Patents Assigned to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
  • Patent number: 12174285
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium having a tracked package with a source emitting signals through an underwater environment that are detected by a receiver on a tracker and thereby producing a received signal, the tracker also having a controller and a position mechanism. The controller is configured to produce a sample from the received signal, receive velocity data from the position mechanism, and determine an angle relative to the source by comparing the received signal's frequency from a known source frequency and the velocity data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2024
    Assignee: WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION
    Inventors: Erin Fischell, Peter Traykovski
  • Patent number: 12110676
    Abstract: A stowable generator device including a housing defining at least one storage chamber having an opening. A closure element is configured to selectively cover and uncover the opening. Support structure is disposed within the storage chamber in a collapsed position and is selectively extendable through the opening into an expanded position when the closure element is moved away from the opening. At least one energy generating unit is connected to the support structure. The support structure and the generating unit are configured to reversibly stow inside the housing in the collapsed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION
    Inventors: Robin Littlefield, Jeffrey Kaeli
  • Patent number: 12058635
    Abstract: A system and method enabling precise range estimation and time synchronization between a first object such as a vehicle having a primary communications mechanism and an interconnected first controller, and a second object having a secondary communications mechanism and an interconnected second controller. The primary sends communications into the environment and the secondary receives them; the secondary then sends replies to the primary. The communications have information for determining range between the two objects and for comparing the second object's internal clock with a more accurate clock of the first object. Repeated exchanges of communications between the two objects enables additional precision of range as well as time synchronization information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION
    Inventors: Leo-Paul Pelletier, Norman Farr, Jonathan Ware, Christopher McRaven
  • Patent number: 12055641
    Abstract: A device and method of use for the calibration of a detector. The calibration device includes a first source configured to produce first electromagnetic energy EMR. A first diffuser is connected to the first source and is configured to accept the first EMR and provide a first diffused portion of the first EMR. An integrating sphere defines an interior and is optically connected to the first diffuser, and is configured to accept the first diffused portion from the first diffuser into the interior. An exit port connected to the integrating sphere is configured to pass at least a portion of electromagnetic energy. A thermal mechanism is configured to adjust and maintain the temperature of at least the first source. The integrating sphere is configured to pass only a second portion of the first diffused portion of the first EMR from the first diffuser to the exit port. In another embodiment, the calibration device has an arm, an actuator, and a module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
    Inventor: Paul Dominic Fucile
  • Patent number: 11990857
    Abstract: A rotational feedback control system, and method of using same, including a rotating element, a sensor and a digital controller. The system capable of monitoring, setting, and adjusting the inter-rotational angular velocity within a single revolution of the rotating element. The digital controller implementing a control system with control parameters based on angular position, nominal angular velocity and steering angular velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
    Inventors: Jeffrey Kaeli, Frederic Jaffre
  • Patent number: 11855573
    Abstract: An efficient, large dynamic range electric motor system and method of operating same, including a frame, at least a first rotor-stator pair, together having a first dynamic range, and a second rotor-stator pair, having a second dynamic range, with the first and second pairs mounted within the frame for rotation about a common central axis of an output shaft, mounted for rotation about the first axis and configured to transfer torque from the first and second pairs. A clutch is configured to isolate at least one of the first and second pairs away from the output shaft, thereby establishing an at least one isolated pair, and preventing torque transfer between the at least one isolated pair and the output shaft. A controller is connected to the first and second pairs and is configured to control power delivery to the first and second pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION
    Inventor: Andrew S. Billings
  • Publication number: 20230314314
    Abstract: A system for the identification of sample types and method of using same. The system and method including an optical mechanism, and a detector. The system accepts a sample, directs input light from the optical mechanism onto that sample, producing output light that is received by the detector. The detector produces a sample-derived spectrum for classification. The present disclosure provides for a classification method to classify spectrum into one of many sample types, preferably plastic types.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION
    Inventor: Anna MICHEL
  • Patent number: 11709262
    Abstract: A device, system and method of use for the relative navigation in a fluid medium, the device having a receiver and a controller, the receiver capable of receiving signals through the fluid medium. The signals, produced by a source, are capable of undergoing Doppler shift, and the controller is capable of determining the Doppler shift of the signals and determining the bearing between the device and the source of the signals. The system further having a first vehicle capable of producing the signals and a second vehicle having the device and wherein the device determines the bearing of the second vehicle in relation to the first vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION
    Inventors: Erin Fischell, Peter Traykovski
  • Publication number: 20230217906
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method of use for capturing data on an environment and determining a parameter of that environment. The apparatus having a housing, a sensor, and a controller, the sensor capturing data pertaining to the environment, the controller processing, by a data processing pipeline, the data to determine or estimate a parameter of the environment. In one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus captures data on aquaculture environments and estimates parameters relating to underwater creature such as fish biomass, fish feeding state, or fish satiation score.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Applicant: WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION
    Inventor: Yogesh Girdhar
  • Publication number: 20230221246
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of use are provided; the apparatus having at least a degasser, a hollow core fiber HCF, an optical mechanism, a detector, and circuitry. The degasser enables gasses to permeate out of a liquid into the degasser interior. The propagator establishes a low-pressure area that helps to pull the gas from the degasser interior into the HCF interior, where the optical mechanism delivers electromagnetic radiation EMR that interacts with the gas. The detector determines EMR absorption, producing output signals which are sent to the circuitry. Circuitry controls the optical mechanism and analyzes the output signals to quantify the concentration of gas in the HCF and in the liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Applicant: WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION
    Inventors: Jason KAPIT, Anna MICHEL
  • Patent number: 11634738
    Abstract: A method comprising a series of selective extraction techniques for the parallel production of biodiesel and isolation of several valuable co-products including an alkenone hydrocarbon mixture of the kerosene/jet fuel range (primarily C10-, C12-, and C17-hydrocarbons) and fucoxanthin, a high-valued carotenoid, from the marine alkenone-producing microalgae Isochrysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignees: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Western Washington University, Marine Biological Laboratory
    Inventors: Christopher M. Reddy, Gregory W. O'Neil, Scott R. Lindell
  • Patent number: 11579335
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes various embodiments of systems, apparatuses, and methods for large-scale processing of weather-related data. For one such system, the system comprises a database of weather-related data providing from a plurality of weather monitoring stations and a plurality of interconnected processors for coordinating a data processing job for processing a set of input weather-related data from the database. Accordingly, the input data comprises sensor data from an array of weather monitoring stations positioned on an open shoreline during a hydrodynamic event, weather model data for the hydrodynamic event, and at least one of air-craft reconnaissance data or satellite reconnaissance data regarding the hydrodynamic event, wherein the plurality of interconnected processors are configured to assimilate the input data and generate, using machine learning, an improved weather prediction model for the hydrodynamic event. Other systems, apparatuses, and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignees: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc., Clarkson University, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
    Inventors: Forrest J. Masters, Pedro L. Fernandez-Caban, Brian M. Phillips, Christopher C. Ferraro, Britt Raubenheimer, Wei-Ting Lu
  • Patent number: 11558125
    Abstract: Provided herein are hybrid optical/acoustic wireless communications platforms for aquatic environments, the platforms comprising: an optical communications system configured to send and receive optical communications signals along a bed of the aquatic environment; an optical/acoustic communications signal converter; and an acoustic communications system configured to send and receive acoustic communications signals between the bed of the aquatic environment and a surface of the aquatic environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignees: THAYERMAHAN, INC., WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION
    Inventors: Michael Joseph Connor, Norman Farr
  • Patent number: 11506591
    Abstract: A system for the differentiation of plastic and non-plastic particles in suspension in a liquid, and the method of use thereof. The system having a channel for constraining and presenting the liquid to a detector, the detector having at least one transmit electrode for emitting electrical current to at least one receive electrode. Circuitry provides the current input and received electrical signals measurement capacities. Particles passing the receive electrodes alter the received electrical current according to the particle's dielectric properties, the circuitry records the received signals and discerns a particle's nature, most often plastic from non-plastic, from the differential signal of these received signals as a function of frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
    Inventors: Anna Pauline Miranda Michel, Beckett Colson
  • Patent number: 11493391
    Abstract: A gradient sensing probe system, and method of using same, including a sensing segment which includes a plurality of sensors, a support structure, and an electrical interface having first and second faces. The system further includes a housing, a power source, and an electronics package including a controller and disposed within the housing. The sensing segment is configured to measure external gradients and to exchange data with the controller. The power source is connected energetically to provide power to the sensing segment and the electronics package, and is controlled by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
    Inventors: Richard Sanger, Paul D. Fucile, Maurice Tivey
  • Publication number: 20220329179
    Abstract: A rotational feedback control system, and method of using same, including a rotating element, a sensor and a digital controller. The system capable of monitoring, setting, and adjusting the inter-rotational angular velocity within a single revolution of the rotating element. The digital controller implementing a control system with control parameters based on angular position, nominal angular velocity and steering angular velocity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Applicant: WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION
    Inventors: Jeffrey Kaeli, Frederic Jaffre
  • Patent number: 11325685
    Abstract: A passive ballast device, system and method of using same, configured for use with a submersible vehicle in a liquid environment, including a chamber having at least one rigid wall to define at least a portion of a chamber volume, and a passively movable compensator having at least first and second surfaces, the first surface configured to be exposed to the liquid environment, the second surface excluded from the liquid environment, and forming, together with the at least one wall of the chamber, a fluid-tight seal to establish the remainder of the chamber volume, to exclude the liquid environment from the chamber volume and configured to adjust the chamber volume to at least a first chamber volume and a second chamber volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION
    Inventors: Jeffrey Kaeli, Robin Littlefield
  • Patent number: 11280820
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting electrical events, often a corona associated with an impending lightning strike, including a coupling mechanism configured to establish an electromagnetic connection with a conductive substrate to receive signals intercepted by the conductive substrate. A detector circuit converts and discriminates the received signals into output signals. An output mechanism records and/or transmits the output signals, as well as determines if the output signal represents a qualified event signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION
    Inventors: Edward C. Brainard, II, Hans J. Weedon
  • Publication number: 20210361546
    Abstract: The use of long-chain alkenones to impart desired characteristics in personal care compositions for topical applications is described. The preparation of mixtures long-chain alkenones and synthetic derivatives thereof is presented. Examples of compositions include abrasive soaps, with alkenones serving as natural exfoliating agents. Alkenones and their derivatives can serve as emollients, occlusive agents, encapsulating agents, stabilizing agents, binding agents, thickening agents, surfactants, and antimicrobials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Applicants: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Western Washington University
    Inventors: Gregory W. O'Neil, Christopher M. Reddy
  • Publication number: 20210355512
    Abstract: A method comprising a series of selective extraction techniques for the parallel production of biodiesel and isolation of several valuable co-products including an alkenone hydrocarbon mixture of the kerosene/jet fuel range (primarily C10-, C12-, and C17-hydrocarbons) and fucoxanthin, a high-valued carotenoid, from the marine alkenone-producing microalgae Isochrysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Applicants: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Western Washington University, Marine Biological Laboratory
    Inventors: CHRISTOPHER M. REDDY, GREGORY W. O'NEIL, SCOTT R. LINDELL