Patents by Inventor Andrew S. Billings

Andrew S. Billings 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: 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: 20210328526
    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: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventor: Andrew S. Billings
  • Publication number: 20180217029
    Abstract: An aquatic particle sampling and collection apparatus comprising a tube within a tube cylindrical collection system wherein an inner tube is housed within an outer tube wherein the outer tube has a front end that is flared in a frustum shape to collect water. The inner tube defines an open chamber lined with a net or other collection apparatus which concludes with a conical cod end. An axial flow pump is situated within the collection system to facilitate the movement of water through the system thereby drawing particles in to be collected. The apparatus is paired with a subsea vehicle that allows for controlled collection and sampling. In various embodiments, the apparatus can be used to collect both bio particles such as plankton and non-bio particles such as plastics from the ocean. Where sampling is desired, the apparatus may include a disk after the conical cod end upon which the samples are collected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Andrew S. Billings, Cari L. KAISER, Cindy Lee VAN DOVER
  • Patent number: 5655938
    Abstract: A variable buoyancy float/ballast assembly has control means allowing it to sink otherwise floating objects and bring sunken objects to the surface or control their placement in the water column. The assembly can be employed to tension mooring lines, reduce vertical uploads on anchors and dampen mooring line transients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Inventors: John E. Huguenin, Michael D. Willinsky, Andrew S. Billings