Mathieu P Kemp

US Patent:

6974356, Dec 13, 2005

Filed:

May 18, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/848330

Inventors:

Brett W. Hobson - Carmel CA, US
Mathieu Kemp - Durham NC, US
Ryan Moody - Raleigh NC, US
Charles A. Pell - Durham NC, US
Frederick Vosburgh - Durham NC, US

Assignee:

Nekton Research LLC - Durham NC

International Classification:

B63H001/30

US Classification:

440 13, 244 22, 244 72

Abstract:

Devices for navigating in a fluid medium having a solid boundary include a vehicle body and a fin attached to the vehicle body. The fin is configured to oscillate relative to the body such that interaction between the fin and the fluid medium produces propulsive forces that propel the vehicle body in a desired direction in the fluid medium. The fin is also configured to rotate relative to the body along a transverse axis such that engagement between the fin and the solid boundary propels the vehicle body in a desired direction on the solid boundary.

US Patent:

7007626, Mar 7, 2006

Filed:

Jun 29, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/170562

Inventors:

Brett W. Hobson - Carmel CA, US
Mathieu Kemp - Durham NC, US
Ryan Moody - Raleigh NC, US
Charles A. Pell - Durham NC, US
Frederick Vosburgh - Durham NC, US

Assignee:

Nekton Research LLC - Durham NC

International Classification:

B63B 3/13

US Classification:

114312, 114240 R, 89 113, 102402

Abstract:

Devices for navigating in a fluid medium having a solid boundary include a vehicle body and a fin attached to the vehicle body. The fin is configured to oscillate relative to the body such that interaction between the fin and the fluid medium produces propulsive forces that propel the vehicle body in a desired direction in the fluid medium. The fin is also configured to rotate relative to the body along a transverse axis such that engagement between the fin and the solid boundary propels the vehicle body in a desired direction on the solid boundary.