Patents by Inventor Stephen P. Ebner

Stephen P. Ebner 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: 5443027
    Abstract: A lateral force device for displacing a towed underwater acoustic cable piding displacement in the horizontal and vertical directions having a spool and a rotationally mounted winged fuselage. The hollow spool is mounted on a cable with cable elements passing therethrough. The winged fuselage is made with the top half relatively positively buoyant and the bottom half relatively negatively buoyant. The winged fuselage is mounted about the hollow spool with clearance to allow rotation of the fuselage. The difference in buoyancy between the upper and lower fuselage maintains the device in the correct operating position. The wings are angled to provide lift in the desired direction as the fuselage is towed through the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Norman L. Owsley, John F. Law, Robert D. Vanasse, Stephen P. Ebner, Richard K. Knutson, Roger C. Norris
  • Patent number: H2173
    Abstract: An unmanned hydroplaning water surface vehicle having a gondola housing with external midway lift and control foils that allow the unmanned surface vehicle to provide lift and control in water at sufficient speed. A superstructure trimaran hull serves as a stable operation platform during low speed maneuvers or at rest. The superstructure hull encloses command and control systems capable of remote, semi-autonomous or fully autonomous control and navigation and vehicle attitude control. A plurality of mission specific payloads and sensors are positioned within the superstructure hull and gondola housing to allow for various types of missions. A strut connects the gondola housing and the superstructure hull above the waterline, as well as to provide for the passage therebetween of a plurality of transmission and control lines. The strut also mounts a rudder above propeller at the stern end of the gondola housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: David A. Newborn, Richard K. Knutson, Stephen P. Ebner