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Maruta Electric Boatworks LLC

Murata Electric Boatworks LLC

Marvin A Motsenbocker

Kayo Motsenbocker

James Arthur Profitt

Joseph Timothy Peek

Direct current electric grids are provided that allow independent power generation and consumption at the neighborhood level. In an embodiment power is uploaded and downloaded to each node via monitoring of node voltage and setting high vs low priority loads to optimize for maximum power usage. Embodiments allow a new paradigm wherein electrical supply is set by total available installed power generation and wherein all available power is used, via prioritization. New apparatuses and circuits are provided that provide higher efficiency by utilizing solar power generated at low light conditions and by minimizing the number of power alteration steps between power generator and power consuming device.

DC power grid and equipment

Solar electric energy is optimally used by varying one or more connected loads to achieve a maximum output power voltage. Entire appliances may be switched on or off, or modulated, as in the case for example of a heat pump compressor circuit or electric water heater. Variations of this theme are used to prioritize appliance usage for overall improved convenience and efficiency. Solar electric appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, air dryers and water pumps are described. This and other electric sources may be used to power electric garden tools. Electric distribution tools and methods are described as well as electric garden tillers with features such as semi-control and smooth operation.

Voltage prioritization of solar loads

Marching band string instruments and wearable string instruments are described that include a stiff waist band to prevent excessive side to side movement during use, while providing easy doff and don of the string instrument. String instruments also are provided with adjustable chest braces to allow accommodation for different player sizes and for minimization of back strain when playing the electric string instrument for extended time periods. Electric string instruments optionally have soft material interposed between bridge feet and a string instrument body, to allow a more resonant sound detection from a pickup located between the bridge feet and the body. Other advances include generation of a stereo signal from bridge vibrations, and electronic processing of sound that enhances the electric string instrument playing and learning experience.

Electric string instruments and string instrument systems

Rapid shaft stop devices and transmissions are described that utilize permanent magnets for coupling and/or braking and are useful for electronic propeller guards and other equipment. In an embodiment, one or more capacitive discharge pulses are used to rapidly stop a shaft. A magnetic transmission is provided having axially oriented magnets on each side of an air space junction that transmit torque across the junction with a torque/speed profile that particularly suits boat propellers. The junction may include a bearing and allows slippage when the propeller resistance exceeds a given value. This slippage acts as a variable gear reduction. One or more electromagnets may be energized and thereby add to or subtract from one or more magnetic fields and provide electronic control of torque and of gear reduction ratio for devices such as watercraft drive systems.

Electronic shut off systems

Readout devices and controls are provided that alert the user to unusual propeller slip conditions. Embodiments of the invention incorporate some signal processing to account for a progressively greater slip at lower watercraft speeds. Thus, the invention provides simple information that tells the user if a boat propeller combination is being operated suboptimally, without requiring the knowledge and use of multiple slip figures for differing boat speeds. The invention allows greater economy of operation, automatic anticavitation control and can alert the watercraft operator to unusual conditions such as anchor down, propeller up other situations that affect propeller loading.

Monitoring and control of watercraft propulsion efficiency

Electronic methods, devices and kits electronically protect swimmers, animals and other objects in water from propeller strikes, and alleviate propeller damage. Desirable embodiments include continuous ultrasonic sensing and detection by separate sensors to minimize reaction time for stopping internal combustion engine and electric motor driven propellers. Electric boats having direct drive to propellers are particularly amenable for electronic propeller protection. A variety of sensors may be used, including tactile, ultrasonic, galvanometric and infrared sensors. Optionally, the devices and systems can improve performance, safety and economy of boat rental operations by discouraging, limiting and even reporting propeller strikes to a boat custodian, who may be at a different location when the boat is used.

Electronic propeller guard

Electronic control systems, devices and algorithms are described for improving boat efficiency, safety and convenience, particularly for electric motor powered boats. The overall efficiency of electric boat propulsion is improved by matching the needs of the propeller with the magnetic field requirements of the motor. Efficiency also is improved by limiting slip at different boat speeds. Rapid and fully electronic propeller shut off systems also are described for enhancing public acceptance of electric boats and more convenient cruise control systems are described for improving public acceptance of the boating experience.

Efficient motors and controls for watercraft

New electric boat designs are provided that exploit the weight of a battery to stabilize the boat and in some cases to overcome the hull speed limitation problem. The battery mass is enclosed in one or two torpedo-like structures that are mostly or completely submerged. A platform is spaced above the torpedo(s) via one or more struts that may allow wave energy to pass through the watercraft rather than collide with large vertical surfaces. The design minimizes wake formation, wave sensitivity and is useful for new kinds of electric boats that can dive with an air bubble to allow submarine use, higher speed pleasure craft, and sailing craft that can remain stable in shallow draft waters. The stabilized watercraft optionally have computer monitoring of wave activity and control for greater resistance to adverse weather conditions.

Computer controlled watercraft

High speed electric watercraft of various configurations are provided that utilize at least one submerged enclosed hull containing an electric motor and at least one other parallel float positioned higher that the enclosed hull to provide buoyancy for a platform that can carry one or more individuals above a water surface. The watercraft optionally include features of (1) a rounded front end on the platform, (2) a platform length that is shorter than the float for stability against tipping, (3) entryways that do not require stepping over a vessel hull, (4) dimensions fore and aft that minimize spray onto the rear of the platform, (5) shock absorbers to provide a smoother ride, and (6) adjustable struts that connect floats with the platform to allow control of the platform height above the water surface. These and other features are made possible by a fast electric design that avoids certain problems of vessel type watercraft.

High speed electric watercraft

Stabilized electric watercraft for high speed cruising, diving and sailing

Electric powered watercraft that lack an open-hull capsizable design utilize a low energy density heavy power supply for stabilization. The power mass is enclosed in one or two torpedo-like structures that are mostly or completely submerged. The structure(s) are combined with at least one enclosed float, preferably of convex shape. A platform is spaced above the float(s) via struts that allow wave energy to pass through the watercraft rather than collide with large vertical surfaces. The design also minimizes wake formation. This configuration of a low-energy density power supply, particularly within tapered hull(s) is useful for electric powered houseboats and personal pleasure craft that can withstand stormy conditions more easily than equivalent sized open vessel designs.

Advantageous use of battery mass in electric watercraft

Molecular binding partners such as antibodies and haptens are immobilized to support materials that have the property of contact activation of blood protein coagulation. A binding partner is attached to a surface-active protein carrier and the resulting conjugate non-covalently adsorbs onto the surface of the support. The method provides for diagnostic assays of greater sensitivity and convenience.

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Fredericksburg, VA, United States of America

Marvin A Motsenbocker