Woods Hole Oceanographic' Institution

Other

Boston Biomotion Inc.

Deltaglide, Inc.

Independence Technology, L.l.c.

Dana Yoerger

Nathan Ulrich

Norman Erwin Farr

Lee Freitag

James Preisig

Sheri N White

Alan D Chave

William T Townsend

Louis Litchfield Whitcomb

Robert McCabe

Andy Bowen

Albert M Bradley

David K Nergaard

Brandon D Larocque

Yoky Matsuoka

Larry C Miller

An underwater system including at least one input device that is in sensory communication with water and generates input signals. The system further includes at least one optical transmitter and at least one optical receiver that allow omni-directional transmission and reception through water of optical signals representing the input signals, and allow data rates greater than 1 Mbps.

Optical communication systems and methods

The systems and methods of the invention provide for improved underwater communication systems. In particular, the systems and methods of the invention provide for improved underwater optical modems including optical transmitters and optical receivers that allow omni-directional transmission and reception of optical signals underwater and having a range of about 100 m and allowing data rates greater than 1 Mbit/s. The systems and methods of the invention also provide for underwater communication networks having a plurality of optical modems communicating with each other.

Systems and methods for underwater optical communication

Systems for tethering an underwater vehicles using a low strength optical fiber tether. The tether system includes, a mechanical fuse that prevents a high load from acting on and severing the tether that is attached to the underwater vehicle, thus allowing use of far smaller cables than typically used. Upon separation of the fuse, a cable payout system pays out an optical fiber that keeps the underwater vehicle, typically a robotic craft, in communication with the surface vessel. The relatively light weight glass fiber may be reinforced and extended to lengths greater than 40 km allowing deep-sea exploration at depths up to 11,000 m.

Systems and methods for tethering underwater vehicles

The relative position of two members is determined based upon a detected relative intensities of first and second colors of light. The intensity balance associated with relative occlusion of first and second color filter portions on one member by a mask on the other member. An exemplary use is in rotational position sensing within a limited rotation range. With a given compliance between the two members, the position sensing can be used as a proxy for torque sensing.

Sensor

A power-assist vehicle such as a wheelchair senses driving torque/force applied by a user through a transmission. The detected force/torque is utilized in a control system with a control map defining a desired dynamic of the vehicle and programmed with the desired mass and drag parameter.

Power assist vehicle

A passive exercise apparatus includes an interface member for coupling to a user's limb. An arm member is coupled to the interface member by a wrist joint. The wrist joint has rotational motion about three axes. A first link is coupled to the arm member by a sliding joint. The sliding joint allows translational motion of the arm member relative to the first link. A second link is rotatably coupled to the first link by a first rotary joint. A third link is rotatably coupled to the second link by a second rotary joint. A first brake is coupled to the first rotary joint for resisting movement of the first rotary joint. A second brake is coupled to the second rotary joint for resisting movement of the second rotary joint. A third brake is coupled to the arm member for resisting movement of the arm member. The user is capable of interfacing with the apparatus to exercise a six degree of freedom motion.

Exercise apparatus

Growing community of inventors

North Falmouth, MA, United States of America

Dana Yoerger