- Ocean Power Technologies (OPTT, Financial) was granted a USPTO Notice of Allowance for a patent on an autonomous marine charging system.
- The patent covers a floating marine charging solution that allows electric vessels to independently dock and recharge at sea.
- The technology integrates with OPTT's PowerBuoy® platform, enabling extended offshore operations without port dependency.
Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. (OPTT), renowned for its innovative marine energy solutions, has received a Notice of Allowance from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for its patent application entitled "System and Method for Vehicle Charging" (Application No. 18/936,528). This patent represents a significant advancement in autonomous marine operations, offering a solution for electric vessels to recharge while at sea.
The patented technology enables electric vessels, including uncrewed surface vehicles, to autonomously locate, dock with, and recharge from a floating energy platform. Key features of the system include signal-emitting guidance systems for docking, flexible mooring structures for stabilization, wired and wireless energy delivery mechanisms, and wave-powered energy generation. This integration with OPTT's PowerBuoy® platform creates a dual-purpose node that functions as both a power generation and recharging hub for WAM-V® autonomous surface vehicles.
"This patent is a direct reflection of the innovation culture at Ocean Power Technologies," stated David Goldstein, VP of Technology and Innovation at OPTT. The capability to perform offshore electric charging mitigates the need for port infrastructure, resolving a critical operational bottleneck for persistent maritime missions.
Philipp Stratmann, President and CEO of OPTT, highlighted the strategic importance of this development: "By enabling persistent power-at-sea, we’re not only boosting the endurance of our WAM-V®s but also expanding possibilities for our defense, commercial, and scientific customers."
The acquisition of this patent strengthens OPTT’s intellectual property portfolio and addresses the increasing demand for sustainable maritime operations. It positions the company as a front-runner in solving infrastructure challenges for autonomous maritime systems, potentially offering a significant competitive advantage in this rapidly growing industry.
