Patents Examined by Andrew Polay
  • Patent number: 11780539
    Abstract: A stern rudder fixing structure for fixedly connecting a stern rudder body to a stern rudder base is disclosed. The stern rudder fixing structure comprises a T-shaped bolt, a nut and a rotary rod, wherein the stern rudder body is detachably connected to the stern rudder base. The stern rudder comprises a stern rudder body, a stern rudder base and a fixing structure. The stern rudder and a paddle board provided by the disclosure are matched with a first insertion hole and a second insertion hole of the stern rudder base through the fixing structure, so that the stern rudder body and the stern rudder base are quickly assembled and dissembled in a time-saving and error-saving mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Inventors: Peng Lin, Leqiang Lin, Yongjiang Shi
  • Patent number: 11780535
    Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to marine geophysical surveying. More particularly, embodiments relate to an underwater application system for application of a streamer coating to a surface of a streamer. An embodiment may comprise a marine geophysical survey system. The marine geophysical survey system may comprise a streamer and an underwater application system operable to apply a streamer coating to the streamer as the underwater application system travels axially along the streamer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventor: Jostein Lima
  • Patent number: 11772761
    Abstract: An underwater vehicle for performing a variety of linear motions and turning motions with better stability and agility is disclosed. The underwater vehicle includes a main body, a front-drive mechanism, a rear-drive mechanism, and a steering assembly. The main body has a front end and a rear end, which defines a longitudinal axis extending from the front end to the rear end of the main body. The front-drive mechanism is connected to the main body to provide a forward propelling force in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. The steering assembly is fixed to the rear end and coupled to the rear-drive mechanism. The steering assembly is configured to rotate the rear-drive mechanism with respect to the longitudinal axis by a body angle for providing a lateral force on the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: City University of Hong Kong
    Inventors: Yajing Shen, Jiahai Shi, Panbing Wang, Xiong Yang
  • Patent number: 11772767
    Abstract: An outboard motor includes an oil passage that through which an oil flows from the shift chamber to a gear chamber. A circular recessed portion is formed on an upper surface of the gear chamber. A rectangular recessed portion communicating with the circular recessed portion is formed on a portion of the upper surface adjacent to the circular recessed portion. The rectangular recessed portion includes a front surface facing a side surface of the circular recessed portion, a left surface located on a reverse side of a rotation direction of the drive gear with respect to the front surface, and a right surface located on a side of the rotation direction with respect to the front surface. An outlet of the oil passage is arranged on the front surface at a position closer to the left surface than to the right surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masato Yoshiyuki, Norifumi Taiencho, Sho Okamoto
  • Patent number: 11772753
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for collecting waste. In one embodiment, an autonomous plastic collecting robot (APCR) device for collecting waste may include a net structure that picks up micro plastic particles dispersed in water; a tube that transports the micro plastics collected by the net structure into a main internal container; an artificial tongue for collecting larger plastics, the artificial tongue comprised of a rolling staircase with fork-like structures in placed of the stairs; a plastic degrading medium contained in the main internal container; a no-joint tail structure which acts as the primary power source for the APCR, the no-joint tail structure housing dielectric elastomer materials and a rotation shaft located between at least two electric generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Inventor: Farouk Dakhil
  • Patent number: 11767091
    Abstract: A sea scooter has a main housing, a left arm pivotably attached to the left side of the main housing, a right arm pivotably attached to the right side of the main housing, a left barrel secured to the left arm, and a right barrel secured to the right arm. Each barrel has a fan and a motor for propelling the sea scooter through water. The left and right arms are locked by the first and second locking assemblies into a folded configuration against the left and right sides of the main housing when the sea scooter is not in use, and the left and right arms are pivoted away from the left and right sides of the main housing in a use configuration when the sea scooter is in use in the water. The motor is sand-proof and water-proof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Stallion Sport Limited
    Inventors: Joseph Lin, Kwong Keung Tung, Ping Wai Lee
  • Patent number: 11760454
    Abstract: A field configurable vehicle includes bladders located interior of the vehicle hull walls. One or more of the bladders can be filled with fluids of varying densities to manage the buoyancy, mass properties, and thermal heat dissipation of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Eric Seeley
  • Patent number: 11759021
    Abstract: A flotation device is described that provides a means for relaxation and enjoyment when used in a pool, lake, or other body of water. The flotation device is inflatable and includes a body configured in the form of a vehicle having a front side, a back side, a right side, and a left side. The flotation device further includes a seating area within an interior of the body of the flotation device, two side view mirrors, and a windshield frame. The body of the flotation device is configured to resemble a convertible version of a muscle car including doors, tires, and accompanying logos and details associated with a muscle car. The convertible version of the muscle car further includes a convertible roof that is folded and in an open position as displayed on the flotation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Inventor: Jesse M. Cervantes
  • Patent number: 11753126
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for inspecting an underwater vehicle. In embodiments, a system receives a SAR image for at least a portion of an exterior surface of an underwater vehicle and performs CCD processing to compare a baseline SAS image for the underwater vehicle with the received SAR image of the underwater vehicle to generate a CCD output corresponding to a measure of similarity of the baseline SAS image and the received SAS image. The system determines whether there was tampering of the underwater vehicle based on the measure of similarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Andrew Wilby
  • Patent number: 11753125
    Abstract: An inflation device is provided including a shell, a pin, a restraining element, and a moveable element. The shell is adapted to be coupled to an inflation canister. The pin is positioned within the shell. The pin is adapted to open a seal of the inflation canister. The restraining element is positioned within the shell. The moveable element includes a shape memory alloy. The moveable element is moveable from a first position to a second position responsive to electrical energy sent to the moveable element. While the moveable element is in the first position, the restraining element is secured within the shell to restrain the pin from opening the seal of the inflation canister. While the moveable element is in the second position, the pin is releasable to open the seal of the inflation canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Inventors: Mark A. Gummin, Brian Joseph Stasey
  • Patent number: 11738836
    Abstract: A boat cradle assembly is adapted for dry storage of a pontoon boat having a deck and a hull. The hull includes a tubular midline pontoon. The boat cradle assembly comprises first and second spaced apart longitudinal side beam. A plurality of crossbeams extends between the first and second side beams. Each crossbeam has a substantially V-shaped bottom structure and a top structure. The V-shaped bottom structure is configured to reside between and engage spaced apart frame members of a dry storage rack. The top structure defines an intermediate arcuate formation configured to accommodate a rounded underside of the midline pontoon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Veeline Marine Equipment, LLC
    Inventor: Marshall Glenn Dildy
  • Patent number: 11738839
    Abstract: A field configurable autonomous vehicle includes modular elements and attachable components. The vehicle can be assembled from these modular elements and components to meet desired mission and performance characteristics without the need to purchase specially designed vehicles for each mission. The main body of the vehicle is a spherical body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Eric Seeley, Jennifer Guild, Tyler Paine, Jacob Snow, Logan Harris, Jose Ruiz, Wade Kempf, Andrew Roth
  • Patent number: 11738837
    Abstract: A torpedo recovery system is provided with a hull and a float conformable on a host vehicle and lifting wire coiled on a spool attached by an extension spring as well as with an anchor to the float. An oval hole penetrates the recovery system hull at positions lined with a watertight sleeve. The spool can accommodate a locking pin. The extension spring allows compliance for take-up of the spool by having the locking pin mate with an aperture and adds a wire pre-tension. Upon vehicle shutdown; the locking pin is retracted to free the spool from a rotational constraint. The float buoyancy translates into pulling the wire from the spool with the float and extension spring continuing to the water surface. Once the float reaches the surface; the float provides a visual location for the host vehicle. The float is retrieved and a winch can recover the lightweight torpedo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Inventor: Timothy M Fratus
  • Patent number: 11731289
    Abstract: A tool interchange for a submersible remote operated vehicle (ROV) arm includes a first interchange body that affixes to an ROV arm. A second interchange body is carried by the first interchange body to rotate on a rotation axis. The second interchange body includes a tool mount actuable between gripping an ROV tool to the second interchange body and releasing the ROV tool from the second interchange body. An inductive power coupling part is provided in the tool mount. The inductive power coupling part is presented outwardly in the tool mount opposite the first interchange body, resides on the rotation axis and is fixed with respect to the first interchange body while the second interchange body rotates. The inductive power coupling part is adapted to inductively communicate power with a corresponding inductor power coupling part of the ROV tool when the ROV tool is docked in the tool mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Brian Correll, William P. Klassen, Clayton Paul Kleppinger, Philip David Langley, Justin Daniel Schmaljohann, Ryan Mitchell Bosler, William Dawson Kesling, Chris Alexander Ade
  • Patent number: 11724788
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement (100) for a sailing boat furling system, and for reception of or comprising an outgoing shaft (11) exposed to external torque loads. It comprises a furling drive unit (20) with a gear mechanism (22) and a motor unit (23) connected to an ingoing, motor, shaft (21) and a ratchet mechanism (10) comprising a locking functionality. The ratchet mechanism comprises a housing (17A,17B) and takes up the outgoing shaft (11). The furling drive unit (20) is connectable to ratchet mechanism (10) and is so arranged that the motor unit (23) will be located distant from the outgoing shaft (11), and it further comprises a control unit (30) arranged to control the motor unit (23) driving the ingoing shaft (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: SELDÉN MAST AB
    Inventor: Nils Janhäll
  • Patent number: 11724785
    Abstract: A field configurable autonomous vehicle includes modular elements and attachable components. The vehicle can be assembled from these modular elements and components to meet desired mission and performance characteristics without the need to purchase specially designed vehicles for each mission. The main body of the vehicle is a spherical body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Eric Seeley, Jennifer Guild, Tyler Paine, Jacob Snow, Logan Harris, Jose Ruiz, Wade Kempf, Andrew Roth
  • Patent number: 11724787
    Abstract: A method comprising: providing an autonomous vehicle (AV) with a first estimated position of a target; directing the AV to travel toward the first estimated position at a constant velocity; receiving echo signals of transmitted sonar signals, the echo signals indicating a range and an azimuth of the target; determining a depth difference of the AV and the target based on the received echo signals, the depth difference being determined based on changes to the range and azimuth of the target over time; and in response to a depth difference existing, re-directing the AV toward a second estimated position of the target generated from the depth difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Thomas E. Wood, John R. Short
  • Patent number: 11719509
    Abstract: A projectile launch detector, including a body, a mast and a blade rigidly connected to the mast; the mast being capable of sliding between a retracted configuration and a deployed configuration, and capable of pivoting between a first and a second angular position. The detector may further includes a first elastic return element to return the mast to the deployed configuration relative to the body; and a first associated sensor; and a second elastic return element to return the mast to the first angular position relative to the body; and a second associated sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: NAVAL GROUP
    Inventors: Thibaut De Sarran, Quentin Deguin, Pierre Nuytten
  • Patent number: 11718381
    Abstract: A transmission system for a hybrid power plant, such as a hybrid propulsion system of a marine vessel, is described. The transmission is configured to selectively couple a primary mover and/or a secondary mover to an output of the transmission for providing a power output, and optionally selectively couple the primary mover to the secondary mover, decoupling the output, for electrical energy generation in a compact and light-weight design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Ockerman Automation Consulting, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Weismann, Jennifer Michaeli, Alden Nelson
  • Patent number: 11718379
    Abstract: Equipment for the conversion of a sailboat hull, having a substantially rectangular cockpit, into a rowing boat includes a frame that is substantially rectangular. Such frame is shaped to be arranged with the two major sides at the two major sides of the cockpit and is provided with a removable locking system of the frame to the hull of the boat. Two cantilever members jut out beyond the sides of the hull and are connected to the frame at one end and are provided with rowlocks on the other end. A seat is also provided, slidable along at least one couple of guides parallel to the major sides of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Inventor: Bartolomeo Mongiardino