IP Library Granted Patent US 12,466,525
Granted Patent B2
US 12,466,525 · App. 18/614,237 · Granted Nov 11, 2025

Chain anchor real-time computing and hydro-mechanics integrated drag identifier

Inventors: Orestis Skoutellas (Nicosia, CY); Mario Ferre (Naples, IT); Jacob David Bendell (Wichita, KS); Benjamin Caleb Abt (Bastrop, TX); Nicholas James Anderson (New York, NY)
B63B79/20B63B79/10B63B2021/009B63B2201/16
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,466,525
App. No.
18/614,237
Granted
Nov 11, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

In some embodiments, a monitoring system may include an enclosure defining a void. The enclosure may be configured to be mounted to a floating vessel. The monitoring system may also include a camera system disposed within the void and coupled to the enclosure. The camera system may be configured to transmit a video feed of an anchor chain to at least a first computing device. The first computing device may be configured to analyze the video feed to determine a drag risk score with a computer vision model based at least in part on an angle of the anchor chain. The first computing device may be configured to determine a collision risk score. Other systems and methods are also disclosed.

Claims (58)

1 . A monitoring system comprising:

an enclosure defining a void, the enclosure configured to be mounted to a floating vessel;

a camera system disposed within the void and coupled to the enclosure, the camera system comprising:

a direct current (DC) motor having a shaft;

a hydrophobic lens;

a first gear operatively coupled to the shaft;

a second gear operatively coupled to the lens, wherein the first gear and the second gear are engaged and are each made of high-density polyethylene plastic; and

a camera having a second computing device and disposed behind the hydrophobic lens,

wherein the hydrophobic lens is configured to spin at 900-950 revolutions per minute (RPM), facilitated by the DC motor, the first gear, and the second gear, to remove moisture from the lens,

wherein the camera system is configured to transmit a video feed of an anchor chain to at least a first computing device,

wherein the first computing device is configured to analyze the video feed to determine a drag risk score with a computer vision model based at least in part on an angle of the anchor chain,

wherein the first computing device is configured to determine a collision risk score, and

wherein the camera system and the first computing device are communicatively coupled through a long range (LoRa) radio communication interface.

2 . The monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein the enclosure comprises:

a front member defining the void;

a back member; and

a case,

wherein the front member and the back member are each operatively coupled to opposite sides of the case with at least one zirconium nickel (ZrNi) screw.

3 . The monitoring system of claim 2 , wherein the second computing device is configured to transmit a video feed from the camera to the at least one first computing device.

4 . The monitoring system of claim 3 , wherein the hydrophobic lens comprises a lens portion and a barrel portion, the lens portion being transparent and having an anti-fog coating.

5 . The monitoring system of claim 4 , wherein the DC motor is coupled to a bottom side of the enclosure and the camera is coupled to a top side of the enclosure.

6 . The monitoring system of claim 5 , wherein the enclosure is waterproof and dustproof.

7 . A monitoring system comprising:

an enclosure defining a void, the enclosure configured to be mounted to a floating vessel;

a camera system disposed within the void and coupled to the enclosure, the camera system comprising:

a motor having a shaft, wherein the motor is a 12 volts direct current (DC) motor that turns at 8,574 revolutions per minute (RPM) with a torque of 2.62 inch-ounce;

a hydrophobic lens, wherein the hydrophobic lens is transparent and has an anti-fog coating;

a first gear operatively coupled to the shaft;

a second gear operatively coupled to the lens, wherein the first gear and the second gear are engaged and are each made of high-density polyethylene plastic; and

a camera having a second computing device and disposed behind the hydrophobic lens,

wherein the hydrophobic lens is configured to spin at 900-950 revolutions per minute (RPM), facilitated by the motor, the first gear, and the second gear, to remove moisture from the lens,

wherein the camera system is configured to transmit a video feed of an anchor chain to at least a first computing device,

wherein the first computing device is configured to analyze the video feed to determine a drag risk score with a computer vision model based at least in part on an angle of the anchor chain, and

wherein the first computing device is configured to determine a collision risk score.

8 . The monitoring system of claim 7 , wherein the enclosure is waterproof and dustproof.

9 . The monitoring system of claim 8 , wherein the hydrophobic lens comprises a lens portion and a barrel portion.

10 . The monitoring system of claim 9 , wherein the first computing device is configured to display the drag risk score and the collision risk score.

11 . The monitoring system of claim 10 , wherein the first computing device is configured to activate an alarm based at least in part on the drag risk score or the collision risk score.

12 . The monitoring system of claim 11 , wherein the camera system and the first computing device are communicatively coupled through a long range (LoRa) radio communication interface.

13 . A method of maritime operations for monitoring an anchor chain comprising:

receiving a video feed of an anchor chain from a monitoring system coupled to a floating vessel, wherein the monitoring system comprises:

an enclosure defining a void, the enclosure configured to be mounted to a floating vessel;

a camera system disposed within the void and coupled to the enclosure, the camera system comprising:

a direct current (DC) motor having a shaft;

a hydrophobic lens;

a first gear operatively coupled to the shaft;

a second gear operatively coupled to the lens, wherein the first gear and the second gear are engaged and are each made of high-density polyethylene plastic; and

a camera having a second computing device and disposed behind the hydrophobic lens,

wherein the hydrophobic lens is configured to spin at 900-950 revolutions per minute (RPM), facilitated by the DC motor, the first gear, and the second gear, to remove moisture from the hydrophobic lens;

processing the video feed to determine one or more anchor parameters; and

determining a drag risk score based at least in part on the one or more anchor parameters, facilitated by a computer vision model.

14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising activating an alarm based at least in part on the drag risk score.

15 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising determining a collision risk score based at least in part on the drag risk score.

16 . The method of claim 15 , further comprising activating an alarm based at least in part on the drag risk score and the collision risk score.

17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising displaying the drag risk score on a management device.

18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the one or more anchor parameters include an anchor chain angle.

19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the determination of the drag risk score is based at least in part on a geo-location of the vessel.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the monitoring system and the management device are communicatively coupled through a long range (LoRa) radio communication interface.

Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20250313315A1 · Oct 9, 2025
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