Active and passive sail for improved communication networking at sea
US11970260B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 21, 2021 |
| Grant date | Apr 30, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 17, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01Q21/00
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Provided is a radar and communications enhanced sail for a sailboat, sail ship, or sail drone. The sail includes a first sail section comprising an active communication system, a second sail section comprising a passive communication system, or a combination thereof. The active communication system includes an antenna array (transceiver) and a software-defined radio (SDR), while the passive communication system comprises a reflective panel or sections and/or array of reflector panels or sections. The active system utilizes its SDR and transceiver to communicate back and forth with an onshore SDR and transceiver to provide information as necessary. The passive system receives a radar signal via the reflective material on the sail and reflects the signal back at the radar, which produces a radar cross section indicating that there is an object (in this case the sailboat) in the ocean.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.