Patents by Inventor Craig Patrick O'Connell

Craig Patrick O'Connell 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: 11297824
    Abstract: An improved exclusion barrier including a plurality of elongate members extending in a generally upright condition between a sea floor and a sea surface. The elongate members are improved to provide a more uniform surface area for the prevention of sharks passing through upper portions of the barrier and maximizing the exclusion capabilities of the overall barrier network. The elongate members include, in addition to permanent magnets, hydro-electric power generation mechanisms for powering electro-magnets within the elongate members to produce a stronger electro-magnetic deterrent field across the barrier network, and also include telescoping mechanisms to allow for a variance in length of each member in coordination with changing wave and water levels and to provide additional pump action for hydro-electric power generation within each elongate member. The exclusion barrier is also secured to the sea floor by an anchoring base having evenly spaced anchoring locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Inventor: Craig Patrick O'Connell
  • Patent number: 9963209
    Abstract: A shark barrier includes a plurality of resiliently flexible, elongate members that extend in a generally upright condition between a sea floor and a sea surface. The elongate members are arranged so as to have the appearance of a thicket, preferably a kelp forest, when viewed from within the water and include magnets to assist in deterring certain shark species. The elongate members may be secured to the sea floor by an anchoring base and are held in the generally upright condition by a buoy or buoyant material held within the elongate members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Stellenbosch University
    Inventors: Craig Patrick O'Connell, Michael Rutzen, Sara Andreotti, Conrad Matthee
  • Publication number: 20150321737
    Abstract: A shark barrier includes a plurality of resiliently flexible, elongate members that extend in a generally upright condition between a sea floor and a sea surface. The elongate members are arranged so as to have the appearance of a thicket, preferably a kelp forest, when viewed from within the water and include magnets to assist in deterring certain shark species. The elongate members may be secured to the sea floor by an anchoring base and are held in the generally upright condition by a buoy or buoyant material held within the elongate members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Craig Patrick O'Connell, Michael Rutzen, Sara Andreotti, Conrad Matthee