Patents by Inventor Clifford Allen Jennings

Clifford Allen Jennings 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).

  • Publication number: 20230114639
    Abstract: Dark ride system 1 typically comprises a ride space; a set of wirelessly-controlled and tracklessly-guided passenger vehicle platforms 10 dispatchable within the ride space; a set of wirelessly-controlled and tracklessly-guided themed scenery vehicle platforms dispatchable within the ride space; a load and unload area for passengers disposed proximate the ride space; and a control system. A predetermined set of passengers is allowed to board a predetermined subset of the set of wirelessly-controlled and tracklessly-guided passenger vehicle platforms at the load and unload area and the set of wirelessly-controlled and tracklessly-guided themed scenery vehicle platforms dispatched in an initial spatial arrangement at one or more predetermined times. During a ride show, the control system choreographs and changes a predetermined subset of the set of wirelessly-controlled and tracklessly-guided themed scenery vehicle platforms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Applicant: Oceaneering International, Inc.
    Inventor: Clifford Allen JENNINGS
  • Publication number: 20230110375
    Abstract: An amusement ride experience may be provided using a ride system comprising a three-dimensional ride space; a predetermined set of motion-based vehicles; a turntable rotationally disposed at least partially within the three-dimensional ride space and operatively connected to the predetermined set of motion-based vehicles and configured to move each motion-base vehicle within two or more dimensions of the three-dimensional ride space without the use of track or vehicle-based propulsion; and a ride controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Applicant: Oceaneering International, Inc.
    Inventor: Clifford Allen Jennings
  • Patent number: 11571632
    Abstract: A seat moving machine comprises a passenger seat assembly disposed in between opposing seat supports which raise and lower the passenger seat assembly. One or more passenger seat beam rotators are operative to rotate the passenger seat assembly to change the pitch independently of the raising and lowering. In embodiments, rather that the seat rows being pivoted up with a rotating floor, a rotate function alters their mutual positions to one another while the lift function is taking place which brings the back seat rows up and over the front seat rows, allowing control over mutual row position during lift and in the show. Though no cables are involved, by combining the motions of lift and rotate and without any further equipment, an immersive theater system comprising the seat moving machine still employs seating that is suspended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Oceaneering International, Inc.
    Inventor: Clifford Allen Jennings
  • Patent number: 11058966
    Abstract: A suspended theater system uses a seat moving machine comprising a passenger seat assembly disposed in between opposing seat supports which raise and lower the passenger seat assembly. One or more passenger seat beam rotators are operative to rotate the passenger seat assembly to change the pitch independently of the raising and lowering. In embodiments, rather that the seat rows being pivoted up with a rotating floor, a rotate function alters their mutual positions to one another while the lift function is taking place which brings the back seat rows up and over the front seat rows, allowing control over mutual row position during lift and in the show. Though no cables are involved, by combining the motions of lift and rotate and without any further equipment, an immersive theater system comprising the seat moving machine still employs seating that is suspended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Oceaneering International, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifford Allen Jennings, Kenneth Kurtz, Justin Quillen, Jeremy Wall
  • Patent number: 11058965
    Abstract: A seat moving machine comprises a passenger seat assembly disposed in between opposing seat supports which raise and lower the passenger seat assembly. One or more passenger seat beam rotators are operative to rotate the passenger seat assembly to change the pitch independently of the raising and lowering. In embodiments, rather that the seat rows being pivoted up with a rotating floor, a rotate function alters their mutual positions to one another while the lift function is taking place which brings the back seat rows up and over the front seat rows, allowing control over mutual row position during lift and in the show. Though no cables are involved, by combining the motions of lift and rotate and without any further equipment, an immersive theater system comprising the seat moving machine still employs seating that is suspended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Oceaneering International, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifford Allen Jennings, Kenneth Kurtz, Justin Quillen, Jeremy Wall
  • Publication number: 20200324219
    Abstract: A suspended theater system uses a seat moving machine comprising a passenger seat assembly disposed in between opposing seat supports which raise and lower the passenger seat assembly. One or more passenger seat beam rotators are operative to rotate the passenger seat assembly to change the pitch independently of the raising and lowering. In embodiments, rather that the seat rows being pivoted up with a rotating floor, a rotate function alters their mutual positions to one another while the lift function is taking place which brings the back seat rows up and over the front seat rows, allowing control over mutual row position during lift and in the show. Though no cables are involved, by combining the motions of lift and rotate and without any further equipment, an immersive theater system comprising the seat moving machine still employs seating that is suspended.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Applicant: Oceaneering International, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifford Allen Jennings, Kenneth Kurtz, Justin Quillen, Jeremy Wall
  • Publication number: 20200324214
    Abstract: A seat moving machine comprises a passenger seat assembly disposed in between opposing seat supports which raise and lower the passenger seat assembly. One or more passenger seat beam rotators are operative to rotate the passenger seat assembly to change the pitch independently of the raising and lowering. In embodiments, rather that the seat rows being pivoted up with a rotating floor, a rotate function alters their mutual positions to one another while the lift function is taking place which brings the back seat rows up and over the front seat rows, allowing control over mutual row position during lift and in the show. Though no cables are involved, by combining the motions of lift and rotate and without any further equipment, an immersive theater system comprising the seat moving machine still employs seating that is suspended.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Applicant: Oceaneering International, Inc.
    Inventor: Clifford Allen Jennings
  • Publication number: 20200324220
    Abstract: A seat moving machine comprises a passenger seat assembly disposed in between opposing seat supports which raise and lower the passenger seat assembly. One or more passenger seat beam rotators are operative to rotate the passenger seat assembly to change the pitch independently of the raising and lowering. In embodiments, rather that the seat rows being pivoted up with a rotating floor, a rotate function alters their mutual positions to one another while the lift function is taking place which brings the back seat rows up and over the front seat rows, allowing control over mutual row position during lift and in the show. Though no cables are involved, by combining the motions of lift and rotate and without any further equipment, an immersive theater system comprising the seat moving machine still employs seating that is suspended.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Applicant: Oceaneering International, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifford Allen Jennings, Kenneth Kurtz, Justin Quillen, Jeremy Wall
  • Patent number: 10167993
    Abstract: A compensated actuator, in various embodiments, comprises a base and an electric actuator and a fluid actuator interconnected to cooperatively allow for movement of an upper deck frame to which one or more compensated actuators are connected with or without using a pivoting connector. When so connected, a predetermined set of compensated actuators are connected to the upper deck frame and a platform intermediate the upper deck frame and the platform in a predetermined pattern and linear forces from the electric actuator and fluid actuator combined to impart rotation to an output attachment point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Inventor: Clifford Allen Jennings
  • Patent number: 10053138
    Abstract: A motion assembly that produces pitch and roll motions includes lower and upper plates. A pivotable coupling having upper and lower shafts extending from its center is coupled between the upper and lower plates. At least two linear actuators are coupled between the plates. Extension and retraction of the actuators pivots the upper plate about the pivotable coupling relative to the lower plate. A vehicle includes two steerable propulsion wheels coupled to a chassis. A lower plate of a pitch and roll assembly, similar to that just described, couples to the chassis via a slew bearing. Seating is coupled to the upper plate. The seating rotates with respect to the chassis via controlled rotation of the slew bearing with reference to the chassis. The seating can be rotated to point in any direction with respect to the chassis regardless of the direction the steerable propulsion wheels move the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: OCEANEERING INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Samuel T. Foster, Michael Wayne Boshears, Andrew Wayne Grant, Frank Peter Hass, Clifford Allen Jennings, Eric Arthur King, Kenneth Thomas Kroslowitz, Suhas Subhaschandra Malghan, Stephen A. Sywak
  • Publication number: 20180224057
    Abstract: A compensated actuator, in various embodiments, comprises a base and an electric actuator and a fluid actuator interconnected to cooperatively allow for movement of an upper deck frame to which one or more compensated actuators are connected with or without using a pivoting connector. When so connected, a predetermined set of compensated actuators are connected to the upper deck frame and a platform intermediate the upper deck frame and the platform in a predetermined pattern and linear forces from the electric actuator and fluid actuator combined to impart rotation to an output attachment point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: Oceaneering International, Inc.
    Inventor: Clifford Allen Jennings
  • Patent number: 9964253
    Abstract: A compensated actuator, in various embodiments, comprises a base and an electric actuator and a fluid actuator interconnected to cooperatively allow for movement of an upper deck frame to which one or more compensated actuators are connected with or without using a pivoting connector. When so connected, a predetermined set of compensated actuators are connected to the upper deck frame and a platform intermediate the upper deck frame and the platform in a predetermined pattern and linear forces from the electric actuator and fluid actuator combined to impart rotation to an output attachment point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: OCEANEERING INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Clifford Allen Jennings
  • Publication number: 20180050722
    Abstract: A motion assembly that produces pitch and roll motions includes lower and upper plates. A pivotable coupling having upper and lower shafts extending from its center is coupled between the upper and lower plates. At least two linear actuators are coupled between the plates. Extension and retraction of the actuators pivots the upper plate about the pivotable coupling relative to the lower plate. A vehicle includes two steerable propulsion wheels coupled to a chassis. A lower plate of a pitch and roll assembly, similar to that just described, couples to the chassis via a slew bearing. Seating is coupled to the upper plate. The seating rotates with respect to the chassis via controlled rotation of the slew bearing with reference to the chassis. The seating can be rotated to point in any direction with respect to the chassis regardless of the direction the steerable propulsion wheels move the chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Applicant: Oceaneering International, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel T. Foster, Michael Wayne Boshears, Andrew Wayne Grant, Frank Peter Hass, Clifford Allen Jennings, Eric Arthur King, Kenneth Thomas Kroslowitz, Suhas Subhaschandra Malghan, Stephen A. Sywak
  • Patent number: 9829149
    Abstract: A compensated actuator, in various embodiments, comprises a base and an electric actuator and a fluid actuator interconnected to cooperatively allow for movement of an upper deck frame to which one or more compensated actuators are connected with or without using a pivoting connector. When so connected, a predetermined set of compensated actuators are connected to the upper deck frame and a platform intermediate the upper deck frame and the platform in a predetermined pattern and linear forces from the electric actuator and fluid actuator combined to impart rotation to an output attachment point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: OCEANEERING INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Clifford Allen Jennings
  • Patent number: 9815490
    Abstract: A motion assembly that produces pitch and roll motions includes lower and upper plates. A pivotable coupling having upper and lower shafts extending from its center is coupled between the upper and lower plates. At least two linear actuators are coupled between the plates. Extension and retraction of the actuators pivots the upper plate about the pivotable coupling relative to the lower plate. A vehicle includes two steerable propulsion wheels coupled to a chassis. A lower plate of a pitch and roll assembly, similar to that just described, couples to the chassis via a slew bearing. Seating is coupled to the upper plate. The seating rotates with respect to the chassis via controlled rotation of the slew bearing with reference to the chassis. The seating can be rotated to point in any direction with respect to the chassis regardless of the direction the steerable propulsion wheels move the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: OCEANEERING INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Samuel T Foster, Michael Wayne Boshears, Andrew Grant, Frank Peter Hass, Clifford Allen Jennings, Eric Arthur King, Kenneth Thomas Kroslowitz, Suhas Subhaschandra Malghan, Stephen A Sywak
  • Publication number: 20170314727
    Abstract: A compensated actuator, in various embodiments, comprises a base and an electric actuator and a fluid actuator interconnected to cooperatively allow for movement of an upper deck frame to which one or more compensated actuators are connected with or without using a pivoting connector. When so connected, a predetermined set of compensated actuators are connected to the upper deck frame and a platform intermediate the upper deck frame and the platform in a predetermined pattern and linear forces from the electric actuator and fluid actuator combined to impart rotation to an output attachment point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: Oceaneering International, Inc.
    Inventor: Clifford Allen Jennings
  • Patent number: 9732535
    Abstract: Various embodiments of load carrying systems comprise a load supporting frame comprising three or more connection points and an associated set of lifts configured which define six separate triangles defining separate planes configured to brace against surge, sway and yaw with respect to a support frame, such as unintended or unwanted surge, sway and yaw, while allowing intended and/or desired surge, sway and yaw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: OCEANEERING INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Clifford Allen Jennings
  • Publication number: 20160116110
    Abstract: Various embodiments of load carrying systems comprise a load supporting frame comprising three or more connection points and an associated set of lifts configured which define six separate triangles defining separate planes configured to brace against surge, sway and yaw with respect to a support frame, such as unintended or unwanted surge, sway and yaw, while allowing intended and/or desired surge, sway and yaw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Applicant: Oceaneering International, Inc.
    Inventor: Clifford Allen Jennings
  • Publication number: 20160114252
    Abstract: Various embodiments of load carrying systems comprise a load supporting frame comprising three or more connection points and an associated set of lifts configured which define six separate triangles defining separate planes configured to brace against surge, sway and yaw with respect to a support frame, such as unintended or unwanted surge, sway and yaw, while allowing intended and/or desired surge, sway and yaw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Applicant: OCEANEERING INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Clifford Allen Jennings
  • Publication number: 20160115700
    Abstract: Various embodiments of load carrying systems comprise a load supporting frame comprising three or more connection points and an associated set of lifts configured which define six separate triangles defining separate planes configured to brace against surge, sway and yaw with respect to a support frame, such as unintended or unwanted surge, sway and yaw, while allowing intended and/or desired surge, sway and yaw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Applicant: OCEANEERING INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Clifford Allen Jennings