Patents by Inventor Graham Hawkes
Graham Hawkes 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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Patent number: 10508000Abstract: A cable containing an optical fiber is used to transmit data between an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and a support vessel floating on the surface of the water. The ROV stores the cable on a spool and releases the cable into the water as the ROV dives away from the support vessel. The ROV detects the tension in the cable and the rate that the cable is released from the ROV is proportional to the detected tension in the cable. After the ROV has completed the dive and retrieved by the support vessel, the cable can be retrieved from the water and rewound onto the spool in the ROV.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2016Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: GENERAL DYNAMICS MISSION SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Graham Hawkes, Charles Chiau, Adam Wright
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Patent number: 9944371Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a fixed positively buoyant manned submersible that includes a plurality of vertical thrusters and a sealed enclosure(s) that can support one or more human passengers. The vertical thrusters can include vertically aligned propellers that are coupled to motors that control the rotational velocity of the propellers. The vertical thrusters to generate a negative vertical thrust to allow the submersible to dive within a body of water. Horizontal movement can be achieved through horizontal thrusters or directing the thrust vectoring of the vertical thrusters.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2016Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: DEEPFLIGHTInventor: Graham Hawkes
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Publication number: 20170297667Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a fixed positively buoyant manned submersible that includes a plurality of vertical thrusters and a sealed enclosure(s) that can support one or more human passengers. The vertical thrusters can include vertically aligned propellers that are coupled to motors that control the rotational velocity of the propellers. The vertical thrusters to generate a negative vertical thrust to allow the submersible to dive within a body of water. Horizontal movement can be achieved through horizontal thrusters or directing the thrust vectoring of the vertical thrusters.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2016Publication date: October 19, 2017Inventor: Graham Hawkes
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Patent number: 9522718Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a fixed positively buoyant manned submersible that includes a plurality of vertical thrusters and a sealed enclosure(s) that can support one or more human passengers. The vertical thrusters can include vertically aligned propellers that are coupled to motors that control the rotational velocity of the propellers. The vertical thrusters to generate a negative vertical thrust to allow the submersible to dive within a body of water. Horizontal movement can be achieved through horizontal thrusters or directing the thrust vectoring of the vertical thrusters.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2014Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: Hawkes Ocean TechnologiesInventor: Graham Hawkes
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Publication number: 20160257525Abstract: A cable containing an optical fiber is used to transmit data between an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and a support vessel floating on the surface of the water. The ROV stores the cable on a spool and releases the cable into the water as the ROV dives away from the support vessel. The ROV detects the tension in the cable and the rate that the cable is release from the ROV is proportional to the detected tension in the cable. After the ROV has completed the dive and retrieved by the support vessel, the cable can be retrieved from the water and rewound onto the spool in the ROV.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2016Publication date: September 8, 2016Inventors: Graham Hawkes, Charles Chiau, Adam Wright
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Patent number: 9376185Abstract: A cable containing an optical fiber is used to transmit data between an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and a support vessel floating on the surface of the water. The ROV stores the cable on a spool and releases the cable into the water as the ROV dives away from the support vessel. The ROV detects the tension in the cable and the rate that the cable is released from the ROV is proportional to the detected tension in the cable. After the ROV has completed the dive and retrieved by the support vessel, the cable can be retrieved from the water and rewound onto the spool in the ROV.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2012Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: Bluefin Robotics CorporationInventors: Graham Hawkes, Charles Chiau, Adam Wright
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Publication number: 20160023733Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a fixed positively buoyant manned submersible that includes a plurality of vertical thrusters and a sealed enclosure(s) that can support one or more human passengers. The vertical thrusters can include vertically aligned propellers that are coupled to motors that control the rotational velocity of the propellers. The vertical thrusters to generate a negative vertical thrust to allow the submersible to dive within a body of water. Horizontal movement can be achieved through horizontal thrusters or directing the thrust vectoring of the vertical thrusters.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2014Publication date: January 28, 2016Inventor: Graham Hawkes
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Patent number: 8974148Abstract: A spool has a cylinder, a first flange coupled to a first end of the cylinder and a second flange coupled to a second end of the cylinder. A compressible material surrounds the cylinder and an optical fiber is wrapped around the compressible material. When tension is applied to the optical fiber the compressible material can be deformed to reduce the tension on the optical fiber. When submerged underwater the water pressure will not compress the compressible material.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2013Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Bluefin Robotics CorporationInventors: Graham Hawkes, Jonathan Epstein
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Publication number: 20140248087Abstract: A spool has a cylinder, a first flange coupled to a first end of the cylinder and a second flange coupled to a second end of the cylinder. A compressible material surrounds the cylinder and an optical fiber is wrapped around the compressible material. When tension is applied to the optical fiber the compressible material can be deformed to reduce the tension on the optical fiber. When submerged underwater the water pressure will not compress the compressible material.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2013Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: BLUEFIN ROBOTICS CORPORATIONInventors: Graham Hawkes, Jonathan Epstein
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Patent number: 8770129Abstract: A cable containing an optical fiber is used to transmit data between an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and a support vessel floating on the surface of the water. The ROV pulls the cable through the water and as the ROV dives away from the support vessel, the optical fiber is released from the support vessel. Excess tension in the cable can damage the optical fiber and the tension can be highest close to the ROV. To prevent potential damage to the optical fiber, the ROV can store a portion of the cable and release the cable if the detected tension approaches the maximum working load. When the tension drops to a lower safe level, the release mechanism can stop releasing the cable.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2012Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Bluefin Robotics CorporationInventors: Graham Hawkes, Charles Chiau, Adam Wright
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Patent number: 8616805Abstract: An optical fiber management system for a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) includes a spool containing a length of optical cable, a motor coupled to the spool, a motor controller, a speed sensor and a feed mechanism. The motor controller can detect the speed of the ROV through water and control the rotational speed of the motor so that the optical cable is removed from the spool at a speed that is equal to or greater than the speed of the ROV. A feed mechanism is used to apply a tension to the optical cable so that it is removed from the spool and emitted from the ROV without becoming tangled.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2011Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Bluefin Robotics, CorporationInventors: Graham Hawkes, Charles S Chiau, Adam Wright
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Patent number: 8556538Abstract: A spool has a cylinder, a first flange coupled to a first end of the cylinder and a second flange coupled to a second end of the cylinder. A compressible material surrounds the cylinder and an optical fiber is wrapped around the compressible material. When tension is applied to the optical fiber the compressible material can be deformed to reduce the tension on the optical fiber. When submerged underwater the water pressure will not compress the compressible material.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2010Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Bluefin Robotics CorporationInventors: Graham Hawkes, Jonathan Epstein
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Publication number: 20130193256Abstract: A cable containing an optical fiber is used to transmit data between an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and a support vessel floating on the surface of the water. The ROV stores the cable on a spool and releases the cable into the water as the ROV dives away from the support vessel. The ROV detects the tension in the cable and the rate that the cable is release from the ROV is proportional to the detected tension in the cable. After the ROV has completed the dive and retrieved by the support vessel, the cable can be retrieved from the water and rewound onto the spool in the ROV.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2012Publication date: August 1, 2013Inventors: Graham Hawkes, Charles Chiau, Adam Wright
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Patent number: 8369673Abstract: An optical fiber cable has a transparent core for transmitting optical data and a biodegradable protective covering. When placed in water, the protective covering dissolves in water after a few days. The raw remaining optical fiber cover is very thin, approximately 0.003 inches in diameter and very fragile. The optical core is easily broken into fine particles which becomes sand on the sea floor.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2010Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Bluefin Robotics CorporationInventors: Graham Hawkes, Glen Sussman, Charles S Chiau
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Publication number: 20110299819Abstract: An optical fiber cable has a transparent core for transmitting optical data and a biodegradable protective covering. When placed in water, the protective covering dissolves in water after a few days. The raw remaining optical fiber cover is very thin, approximately 0.003 inches in diameter and very fragile. The optical core is easily broken into fine particles which becomes sand on the sea floor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2010Publication date: December 8, 2011Applicant: Hawkes Remotes, Inc.Inventors: Graham Hawkes, Glen Sussman, Charles S. Chiau
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Publication number: 20110299932Abstract: A spool has a cylinder, a first flange coupled to a first end of the cylinder and a second flange coupled to a second end of the cylinder. A compressible material surrounds the cylinder and an optical fiber is wrapped around the compressible material. When tension is applied to the optical fiber the compressible material can be deformed to reduce the tension on the optical fiber. When submerged underwater the water pressure will not compress the compressible material.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2010Publication date: December 8, 2011Applicant: Hawkes Remotes, Inc.Inventors: Graham Hawkes, Jonathan Epstein
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Publication number: 20110283930Abstract: An optical fiber management system for a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) includes a spool containing a length of optical cable, a motor coupled to the spool, a motor controller, a speed sensor and a feed mechanism. The motor controller can detect the speed of the ROV through water and control the rotational speed of the motor so that the optical cable is removed from the spool at a speed that is equal to or greater than the speed of the ROV. A feed mechanism is used to apply a tension to the optical cable so that it is removed from the spool and emitted from the ROV without becoming tangled.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2011Publication date: November 24, 2011Applicant: Hawkes Remotes, Inc.Inventors: Graham Hawkes, Charles Chiau, Adam Wright
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Publication number: 20100212574Abstract: A system for communicating with a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) includes a winged ROV coupled to a surface buoy by a tether. A controller on a support ship is coupled to the tether and the control signals are then transmitted through the tether to the ROV. Feedback and sensor signals are transmitted from the ROV through the wireless transceivers to the controller. The wings of the ROV produce negative lift which is greater than the buoyant force of the ROV and the vertical tension forces on the tether.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2010Publication date: August 26, 2010Applicant: Hawkes Ocean TechnologiesInventors: Graham Hawkes, Charles S. Chiau
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Publication number: 20100212573Abstract: A system for communicating with a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) includes an ROV coupled to a surface buoy by a tether. A controller is coupled to a first wireless transceiver and a second wireless transceiver is attached to the surface buoy. Control signals are transmitted from the controller through the first wireless transceiver the second wireless transceiver on the surface buoy. The control signals are then transmitted through the tether to the ROV. Feedback and sensor signals are transmitted from the ROV through the wireless transceivers to the controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2010Publication date: August 26, 2010Applicant: Hawkes Ocean TechnologiesInventors: Graham Hawkes, Charles S. Chiau
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Patent number: 7555970Abstract: A system used in a remotely controlled firearm device includes a circular gear and two worm gears. The worm gears engage the outer diameter of the circular gear and rotate synchronously to rotate the circular gear to align the firearm device with a target. Once the firearm device is aligned, the circular gear is locked into a fixed position that does not have any hysteresis by rotating the two worm gears asynchronously.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2005Date of Patent: July 7, 2009Assignee: Precision Remotes, Inc.Inventors: Graham Hawkes, Eric Hobson