Patents by Inventor Robert A. Dane

Robert A. Dane 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: 20230356819
    Abstract: The present invention is broadly directed to a waterborne docking assembly 10 comprising: a docking body 12 adapted to be deployed from a recovery vessel 13; docking means 14 associated with the docking body 12 and adapted for docking of an unmanned underwater vehicle 15; propulsion means 16 associated with the docking body 12, said propulsion means 16 configured to control positioning of the docking body 12 relative to the unmanned underwater vehicle 15 for guided docking of said vehicle 15 with the docking assembly 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventor: Robert Dane
  • Publication number: 20220158307
    Abstract: A battery module includes a module terminal, electrochemical cells and a bus bar that electrically connects at least a subset of the cells to the module terminal. The bus bar includes an electrically conductive substrate and an insulation layer disposed between the substrates and ends of the cells. The substrate includes primary connection through holes, each primary connection through hole having a second diameter and being aligned with the first end of a unique one of the cells. The insulation layer includes secondary connection through holes. Each secondary connection through hole has a third diameter and is concentric with a corresponding one of the primary through holes. The third diameter is less than the second diameter, and an electrical connector extends between the substrate and the cell terminal and provides an electrical connection between the substrate and the cell terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2020
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Paul Frick, David Naughton, Mehul Botadra, Robert Dane Davis, Kevin Mitchell Lynk, Anthony Albert Heaton
  • Publication number: 20220065601
    Abstract: The present invention is broadly directed to an unmanned surface vessel (USV) 10 broadly comprising: 1. a vessel body (12) adapted to contain a payload (14); 2. a front fin (16) and a rear fin (18) connected to and protruding from the vessel body (12); 3. a forward foil (20) and a rearward foil (22) connected to a distal end region of the respective front and rear fins (16) and (18); 4. propulsion means (24) operatively coupled to the rear fin (18) for propulsion of the fin (18) and the foil (22) through the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventor: Robert Dane
  • Patent number: 11167821
    Abstract: The present invention is directed broadly to an underwater appendage assembly (10) of a marine vessel (12). The underwater appendage assembly (10) is in the form of a rudder assembly fitted to a bow section (14) of the vessel (12). The rudder assembly comprises an appendage in the form of a rudder foil (18) connected to a flapper member (20). The flapper member (20) is arranged whereby movement and more particularly pitching, of the vessel (12) induces deflection of the flapper member (20) relative to the rudder foil (18). This deflection in the flapper member (20) provides an oscillating movement of the flapper member (20) in a flapping action which is substantially synchronised with movement of the vessel (12) upward and downward. The flapping action of the flapper member (20) is effective in promoting forward propulsion of the vessel (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: SOLAR SAILOR PTY LTD
    Inventor: Robert Dane
  • Publication number: 20210155320
    Abstract: The present invention is directed broadly to an underwater appendage assembly (10) of a marine vessel (12). The underwater appendage assembly (10) is in the form of a rudder assembly fitted to a bow section (14) of the vessel (12). The rudder assembly comprises an appendage in the form of a rudder foil (18) connected to a flapper member (20). The flapper member (20) is arranged whereby movement and more particularly pitching, of the vessel (12) induces deflection of the flapper member (20) relative to the rudder foil (18). This deflection in the flapper member (20) provides an oscillating movement of the flapper member (20) in a flapping action which is substantially synchronised with movement of the vessel (12) upward and downward. The flapping action of the flapper member (20) is effective in promoting forward propulsion of the vessel (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventor: Robert Dane
  • Patent number: 10981470
    Abstract: A utility task vehicle (UTV) includes a frame having frame rails and a battery assembly positioned laterally between the frame rails. The battery assembly includes a battery housing and a battery array having a plurality of battery cells. The battery array is positioned within the battery housing and the battery assembly provides support for or is located under a floor of a cabin of the utility task vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Nikola Corporation
    Inventors: Trevor R. Milton, Kevin M. Lynk, Anthony A. Heaton, Morgan Mackelprang, Kyle Gray, Robert Dane Davis
  • Publication number: 20200254903
    Abstract: A utility task vehicle (UTV) includes a frame having frame rails and a battery assembly positioned laterally between the frame rails. The battery assembly includes a battery housing and a battery array having a plurality of battery cells. The battery array is positioned within the battery housing and the battery assembly provides support for or is located under a floor of a cabin of the utility task vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Trevor R. Milton, Kevin M. Lynk, Anthony A. Heaton, Morgan Mackelprang, Kyle Gray, Robert Dane Davis
  • Patent number: 10703444
    Abstract: The present invention relates broadly to an unmanned surface vessel (10) comprising a hull (12), an underwater appendage (14), a winch (16), and a cable or rope (18). The cable or rope (18) is at its distal end attached to a remote device (20) with the cable or rope (18) arranged to cooperate with the winch (16) to be deployed and retrieved from the vessel (10) via operation of the winch (16). The underwater appendage is in the form of a keel including a cavity (22) designed to partly locate the winch (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: SOLAR SAILOR PTY LTD
    Inventor: Robert Dane
  • Patent number: 10661680
    Abstract: A utility task vehicle (UTV) includes a frame having frame rails and a battery assembly positioned laterally between the frame rails. The battery assembly includes a battery housing and a battery array having a plurality of battery cells. The battery array is positioned within the battery housing and the battery assembly provides support for or is located under a floor of a cabin of the utility task vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Nikola Corporation
    Inventors: Trevor R. Milton, Kevin M. Lynk, Anthony A. Heaton, Morgan Mackelprang, Kyle Gray, Robert Dane Davis
  • Patent number: 10581126
    Abstract: A battery assembly is disclosed that includes a battery housing, a battery array, and one or more cooling plates. The battery housing forms a battery compartment having a width and length greater than a height. The battery array includes a plurality of cylindrical battery cells oriented horizontally with an axis substantially perpendicular to the height of the battery compartment. The plurality of battery cells is organized into a plurality of rows within the battery compartment. The plurality of battery cells is stacked two or more battery cells deep within the plurality of rows. The one or more cooling plates are oriented perpendicular to the axis of the battery cells and positioned proximal to an end of battery cells within a row of the plurality of rows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Nikola Corporation
    Inventors: Trevor R. Milton, Kevin M. Lynk, Anthony A. Heaton, Kyle Gray, Robert Dane Davis
  • Patent number: 10526048
    Abstract: The present invention is directed broadly to a marine vessel (10) comprising a deck (12) mounted to a hull (14) together with a sail (16) coupled to the marine vessel (10) via a mast base assembly (18). The mast base assembly (18) comprises a mast tilt assembly (22). The mast base assembly (18) also comprises a mast base mounting (20) to which the mast tilt assembly (22) is pivotally mounted for movement about a tilt axis (24) between stowed and operative positions. The mast base assembly (18) further comprises a sail slew assembly (26) mounted to the sail (16) associated with the marine vessel (10). The sail slew assembly (26) is operatively coupled to the mast tilt assembly (22) for slewing of the sail (16). The sail (16) is rotated or slewed about a slew axis (28) of the mast tilt assembly (22) to reorient the sail (16) relative to the marine vessel (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: SOLAR SAILOR PTY LTD.
    Inventors: Robert Dane, Graeme Johnston
  • Patent number: 10497998
    Abstract: A battery assembly is disclosed that includes a battery housing, a battery array, and one or more cooling plates. The battery housing forms a battery compartment having a width and length greater than a height. The battery array includes a plurality of cylindrical battery cells oriented with an axis perpendicular to the height of the battery compartment. The plurality of cells are organized into a plurality of rows within the battery compartment. The one or more cooling plates oriented perpendicular to the axis of the battery cells and positioned proximal to an end of battery cells within a row of the plurality of rows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Nikola Corporation
    Inventors: Trevor R. Milton, Kevin M. Lynk, Anthony A. Heaton, Kyle Gray, Robert Dane Davis
  • Publication number: 20190300124
    Abstract: The present invention relates broadly to an unmanned surface vessel (10) comprising a hull (12), an underwater appendage (14), a winch (16), and a cable or rope (18). The cable or rope (18) is at its distal end attached to a remote device (20) with the cable or rope (18) arranged to cooperate with the winch (16) to be deployed and retrieved from the vessel (10) via operation of the winch (16). The underwater appendage is in the form of a keel including a cavity (22) designed to partly locate the winch (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventor: Robert Dane
  • Patent number: 10392059
    Abstract: A tracked vehicle has a pivotable suspension. The vehicle includes a vehicle frame, a motor configured to produce power for the vehicle, and left and right track assemblies that are each connected to the frame. The assemblies each have a drive wheel configured to be driven by the motor, an endless track driven by the drive wheel, wherein the endless track has an outer side and an inner side, a bogie positioned on the inner side of the endless track, a support wheel attached to the bogie and configured to roll on the endless track, a strut connected to the frame and to the bogie, and a shock absorber connected to the frame and to the strut. The strut and the shock absorber are pivotable relative to the frame. The vehicle may have low ground pressure, consistent traction, and may be modularly configured with a floatable hull for aquatic travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: DELVE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Robert Dane Davis, Tanner Reed Nielsen, Darin Chase Nielsen, Gregory Gene Nielsen
  • Publication number: 20190255957
    Abstract: A utility task vehicle (UTV) includes a frame having frame rails and a battery assembly positioned laterally between the frame rails. The battery assembly includes a battery housing and a battery array having a plurality of battery cells. The battery array is positioned within the battery housing and the battery assembly provides support for or is located under a floor of a cabin of the utility task vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Trevor R. Milton, Kevin M. Lynk, Anthony A. Heaton, Morgan Mackelprang, Kyle Gray, Robert Dane Davis
  • Publication number: 20190233056
    Abstract: The present invention is directed broadly to a marine vessel (10) comprising a deck (12) mounted to a hull (14) together with a sail (16) coupled to the marine vessel (10) via a mast base assembly (18). The mast base assembly (18) comprises a mast tilt assembly (22). The mast base assembly (18) also comprises a mast base mounting (20) to which the mast tilt assembly (22) is pivotally mounted for movement about a tilt axis (24) between stowed and operative positions. The mast base assembly (18) further comprises a sail slew assembly (26) mounted to the sail (16) associated with the marine vessel (10). The sail slew assembly (26) is operatively coupled to the mast tilt assembly (22) for slewing of the sail (16). The sail (16) is rotated or slewed about a slew axis (28) of the mast tilt assembly (22) to reorient the sail (16) relative to the marine vessel (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Robert Dane, Graeme Johnston
  • Patent number: 10308132
    Abstract: A utility task vehicle (UTV) includes a frame having frame rails and a battery assembly positioned laterally between the frame rails. The battery assembly includes a battery housing and a battery array having a plurality of battery cells. The battery array is positioned within the battery housing and the battery assembly provides support for or is located under a floor of a cabin of the utility task vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Nikola Corporation
    Inventors: Trevor R. Milton, Kevin M. Lynk, Anthony A. Heaton, Morgan Mackelprang, Kyle Gray, Robert Dane Davis
  • Publication number: 20180334206
    Abstract: A tracked vehicle has a pivotable suspension. The vehicle includes a vehicle frame, a motor configured to produce power for the vehicle, and left and right track assemblies that are each connected to the frame. The assemblies each have a drive wheel configured to be driven by the motor, an endless track driven by the drive wheel, wherein the endless track has an outer side and an inner side, a bogie positioned on the inner side of the endless track, a support wheel attached to the bogie and configured to roll on the endless track, a strut connected to the frame and to the bogie, and a shock absorber connected to the frame and to the strut. The strut and the shock absorber are pivotable relative to the frame. The vehicle may have low ground pressure, consistent traction, and may be modularly configured with a floatable hull for aquatic travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Applicant: DELVE EQUIPMENT, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Dane Davis, Tanner Reed Nielsen, Darin Chase Nielsen, Gregory Gene Nielsen
  • Publication number: 20180261899
    Abstract: A battery assembly is disclosed that includes a battery housing, a battery array, and one or more cooling plates. The battery housing forms a battery compartment having a width and length greater than a height. The battery array includes a plurality of cylindrical battery cells oriented horizontally with an axis substantially perpendicular to the height of the battery compartment. The plurality of battery cells is organized into a plurality of rows within the battery compartment. The plurality of battery cells is stacked two or more battery cells deep within the plurality of rows. The one or more cooling plates are oriented perpendicular to the axis of the battery cells and positioned proximal to an end of battery cells within a row of the plurality of rows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Applicant: Nikola Corporation
    Inventors: Trevor R. Milton, Kevin M. Lynk, Anthony A. Heaton, Kyle Gray, Robert Dane Davis
  • Patent number: 10035551
    Abstract: A tracked vehicle has a pivotable suspension. The vehicle includes a vehicle frame, a motor configured to produce power for the vehicle, and left and right track assemblies that are each connected to the frame. The assemblies each have a drive wheel configured to be driven by the motor, an endless track driven by the drive wheel, wherein the endless track has an outer side and an inner side, a bogie positioned on the inner side of the endless track, a support wheel attached to the bogie and configured to roll on the endless track, a strut connected to the frame and to the bogie, and a shock absorber connected to the frame and to the strut. The strut and the shock absorber are pivotable relative to the frame. The vehicle may have low ground pressure, consistent traction, and may be modularly configured with a floatable hull for aquatic travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: DELVE EQUIPMENT, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Dane Davis, Tanner Reed Nielsen, Darin Chase Nielsen, Gregory Gene Nielsen