Patents by Inventor Chris Todter
Chris Todter 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).
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Publication number: 20230415870Abstract: Various embodiments of an apparatus and method for achieving and maintaining a desired depth of a submersible vessel are disclosed. The submersible vessel has both a ballast control system designed to alter a buoyancy of the submersible vessel and one or more vertical marine thrusters, designed to position the submersible vessel at a desired depth. Using the combination of the ballast control system and one or more thrusters, a desired depth may be achieved and maintained more quickly, more quietly and more accurately than vessels using only a ballast control system or one or more thrusters, respectively, alone.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2022Publication date: December 28, 2023Inventor: Chris Todter
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Patent number: 11827312Abstract: Various embodiments of a sailing vessel are disclosed configured to reduce a heeling moment acting on the sailing vessel as a wind acts on a sail of the sailing vessel. Generally, a mast of the sailing vessel is allowed to cant to leeward, thus reducing the heeling moment.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2021Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: SubSeaSail LLCInventor: Chris Todter
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Publication number: 20230271687Abstract: Various embodiments of a submerged submersible sailing vessel are disclosed. Such a submerged sailing vessel may comprise a submersible hull assembly, a keel coupled to and extending upwards from hull assembly towards a water surface, and a wind-catching assembly coupled to and extending upwards into the air from the keel for propelling the submerged sailing vessel. The hull assembly and the keel are submerged below the water surface as the vessel is propelled by the wind-catching assembly above the water surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2023Publication date: August 31, 2023Inventors: Chris Todter, Mark Timothy Ott, Michael B. Jones
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Patent number: 11673641Abstract: Various embodiments of a submerged submersible sailing vessel are disclosed. Such a submerged sailing vessel may comprise a submersible hull assembly, a keel coupled to and extending upwards from hull assembly towards a water surface, and a wind-catching assembly coupled to and extending upwards into the air from the keel for propelling the submerged sailing vessel. The hull assembly and the keel are submerged below the water surface as the vessel is propelled by the wind-catching assembly above the water surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2021Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: SubSeaSail LLCInventors: Chris Todter, Mark Timothy Ott, Michael B. Jones
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Publication number: 20220349815Abstract: Disclosed are improved soil mapping methods and apparatus that enable a user to efficiently analyze soil and create accurate soil maps to enable the user to determine soil content. The apparatus includes a probe cylinder, an extractor cylinder, a collector assembly, a first stepper motor, a roller assembly, a mixing motor, a contact probe, a cleaning brush motor, a bracket assembly for a mix motor, brush motor, and probe, an extruded aluminum bracing, a gear track, a second stepper motor, a scraper assembly, a third stepper motor, a probe, and one or more hyperspectral sensors. The apparatus relies on less expensive, faster, and more accurate data points that provide actionable real-time information by automating the current labor-intensive soil testing process. The apparatus serves the agricultural industry by advancing precision soil mapping technology to support proactive and efficient fertilizer use.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2022Publication date: November 3, 2022Inventors: Penelope Nagel, Brian Zamudio, Chris Todter
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Publication number: 20220194528Abstract: A self-righting sailing vessel is described. The self-righting sailing vessel may determine the occurrence of several predetermined events, such as the self-righting sailing vessel capsizing, present or imminent inclement weather, and/or a present or imminent vessel or large marine animal. Upon detection of one of these events, the self-righting sailing vessel causes at least it's hull to become partially or completely submerged beneath the water. The self-righting sailing vessel is configured such that its rig is more buoyant than the rest of the vessel when the vessel is completely submerged beneath the water, causing the vessel to move towards an upright position while underwater. When the vessel is pointing towards an upright position, the vessel may begin ascending until it surfaces and is ready to continue sailing on top of the water.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2021Publication date: June 23, 2022Inventor: Chris Todter
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Publication number: 20220153389Abstract: Various embodiments of a sailing vessel are disclosed configured to reduce a heeling moment acting on the sailing vessel as a wind acts on a sail of the sailing vessel. Generally, a mast of the sailing vessel is allowed to cant to leeward, thus reducing the heeling moment.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2021Publication date: May 19, 2022Inventor: Chris Todter
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Publication number: 20220081084Abstract: Various embodiments of a submerged submersible sailing vessel are disclosed. Such a submerged sailing vessel may comprise a submersible hull assembly, a keel coupled to and extending upwards from hull assembly towards a water surface, and a wind-catching assembly coupled to and extending upwards into the air from the keel for propelling the submerged sailing vessel. The hull assembly and the keel are submerged below the water surface as the vessel is propelled by the wind-catching assembly above the water surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2021Publication date: March 17, 2022Inventors: Chris Todter, Mark Timothy Ott, Michael B. Jones
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Patent number: 11180232Abstract: Various embodiments of a submerged sailing vessel are disclosed. Such a submerged sailing vessel may comprise a submersible hull assembly, a keel coupled to and extending upwards from hull assembly towards a water surface, and a wind-catching assembly coupled to and extending upwards into the air from the keel for propelling the submerged sailing vessel. The hull assembly and keel are submerged below the water surface as the vessel is propelled by the wind-catching assembly above the water surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2019Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: SubSeaSail LLCInventors: Chris Todter, Mark Timothy Ott, Michael B. Jones
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Patent number: 10625841Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a passive, automatic wing-control mechanism for sailing vessels. A cam is attached to one end of a rotatable mast as part of a rotatable wing, and a tensioner is configured to exert a constant force perpendicularly against the cam. When a wing is in a no-go sailing angle with respect to an apparent wind, the cam does not exert a torque on the mast. When the wing is outside the no-go sailing angle, the cam exerts a counter-torque to a torque caused by the apparent wind acting on the rotatable wing, causing the wing to remain at a predetermined angle with respect to the apparent wind.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2018Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: SubSeaSail LLCInventor: Chris Todter
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Publication number: 20200010164Abstract: Various embodiments of a submerged sailing vessel are disclosed. Such a submerged sailing vessel may comprise a submersible hull assembly, a keel coupled to and extending upwards from hull assembly towards a water surface, and a wind-catching assembly coupled to and extending upwards into the air from the keel for propelling the submerged sailing vessel. The hull assembly and keel are submerged below the water surface as the vessel is propelled by the wind-catching assembly above the water surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2019Publication date: January 9, 2020Inventors: Chris Todter, Mark Timothy Ott, Michael B. Jones
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Patent number: 10526096Abstract: Various embodiments of a solar wing are disclosed. A solar wing sail generates power from a series of parallel, spaced-apart solar rib assemblies, each assembly having a solar array mounted on top. A sail is formed of transparent material that surrounds the solar rib assemblies, forming an airfoil. The power generated by the solar wing sail can be used to charge batteries and operate onboard electronics.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2018Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: SubSeaSail LLCInventors: Chris Todter, Mark Timothy Ott, Michael B. Jones
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Publication number: 20190352024Abstract: Various embodiments of a solar wing are disclosed. A solar wing sail generates power from a series of parallel, spaced-apart solar rib assemblies, each assembly having a solar array mounted on top. A sail is formed of transparent material that surrounds the solar rib assemblies, forming an airfoil. The power generated by the solar wing sail can be used to charge batteries and operate onboard electronics.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2018Publication date: November 21, 2019Inventors: Chris Todter, Mark Timothy Ott, Michael B. Jones
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Patent number: 10399652Abstract: An automatic wing control mechanism for sailing vessels is described. The automatic wing control mechanism adjusts a wing orientation with respect to the apparent wind to optimize its efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2018Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: Subseasail LLCInventors: Chris Todter, Mark Timothy Ott, Michael B. Jones
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Publication number: 20190135401Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a passive, automatic wing-control mechanism for sailing vessels. A cam is attached to one end of a rotatable mast as part of a rotatable wing, and a tensioner is configured to exert a constant force perpendicularly against the cam. When a wing is in a no-go sailing angle with respect to an apparent wind, the cam does not exert a torque on the mast. When the wing is outside the no-go sailing angle, the cam exerts a counter-torque to a torque caused by the apparent wind acting on the rotatable wing, causing the wing to remain at a predetermined angle with respect to the apparent wind.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2018Publication date: May 9, 2019Inventor: Chris Todter
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Publication number: 20180339758Abstract: An automatic wing control mechanism for sailing vessels is described. The automatic wing control mechanism adjusts a wing orientation with respect to the apparent wind to optimize its efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2018Publication date: November 29, 2018Inventors: Chris Todter, Mark Timothy Ott, Michael B. Jones
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Patent number: 10059359Abstract: The invention relates to a buggy comprising an upper sliding frame and a lower sliding frame to which the front wheels are attached. In the upright driving position of the buggy, viewed in the side view, the upper sliding frame and the lower sliding frame are approximately aligned with one another. There is also a rear frame to which the rear wheels are attached. In the driving position, the buggy, viewed from the side, is oriented at an angle to the sliding frames, and the buggy can be collapsed about joints from the driving position into a transport position. Joint units, to which the respective end of a strut of the upper sliding frame facing the joint units and the respective end of a strut of the rear frame facing the joint units, are attached so as to be pivotable about joint axes, which are parallel to one another.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2016Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: Bumbleride Inc.Inventors: Matthew Reichardt, Michael Downes, Chris Todter
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Patent number: 10029773Abstract: Various embodiments of a submerged sailing vessel are disclosed. Such a submerged sailing vessel may comprise a submersible hull assembly, a keel coupled to and extending upwards from hull assembly towards a water surface, and a wind-catching assembly coupled to and extending upwards into the air from the keel for propelling the submerged sailing vessel. The hull assembly and keel are submerged below the water surface as the vessel is propelled by the wind-catching assembly above the water surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2017Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: Subseasail LLCInventors: Chris Todter, Mark Timothy Ott, Michael B. Jones
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Patent number: 9921748Abstract: A sensor system as presented here includes a plurality of digital sensor devices, a random access memory (RAM) architecture coupled to the digital sensor devices, and a controller operatively coupled to the RAM architecture. Each digital sensor device is configured to generate digital sensor output data. The controller controls the reading and writing operations of the RAM architecture. During a data recording operation of the sensor system, each of the digital sensor devices is directly connected, electrically and physically, to the RAM architecture to facilitate synchronous writing of the digital sensor output data.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2013Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: SONELITE INC.Inventors: Chris Todter, Paul Graeme Bremner
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Publication number: 20170072981Abstract: The invention relates to a buggy comprising an upper sliding frame and a lower sliding frame to which the front wheels are attached. In the upright driving position of the buggy, viewed in the side view, the upper sliding frame and the lower sliding frame are approximately aligned with one another. There is also a rear frame to which the rear wheels are attached. In the driving position, the buggy, viewed from the side, is oriented at an angle to the sliding frames, and the buggy can be collapsed about joints from the driving position into a transport position. Joint units, to which the respective end of a strut of the upper sliding frame facing the joint units and the respective end of a strut of the rear frame facing the joint units, are attached so as to be pivotable about joint axes, which are parallel to one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2016Publication date: March 16, 2017Inventors: Matthew Reichardt, Michael Downes, Chris Todter