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).
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Patent number: 12589836Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 10, 2023Date of Patent: March 31, 2026Assignee: MODEC America, Inc.Inventors: Hao Yu, Yonghui Liu, Stephen Lindblade
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Patent number: 11679844Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 6, 2020Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: SOFEC, INC.Inventors: Yonghui Liu, Stephen Lindblade
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Publication number: 20230166816Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2023Publication date: June 1, 2023Applicant: SOFEC, INC.Inventors: Hao Yu, Yonghui Liu, Stephen Lindblade
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Patent number: 11560203Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 6, 2020Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: SOFEC, INC.Inventors: Hao Yu, Yonghui Liu, Stephen Lindblade
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Publication number: 20210139108Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2020Publication date: May 13, 2021Applicant: SOFEC, INC.Inventors: Hao Yu, Yonghui Liu, Stephen Lindblade
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Publication number: 20210139109Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2020Publication date: May 13, 2021Applicant: SOFEC, INC.Inventors: Yonghui Liu, Stephen Lindblade
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Patent number: 8671864Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 13, 2012Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: SOFEC, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Lindblade, William Fontenot, Caspar Heyl
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Publication number: 20130269582Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2012Publication date: October 17, 2013Inventors: Stephen Lindblade, William Fontenot, Caspar Heyl