Prima Power Laserdyne, LLC

Lockheed Martin Corporation

Terrence W Schmidt

Jeffrey E Kline

Chris Rasmussen

Jacob Williams

Mohammed Naeem

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.

Reduced wave-making resistance of a vessel operating in a seaway based on time-dependent Kelvin wake wave generation

A method and system is provided for laser piercing of thick plate material that allows for rapid transition to a cutting operation that can reliably produce a piercing hole and complete a cutting operation of the intended shape in a short time, while improving the cutting quality of the cutting after switching from the piercing operation. The cutting nozzle has a centrally located laser. The piercing operation applies a laser beam to the cut work while axially supplied pure oxygen gas is applied towards the cutting work. Additionally, a direction controlled nozzle adjacent the main cutting port provides a discharge of high pressure compressed air non-axially relative to the cutting operation to clear excess molten metal and debris from the kerf thereby increasing the efficiency of the piercing and shortening the cycle time.

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Danville, CA, United States of America

Terrence W Schmidt