Patents by Inventor Stanley Ratcliffe

Stanley Ratcliffe 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: 4529981
    Abstract: A navigation system provides a shore-based continuous visual signal to a ship navigating a channel or approaching a jetty. This indicates to the ship the optimum velocity program that it should be following, which is normally a gradual reduction of speed as the ship approaches its destination. The signal is a moire fringe display (33, 34, 35) from a rotating projector (21) which tracks the intended path under the control of a computer program. From the ship, the fringes are static if it is at the correct speed, but they move in one or other direction to indicate too fast or too slow. If the ship strays beyond an acceptable sector, the projector and program can be stepped on or back to maintain an appropriate signal visible to the ship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1985
    Inventor: Stanley Ratcliffe