Eric Wellington King

US Patent:

7094157, Aug 22, 2006

Filed:

Feb 18, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/781126

Inventors:

Stephen F. Fromyer - Silver Spring MD, US
Samuel T. Foster - Baltimore MD, US
Eric A. King - Westminster MD, US
Clifford A. Jennings - Highland MD, US
Brian M. Welsh - Sykesville MD, US

Assignee:

Oceaneering International, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

A31G 31/16

US Classification:

472 59, 472130, 434 55

Abstract:

A pneumatic motion platform is disclosed, adapted to allow an open center to handle shear stress without the need for a central support. In an embodiment, the platform comprises a deck; a base; a plurality of inflatable actuators, each actuator attached to the deck at a predetermined location intermediate the base and the deck, the plurality of inflatable actuators adapted for use as an active motive force with respect to the deck in a plurality of planes; a plurality of compliant stabilizers disposed intermediate the deck and the base, at least one portion of each stabilizer disposed proximate a predetermined one of the plurality of inflatable actuators; a fluid controller in fluid communication with the plurality of inflatable actuators; and a source of fluid in fluid communication with the fluid controller. A ride vehicle may comprise a cabin attached to a deck attached to the motion platform attached to a rotator such as a turntable. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.

US Patent:

20130144468, Jun 6, 2013

Filed:

May 11, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/470244

Inventors:

Samuel T. Foster - Perry Hall MD, US
Michael Wayne Boshears - Orlando FL, US
Andrew Grant - Ocoee FL, US
Frank Peter Hass - Windermere FL, US
Clifford Allen Jennings - Highland MD, US
Eric Authur King - Westminster MD, US
Kenneth Thomas Kroslowitz - Edgewater FL, US
Suhas Subhaschandra Malghan - Baltimore MD, US
Stephen A. Sywak - Glen Burnie MD, US

Assignee:

OCEANEERING INTERNATIONAL, INC. - Hanover MD

International Classification:

B62D 5/04
B62D 3/00
B62D 7/06
F16H 21/54

US Classification:

701 2, 74 99 R, 180444, 180 62

Abstract:

A motion assembly that produces pitch and roll motions includes lower and upper plates. A pivotable coupling having upper and lower shafts extending from its center is coupled between the upper and lower plates. At least two linear actuators are coupled between the plates. Extension and retraction of the actuators pivots the upper plate about the pivotable coupling relative to the lower plate. A vehicle includes two steerable propulsion wheels coupled to a chassis. A lower plate of a pitch and roll assembly, similar to that just described, couples to the chassis via a slew bearing. Seating is coupled to the upper plate. The seating rotates with respect to the chassis via controlled rotation of the slew bearing with reference to the chassis. The seating can be rotated to point in any direction with respect to the chassis regardless of the direction the steerable propulsion wheels move the chassis.

US Patent:

20160167224, Jun 16, 2016

Filed:

Dec 10, 2014

Appl. No.:

14/566271

Inventors:

- Houston TX, US
Eric A. King - Westminster MD, US
Stephen F. Fromyer - Silver Spring MD, US
Stephen Sywak - Glen Brunue MD, US

Assignee:

OCEANEERING INTERNATIONAL, INC. - Houston TX

International Classification:

B25J 9/12
G05B 11/01
F16H 25/20

Abstract:

A motion base comprises lower and upper plates, a plurality of lateral stabilizers coupled in-between and connected to the lower and upper plates, a plurality of actuators, and one or more associated active controllers. Actuators typically comprise a body operatively connected to the upper plate and the lower plate, a rod movably disposed at least partially within the body, where the rod and body define an actuator effective length; and a controllable rod extender configured to selectively extend the rod out from and retract the rod into the body. After determining a desired parameter such as length and an actual parameter such as length, velocity, acceleration, impulse, force, or the like, or a combination thereof for each of the plurality of actuators, a control signal is sent to each controllable rod extender as needed to change the current effective state of that parameter of each actuator by moving each such actuator's extendable rod into or out from each such actuator's body such that the current parameter for each of the plurality of actuators matches the desired parameter for that actuator.

US Patent:

20140101900, Apr 17, 2014

Filed:

Oct 16, 2013

Appl. No.:

14/055835

Inventors:

- Hanover MD, US
Eric Authur King - Westminster MD, US

Assignee:

Oceaneering International, Inc. - Hanover MD

International Classification:

A44B 11/25

US Classification:

24307, 24642

Abstract:

A barrier may be configured to maintain a fixed position with respect to a seat, the barrier separating a first space from a second space, a seatbelt buckle may be configured to maintain a fixed position with respect to the barrier in the second space, the buckle includes an opening to receive a seatbelt tongue and a release button to release the tongue from the buckle, the barrier may include a slot having dimensions selected to permit passage of the tongue from the first space into the opening and prevent an object from passing through the slot to operate the release button. A force-transfer-structure, coupled between the release button and a solenoid may transfer a force exerted by the solenoid to the release button, where the buckle and force-transfer-structure maintain operational alignment therebetween. A second structure can operate the release button in event that the solenoid is inoperable.