Patents by Inventor Jeffrey E. Kline

Jeffrey E. Kline has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11897589
    Abstract: A system and method that reduces wave-making resistance of at least one follower vessel following at least one lead vessel operating in a seaway based on a determination of time-dependent variations in the Kelvin wake waves being generated by the lead vessel when operating in a seaway. By using a time-dependent Kelvin wake wave generation approach, the determination of where to position the follower vessel in a reduced wave-making resistance region may be improved, such as when the lead vessel changes direction and/or speed in the seaway. Such an approach may position the follower vessel based on information associated with the Kelvin wake wave generated by the lead vessel in the past, which the follower vessel approaches this past-generated Kelvin wake wave and is positioned in the reduced wave-making resistance region associated with this past-generated Kelvin wake wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Inventors: Terrence W. Schmidt, Jeffrey E. Kline
  • Patent number: 11577808
    Abstract: A system and method that reduces spatial positioning control requirements for maintaining reduced wave-making resistance of at least one following vessel in a fleet operating in a seaway, by determining a position of the at least one following vessel within a coordinated zone, which is a zone within a reduced wave-making resistance region of the Kelvin wake of at least one lead vessel, at which a surge motion of the vessels is synchronized with each other. By positioning the at least one following vessel in the coordinated zone, the spatial positioning control requirements of the at least one following vessel can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Inventors: Terrence W. Schmidt, Jeffrey E. Kline
  • Patent number: 11292560
    Abstract: A supervisory propulsion controller module, a speed and position sensing system, and a communication system that are incorporated on marine vessels to reduce the wave-making resistance of the multiple vessels by operating them in controlled and coordinated spatial patterns to destructively cancel their Kelvin wake transverse or divergent wave system through active control of the vessels separation distance with speed. This will enable improvement in the vessel's mobility (speed, payload and range), improve survivability and reliability and reduce acquisition and total ownership cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Inventors: Terrence W. Schmidt, Jeffrey E. Kline
  • Publication number: 20210078682
    Abstract: A supervisory propulsion controller module, a speed and position sensing system, and a communication system that are incorporated on marine vessels to reduce the wave-making resistance of the multiple vessels by operating them in controlled and coordinated spatial patterns to destructively cancel their Kelvin wake transverse or divergent wave system through active control of the vessels separation distance with speed. This will enable improvement in the vessel's mobility (speed, payload and range), improve survivability and reliability and reduce acquisition and total ownership cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Terrence W. Schmidt, Jeffrey E. Kline
  • Patent number: 10899422
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a means of constructing an Autonomous fully-Submersible Offshore Marine Platform (ASOMP) of considerable warfighting or commercial capability which is mobile and can autonomously transport to a hazardous operating area in a low-observable reduced vulnerability manner, fully submerge to avoid the military or environmental threat hazard, hibernate until needed, perform fully submerged mobility and mission operations, surface and provide Barge and SWATH surface ship mobility and mission operations, resubmerge if the hazardous threat appears and relocate to a new operating area. Another object of the present invention is to provide a fully autonomous and submersible low-cost “lily-pad” that surfaces when called and provides a main deck platform at appropriate freeboard and seakeeping motions to function as a refueling landing zone and pier to extend the range of aircraft and marine vehicles operating in a high-threat environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Inventors: Terrence W. Schmidt, Jeffrey E. Kline
  • Publication number: 20200140047
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a means of constructing an Autonomous fully-Submersible Offshore Marine Platform (ASOMP) of considerable warfighting or commercial capability which is mobile and can autonomously transport to a hazardous operating area in a low-observable reduced vulnerability manner, fully submerge to avoid the military or environmental threat hazard, hibernate until needed, perform fully submerged mobility and mission operations, surface and provide Barge and SWATH surface ship mobility and mission operations, resubmerge if the hazardous threat appears and relocate to a new operating area. Another object of the present invention is to provide a fully autonomous and submersible low-cost “lily-pad” that surfaces when called and provides a main deck platform at appropriate freeboard and seakeeping motions to function as a refueling landing zone and pier to extend the range of aircraft and marine vehicles operating in a high-threat environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Terrence W. Schmidt, Jeffrey E. Kline
  • Publication number: 20190144090
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a means of constructing an Autonomous fully-Submersible Offshore Marine Platform (ASOMP) of considerable warfighting or commercial capability which is mobile and can autonomously transport to a hazardous operating area in a low-observable reduced vulnerability manner, fully submerge to avoid the military or environmental threat hazard, hibernate until needed, perform fully submerged mobility and mission operations, surface and provide Barge and SWATH surface ship mobility and mission operations, resubmerge if the hazardous threat appears and relocate to a new operating area. Another object of the present invention is to provide a fully autonomous and submersible low-cost “lily-pad” that surfaces when called and provides a main deck platform at appropriate freeboard and seakeeping motions to function as a refueling landing zone and pier to extend the range of aircraft and marine vehicles operating in a high-threat environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Terrence W. Schmidt, Jeffrey E. Kline
  • Patent number: 9284001
    Abstract: A traction cell for use in a track drive of an amphibious or all-terrain vehicle includes a rigid section for connection to a track drive and at least one semi-rigid compliant section which is connected to the rigid section. The semi-rigid compliant section has a bottom surface to which a penetration resistant sole is secured on a rear face which is raked relative to the vertical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: NAVATEK, LTD.
    Inventors: Terrence W. Schmidt, Jeffrey E. Kline, Gary Shimozono
  • Publication number: 20120225596
    Abstract: A traction cell for use in a track drive of an amphibious or all-terrain vehicle includes a rigid section for connection to a track drive and at least one semi-rigid compliant section which is connected to the rigid section. The semi-rigid compliant section has a bottom surface to which a penetration resistant sole is secured on a rear face which is raked relative to the vertical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: NAVATEK, LTD.
    Inventors: Terrence W. Schmidt, Jeffrey E. Kline, Gary Shimozono