Patents by Inventor Aad Van Der Kam

Aad Van Der Kam has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10124860
    Abstract: A method of handling a unit arranged in a watertight hoisting chamber opening into a hull of a vessel is provided. The unit is adapted to extend into the water below the vessel when installed at its mounted position. The unit is clamped in its mounted position by clamping means and releasing fixing means fix the unit into its mounted position while holding the unit clamped in position. The hoisting chamber is at least partly flooded, the clamping means are simultaneously released and the unit lifted from its mounted position by applying a lifting force to the unit by lifting devices, and the unit is hoisted away from the hoisting chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: WARTSILA NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventor: Aad Van Der Kam
  • Patent number: 9849938
    Abstract: An assembly in a marine vessel includes a unit arranged in a water tight chamber opening in a hull of a vessel, wherein the unit is adapted to extend into the water below the vessel when at a mounted position. A connection path between an inside and an outside of the vessel is provided with a sealing system and the sealing system divides the connection path into an outside connection path portion and an inside connection path portion. The assembly includes a gas inlet system opening to the outside connection path portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: WARTSILA NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Aad Van der Kam, Bart Van der Ven
  • Patent number: 9630693
    Abstract: The lubrication of a steerable thruster of a marine vessel is based on splash-type lubrication at the pod and full bath lubrication in the stembox and in the shank. The lubrication oil enters the pod both from the stembox and the shank via a constriction and directly from the oil tank. The oil is further circulated from the pod to the oil tank by means of pumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: WARTSILA FINLAND OY
    Inventors: Arnoud De Kruijf, Rik Roemen, Aad Van Der Kam, Bart Van Der Ven
  • Patent number: 9440708
    Abstract: A closing cover for closing an opening in a hull of a marine vessel, includes a first part and a second part. The second part has a cylindrical periphery wall and a water tight inner section bordered by the periphery wall and the first part has a flange plate portion extending radially over the periphery wall of the second part, in which the first part and the second part are removably attached to each other. The second part is provided with a sealing system and attaching pins at its outer cylindrical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: WÄRTSILÄ NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventor: Aad Van Der Kam
  • Patent number: 9266595
    Abstract: A novel retractable thruster unit for a marine vessel using a tunnel thruster includes a nozzle having an end, the end being provided with two closing plates, a top closing plate, and a bottom closing plate. The closing plates are arranged 180 degrees apart on opposite sides of the axis of the propeller and extend substantially axially from the end of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Wärtsilä Finland Oy
    Inventor: Aad Van Der Kam
  • Publication number: 20150284052
    Abstract: A method of handling a unit arranged in a watertight hoisting chamber opening into a hull of a vessel is provided. The unit is adapted to extend into the water below the vessel when installed at its mounted position. The unit is clamped in its mounted position by clamping means and releasing fixing means fix the unit into its mounted position while holding the unit clamped in position. The hoisting chamber is at least partly flooded, the clamping means are simultaneously released and the unit lifted from its mounted position by applying a lifting force to the unit by lifting devices, and the unit is hoisted away from the hoisting chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Inventor: Aad Van Der Kam
  • Publication number: 20150266545
    Abstract: A closing cover for closing an opening in a hull of a marine vessel, includes a first part and a second part. The second part has a cylindrical periphery wall and a water tight inner section bordered by the periphery wall and the first part has a flange plate portion extending radially over the periphery wall of the second part, in which the first part and the second part are removably attached to each other. The second part is provided with a sealing system and an attaching means at its outer cylindrical surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventor: Aad Van Der Kam
  • Publication number: 20150259038
    Abstract: An assembly in a marine vessel includes a unit arranged in a water tight chamber opening in a hull of a vessel, wherein the unit is adapted to extend into the water below the vessel when at a mounted position. A connection path between an inside and an outside of the vessel is provided with a sealing system and the sealing system divides the connection path into an outside connection path portion and an inside connection path portion. The assembly includes a gas inlet system opening to the outside connection path portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventors: Aad Van Der Kam, Bart Van Der Ven
  • Patent number: 8926382
    Abstract: A method for maintenance of a unit which is arranged in a watertight hoisting chamber and closes an opening in a vessel hull is described. The method includes clamping of the unit in its mounted position by a clamping member so that fixing member of the unit can be removed while the unit is held clamped in position. After the hoisting chamber is flooded to a desired level, the clamping of the unit can be completely released and no unintentional movement of the unit will occur. Guide member may be provided together with the apparatus and an automatic design of the clamping member can also be provided. Preferably, the clamping member are hydraulic cylinders which press the unit into its mounted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Wartsila Finland Oy
    Inventors: Aad Van Der Kam, Arnoud De Kruijf
  • Publication number: 20140318898
    Abstract: The lubrication of a steerable thruster of a marine vessel is based on splash-type lubrication at the pod and full bath lubrication in the stembox and in the shank. The lubrication oil enters the pod both from the stembox and the shank via a constriction and directly from the oil tank. The oil is further circulated from the pod to the oil tank by means of pumps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: WARTSILA FINLAND OY
    Inventors: Arnoud De Kruijf, Rik Roemen, Aad Van Der Kam, Bart Van Der Ven
  • Publication number: 20130298816
    Abstract: A novel retractable thruster unit for a marine vessel using a tunnel thruster includes a nozzle having an end, the end being provided with two closing plates, a top closing plate, and a bottom closing plate. The closing plates are arranged 180 degrees apart on opposite sides of the axis of the propeller and extend substantially axially from the end of the nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: WARTSILA FINLAND OY
    Inventor: Aad Van Der Kam
  • Publication number: 20130036962
    Abstract: A method for maintenance of a unit which is arranged in a watertight hoisting chamber and closes an opening in a vessel hull is described. The unit is adapted to extend into the water below the vessel. The method includes clamping of the unit in its mounted position by a clamping means so that fixing means of the unit can be removed while the unit is held clamped in position. After the hoisting chamber is flooded to a desired level, the clamping of the unit can be completely released and no unintentional movement of the unit will occur. Guide means may be provided together with the apparatus and an automatic design of the clamping means can also be provided. Especially using such elements, mounting of the unit becomes easy, when the unit is lowered under water to its mounted position, is clamped there by the clamping means so as to tightly close the opening and after removing the water from the hoisting chamber, the fixing means can be applied in a dry environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: WARTSILA FINLAND OY
    Inventors: Aad Van Der Kam, Arnoud De Kruijf