[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 137 (Wednesday, July 19, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46147-46148]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-15236]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Air Force

[ARY-230609A-PL]


Notice of Intent To Grant a Partially Exclusive Patent License

AGENCY: Department of the Air Force, Department of Defense.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Bayh-Dole Act and implementing regulations, 
the Department of the Air Force hereby gives notice of its intent to 
grant a partially exclusive (the field to include water-based search 
and rescue, combat search and rescue and military applications, tow 
surfing and recovery for surfers, fishing and recreation, on water 
autonomous surface vessel for intelligence, surveillance, and 
reconnaissance (ISR) and monitoring of oil spills and oil platforms, 
autonomous platform for towing vessels) patent license agreement to 
Shark Rescue Systems, LLC, a corporation of the State of Ohio, having a 
place of business at 2946 Arthur Rd., Springfield, OH 45502.

DATES: Written objections must be filed no later than fifteen (15) 
calendar days after the date of publication of this Notice.

ADDRESSES: Submit written objections to Dr. Griffin Romigh, Lead, 
Office of Research and Technology Applications (ORTA), AFRL/RY--Sensors 
Directorate, Bldg. 600, 2nd Floor, 2241 Avionics Circle, Wright-
Patterson AFB, OH 45433; Phone (937) 713-3494; or Email: 
[email protected]. Include Docket No. ARY-230609A-PL in the 
subject line of the message.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Griffin Romigh, Lead, Office of 
Research and Technology Applications (ORTA), AFRL/RY--Sensors 
Directorate, Bldg. 600, 2nd Floor, 2241 Avionics Circle, Wright-
Patterson AFB, OH 45433; Phone (937) 713-3494; or Email: 
[email protected].

Abstract of Patent Application(s)

    (1.) A component that can be detachably fitted to a watercraft to 
shift the center of buoyancy of the watercraft and render the 
watercraft self-righting. The component uses quick release attachment 
and detachment fixtures so that a person can easily remove the 
component and thereby free-up space for passengers on the watercraft. 
The component includes a non-inflatable buoyant structure made of a 
buoyant material or materials arranged into a buoyant configuration. A 
watercraft with the detachable component is also disclosed, as is a 
method for converting

[[Page 46148]]

a non-self-righting watercraft into a self-righting watercraft.
    (2.) An aquatic rescue vehicle formed by adding directional and 
speed controls to a watercraft along with an autonomous control system 
to guide the vehicle to specified waypoints is disclosed. The rescue 
vehicle includes search devices such as a radio direction finder (RDF) 
and an infrared sensor (or camera) to be used to narrow the search for 
an isolated person (IP). The rescue vehicle may be discharged from a 
larger watercraft or an airplane and autonomously set out on its rescue 
mission. The vehicle may first navigate to a designated waypoint near 
an IP, and then use signals gathered from the RDF and infrared sensor 
to finally locate, assist, and retrieve the IP. The vehicle also 
includes a self-righting mechanism so that the vehicle can complete its 
mission even under the most adverse conditions.
    (3.) Systems for air dropping a watercraft onto a body of water and 
automatically releasing the watercraft from a parachute and platform 
used during the air drop are disclosed. The air drop platform includes: 
a cradle for the watercraft; restraints for holding a watercraft onto 
the cradle when it is being air dropped; and a releasable air drop 
sling rigging system that includes connections temporarily joined to 
the cradle for an air drop sling. The restraints are temporarily joined 
to the cradle by a water-activated release mechanism. The rigging 
system includes an additional water-activated release mechanism. The 
restraints and the air drop sling both release from the cradle when the 
cradle is at least partially immersed in water upon landing on a body 
of water. The systems may be part of an automated search and rescue 
system.

Intellectual Property

    (1.) U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 17/479,108, filed on 
September 20, 2021, and entitled Detachable Buoyant Component for 
Making a Watercraft Self-Righting.
    (2.) U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 17/479,167, filed on 
September 20, 2021, and entitled Autonomous Rescue Vehicle.
    (3.) U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 18/167,113, filed on 
February 10, 2023, and entitled Automated Air Drop System and Automated 
Search and Rescue System.
    The Department of the Air Force may grant the prospective license 
unless a timely objection is received that sufficiently shows the grant 
of the license would be inconsistent with the Bayh-Dole Act or 
implementing regulations. A competing application for a patent license 
agreement, completed in compliance with 37 CFR 404.8 and received by 
the Air Force within the period for timely objections, will be treated 
as an objection and may be considered as an alternative to the proposed 
license.
    Authority: 35 U.S.C. 209; 37 CFR 404.

Tommy W. Lee,
Acting Air Force Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2023-15236 Filed 7-18-23; 8:45 am]
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