Patents Examined by Lars A. Olson
  • Patent number: 11964742
    Abstract: A hull behavior control system includes a memory and at least one controller coupled to the memory. The at least one controller is configured or programmed to control a propulsion force of the marine vessel using a propeller of the marine vessel, obtain a water surface shape around the marine vessel, estimate movement of a wave based on the water surface shape, and reduce the propulsion force by controlling the propeller when it is determined that an impact force equal to or greater than a threshold value will act on the hull after the hull travels over the wave whose movement has been estimated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ritsu Kadota, Tomoyoshi Koyanagi, Shuichi Moromi, Sadao Miyano
  • Patent number: 11964384
    Abstract: A curved origami-based metamaterial includes a panel of material having a plurality of curved creases each disposed within a plane of the panel. The panel is configured to be folded along one of the plurality of creases, and the panel is also configured to be bent about an axis disposed outside the plane of the panel. Stiffness manipulation is configured to be achieved in situ by activating a different one of the plurality of curved creases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hanqing Jiang, Zirui Zhai
  • Patent number: 11964739
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a marine component or structure having a surface to be exposed to a marine environment during use. A photocatalyst coating is secured to the surface of the marine structure, wherein the photocatalyst coating includes titanium oxide. The marine component or structure is preferably selected from a boat hull, dock post, dock piling, pier, and buoy. A method may be provided for reducing or preventing barnacle attachment to a marine component or structure, including forming a transparent photocatalyst coating on an external surface of the marine structure, wherein the transparent photocatalyst coating includes a titanium oxide, and placing the marine component or structure in service within a marine environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Inventor: Roger K. Young
  • Patent number: 11964734
    Abstract: A transom lift for boats that can be used for loading and transporting objects such as a dinghy or large coolers. The transom lift has generally parallel and vertical members that fit inside of generally vertical and parallel sides of transom mount ladders. Hooks extend from the generally parallel, spaced apart, elongated, and vertical members, and are constructed and arranged to fit over steps of the transom mount ladder. A supported planar member or platform extends from a lower portion of the generally vertical, spaced apart, elongated, and parallel members. The transom lift is raised and lowered by pulling on an upper end of the transom lift using the transom mount ladder as a guide for vertical movement of the transom lift. The hooks position and hold the planar member or platform in the desired vertical position, either above or below the water line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Inventor: William A. Scott
  • Patent number: 11959239
    Abstract: A system for providing a line to a boat is provided. The system includes the line attached to a portion of a dock and a line tending unit configured for selectively operating in a stowed state and in a deployed state. The line tending unit includes a line tending arm including an attachment end configured for releasably holding the line and a line tending unit actuator configured to actuate the line tending arm between a stowed condition corresponding to the stowed state and a deployed condition corresponding to the deployed condition. The system further includes a control device in communication with the line tending unit and configured for commanding the line tending unit between the stowed state and the deployed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Inventor: David Shear
  • Patent number: 11952973
    Abstract: The inventor provides a pollution-free electricity generator that harnesses the weight and power of ocean waves to turn a shaft that runs an electricity generator. The inventor anchors the ocean wave drill bit corkscrew apparatus in the surf so that ocean waves roll over half of the drill bit corkscrew apparatus and turns a shaft that powers and electricity generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Inventor: David William Stauffer
  • Patent number: 11952094
    Abstract: A marine power system including multiple of fuel cells, multiple of D C/AC converters and at least one propulsion motor. In the marine power system, each fuel cell of the multiple of fuel cells is connectable to an input of a DC/AC converter of the multiple of DC/AC converters and at least one group of multiple of DC/AC converters is connectable to the at least one propulsion motor to provide variable frequency and amplitude voltage to the at least one propulsion motor. Further, at least one of the multiple of DC/AC converters is connectable to a fixed frequency AC bus to provide voltage with a fixed frequency and amplitude to the fixed frequency AC bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Harri Lipponen, Arber Haxhiu, Sami Kanerva, Mikko Kajava
  • Patent number: 11945550
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a device for the transfer of cryogenic product from a first floating structure (330) for storing cryogenic product to a second fixed or floating structure for storing cryogenic product, comprising pipes (100) configured to transport the cryogenic product between a duct (300) linked to the first structure and a duct (200) linked to the second structure. Said pipes (100) are rigid, carried by buoyancy means (400) and fluidically connected in pairs by connection means (600) suitable for transporting the cryogenic product and allowing at least one degree of freedom. The present invention also concerns a method for retracting a device for the transport of cryogenic product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: T.EN LOADING SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Stéphane Paquet, Renaud Le Devehat
  • Patent number: 11944873
    Abstract: A method for providing a swim fin includes providing a foot attachment member and a blade member having a predetermined blade length. The blade member has a soft portion made with a relatively soft thermoplastic material. The method includes providing a relatively harder portion and the relatively soft thermoplastic portion that is molded to the relatively harder thermoplastic portion. The method includes providing an orthogonally spaced portion of the relatively harder portion that is arranged a predetermined orthogonal direction while said swim fin is in state of rest. The method includes providing the blade member with a predetermined biasing force portion that is arranged to urge the orthogonally spaced portion while the swim fin is in a state of rest. The method includes arranging a significant portion of the blade length to experience pivotal motion a lengthwise angle of attack during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: NATURE'S WING FIN DESIGN, LLC
    Inventor: Peter T. McCarthy
  • Patent number: 11945558
    Abstract: A system and method for precise and consistent control of automated systems for deployment of boat fenders. The system comprises a computing device, one or more sensors, a motor controller, and a motor driver for operating motorized systems for deployment and/or retrieval of boat fenders. Various embodiments of the system use sensors and corresponding compensators to adjust the time of operation of a motor of the motorized system to ensure that the boat fender is deployed and/or retrieved to the proper height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Inventor: Shmuel Sam Arditi
  • Patent number: 11945554
    Abstract: An artificial floating island includes a lower mounting and an upper mounting. The upper mounting includes a bottom wall and a surrounding wall that cooperatively define an internal space. The surrounding wall has service openings and root through holes. The upper mounting has internal blocks, each having a block body that is connected between the bottom wall and the surrounding wall, and that defines a service space disposed outside of the upper mounting and being in communication with a respective one of the service openings. The lower mounting is coupled to the upper mounting and has an outer surface that is formed with a plurality of guiding troughs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Inventor: Kuang-Cheng Chen
  • Patent number: 11945557
    Abstract: A suspension system for supporting a body relative to at least four points, including: a respective front left, front right, back left and back right support arrangement between the respective point and the body, each respective support arrangement including a respective resilience arrangement and a respective control ram, each respective control ram including a respective compression chamber forming at least part of a respective compression control volume; a control arrangement including a first and a second diagonal reversible pump for displacing fluid between diagonally opposite compression control volumes. Each respective resilience arrangement can include a respective damping arrangement to restrict and/or selectively prevent compression and/or expansion of at least a portion of the respective resilience arrangement. Each respective control ram can further include a respective rebound chamber, the front control rams being cross connected and the back control rams being cross connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Nauti-Craft Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Laurence John Walker, Michael James Longman, Richard Monk, Ross McNab
  • Patent number: 11945548
    Abstract: A drainage device may include a channel body mountable on the surface proximate to an outlet on the surface and extendable away from the surface. A drainage device may include a groove formed along at least a partial length of the channel body. A drainage device may include a lip protruding from a bottom edge of the channel body at an end of the channel body that is distal from the surface when the drainage device is mounted thereon, wherein when the drainage device is mounted on the surface proximate to the outlet, fluid from the outlet is directed by the drainage device away from the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: C&D Marine Products, LLC
    Inventors: Colin Daley, Dale Branch
  • Patent number: 11939032
    Abstract: Provided is a floating foundation for supporting a wind power generation system including a stabilized power cable. In one embodiment, the floating foundation includes a column extending upwardly and couplable at a top end thereof to a base of the wind turbine, at least one power cable for exporting power generated from the wind turbine to another floating foundation or to an offshore/onshore station, and a plurality of buoyancy modules disposed along the at least one power cable. Power cables between a plurality of floating foundations and/or power station may be supported by buoyant modules such that the power cable is located in an optimal submergence range of the water body in which the floating foundations are deployed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: VL Offshore, LLC
    Inventors: Sung Youn Boo, Steffen A. Shelley
  • Patent number: 11932355
    Abstract: A fluid cargo handling system includes a marine manifold tower system and a floating marine platform on which is carried a liquid manifold assembly which is coupled to a cryogenic liquid transfer hose extending from the floating marine platform to the marine manifold tower system. The cryogenic liquid transfer hose is also connected to a cryogenic hose manifold assembly mounted on the marine manifold tower system. The marine manifold tower system includes an elongated tower having a first end secured to the seabed and a second end supporting the cryogenic hose manifold assembly, elevating the cryogenic hose manifold assembly above the water surface. The floating marine platform moves between a first position adjacent the marine manifold tower system and a second position, spaced apart from the marine manifold tower system, where the floating marine platform is in fluid communication with a fluid cargo transport vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Stena Power & LNG Solutions AS
    Inventors: Knut-Erik Johansen, Svein Borge Hellesmark
  • Patent number: 11932359
    Abstract: The invention relates to a floating module (1) comprising a plurality of walls (2) extending between a first longitudinal end (4) and a second longitudinal end (6), the floating module (1) comprising a first partition (8) and a second partition (10) connecting each wall (2) of the plurality of walls, defining an internal volume (12) of the floating module (1), characterized in that the floating module (1) comprises at least one extension (14) emerging from an external face (16) of the wall (2), the extension (14) extending longitudinally in projection from the first longitudinal end (4) or from the second longitudinal end (6), the extension (14) and the wall (2) being materially integral. The invention also relates to a method for joining a first floating module (3) and a second floating module (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: SAFIER INGENIERIE
    Inventor: Elchanan Safier
  • Patent number: 11932354
    Abstract: A fluid cargo handling system includes a quick release manifold system mounted on a floating marine platform. The quick release manifold system has a first valve in fluid communication with the first end of a first fluid transfer hose to control fluid flow within the first fluid transfer hose. A first coupler is attached to the first valve. The first coupler has a first port in fluid communication with the first valve, a second port, a purging fluid inlet and a waste fluid outlet. A drain tank is in fluid communication with the first coupler via the waste fluid outlet, and a pressurized fluid source carried is in fluid communication with the first coupler via the purging fluid inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Stena Power & LNG Solutions AS
    Inventors: Knut-Erik Johansen, Svein Borge Hellesmark
  • Patent number: 11926980
    Abstract: In general, embodiments of this invention relate to methods, apparatuses, and systems for providing boat or ship protection from damages associated with vessel contact, allision, or other physical contact or with objects. Therefore a preferred embodiment of the invention is demonstrated as a fender system comprising: a base composed of a vertical back portion of cushioning material; a top foam portion of marine grade material; and a bottom foam portion of marine grade material where the top portion and the bottom portion are connected to the top and bottom of the back portion respectively; the top and bottom foam or marine grade material portion each having a connector to facilitate rotational connection to a fender; and a fender rotationally connected to the top and bottom portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Inventor: David Kane
  • Patent number: 11926404
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed generally toward sailing vessels. One example is a catamaran with one or more pivoting masts per hull member, which may pivot from a generally perpendicular upright position, to a generally flat stowed position toward the bow of the hulls. The masts are capable of sustaining a plurality of sails, which may travel 180 degrees with respect to the hulls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: CROSS WING TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Duncan Halliburton
  • Patent number: 11926402
    Abstract: An underwater propulsion device is disclosed comprising two sleeves for fitting around each of a user's lower legs, with each sleeve mounting a propulsion unit, and the sleeves being connectable by a bar between them during underwater operation of the device by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Inventors: Brandon Robinson, Lowell Kim Robinson, Marc Barber