Patents Examined by Benjamin Fiorello
  • Patent number: 9518368
    Abstract: A pile foundation, on top of which a structural object is placed, supported at the ground surface by a plurality of batter piles, has a pile foundation body comprising a lower plate disposed on the bottom side, an upper plate disposed on the top side, and a support post for supporting the lower plate and the upper plate, separated by a prescribed gap, to be substantially parallel. A plurality of piling holes, through which each of the batter piles pass through in a downward direction in a substantially radial form, are formed in the lower plate and the upper plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignees: ITOGUMI CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD., LASCO JAPANS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Nishioka, Kazuhiro Nagao, Manabu Shimatani, Kazuhiro Shibuya
  • Patent number: 9518367
    Abstract: A bulkhead system and a method of implementing such a bulkhead system in relation to a dam are disclosed herein. In one example embodiment, such a method includes providing a plurality of bulkhead sections assembled together as a bulkhead assembly, and coupling first and second side assemblies to first and second ends of the bulkhead assembly. Further, the method includes causing a first of the bulkhead sections to receive a respective amount of ballast within an internal cavity therewithin, receiving water pressure at an upstream surface of the bulkhead assembly such that the bulkhead system is forced against the dam and substantially sealed in relation thereto, and operating to counteract the water pressure and thereby prevent or limit the flow of water past the dam, where the operating is performed at least in part by one or more brace members of the side assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: J.F. Brennan Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Steven D. Becker, Daniel C. Wibralski, Michael A. McCullick
  • Patent number: 9511398
    Abstract: A gravity induced soil remediation system for filtering waste material from a waste stream includes an upstream trench member defining an interior area. A first distribution conduit is situated in the interior area and has an inlet in communication with the waste stream and an outlet extending downstream from the upstream trench member. The first distribution conduit has a negative elevation angle between the inlet and the outlet such that the waste stream flows downwardly therebetween by the natural force of gravity. The first distribution conduit is perforated to allow a first portion of the waste stream therein to pass therethrough. The upstream trench member includes sand and carbon filter media situated in the interior area of the upstream trench member proximate the first distribution conduit to extract waste material from the first portion of the waste stream. Subsequent downward elevation trench member are connected to the first.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Inventor: Henry W. Maclin, III
  • Patent number: 9512587
    Abstract: There is provided a method that achieves ground reinforcement, a rise of ground surface level, and ground surface flattening, and so forth even on ground free of a building construction on it or soft ground. The method involves: determination of the degree of consolidation at a grout injection depth position; prediction of a permeation radius at which grout will permeate first on the basis of the degree of consolidation and the amount of grout for single-shot injection; setting of a plurality of grout injection points so as to be spaced apart by an adjacent distance greater than twice the permeation radius; starting of time-spaced injections at each grout injection point; and formation of a solidified portion during the first injection and formation of an enlarged solidified portion during the second injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignees: HEISEI TECHNO'S CO., LTD., MAINMARK GROUND ENGINEERING PTY LTD
    Inventors: Sigeharu Arima, Yasunori Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 9512938
    Abstract: A method of laying a pipeline comprising a plurality of tubular components is disclosed. The method includes depositing a weld material onto a surface of a first tubular component of the plurality of tubular components and machining a profile into the weld material. The profile includes a support shoulder into the weld material. The method further includes suspending the first tubular component in a vertical or near vertical position and supporting the first tubular component by the support shoulder. A further tubular component of the plurality of tubular components is connected to a free end of the first tubular component. The support shoulder is formed at a point spaced from the free end of the first tubular component thereby facilitating connection of the first tubular component to the second tubular component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Pipeline Technique Limited
    Inventor: Graham Hutt
  • Patent number: 9512581
    Abstract: A rapid deployment barrier which is specifically configured and adapted to be easily transitionable between a stowed configuration during storage and transport, and a deployed configuration when constructing the barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Caylym Technologies International, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Goddard, James Tadlock, Kyle Goddard, James Wilson, Edward Kleiman
  • Patent number: 9512939
    Abstract: A method of laying a pipeline (100) on a seabed (9), said method comprising the steps of; constructing a section of pipeline (6) by interconnecting pipe sections (31), positioning the section of pipeline on an underwater storage surface (74), and recovering the section of pipeline from the under water storage surface and spooling the section of pipeline on a reel (2) provided on a vessel (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: HEEREMA MARINE CONTRACTORS NEDERLAND SE
    Inventors: Noortje Willemein Maria Sturm, Eduard Wiersema, Cornelis van Zandwijk
  • Patent number: 9512589
    Abstract: A reusable nose cone device (and related retrieval apparatus) in a hollow helical piling system having a terminal helical anchor are described. The method and system include placing or installing either (i) reinforced concrete piles in situ and/or (ii) grounding systems into the ground—without utilizing a pile driver or an auger, without deconsolidating the surrounding earth and creating spoils (as with an auger), and without unnecessary sacrifice of materials. A terminal helical anchor may be installed through the hollow center of the helical piling system into the ground. The helical anchor may be installed after the removal of the nose cone device. With the system and method, independent and accurate measurement of the anchor's torque may be made and hence complementary “load” bearing, or compression, (or “pull” resisting, or tensioning) capacity may be determined prior to filling the entire pile with reinforced wet concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: HELI-CRETE ECO-FRIENDLY PILING SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Van Polen, George E. Butler, II
  • Patent number: 9512952
    Abstract: A pivot drive, a pivot, a cutter drive, a cutting head, and a camera are mounted to a base, and a remote control system operates the pivot drive to pivot the cutter drive from a stored to a use position, operates the cutter drive to rotationally drive the cutting head, and operates the camera to provide images of the cutting head used to cut out blockages at lateral connections of relined pipes. The camera and the cutting head are positioned in a spaced apart relationship facing each other, with the base extending beyond the cutting head sufficiently to provide this spacing. Optionally, the camera is mounted to a trailing portion of the base and the cutter drive is mounted to a leading portion, with control lines for the pivot and cutter drives routed back past but retained separated from the cutting head to avoid damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Inventor: Neil Rogers
  • Patent number: 9512951
    Abstract: An apparatus for replacing an existing pipe. The apparatus comprises a slitter and expander which surround a wire rope. The wire rope is attached to the expander, and the expander abuts either the slitter or a separation tube disposed between the expander and slitter, such that the slitter and expander are pivotable relative to each other. The apparatus is placed in a pipe to be replaced and pulled. While being pulled, blades on the slitter slit the pipe, while a sloped surface of the expander moves the slit sections apart into surrounding soil. A replacement pipe may be pulled by a pipe putter attached to the expander. A beacon may also be disposed within the apparatus to emit a signal for locating the apparatus white underground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Earth Tool Company LLC
    Inventors: Mark D. Randa, Robert F. Crane, Walter George Thompson
  • Patent number: 9506345
    Abstract: A method of installing a rock bolt is provided. A bolt hole can be formed by applying an insertion force to a drill rod and while the insertion force is being applied, applying a rotational force on the drill rod to rotate the drill rod and bore the bolt hole. A rock bolt can then be installed in the bolt hole by applying an insertion force to the rock bolt to insert the rock bolt into a bolt hole and while the insertion force is applied to the rock bolt, applying a rotational force on the rock bolt to rotate the rock bolt in the bolt hole. As the rotational force being applied to the rock bolt increases, the insertion force applied to the rock bolt can be decreased until no insertion force is being applied and the rock bolt has been torqued to a desired torque amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: BRANDT ENGINEERED PRODUCTS LTD.
    Inventors: Travis Vogel, Michael Pletz, Rick Copeland, Dan Bonnet
  • Patent number: 9506235
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drainage trench unit (10) which comprises at least one drainage trench sub-unit (12), the at least one drainage trench sub-unit (12) having a base wall (16) and a plurality of hollow pillars (18), said pillars (18) being connected integrally to the base wall (16) and tapering, preferably conically, away from the base wall (16), i.e. tapering from their base end (18a) to their top end (18b). The invention also relates to a transport unit for transporting a plurality of such drainage trench units (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: FRÄNKISCHE ROHRWERKE Gebr. Kirchner GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dietmar Adams, Michael Schütz
  • Patent number: 9506213
    Abstract: The present invention includes an interlock having an elongate male plug and an elongate female socket. The socket has an open rectangular cross-section with a receiving cavity designed to receive and ensleeve the plug, which also has a rectangular cross-section. The socket includes a back wall, top wall, bottom wall, and a discontinuous front wall creating an upper and lower flange with an opening existing between the free ends of the flanges. The bottom, top, and back walls are planar in shape providing three planes on which the socket can mate to a planar portion of a structure, such as a sheet pile. The plug includes a flange-contacting surface with a pile receipt disposed inwardly from the flange-contacting surface. The inwardly set pile receipt allows an end of a plate to be secured to the plug within the outer perimeter of the plug resulting in an obstruction free flange-contacting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Omega Trestle LLC
    Inventors: Valery Tsimmerman, Kevin Edward Lathan
  • Patent number: 9506580
    Abstract: An electronic control system configured to control a variable-configuration lay ramp of a pipeline laying vessel, to lay a pipeline on the bed of a body of water, is configured to: acquire data including data related to the configuration of the lay ramp, data related to the laying vessel, and data related to the forces transmitted by the lay ramp and the laying vessel to the pipeline; generate a plurality of step sequences to change the configuration of the lay ramp from a first to a second work configuration; and select a best step sequence as a function of the plurality of step sequences and the acquired data, so as to minimize the stress induced in the pipeline at each intermediate configuration between the first and second work configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: SAIPEM S.P.A.
    Inventors: Stefano Bianchi, Federico Gaggiotti, Federico Formentini, Stefano Sovilla, Roberto Bruschi, Diego Lazzarin
  • Patent number: 9499249
    Abstract: A fresh water transportation system is disclosed that takes advantage of the buoyancy of fresh water in salt water to transport fresh water through a body of salt water. The fresh water flows from an above-water vessel through a down pipe supported on the sea bed, and through a curved pipe that redirects the fresh water flow upwardly. In an embodiment a gas, for example air or natural gas, is injected into the fresh water in the upwardly directed portion of the flow. An inclined compliant pipe receives the upwardly directed flow, such that the hydrostatic pressure is communicated to the fresh water, whereby the fresh water is urged through the compliant pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Inventor: Steven Clary Bowhay
  • Patent number: 9499951
    Abstract: A self-drilling rock bolt assembly (1) including a drill head mechanism (100) and a fluid delivery system (300) operatively associated with each other and adapted in use to secure a self-drilling rock bolt (200) into a strata (2). The rock bolt (200) having a shaft (210) having a cutting end (220) and a driving end (230). The drill head mechanism (100) having a bolt coupling portion (130) to releasably engage with the driving end (230) of the rock bolt (200). Wherein rotation of the bolt coupling portion (130) rotates the rock bolt. A central hollow portion (111) provides access to a fluid connection port (232) of the rock bolt and a nut coupling portion (120) releasably engages with a nut element (250) located on the shaft of the rock bolt. Wherein rotation of the nut coupling portion rotates the nut element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: OKA ROCK BOLT TECHNOLOGIES PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Mark Levey, Paul Charlton
  • Patent number: 9493922
    Abstract: A floating device is disclosed. The device comprises a first cup member and a second cup member, each having a base and an open end, the first cup member being formed with an opening at a center of a respective base. In some embodiments of the present invention the device comprises a connector member having a peripheral wall fittingly connected to the open ends and enclosing a barrier. The peripheral wall is preferably formed with openings arranged between the barrier and the first cup member such that, when the floating device contacts a liquid, the liquid enters through the openings into the first cup member to submerge the first cup member and to impart a restorable upright orientation to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: NeoTop Water Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Zeev Birger
  • Patent number: 9494257
    Abstract: Disclosed is a laying device (1) of the tensioner type for the controlled clamping and moving of an elongated body, intended to be carried by a laying tower. The laying device (1) includes an annular frame (10) including two mobile frame parts (101) that each include at least one guiding box (11) and that are assembled to an element (13) for the fastening of the laying device (1) to the tower (2), through a main pivot element (14). The main pivot element (14) defines a single main rotation axis (14?), around which the mobile frame parts (101) are rotationally operable between the closed/open configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: REEL
    Inventors: Karamoko Konate, Marc Huillery
  • Patent number: 9481972
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a pile splicing system and method uses a pile segment adapted to form part of a spliced pile, the pile segment including an elongated concrete body having first and second ends, one-way anchor embedded in the body that is adapted to resist passage of a post-tensioning strand in a direction toward the first end of the body; and a splicing duct embedded in the body that extends from the first end to the embedded one-way anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: University of South Florida
    Inventors: Austin Gray Mullins, Rajan Sen, Lawrence Edward Jones
  • Patent number: 9481971
    Abstract: The present invention provides a water control system with the reservoir level versatility of a weir stack and the relatively easy drainage of a water control gate. Multiple stack beams constrained between two opposed guide channels create a fluid reservoir having an incrementally adjustable fluid level. Increasing or decreasing the reservoir level is a matter of adding or removing one or more stack beams. To create an opening for draining fluid from any level of the reservoir, a picker mechanism captures at least one of the stack beams. By lifting the captured stack beam, and any stack beams atop the captured stack beam, the picker mechanism opens a gate at any level of the reservoir through which fluid may flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by The Secretary of The Army
    Inventors: Coraggio K. Maglio, Brandan M. Scully, Nathan D. Lovelace