU automatically stabilizes the floatable board when in motion. 
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory computer readable medium as specified in  claim 15 , wherein the hydrofoil has a hydrofoil top surface and the flap has a flap top surface, wherein there is a smooth continuous surface between the hydrofoil top surface and the flap top surface.