Patents Assigned to Argent Marine Management, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9546759
    Abstract: Natural gas is produced when LNG that is contained in an insulated LNG cargo tank(s) of a non-self-propelled LNG carrier (i.e., a barge) evaporates as a result of heat leakage through the walls of the insulated cargo tank(s). The natural gas is transferred from the barge to a tugboat or a towboat that is equipped with natural gas burning engines through a flexible gas transfer assembly so that the tugboat is powered by the natural gas fuel. The pressure in the cargo tank(s) on the barge is, therefore, effectively managed to prevent or substantially reduce the buildup of pressure within the LNG cargo tank(s). The LNG can then be contained within the LNG cargo tank(s) for an appropriate period of time and can be delivered at an appropriate and acceptable equilibrium pressure and temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Argent Marine Management, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary W. Van Tassel
  • Patent number: 9416906
    Abstract: Natural gas is produced when LNG that is contained in an insulated LNG cargo tank(s) of a non-self-propelled LNG carrier (i.e., a barge) evaporates as a result of heat leakage through the walls of the insulated cargo tank(s). The natural gas is transferred from the barge to a tugboat or a towboat that is equipped with natural gas burning engines through a flexible gas transfer assembly so that the tugboat is powered by the natural gas fuel. The pressure in the cargo tank(s) on the barge is, therefore, effectively managed to prevent or substantially reduce the buildup of pressure within the LNG cargo tank(s). The LNG can then be contained within the LNG cargo tank(s) for an appropriate period of time and can be delivered at an appropriate and acceptable equilibrium pressure and temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Argent Marine Management, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary W. Van Tassel
  • Publication number: 20140053770
    Abstract: A specialized vessel, of either ship or barge form, that is capable of holding a large number of ISO-sized intermodal LNG tanks and is configured to have the characteristics of both a tanker vessel (e.g., a gas carrier) and a container vessel. The intermodal LNG tanks connect to a piping system of the marine vessel and are thereby interconnected so as to allow the interconnected intermodal LNG tanks to behave as if they constitute a typical LNG vessel bulk liquid tank to facilitate efficient loading at a typical marine LNG terminal. The containerized intermodal LNG tanks are capable of discharging liquids to a marine terminal as if in a bulk mode, or of being disconnected from the common interconnection system to allow lift-off discharge of the intermodal LNG tanks at a typical cargo container port so that the intermodal LNG tanks can enter the existing intermodal transportation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: ARGENT MARINE MANAGEMENT, INC.
    Inventor: Gary W. Van Tassel
  • Publication number: 20130213500
    Abstract: Natural gas is produced when LNG that is contained in an insulated LNG cargo tank(s) of a non-self-propelled LNG carrier (i.e., a barge) evaporates as a result of heat leakage through the walls of the insulated cargo tank(s). The natural gas is transferred from the barge to a tugboat or a towboat that is equipped with natural gas burning engines through a flexible gas transfer assembly so that the tugboat is powered by the natural gas fuel. The pressure in the cargo tank(s) on the barge is, therefore, effectively managed to prevent or substantially reduce the buildup of pressure within the LNG cargo tank(s). The LNG can then be contained within the LNG cargo tank(s) for an appropriate period of time and can be delivered at an appropriate and acceptable equilibrium pressure and temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: Argent Marine Management, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary W. Van Tassel
  • Publication number: 20130199616
    Abstract: Natural gas is produced when LNG that is contained in an insulated LNG cargo tank(s) of a non-self-propelled LNG carrier (i.e., a barge) evaporates as a result of heat leakage through the walls of the insulated cargo tank(s). The natural gas is transferred from the barge to a tugboat or a towboat that is equipped with natural gas burning engines through a flexible gas transfer assembly so that the tugboat is powered by the natural gas fuel. The pressure in the cargo tank(s) on the barge is, therefore, effectively managed to prevent or substantially reduce the buildup of pressure within the LNG cargo tank(s). The LNG can then be contained within the LNG cargo tank(s) for an appropriate period of time and can be delivered at an appropriate and acceptable equilibrium pressure and temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: Argent Marine Management, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary W. Van Tassel
  • Patent number: 8499569
    Abstract: Marine LNG carrier and method of operating the marine LNG carrier. The LNG carrier carries LNG in at least one tank. Gas composed of evaporated LNG within the at least one tank is removed. The gas is fed to at least one gas consuming prime mover of the LNG carrier. Power is provided with the at least one gas consuming prime mover. This Abstract is not intended to define the invention disclosed in the specification, nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Argent Marine Management, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary W. Van Tassel
  • Patent number: 8375876
    Abstract: A marine vessel, and a system and method of using the marine vessel, to facilitate the introduction of bulk liquid commodities, such as LNG, into the established and extensive worldwide intermodal transportation system, which is based on containerized shipments. The marine vessel is a specialized vessel, of either ship or barge form, that is capable of holding a large number of ISO-sized intermodal LNG tanks and is configured so as to have at one and the same time characteristics of both a tanker vessel (e.g., a gas carrier) and a container vessel. The intermodal LNG tanks connect to a piping system of the marine vessel and are thereby interconnected in such a manner that allows the interconnected intermodal LNG tanks to behave as if they constitute a typical LNG vessel bulk liquid tank to facilitate efficient loading at a typical marine LNG terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Argent Marine Management, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary W. Van Tassel
  • Publication number: 20120137955
    Abstract: A marine vessel, and a system and method of using the marine vessel, to facilitate the introduction of bulk liquid commodities, such as LNG, into the established and extensive worldwide intermodal transportation system, which is based on containerized shipments. The marine vessel is a specialized vessel, of either ship or barge form, that is capable of holding a large number of ISO-sized intermodal LNG tanks and is configured so as to have at one and the same time characteristics of both a tanker vessel (e.g., a gas carrier) and a container vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: Argent Marine Management, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary W. Van Tassel