Patents by Inventor John D. Venables
John D. Venables 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).
-
Publication number: 20250178711Abstract: A vessel braking control system for a marine vessel that utilizes one or more of the vessel's features and effectors to increase the drag on the vessel both through increased drag on the features and effectors themselves and by creating a downward force on the vessel as a whole, increasing the wetted hull area and increasing hull drag thereby; the control system operates to place the features and effectors in a braking state through rotation relative to the vessel's direction of travel and relative to the water's surface, and may automatically return the features and effectors to their normal operating state upon the vessel's reaching a detected, predetermined speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2025Publication date: June 5, 2025Inventors: John D. Venables, Christopher M. Pappas
-
Publication number: 20250115339Abstract: A vessel hull stabilization system includes a housing having a rotatable shaft mounted thereto, the shaft configured to connect to a fin such that the fin is located on an outside of the vessel hull and the housing is located on an inside of the vessel hull. A drive system is mounted to the housing and includes a motor and a drive element. The motor is connected to a central shaft of the drive element. The drive element includes a plurality of teeth positioned between the outer element and the central shaft such that when the motor rotates the central shaft, the plurality of teeth oscillate inwards and outwards to interact with teeth in the outer element and thereby cause rotation of a fin shaft connected to the outer element or to the gear having the oscillating teeth. A controller receives sensor readings to determine control signals to send to the motor(s) to impart rotation of the fin.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2024Publication date: April 10, 2025Inventors: John D. Venables, Steven J. Venables, Cameron Costen, Ryan W. Knapp
-
Patent number: 12240583Abstract: A vessel braking control system for a marine vessel that utilizes one or more of the vessel's features and effectors to increase the drag on the vessel both through increased drag on the features and effectors themselves and by creating a downward force on the vessel as a whole, increasing the wetted hull area and increasing hull drag thereby; the control system operates to place the features and effectors in a braking state through rotation relative to the vessel's direction of travel and relative to the water's surface, and may automatically return the features and effectors to their normal operating state upon the vessel's reaching a detected, predetermined speed.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2021Date of Patent: March 4, 2025Assignee: Maiad Maritime Group, Inc.Inventors: John D. Venables, Christopher M. Pappas
-
Patent number: 12227272Abstract: A fin stabilizer is provided for a vessel and includes a fin which is supported by a shaft that extends below the waterline. The shaft is fixed in rotation along its elongate axis relative to the vessel and the fin includes an actuator mechanism which causes the fin to rotate around the shaft to counteract roll of the vessel. In some cases, the actuator may be hydraulic and the shaft may include passages therethrough to transfer hydraulic fluid/pressure from the vessel's interior hydraulic system through the shaft and into the actuator to cause the fin to rotate. The fin may also be able to pivot into a storage position where, for example, the shaft is folded into a cavity in the vessel hull.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2022Date of Patent: February 18, 2025Inventors: John D. Venables, Steven J. Venables, Ryan W. Knapp
-
Publication number: 20250033746Abstract: A bow foil stabilizer system is provided where the foil is configured to be mounted relatively close to the vessel hull, preferably less than three times a maximum thickness below the keel of the vessel in the area the foil is mounted to, more preferably the foil is mounted in a recess of the vessel, which recess is in the keel of the vessel. In certain embodiments, a lowest point of the foil is approximately level with the extended keel line and a control flap of the foil is configured to rotate at least partially into a recess of the vessel in the keel area. In further aspects, the foil is mounted with a chord thereof at an angle relative to the running trim of the vessel.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2024Publication date: January 30, 2025Inventors: John D. Venables, Andrew Ricks
-
Patent number: 12179892Abstract: A vessel hull stabilization system includes a housing having a rotatable shaft mounted thereto, the shaft configured to connect to a fin such that the fin is located on an outside of the vessel hull and the housing is located on an inside of the vessel hull. A drive system is mounted to the housing and includes a motor and a drive element. The motor is connected to a central shaft of the drive element. The drive element includes a plurality of teeth positioned between the outer element and the central shaft such that when the motor rotates the central shaft, the plurality of teeth oscillate inwards and outwards to interact with teeth in the outer element and thereby cause rotation of a fin shaft connected to the outer element or to the gear having the oscillating teeth. A controller receives sensor readings to determine control signals to send to the motor(s) to impart rotation of the fin.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2023Date of Patent: December 31, 2024Assignee: Naiad Maritime Group, Inc.Inventors: John D. Venables, Steven J. Venables, Cameron Costen, Ryan W. Knapp
-
Publication number: 20240083558Abstract: A vessel hull stabilization system includes a housing having a rotatable shaft mounted thereto, the shaft configured to connect to a fin such that the fin is located on an outside of the vessel hull and the housing is located on an inside of the vessel hull. A drive system is mounted to the housing and includes a motor and a drive element. The motor is connected to a central shaft of the drive element. The drive element includes a plurality of teeth positioned between the outer element and the central shaft such that when the motor rotates the central shaft, the plurality of teeth oscillate inwards and outwards to interact with teeth in the outer element and thereby cause rotation of a fin shaft connected to the outer element or to the gear having the oscillating teeth. A controller receives sensor readings to determine control signals to send to the motor(s) to impart rotation of the fin.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Inventors: John D. Venables, Steven J. Venables, Cameron Costen, Ryan W. Knapp
-
Patent number: 11851144Abstract: A vessel hull stabilization system includes a housing having a rotatable shaft mounted thereto, the shaft configured to connect to a fin such that the fin is located on an outside of the vessel hull and the housing is located on an inside of the vessel hull. A drive system is mounted to the housing and includes a motor and a drive element. The motor is connected to a central shaft of the drive element. The drive element includes a plurality of teeth positioned between the outer element and the central shaft such that when the motor rotates the central shaft, the plurality of teeth oscillate inwards and outwards to interact with teeth in the outer element and thereby cause rotation of a fin shaft connected to the outer element or to the gear having the oscillating teeth. A controller receives sensor readings to determine control signals to send to the motor(s) to impart rotation of the fin.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2023Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: Naiad Maritime Group, Inc.Inventors: John D. Venables, Steven J. Venables, Cameron Costen, Ryan W. Knapp
-
Patent number: 11685485Abstract: A vessel hull stabilization system includes a housing having a rotatable shaft mounted thereto, the shaft configured to connect to a fin such that the fin is located on an outside of the vessel hull and the housing is located on an inside of the vessel hull. A drive system is mounted to the housing and includes a motor and a drive element. The motor is connected to a central shaft of the drive element. The drive element includes a plurality of teeth positioned between the outer element and the central shaft such that when the motor rotates the central shaft, the plurality of teeth oscillate inwards and outwards to interact with teeth in the outer element and thereby cause rotation of a fin shaft connected to the outer element or to the gear having the oscillating teeth. A controller receives sensor readings to determine control signals to send to the motor(s) to impart rotation of the fin.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2020Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Naiad Maritime Group, Inc.Inventors: John D. Venables, Steven J. Venables, Cameron Costen, Ryan W. Knapp
-
Publication number: 20230192249Abstract: A vessel hull stabilization system includes a housing having a rotatable shaft mounted thereto, the shaft configured to connect to a fin such that the fin is located on an outside of the vessel hull and the housing is located on an inside of the vessel hull. A drive system is mounted to the housing and includes a motor and a drive element. The motor is connected to a central shaft of the drive element. The drive element includes a plurality of teeth positioned between the outer element and the central shaft such that when the motor rotates the central shaft, the plurality of teeth oscillate inwards and outwards to interact with teeth in the outer element and thereby cause rotation of a fin shaft connected to the outer element or to the gear having the oscillating teeth. A controller receives sensor readings to determine control signals to send to the motor(s) to impart rotation of the fin.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2023Publication date: June 22, 2023Inventors: John D. Venables, Steven J. Venables, Cameron Costen, Ryan W. Knapp
-
Publication number: 20220234699Abstract: A fin stabilizer is provided for a vessel and includes a fin which is supported by a shaft that extends below the waterline. The shaft is fixed in rotation along its elongate axis relative to the vessel and the fin includes an actuator mechanism which causes the fin to rotate around the shaft to counteract roll of the vessel. In some cases, the actuator may be hydraulic and the shaft may include passages therethrough to transfer hydraulic fluid/pressure from the vessel's interior hydraulic system through the shaft and into the actuator to cause the fin to rotate. The fin may also be able to pivot into a storage position where, for example, the shaft is folded into a cavity in the vessel hull.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2022Publication date: July 28, 2022Inventors: John D. Venables, Steven J. Venables, Ryan W. Knapp
-
Publication number: 20220126972Abstract: A vessel braking control system for a marine vessel that utilizes one or more of the vessel's features and effectors to increase the drag on the vessel both through increased drag on the features and effectors themselves and by creating a downward force on the vessel as a whole, increasing the wetted hull area and increasing hull drag thereby; the control system operates to place the features and effectors in a braking state through rotation relative to the vessel's direction of travel and relative to the water's surface, and may automatically return the features and effectors to their normal operating state upon the vessel's reaching a detected, predetermined speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2021Publication date: April 28, 2022Inventors: John D. Venables, Christopher M. Pappas
-
Patent number: 10946942Abstract: A vessel hull stabilization system includes a housing having a rotatable shaft mounted thereto, the shaft configured to connect to a fin such that the fin is located on an outside of the vessel hull and the housing is located on an inside of the vessel hull. A drive system is mounted to the housing and includes a motor and a drive element. The motor is connected to a central shaft of the drive element and an outer element of the drive element is connected to the fin shaft. The drive element includes a plurality of teeth positioned between the outer element and the central shaft such that when the motor rotates the central shaft, the plurality of teeth oscillate in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the central shaft to interact with and rotate the outer element. A controller receives sensor readings to determine control signals to send to the motor(s) to impart rotation of the fin.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2020Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: Naiad Maritime Group, Inc.Inventors: John D. Venables, Steven J. Venables, Cameron Costen
-
Publication number: 20200361582Abstract: A vessel hull stabilization system includes a housing having a rotatable shaft mounted thereto, the shaft configured to connect to a fin such that the fin is located on an outside of the vessel hull and the housing is located on an inside of the vessel hull. A drive system is mounted to the housing and includes a motor and a drive element. The motor is connected to a central shaft of the drive element. The drive element includes a plurality of teeth positioned between the outer element and the central shaft such that when the motor rotates the central shaft, the plurality of teeth oscillate inwards and outwards to interact with teeth in the outer element and thereby cause rotation of a fin shaft connected to the outer element or to the gear having the oscillating teeth. A controller receives sensor readings to determine control signals to send to the motor(s) to impart rotation of the fin.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2020Publication date: November 19, 2020Inventors: John D. Venables, Steven J. Venables, Cameron Costen, Ryan W. Knapp
-
Publication number: 20200247511Abstract: A vessel hull stabilization system includes a housing having a rotatable shaft mounted thereto, the shaft configured to connect to a fin such that the fin is located on an outside of the vessel hull and the housing is located on an inside of the vessel hull. A drive system is mounted to the housing and includes a motor and a drive element. The motor is connected to a central shaft of the drive element and an outer element of the drive element is connected to the fin shaft. The drive element includes a plurality of teeth positioned between the outer element and the central shaft such that when the motor rotates the central shaft, the plurality of teeth oscillate in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the central shaft to interact with and rotate the outer element. A controller receives sensor readings to determine control signals to send to the motor(s) to impart rotation of the fin.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2020Publication date: August 6, 2020Inventors: John D. Venables, Steven J. Venables, Cameron Costen
-
Patent number: 10683066Abstract: An AC motor hydraulic system which utilizes a plurality of centrally controlled AC servo motor driven hydraulic pumps with integrated reservoirs to effectuate rotation of a plurality of stabilizer fins mounted about a vessel to automatically counter unwanted movement of a vessel.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2018Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: Naiad Maritime Group, Inc.Inventors: John D. Venables, Christopher M. Pappas
-
Patent number: 10625831Abstract: A vessel hull stabilization system includes a housing having a rotatable shaft mounted thereto, the shaft configured to connect to a fin such that the fin is located on an outside of the vessel hull and the housing is located on an inside of the vessel hull. A drive system is mounted to the housing and includes a motor and a drive element. The motor is connected to a central shaft of the drive element and an outer element of the drive element is connected to the fin shaft. The drive element includes a plurality of teeth positioned between the outer element and the central shaft such that when the motor rotates the central shaft, the plurality of teeth oscillate in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the central shaft to interact with and rotate the outer element. A controller receives sensor readings to determine control signals to send to the motor(s) to impart rotation of the fin.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2017Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: Naiad Maritime Group, Inc.Inventors: John D. Venables, Steven J. Venables, Cameron Costen
-
Patent number: 10538299Abstract: A motion control system for a ship has one or more sensors generating sea condition data and at least one ship control system. Analyzer software receives the sea condition data and predicts a sea condition event. Calculator software calculates one or more commands in preparation for the sea condition event. Interface software communicates the one or more commands to the at least one ship control system and the at least one ship control system implements a command in advance of the event. The at least one ship control system may comprise a ride control system having one or more motion control devices. The at least one ship control system may also comprise an auto pilot system.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2019Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: Naiad Maritime Group, Inc.Inventors: John D. Venables, Christopher M. Pappas, Benton H. Schaub, Jr.
-
Publication number: 20190202534Abstract: A motion control system for a ship has one or more sensors generating sea condition data and at least one ship control system. Analyzer software receives the sea condition data and predicts a sea condition event. Calculator software calculates one or more commands in preparation for the sea condition event. Interface software communicates the one or more commands to the at least one ship control system and the at least one ship control system implements a command in advance of the event. The at least one ship control system may comprise a ride control system having one or more motion control devices. The at least one ship control system may also comprise an auto pilot system.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2019Publication date: July 4, 2019Inventors: John D. Venables, Christopher M. Pappas, Benton H. Schaub, Jr.
-
Publication number: 20190185115Abstract: A vessel hull stabilization system includes a housing having a rotatable shaft mounted thereto, the shaft configured to connect to a fin such that the fin is located on an outside of the vessel hull and the housing is located on an inside of the vessel hull. A drive system is mounted to the housing and includes a motor and a drive element. The motor is connected to a central shaft of the drive element and an outer element of the drive element is connected to the fin shaft. The drive element includes a plurality of teeth positioned between the outer element and the central shaft such that when the motor rotates the central shaft, the plurality of teeth oscillate in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the central shaft to interact with and rotate the outer element. A controller receives sensor readings to determine control signals to send to the motor(s) to impart rotation of the fin.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2017Publication date: June 20, 2019Inventors: John D. Venables, Steven J. Venables, Cameron Costen