Patents Examined by Anthony Wiest
  • Sailboat halyard lock
    Patent number: 8851003
    Abstract: A sailboat halyard lock includes a latch that interacts with a stop to maintain tension on a halyard, and a spring-loaded trigger that contacts the latch. The stop can be a ball that moves along a path through the halyard lock, or alternatively, a wall of a sail track. The latch rotates to engage the stop in the locked position, and is released to return to a neutral position. A spring-loaded trigger contacts the latch so as to position the latch to receive the ball or wall in the locked position. In this way, the halyard can be maintained under tension in the halyard lock, and the tension is adjustable over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Hall Inc.
    Inventors: Eric R. D. Hall, Norman Reno
  • Water jet propulsion watercraft
    Patent number: 8845371
    Abstract: A water jet propulsion watercraft includes a first exhaust pipe that is fixed to an engine and connected to an exhaust port of the engine. A damper section reduces vibrations from the engine. A catalytic converter unit is connected to the first exhaust pipe. The catalytic converter unit is attached to the engine through the damper section. A second exhaust pipe includes a first flexible pipe having a flexible quality and is connected to the catalytic converter unit. A water lock is fixed to a hull of the watercraft and connected to the second exhaust pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koichiro Morota, Shigeyuki Ozawa
  • Unmanned underwater vehicle and method for recovering such vehicle
    Patent number: 8833288
    Abstract: An unmanned underwater vehicle and a method for recovering an unmanned underwater vehicle. The unmanned underwater vehicle (1) is recovered by releasing a recovery buoy (21), which is connected to the vehicle (1) by a recovery line (22), recovering the recovery buoy (21) from the surface, attaching the recovery line (22) to a recovery system and lifting the vehicle (1) by the recovery system and the recovery line (22). To provide a safe recovery of the unmanned underwater vehicle under most weather condition, the vehicle (1) is submerged after releasing the recovery buoy (21) by reducing the buoyancy of the vehicle (1) and providing negative net-buoyancy (29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Atlas Elektronik GmbH
    Inventor: Allan Bertelsen
  • Body surfing hydrofoil and associated methods
    Patent number: 8821203
    Abstract: A body surfing hydrofoil includes a breastplate having a buoyant material extending between an inner surface and outer surface. The breastplate has a generally rigid planar shape defined by a perimeter having opposing sides diverging outwardly from a top portion to a bottom portion. A spacer is affixed to the inner surface of the breastplate and is sufficiently flexible for compressing and retracting as a result of breathing by a person biased against the spacer. A rear flotation member is integrally connected to the breastplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Inventor: Dale E. Ellis
  • Ventilation control system
    Patent number: 8814613
    Abstract: An aeration control system and method for a marine vessel. The system includes a valve configured to be coupled to an aeration conduit of a marine vessel. The valve is configured to be responsive to a valve control signal having a first value so as to be open and to provide air to the aeration conduit, and the valve configured to be responsive to the valve control signal having a second value so as to be closed and not provide air to the aeration conduit. The aeration control system also includes a control device, electrically coupled to the valve, that provides the valve control signal to the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Inventor: Robert A. Morvillo
  • Power paddle
    Patent number: 8808044
    Abstract: A portable propelling system including a driver removably coupled to a drive end portion of a shaft, and a propeller connected to a prop end portion of the shaft. The shaft may extend through an outer casing. The driver may be configured to rotate the shaft and the propeller about a rotational axis of the shaft relative to the outer casing. One or more water-buoyant components, such as one or more sections of polymeric closed-cell foam, may be disposed around the outer casing. A flexible strap may be coupled to the outer casing. A first end portion of the flexible strap may be operable between a connected position and a towing position. The system may be a telescoping system operable between collapsed and extended positions along the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Inventor: Gene L. Keough
  • Float structure mainframe
    Patent number: 8800467
    Abstract: A mainframe for a float structure is described. The mainframe is detachably connectable to the dorsal surface of the float structure inflatables and comprises: a plurality of segmented and connectable cross-structure support members transversely attached to a plurality of segmented and connected longitudinal connector members via a connector member. Each of the longitudinal members and crossmembers may be made up of a plurality of detachable sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventor: James E. Temple
  • Boats having inflatable planking
    Patent number: 8789486
    Abstract: A semi-rigid boat, includes a rigid hull (11) provided, at the bridge thereof (6), with two types of holders for the inflatable tube(s): a gutter-shaped holder for receiving, at the bow and/or at the stern, a section (13, 14) of tube (12) having a circular cross-section; and a planking wall-shaped holder (16) that extends between the bow and the stern, which is provided so as to engage with an inflatable section-shaped structure (15) having a D-shaped cross-section that extends longitudinally between the sections (13, 14). The section (15) of inflatable tube having a D-shaped cross-section is attached to the bottom portion and to the top portion of the planking wall (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Zodiac Milpro International
    Inventors: Lionel Boudeau, Erwann Ravary, Marc Lavorata
  • Transformable hull vessel
    Patent number: 8783200
    Abstract: A system for transforming a vessel hull to adjust to changing water conditions, changing the hull configuration to adapt to rough water, shallow water, a different draft or speed. The system transforms the vessel hull from a first configuration to another configuration by selectively pneumatically raising and lowering a plurality of integral sponsons that form the hull within seconds without removing the vessel from the water, even with the vessel underway. The system accommodates a multiplicity of engine designs, such as an outboard motor, a motor in a recessed position, a airboat motor or twin engines. A plurality of pneumatic cylinders that raise and lower the integral sponsons are controlled by a controller such as a PLC (Programmable Logic Control) located at a helm of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Inventor: Bennie Meyers
  • Subsurface oscillating blade propellor
    Patent number: 8783202
    Abstract: A subsurface propeller module, using Voith Schneider propeller technology, is provided for use in underwater vehicle dynamic motion control. One or more modules are mounted between nose and body sections of the vehicle such that their axes of rotation coincide with the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle. This enables the module to thrust in any direction normal to the direction of travel. Wiring for power and sensors can be routed through structural conduits connecting the nose section to the main body of the vehicle and supporting the propeller modules. The structural conduits can be shaped to provide support for the nose and body sections, and to have minimal hydrodynamic impact on vehicle forward motion or module thrust. A sealed housing is provided for the motors and control actuators of the propeller modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Scott Franklin Lowery, Bryan Franklin Johnson
  • Active heave compensation with active damping control
    Patent number: 8776711
    Abstract: A damping control system includes a first sensor configured to detect movement of a vessel and generate a first signal representing the vessel movement and a second sensor configured to detect movement of a cable and generate a second signal representing the cable movement. An actuator is configured to dampen a force applied to a payload during a force event. The force event is at least partially caused by the movement of the vessel and the cable. A controller is configured to identify the force event based at least in part on the first and second signals and control the actuator during the force event to substantially dampen the force applied to the payload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: QingHui Yuan
  • Facility in particular for producing and processing fluids, including a floating unit provided with a system for single-point mooring
    Patent number: 8770128
    Abstract: A facility for producing and processing fluids, including a boat with a system for rotatable single-point mooring via a turret pivotably mounted in a shaft which extends vertically through the hull of the boat. The turret includes an upper portion having a rotary device for receiving and supporting incoming fluid-transfer pipes, and an upper bearing, smaller in diameter than the shaft, positioned between a head portion of the upper portion of the turret and a supporting structure connected to the hull of the vessel. The upper bearing of the turret is located above the rotary device for receiving and supporting the incoming fluid-transfer pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Technip France
    Inventors: Bernard Dupont, Cyrille Dechiron
  • Scupper plug with one-way valve
    Patent number: 8763548
    Abstract: A scupper plug with a one-way valve is provided. The scupper plug permits one-way flow of water through a scupper drain so that water will drain through the scupper drain but not flow back up through the drain and into the passenger area of a water vessel. The scupper plug has a frame that carries a valve structure. A valve member is mounted to the valve structure. The valve member sealingly engages the frame to form a seal therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Outdoors Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas R. Swetish, Gary Warren Seaman
  • Semi-submersible floating structure for vortex-induced motion performance
    Patent number: 8757081
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a semi-submersible offshore platform with columns having an enlarged base on the bottom of each column with pontoons coupled between the columns. The enlarged column base can be at least as high as a height of the pontoon and on at least embodiment can be about 50% of the draft of the platform. The enlarged base can change a current flow shape around the base and columns for lower VIM. An outside corner of the base can be trimmed at an angle. Alternatively, the lower portions of the columns can be extended horizontally outward to form an effectively enlarged base having similar characteristics. In some embodiments, the pontoon volume can be reduced inversely proportional to the base enlargement to have comparable total buoyancy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Technip France
    Inventor: Qi Xu
  • Seventh bridle block system for a paravane
    Patent number: 8752493
    Abstract: A bridle block system for a paravane for seismic equipment includes a main bridle block with a connecting point for a towing line from a seismic vessel, and with attachment points for first and second triples of bridle lines to first and second lugs at either ends of the paravane. The main block includes a pivot point for a pivot arm, which has an arm with an attachment point near its end for the first triple bridle lines, and an oppositely directed arm with an attachment point near its outer end for second triple bridle lines. An auxiliary moment arias at the second arm's side is connected to a seventh bridle line, further connected to an actuator arranged near the first bridle lines' forward lugs' of the paravane. The seventh bridle exerts a force imbalance between the fore and aft bridle lines to change the paravane's angle of attack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Ulmatec Baro AS
    Inventors: Erlend Øxseth, Michal Gumos
  • Water jet propulsion watercraft
    Patent number: 8747172
    Abstract: A water jet propulsion watercraft includes a hull having a sealed engine room, an engine installed in the engine room, a jet propulsion unit arranged to be driven by the engine so as to suck in water from around the hull and jet the water, a saddle type seat disposed above the engine room, a first exhaust pipe, an exhaust pipe cooling unit, and a catalyst unit. The first exhaust pipe is attached to a side of the engine inside the engine room, extends rearward from the side of the engine, and is arranged to guide exhaust gas discharged from the engine. The exhaust pipe cooling unit is arranged to cool the first exhaust pipe. The catalyst unit is connected to the first exhaust pipe, is disposed inside the engine room so as to oppose a rear surface of the engine, and is arranged to promote reaction of components contained in the exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigeyuki Ozawa
  • Ocean going transport vessel with docking arrangements
    Patent number: 8739717
    Abstract: An ocean going transport vessel 11 having a pair of hulls 13 15, supporting a first deck 17 located above and extending across the hulls 13 15 toward one end, and forming a structural link between the hulls 13 15. Each hull 13 15 includes a further deck 65 67 extending from the first deck 17 to the other end of the hulls 13 15. Ballast tanks allow adjustment of the draft and trim of the vessel 11. A void 115 extends between the further decks 65 67 and associated hulls 13 15 for stowage or suspension of a load, frame, or deck. The further decks 65 67 extend longitudinally beyond the hulls 13 15 as cantilevered decks 95 97 which each include a docking point 207 arranged to support the vessel by the cantilevered decks, by the docking point 207 resting on a structural support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Inventor: Piet Ellnor
  • Hybrid drive system for a ship
    Patent number: 8727820
    Abstract: A hybrid drive system for a ship, designed as a parallel hybrid drive system, and comprising an internal combustion engine (103), an electric machine (105), acting as a generator or motor, depending on switching an electric controller (107), a battery (106), at least one switching clutch (115, 116), and a drive device (109) for transferring the drive power to at least one propeller (108). The electric machine (105) together with a first (115) and a second switched clutch (116), form a drive unit (140), that can be modularly disposed between the internal combustion engine (103) and the drive device (109). The first switched clutch (115) is disposed between the electric machine (105) and the internal combustion engine (103) and the second switched clutch (116) is disposed between the electric machine (105) and the drive device (109).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Paolo Stasolla, Andrea Pellegrinetti, Adriano Zanfei, Michele Zottele
  • Pontoon framing system
    Patent number: 8714099
    Abstract: A pontoon framing system using complimentary cross members and pontoons to form a pontoon frame. Making the pontoon is done by providing a flat sheet of material that has lateral edges. Rectangular notches extending inwardly at lateral edges are located opposite each other. The sheet is rolled into a cylinder so the notches in the sheet form a notch into the final cylinder that forms a central portion to the pontoon. The lateral edges are joined, and this is typically done by welding. A cross member having a rectangular cross section is placed into the notch formed in the cylindrical central portion. The cross member is then joined to the cylinder. The complimentary shape of the cross member and pontoon may also be produced by having a cylindrical central portion and then removing an arcuate portion of material in the cross member to match the shape of the pontoon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventor: Raymond M. Manderfeld
  • Boat hull and method of making
    Patent number: 8701585
    Abstract: A watercraft such as a boat that is molded in two sections such as the boat deck and the boat hull using a polyurea composition and polyurethane foam and chopped glass fibers. The resulting monolithic structure can be manufactured very quickly in a closed molding process that does not create volatile organic compounds. The resulting watercraft eliminates the use of fiberglass in the construction of boats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Inventors: Lloyd W. Seaman, Jeffrey C. Albury