Patents by Inventor William Martin Hertel, III

William Martin Hertel, III 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: 8506719
    Abstract: A cleaning system includes a chassis supporting a propulsion system for propelling the cleaning system across a surface. At least one sensor of a first type is coupled to the chassis, and a surface engagement mechanism is configured to maintain the cleaning system coupled to the surface as the propulsion system propels the cleaning system across the surface. A cleaning device is coupled to the chassis and configured to abrade the fouling from the surface, and a controller coupled to the chassis and in signal communication with the propulsion system and the first sensor. The controller is configured to receive a signal from the at least one sensor of the first type and control the propulsion system in response to the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: SeaRobotics Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Walter Holappa, Donald T. Darling, William Martin Hertel, III
  • Publication number: 20120006352
    Abstract: A cleaning system includes a chassis supporting a propulsion system for propelling the cleaning system across a surface. At least one sensor of a first type is coupled to the chassis, and a surface engagement mechanism is configured to maintain the cleaning system coupled to the surface as the propulsion system propels the cleaning system across the surface. A cleaning device is coupled to the chassis and configured to abrade the fouling from the surface, and a controller coupled to the chassis and in signal communication with the propulsion system and the first sensor. The controller is configured to receive a signal from the at least one sensor of the first type and control the propulsion system in response to the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: SEAROBOTICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth W. HOLAPPA, Donald Thomas DARLING, William Martin HERTEL, III
  • Patent number: 7971547
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the cleaning of an underwater surface, such as a hull. The method and apparatus enables cleaning to be conducted while mitigating the release of removed material into surrounding waters. The integrated apparatus includes a cleaning deck for removing fouling from the underwater hull surface, and a pre-processing deck with integrated components for the processing of cleaning effluents. According to the method and apparatus, materials removed by the shroud are sucked into the pre-processing deck, crushed, and separated into a separator effluent that may be recycled to the shroud, and a concentrate, which is discharged to a land treatment unit for further processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: William Martin Hertel, III, Jeffrey Neal Ledda, Thomas P. McCue
  • Patent number: 7905192
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the cleaning of an underwater surface, such as a ship hull. The method and apparatus enables cleaning to be conducted while mitigating the release of removed material into surrounding waters. The integrated apparatus includes a cleaning vehicle for removing fouling from the underwater hull surface, and a land treatment unit for treating liquid waste that is conveyed to the land treatment unit from the cleaning vehicle. The cleaning vehicle may include a pre-processing unit that pre-treats substances removed during the cleaning process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: William Martin Hertel, III