Patents by Inventor Neil M. Miller

Neil M. Miller 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).

  • Integrated tank erection and support carriage for a semi-membrane LNG tank
    Patent number: 6626319
    Abstract: In the typical embodiment of the invention described in the specification, a prismatic semi-membrane LNG tank is assembled within a support carriage surrounding the top and side walls of the tank and is connected to the tank by a plurality of load bearing insulating support blocks affixed to T-shaped beams on the tank and received in channel shaped members on the support carriage. The tank is assembled within the carriage which is slidably received within a temporary supporting structure and, when the tank has been completed, the integrated carriage and the tank are transferred to the hull of a ship or other permanent support structure. A pipe tower within the tank is affixed to the bottom wall of the tank and slidably connected to a tank dome at the top of the tank which is welded to the top wall of the tank. Stop members limit downward motion of the tank tower with respect to the top wall of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Electric Boat Corporation
    Inventors: Neil M. Miller, David L. Jordan, Joseph J. Cuneo, Robert D. Goldbuch, Edmund G. Tornay
  • Integrated tank erection and support carriage for a semi-membrane LNG tank
    Publication number: 20030057214
    Abstract: In the typical embodiment of the invention described in the specification, a prismatic semi-membrane LNG tank is assembled within a support carriage surrounding the top and side walls of the tank and is connected to the tank by a plurality of load bearing insulating support blocks affixed to T-shaped beams on the tank and received in channel shaped members on the support carriage. The tank is assembled within the carriage which is slidably received within a temporary supporting structure and, when the tank has been completed, the integrated carriage and the tank are transferred to the hull of a ship or other permanent support structure. A pipe tower within the tank is affixed to the bottom wall of the tank and slidably connected to a tank dome at the top of the tank which is welded to the top wall of the tank. Stop members limit downward motion of the tank tower with respect to the top wall of the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Neil M. Miller, David L. Jordan, Joseph J. Cuneo, Robert D. Goldbuch, Edmund G. Tornay
  • Liquefied natural gas tank and containment system
    Patent number: 5727492
    Abstract: Liquid cargo tank and support system suitable for liquified natural gas, LNG, for LNG cargo ships includes a semi-membrane tank having vertical walls constructed of a series of curved plates and a girder support system that permits access to the tank exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Marinex International Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Cuneo, Robert D. Goldbach, Neil M. Miller, Edmund G. Tornay