Patents Examined by Patrick Lambe
  • Patent number: 9011041
    Abstract: A subirrigation system 10 includes a water-impervious member 16, and keeps water content in soil of a cultivated land 200 in a proper state for growing a plant. The water-impervious member 16 is formed into an upper opening vessel shape, and has a water reserving function. Water is fed to an inner portion of the water-impervious member 16 from a water tank 12 via a feed water pipe 14, whereby a soil portion 26 in a gravitational water state is formed. A water level 28 of the gravitational water within the water-impervious member 16 is properly controlled to a desired water level by a water level controller 18 provided in the feed water pipe 14. The gravitational water within the water-impervious member 16 controlled to the desired water level is appropriately sucked up to the soil in an upper layer in accordance with a capillary phenomenon. Accordingly, a soil portion 30 in a capillary water state having proper water content is formed in the cultivated land 200.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignees: Kubota-C.I. Co., Ltd., Paddy Research Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Ono, Hiroaki Sakamoto, Kazuhiro Hirao, Toshinobu Kakita, Yasushi Wada, Yoshihito Fujii, Tsuneo Onodera
  • Patent number: 9004818
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatuses for the installation or removal of buoyancy modules onto or from a submerged conduit are described herein. A system may include a buoyancy module (30), a control panel (76), an actuating means (72), and a clamp tool (40). The buoyancy module may include at least two sections. The clamp tool may hold the sections of the buoyancy module. The clamp tool (40) may include at least two plates (50, 52, 54, 56) that are actuated opened or closed using the control panel (76) and/or the actuating means (72) during attachment or removal of the buoyancy module (30) to the submerged conduit (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Excelerate Energy Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Lauren Elizabeth Laborde, Charles E. Ruehl, Edward Scott, Mark K. Lane
  • Patent number: 9004817
    Abstract: Soil remediation systems containing at least one heating device configured to heat contaminated soil for remediation and at least one storage tank configured to contain an ionic liquid are described. The soil contaminated by a volatile compound is heated by the heating device to vaporize the volatile compound, which is trapped by the ionic liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC
    Inventor: Fumihiro Hanasaka
  • Patent number: 8985904
    Abstract: A system and method of operating a sonar system is provided. The sonar system comprises a towed body, such as a depressor body, with a towed line array attached thereto configured to be towed behind a host vessel. A line feed mechanism is operative to recover and/or deploy the towed line array from the vessel while the towed line array remains attached to the towed body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas M. Canavan
  • Patent number: 8979434
    Abstract: A tubbing lining for a tunnel or shaft is formed from tubbing rings having annular end surfaces, with successively tubbing rings are aligned with each other at annular end surfaces forming an annular joint. Each tubbing ring is composed of successive circumferentially arranged tubbing segments which are butt-joined. A deformable flexible element having an outer cross-sectional contour is arranged in at least one butt joint, with the cross-sectional contour parallel to the butt joint matching outer contours of the end faces such that the flexible element completely covers at least one abutting end face. The tubbing segments in conjunction with the flexible element form a prefabricated element formed of a steel reinforcing framework encased in concrete to which the flexible element is connected in a force-locked manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Bochumer Eisenhütte Heintzmann GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Rudi Podjadtke
  • Patent number: 8974151
    Abstract: A constant-resistance large-deformation anchor rod includes a rod body (6), a tray (3), a nut (2), and a constant-resistance device (4). The constant-resistance device (4) is formed into a cylindrical structure, and the inner surface of the constant-resistance device (4) and the outer surface of the rod body (6) are both formed with thread structures. The constant-resistance device (4) is sleeved at the tail of the rod body (6), and the tray (3) and the nut (2) are sequentially sleeved at the tail of the constant-resistance device (4). The nut (2) is in threaded connection with the constant-resistance device (4). The constant-resistance large-deformation anchor rod in the invention can be automatically stretched when the tunnel surrounding rock deforms largely, and keep the constant working resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Inventor: Manchao He
  • Patent number: 8967911
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for the overground operation of underground sewer tools, especially of expander and pulling heads comprising a rod assembly that is rigid when pushed and a supporting device absorbing shear or tractive forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Tracto-Technik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Franz-Josef Püttmann
  • Patent number: 8961070
    Abstract: An apparatus for connecting a hub of a first pipe to a hub of a second pipe in a subsea environment includes a frame suitable for receiving the hub of the second pipe, a post extending outwardly of the frame, a landing structure slidably positioned on the post, and an actuator for moving the landing structure along the post such that the hub of the first pipe is juxtaposed against the hub of the second pipe. The landing structure includes a receptacle formed thereon. This receptacle is suitable for receiving a slotted portion of an arm extending from a trunnion extending around the first pipe such that the first pipe can pivot from a generally vertical orientation to a generally horizontal orientation. A clamp can extend against the hubs of the first and second pipes so as to join the pipes together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Trendsetter Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Noel F. Mascarenhas
  • Patent number: 8955592
    Abstract: A grease delivery system for delivering grease to a location is provided. The grease delivery system comprises: a first grease reservoir having a first grease output and a first output device configured to output grease from the first grease reservoir; a second grease reservoir having a second grease output and a second output device configured to output grease from the second grease reservoir; and a common grease output for delivering grease to the location, wherein the common grease output is fluidly connected to the first and second grease outputs, wherein the system is configured to simultaneously output grease from the first and second grease reservoirs to the common grease output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Controls Limited
    Inventors: Mark Organ, Peter Davey, Graeme Thomson
  • Patent number: 8915675
    Abstract: Access and connection for a buried pipeline, wherein a hole is dug to a buried pipeline, a riser pipe is disposed within the hole, and one or more powered tools are lowered into the hole and activated such that work is performed on the pipeline without the need for anyone to be lowered into the hole. Because no one needs to be physically present down in the hole at the pipeline, the hole, and thus the surface disturbance can be much smaller than conventional pipeline work methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Longshot Integrity Services, LLC
    Inventor: Jon Paul Smith
  • Patent number: 8915674
    Abstract: A method for installing an accessory onto a pipeline to be laid on the seabed, includes launching the pipeline from a first position of a tower in which the tower is at an angle ? with respect to the vertical; stopping the launch of the pipeline, and hanging off the launched pipeline in a hang off module; positioning an accessory in a tower firing line; attaching the accessory to the launched pipeline in the hang off module and to at least one A&R cable; suspending the accessory and the launched pipeline from an A&R system; disengaging the hang off module from the launched pipeline; pivoting the pipeline launch tower to an accessory launch position in which the tower is at an angle ? that differs substantially from angle ?, such that a pipeline launch trajectory is created which is large enough to launch the accessory and the launched pipeline with the A&R system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Itrec B.V.
    Inventors: Arnoud Laurens Feijen, Ronny Lambertus Waltherus Nouwens, Terence Willem August Vehmeijer, Joop Roodenburg
  • Patent number: 8911177
    Abstract: A method of stowing a goaf of potash salt ore comprising making wall slurry into barricades each have the same area as the sectional area of a tunnel and a thickness of 0.5 to 5 meters inside the underground tunnels in goaf of potash salt ore, with the interval between adjacent barricades being 5 to 100 meters, then stowing the interval between the barricades by using the filling slurry is described. The stowing method uses the wall slurry of high strength that is solidified with a gelling agent as the main bearing material, and uses the solidified filling slurry with a low strength as the main filling material, which has a good effect when compared with conventional filling materials. Moreover, the stowing method effectively utilizes the tail liquids, thereby reducing the addition of other additives, decreasing the cost, avoiding the discharge of liquid waste and relieving the environmental pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Sino-Agri Mining Investment Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wang Quan
  • Patent number: 8876438
    Abstract: In casting concrete retaining wall blocks, a plurality of mold inserts form a passage between top and bottom surfaces of the block, a recess in the block top between the passage and the back of the block and a recess in the bottom of the block between the passage and the back of the block. The recesses and the passage are formed by a plurality of mold inserts. When the blocks are used in a retaining wall, geogrid fabric passes from the rear of the wall through one of the recesses in a block, through the passage in the block and through the other recess in the block into backfill for stabilizing the wall. The recesses and passage are designed so that any concrete flashing formed between abutting mold inserts is not contacted by the geogrid fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Redi-Rock International, LLC
    Inventor: John W. Bergmann
  • Patent number: 8858121
    Abstract: An arrangement on board a vessel to be able to strap at least one cable to a pipeline during continuous and contemporary deployment of the strapped pipe bundle into the sea is shown. The arrangement includes at least a strapping machine which is arranged to be moved forward together with the cable and pipeline in order to perform a strapping operation in concert with the forward advancement thereof. The strapping machine is also moveable rearwards relative to the cable and pipeline for the repositioning to the next strapping operation such that the application of a strap or straps takes place intermittently under the continuous deployment of the pipe bundle. Means for continuous motorized advancement of the respective pipes and cables towards the strapping machine and further into the sea is also arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Aker Subsea AS
    Inventor: Ole A. Heggdal
  • Patent number: 8851802
    Abstract: A hollow rock bolt comprising a shaft having a spiral form protruding from the exterior surface of the shaft, wherein the spiral form has a flank angle of between 30° and 60°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Sandvik Intellectual Property AB
    Inventors: Steven Weaver, John Horsch
  • Patent number: 8821070
    Abstract: A method for constructing a riser assembly (1) for transporting a fluid from a vessel and on a seabed includes providing an elongate frame (4) having a first frame end (5) and a second frame end (6), where the first frame end is connected to the seabed (3) and the second frame end is connected to a buoy (7), providing at least one riser (9) for transporting a fluid, and connecting the at least one riser to the second frame end and/or the buoy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Heerema Marine Contractors Nederland SE
    Inventors: Cornelis Benard, Cristian Rogier Koene, Eduard Wiersema, Frank Cornelis Lange
  • Patent number: 8790044
    Abstract: A bolt includes a tube, at least a portion of which is hollow, having a top and the bottom and at least one dimple. The bolt includes an insert fixed to the interior of the tube in proximity to the dimple with the dimple disposed between the insert and bottom of the tube. A method for a bolt includes the steps of inserting a resin cartridge into a hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: F. M. Locotos Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Frank M. Locotos
  • Patent number: 8784011
    Abstract: A method of installing marine equipment, the method including providing a marine apparatus comprising the marine equipment and a buoyancy device including at least a first and a second tank. The first tank containing air and the second tank containing a buoyant liquid having a specific gravity of less than 0.8 g/cm3. The method including providing a template on the seabed and guiding the marine apparatus down onto the template. Also a buoyancy device comprising at least a first and a second tank, the first tank containing a first fluid and the second tank containing a second fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Aubin Limited
    Inventor: Patrick Collins
  • Patent number: 8770892
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for subsea pipeline servicing, including dewatering and chemical containment. A subsea pipeline service skid has a containment bladder affixed to the skid and in fluid communication with a skid mounted pump dimensioned to pump fluid from the subsea pipeline. A sensor system at the suction side of the pump detects the presence of seawater, water, chemical agent, or gas so the pump can be operated accordingly. The chemical agent used during dewatering operations of the pipeline is selectively pumped to the containment bladder subsea so the subsea vehicle can independently take the chemical agent to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan J. Sweeney, Peter Dixon
  • Patent number: 8764346
    Abstract: A tension-based tension leg platform (TBTLP) for use in ultra deepwater applications to support dry-tree oil and gas production utilizes a tension base or artificial seabed that simplifies tendon design at deepwater locations in harsh environment and has a truss pontoon structure that reduces vertical and horizontal wave loadings. The platform may include a riser support tower that makes production risers feasible in 8,000 ft water depths without riser pretension to the hull and reduces or eliminates vortex induced vibration problems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Inventor: Nagan Srinivasan