Autonomous watercraft with a waterproof container system that houses satellite communication terminal

US10710681B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Boeing Company · US

Inventors

• Anthony Bak · San Francisco, US
• Thomas John Berens · Alexandria, US
• Ernest L. Ferrier, Jr. · Livermore, US
• Carlos M. Montes · Marysville, US
• Timothy James Ong · San Jose, US
• Cameron Alexander Sanders · Washington, US
• Terry Allan Smith · Sunnyvale, US
• Jeffrey Scott Willcox · Arlington, US
• Youstina Yacoub · Centreville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 1, 2019
• Grant date: Jul 14, 2020
• Expiry date: Aug 1, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04B2001/3894
• WIPO field: Audio-visual technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

An autonomous watercraft with a waterproof container that houses a satellite communication terminal. The waterproof container includes a first shell mounted on a deck of the watercraft and that has a sealed first interior space that contains satellite communication circuitry of the terminal. The waterproof container also includes a second shell mounted under the deck of the watercraft and that has a sealed second interior space that contains the processing circuitry of the terminal. The first and second shells include ports configured to receive connectors for communication signaling and/or power. The first shell can also include a pressure port to pressurize the first interior space for use in leak detection. The shells can also include heat sinks to cool the satellite communication terminal.