Patents by Inventor Charlie O'Rourke
Charlie O'Rourke has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20230219666Abstract: A shiplift transfer system for moving a ship between a shiplift platform and a shipyard is disclosed. The system includes transition rails coupled with the shipyard that are pivotable about trunnion pins between a position that bridges a gap between the shipyard and the shiplift platform and a position that is clear of the gap and of the shiplift platform. The pins are positioned such that the load is not transferred to the pins. Load on the transition rails is reacted at curved surfaces of the transition rails that are engaged with curved surfaces on the yard. The transition rails are accessible for maintenance and replacement via removable plates. The rails include beveling to accommodate misalignment between the yard and platform.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2023Publication date: July 13, 2023Inventors: Charlie O'Rourke, Daniel Lyons
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Publication number: 20220332396Abstract: Vessel transfer systems are provide herein. The systems include bogies, including a pivoting bogie and a rack and pinion bogie, as well as associated cradles, carriages, and power and control units. The pivoting bogie includes a first side frame, a second side frame, at least one wheel coupled with each of the first and second side frames, and a lift member coupled with each of the first and second side frames. The lift member is pivotably coupled to the first side frame. The rack and pinion bogie includes a frame and pinion gears coupled with the frame. The pinion gears can be selectively coupled with a gear rack, such as at a shipyard. Also provided herein are methods of use of one or both of the bogies and associated equipment, such as for moving vessels within a shipyard.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2022Publication date: October 20, 2022Inventors: Robert Taylor, Charlie O'Rourke, James Gilpin, Nick Atallah
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Patent number: 11390364Abstract: Vessel transfer systems are provide herein. The systems include bogies, including a pivoting bogie and a rack and pinion bogie, as well as associated cradles, carriages, and power and control units. The pivoting bogie includes a first side frame, a second side frame, at least one wheel coupled with each of the first and second side frames, and a lift member coupled with each of the first and second side frames. The lift member is pivotably coupled to the first side frame. The rack and pinion bogie includes a frame and pinion gears coupled with the frame. The pinion gears can be selectively coupled with a gear rack, such as at a shipyard. Also provided herein are methods of use of one or both of the bogies and associated equipment, such as for moving vessels within a shipyard.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2018Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: Bardex CorporationInventors: Robert Taylor, Charlie O'Rourke, James Gilpin, Nick Atallah
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Publication number: 20210403128Abstract: Systems and methods for tensioning mooring lines are provided. The systems include an in-line tensioner that may include a removable chainwheel, a tail chain disconnecting table configured for disconnection of a tail chain and docking of an ROV, a chain guide having low-friction pads that reduce frictional engagement between the in-line tensioner and mooring chains, and a target link stopper that is configured to stop movement of the mooring line at a predetermined location, such that the mooring line has a predetermined length and such that a predetermined link of the mooring line is positioned within a gripping zone of latches of the in-line tensioner.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2021Publication date: December 30, 2021Inventors: Charlie O'Rourke, Nick Atallah
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Patent number: 11008071Abstract: A rotary chain jack may include a frame, a dual chain wheel rotatably coupled to the frame, and a stopper assembly mechanically coupled to the frame. The stopper assembly may include latches. The stopper assembly may be positioned to selectively engage a chain passing over the dual chain wheel. The rotary chain jack may be used to moor offshore structures.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2017Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: Bardex CorporationInventors: Charlie O'Rourke, Tom Miller, Nick Atallah, Matt Frowiss, Kanghua Sun
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Patent number: 10864966Abstract: A rotatable chain stopper includes a base, an actuator operatively coupled to the base, and a pair of latches pivotably coupled to the base. The orientation of the base and position of the latches are responsive to extension of the actuator. The rotatable chain stopper may be used as a portion of chain jack assembly, such as on an offshore vessel. The rotatable chain stopper may used in a method of pulling-in, paying-out, and positioning of an anchor chain, such as for mooring an offshore vessel.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2019Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: Bardex CorporationInventor: Charlie O'Rourke
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Publication number: 20190270496Abstract: A rotatable chain stopper includes a base, an actuator operatively coupled to the base, and a pair of latches pivotably coupled to the base. The orientation of the base and position of the latches are responsive to extension of the actuator. The rotatable chain stopper may be used as a portion of chain jack assembly, such as on an offshore vessel. The rotatable chain stopper may used in a method of pulling-in, paying-out, and positioning of an anchor chain, such as for mooring an offshore vessel.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2019Publication date: September 5, 2019Inventor: CHARLIE O'ROURKE
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Publication number: 20190263488Abstract: Vessel transfer systems are provide herein. The systems include bogies, including a pivoting bogie and a rack and pinion bogie, as well as associated cradles, carriages, and power and control units. The pivoting bogie includes a first side frame, a second side frame, at least one wheel coupled with each of the first and second side frames, and a lift member coupled with each of the first and second side frames. The lift member is pivotably coupled to the first side frame. The rack and pinion bogie includes a frame and pinion gears coupled with the frame. The pinion gears can be selectively coupled with a gear rack, such as at a shipyard. Also provided herein are methods of use of one or both of the bogies and associated equipment, such as for moving vessels within a shipyard.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2018Publication date: August 29, 2019Inventors: Robert Taylor, Charlie O'Rourke, James Gilpin, Nick Atallah
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Patent number: 10392080Abstract: A fairlead includes a chain guide support structure and a clump weight engagement member. A clump weight assembly includes a clump weight body, a clump weight coupled to the clump weight body, and a spring housing. The spring housing includes an upper housing wall and at least one spring operatively coupled between the upper housing wall and the clump weight. The clump weight body may be selectively engageable and disengageable with the fairlead to form a fairlead and clump weight assembly. A method of installing and using the clump weight includes engaging the spring housing with the clump weight engagement member, and latching the clump weight body to the clump weight engagement member.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2017Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: Bardex CorporationInventors: Charlie O'Rourke, Bruce Caldwell
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Patent number: 10272973Abstract: A rotatable chain stopper includes a base, an actuator operatively coupled to the base, and a pair of latches pivotably coupled to the base. The orientation of the base and position of the latches are responsive to extension of the actuator. The rotatable chain stopper may be used as a portion of chain jack assembly, such as on an offshore vessel. The rotatable chain stopper may used in a method of pulling-in, paying-out, and positioning of an anchor chain, such as for mooring an offshore vessel.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2017Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: Bardex CorporationInventor: Charlie O'Rourke
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Patent number: 10253856Abstract: A chain mooring windlass may include a frame, a wheel, and an axel extending through the wheel and rotatably coupled to the frame. Drive assemblies may be coupled to the axel via a first stage gear reduction including reduction gears. The axel may be coupled to the wheel via a second stage gear reduction including reduction gears. A movable drive mechanism may include reduction gears, and drive assemblies coupled to the reduction gears. The drive assemblies may drive the reduction gears. A drive gear may be coupled to the reduction gears. The reduction gears may drive the drive gear. The drive gear may be configured to couple to a chain wheel of a chain mooring windlass to drive the chain wheel. A chain wheel coupler may be configured to selectively couple the movable drive mechanism to a chain wheel of a chain mooring windlass.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2017Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: Bardex CorporationInventors: Daniel Lyons, Robert Taylor, Kanghua Sun, Charlie O'Rourke, Tom Miller, Nick Atallah, Matt Frowiss
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Publication number: 20180086421Abstract: A fairlead includes a chain guide support structure and a clump weight engagement member. A clump weight assembly includes a clump weight body, a clump weight coupled to the clump weight body, and a spring housing. The spring housing includes an upper housing wall and at least one spring operatively coupled between the upper housing wall and the clump weight. The clump weight body may be selectively engageable and disengageable with the fairlead to form a fairlead and clump weight assembly. A method of installing and using the clump weight includes engaging the spring housing with the clump weight engagement member, and latching the clump weight body to the clump weight engagement member.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2017Publication date: March 29, 2018Inventors: CHARLIE O'ROURKE, BRUCE CALDWELL
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Publication number: 20170370455Abstract: A chain mooring windlass may include a frame, a wheel, and an axel extending through the wheel and rotatably coupled to the frame. Drive assemblies may be coupled to the axel via a first stage gear reduction including reduction gears. The axel may be coupled to the wheel via a second stage gear reduction including reduction gears. A movable drive mechanism may include reduction gears, and drive assemblies coupled to the reduction gears. The drive assemblies may drive the reduction gears. A drive gear may be coupled to the reduction gears. The reduction gears may drive the drive gear. The drive gear may be configured to couple to a chain wheel of a chain mooring windlass to drive the chain wheel. A chain wheel coupler may be configured to selectively couple the movable drive mechanism to a chain wheel of a chain mooring windlass.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2017Publication date: December 28, 2017Inventors: DANIEL LYONS, ROBERT TAYLOR, KANGHUA SUN, CHARLIE O'ROURKE, TOM MILLER, NICK ATALLAH, MATT FROWISS
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Publication number: 20170334525Abstract: A rotatable chain stopper includes a base, an actuator operatively coupled to the base, and a pair of latches pivotably coupled to the base. The orientation of the base and position of the latches are responsive to extension of the actuator. The rotatable chain stopper may be used as a portion of chain jack assembly, such as on an offshore vessel. The rotatable chain stopper may used in a method of pulling-in, paying-out, and positioning of an anchor chain, such as for mooring an offshore vessel.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2017Publication date: November 23, 2017Inventor: CHARLIE O'ROURKE
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Publication number: 20170259886Abstract: A rotary chain jack may include a frame, a dual chain wheel rotatably coupled to the frame, and a stopper assembly mechanically coupled to the frame. The stopper assembly may include latches. The stopper assembly may be positioned to selectively engage a chain passing over the dual chain wheel. The rotary chain jack may be used to moor offshore structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2017Publication date: September 14, 2017Inventors: CHARLIE O'ROURKE, TOM MILLER, NICK ATALLAH, MATT FROWISS
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Patent number: 9126659Abstract: A self-aligning fairlead latch device is provided for guiding and securing an anchor chain between an offshore structure and an anchor. The fairlead latch device includes a latch housing pivotally mounted to a fairlead housing. The latch housing includes one or more latches for securing the anchor chain in place. The fairlead latch device further includes an upper retainer component that is coupled to an upper support structure and a lower support structure. The coupling of the upper retainer component to the support structures allow the fairlead latch device to be relocated by lifting of the device from the support structures.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2014Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: BARDEX CORPORATIONInventors: Thomas Miller, Charlie O'Rourke
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Patent number: 8915205Abstract: A self-aligning fairlead latch device is provided for guiding and securing an anchor chain between an offshore structure and an anchor. The fairlead latch device includes a latch housing pivotally mounted to a fairlead housing. The latch housing includes one or more latches for securing the anchor chain in place. The fairlead latch device further includes an upper retainer component that is coupled to an upper support structure and a lower support structure. The coupling of the upper retainer component to the support structures allow the fairlead latch device to be relocated by lifting of the device from the support structures.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2011Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Bardex CorporationInventors: Thomas Miller, Charlie O'Rourke
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Publication number: 20140346420Abstract: A self-aligning fairlead latch device is provided for guiding and securing an anchor chain between an offshore structure and an anchor. The fairlead latch device includes a latch housing pivotally mounted to a fairlead housing. The latch housing includes one or more latches for securing the anchor chain in place. The fairlead latch device further includes an upper retainer component that is coupled to an upper support structure and a lower support structure. The coupling of the upper retainer component to the support structures allow the fairlead latch device to be relocated by lifting of the device from the support structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2014Publication date: November 27, 2014Inventors: Thomas Miller, Charlie O'Rourke
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Publication number: 20120160146Abstract: A self-aligning fairlead latch device is provided for guiding and securing an anchor chain between an offshore structure and an anchor. The fairlead latch device includes a latch housing pivotally mounted to a fairlead housing. The latch housing includes one or more latches for securing the anchor chain in place. The fairlead latch device further includes an upper retainer component that is coupled to an upper support structure and a lower support structure. The coupling of the upper retainer component to the support structures allow the fairlead latch device to be relocated by lifting of the device from the support structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2011Publication date: June 28, 2012Applicant: Bardex CorporationInventors: Thomas Miller, Charlie O'Rourke