Ocean Power Technologies granted patent for autonomous marine vehicle charging system
Ocean Power Technologies (OPT) has been granted a patent by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for its autonomous, floating marine charging system.
The patent, titled “System and Method for Vehicle Charging,” is set to transform the way electric vessels, including uncrewed surface vehicles, recharge at sea and meet the growing demand for clean maritime operations.
The technology enables electric vessels to “safely locate, dock with, and recharge” from a floating energy platform while at sea.
The floating charging station will be incorporated into the OPT’s PowerBuoy platform, creating a dual-function node for power generation and recharging.
This integration will facilitate OPT’s WAM-V autonomous surface vehicles to undertake extended missions with reduced downtime and eliminate the need to return to shore.
OPT Technology and innovation vice president David Goldstein said: “This patent is a direct reflection of the innovation culture at Ocean Power Technologies.
“By enabling offshore electric charging without reliance on port infrastructure, we’re solving a real-world bottleneck to persistent, autonomous maritime operations. This technology will be a cornerstone of how our WAM-Vs operate in extended missions when paired with our PowerBuoy.”
The patent encompasses several critical features, such as signal-emitting guidance systems, flexible and secure mooring structures, wired and wireless energy delivery mechanisms and options for wave-powered self-sustaining energy generation.
OPT president and CEO Philipp Stratmann said: “This patent exemplifies the kind of transformative thinking that allows us to lead in offshore autonomy.
“By enabling persistent power-at-sea, we’re not only increasing the endurance of our WAM-Vs but also expanding what’s possible for our defence, commercial, and scientific customers. This is another strong step in building a truly intelligent and resilient ocean infrastructure.”
