Patents Examined by Kyle Armstrong
  • Wave propagation apparatus
    Patent number: 10119286
    Abstract: A wave propagation apparatus. The apparatus includes a container enclosing a base layer/liquid and an overlying layer/liquid separated from each other. Above the overlying layer is a driver sprocket and a driven sprocket, which rotate about their respective central shafts, which are fixed across a width of the container. A closed chain loop is disposed around the sprockets, with a plurality of paddles secured thereto at a spaced distance away from each other. The chain rotates about the sprockets as they rotate about the central shafts. The driver sprocket rotates via a motor, which is controlled by a controller and powered by a power source. The paddles travel through the overlying layer but not through the base layer, thus displacing the fluid in the overlying layer and causing a dragging wave to appear in the base layer, due to the surface friction between the base layer and the overlying layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: The Florida State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip Gleason
  • Process for installing a modular retaining wall
    Patent number: 10119234
    Abstract: A process for installing a modular retaining wall is illustrated and described having open or closed polygonal modules with channels disposed therein. The wall is set at least partially below a surface, the surface either being land-based or aqueous-based, and interfaces therebetween, e.g., shoreline. The modules of the wall are fastened to each other by respective fastening mating fasteners. The retaining wall is installed by a process employing a fluid-assisted internal mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Truline, LLC
    Inventor: Scott A. Yeany
  • System and method for conversion of floating drilling platform to floating production platform
    Patent number: 10112687
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and a method for efficiently converting the structure of a drilling floating platform into a structure for a production floating platform. A riser support module can be coupled to a topsides of the drilling floating platform and suspended below a moonpool or other opening through the topsides to support risers and their respective riser pull tubes, if any. The riser support module can be prebuilt and installed as a unit for example at a quayside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: TECHNIP FRANCE
    Inventors: Kostas F. Lambrakos, Chenteh Alan Yu, Johyun Kyoung, Djoni Eka Sidarta
  • Marine pipelaying system and method for lowering and/or raising an offshore pipeline and including one or more accessories thereto
    Patent number: 10113666
    Abstract: A marine pipelaying system and method for lowering and/or raising an offshore pipeline and including one or more accessories thereto, includes a pipeline launch device, a pipeline clamp, an accessory connecting device and a controlled load hoisting device. An accessory handling device is provided including an accessory transport track and a cart adapted to engage and support one of the one or more accessories, such that the accessory handling device is adapted to engage said accessory at the engagement position, position the accessory in the pipeline connecting position in the firing line above the pipeline clamp. The accessory can be connected to the pipeline and support and allow displacement of the accessory between the engagement position and the pipeline connection position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: ITREC B.V.
    Inventors: Joop Roodenburg, Terence Willem August Vehmeijer
  • Revetment system
    Patent number: 10113285
    Abstract: A revetment system includes multiple layers to reinforce a surface exposed to possible high water flow. The revetment system includes both a cellular confinement layer and an articulated block layer. The cellular confinement layer is adapted to be placed on the ground surface to be protected. The block layer is mounted on top of that cellular confinement layer. Optional geosynthetic layers may be mounted under the cellular confinement layer and between the cellular confinement layer and block layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Shoretec, LLC
    Inventor: James A. Nadeau
  • Forms and subsurface structural elements that redirect soil forces
    Patent number: 10113289
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to construction of subsurface structural elements that are configured to redirect soil forces. For instance, a form may be used to construct a subsurface structural element such that the subsurface structural element redirects soil forces to vertically displace a foundation rather than have the soil forces crack or otherwise damage the foundation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: V-Forms, LLC
    Inventors: James C. Conner, DeWayne Krawl, Omar Besim Hakim
  • Flood protection for underground air vents
    Patent number: 10106945
    Abstract: Apparatus for allowing ventilation for underground tunnels through a ventilation shaft opening to atmosphere yet preventing underground flooding from surface waters pouring through the grate comprises an assembly that fits within the ventilation shaft and includes one or more panels mounted on a pivot axis and rotatable upwardly by human action raising the panel past a center point of the pivot axis to an upright inwardly leaning home position that allows ventilation as usual but by manual push or pull of the panels past the center point of the pivot axis lets the panels rotationally fall under gravitational impetus to a lower sealing position closing a passage between the ventilation shaft and atmosphere to prevent water from entering the underground tunnels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Floodbreak, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Louis A. Waters, Jr.
  • Connection protector with a flexible gasket for a tubular component
    Patent number: 10107047
    Abstract: A protector for a connection for a tubular component for drilling or operating hydrocarbon wells, provided with a distal end surface, the protector comprising an annular housing comprising a bottom, two lateral walls, outer and inner, separated from each other and in which an annular gasket is disposed, each lateral wall comprising a bottom lateral wall portion and an exterior lateral wall portion and an upper face, the two exterior lateral wall portions defining an opening with width Au and characterized in that a distance A between two bottom lateral wall portions is greater than the width Au, in a manner such as to allow a first annular gasket to be positioned then to allow said annular gasket to be retained in the annular housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: VALLOUREC OIL AND GAS FRANCE
    Inventors: Jose Antonio Aguilar Mendez, Gerardo Manuel Magallanes Montalvo, Karim Bousbaine
  • Portable cofferdam system
    Patent number: 10100483
    Abstract: A portable cofferdam system for isolating a working area from water such as a culvert. The portable cofferdam system generally includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall each having an interior side, an exterior side, an upper edge, a lower edge and a rear edge. A middle wall is connected to the sidewalls opposite of the rear edges of the sidewalls forming a substantially U-shaped structure. An opening formed between the rear edges of the first sidewall and the second sidewall to allow for positioning about or near the inlet of an object or area to be kept dry such as the inlet of a culvert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Subsurface, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary H. Strom, Brandon G. Strom
  • Method of installing an offshore foundation and template for use in installing an offshore foundation
    Patent number: 10100482
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of installing a foundation for an offshore wind turbine and a template for use herein. In illustrative embodiments, the template is releasably anchored in a seafloor and the template is leveled before installing a pile. In a method according to some illustrative embodiments herein, a template may be provided, the template comprising at least one hollow guiding element for receiving the pile, at least one suction bucket, a frame body to which the at least one hollow guiding element and the at least one suction bucket are coupled, and controlling means configured to supply a pressure to the at least one suction bucket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: MHI Vestas Offshore Wind A/S
    Inventors: Gerner Larsen, Niels Christian Olsen
  • Counterfort retaining wall
    Patent number: 10087598
    Abstract: A counterfort retaining wall system includes a plurality of wall panels and a face joint member positioned between a first wall panel and a second wall panel. The face joint member is partially positioned on a first side of the wall panels and extending between the wall panels through to a second side of the wall panels. The system further includes a counterfort beam coupled at a first end to the face joint member and including a counterfort web and a counterfort flange. The counterfort beam extends away from the wall panels and is configured to extend into a backfill behind the plurality of wall panels. The counterfort beam is coupled to the face joint member such that a bottom surface of the counterfort flange is above a bottom edge of the face joint member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: INSIDE BET LLC
    Inventor: John Babcock
  • Machine for laying and anchoring a sheet of material on a ground surface
    Patent number: 10076775
    Abstract: A tracked, self-propelled machine for laying a film and depositing ballast on it to cover a landfill or other ground area. The machine (20) has a ballast box (28) with a reciprocating slat floor (38) and an end gate (34) for holding the ballast (50). A ballast distribution module (58) at the back of the ballast box has a pair of conveyors (68, 70) separated by a gap (72). A roll of film (96) is held by a film roll support mechanism (94) at the back of the machine for unwinding onto the ground surface as the machine moves forward. Ballast is moved to the back of the box by the reciprocating slat floor and is released from an opening (52) under the end gate onto the conveyors and into the gap for deposition onto the laid film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: EPI Environmental Products Inc.
    Inventors: Davie W. Eng, John D. Mohr, Jr.
  • Floating modular protective harbor structure and method of seasonal service extension of offshore vessels in ice-prone environments
    Patent number: 10065712
    Abstract: Modular structure for protecting an offshore vessel in a body of water from forces of ice features in the body of water is described. The modular protective structure comprising a protective harbor wall constructed and arranged to enclose a harbor space and to counteract the forces of ice features in the body of water. The modular protective structure also comprising a flotation support supporting the protective harbor wall. The flotation support having a capacity to position the modular protective structure at a raised position where the flotation support maintains at least a portion of the protective harbor wall above the water surface such that a harbor is established and the offshore vessel is protected from the forces of ice features in the body of water. Methods which utilize such a modular protective harbor structure are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Julian de Freitas Hallai, Neven Krstulović-Opara
  • Pipe trenching
    Patent number: 10066362
    Abstract: Pipe burial apparatus are disclosed that include sets of rotary nozzle cutters configured to straddle a pipe that is to be buried and a nozzle array connected to a nozzle supply pipe in a manner that places the nozzle supply pipe in a cutting path of a rotary nozzle cutter. The nozzle supply pipe may be actuated to alternatingly move the nozzle array between a position straddling the pipe being buried and a cutting position that is below the pipe being buried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: L. L. & G. Construction, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Ledet, Paul Oliver
  • Type of suction leg, an offshore caisson and a sit-on-bottom offshore platform
    Patent number: 10060090
    Abstract: This application discloses a new type of suction leg, an offshore caisson, a sit-on-bottom supporting platform. The suction leg includes a sealing long pile, this sealing long pile including a tubular pipe and a top head connected tightly to the tubular pipe to form cylindrical integral structure with sealing top and opening bottom. The top head has at least one opening to be able to open or close. The sealing long pile can be penetrated into the seabed by a gravity penetration method or/and a suction pile penetration method, or pulled out from the seabed by a buoyancy uplift method or/and a suction pile uplift method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Inventor: Zhirong Wu
  • In-situ pipe carrier
    Patent number: 10047893
    Abstract: A pipe carrier in an embodiment includes a pipe-carrying region in which forward and rear pipe lifting assemblies are arranged to lift and carry a pipe section. For example, the pipe-carrying region lies rearwards of the front traveling support of the pipe carrier, and forwards of the rear traveling support of the pipe carrier. The pipe carrier includes a modular extension assembly carrying an energy source for powering the pipe carrier, wherein the energy source is at least partially carried within the pipe-carrying region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Inventors: David Markert, Cole Kratochvil, David Corrie, Colby Elmore, Thomas Polk, Jacob Sinclair, Kelly Sinclair
  • Anchoring systems and methods for mechanically stabilized earthen walls
    Patent number: 10047492
    Abstract: An anchoring system for a mechanically stabilized earthen structure having an earthen structure and at least one reinforced concrete wall panel having a concrete portion and a rebar structure. The anchoring system has at least one anchor pocket, at least one anchor structure, and at least one anchor strap. The at least one anchor pocket is arranged within the concrete portion of the at least one reinforced concrete wall panel. The at least one anchor structure has at least one anchor portion. The at least one anchor structure is arranged within the concrete portion of the at least one reinforced concrete wall panel such that the at least one anchor portion is accessible within the at least one anchor pocket. The at least one anchor strap that engages the earthen structure and the at least one anchor portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: SSL, LLC
    Inventor: Steven V. Ruel
  • Floating structures for floating photovoltaic system and method for connecting floating structures
    Patent number: 10038400
    Abstract: Floating structures for a floating photovoltaic system fixed to fixing blocks or fixing means fixed to the bottom of water, each floating structure having one or a plurality of solar modules disposed thereon, the floating structures comprising: a plurality of ropes or a plurality of connection members having fixing hooks for connecting the floating structures with each other so as to restrain the movements of the floating structures; and connecting and fixing parts disposed below the surface of water under the floating structures in such a manner as to be connected to the ropes or the connection members having the fixing hooks, whereby the ropes or the connection members having the fixing hooks are located below the surface of water to restrain the movements of the floating structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: W SOLAR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Seung Seop Kim
  • Methods and apparatus for collecting debris and filtering fluid
    Patent number: 10030485
    Abstract: A debris removal apparatus includes a housing. The housing has a chamber located therein. The chamber has at least one closed end. The debris removal apparatus can also include a first flow path. The first flow patch can be in communication with an opening in the first end of the housing. The first flow path can also have an exit, and a diverter can be located adjacent to the exit. A port can be located between the diverter and the exit of the first flow path. The port can be in fluid communication with the first flow path and the chamber. The chamber can be in communication with a second flow path, and a screen operatively positioned between the chamber and second flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Pierre-Olivier Gourmelon
  • Apparatus for activating the lateral friction of pile-like load-bearing members
    Patent number: 10030348
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for activating the lateral friction of pile-like load-bearing members which are founded in solid rock. The apparatus includes a device which is suitable for reducing a height of the apparatus when the apparatus is subjected to loading by a compressive force. The loading with the compressive force can cause a pile-like load-bearing member to settle in a controlled manner in the ground, the level of settlement being sufficient for activating the lateral friction on the pile-like load-bearing member. The invention also relates to pile-like load-bearing members and building constructions which include such an apparatus as well as to a method for activating the lateral friction of pile-like load-bearing members and a method for erecting a building construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: DR. SPRANG Ingenieurgesellschaft für Bauwesen, Geologie und Umwelttechnik mbH
    Inventors: Christian Spang, Gerd Festag, René Schäfer, Sabrina Denne, Achilles Häring, Anna Amchislavski, Bernd-Michael Sulke, Dietmar Mähner, Ansgar Korte, Stefan Thünemann, Ingo Fenneker