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: 20250178711
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2025
    Publication date: June 5, 2025
    Inventors: John D. Venables, Christopher M. Pappas
  • Publication number: 20250115339
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2024
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Inventors: John D. Venables, Steven J. Venables, Cameron Costen, Ryan W. Knapp
  • Patent number: 12240583
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: Maiad Maritime Group, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Venables, Christopher M. Pappas
  • Patent number: 12227272
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Inventors: John D. Venables, Steven J. Venables, Ryan W. Knapp
  • Publication number: 20250033746
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2024
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Inventors: John D. Venables, Andrew Ricks
  • Patent number: 12179892
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: Naiad Maritime Group, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Venables, Steven J. Venables, Cameron Costen, Ryan W. Knapp
  • Publication number: 20240083558
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: John D. Venables, Steven J. Venables, Cameron Costen, Ryan W. Knapp
  • Patent number: 11851144
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Naiad Maritime Group, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Venables, Steven J. Venables, Cameron Costen, Ryan W. Knapp
  • Patent number: 11685485
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Naiad Maritime Group, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Venables, Steven J. Venables, Cameron Costen, Ryan W. Knapp
  • Publication number: 20230192249
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: John D. Venables, Steven J. Venables, Cameron Costen, Ryan W. Knapp
  • Publication number: 20220234699
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: John D. Venables, Steven J. Venables, Ryan W. Knapp
  • Publication number: 20220126972
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: John D. Venables, Christopher M. Pappas
  • Patent number: 10946942
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Naiad Maritime Group, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Venables, Steven J. Venables, Cameron Costen
  • Publication number: 20200361582
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: John D. Venables, Steven J. Venables, Cameron Costen, Ryan W. Knapp
  • Publication number: 20200247511
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: John D. Venables, Steven J. Venables, Cameron Costen
  • Patent number: 10683066
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Naiad Maritime Group, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Venables, Christopher M. Pappas
  • Patent number: 10625831
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Naiad Maritime Group, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Venables, Steven J. Venables, Cameron Costen
  • Patent number: 10538299
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Naiad Maritime Group, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Venables, Christopher M. Pappas, Benton H. Schaub, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20190202534
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: John D. Venables, Christopher M. Pappas, Benton H. Schaub, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20190185115
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: John D. Venables, Steven J. Venables, Cameron Costen