Patents by Inventor Promode R. Bandyopadhyay

Promode R. Bandyopadhyay 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: 9297898
    Abstract: A method of depiction of an object in underwater space is provided. The underwater space is acoustically covered using nonlinear wave packets capable of retaining coherence in shallow waters. The echo from the object is encoded as perturbations on flexible cilia-like transducers that are otherwise undergoing limit cycle oscillations. The perturbed pattern of the cilia-like transducers is recorded as holograms and transmitted. The hologram is decoded and a hologram of the underwater space is created. A small hemispherical drive apparatus actuates the cilia to undergo the limit cycle oscillations. Electromagnets are positioned on a housing of the apparatus. A gimbal with shaft is also attached to the housing. The shaft has a first end within the housing that is proximally separated and remains separated from the electromagnets as the shaft rotates. Generated signals excite electromagnets in sequence to produce an electromagnetic track for the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Promode R. Bandyopadhyay
  • Patent number: 8440958
    Abstract: An underwater data transmission system including arrays of nano-meter scaled photon emitters and sensors on an outer surface of an underwater platform. For the emitters, a laser is pulsed to correlate with data packets, providing a beam of photons at a prescribed frequency. Nano-scaled collecting lenses channel the incoming photons to photo-receptors located at a focal plane for the frequency at the base of each lens. A coating on the lenses absorbs photons at the frequency that are not aligned with the longitudinal axes of the lenses or tubes. Nano-wires connect the photo-receptors to a light intensity integrator. The integrator integrates the intensity over a surface area. The output of the integrator is fed to a signal processor to track and process the arriving digital packets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Inventor: Promode R. Bandyopadhyay
  • Patent number: 8295708
    Abstract: An underwater data transmission system including arrays of nano-meter scaled photon emitters and sensors on an outer surface of an underwater platform. For the emitters, a laser is pulsed to correlate with data packets, providing a beam of photons at a prescribed frequency. Nano-scaled collecting lenses channel the incoming photons to photo-receptors located at a focal plane for the frequency at the base of each lens. A coating on the lenses absorbs photons at the frequency that are not aligned with the longitudinal axes of the lenses or tubes. Nano-wires connect the photo-receptors to a light intensity integrator. The integrator integrates the intensity over a surface area. The output of the integrator is fed to a signal processor to track and process the arriving digital packets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Promode R. Bandyopadhyay
  • Patent number: 8232761
    Abstract: A two-stage voltage step-up converter and energy storage system is utilized for harvesting trickling electrons from benthic microbe habitats. A relatively random low voltage from the microbial fuel cell (less than about 0.8 VDC) is provided to the first stage step-up converter, which stores power in a first output storage device. A first comparator circuit turns on the second stage step-up converter to transfer energy from the first output storage device to a second output storage device. A second comparator circuit intermittently connects the load to the second output storage device. After initial start-up, the system is self-powered utilizing the first and second output devices but may use a battery for the initial start-up, after which an automatic switch can switch the battery out of the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Daniel P. Thivierge, Promode R. Bandyopadhyay
  • Patent number: 8065046
    Abstract: Non-linear control laws are disclosed and implemented with a controller and control system for maneuvering an underwater vehicle. The control laws change the phase of one Inferior-Olive (IO) neuron with respect to another IO. One control law is global, that is, the control law works (stable and convergent) for any initial condition. The remaining three control laws are local. The control laws are obtained by applying feedback linearization, while retaining non-linear characteristics. Each control law generates a profile (time history) of the control signal to produce a desired phase difference recognizable by a controller to respond to disturbances and to maneuver an underwater vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Promode R. Bandyopadhyay, Sahjendra Singh
  • Patent number: 8045859
    Abstract: An underwater data transmission system including arrays of nano-meter scaled photon emitters and sensors on an outer surface of an underwater platform. For the emitters, a laser is pulsed to correlate with data packets, providing a beam of photons at a prescribed frequency. Nano-scaled collecting lenses channel the incoming photons to photo-receptors located at a focal plane for the frequency at the base of each lens. A coating on the lenses absorbs photons at the frequency that are not aligned with the longitudinal axes of the lenses or tubes. Nano-wires connect the photo-receptors to a light intensity integrator. The integrator integrates the intensity over a surface area. The output of the integrator is fed to a signal processor to track and process the arriving digital packets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Promode R. Bandyopadhyay
  • Publication number: 20110253971
    Abstract: An underwater data transmission system including arrays of nano-meter scaled photon emitters and sensors on an outer surface of an underwater platform. For the emitters, a laser is pulsed to correlate with data packets, providing a beam of photons at a prescribed frequency. Nano-scaled collecting lenses channel the incoming photons to photo-receptors located at a focal plane for the frequency at the base of each lens. A coating on the lenses absorbs photons at the frequency that are not aligned with the longitudinal axes of the lenses or tubes. Nano-wires connect the photo-receptors to a light intensity integrator. The integrator integrates the intensity over a surface area. The output of the integrator is fed to a signal processor to track and process the arriving digital packets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventor: Promode R. Bandyopadhyay
  • Publication number: 20110243564
    Abstract: An underwater data transmission system including arrays of nano-meter scaled photon emitters and sensors on an outer surface of an underwater platform. For the emitters, a laser is pulsed to correlate with data packets, providing a beam of photons at a prescribed frequency. Nano-scaled collecting lenses channel the incoming photons to photo-receptors located at a focal plane for the frequency at the base of each lens. A coating on the lenses absorbs photons at the frequency that are not aligned with the longitudinal axes of the lenses or tubes. Nano-wires connect the photo-receptors to a light intensity integrator. The integrator integrates the intensity over a surface area. The output of the integrator is fed to a signal processor to track and process the arriving digital packets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventor: Promode R. Bandyopadhyay
  • Patent number: 7869910
    Abstract: A system is provided to control maneuvering flapping foils of an underwater vehicle. An oscillator generates periodic signals in which effects of external disturbances are minimized or amplified as required; the periodic signal can be either sinusoidal or can depart significantly from a sinusoid; the amplitude and frequency are varied by changing the oscillator parameters and the phase between the signals are varied by changing the parameters. The oscillator restores the parameters after a disturbance. Since the oscillator functions without external sensors, the oscillator serves as an inner-loop controller with a centralized control. An open loop control architecture for the controller, results in a motion where the vehicle maneuvers execute as force and moment commands. The non-linear, auto-catalytic oscillator can be realized using a variety of second-order differential equations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Promode R. Bandyopadhyay, Alberico Menozzi, Daniel P. Thivierge, David N. Beal, Amuradha Annaswamy
  • Publication number: 20090274465
    Abstract: An underwater data transmission system including arrays of nano-meter scaled photon emitters and sensors on an outer surface of an underwater platform. For the emitters, a laser is pulsed to correlate with data packets, providing a beam of photons at a prescribed frequency. Nano-scaled collecting lenses channel the incoming photons to photo-receptors located at a focal plane for the frequency at the base of each lens. A coating on the lenses absorbs photons at the frequency that are not aligned with the longitudinal axes of the lenses or tubes. Nano-wires connect the photo-receptors to a light intensity integrator. The integrator integrates the intensity over a surface area. The output of the integrator is fed to a signal processor to track and process the arriving digital packets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventor: Promode R. Bandyopadhyay
  • Publication number: 20090076670
    Abstract: Non-linear control laws are disclosed and implemented with a controller and control system for maneuvering an underwater vehicle. The control laws change the phase of one Inferior-Olive (IO) neuron with respect to another IO. One control law is global, that is, the control law works (stable and convergent) for any initial condition. The remaining three control laws are local. The control laws are obtained by applying feedback linearization, while retaining non-linear characteristics. Each control law generates a profile (time history) of the control signal to produce a desired phase difference recognizable by a controller to respond to disturbances and to maneuver an underwater vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Promode R. Bandyopadhyay, Sahjendra Singh
  • Patent number: 7300323
    Abstract: A linear actuator is provided that converts linear motion to oscillatory motion. The linear actuator includes flats, a hinge, and linear actuators. A hydrofoil is mountable on a spindle attached to the hinge. In operation, a linear push direction by the linear actuator drive causes the hydrofoil to rotate in an oscillating manner. A linear push by another linear actuator drive reverses the oscillation directions of the hydrofoil. The flats are preferably made of flexible strip metal to easily transmit motion to the spindle. The hydrofoil and spindle combine to a slot for smooth transmission of linear to oscillatory motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: The United States of America represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Promode R. Bandyopadhyay
  • Patent number: 7150434
    Abstract: Wake vortices are made less detectable or reduced in their effect on nearby vehicles by re-orientation of vorticity about an axis in the direction of vehicle motion to transverse vorticity interacting with the longitudinal vorticity. The re-orientation may be by a flapping foil, and arrangements of a plurality of foils moving toward or from each other may be used. Alternatively, fluid may be injected longitudinally between opposite surfaces each having a port so that selective suction through the ports alternately attaches the fluid to the surfaces to deflect the fluid from the longitudinal direction and generate transverse vortices. Oppositely rotating vortices may be formed by separators extendable from each surface to engage the deflected fluid, and extension of the separators may be varied to control vortex trajectory. The transverse vortices may be intermittent, selected for speed, or made asymmetric for maneuvering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Promode R. Bandyopadhyay
  • Patent number: 6999857
    Abstract: A wireless power transmission and communication network that provides efficient interrogation and powering of sensors for use on undersea vehicles. The present invention employs a wave-guide that allows the propagation of electromagnetic waves through a dielectric material that covers the exterior of an undersea vehicle's hull. Embedded within the dielectric material is an N dimensional array of Micro Electronic Mechanical Systems sensing devices coupled with radio frequency (RF) decoders and transceivers, and strips of conductive metal tape. Electromagnetic waves such as microwaves propagate through the dielectric material both powering the sensor network and addressing and interrogating individual sensing devices. The sensing devices take readings and then format and transmit the data results back across the wave-guide where they are received and processed by a digital processor within the hull of the undersea vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Rolf G. Kasper, Anthony B. Bruno, James D. Hagerty, Promode R. Bandyopadhyay
  • Patent number: 6935263
    Abstract: A wake absorber, wherein an aquatic vehicle with a propulsor mounted on the vehicle and operative to propel the vehicle through a water medium, has a wake absorber mounted on the vehicle aft of the propulsor. The wake absorber includes an artificial muscle surface adapted to be impinged upon by a wake created by the propulsor. The wake absorber further includes electrodes mounted on the artificial muscle surface. Pressure of the wake upon the muscle surface exercises a bending force on the surface, which creates energy that is recovered by the electrodes as electrical power that can be digitized. Energy removed from the muscle surface by the electrodes weakens the wake and renders the wake less pronounced visually and acoustically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Promode R. Bandyopadhyay
  • Patent number: 6135043
    Abstract: A polymer ejector system for reducing drag on an external surface of an urwater vessel includes a base portion mounted in an exterior surface of the underwater vessel, the base portion including an arcuate inner wall. A flexible lip portion is positioned above the base portion and spaced apart therefrom. The lip portion has an outer surface substantially coplanar with an outer surface of the underwater vessel, an arcuate inner wall, and is tapered at a distal end of the lip. This lip may be actively moved by means of MEMS deposited electrodes to control the passageway mentioned next. A passageway is formed between and defined by the inner wall of the lip and the inner wall of the base portion, such that the passageway terminates at the outer surface of the underwater vessel and substantially tangent thereto. The ejector may be constructed from single crystal silicon by so called MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Promode R. Bandyopadhyay
  • Patent number: 5791275
    Abstract: A surface layer for use in connection with an object adapted for motion tugh a fluid includes an array of tiles each having a pair of electrodes and a pair of magnetic poles positioned to generate respective electric and magnetic fields generally transverse to each other. Either or both of the electrodes or magnetic poles are controllable to provide adjustable electrical and/or controllable magnetic fields. A plurality of turbulence sensors is provided each located proximate to and generally upstream of a tile. Each turbulence sensor generating a turbulence signal representative of fluid turbulence proximate thereto. A control circuit for controlling the electrical field generated by the electrodes and/or the magnetic field generated by the magnetic pole in relation to the turbulence signal from the turbulence sensors, thereby to generate a Lorentz force for controlling the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Promode R. Bandyopadhyay
  • Patent number: 5673645
    Abstract: An agile water vehicle for travel above and below the water surface, incls a hull having therein a helmsman's compartment, a payload compartment, and a propulsor unit. A rudder assembly is fixed to the hull and includes a cylindrically-shaped (or slightly tapered) tubular member having a rudder thereon and extending therefrom, the tubular member being rotatable. A wing assembly is fixed to and spaced from a bottom portion of the hull, the wing assembly comprising a pair of wings extending widthwise of the axis of the hull, and a flap adapted for disposal in each of the wings and extendible therefrom, the flaps being operable for pivotal movement upwardly and downwardly from the wings. The propulsor unit, the rudder assembly, and the flaps are operable from the helmsman's compartment. A pair of propulsors are disposed on the wings and are rotatable around the spanwise axis of the wings. A pair of differential flaps are mounted on a rotatable axial cylinder or ring with a fixed divider plate therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Promode R. Bandyopadhyay
  • Patent number: 5623096
    Abstract: An orthogonal shear stress measurement probe assembly is provided for meaements away from a solid surface or a vehicle wall. The assembly includes a plurality of micron-sized floating element drag sensors mounted on a 2 mm stainless steel needle. The needle is in turn supported by a streamlined probe which provides both a support for the needle-drag sensor assembly and a conduit for electrical lead. The electrical leads connect the drag sensing elements, which contain piezo-resistive elements, to an external portion of a bridge. These resistive elements form one-half of a bridge, the remaining bridge elements, amplifiers, read-out circuits and power supply are located outside the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Promode R. Bandyopadhyay
  • Patent number: 5346745
    Abstract: A surface for use in connection with an object in relative motion through a luid medium includes a plurality of surface elements arranged in rows on the surface, with surface elements of each row being arranged generally orthogonal to the direction of relative motion of the object in a medium. Each surface element includes means defining a cavity, the means including a bottom surface layer, sidewalls, and an upper lip supported along an upstream edge in a cantilevered manner and extending in a downstream direction over the cavity to define a gap permitting fluid communication between the medium and the cavity. The lip is flexible so as to facilitate deflection in response to differentials between pressure inside the cavity and outside the cavity. The cavities of the surface elements in each row are interconnected by means of passageways thereby to facilitate fluid communication therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Promode R. Bandyopadhyay