Patents by Inventor Terrence W. Schmidt
Terrence W. Schmidt 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).
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Patent number: 11897589Abstract: A system and method that reduces wave-making resistance of at least one follower vessel following at least one lead vessel operating in a seaway based on a determination of time-dependent variations in the Kelvin wake waves being generated by the lead vessel when operating in a seaway. By using a time-dependent Kelvin wake wave generation approach, the determination of where to position the follower vessel in a reduced wave-making resistance region may be improved, such as when the lead vessel changes direction and/or speed in the seaway. Such an approach may position the follower vessel based on information associated with the Kelvin wake wave generated by the lead vessel in the past, which the follower vessel approaches this past-generated Kelvin wake wave and is positioned in the reduced wave-making resistance region associated with this past-generated Kelvin wake wave.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2023Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Inventors: Terrence W. Schmidt, Jeffrey E. Kline
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Patent number: 11577808Abstract: A system and method that reduces spatial positioning control requirements for maintaining reduced wave-making resistance of at least one following vessel in a fleet operating in a seaway, by determining a position of the at least one following vessel within a coordinated zone, which is a zone within a reduced wave-making resistance region of the Kelvin wake of at least one lead vessel, at which a surge motion of the vessels is synchronized with each other. By positioning the at least one following vessel in the coordinated zone, the spatial positioning control requirements of the at least one following vessel can be reduced.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2022Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Inventors: Terrence W. Schmidt, Jeffrey E. Kline
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Patent number: 11292560Abstract: A supervisory propulsion controller module, a speed and position sensing system, and a communication system that are incorporated on marine vessels to reduce the wave-making resistance of the multiple vessels by operating them in controlled and coordinated spatial patterns to destructively cancel their Kelvin wake transverse or divergent wave system through active control of the vessels separation distance with speed. This will enable improvement in the vessel's mobility (speed, payload and range), improve survivability and reliability and reduce acquisition and total ownership cost.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2020Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Inventors: Terrence W. Schmidt, Jeffrey E. Kline
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Publication number: 20210078682Abstract: A supervisory propulsion controller module, a speed and position sensing system, and a communication system that are incorporated on marine vessels to reduce the wave-making resistance of the multiple vessels by operating them in controlled and coordinated spatial patterns to destructively cancel their Kelvin wake transverse or divergent wave system through active control of the vessels separation distance with speed. This will enable improvement in the vessel's mobility (speed, payload and range), improve survivability and reliability and reduce acquisition and total ownership cost.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2020Publication date: March 18, 2021Inventors: Terrence W. Schmidt, Jeffrey E. Kline
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Patent number: 10899422Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a means of constructing an Autonomous fully-Submersible Offshore Marine Platform (ASOMP) of considerable warfighting or commercial capability which is mobile and can autonomously transport to a hazardous operating area in a low-observable reduced vulnerability manner, fully submerge to avoid the military or environmental threat hazard, hibernate until needed, perform fully submerged mobility and mission operations, surface and provide Barge and SWATH surface ship mobility and mission operations, resubmerge if the hazardous threat appears and relocate to a new operating area. Another object of the present invention is to provide a fully autonomous and submersible low-cost “lily-pad” that surfaces when called and provides a main deck platform at appropriate freeboard and seakeeping motions to function as a refueling landing zone and pier to extend the range of aircraft and marine vehicles operating in a high-threat environment.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2020Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Inventors: Terrence W. Schmidt, Jeffrey E. Kline
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Publication number: 20200140047Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a means of constructing an Autonomous fully-Submersible Offshore Marine Platform (ASOMP) of considerable warfighting or commercial capability which is mobile and can autonomously transport to a hazardous operating area in a low-observable reduced vulnerability manner, fully submerge to avoid the military or environmental threat hazard, hibernate until needed, perform fully submerged mobility and mission operations, surface and provide Barge and SWATH surface ship mobility and mission operations, resubmerge if the hazardous threat appears and relocate to a new operating area. Another object of the present invention is to provide a fully autonomous and submersible low-cost “lily-pad” that surfaces when called and provides a main deck platform at appropriate freeboard and seakeeping motions to function as a refueling landing zone and pier to extend the range of aircraft and marine vehicles operating in a high-threat environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2020Publication date: May 7, 2020Inventors: Terrence W. Schmidt, Jeffrey E. Kline
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Publication number: 20190144090Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a means of constructing an Autonomous fully-Submersible Offshore Marine Platform (ASOMP) of considerable warfighting or commercial capability which is mobile and can autonomously transport to a hazardous operating area in a low-observable reduced vulnerability manner, fully submerge to avoid the military or environmental threat hazard, hibernate until needed, perform fully submerged mobility and mission operations, surface and provide Barge and SWATH surface ship mobility and mission operations, resubmerge if the hazardous threat appears and relocate to a new operating area. Another object of the present invention is to provide a fully autonomous and submersible low-cost “lily-pad” that surfaces when called and provides a main deck platform at appropriate freeboard and seakeeping motions to function as a refueling landing zone and pier to extend the range of aircraft and marine vehicles operating in a high-threat environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2018Publication date: May 16, 2019Inventors: Terrence W. Schmidt, Jeffrey E. Kline
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Patent number: 9284001Abstract: A traction cell for use in a track drive of an amphibious or all-terrain vehicle includes a rigid section for connection to a track drive and at least one semi-rigid compliant section which is connected to the rigid section. The semi-rigid compliant section has a bottom surface to which a penetration resistant sole is secured on a rear face which is raked relative to the vertical.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2012Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: NAVATEK, LTD.Inventors: Terrence W. Schmidt, Jeffrey E. Kline, Gary Shimozono
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Publication number: 20120225596Abstract: A traction cell for use in a track drive of an amphibious or all-terrain vehicle includes a rigid section for connection to a track drive and at least one semi-rigid compliant section which is connected to the rigid section. The semi-rigid compliant section has a bottom surface to which a penetration resistant sole is secured on a rear face which is raked relative to the vertical.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2012Publication date: September 6, 2012Applicant: NAVATEK, LTD.Inventors: Terrence W. Schmidt, Jeffrey E. Kline, Gary Shimozono
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Publication number: 20110045716Abstract: An amphibious vehicle for transiting deep or shallow waters and/or the full range of wetland and dry soil environments, consists of a box-like structure with buoyant tracks that are powered to move around the structure. The buoyant tracks encircle the vehicle's length and extend laterally for a substantial portion of the vehicle's width or beam. When operating in water the buoyant tracks provide a majority of the buoyancy keeping the box-like structure above water surface or its tracks can be flooded to submerge the vessel. The amphibious vehicle can transport heavy equipment and personnel from ships located offshore, across undeveloped beaches, to positions ashore.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2007Publication date: February 24, 2011Applicant: NAVATEK, LTD.Inventor: Terrence W. Schmidt
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Patent number: 7685957Abstract: A ship has interchangeable mission modules. For example, a ship has a frame with a mission-module bay disposed therein. The bay is operable to receive a mission module having a mission-module system and an interface that facilitates the coupling between the mission-module system and the ship. As such, a plurality of different types of mission modules can be interchanged quickly and easily to provide the ship with different mission capabilities. Each mission-module is generally self-contained such that all the equipment necessary to perform the specific mission is contained within the single mission-module. Each mission-module is either a single unit or multiple units combined together to form an integrated unit. Thus, the ship is capable of transitioning from one mission to another simply by ejecting one mission module and replacing with another mission module.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2003Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Terrence W. Schmidt, Gary M. Noland, Anthony J. Mannino
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Patent number: 7231880Abstract: A ship having a multi-mode hull where the draft, seakeeping, and payload-carrying capacity are varied to match the requirements of the required mission. For example, the ship has a hull with first and second hull portions and with an interconnecting hull structure, and has a ballasting system within the hull portions and operable to adjust the draft of the vessel in conjunction with the payload carried by the ship so that the ship can perform a designated mission. The hull is designed to have an adjustable hull depth according to the payload carried to perform the mission and augmented by the ballasting system so as to optimize draft, and thus hull mode, to meet mission requirements. As a result, the ship operates in four distinct modes as follows: very shallow draft (logistics mode), shallow draft (catamaran mode), moderate draft (SWATH mode), and deep draft (stealth/low-freeboard mode).Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2003Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Terrence W. Schmidt, Gary M. Noland, Anthony J. Mannino, Bruce W. Cobb
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Patent number: 7191724Abstract: A method for outfitting a vessel such as a water ship for a particular mission includes maneuvering the vessel toward a mission module, capturing the mission module with the vessel, and coupling the mission module to the vessel. Such method allows one to interchange mission modules, and thus outfit a vessel for different missions, quickly and easily.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2003Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Terrence W. Schmidt, Gary M. Noland, Anthony J. Mannino
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Patent number: 7168381Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a vessel has a liquid-plane greater than one meter2/(metric ton)2/3 and includes a hull having a total length and a plurality of hull portions each having a length that is less than the total length. Each hull portion buoys the vessel. Each hull portion also protrudes above the liquid-line and includes a wetted area that does not contact the wetted areas of other hull portions when the boat accelerates through Froude numbers between 0.4 and 0.6. In addition, each hull portion includes a cross-sectional area having a perimeter defined by the edge of the wetted area and having an area defined by a plane that intersects the hull portion at the perimeter. The vessel's liquid-plane is the sum of each hull portion's cross-sectional area divided by the cube root of the square of the weight of the boat is at least one.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2006Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: Lockhead Martin CorporationInventors: Bruce Cobb, Terrence W. Schmidt
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Patent number: 7070468Abstract: An efficient double-ended watercraft is disclosed that comprises four low-Froude number hulls: two forward, two aft, two on the port side, and two on the starboard. Each hull comprises an independent engine that drives a propeller shaft and propeller that is located amidships. The propeller shafts on the starboard are collinear, as are the propeller shafts on the port. The propellers on the starboard are near each other and counter rotate, as do the propellers on the port. The propellers are variable-pitch propellers. When the ferry is changes from moving forward to moving in reverse and from reverse to forward, the propellers on the starboard exchange pitch. This enables the ferry to move as efficiently in reverse as it does when forward. The propellers on the port also exchange pitch when changing from moving forward to moving in reverse and from reverse to forward.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2004Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventor: Terrence W. Schmidt
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Patent number: 7055446Abstract: A large-waterplane-area ship operable to efficiently operate at a high-Froude velocity. In one embodiment of the invention, a large-waterplane-area ship includes a hull structure having a plurality of exclusive hull portions protruding from a main body of the hull structure. Each hull portion has a length shorter than the length of the main body and each hull portion has a buoyancy wherein the combined buoyancy of each hull portion is sufficient to support the main body above a waterline. As such, each hull portion acts independently and exclusively of other hull portions with respect to the effects of wave drag. Therefore, the ship overcomes wave drag at lower velocities.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2003Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Bruce W. Cobb, Terrence W. Schmidt
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Patent number: 6880478Abstract: A method and apparatus for steering a vessel comprising a member rotatable around a first and a second axis.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2003Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Steven J. Schmitz, Sr., Terrence W. Schmidt
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Patent number: 6877450Abstract: A variable-draft vessel. The variable-draft vessel including a center hull; a first side hull coupled to a first side of the center hull; a second side hull coupled to a second side of the center hull; and at least one cross support coupling the first and second side hulls, wherein the center hull is configured to be vertically translated with respect to the first and second side hulls.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2003Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Terrence W. Schmidt, Anthony J. Mannino, Lewis D. Madden
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Publication number: 20040182298Abstract: A ship has interchangeable mission modules. For example, a ship has a frame with a mission-module bay disposed therein. The bay is operable to receive a mission module having a mission-module system and an interface that facilitates the coupling between the mission-module system and the ship. As such, a plurality of different types of mission modules can be interchanged quickly and easily to provide the ship with different mission capabilities. Each mission-module is generally self-contained such that all the equipment necessary to perform the specific mission is contained within the single mission-module. Each mission-module is either a single unit or multiple units combined together to form an integrated unit. Thus, the ship is capable of transitioning from one mission to another simply by ejecting one mission module and replacing with another mission module.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2003Publication date: September 23, 2004Inventors: Terrence W. Schmidt, Gary M. Noland, Anthony J. Mannino
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Publication number: 20040159272Abstract: A large-waterplane-area ship operable to efficiently operate at a high-Froude velocity. In one embodiment of the invention, a large-waterplane-area ship includes a hull structure having a plurality of exclusive hull portions protruding from a main body of the hull structure. Each hull portion has a length shorter than the length of the main body and each hull portion has a buoyancy wherein the combined buoyancy of each hull portion is sufficient to support the main body above a waterline. As such, each hull portion acts independently and exclusively of other hull portions with respect to the effects of wave drag. Therefore, the ship overcomes wave drag at lower velocities.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2003Publication date: August 19, 2004Applicant: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Bruce W. Cobb, Terrence W. Schmidt