Patents by Inventor James V. Maher

James V. Maher 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).

  • Publication number: 20240117788
    Abstract: Delivery of a high volume of floating systems for wind turbines can make floating wind economic. The delivery can involve the standard design of sections, such as “tubes” or “cans,” comprising a rolled plate and ring stiffeners. The delivery can then involve the transportation of the sections in block to an assembly site that is closer to the planned installation point. The sections are used to manufacture floating vessels, such as semi-submersibles, buoyant towers, and/or spars, at the assembly site, which can include a barge with cranes. For semi-submersibles, the delivery can then involve the installation of the Tower, the nacelle, and blades using the barge cranes. Alternatively, for spars or buoyant towers, the nacelle and blades can be installed at an off-shore location using a platform, such as a standard jack-up vessel or a crane jacket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: James V MAHER, Kim MITTENDORF
  • Patent number: 11867148
    Abstract: Delivery of a high volume of floating systems for wind turbines can make floating wind economic. The delivery can involve the standard design of sections, such as “tubes” or “cans,” comprising a rolled plate and ring stiffeners. The delivery can then involve the transportation of the sections in block to an assembly site that is closer to the planned installation point. The sections are used to manufacture floating vessels, such as semi-submersibles, buoyant towers, and/or spars, at the assembly site, which can include a barge with cranes. For semi-submersibles, the delivery can then involve the installation of the Tower, the nacelle, and blades using the barge cranes. Alternatively, for spars or buoyant towers, the nacelle and blades can be installed at an off-shore location using a platform, such as a standard jack-up vessel or a crane jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Trendsetter Vulcan Offshore, Inc.
    Inventors: James V Maher, Kim Mittendorf
  • Patent number: 11821279
    Abstract: A tensioning system includes a combined rope gripper and tension cylinder. A rope passes through the combined rope gripper and tension cylinder. Once the length and/or tension of the rope has been adjusted, a reel lock handle can be actuated to prevent further rotation of the reel. The combined rope gripper and tension cylinder can be actuated to hold the rope. The combined rope gripper and tension cylinder can also be actuated to reduce or prevent the release of tension in the rope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Trendsetter Vulcan Offshore, Inc.
    Inventors: James V. Maher, Ricky Brown, Daniel McCelvey, Donald La Vigne
  • Publication number: 20230296191
    Abstract: A system is used to reduce the bending moments in Coil Tubing (“CT”). The system includes a segmented and closable cage that can close around the CT. The cage includes rollers, such as elastomeric rollers, that can allow for both vertical translations of the CT and rotations of the CT around the vertical axis. The cage rests on a seat, such as an elastomeric seat, provided inside a cylindrical housing. In order to monitor the bending moments in the CT, the pins that hold in the rollers are preferably load pins. This bend limiting system can be located below the CT injector, at the vessel deck level, or in the moonpool. The bend limiting system can be used in offshore or land operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventor: James V. Maher
  • Patent number: 11739596
    Abstract: A joint assembly allows a riser system to have a weak point that can fail at a known location and tension value without reducing the riser pressure containment capacity. The joint assembly includes a standard riser pipe machined to remove material, for example, to form a groove. The joint assembly also comprises means for restoring pressure capacity. For example, the means for restoring pressure capacity include a combination of a thick-bodied clamp and a split insert ring. The split insert ring can bridge between the groove and the clamp, at least partially transferring the pressure load contained inside the machined pipe to the clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: TRENDSETTER VULCAN OFFSHORE, INC.
    Inventor: James V. Maher
  • Publication number: 20230144686
    Abstract: A tensioning system includes a combined rope gripper and tension cylinder. A rope passes through the combined rope gripper and tension cylinder. Once the length and/or tension of the rope has been adjusted, a reel lock handle can be actuated to prevent further rotation of the reel. The combined rope gripper and tension cylinder can be actuated to hold the rope. The combined rope gripper and tension cylinder can also be actuated to reduce or prevent the release of tension in the rope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2023
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: JAMES V. MAHER, RICKY BROWN, DANIEL MCCELVEY, DONALD LA VIGNE
  • Publication number: 20230132289
    Abstract: A system includes several load cells, each coupled to a lashing that secures shipping containers, accelerometer cells, each coupled to a shipping container at the top of a stack, and an inclinometer cell coupled to a cargo ship. The cells are configured to transmit data to a computer. All the cells comprise a processor programmed to acquire a time series of measurements and, preferably, decompose the time series into a sum of sinusoidal signals, each having a frequency and an amplitude. Alternatively, the computer can be programmed to decompose the time series. The computer is programmed to identify the signal components caused by the roll of the cargo ship or by resonances in shipping container stacks. The computer estimates cumulated damages caused by fatigue in the lashings and/or twist locks. The system is used to trigger alarms and/or schedule maintenance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventor: James V. Maher
  • Publication number: 20230062766
    Abstract: A joint assembly allows a riser system to have a weak point that can fail at a known location and tension value without reducing the riser pressure containment capacity. The joint assembly includes a standard riser pipe machined to remove material, for example, to form a groove. The joint assembly also comprises means for restoring pressure capacity. For example, the means for restoring pressure capacity include a combination of a thick-bodied clamp and a split insert ring. The split insert ring can bridge between the groove and the clamp, at least partially transferring the pressure load contained inside the machined pipe to the clamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventor: James V. Maher
  • Patent number: 11560205
    Abstract: A lifting system includes elevator towers constructed on a deck of a floating vessel, tracks constructed above the deck of the floating vessel, a traveling cradle beam, and one or more cranes supported by the traveling cradle beam. The traveling cradle beam can be in a first configuration in which the traveling cradle beam is coupled to the elevator towers and can move along the elevator towers past the tracks, and in a second configuration in which the traveling cradle beam is decoupled from the elevator towers and can skid over the tracks. The lifting system can be constructed in stages, and the portion of the lifting system constructed in the initial stages can be used to continue constructing the lifting system in the remaining stages. The lifting system can be used for transporting equipment on the floating vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Inventors: James V. Maher, Ricky Brown, David Sverre
  • Patent number: 11549325
    Abstract: A tensioning system includes a combined rope gripper and tension cylinder. A rope passes through the combined rope gripper and tension cylinder. Once the length and/or tension of the rope has been adjusted, a reel lock handle can be actuated to prevent further rotation of the reel. The combined rope gripper and tension cylinder can be actuated to hold the rope. The combined rope gripper and tension cylinder can also be actuated to reduce or prevent the release of tension in the rope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Inventors: James V. Maher, Ricky Brown, Daniel McCelvey, Donald La Vigne
  • Publication number: 20220402577
    Abstract: A system for tethering a subsea structure includes an anchor embedded in the sea bed, a mud mat disposed partially above the seafloor, a link attached to the anchor and to the mud mat, and a flexible tension member. One end of the flexible tension member is coupled to a tensioning system configured to pay in and pay out the flexible tension member. The tensioning system is mounted on one of the subsea structure or on the mud mat. The other end of the flexible tension member is coupled to the other of the subsea structure or on the mud mat. The anchor may optionally be buried below the seafloor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventor: James V. Maher
  • Publication number: 20220260058
    Abstract: Delivery of a high volume of floating systems for wind turbines can make floating wind economic. The delivery can involve the standard design of sections, such as “tubes” or “cans,” comprising a rolled plate and ring stiffeners. The delivery can then involve the transportation of the sections in block to an assembly site that is closer to the planned installation point. The sections are used to manufacture floating vessels, such as semi-submersibles, buoyant towers, and/or spars, at the assembly site, which can include a barge with cranes. For semi-submersibles, the delivery can then involve the installation of the Tower, the nacelle, and blades using the barge cranes. Alternatively, for spars or buoyant towers, the nacelle and blades can be installed at an off-shore location using a platform, such as a standard jack-up vessel or a crane jacket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventors: James V MAHER, Kim MITTENDORF
  • Patent number: 11312454
    Abstract: A lashing system is usable on cargo ships that are transporting shipping containers, optionally as a supplement to standard lashing bridges provided on cargo ships. The lashing system includes a support that can interface with the pre-existing interlocking system provided on the shipping containers. The support can be lifted and placed on a stack of shipping containers using the same cranes used for loading and unloading shipping containers. The lashing system includes lashings that are attached to the support and are releasably connectable to another shipping container or to a structure of the cargo ship. The tension in the lashings is preferably monitored during the trips of the cargo ships.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Inventors: James V. Maher, David Sverre, Ricky Brown, Eugene Pentimonti
  • Publication number: 20220097805
    Abstract: A lifting system includes elevator towers constructed on a deck of a floating vessel, tracks constructed above the deck of the floating vessel, a traveling cradle beam, and one or more cranes supported by the traveling cradle beam. The traveling cradle beam can be in a first configuration in which the traveling cradle beam is coupled to the elevator towers and can move along the elevator towers past the tracks, and in a second configuration in which the traveling cradle beam is decoupled from the elevator towers and can skid over the tracks. The lifting system can be constructed in stages, and the portion of the lifting system constructed in the initial stages can be used to continue constructing the lifting system in the remaining stages. The lifting system can be used for transporting equipment on the floating vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: James V. Maher, Ricky Brown, David Sverre
  • Patent number: 11268354
    Abstract: A dynamically positioned vessel (DPV) is located above an injection well, inject water or other fluids temporarily or for a short period of time, adjust the injection parameters, and either continue operating for the life of the system or as long as required to add permanent facilities on another platform. The DPV is connected to the potential injection well via a hybrid riser system. The hybrid riser system includes a rigid portion and a flexible portion. Injection using the DPV and the hybrid rise system can be more economical than injection using a conventional mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU) and a rigid riser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Inventors: David Older, James V. Maher, Patrick Michael Cargol
  • Patent number: 11235841
    Abstract: A lashing system is usable on cargo ships that are transporting shipping containers, optionally as a supplement to standard lashing bridges provided on cargo ships. The lashing system includes a support that can interface with the pre-existing interlocking system provided on the shipping containers. The support can be lifted and placed on a stack of shipping containers using the same cranes used for loading and unloading shipping containers. The lashing system includes lashings that are attached to the support and are releasably connectable to another shipping container or to a structure of the cargo ship. The tension in the lashings is preferably monitored during the trips of the cargo ships.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Trendsetter Vulcan Offshore, Inc.
    Inventors: James V. Maher, David Sverre, Ricky Brown, Eugene Pentimonti
  • Publication number: 20220010645
    Abstract: A tensioning system includes a combined rope gripper and tension cylinder. A rope passes through the combined rope gripper and tension cylinder. Once the length and/or tension of the rope has been adjusted, a reel lock handle can be actuated to prevent further rotation of the reel. The combined rope gripper and tension cylinder can be actuated to hold the rope. The combined rope gripper and tension cylinder can also be actuated to reduce or prevent the release of tension in the rope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: JAMES V. MAHER, RICKY BROWN, DANIEL MCCELVEY, DONALD LA VIGNE
  • Patent number: 11208862
    Abstract: For completing a well, and for performing workover or intervention operations with the well, a surface BOP stack is coupled to the subsea wellhead or a subsea tree via a high pressure riser. The well is completed or the workover or intervention operations are performed through the surface BOP stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Trendsetter Vulcan Offshore, Inc.
    Inventor: James V. Maher
  • Publication number: 20210396100
    Abstract: A dynamically positioned vessel (DPV) is located above an injection well, inject water or other fluids temporarily or for a short period of time, adjust the injection parameters, and either continue operating for the life of the system or as long as required to add permanent facilities on another platform. The DPV is connected to the potential injection well via a hybrid riser system. The hybrid riser system includes a rigid portion and a flexible portion. Injection using the DPV and the hybrid rise system can be more economical than injection using a conventional mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU) and a rigid riser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: David Older, James V. Maher, Patrick Michael Cargol
  • Patent number: 11203909
    Abstract: A mudline closure device is lowered between tensioners coupled to a deck of a vessel or rig onto a subsea wellhead. A tensioner platform is then attached to the tensioners. The tensioner platform includes a platform opening having an inner diameter through which an emergency disconnect system may pass. The tensioner platform also includes rotation bearings secured in the platform opening. A split support includes outer surfaces disposed along its circumference. The outer surfaces are seated on the rotation bearings. The split support includes a support opening having an inner diameter through which a marine riser may pass. The split support also includes a landing shoulder secured in the support opening to suspend a surface blowout preventer to the deck. As the vessel or rig changes direction, the split support rotates relative to the tensioner platform without imparting excessive torsion on the marine riser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: TRENDSETTER VULCAN OFFSHORE, INC.
    Inventors: James V. Maher, Daniel McCelvey