Spiral curve self-aligning docking device

US10569423B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America, as represented by Secretary of the Navy · US

Inventors

• Anthony Jones · San Diego, US
• Gregory W. Anderson · San Diego, US
• Wayne P. Liu · Honolulu, US
• Maxwell M. Kerber · San Diego, US
• Michael Murphy · Neptune, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 28, 2018
• Grant date: Feb 25, 2020
• Expiry date: Nov 28, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B63G2008/008
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A target spar. A left jaw member. The left guidance portion has a left spiral curve. The left arm portion has a left arm profile, a left arm gear, and a left arm protrusion. A right jaw member. The right guidance portion has a right spiral curve. The right arm portion comprises a right arm gear and a right arm protrusion. A top plate member. A bottom plate member. A drive unit comprising an electric motor within a pressure housing. A drive shaft on the electric motor. The bottom plate member abuts the left jaw member, the right jaw member, and the top plate member. The left jaw member and the right jaw member opened and closed. At the closed position, the target spar is slidably received in the left and right jaw members, the top and bottom plate members, and abuts the left and right arm profiles.