Ocean Power Technologies Awarded Patent for System and Method for Vehicle Charging

26 June 2025

(Image credit: OPT)

Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. (OPT), a leader in innovative and sustainable marine energy and data solutions, announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a Notice of Allowance for its US patent application titled “System and Method for Vehicle Charging.”

The newly allowed patent (Application No. 18/936,528) protects OPT’s breakthrough system for an autonomous, floating marine charging solution. Designed to address the increasing demand for clean maritime operations, the invention enables electric vessels—including uncrewed surface vehicles—to safely locate, dock with, and recharge from a floating energy platform while at sea.

David Goldstein, VP of Technology and Innovation at OPT, commented: “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-V^®s operate in extended missions when paired with our PowerBuoy^®.”

This innovation is core to OPT’s vision of scalable, intelligent offshore infrastructure. The floating charging station will integrate seamlessly with the PowerBuoy platform, allowing it to serve as both a power generation node and a recharging hub. When combined, these systems will enable WAM-V^® autonomous surface vehicles to conduct long-duration missions with minimized downtime and no need for shore return.

The patent covers multiple key features, including:

Signal-emitting guidance systems for dynamic maritime docking.
Flexible and secure mooring structures to stabilize vessels during energy transfer.
Wired and wireless energy delivery mechanisms; and
Options for wave-powered self-sustaining energy generation.

Philipp Stratmann, President and CEO of OPT, added: “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 defense, commercial, and scientific customers. This is another strong step in building a truly intelligent and resilient ocean infrastructure.”

With this patent, OPT strengthens its IP portfolio and expands its capacity to support clients operating in remote or infrastructure-limited marine environments. The solution provides a foundational capability for extending the range and autonomy of uncrewed maritime systems.