Patents by Inventor Alan K. Fettinger

Alan K. Fettinger 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: 9229108
    Abstract: Systems and methods for conducting autonomous underwater inspections of subsea and other underwater structures using a 3D laser mounted on an underwater platform such as AUV, an ROV or a tripod. The systems and methods described herein can be used for scanning underwater structures to gain a better understanding of the underwater structures, such as for example, for the purpose of generating a 3D virtual model of the underwater structure. The 3D virtual model can be used for many purposes including, but not limited to, directing inspection, repair, and manipulation of the underwater structure, navigating around the underwater structure, and other purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Christian H. Debrunner, Alan K. Fettinger, Philip A. Bouxsein
  • Patent number: 9223025
    Abstract: Systems and methods for conducting autonomous underwater inspections of subsea and other underwater structures using a 3D laser mounted on an underwater platform such as AUV, an ROV or a tripod. The systems and methods described herein can be used for scanning underwater structures to gain a better understanding of the underwater structures, such as for example, for the purpose of avoiding collision of an underwater vehicle with the underwater structures and for directing inspection, repair, and manipulation of the underwater structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Christian H. Debrunner, Alan K. Fettinger, Philip A. Bouxsein
  • Publication number: 20150092178
    Abstract: Systems and methods for conducting autonomous underwater inspections of subsea and other underwater structures using a 3D laser mounted on an underwater platform such as AUV, an ROV or a tripod. The systems and methods described herein can be used for scanning underwater structures to gain a better understanding of the underwater structures, such as for example, for the purpose of avoiding collision of an underwater vehicle with the underwater structures and for directing inspection, repair, and manipulation of the underwater structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christian H. DEBRUNNER, Alan K. FETTINGER, Philip A. BOUXSEIN
  • Patent number: 8942062
    Abstract: A method and system that can be used for scanning underwater structures. The method and system allow a user to gain a better understanding of an underwater structure. For example, the method and system detect change(s) to an underwater structure. An acoustic sonar wave is directed toward an underwater structure, and a reflected acoustic sonar wave is received and processed to produce a three dimensional image. Data points of this three-dimensional image of the underwater structure are aligned to a pre-existing three dimensional model of the underwater structure. A change detection model is generated based on the aligned 3D images, and the change detection model is compared to the pre-existing three dimensional model of the underwater structure. Based on the comparison, occurrences of structural changes in the underwater structure are detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Christian H. Debrunner, Alan K. Fettinger, Christopher L. Baker
  • Patent number: 8929176
    Abstract: A method and system are described that can be used for scanning underwater structures. The method and system allow a user to gain a better understanding of an existing underwater structure. For example, the method and system allow for building a three dimensional model of an underwater structure. A sonar wave is directed toward an underwater structure, and a reflected sonar wave is received. Initial 3D data points are obtained from the reflected sonar wave, and are configured to provide a three-dimensional image of the underwater structure. A working alignment model of the underwater structure is generated by the initial data points. As new 3D sonar data is collected, the new 3D sonar data is aligned with and added to the alignment model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Christian H. Debrunner, Alan K. Fettinger, Christopher L. Baker
  • Publication number: 20140300885
    Abstract: Systems and methods for conducting autonomous underwater inspections of subsea and other underwater structures using a 3D laser mounted on an underwater platform such as AUV, an ROV or a tripod. The systems and methods described herein can be used for scanning underwater structures to gain a better understanding of the underwater structures, such as for example, for the purpose of generating a 3D virtual model of the underwater structure. The 3D virtual model can be used for many purposes including, but not limited to, directing inspection, repair, and manipulation of the underwater structure, navigating around the underwater structure, and other purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christian H. DEBRUNNER, Alan K. FETTINGER, Philip A. BOUXSEIN
  • Publication number: 20120099402
    Abstract: A method and system are described that can be used for scanning underwater structures. The method and system allow a user to gain a better understanding of an existing underwater structure. For example, the method and system allow for building a three dimensional model of an underwater structure. A sonar wave is directed toward an underwater structure, and a reflected sonar wave is received. Initial 3D data points are obtained from the reflected sonar wave, and are configured to provide a three-dimensional image of the underwater structure. A working alignment model of the underwater structure is generated by the initial data points. As new 3D sonar data is collected, the new 3D sonar data is aligned with and added to the alignment model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christian H. Debrunner, Alan K. Fettinger, Christopher L. Baker
  • Publication number: 20120099395
    Abstract: A method and system that can be used for scanning underwater structures. The method and system allow a user to gain a better understanding of an underwater structure. For example, the method and system detect change(s) to an underwater structure. An acoustic sonar wave is directed toward an underwater structure, and a reflected acoustic sonar wave is received and processed to produce a three dimensional image. Data points of this three-dimensional image of the underwater structure are aligned to a pre-existing three dimensional model of the underwater structure. A change detection model is generated based on the aligned 3D images, and the change detection model is compared to the pre-existing three dimensional model of the underwater structure. Based on the comparison, occurrences of structural changes in the underwater structure are detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christian H. Debrunner, Alan K. Fettinger, Christopher L. Baker
  • Publication number: 20120099400
    Abstract: A method and system that can be used for scanning underwater structures. For example, the method and system estimate a position and orientation of an underwater vehicle relative to an underwater structure, such as by directing an acoustic sonar wave toward an underwater structure, and processing the acoustic sonar wave reflected by the underwater structure to produce a three dimensional image of the structure. The data points of this three dimensional image are compared to a pre-existing three dimensional model of the underwater structure. Based on the comparison, a position and orientation of an underwater vehicle relative to the underwater structure can be determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christian H. Debrunner, Alan K. Fettinger, Christopher L. Baker