Automated dock positioning system
Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000
United States of America Patent
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Aug 13, 2020
Grant Date -
Aug 13, 2020
app pub date -
Feb 13, 2019
filing date -
Feb 13, 2019
priority date (Note) -
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status (Latency Note)
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Abstract
A computer controlled robotic system that autonomously adjusts the location of a floating marine dock whenever water levels change in a body of water (e.g., a lake or reservoir) to maintain sufficient draft clearance for safe boat operation and ensure safe access to the dock. The system is comprised of an electric motor-driven tractor device attached to the shore-end of a walkway and a pair of electric-motor driven cable winch assemblies with a distributed control system to move the floating dock toward or away from the shore to maintain a relative desired water depth for safe boat operation and positioning in relation to the moving edge of the water shoreline. The tractor and winch motions are controlled by a combination of on-board (dockside) microprocessor and web-based computing that utilizes software to process location telemetry from distance measuring sensors such as Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) sensors, Global Positioning System (GPS) data, and a compass bearing to calculate the incremental actuations of the tractor and winch motors. FIG. 1 depicts the system's main elements installed on a marine dock floating near the water's edge (shoreline).
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