Patents Examined by Tara M. Pinnock
  • Patent number: 9340943
    Abstract: A method and a tool (10) for forming a seal in a lock chamber (3) of a sheet pile are proposed. The method comprises the steps of: introducing a seal forming tool (10) into the lock chamber (3); injecting a sealing material into a distribution chamber (50) of the tool (10) from where it axially fills longitudinally extending recesses (38?, 38?, 38??) in a seal-shaping module (12); and moving the tool (10) longitudinally through the lock chamber (3), whereby the sealing material is shaped by the seal-shaping module (12). The distribution chamber (50) is a closed chamber inside the tool (10) and spaced from the longitudinally extending recesses (38?, 38?, 38??); and the tool (10) comprises moreover at least two distribution channels (52?, 52?, 52??) connecting in parallel the distribution chamber (50) to the recesses (38?, 38?, 38??), the parallel distribution channels (52?, 52?, 52??) being fine-tuned for apportioning the flow of sealing material between the recesses (38?, 38?, 38??).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Arcelormittal Investigación Y Desarrollo S.L.
    Inventors: Luis Da Silva Arêde, Anne Fagot, Thierry Mauer, Pol Reichert
  • Patent number: 9340945
    Abstract: One embodiment of an anchor device for ground application and of the type having a main shaft (28) which connects at its top with a ground plate (20) with oblong holes for additional shafts (22) so as to increase holding ability. In addition a coupler (24) connects to the top side of the anchor. Other possible embodiments are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: ROBERT FRANKLIN BYE
    Inventor: Robert Franklin Bye
  • Patent number: 9334980
    Abstract: Apparatus and Method for Burying Elongate Member Apparatus for laying an elongate member in a trench, the apparatus comprises a main body portion; ground-contacting apparatus on which the main body portion is mounted and by which the apparatus may in use move over the ground; an elongate member moving device configured to move the elongate member from an initial position to a elongate member laying position; and a depressor attached to the main body portion and configured to guide the elongate member from its elongate member laying position to its in-trench location, the depressor having an elongate member entry portion and an elongate member exit portion, wherein the depressor is rotatable in use about an axis which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: IHC ENGINEERING BUSINESS LIMITED
    Inventor: Jonathan Ralph Manchester
  • Patent number: 9334647
    Abstract: A method for handling a hydro sound absorber in the region of an offshore construction site. The method includes, prior to beginning noise-emitting work, positioning a hydro sound absorber in the region of the offshore construction site. The method includes positioning a transport housing receiving the hydro sound absorber close to at least one of a seabed or a surface of the water. The method also includes spreading out the hydro sound absorber from a first functional position out of the transport housing at least one of vertically to the extent of the offshore construction site or horizontally to the geometry of the seabed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Elmer
  • Patent number: 9328871
    Abstract: A system for containing and managing fluids produced at a work site, such as an oil or gas drilling site, includes one or more fluid containments formed as a basin for collecting and retaining fluids, a berm forming a perimeter of the containments, a layer of sand placed over each basin, a fluid-impermeable membrane placed over the layer of sand, and drainage stone placed over the membrane, filling the basin. A geotextile fabric can be placed over the membrane to help protect the membrane from adverse affects of the drainage stone. A leak detection system can be coupled with the membrane to identify potential leaks in a containment system. One or more catch basins can extend through the basin and the drainage stone filling the basin, to receive fluids. A drainage system is placed in fluid communication with the catch basins to drain fluids from a containment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: D.A. Nolt, Inc.
    Inventor: David A. Nolt
  • Patent number: 9328476
    Abstract: A boat protector is provided with padding on a front surface and is adapted to be secured to a piling or similar structure which is anticipated to contact a watercraft by positioning the padded side facing outward and wrapping securing straps around the piling or similar structure. The securing straps are provided with fastening means to adequately secure the protector to the piling or similar structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Inventor: Robert M. Langham
  • Patent number: 9315962
    Abstract: A fiber block planting segment suitable for controlling erosion and stabilizing soil is described that comprises an elongated fiber block formed of a densely packed elongated thick fibrous material having at least one channel formed therein for receiving a plant to be planted in the soil. The fiber block is enclosed in a sleeve or wrap of fiber mesh. The fiber block and mesh can be made of coir fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Inventor: B. Lanka Santha
  • Patent number: 9309641
    Abstract: Apparatus including fluid motors and a pair of collars for adjustably mounting a coffer dam upon a piling by assembling equipment while operating above the water line thereby avoiding the need for underwater divers to perform dangerous underwater operations. Also included are a plurality of scrapers that are biased against the piling for removing accumulated detritus during upward and downward movement of the scrapers upon the piling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Inventor: Gregory B Burkhardt
  • Patent number: 9309653
    Abstract: A conduit system for gathering water from soil includes multiple conduits configured for insertion into soil. Each conduit includes a wall having an outer surface configured to be exposed to soil and an inner surface defining a central passage. The wall includes multiple gathering pores extending through the wall. The cross-sectional area of each gathering pore decreases from the outer surface to the inner surface to promote capillary action for moving water from the soil through each gathering pore to the central passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Roderick A. Hyde, Robert C. Petroski, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9302750
    Abstract: A self-leveling boat bumper system attached to a nautical structure can include a floating bumper arrangement having a float element, a float extension, and a boat bumper; and a receiver, fixed to the nautical structure and moveably engaged with the arrangement, or fixed to the arrangement and moveably engaged with a guide fixed to the nautical structure. When floating within a body of water, the float element can provide a buoyancy force that maintains the boat bumper in a static position between, and including, first and second positions, and as the level of the water changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Inventor: Michael Patrick Moran
  • Patent number: 9303467
    Abstract: A top-tensioned riser (TTR) is supported by a tensioning system on the deck of a floating platform. The tension ring may include an elastomeric layer which permits small angular and lateral displacements of the tension joint. The tension joint comprises a tapered section to resist the bending moment and shear imposed by the vessel's motion. The riser tension joint may be supported laterally by rollers below the tension ring. The rollers react on the tapered section when the riser strokes up and down. The tapered section may be engineered to maximize the use of the tension joint, and to reduce bending moment and shear loads imposed on the tensioning system. In certain embodiments, there may be a small gap between the rollers and the tapered section. In certain other embodiments, the rollers may be spring-loaded to increase the stability of surface equipment on the upper terminus of the riser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Seahorse Equipment Corp
    Inventors: Jeffrey Douglas Otten, Peimin Cao
  • Patent number: 9296451
    Abstract: A weight system for divers employs both an interior and an exterior weight pocket. The interior weight pocket is secured at the interior distal end of the exterior weight pocket. The attachment point is a post at the interior end of the weight pocket. The weight pouch hangs from this post and is secured in the exterior weight pocket. The release force is more precisely controlled with a coil spring. More control of the opening force translates to reliability of operation and safety of the weight releasing mechanism. The weight pouch is also more precisely guided into and out of the exterior weight pocket and the lock mechanism is self-centering, allowing easy assembly or disassembly of the weight pouch into and out of the exterior weight pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: ATOMIC AQUATICS, LLC
    Inventor: Douglas J. Toth
  • Patent number: 9297136
    Abstract: This invention relates to an inflatable dam assembly. The assembly includes a combined inflation, sealing and anchoring arrangement for a self-supporting dam. The inflatable dam assembly has an inflatable membrane and structure for inflating the membrane. An anchoring element operably engages with the inflatable membrane. A duct houses the anchoring element and provides at least a part of said membrane. The duct includes retaining structure configured to retain the anchoring element within the duct. In use, the anchoring element is moveable relative to the duct in a first direction towards the retaining means and in a second direction away from the retaining structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher Eugene Lee, Eamonn Henry Lee-Barrett
  • Patent number: 9297139
    Abstract: The present invention refers to an anchorage for underpinning and bearing walls. The anchorage includes at least one head module and a brace tube which are joined coaxially together. The head module has a tapered point which serves as a guide and in the proximity to this point, the head module has at least two foldable blades on both sides of the brace tube. The blades present reinforcement ribs and tabs on their outer part and they are joined at one of their ends to the brace tube with a joint hinge and held at an upper third of the blades by a clamping device which is linked to the brace tube with a removable bolt. This removable bolt includes a knuckle pin with an end linked by a connector to the brace tube. The opposite end includes a clearance drilling angled at a slant, at 45 degrees of its axle, this end being inserted in the brace tube in correspondence with a bolt clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Inventor: Vicente Luis Chrestia
  • Patent number: 9291053
    Abstract: A self-moving tunnel support canopy includes front arch frame, rear arch frame, forward jack, and support jack disposed under the front arch frame. The front arch frame has front arch beams and front longitudinal beams longitudinally disposed along arch upper surfaces of front arch beams and coupled to all the front arch beams. The rear arch frame has rear arch beams and rear longitudinal beams longitudinally disposed along arch upper surfaces of the rear arch beams and coupled to all the rear arch beams. The front longitudinal beams and the rear arch beams are spacedly disposed, and a spacing is configured between the front arch beam and a front-adjacent rear arch beam. One end is coupled to the front arch frame, and the other end of the forward jack is coupled to the rear arch frame. The front arch beam and the rear arch beam are both arch-shaped beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Inventor: Xinbin Li
  • Patent number: 9290902
    Abstract: A dry setting installation for generating a substantially dry working space for carrying out work on part of a partially submerged structure, the dry setting installation comprising a truncated elongated angular-, oval-shaped or part-angular-part-oval-dry setting element, which with the part of a partially submerged structure is capable of forming a cofferdam round the part of the partially submerged structure; and a process for the treatment of part of a partially submerged structure, the process comprising the steps of: closing the dry setting element with the part of the partially submerged structure, sealing the dry setting element on the part of the partially submerged structure; pumping out the water thereby providing a cofferdam round the part of the partially submerged structure; cleaning the surface of the part of the partially submerged structure; curing the curable adhesive coating, filling the dry setting installation with water, removing the dry setting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: BELBRIDGE BVBA
    Inventor: Wim Schalley
  • Patent number: 9279228
    Abstract: A pile is disclosed for insertion by a pile driver. The pile incorporates transversely extending anchors for increased pull-out resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Inventor: John W. Jinnings
  • Patent number: 9273442
    Abstract: A subsurface support comprises a soil nail having an outer member and an inner member placed within the outer member. By crimping the outer member or by use of an insert installed between the inner and outer members, a uniform spaced relationship can be maintained between the inner and outer members. In another embodiment, the support is made of composite construction materials, and the support has a self-drilling capability. The outer member may be made from fiberglass, and a metallic drill bit is secured to a distal end of the soil nail. The inner member is preferably steel. In yet another embodiment, the support includes a plurality of outer threaded members with adjacent outer members interconnected by a threaded coupler. A continuous inner member may be placed through the outer members. The inner member may be threaded for attachment to the outer members that also have internal matching threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: R&B Leasing, LLC
    Inventors: Colby Barrett, Timothy Allen Ruckman
  • Patent number: 9273445
    Abstract: A fluidified inert material spreading device configured to bury a pipeline in a body of water is configured to travel in the body of water in a travelling direction along and over the pipeline, and has a hull, which extends along a longitudinal axis, houses at least one expansion chamber for fluidified inert material, is connected to at least one feed port to feed the fluidified inert material to the expansion chamber, and has a quantity or number of outlet ports configured to release the fluidified inert material from the expansion chamber, close to the pipeline, and which as a whole define a flow cross section greater than the flow cross section of the feed port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: SAIPEM S.P.A.
    Inventors: Paolo Minola, Denis Faidutti
  • Patent number: 9273801
    Abstract: A method of in-situ pipeline replacement in which valves, fittings, and other obstructions are removed from an existing pipeline, a heat-fusible polymer pipeline having an initially deformed configuration less than the existing pipeline diameter is inserted into the remaining portions of the existing pipeline and reformed to substantially conform to the inside diameter of the existing pipeline, heat-fusible fittings are provided to replace removed portions of the existing pipeline and heat-fused to the polymer liner, and transition fittings provided to operably connect the replacement pipeline to those portions of the existing pipeline not within the replacement scope. The completed replacement polymer pipeline creates an operable wetted pressure boundary within the bounds of the replaced existing pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Inventor: Joseph Timothy Nippes