Patents by Inventor Eric Stackpole

Eric Stackpole 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: 10518845
    Abstract: A submersible remotely operated vehicle with a streamlined shape, which uses an internal support lattice to provide pressure resistance. By using a lattice frame to distribute the water pressure load on the vehicle, the vehicle may be constructed of thin-walled, injection molded plastic, yet may be capable of diving to significant depths. The vehicle may provide pitch control using a single vertical thrust actuator that is horizontally fore or aft of the center of vertical drag; this efficient pitch control improves hydrodynamic efficiency by pointing the vehicle towards the direction of travel to minimize the coefficient of drag. The vehicle may communicate wirelessly with a remote operator via a communications buoy tethered to the vehicle, thereby eliminating cabling constraints on the vehicle's range from the operator. The tether may be connected to the buoy using a waterproof connector that presses three terminals surrounded by a compliant seal onto mating contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: OPENROV INC.
    Inventors: Eric Stackpole, Colin Ho
  • Patent number: 10522941
    Abstract: Connection system that provides robust, waterproof, high current capacity connections between cables and devices. Cables each contain a single conductive wire that terminates in a threaded rod. The threaded rod screws into a corresponding threaded hole in a receiving socket. Engagement of the threads provides a large contact surface area to support high current capacity and to provide a strong holding force to secure the connection. Cables terminate in a housing with an O-ring that forms a waterproof seal; the connection system can therefore be used for underwater connections. Right-handed and left-handed threads may be used on opposite ends of a cable so that tightening or loosening connections on both sides causes twists in the cable to cancel out. The connection system may include a hub with two busses that each have multiple connection points for cables. The hub may distribute power to connected devices and support inter-device communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: OPENROV INC.
    Inventor: Eric Stackpole
  • Publication number: 20180222553
    Abstract: A submersible remotely operated vehicle with a streamlined shape, which uses an internal support lattice to provide pressure resistance. By using a lattice frame to distribute the water pressure load on the vehicle, the vehicle may be constructed of thin-walled, injection molded plastic, yet may be capable of diving to significant depths. The vehicle may provide pitch control using a single vertical thrust actuator that is horizontally fore or aft of the center of vertical drag; this efficient pitch control improves hydrodynamic efficiency by pointing the vehicle towards the direction of travel to minimize the coefficient of drag. The vehicle may communicate wirelessly with a remote operator via a communications buoy tethered to the vehicle, thereby eliminating cabling constraints on the vehicle's range from the operator. The tether may be connected to the buoy using a waterproof connector that presses three terminals surrounded by a compliant seal onto mating contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: OPENROV INC.
    Inventors: Eric Stackpole, Colin Ho
  • Patent number: 9944355
    Abstract: A submersible remotely operated vehicle with a streamlined shape, which uses an internal support lattice to provide pressure resistance. By using a lattice frame to distribute the water pressure load on the vehicle, the vehicle may be constructed of thin-walled, injection molded plastic, yet may be capable of diving to significant depths. The vehicle may provide pitch control using a single vertical thrust actuator that is horizontally fore or aft of the center of vertical drag; this efficient pitch control improves hydrodynamic efficiency by pointing the vehicle towards the direction of travel to minimize the coefficient of drag. The vehicle may communicate wirelessly with a remote operator via a communications buoy tethered to the vehicle, thereby eliminating cabling constraints on the vehicle's range from the operator. The tether may be connected to the buoy using a waterproof connector that presses three terminals surrounded by a compliant seal onto mating contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: OPENROV INC.
    Inventors: Eric Stackpole, Colin Ho
  • Publication number: 20180093740
    Abstract: A submersible remotely operated vehicle with a streamlined shape, which uses an internal support lattice to provide pressure resistance. By using a lattice frame to distribute the water pressure load on the vehicle, the vehicle may be constructed of thin-walled, injection molded plastic, yet may be capable of diving to significant depths. The vehicle may provide pitch control using a single vertical thrust actuator that is horizontally fore or aft of the center of vertical drag; this efficient pitch control improves hydrodynamic efficiency by pointing the vehicle towards the direction of travel to minimize the coefficient of drag. The vehicle may communicate wirelessly with a remote operator via a communications buoy tethered to the vehicle, thereby eliminating cabling constraints on the vehicle's range from the operator. The tether may be connected to the buoy using a waterproof connector that presses three terminals surrounded by a compliant seal onto mating contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Applicant: OPENROV INC.
    Inventors: Eric Stackpole, Colin Ho
  • Patent number: 9896159
    Abstract: A submersible remotely operated vehicle with a streamlined shape, which uses an internal support lattice to provide pressure resistance. By using a lattice frame to distribute the water pressure load on the vehicle, the vehicle may be constructed of thin-walled, injection molded plastic, yet may be capable of diving to significant depths. The vehicle may provide pitch control using a single vertical thrust actuator that is horizontally fore or aft of the center of vertical drag; this efficient pitch control improves hydrodynamic efficiency by pointing the vehicle towards the direction of travel to minimize the coefficient of drag. The vehicle may communicate wirelessly with a remote operator via a communications buoy tethered to the vehicle, thereby eliminating cabling constraints on the vehicle's range from the operator. The tether may be connected to the buoy using a waterproof connector that presses three terminals surrounded by a compliant seal onto mating contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: OPENROV INC.
    Inventors: Eric Stackpole, Colin Ho
  • Patent number: 9694874
    Abstract: A submersible remotely operated vehicle with a streamlined shape, which uses an internal support lattice to provide pressure resistance. By using a lattice frame to distribute the water pressure load on the vehicle, the vehicle may be constructed of thin-walled, injection molded plastic, yet may be capable of diving to significant depths. The vehicle may provide pitch control using a single vertical thrust actuator that is horizontally fore or aft of the center of vertical drag; this efficient pitch control improves hydrodynamic efficiency by pointing the vehicle towards the direction of travel to minimize the coefficient of drag. The vehicle may communicate wirelessly with a remote operator via a communications buoy tethered to the vehicle, thereby eliminating cabling constraints on the vehicle's range from the operator. The tether may be connected to the buoy using a waterproof connector that presses three terminals surrounded by a compliant seal onto mating contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: OPENROV INC.
    Inventors: Eric Stackpole, Colin Ho