Patents by Inventor Richard A. Wheelock

Richard A. Wheelock 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).

  • Master buoy system for acoustic array deployment, using underwater glide bodies remotely launched from a submerged pod
    Patent number: 4494938
    Abstract: A method and apparatus deploys a hydrophone array in a predetermined patt. A master buoy includes a float and an anchor which hold a central portion at a predetermined depth in the water. A number of hydrodynamically shaped glide vehicles are disengaged from the central portion and glide radially outwardly from it. When the glide vehicles come to rest, strings of hydrophones are released and buoyed along the bottom in a preestablished pattern. Acoustic energy impinging on the hydrophones, optionally is fed to a transmitting unit on the float or to a remote installation via a cable lying on the bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Robert A. Flood, Howard R. Talkington, Richard A. Wheelock, Robert L. Watts
  • Master buoy system for acoustic array deployment, using underwater glide bodies remotely launched from a submerged pod
    Patent number: 4272835
    Abstract: A method and apparatus deploys a hydrophone array in a predetermined patt. A master buoy includes a float and an anchor which hold a central portion at a predetermined depth in the water. A number of hydrodynamically shaped glide vehicles are disengaged from the central portion and glide radially outwardly from it. When the glide vehicles come to rest, strings of hydrophones are released and buoyed from the bottom in a preestablished pattern. Acoustic energy impinging on the hydrophones, optionally is fed to a transmitting unit on the float or to a remote installation via a cable lying on the bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1981
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Robert A. Flood, Howard R. Talkington, Richard A. Wheelock, Robert L. Watts