Patents Examined by Anthony D Wiest
  • Patent number: 11685486
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a resilient bumper that comprises an arc-shaped spring member that extends from a first end to a second end along a spring axis and includes an impact surface arranged between the first and second ends; and a support member that includes an attachment interface that extends in parallel to the spring axis of the spring member and is configured to releasably engage the first and second ends of the spring member. A bumper system and a marine structure are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Rabih A. Khodr
  • Patent number: 11685498
    Abstract: There is provided a ship maneuvering system including: a turning operation device configured to output a turning operation signal corresponding to a turning operation; a turning control device configured to change a direction of each of ship propulsion machines based on the turning operation signal; an output operation device configured to output an output setting signal indicating an output of a power source of each of the ship propulsion machines set by an output setting operation; and an output control device configured to increase or decrease the output of the power source of each of the ship propulsion machines based on the output setting signal. When the turning control device fails, the output control device turns a ship by making outputs of power sources of the ship propulsion machines different from each other based on the turning operation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masahiro Namba, Takashi Kawata
  • Patent number: 11679843
    Abstract: An energy absorption arrangement for reducing peak mooring loads between a mooring structure with a turret rotatable around a vertical axis, and a floating structure is disclosed. The energy absorption arrangement comprises a rigid yoke horizontally rotatable in two axes and connected to the turret, a weighted pendulum member arranged on the end of the yoke and at least one mooring tether connected to the weighted pendulum member, and at least one energy absorption device for reducing peak mooring loads, comprising a fixed part connected to the floating structure, a movable rod and an absorption medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: APL NORWAY AS
    Inventors: Anders Lie Eide, Geir Olav Hovde
  • Patent number: 11679844
    Abstract: Mooring support structures, systems for mooring vessels, and processes for using same. In some embodiments, a system for mooring a vessel can include a mooring support structure than can include a post connected at a first end to a turntable disposed on a base structure. The post can extend out from the turntable and a yoke head connector can be connected to a second end of the post. A distal end of the yoke head connector can provide a disconnection location such that when a yoke head is disconnected from the yoke head connector, the yoke head can fall by gravity from the yoke head connector without contacting the mooring support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: SOFEC, INC.
    Inventors: Yonghui Liu, Stephen Lindblade
  • Patent number: 11667360
    Abstract: A hard shell boat cover is disclosed herein. The hard shell boat cover includes a plurality of boat cover sections, the plurality of boat cover sections configured to interlock with one another so as to form the hard shell boat cover, and one or more of the plurality of boat cover sections configured to engage with a top peripheral edge of a boat; and at least one securement element attached to one of the plurality of boat cover sections, the securement element configured to be coupled to a securement strap for securing the hard shell boat cover to the top peripheral edge of the boat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Inventor: Tommy Lee Moss
  • Patent number: 11661151
    Abstract: Mooring tensioning arrangement (10) on a vessel (60), comprising a moonpool (20) having a through miming vertical channel with an upper moonpool opening (22) in proximity to a deck (62) of the vessel (60), and a bottom moonpool opening (24) open to surrounding sea (30). A winch (14) is located above the moonpool (20), wherein a first anchor wire pennant (42) runs from the winch (14), over a stern (64) of the vessel (60) and into sea (30), and a second anchor wire pennant (46) runs from the winch (14), through the moonpool (20) and into the sea (30). A wire/chain stopper (18) securing the second anchor wire pennant (46) is placed in the moonpool (20), and the bottom moonpool opening (24) is curved to match bending 0radius and to provide a transition in direction of the second anchor wire pennant (46).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: KONGSBERG MARITIME CM AS
    Inventors: Tor Sævik, Johnny Lorgen, André Larsen, Martijn De Jongh
  • Patent number: 11661152
    Abstract: Disclosed is an assembly for anchoring a submerged vehicle to a stationary object. The assembly includes a telescoping tube having a hollow inner tube and a hollow outer tube, each the inner tube and the outer tube having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the inner tube slidably received within the outer tube through its proximal end. A snap button configured at the proximal end of the outer tube that can engage with a hole near the distal end of the inner tube for locking the movement of the inner tube within the outer tube. A rope having a first end and a second end, the first end of the rope attached to the inner tube near its proximal end. The second member passes through the eye of the spring hook and into the proximal end of the inner tube to form an anchoring loop. The second end of the rope exits the telescoping tube through the distal end of the outer tube and forms a boat hook loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Inventor: Michael Bickham
  • Patent number: 11661153
    Abstract: A release system for a tether line includes a housing having a side that is at least partially open. A tether lead within the housing is adjacent to the side of the housing. A release mechanism in the housing includes a shackle having a closed end and an open end. The shackle is disposed in the housing at a portion therein that is lower than that of the tether lead. The release mechanism also includes a hinge for mounting the shackle within the housing. In a tether-retention mode, the open end of the shackle faces the top of the housing and the shackle is prevented from rotation about the hinge. In a tether-release mode, the shackle is free to rotate about the hinge under gravity wherein the open end of the shackle rotates to face the side of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Demetrious T. Kutzke, Gustavo E. Miranda Lopez, Robert J. Herman
  • Patent number: 11655007
    Abstract: A floating wind power platform for offshore power production, comprising: a floating unit, wherein the floating unit comprises a first, a second and a third interconnected semisubmersible column each being arranged in a respective corner of the floating unit, wherein a tension leg device is arranged to the third semisubmersible column, wherein the tension leg device is adapted to be anchored to the seabed by an anchoring device, and wherein the third semisubmersible column provides a buoyancy force adapted to create a tension force in the tension leg device, wherein the floating wind power platform is further adapted to weather vane in relation to the wind direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: FREIA OFFSHORE AB
    Inventors: Niklas Hummel, Magnus Rahm, Eduard Dyachyk
  • Patent number: 11655010
    Abstract: An assembly of vessel and turret is provided. The vessel comprises a moonpool and the turret is mounted in said moonpool for a rotation around a turret axis relative to the vessel. The turret comprises a chain table to which mooring lines are connected and through which risers are conveyed, and a turret table vertically spaced above the chain table and connected therewith by a connecting structure. The connecting structure comprises at least three vertically extending columns positioned such at angular intervals that radially outer sides of the columns are located in the vicinity of an outer circumference of the turret. The risers are conveyed through the chain table in such a way that riser sections above the chain table extend towards the turret table within an internal space of the columns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: BLUEWATER ENERGY SERVICES B.V.
    Inventors: Jan Anton Daniel Meyer, Patrizio Giovanni Matia Ottolini
  • Patent number: 11649023
    Abstract: An escape system comprises a passage (1), a platform (3) and at least one craft (4), the platform (3) and the craft (4) being deployable from a structure (2) to water to facilitate evacuation of the structure via the passage. The passage is mounted to the platform such that the platform is urged towards the structure when deployed. The passage may be mounted to the platform such that movement of the passage relative to the platform is restricted in at least one direction. A plate (64) may support the passage, platform and/or craft during deployment, and/or stabilises the passage, platform and/or craft after deployment in the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: SURVITEC GROUP LIMITED
    Inventors: Maxime Boyer, Stewart Gregory, Michael Luck, Duncan McCaughan
  • Patent number: 11649016
    Abstract: The men's eight according to the invention has an elongated hull that ends in a pointed bow and a pointed stern. Given a total weight of 938 kg, the waterline is 17,211 mm±5%, preferably ±3% and most preferably ±2%. Given division into 15 segments of equal length and in the case of a total weight of 938 kg, particular values are also presented in table form for the respective cross-sectional area below the waterline WL, the respective circumference below the waterline WL, the respective width at the waterline WL, and the respective width ratio based on the middle segment 7, each having a tolerance of ±5%, preferably ±3% and most preferably ±2%. The women's eight according to the invention is designed with similar lines for a total weight of 858 kg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Empacher Verwaltungs GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Helmut Empacher
  • Patent number: 11643172
    Abstract: A mooring latch includes a passive foundation portion and a latching portion. The latching portion includes a mechanism, a conical surface shaped to mate with a conical surface of the passive portion, a connector for connection to a mooring structure and permitting rotation about a horizontal axis. The mechanism has a latched configuration that mates the conical surfaces and permits rotations about a shared vertical axis of the conical surfaces. A mooring line threaded through the passive and latching portions and equipped with one or more stops may be used to guide the latching portion to or from the passive portion and to actuate latching or unlatching or the mooring latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Inventor: Stefan G. Siegel
  • Patent number: 11639214
    Abstract: Disclosed is a chain tensioner for employment on a bottom of a water body, wherein the chain tensioner is configured for adjustment of the length of a tensioning chain that extends between the chain tensioner and a floating offshore facility, wherein the chain tensioner includes a chain lock for engaging and confining a link of the tensioning chain in the chain passage from aside the tensioning chain, and a chain switch device having a chain guide for engaging the tensioning chain in the chain passage from aside the tensioning chain, wherein the chain guide is moveable between a first position in which the chain lock engages a link of the tensioning chain, and a second position in which the tensioning chain passes the chain lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Inventor: Victor Maria Wilhelm Gerard Remmers
  • Patent number: 11628910
    Abstract: The present invention provides a string-type mooring system. A support frame is provided on a dock. Two free guide rollers are provided at vertical corresponding positions that are respectively below a cross arm of the support frame and above the dock. The two free guide rollers are respectively wound with a cable. One end of each cable is connected to a platform arm fixed on a platform, and the other end thereof is horizontally connected with one end of a spring. The other ends of the two springs are respectively connected with a hydraulic device. The present invention provides an omnidirectional restoring force for the moored platform through the elastic deformation of the springs to control the movement response of the platform within a certain range. The present invention can adjust the slow change of the vertical position of the platform caused by tidal fluctuation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: DALIAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Lei Sun, Chong Fu, Zhe Lin
  • Patent number: 11629938
    Abstract: The invention provides a suspended catamaran target boat, including a deck, a suspension structure and two buoyancy units, the suspension structure is connected to upper sides of the two buoyancy units, and the deck is mounted on the suspension structure; the suspension structure includes at least two suspension assemblies including an upper base, a lower base and two support rods. The support rods are hinged between the upper base and the lower base, and the upper base, the lower base and the two support rods form a four-bar linkage mechanism, where a shock absorber and a restricting mechanism are installed between the upper base and the lower base. The deck is provided with a main controller, an acceleration sensor and a heel sensor, and the main controller is respectively electrically connected with the acceleration sensor, the heel sensor and each of the restricting mechanisms of the two suspension assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignees: Sun Yat-sen University, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai)
    Inventors: Rui Deng, Fuqiang Luo, Tiecheng Wu, Zhijie Song, Hang Ren, Xiang Yu, Hailong Liu, Hao Li, Sichong Huang
  • Patent number: 11618533
    Abstract: Catamaran boat hulls are described having sponsons, an underside tunnel surface between sponsons, two longitudinal steps disposed across each sponson's keel, and two transverse steps disposed lengthwise on opposing sides of each sponson's keel. The longitudinal steps for a sponson have a profile with a curved longitudinal step portion on the opposing outer edges with an outer edge portion of that curved longitudinal step portion being further away from the sponson's aft section, and an inward step edge offset where each of the two longitudinal steps meets a hull side of the sponson. The transverse steps help define variable deadrise inner lifting pad running portion with a lower deadrise aft transitioning to a higher deadrise forward. Spray rails protruding off the aft end of an underside wave splitter and away from the boat hull's centerline help manage undesired spray and use of radiused chines enhances lift and landing performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: FISH SEAN VENTURES, LLC
    Inventor: Sean Monahan
  • Patent number: 11613336
    Abstract: An outboard motor includes an outboard motor main body, a support including a tilt shaft and that supports the outboard motor main body, and a trim cylinder including a first trim cylinder shaft disposed below the tilt shaft along an outer surface of a transom of a hull. A distance between the tilt shaft and the first trim cylinder shaft is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Makoto Mizutani
  • Patent number: 11613328
    Abstract: A hull auxiliary mechanism for reducing a draft of a hull, includes a guide baffle on both sides of the hull. Two ends of the guide baffle extend out of a front end and a rear end of the hull. A Lower end of the guide baffle extends out of a bottom of the hull. The front end and the rear end of the hull are flat inclined plates. The bottom of the hull is a flat plate; the hull auxiliary mechanism also includes a water resistance mechanism, and the water resistance mechanism includes a first diversion pressure plate, a second diversion pressure plate and a third diversion pressure plate. Both sides of the guide baffle are used to direct a flow of water to the hull. At the same time, there are three groups of diversion pressure plates at the bottom of the hull.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Inventors: Xuming Tang, Qingyun Chang
  • Patent number: 11608143
    Abstract: A movable platform assembly for a boat includes a support structure configured to be connected to the boat, a platform, and a horizontal translation system connecting the platform to the support structure, the horizontal translation system having a pair of main arms rotatable about respective vertical rotation axes, and a pair of main sliders sliding in a transverse direction along a main guide integral with the platform. Each main arm has a proximal end hinged to the support structure and a distal end hinged to a respective main slider. The platform is translatable between a retracted position and an extended position with respect to the support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: OPACMARE S.R.L.
    Inventor: Michele Grimaldi