Patents by Inventor Gary J. Chouest

Gary J. Chouest 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: 8328465
    Abstract: A method and associated vessel for transferring liquids from offshore tankers to an onshore storage facility. The system utilizes a flexible pipe that is heavier than the water it displaces, such that the flexible pipe sinks to the sea floor even when empty. The high weight and relatively small profile of the flexible pipe avoids the need for anchoring the pipe to the sea floor. The flexible pipe has a bending radius of no greater than five feet, such that it can be wound onto spools onboard the vessel, and can be rapidly deployed, retrieved, and reused in another location. The vessel containing the spools of flexible pipe is dynamic positioning capable, and contains the equipment required to establish a position onshore to receive the liquid being transferred; means to deploy, retrieve, and repair the flexible pipe; and means to receive liquid from a tanker vessel and pump that liquid through the flexible pipe to the onshore storage facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Reel Pipe, LLC
    Inventor: Gary J. Chouest