Vibration-powered floating object

摘要

A vibration-powered device adapted for flotation and propulsion on an upper surface in a liquid. The device having a body with a top side adapted to be at least partially disposed above the surface of the liquid, and a bottom side adapted to be at least partially submerged below the surface of the liquid. A vibration mechanism is disposed in the body. A propulsion fin is connected to the body. The fin includes a top side adapted to be disposed at least partially above the liquid surface, a bottom side adapted to be disposed at least partially below the surface. The vibration mechanism is adapted to oscillate the free distal end of the propulsion fin upward and downward.

主权项

1. A method of propelling a vibration-powered device floating on an upper surface in a liquid, said method comprising:
providing a device having a body with an internal water-resistant cavity and an external surface, the body further having a longitudinal axis, a front end portion and a rear end portion, a top side and a bottom side; providing a flotation member, the flotation member having a recess configured to directly secure to a portion of the external surface of the body, the flotation member having a shape configured to substantially maintain a portion of the top side of the body above the surface of the liquid and further configured to substantially maintain a portion of the bottom side of the body below the surface of the liquid when the flotation member is secured to the portion of the external surface of the body; vibrating a vibration mechanism disposed within the internal water resistant cavity and the vibration mechanism having a rotational motor adapted to rotate an eccentric load; and oscillating a free distal end of a propulsion fin upward and downward in response to the actuation of the vibration mechanism, and wherein said fin having a proximal end opposite the free distal end and the proximal end being connected to the body, said fin having a top side adapted to be disposed at least partially above the surface of the liquid, said fin having a bottom side adapted to be disposed at least partially below the surface of the liquid.