The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 29, 2013
Filed:
Jan. 15, 2010
Stephen L. Bailey, Los Gatos, CA (US);
Joseph Van Ryzin, Kailua, HI (US);
Patrick D. Grandelli, Kailua, HI (US);
Natalie Levings, Palm Beach Gardens, FL (US);
John E. Halkyard, Houston, TX (US);
Stephen L. Bailey, Los Gatos, CA (US);
Joseph Van Ryzin, Kailua, HI (US);
Patrick D. Grandelli, Kailua, HI (US);
Natalie Levings, Palm Beach Gardens, FL (US);
John E. Halkyard, Houston, TX (US);
Lockheed Martin Corporation, Bethseda, MD (US);
Makai Ocean Engineering, Waimanalo, HI (US);
Abstract
A floating support that can be joined with a floating platform while the floating platform is at a deployment location is disclosed. The support provides functionality to the floating platform in order to change, augment, upgrade, or diversify the platform's overall capability. In some embodiments, the present invention eases the serviceability of the platform by enabling a first support that has diminished capability to be readily replaced by a second support having superior capability—without removing the floating platform from its deployment location. In some embodiments, the present invention enables platform operation that is analogous to 'plug and play' electronics systems. Further, in some embodiments, hydrodynamic performance of the floating platform can be changed with the addition or removal of one or more floating supports.