Patents Examined by Tara M. Pinnock
  • Patent number: 8740504
    Abstract: An apparatus for retensioning a loose roof plate held by a roof bolt, includes a main spacer, a washer, and a nut. The main spacer occupies a space between a head of the roof bolt and the loose roof plate, and the main spacer has a threaded circumferential outer surface and a radially extending slot for inserting a shaft of the roof bolt therein. The washer occupies a space between the main spacer and the loose roof plate, and the washer has a radially extending slot for inserting the shaft of the roof bolt therein. The nut has a threaded hole for passing the head of the roof bolt therethrough, for threading onto the threaded spacer and for tightening onto the threaded spacer until the roof plate is firmly pressed against the roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: FCI Holdings Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: John G. Oldsen, John C. Stankus, Travis Mikel Sub
  • Patent number: 8734056
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrocarbon transport device intended to be immersed and arranged at an extraction wellhead, comprising a first pipe through which a first fluid leaving the extraction well flows, the first pipe being arranged in an external protective casing, a piloting system to pilot the temperature in the first pipe controlling an activation element of a regulating system for regulating a heat exchange between the first pipe and the liquid medium filling the immersed external casing, the regulating system comprising at least a second pipe arranged around the first pipe and delimiting an annular space enclosing at least one regulating fluid, this regulating fluid being injected into or expelled from the annular space by the activation element of the regulating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: ITP SA
    Inventor: Christian Geertsen
  • Patent number: 8727664
    Abstract: A berm to increase capacity of an existing landfill comprises a reinforced portion and backfill material. The landfill comprises a waste-receiving recess having a surface and an outer perimeter, an edge surface peripherally adjacent at least a portion of the outer perimeter, and an existing accumulation of waste within the recess having a collective top surface. The reinforced portion has opposing inner and outer surfaces and comprises structural fill material and a plurality of reinforcing members disposed therein. The backfill material has an inner surface adjacent the inner surface of the reinforced portion. The backfill material comprises contaminated fill material and is at least partially encapsulated by an impermeable membrane. At least a portion of the berm sits on at least a portion of the edge surface of the landfill. Portions of the berm are substantially parallel to corresponding portions of the outer perimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: AWT IP, LLC
    Inventor: Carlton Dudding
  • Patent number: 8727667
    Abstract: A system including a votex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression device dimensioned to suppress a vortex induced vibration of a support structure, the VIV suppression device having a base portion that encircles at least a portion of the support structure and a support member formed along the base portion. The system further including a collar having a body portion defining an annular channel and a flange portion extending outwardly from the annular channel, the flange portion dimensioned to form a receiving channel around the support structure for receiving the support member. The support member is received within the receiving channel to secure the VIV suppression device to the support structure and the VIV suppression device is capable of rotating around the support structure along the receiving channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: VIV Solutions LLC
    Inventors: William Andrew West, Donald Wayne Allen, Dean Leroy Henning
  • Patent number: 8721225
    Abstract: A method controls force transmission between a structure and its base during grouting-in the fastening parts of the structure in the corresponding bases on or in the seabed. The method may include connecting a bracket to at least one of the fastening parts of the structure; arranging an elastic material on the bracket; displacing the fastening part to an overlapping position with the base until the elastic material transmits at least a portion of the weight of the structure to the base; and filling an opening between the fastening part and the base with a curable mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: OWEC Tower AS
    Inventors: Per Bull Haugsøen, Gunnar Foss
  • Patent number: 8721223
    Abstract: Pipe splitting apparatuses and systems including a replaceable blade, and methods therefor, are provided. In various examples, a cable retention and release mechanism is configured to releasably engage a cable and includes one or more segments of a pipe splitting apparatus including a cable passage. A segmented collet includes tapered segments and is disposed within a tapered portion of a cable passage of the one or more segments. Channel surfaces of the tapered segments together form a cable channel through the segmented collet. The cable channel is configured to widen in a disengaged position of the segmented collet and narrow in an engaged position of the segmented collet. A spring is disposed within the spring pocket of the one or more segments to bias the segmented collet distally in the engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: TT Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Tjader
  • Patent number: 8714879
    Abstract: A method of forming a field joint for a subsea pipeline includes the steps of positioning an end of a first pipe adjacent to an end of a second pipe, welding the end of the first pipe to an end of the second pipe, and applying a coating material over an exterior surface of the first pipe, over the welding, and over an exterior surface of second pipe such that the coating material is in sealing relationship therewith. The coating material has air-filled glass spheres therein. A mold is placed over the adjacent pipe sections and the coating material is injected under pressure into the mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Trendsetter Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario R. Lugo, Jan Garmulewicz
  • Patent number: 8714876
    Abstract: The system employs a two piece gully assembly to implement an NFT system. The system has a square-U shaped base with a flat lid that can be fastened to the base. One of the advantages of the assembly is in shipping where the bases and lids can be easily nested for transport. When compared to prior art gullies, the shipping volume of the present assembly is effectively minimized. In fact, ten gullies of the present assembly can be shipped in the same volume as a single prior art gully.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventors: Colin Archipley, Karen Archipley
  • Patent number: 8714882
    Abstract: A bolting apparatus and method for inserting a rod into a surface, the bolting apparatus including a base having a foot end and a head end, at least one stabilizing rod extendable from the base head end and having a stabilizing rod end adapted to contact a surface to be drilled, and a mechanism attached to the base between the base foot end and the stabilizing rod end and adapted to grip the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Joy MM Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: Will Eddowes, Gregory Wayne Broad, John Edward Bailey
  • Patent number: 8708597
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for increasing the width of an existing roadway. The system incorporates a reverse-oriented retaining wall and soil nail supports. The retaining wall is formed by a first set of soil nails, wire mesh material, and one or more geotextile material layers. An alternate embodiment forms the retaining wall with a plurality of concrete blocks stacked and spaced to form a block wall. The blocks are mounted over the first set of nails. Backfill material fills a gap between the existing sloping surface and the retaining wall. A second set of soil nails can be provided for additional subsurface support. An upper surface of the backfill material can be paved to form the extended roadway width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: R&B Leasing, LLC
    Inventors: Robert K. Barrett, Albert C. Ruckman, Timothy Allen Ruckman, Colby Barrett, Cameron Lobato, Nathan Beard
  • Patent number: 8708604
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method that keeps a barge and grillage system on the barge in compression with a topsides supported by the grillage system during the transport, while providing a quick release system between the barge, grillage system, and topsides during an installation procedure that transfers the topsides to an offshore platform. The quick release system can be in tension to apply a compressive force between the grillage system and the topsides until the quick release system is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Technip France
    Inventors: Michael Y. H. Luo, David N. Edelson, Steven Barras, Kostas F. Lambrakos, Anil K. Sablok
  • Patent number: 8708605
    Abstract: A structure for transport and offshore installation of at least one wind turbine or underwater generator includes a U-shaped floating hull having lateral arms. Each lateral arm has at least one leg vertically movable by the hull in flotation, and at least one assembly for supporting a wind turbine or underwater generator. The assembly includes two shuttles opposite each other and each combined with a leg and each having higher and lower pairs of arms which are pivotably movable between a retracted position and an active position tilted against a mast of the wind turbine or underwater generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Technip France
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Cholley, Eric Luquiau
  • Patent number: 8708606
    Abstract: A pipeline 100 comprising an outer rigid conduit 30, which is formed of a composite material, the composite material being arranged such that thermal expansion in the longitudinal direction is an effective longitudinal CTE from zero to about ?/+10×10?6° K?1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: BHP Billiton Petroleum Pty. Limited
    Inventor: Joel Aron Witz
  • Patent number: 8696246
    Abstract: The invention relates to a supporting element (8) for an offshore wind turbine (3), comprising a base body (1) formed by a circular or polygonal basement (4), a shaft (5) with vertical walls and a plurality of vertical cavities (6) extending over the entire height thereof and a slab (2) dispose on the shaft (5) of the base body (1), on which slab (2) a wind turbine (3) is positioned and secured. The base body (1) of the supporting element (8) is produced using sliding formwork, from the basement (4) up to the upper base thereof. In addition, the method includes the following steps: ballasting the supporting element (8) by partially filling the above-mentioned vertical cavities (6); seaward towing the supporting element (8) from the production site thereof to the offshore wind turbine installation site; anchoring the supporting element (8) by filling the vertical cavities (6) completely; until the supporting element (8) rests on a stone bed (19) on the sea bed; and mounting the wind turbine (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignees: Acciona Windpower, S.A., Acciona Energia, S.A.
    Inventors: Miguel Nunez Polo, Raul Manzanas Ochagavía, Federico Sancho Castiello
  • Patent number: 8696247
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling movement of an elongated member providing communication between a vessel and a subsea unit are provided. The method can include connecting a positively buoyant member to an elongated member at a first location and connecting a negatively buoyant member to the elongated member at a second location, wherein at least a portion of the negatively buoyant member rests on a seabed when the elongated member is in an operational null position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Kellogg Brown & Root LLC
    Inventor: John Christian Hartley Mungall
  • Patent number: 8690479
    Abstract: A speedy construction method for the penstock of a large scale hydraulic turbine is provided. The construction sequence thereof is as follows: the spiral case of the hydraulic turbine is installed firstly, then, upwards along the water flow direction, the penstock is arranged in turn from the intake section of the spiral case. The penstock is assembled and welded on a roll welding rack or on a penstock pallet car by use of segments so as to be installed rapidly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Chengdu Alangtech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zhixiang Peng
  • Patent number: 8684633
    Abstract: One embodiment of a system of the present disclosure can be implemented as follows. A plurality of wall blocks are stacked to form at least a portion of a retaining wall, each wall block having an interior face, an exterior face; a top surface, and a bottom surface. The system further includes retaining means for securing at least one reinforcement member between stacked wall blocks, the retaining means including a pair of reinforcement member retaining bars that are positioned within a slot crossing the transverse length of the top surface of at least one wall block. A first of the retaining means secures the at least one reinforcement member against the bottom of the slot and a second of the retaining means secures the first retaining members against the side of the slot, such that the at least one reinforcement member is additionally secured between the pair of retaining means. Other systems and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Earth Well Products, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas L. Rainey
  • Patent number: 8678704
    Abstract: A revetment block with a top surface that is tapered upwardly from the upstream end to the downstream end. Thus, when a number of tapered blocks are installed end to end on a grade, the upstream end of any of the blocks can be raised due to underlying ground irregularities without degrading the safety factor of the blocks. The tapered revetment blocks can also be constructed with positive interlocking arms and sockets to enhance the integrity of a matrix of such blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Erosion Prevention Products, LLC
    Inventors: Lee A. Smith, James S. Kole, Jr., James R. DeShaw
  • Patent number: 8662790
    Abstract: A flood barrier comprises hollow self-filling units (10, 12, 14, 16) placed end-to-end and connected at their ends by downwardly tapered bilobal (46) keys inserted into sockets (26, 28) at the ends of the units, wherein the keys incorporate concrete or other ballast for negative buoyancy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: BU Innovations Limited
    Inventor: Simon Thomas Phelps
  • Patent number: 8657529
    Abstract: At a location where unevenness 1000 is present, the condition of a seabed 200 is investigated in advance to examine the respective numbers of large filter units 51 and small filter units 52 to be used, and the position where the large filter units 51 and the small filter units 52 are to be installed. Based on the investigation result, the small filter units 52 are installed on the bottom of the unevenness 1000. The large filter units 51 are installed on the upper surface formed by the installed small filter units 52, and are leveled so that the upper surface formed by the installed large filter units 51 becomes flush with the seabed 200.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignees: Kyowa Co., Ltd., Sumitomo Corporation
    Inventors: Takahito Ohkubo, Toshihiro Tanaka, Nobuyoshi Oike, Hironori Kawamura, Shinichi Tanaka, Ikuo Moriyama, Motoo Yoshioka