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).

  • Patent number: 10508000
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: GENERAL DYNAMICS MISSION SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Graham Hawkes, Charles Chiau, Adam Wright
  • Patent number: 9944371
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: DEEPFLIGHT
    Inventor: Graham Hawkes
  • Publication number: 20170297667
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventor: Graham Hawkes
  • Patent number: 9522718
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Hawkes Ocean Technologies
    Inventor: Graham Hawkes
  • Publication number: 20160257525
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Graham Hawkes, Charles Chiau, Adam Wright
  • Patent number: 9376185
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Bluefin Robotics Corporation
    Inventors: Graham Hawkes, Charles Chiau, Adam Wright
  • Publication number: 20160023733
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventor: Graham Hawkes
  • Patent number: 8974148
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Bluefin Robotics Corporation
    Inventors: Graham Hawkes, Jonathan Epstein
  • Publication number: 20140248087
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: BLUEFIN ROBOTICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Graham Hawkes, Jonathan Epstein
  • Patent number: 8770129
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Bluefin Robotics Corporation
    Inventors: Graham Hawkes, Charles Chiau, Adam Wright
  • Patent number: 8616805
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Bluefin Robotics, Corporation
    Inventors: Graham Hawkes, Charles S Chiau, Adam Wright
  • Patent number: 8556538
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Bluefin Robotics Corporation
    Inventors: Graham Hawkes, Jonathan Epstein
  • Publication number: 20130193256
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: Graham Hawkes, Charles Chiau, Adam Wright
  • Patent number: 8369673
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Bluefin Robotics Corporation
    Inventors: Graham Hawkes, Glen Sussman, Charles S Chiau
  • Publication number: 20110299819
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: Hawkes Remotes, Inc.
    Inventors: Graham Hawkes, Glen Sussman, Charles S. Chiau
  • Publication number: 20110299932
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: Hawkes Remotes, Inc.
    Inventors: Graham Hawkes, Jonathan Epstein
  • Publication number: 20110283930
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: Hawkes Remotes, Inc.
    Inventors: Graham Hawkes, Charles Chiau, Adam Wright
  • Publication number: 20100212574
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: Hawkes Ocean Technologies
    Inventors: Graham Hawkes, Charles S. Chiau
  • Publication number: 20100212573
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: Hawkes Ocean Technologies
    Inventors: Graham Hawkes, Charles S. Chiau
  • Patent number: 7555970
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Precision Remotes, Inc.
    Inventors: Graham Hawkes, Eric Hobson