Patents by Inventor Stephen Lindblade

Stephen Lindblade 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: 12589836
    Abstract: Surge damping systems and processes for using same. In some embodiments, a system for mooring a vessel can include a mooring support structure that can include a base structure and a turntable disposed on the base structure. A vessel support structure can be disposed on the vessel. At least one extension arm can be suspended from the vessel support structure. A ballast tank can be connected to the extension arm. A uni-directional passive surge damping system can be disposed on the vessel and can include an elongated tension member connected to the ballast tank that can be configured to dampen a movement of the ballast tank by applying a tension thereto. A yoke can extend from and can be connected at a first end to the ballast tank and can include a yoke head disposed on a second end thereof that can be configured to connect to the turntable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2026
    Assignee: MODEC America, Inc.
    Inventors: Hao Yu, Yonghui Liu, Stephen Lindblade
  • Patent number: 11679844
    Abstract: Mooring support structures, systems for mooring vessels, and processes for using same. In some embodiments, a system for mooring a vessel can include a mooring support structure than can include a post connected at a first end to a turntable disposed on a base structure. The post can extend out from the turntable and a yoke head connector can be connected to a second end of the post. A distal end of the yoke head connector can provide a disconnection location such that when a yoke head is disconnected from the yoke head connector, the yoke head can fall by gravity from the yoke head connector without contacting the mooring support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: SOFEC, INC.
    Inventors: Yonghui Liu, Stephen Lindblade
  • Publication number: 20230166816
    Abstract: Surge damping systems and processes for using same. In some embodiments, a system for mooring a vessel can include a mooring support structure that can include a base structure and a turntable disposed on the base structure. A vessel support structure can be disposed on the vessel. At least one extension arm can be suspended from the vessel support structure. A ballast tank can be connected to the extension arm. A uni-directional passive surge damping system can be disposed on the vessel and can include an elongated tension member connected to the ballast tank that can be configured to dampen a movement of the ballast tank by applying a tension thereto. A yoke can extend from and can be connected at a first end to the ballast tank and can include a yoke head disposed on a second end thereof that can be configured to connect to the turntable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2023
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Applicant: SOFEC, INC.
    Inventors: Hao Yu, Yonghui Liu, Stephen Lindblade
  • Patent number: 11560203
    Abstract: Surge damping systems and processes for using same. In some embodiments, a system for mooring a vessel can include a mooring support structure that can include a base structure and a turntable disposed on the base structure. A vessel support structure can be disposed on the vessel. At least one extension arm can be suspended from the vessel support structure. A ballast tank can be connected to the extension arm. A uni-directional passive surge damping system can be disposed on the vessel and can include an elongated tension member connected to the ballast tank that can be configured to dampen a movement of the ballast tank by applying a tension thereto. A yoke can extend from and can be connected at a first end to the ballast tank and can include a yoke head disposed on a second end thereof that can be configured to connect to the turntable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: SOFEC, INC.
    Inventors: Hao Yu, Yonghui Liu, Stephen Lindblade
  • Publication number: 20210139108
    Abstract: Surge damping systems and processes for using same. In some embodiments, a system for mooring a vessel can include a mooring support structure that can include a base structure and a turntable disposed on the base structure. A vessel support structure can be disposed on the vessel. At least one extension arm can be suspended from the vessel support structure. A ballast tank can be connected to the extension arm. A uni-directional passive surge damping system can be disposed on the vessel and can include an elongated tension member connected to the ballast tank that can be configured to dampen a movement of the ballast tank by applying a tension thereto. A yoke can extend from and can be connected at a first end to the ballast tank and can include a yoke head disposed on a second end thereof that can be configured to connect to the turntable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Applicant: SOFEC, INC.
    Inventors: Hao Yu, Yonghui Liu, Stephen Lindblade
  • Publication number: 20210139109
    Abstract: Mooring support structures, systems for mooring vessels, and processes for using same. In some embodiments, a system for mooring a vessel can include a mooring support structure than can include a post connected at a first end to a turntable disposed on a base structure. The post can extend out from the turntable and a yoke head connector can be connected to a second end of the post. A distal end of the yoke head connector can provide a disconnection location such that when a yoke head is disconnected from the yoke head connector, the yoke head can fall by gravity from the yoke head connector without contacting the mooring support structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Applicant: SOFEC, INC.
    Inventors: Yonghui Liu, Stephen Lindblade
  • Patent number: 8671864
    Abstract: A radial bearing arrangement (2) including a turret (14) carried by a vessel (10), the turret (14) having an outer annular rail (38) secured about its outer circumference. The radial bearing arrangement (2) also includes a plurality of rollers (104) attached to the vessel (10) via bearing assemblies (74). The bearing assemblies (74) are arranged and designed to urge the rollers (104) into contact with the annular rail (38), and to limit radial movement of the vessel (10) relative to the turret (14). A plurality of bearing pads (114) are attached to the vessel (10) and positioned circumferentially between the bearing assemblies (74). The bearing pads (114) are arranged and designed to contact the rail (38) under peak loading to limit radial movement of the vessel (10) relative to the turret (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: SOFEC, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Lindblade, William Fontenot, Caspar Heyl
  • Publication number: 20130269582
    Abstract: A radial bearing arrangement (2) including a turret (14) carried by a vessel (10), the turret (14) having an outer annular rail (38) secured about its outer circumference. The radial bearing arrangement (2) also includes a plurality of rollers (104) attached to the vessel (10) via bearing assemblies (74). The bearing assemblies (74) are arranged and designed to urge the rollers (104) into contact with the annular rail (38), and to limit radial movement of the vessel (10) relative to the turret (14). A plurality of bearing pads (114) are attached to the vessel (10) and positioned circumferentially between the bearing assemblies (74). The bearing pads (114) are arranged and designed to contact the rail (38) under peak loading to limit radial movement of the vessel (10) relative to the turret (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Stephen Lindblade, William Fontenot, Caspar Heyl