Patents by Inventor Charles Chiau

Charles Chiau 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: 10508000
    Abstract: A cable containing an optical fiber is used to transmit data between an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and a support vessel floating on the surface of the water. The ROV stores the cable on a spool and releases the cable into the water as the ROV dives away from the support vessel. The ROV detects the tension in the cable and the rate that the cable is released from the ROV is proportional to the detected tension in the cable. After the ROV has completed the dive and retrieved by the support vessel, the cable can be retrieved from the water and rewound onto the spool in the ROV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: GENERAL DYNAMICS MISSION SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Graham Hawkes, Charles Chiau, Adam Wright
  • Publication number: 20160257525
    Abstract: A cable containing an optical fiber is used to transmit data between an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and a support vessel floating on the surface of the water. The ROV stores the cable on a spool and releases the cable into the water as the ROV dives away from the support vessel. The ROV detects the tension in the cable and the rate that the cable is release from the ROV is proportional to the detected tension in the cable. After the ROV has completed the dive and retrieved by the support vessel, the cable can be retrieved from the water and rewound onto the spool in the ROV.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Graham Hawkes, Charles Chiau, Adam Wright
  • Patent number: 9376185
    Abstract: A cable containing an optical fiber is used to transmit data between an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and a support vessel floating on the surface of the water. The ROV stores the cable on a spool and releases the cable into the water as the ROV dives away from the support vessel. The ROV detects the tension in the cable and the rate that the cable is released from the ROV is proportional to the detected tension in the cable. After the ROV has completed the dive and retrieved by the support vessel, the cable can be retrieved from the water and rewound onto the spool in the ROV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Bluefin Robotics Corporation
    Inventors: Graham Hawkes, Charles Chiau, Adam Wright
  • Patent number: 8770129
    Abstract: A cable containing an optical fiber is used to transmit data between an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and a support vessel floating on the surface of the water. The ROV pulls the cable through the water and as the ROV dives away from the support vessel, the optical fiber is released from the support vessel. Excess tension in the cable can damage the optical fiber and the tension can be highest close to the ROV. To prevent potential damage to the optical fiber, the ROV can store a portion of the cable and release the cable if the detected tension approaches the maximum working load. When the tension drops to a lower safe level, the release mechanism can stop releasing the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Bluefin Robotics Corporation
    Inventors: Graham Hawkes, Charles Chiau, Adam Wright
  • Publication number: 20130193256
    Abstract: A cable containing an optical fiber is used to transmit data between an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and a support vessel floating on the surface of the water. The ROV stores the cable on a spool and releases the cable into the water as the ROV dives away from the support vessel. The ROV detects the tension in the cable and the rate that the cable is release from the ROV is proportional to the detected tension in the cable. After the ROV has completed the dive and retrieved by the support vessel, the cable can be retrieved from the water and rewound onto the spool in the ROV.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: Graham Hawkes, Charles Chiau, Adam Wright
  • Publication number: 20120328372
    Abstract: A cable containing an optical fiber is used to transmit data between an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and a support vessel floating on the surface of the water. The ROV pulls the cable through the water and as the ROV dives away from the support vessel, the optical fiber is released from the support vessel. Excess tension in the cable can damage the optical fiber and the tension can be highest close to the ROV. To prevent potential damage to the optical fiber, the ROV can store a portion of the cable and release the cable if the detected tension approaches the maximum working load. When the tension drops to a lower safe level, the release mechanism can stop releasing the cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Ghaham Hawkes, Charles Chiau, Adam Wright
  • Publication number: 20110283930
    Abstract: An optical fiber management system for a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) includes a spool containing a length of optical cable, a motor coupled to the spool, a motor controller, a speed sensor and a feed mechanism. The motor controller can detect the speed of the ROV through water and control the rotational speed of the motor so that the optical cable is removed from the spool at a speed that is equal to or greater than the speed of the ROV. A feed mechanism is used to apply a tension to the optical cable so that it is removed from the spool and emitted from the ROV without becoming tangled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: Hawkes Remotes, Inc.
    Inventors: Graham Hawkes, Charles Chiau, Adam Wright