Patents by Inventor Leendert Poldervaart

Leendert Poldervaart 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).

  • Publication number: 20060283590
    Abstract: A system is provided for more efficiently using offshore produced hydrocarbons, where the produced hydrocarbons contain considerable amounts of liquid hydrocarbons and both heavy gaseous hydrocarbons (at least two carbon atoms per molecule) and light hydrocarbons (with two or less carbon atoms per molecule). The produced hydrocarbons are separated into liquid hydrocarbons which are stored in a tank structure (183) for later offloading to a tanker (56), and into heavy gaseous hydrocarbons and light hydrocarbons. The heavy gaseous hydrocarbons are liquefied and stored in a tank (212) for fueling an electricity generator unit (192) when needed, and the light hydrocarbons are immediately used to fuel the electricity generator unit (192).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Inventors: Leendert Poldervaart, Bram Van Cann, Hein Wille, Leon Rosen
  • Patent number: 7119460
    Abstract: A system for using natural gas to safely provide large amounts (at least 30 megawatts) of electricity to consumers. The system includes a floating generating vessel (110) that lies offshore and carries one or more turbine-generator sets (114, 116) that use natural gas as fuel and whose electricity output is delivered though a power line (138) that extends at least partially in the sea to a consumer. One consumer is a process vessel (112) that processes natural gas and that has transfer facilities (68) that transfer liquified gas to or from a tanker (106) that holds over 10,000 tons of liquified gas. Some of the gas is transferred from the process vessel through a conduit (136) in the sea to the generating vessel (110) to provide fuel. Another consumer is an onshore facility (52). The generating and process vessels (110, 112) are widely separated (e.g. at least 0.2 kilometer) to protect personnel in the event of a gas explosion or fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Single Buoy Moorings, Inc.
    Inventors: Leendert Poldervaart, Bram Van Cann, Hein Wille, Leon D. Rosen
  • Patent number: 7107925
    Abstract: A cryogenic fluid offloading system, having a tanker vessel (2) moored in line with an offshore mooring construction (4, 8) and connected to a processing unit, such as regasification plant (13). The degasification plant (13) has no large storage facilities, the tanker (2) being unloaded in dependence on onshore demand for gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Single Buoy Moorings Inc.
    Inventors: Hein Wille, Jean-Pierre Queau, Leendert Poldervaart
  • Publication number: 20060153639
    Abstract: The invention relates to a subsea pipeline system for connecting two hydrocarbon production, storage and/or processing structures. The subsea pipeline has a first duct section supported on the seabed, a bridging duct section extending across a lower seabed part, at a distance from the sea bed, and a second duct section supported on the sea bed. The first and second duct sections are connected to the bridging duct section via an articulation joint allowing movement of the bridging duct section in a length direction of the first and second duct sections. A first tensioning element exerts an upward force on the bridge duct sections and a second tensioning element exerts a downward force on the bridge duct section. The first and second tensioning elements include a mutual angle to exert a horizontal pulling force on the bridging duct section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Publication date: July 13, 2006
    Inventors: Jack Pollack, Hein Wille, Leendert Poldervaart
  • Publication number: 20060140726
    Abstract: A vessel for exploration of hydrocarbons includes one or more risers extending from the vessel to the seabed, a hydrocarbon processing unit connected to the one or more risers and to a storage or transport structure for storing the processed hydrocarbons. The vessel is anchored to the seabed, the vessel includes a lifting member for lowering risers vertically towards the sea bed and for connecting a riser with a first end to a subsea hydrocarbon structure, which riser includes a connector on a second end, the vessel having a connector for attaching to the riser connector and for placing the riser in fluid connection with the processing unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Inventors: Jack Pollack, Leendert Poldervaart
  • Publication number: 20060137590
    Abstract: A deep-water intake system includes a water intake duct (7) which is connected to a turret (4) of a turret-moored vessel (1). The turret (4) is used as a swivel for the large-diameter deep-water intake duct (7) while the vessel can freely weathervane around the turret.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Publication date: June 29, 2006
    Inventors: Hans Peereboom, Leendert Poldervaart, Hein Wille
  • Patent number: 7066219
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid transfer system, in particular for LNG in which an articulated vertical and horizontal mooring arm are suspended from a support on the processing vessel. Independently moveable ducts, for instance cryogenic hard piping are placed parallel to the mooring arms such that a transfer system is obtained in which is the mooring forces are insulated from the fluid transfer line with which rapid connection and disconnection is possible and which provides a large yaw resistance. In a preferred embodiment, the mooring system comprises two vertical arms connected to a triangular horizontal yoke attached to the bow of the LNG-carrier for improved yaw resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Single Buoy Moorings Inc.
    Inventors: Leendert Poldervaart, Jack Pollack
  • Patent number: 7056177
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon mooring and transfer system (2) includes a tower (3) resting on the seabed (4), a vessel (1) containing hydrocarbons, anchoring elements including at least four spaced-apart anchoring members (12, 13, 14, 15) connected via a respective anchor line (21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27) to the vessel (1), a hydrocarbon transfer duct (6) extending between a coupling position (7), located between the bow (20) and stern (24) of the vessel (1) and the tower (3). The system including at least six anchoring members (12, 13 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19), at least four of which are connected to the vessel (1), the vessel being attachable to at least two different groups (12, 13, 14, 15; 14, 16, 17, 18; 15, 16, 18, 19; 12, 13, 17, 19) consisting of four anchoring members in at least two orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Single Buoy Moorings, Inc.
    Inventor: Leendert Poldervaart
  • Patent number: 6968899
    Abstract: A vessel (1) comprises a rotatable turret (14) and a supporting structure (3) over or on the turret for supporting a swivel (5). The swivel comprising an inner and an outer ring (21, 21?; 22, 22?) which can rotate with respect to each other and which define at least one fluid distribution path from a geostationary fluid riser (19) connected to one ring (22, 22?) to a product outflow pipe (18) connected to the other ring (21, 21?). A rig (2) is mounted over the turret area above or below the swivel (5), and a substantially rigid pipe extends from the rig, through a moonpool of the turret towards the sea bed, the rigid pipe being in line with the swivel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Single Buoy Moorings Inc.
    Inventors: Leendert Poldervaart, René Perratone, Hein Wille
  • Patent number: 6968795
    Abstract: A very large hydrocarbon production vessel (10) of at least 40,000 tons steel weight, is constructed without requiring a very long reserve time period in a very large dry dock. The hull of the vessel is constructed in at least three different hull sections, including a midship hull section (24) and bow and stern hull sections (20, 22), with each preferably constructed at a different construction site. The hull sections are then brought together in a very large dry dock and welded together, so a minimum amount of time must be reserved in the very large dry dock. The midship hull section is preferably constructed in a specialized shipyard, and the same shipyard installs drilling equipment (50) and equipment that connects to risers that bring up hydrocarbons, so the expertise of the shipyard is used for both the midsection hull construction and specialized drilling and riser handling equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Single Buoy Moorings, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam F. J. M. Lambregts, Bram Van Cann, Sjoerd Maarlen Hendriks, Leendert Poldervaart
  • Publication number: 20050257729
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon mooring and transfer system (2) includes a tower (3) resting on the seabed (4), a vessel (1) containing hydrocarbons, anchoring elements including at least four spaced-apart anchoring members (12, 13, 14, 15) connected via a respective anchor line (21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27) to the vessel (1), a hydrocarbon transfer duct (6) extending between a coupling position (7), located between the bow (20) and stern (24) of the vessel (1) and the tower (3). The system including at least six anchoring members (12, 13 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19), at least four of which are connected to the vessel (1), the vessel being attachable to at least two different groups (12, 13, 14, 15; 14, 16, 17, 18; 15, 16, 18, 19; 12, 13, 17, 19) consisting of four anchoring members in at least two orientations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Publication date: November 24, 2005
    Inventor: Leendert Poldervaart
  • Publication number: 20050241729
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid transfer system, in particular for LNG in which an articulated vertical and horizontal mooring arm are suspended from a support on the processing vessel. Independently moveable ducts, for instance cryogenic hard piping are placed parallel to the mooring arms such that a transfer system is obtained in which is the mooring forces are insulated from the fluid transfer line with which rapid connection and disconnection is possible and which provides a large yaw resistance. In a preferred embodiment, the mooring system comprises two vertical arms connected to a triangular horizontal yoke attached to the bow of the LNG-carrier for improved yaw resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Publication date: November 3, 2005
    Applicant: SINGLE BUOY MOORINGS INC.
    Inventors: Leendert Poldervaart, Jack Pollack
  • Publication number: 20050206239
    Abstract: A system for using natural gas to safely provide large amounts (at least 30 megawatts) of electricity to consumers. The system includes a floating generating vessel (110) that lies offshore and carries one or more turbine-generator sets (114, 116) that use natural gas as fuel and whose electricity output is delivered though a power line (138) that extends at least partially in the sea to a consumer. One consumer is a process vessel (112) that processes natural gas and that has transfer facilities (68) that transfer liquified gas to or from a tanker (106) that holds over 10,000 tons of liquified gas. Some of the gas is transferred from the process vessel through a conduit (136) in the sea to the generating vessel (110) to provide fuel. Another consumer is an onshore facility (52). The generating and process vessels (110, 112) are widely separated (e.g. at least 0.2 kilometer) to protect personnel in the event of a gas explosion or fire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Inventors: Leendert Poldervaart, Bram Cann, Hein Wille, Leon Rosen
  • Patent number: 6923225
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid transfer system, in particular for LNG in which an articulated vertical and horizontal mooring arm are suspended from a support on the processing vessel. Independently moveable ducts, for instance cryogenic hard piping are placed parallel to the mooring arms such that a transfer system is obtained in which is the mooring forces are insulated from the fluid transfer line with which rapid connection and disconnection is possible and which provides a large yaw resistance. In a preferred embodiment, the mooring system comprises two vertical arms connected to a triangular horizontal yoke attached to the bow of the LNG-carrier for improved yaw resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Single Buoy Moorings, Inc.
    Inventors: Leendert Poldervaart, Jack Pollack
  • Publication number: 20050039665
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cryogenic fluid off loading system, having a tanker vessel (2) moored in line with an offshore mooring construction (4, 8) and connected to a processing unit, such as regasification plant (13). The regasification plant (13) has no large storage facilities, the tanker (2) being unloaded in dependence on onshore demand for gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Publication date: February 24, 2005
    Inventors: Hein Wille, Jean-Pierre Queau, Leendert Poldervaart
  • Publication number: 20040244986
    Abstract: An offshore hydrocarbon production system includes a vessel (12) with a turret (16), and a fluid swivel (50) on the turret that is connected to risers (41-43) that extend to the sea floor (26), wherein a drilling/workover rig (60) on the vessel can lower tubing (65) toward the sea floor without danger that the tubing will wrap about the risers when the hull weathervanes. The rig is mounted on the turret. Pipes (54) that extend from the rotatable part of the fluid swivel to fittings (55) on the hull (14), are supported on a gantry (80) that is fixed to the hull and having a gantry middle portion (106) that extends over the turret. The gantry middle portion extends higher than the top (88) of the rig.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Leendert Poldervaart, Bram Van Cann, Leon D. Rosen
  • Publication number: 20040237868
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid transfer system, in particular for LNG in which an articulated vertical and horizontal mooring arm are suspended from a support on the processing vessel. Independently moveable ducts, for instance cryogenic hard piping are placed parallel to the mooring arms such that a transfer system is obtained in which is the mooring forces are insulated from the fluid transfer line with which rapid connection and disconnection is possible and which provides a large yaw resistance. In a preferred embodiment, the mooring system comprises two vertical arms connected to a triangular horizontal yoke attached to the bow of the LNG-carrier for improved yaw resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Leendert Poldervaart, Jack Pollack
  • Publication number: 20040237869
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrocarbon transfer system comprising a first structure (8) carrying an articulated arm (4,5,61,62). The system has at a free end (64) a first connector part (13,43,65), and a vessel (7) comprising a second connector part (47,48,70), wherein each connector part comprises a housing (72,73) with at least two fluid ducts (66,67,68,69) within said housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventors: Leendert Poldervaart, Jack Pollack, Jean-Pierre Queau, Rene Perratone
  • Patent number: 6811355
    Abstract: A loading arrangement includes a riser that extends from a subsea structure to a coupling element for coupling the riser to a vessel. The coupling element includes a buoy body which is connected to a retention member via a flexible connection part. The retention member, such as a submerged buoy, is attached to anchor lines which at or near their end parts are provided with buoy. The connection part, which can be a cable or a frame structure has a relatively high tensile strength to anchor the vessel to the sea bed and to prevent drift of the vessel when tension is exerted on the connection part and the anchor line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Single Buoy Moorings Inc.
    Inventor: Leendert Poldervaart
  • Publication number: 20040079268
    Abstract: A very large hydrocarbon production vessel (10) of at least 40,000 tons steel weight, is constructed without requiring a very long reserve time period in a very large dry dock. The hull of the vessel is constructed in at least three different hull sections, including a midship hull section (24) and bow and stern hull sections (20, 22), with each preferably constructed at a different construction site. The hull sections are then brought together in a very large dry dock and welded together, so a minimum amount of time must be reserved in the very large dry dock. The midship hull section is preferably constructed in a specialized shipyard, and the same shipyard installs drilling equipment (50) and equipment that connects to risers that bring up hydrocarbons, so the expertise of the shipyard is used for both the midsection hull construction and specialized drilling and riser handling equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: Adam F. J. M. Lambregts, Bram Van Cann, Sjoerd Maarlen Hendriks, Leendert Poldervaart