Patents by Inventor Eric H Kirchoff

Eric H Kirchoff 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).

  • Hydrophone module
    Patent number: 11852765
    Abstract: An assembly with a first coupling having a forward bulkhead device is provided. The forward bulkhead device contains a first connector insert having first end connections for wires and optical fibers of an acoustic array. The assembly also includes a second coupling having an aft bulkhead device therein. The aft bulkhead device contains a second connector insert having second end connections for the wires and optical fibers of the acoustic array. The forward bulkhead device further includes an alignment assembly. The alignment assembly is matable with the aft bulkhead device to align the first connector insert with the second connector insert. The forward bulkhead device further includes a locking ring connecting the forward bulkhead device with the aft bulkhead device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Inventors: Eric H Kirchoff, Michael J Kroger
  • Thin line towed array bootable bulkhead
    Patent number: 11745835
    Abstract: An assembly with a first coupling having a forward bulkhead device is provided. The forward bulkhead device contains a first connector insert having first end connections for wires and optical fibers of an acoustic array. The assembly also includes a second coupling having an aft bulkhead device therein. The aft bulkhead device contains a second connector insert having second end connections for the wires and optical fibers of the acoustic array. The forward bulkhead device further includes an alignment assembly. The alignment assembly is matable with the aft bulkhead device to align the first connector insert with the second connector insert. The forward bulkhead device further includes a locking ring connecting the forward bulkhead device with the aft bulkhead device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Inventors: Eric H Kirchoff, Michael J Kroger
  • Variable length inflatable ramp launch and recovery system
    Patent number: 9708035
    Abstract: A launch and recovery system for a towed body is provided in which uninflated air beams extrude from winches where the beams enter a deployment frame and are inflated. Sealing rollers near the winches seal the air beams when the desired length of the air beams is inflated. To deploy the towed body, a positioning cart moves along the inflated air beams from an end of a deployment frame. A translating arch moves from the forward to the aft end of the positioning cart on the rails to where the tow body is released from the capture boom and swing support. The positioning cart can retract back into the deployment frame when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Kurt M Czepizak, Ryan F Galego, Eric H Kirchoff, Joseph M Muhitch, Paul V Cavallaro, Andrew W Hulton