Floating Platform Patents (Class 114/264)
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Patent number: 12152560Abstract: Disclosed herein is a power generating apparatus for extracting energy from flowing water. The apparatus comprises a buoyancy vessel, and a turbine assembly coupled to the buoyancy vessel. The turbine assembly comprises a turbine rotor mounted to a nacelle, and a support structure. The support structure comprises an open structure defining at least one void configured to provide a passage for water to flow through. The support structure is pivotally coupled at its inboard end to the buoyancy vessel at at least two vertically spaced connection locations and at its outboard end to the nacelle. The turbine assembly is pivotally moveable between a first position and a second position. When the power generating apparatus is floating on a body of water, in the first position the nacelle is fully submerged below the water surface; and in the second position at least a part of the nacelle is projects above the water surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2021Date of Patent: November 26, 2024Assignee: Orbital Marine Power LimitedInventors: William Annal, Jonathan Meason
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Patent number: 12103658Abstract: A sea water intake riser system for a floating production unit, including a caisson having a through-opening in a bottom side and being connectable to an upper end of a riser pipe; a lift pump inside the caisson and having an inlet at a vertical distance with a predetermined minimum submergence for pumping cold water from the caisson up to the floating production unit for use as cooling medium, wherein the sea water intake riser system includes at least two caissons, having a height substantially equal to a vertical height of a hull of the floating production unit and including an open top side; each caisson extending from a predetermined minimum distance from the bottom side of the hull up to at least the water-line during use and wherein a sump tank is located between the bottom side of the hull and the at least two caissons.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2020Date of Patent: October 1, 2024Assignee: SINGLE BUOY MOORINGS INC.Inventors: Xiaoqiang Bian, Peimin Cao, Chen Xiang, Qing Li
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Patent number: 12071209Abstract: In a vessel for installing a structure onto or into a seabed, multiple actuators comprised by a dynamic positioning system and a structure positioning system may be used for controlling a position and/or orientation of the structure. When two actuators are actuated simultaneously or in rapid succession, instabilities may occur. Furthermore, two actuators may be working in opposite directions or with opposite control goals. To increase stability and/or workability of the vessel's actuators, a supervisory control arrangement is provided to interconnect control systems of different actuators of the vessel, for example the dynamic positioning system and the structure positioning system. Where previously the dynamic positioning system and the structure position system were individually operating system, with the supervisory control arrangement one system can take into account an input and/or output of the other system.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2020Date of Patent: August 27, 2024Assignee: BAGGERMAATSCHAPPIJ BOSKALIS B.V.Inventor: Alexander Adriaan Rudolf Breijs
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Patent number: 12054228Abstract: Floating support for a wind turbine including a central support member, and at least three buoyancy assemblies, each connected to the central support member via a radial connector beam and mutually interconnected via a transverse connector beam, wherein each buoyancy assembly includes a connector body having two radial sides, an outward and an inward transverse side, wherein two transverse connector beams and a radial connector beam extend away from the inward transverse side of the connector body, an anchor is provided at or near the outward transverse side of the connector body and the radial sides of the connector body are each connected to a respective buoyancy element.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2019Date of Patent: August 6, 2024Assignee: SINGLE BUOY MOORINGS INC.Inventors: Guillaume Bonnaffoux, Morgan Ducarin, Benjamin Bodot, Alexis Moinard, Nicolas Fourdilis, Christian Raymond Bauduin, Cécile Melis, Antoine Le Cotty
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Patent number: 12037092Abstract: A floating foundation includes a plurality of unit modules that can be fabricated in an efficient manner and then assembled, on shore or afloat near the deployment location. The floating foundation can be applied to various offshore energy systems, such as wind power generation, and in deployment locations with limited infrastructure.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2023Date of Patent: July 16, 2024Assignee: VL Offshore, LLCInventors: Sung Youn Boo, Steffen A Shelley
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Patent number: 12024270Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide an underwater vehicle includes a vehicle body having a frame enclosed by a fairing. The vehicle body extends between a proximal end and a distal end and defining an interior. A nose is disposed at the proximal end of the vehicle body. The nose has a tow system configured to move between a tow position and a stow position. A propulsion system is disposed at the distal end of the vehicle body. The propulsion system includes a plurality of control fins and a thruster. A power distribution system is housed in the interior of the vehicle body. The power distribution system includes a first power system housed in a first pressure vessel and a second power system housed in a second pressure vessel. The first pressure vessel is isolated from the second pressure vessel.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2021Date of Patent: July 2, 2024Assignee: ANDURIL INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: William Timothy Lebo, Timothy George Raymond, John Joseph Fisher Junior, Jeffrey Alan Wylie, Hayden Allen Henderson, Samuel John Russo, Jerrold Sgobbo, Noah Michael Bracci, James Gabriel Buescher, Izirlei Guimaraes Filho, Edward Anthony Celkis
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Patent number: 11878777Abstract: A system is demonstrated for heave neutralisation of semisubmersible platforms that can be built into any conceivable configuration of such platforms. That the system is also conceivably active and predicatively can be controlled can be concluded by analysing the appended calculation models. As an example FIG. 18, column E, is mentioned, wherein the water volume increments in the rise canister are 37 cubic metres for each half metre of wave height, so that, with reference to column A, from H=10.5 m to H=12 m is 4×37 148 cubic metres more than 150 tonnes—simultaneously with the air pressure, shown in column K, increasing from 123.86 to 131.05 kPa, a difference of just 6.19 kPa (0.0619 bar or 61.9 millibars). Large ballast volumes can be moved out and in of the system at small pressure changes and short response time.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2019Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: STATIONMAR ASInventor: Per Andreas Vatne
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Patent number: 11661158Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a vessel includes: a hull 100 provided with a propellant 140; a deck 200 spaced apart from the hull 100; and a support 300 between the hull 100 and the deck 200, the support 300 configured to support 300 the deck 200 with respect to the hull 100, wherein the hull 100 is disposed below a water surface during operation, and the deck 200 is supported by the support 300 to be disposed above the water surface during operation.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2021Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Inventors: Yun Hye Han, John Suk Lee
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Patent number: 11649806Abstract: A method of installing a wind turbine generator onto a floating foundation. The floating foundation has variable buoyancy and is pre-ballasted to float at a predetermined vertical position before installation of a wind turbine generator component onto the floating foundation. A wind turbine generator component supported by lifting equipment is brought towards the floating foundation until contact is made with the floating foundation. Ballast is removed from the floating foundation to increase the buoyancy of the floating foundation such that weight of the wind turbine generator component supported by the floating foundation is increased from substantially zero to substantially the entire weight of the wind turbine generator component. The vertical position of the floating foundation is substantially unchanged during transferring weight of the wind turbine generator component onto the floating foundation.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2019Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/SInventor: Alf Olsen
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Patent number: 11584482Abstract: Floats including a central chamber, a peripheral chamber, and a ballast matter. The peripheral chamber is radially spaced from the central chamber proximate a radial periphery of the float in a substantially common plane with the central chamber. The ballast matter is disposed in either the central chamber or the peripheral chamber. The float is buoyant and configured to float on an external liquid surface in a substantially horizontal plane. The ballast matter operates to maintain the center of gravity of the float proximate to the geometric center of the float when the float tilts relative to the horizontal plane.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2021Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Inventor: Matthieu Alirol
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Patent number: 11566478Abstract: A system includes a first structure configured to be coupled to a tubular string extending to a seafloor, whereby the first structure comprises a drill floor. The system further includes a second structure configured to provide a lateral force to the first structure while allowing for vertical movement between the first structure and the second structure relative to the seafloor.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2020Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: Ensco International IncorporatedInventor: Van Van Vu
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Patent number: 11447213Abstract: The present invention relates to a submerged-floating type water house. The house comprises: a first lower side part and a second lower side part formed symmetrically with respect to each other; a first upper side part and a second upper side part formed symmetrically and extending from the first lower side part and the second lower side part; and a front part and a rear part formed in front of and in back of the first lower side part and second lower side part and the first upper side part and second upper side part, thereby forming a rhombic-shaped body and floating in water.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2017Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Inventor: Young Seok Lee
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Patent number: 11305849Abstract: Present invention provides a float capable of suppressing deformation of the synthetic resin body even if internal gas expands and contracts due to environmental temperature change. A float comprises a float body made of a synthetic resin molded in a hollow shape, a projecting portion projecting from the upper surface of the float body and having a vent hole, and a microporous membrane adhered to the outside of the vent hole.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2020Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: KYORAKU CO., LTD.Inventors: Takaya Niimi, Yoshinori Motohashi, Tsutomu Sakaguchi
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Patent number: 11290054Abstract: Disclosed are a floating photovoltaic panel installation structure and a buoyancy body for the installation of the floating photovoltaic panel, which may have excellent strength and buoyancy performance even while having light-weight characteristics, and stably support a photovoltaic panel on the water even during the flowing of a water surface due to waves.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2019Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: SEMI LED CO., LTD.Inventors: Hyo Lee, Young Choul Park, Noh Joon Park, Kang Hwa Lee
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Patent number: 11274527Abstract: A system and method for protecting workers, vehicles, and well-heads by enclosing well-site cellars with a series of framed plates. Each plate is perforated and configured for lifting with holes for hoisting the plates. Each plate is lipped to be retained by longitudinal edges of the cellar. A plurality of plates supports a platform for supporting a pipe wrangler adjacent a cellar based wellbore.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2017Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: St. Peter Metal Works, LLCInventors: Joseph Ware, Thomas St. Peter
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Patent number: 11254398Abstract: A porous-structure device includes a semi-submersible platform consisting of four columns, two pontoons, two horizontal supports and a deck. Fillets on middle portions of the columns have a square section, a radius of the fillets, close to the deck and the pontoons, of the columns is gradually decreased to 0, a porous device is disposed outside each column and is formed by combining and connecting four single components, and each single component is formed by combining and connecting a plurality of porous laminated plates and a plurality of connecting pieces. The parameters, such as the pore type, porosity, number of layers, interlayer spacing and installation height, of the porous laminated plates are set according to the wave characteristics in different sea areas.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2020Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: SHANGHAI JIAO TONG UNIVERSITYInventors: Longfei Xiao, Zhichao Fang, Haobo Li, Yufeng Kou, Mingyue Liu, Handi Wei, Guocheng Zhao
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Patent number: 11242837Abstract: The present invention provides a floating offshore wind turbine capable of suppressing yawing of a nacelle caused by a gyro effect which is a cause of adverse influence of power generating efficiency of a wind turbine and endurance of devices thereof. The floating offshore wind turbine 10 includes a rotor 11 which is rotated by wind, a nacelle 13 in which a rotation shaft 12 of the rotor 11 is accommodated, and a tower 15 including a turning seated bearing 14 which supports the nacelle 13 such that the nacelle 13 can turn with respect to a sea surface P to exert a weathercock effect. The tower is provided with yawing suppressing means 16 which suppresses yawing T of the nacelle 13. According to this, it is possible to suppress the yawing T of the nacelle 13 generated by a gyro effect caused by yawing ? generated in the floating body 31 by waves of the sea surface P.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2018Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MARITIME, PORT AND AVIATION TECHNOLOGYInventor: Shunji Inoue
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Patent number: 11173989Abstract: The present invention is a floating support structure (1) provided with a main floater (2) and a heave plate (3). The heave plate (3) comprises a single row of orifices (4), substantially parallel to the periphery of the heave plate.Type: GrantFiled: July 4, 2017Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLESInventors: Adrien Emery, Pauline Bozonnet, Yann Poirette, Timothee Perdrizet
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Patent number: 11173990Abstract: The present invention relates to a floating support structure (1) provided with a main floater (2) and with a heave plate (3). Heave plate (3) comprises a section varying with depth. Furthermore, heave plate (3) has a minimum horizontal section Sd1 greater than horizontal section Sc of main floater (2).Type: GrantFiled: July 4, 2017Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLESInventors: Adrien Emery, Pauline Bozonnet, Navid Saeedi, Victor Dupin
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Patent number: 11148757Abstract: There is provided an assembleable aquaboard made of fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP), including: a first plate having a first T-shaped slot on the top surface and a second T-shaped slot on the right side surface, a second plate having a third T-shaped slot on the top surface and a fourth T-shaped slot on the right side surface; a third plate having a fifth T-shaped slot on the top surface, a sixth T-shaped slot on the right side surface; a fourth plate having a seventh T-shaped slot on the top surface and an eighth T-shaped slot on the left side surface; a first T-shaped connector to connect the first and the third plates; a second T-shaped to connect the second and the fourth plates; and a first I-beam connector to connect the first plate, the second, the third plate and the fourth plate to form the assembleable aquaboard.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2018Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Inventor: Gui Li
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Patent number: 11142287Abstract: Systems and method for compensation of motions of a floating structure, which includes a lifting system with a working platform supported by its actuators driven along vertical axis, where the foremost and the aft-most units are paired with each other providing a self-leveling movement; and a balance system, which can freely deviate from its position relative to the deck, with its own actuators and which is arranged to at least one side of the working platform, providing an even distribution of weight enabling the working platform to remain upright and steady, regardless of the floating structure. The lifting system is associated with the balance system by the plurality of arrangements of motion units, which assure the substantially constant angle between the working platform and the working frame, providing free linear movement relative to the working frame regardless of the base structure and the floating structure.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2017Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: Skagerak Dynamics ASInventors: Andreas Krossen Jørgensen, Pawel Slawomir Sliwa
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Patent number: 11142291Abstract: This invention provides a floating platform with canted columns, and a new method of mooring line makeup and installation method that can be used for the canted columns. In one embodiment, the platform includes 3 columns having upper ends projecting above water surface. The columns are canted or inclined inward from the corner of hull toward the top of column. The 3 columns converge at the top of column such that each column will lean against the other 2 columns. Each column connects to the other 2 columns. Horizontally disposed pontoons interconnect adjacent columns at the lower ends. The columns and pontoons form a closed structure hull to support a foundation structure directly above the top of column.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2020Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: ARGUS MARINE SOLUTIONS, LLCInventors: Zhiyong Yang, Tingting Li, Nan Feng, Yumin Yang
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Patent number: 11075016Abstract: A nuclear reactor is positioned on a barge which is floating in a water tank. A plurality of counter weight assemblies interconnect the barge with the tank to create a lifting force to the barge and to maintain the barge in a level position. Structure is also included for limiting horizontal movement of the counter weight of the counter weight assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2019Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Inventor: Palvannanathan Ganesan
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Patent number: 11028655Abstract: A riser data logging system can be installed on the riser top to provide real time information of the riser, instead of or in addition to relying on sensors installed on a tensioner. The riser recoil detection system can thus be made independent of any motion of the vessel. This logging system can feedback the riser top acceleration, velocity, position, and the wire-line tensions into a controller. By comparing the acceleration difference between the riser top and the vessel body, the controller can provide more reliable and faster detection of events occurring on a vessel, potentially detecting the condition within one second. If the acceleration exceeds a certain limit, the electrical tensioners are able to reduce the wire-line tension nearly instantaneously, providing a much more effective anti-recoil control that conventional hydro-pneumatic tensioners.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2019Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: Aspin Kemp & Associates Holding Corp.Inventors: Yin Wu, Edward Peter Kenneth Bourgeau
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Patent number: 10975541Abstract: A system and method for mating equipment offshore to a spar buoy secured to a foundation without the use of a crane barge. The system comprises a floating vessel having a pair of forks defining a slot. A gimbal table, defining an opening, is positioned within the slot and connected to the vessel and a locking collar is mounted to the gimbal table. A mating member is attached to the spar buoy. The vessel is maneuvered to bring the spar buoy within the gimbal table opening. With the spar buoy positioned within the gimbal table opening, the locking collar is arranged and designed to releasably attach to the mating member of the spar buoy and restrict relative vertical motion between the spar buoy and the vessel while the gimbal table allows the floating vessel to roll and pitch without driving these motions into the spar buoy.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2017Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: SOFEC, INC.Inventors: Stephen P. Lindblade, Ananth Natarajan
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Patent number: 10941636Abstract: A drilling or work-over vessel (10) is disclosed comprising a number of operational equipment (300), wherein the drilling or work-over vessel comprises at least one operational control and/or state unit (100) comprising at least one processing unit (102), wherein the at least one operational control and/or state unit (100) comprises or are in connection with a memory and/or storage (103), and at least one sensor unit (200), wherein the at least one sensor unit (200) is adapted to obtain one or more measured physical values and to provide data representing the one or more measured physical values and/or derived values thereof to the at least one operational control and/or state unit (100), the memory and/or storage (103) comprises a data representation of a computational physics model of at least a part of the drilling or work-over rig, and the at least one processing unit (102) is adapted to derive data representing an estimation of one or more physical states (such as defined by limits of forces, relative moType: GrantFiled: September 26, 2016Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: MAERSK DRILLING A/S.Inventors: John Røn Pedersen, Jesper Holck
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Patent number: 10917035Abstract: A set of connectors for modular support platforms is provided. The connectors are used to aggregate at least two support elements, forming a support platform which can be rearranged by adding new support elements and connectors. The set of connectors is used to form a modular support platform for a solar panel power plant, allowing its installation in water surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2017Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: SOLARISFLOAT, LDAInventors: Nuno Correia, Carla Gomes, Ricardo Pinto, Luis Pina, Nuno Moita, Jorge Teixeira Da Silva
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Patent number: 10848094Abstract: The present invention provides a solar panel float in which an increase in the number of components is prevented and which is easy to assemble. A float for mounting a solar panel is provided with: an annular float portion; a first support portion that supports an edge on one side of the solar panel; and a second support portion that supports an edge on the other side of the solar panel. The first support portion includes a first support plate portion rising from a wall surface on one side of an inner periphery of the annular float portion. The first support plate portion is formed of a cut-and-raised piece that has been cut and raised, from a flat plate portion integrally formed so as to close the inner periphery during molding of the annular float portion, using a lower-side portion of the flat plate portion as a bending-fulcrum point.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2019Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: KYORAKU CO., LTD.Inventor: Takaya Niimi
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Patent number: 10807681Abstract: The invention encompasses fire-escape models of off-shore rigs with emphasis on a ‘Detachable Island Rig’ (DIR), the latter instantly unlocked upon a rig-fire from a permanent ‘under-water basement’, its ‘water-sealed’ fire-escape entry serving as an exceptional model (‘Sumathi Paturu's ‘in-situ’ model’) for an ‘in-site’ fire-escape of a jack-up rig. An ‘off-site’ modular is an unlimited air-source for all ‘fire-escape’ units. A guarded ‘spray-room’ is a destination for ‘spray-walks’, or ‘spray-tracks’ with ‘track-drives’, or else simpler ‘spray-drives’—all being safe evacuation accessories workable with minimal cost and space. Wheeled ‘life-boats’ and ‘lift-boats’ protected against collision injury, are let out boarded/un-boarded by a remote control. Vital needs like safe evacuation, fresh air, and first-aids are devised as affirmed provisions.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2017Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Inventor: Sumathi Paturu
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Patent number: 10752325Abstract: The present invention provides a float capable of suppressing deformation of the synthetic resin body even if internal gas expands and contracts due to environmental temperature change. A float 10 comprises a float body 20 made of a synthetic resin molded in a hollow shape, a projecting portion 202 projecting from the upper surface of the float body 20 and having a vent hole 201, and a microporous membrane 203 adhered to the outside of the vent hole 201.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2017Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: KYORAKU CO., LTD.Inventors: Takaya Niimi, Yoshinori Motohashi, Tsutomu Sakaguchi
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Patent number: 10618605Abstract: A semi-submersible marine structure is described. The structure includes a hull including a pontoon, a deck disposed above the pontoon, and a plurality of columns supporting the deck from the pontoon. The structure also includes a plurality of tendons supporting the hull from a seabed. The pontoon has the shape of a circular ring, and the plurality of tendons are arranged at regular intervals along an external circumferential surface of the pontoon.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2016Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: SAMSUNG HEAVY IND. CO., LTD.Inventors: Rae Hyoung Yuck, Hyun Jo Kim, Sam Kwon Hong, Seung Jun Kim
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Patent number: 10590918Abstract: An offshore power generation system comprising: a floating portable platform having one or more OTEC heat exchange units, one or more turbine generators, a water intake and discharge system, a mooring system; and a fixed manifold having one or more cold water intake connections in communication with a cold water pipe, and one or more cold water discharge connections in communication with the water intake system of the floating platform via an intermediate cold water conduit, wherein each cold water discharge connection is detachable from the intermediate cold water pipe.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2015Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: The Abell Foundation, Inc.Inventor: Barry R. Cole
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Patent number: 10585442Abstract: A system and method prevent product-type contamination in a bulk liquid storage tank. A control unit receives an indication of a storage product type in the bulk storage and a delivery product type in the tanker truck. The control unit compares the delivery product type with the storage product type and controls delivery based on a result of the comparison.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2018Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: SONECO LLCInventor: Avraham Shmuel Lichtash
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Patent number: 10494881Abstract: The present invention provides a hoisting system which includes at least one hydraulic hoisting cylinder, a pressurized gas reservoir, and an emergency lifting line with a first valve. The emergency lifting line selectively leads a pressurized gas from the pressurized gas reservoir into the at least one hydraulic hoisting cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2016Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: MHWIRTH ASInventor: Havard Andersen
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Patent number: 10494063Abstract: An offshore floating platform for operating in ice-infested waters and harsh environment for oil/gas drilling and exploration in Arctic area comprises four (4) sections, i.e., an upper cone, a transition section, a lower cone and a bottom frame. The upper cone, the transition section, the lower cone and the bottom frame are coincident with a centerline, and a through center well is designed around the centerline from top to bottom. The diameter at the bottom frame is smaller than that of the main body of the center well. The upper cone, the transition section and the lower cone are internally connected and divided into plural compartments. Through ballast compartments are designed outside the sidewall of the upper cone, the transition section and the lower cone vertically connected with a consistent cross-sectional area from top to bottom. Plural ballast compartments and void compartments are arranged within the bottom frame.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2019Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: China Merchants Heavy Industry (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd.Inventors: Fan Zhang, Jinguang Wang, Siming Wang, Mingyuan Sun, Zhengquan Zhou, Lixin Xu, Jiancheng Liu
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Patent number: 10422187Abstract: An offshore drilling vessel including a hull having a moonpool, a bow and a stern, an accommodation topside having crew quarters and a bridge, said accommodation topside being arranged on the hull at the bow, a main deck between the accommodation topside and the stern of the vessel, wherein a front main deck portion of the main deck extends forward of the moonpool and a rear main deck portion of the main deck extends rearward of the moonpool, a firing line hoist system mounted on the hull at said moonpool, including a drilling structure, a hoisting device supported by the drilling structure and having a load attachment device displaceable along a firing line, the hoisting device including one or more cables and one or more associated winches to manipulate the position of the load attachment device relative to the drilling structure, one or more pivotal burner booms, each burner boom having an inner portion pivotally mounted at a lateral side of the hull and an outer portion supporting a burner, the burner booType: GrantFiled: February 9, 2018Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: ITREC B.V.Inventors: Joop Roodenburg, Diederick Bernardus Wijning
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Patent number: 10396703Abstract: The present invention provides a solar panel float in which an increase in the number of components is prevented and which is easy to assemble. A float for mounting a solar panel is provided with: an annular float portion; a first support portion that supports an edge on one side of the solar panel; and a second support portion that supports an edge on the other side of the solar panel. The first support portion includes a first support plate portion rising from a wall surface on one side of an inner periphery of the annular float portion. The first support plate portion is formed of a cut-and-raised piece that has been cut and raised, from a flat plate portion integrally formed so as to close the inner periphery during molding of the annular float portion, using a lower-side portion of the flat plate portion as a bending-fulcrum point.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2015Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: Kyoraku Co., Ltd.Inventor: Takaya Niimi
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Patent number: 10385633Abstract: A positioning and compensation system for a tubular element to be connected to a drill string includes a gripping arm assembly with a gripping device which holds the tubular element in a position for connection to the drill string, and a load supporting and compensating arrangement which supports at least a portion of a load of the tubular element. The load supporting and compensating arrangement includes a cylinder unit having a piston, a winch, a sheave which is connected to the gripping arm assembly, and a wire. The wire is arranged to run around the sheave with a first end being connected to the piston and a second end being connected to the winch. The winch and the cylinder unit are each arranged in a respective elevated position compared to a position of the sheave. The cylinder unit maintains a minimum tension in the wire.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2015Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: MHWIRTH ASInventor: Per Morten Loevsland
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Patent number: 10351214Abstract: A mooring buoy that has lower and upper surfaces and an opening positioned on a vertical centerline between the lower and upper surfaces. A raceway has a first portion that extends though the opening for predetermined a distance below the lower body surface and a predetermined distance above the upper body surface. The raceway has a portion that extends away from the centerline and over the upper surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2018Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: MARITIME HERITAGE MARINE PRODUCTS, LLCInventor: Allan Aylward
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Patent number: 10337501Abstract: The invention relates to a floating platform for harnessing wind energy, comprising a tower (1) with a wind turbine (2), and two horizontal, identical cylindrical floating elements (3) parallel to the main longitudinal axis of alignment, the tower and the floating elements being interconnected by bar structures (5). The floating elements are joined to a stabilising element (4) which is situated directly beneath the floating elements (3), said stabilising element comprising two substantially rectangular first concrete slabs (4a), which are solid or more lightweight, with a ribbed structure, arranged perpendicularly to the axes of the floaters and joined to said floaters by means of auxiliary structures.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2015Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: SAITEC OFFSHORE TECHNOLOGIES S.L.U.Inventor: Alberto Galdos Tobalina
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Patent number: 10302471Abstract: A device for observing the changes in abyssal flow based on differential pressure measurement, includes differential pressure sensing chamber and base connected through communicating portion, controller provided inside communicating portion, floating body and releasing device. Floating body is located on differential pressure sensing chamber and retracted through releasing device. Sensing chamber includes ambient water pressure chamber in communication with hydrostatic pressure chamber. Communicating portion is blocked by spring sheet. The spring sheet is provided with optical fiber sensor. Hydrostatic pressure chamber is always in communication with seawater, and ambient water pressure chamber is always in communication with water in abyssal sedimentary layer. Releasing device includes electric winch provided with acoustic signal device. Base is provided with earth pressure sensor and weight member. Optical fiber sensor, acoustic signal device, and earth pressure sensor are connected with controller.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2019Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: OCEAN UNIVERSITY OF CHINAInventors: Tao Liu, Guanli Wei, Lei Guo, Xiuqing Yang, Xiujun Guo, Dong Wang, Yonggang Jia, Minsheng Zhang, Qingsheng Meng, Xiaolei Liu, Yongmao Zhu, Jia Xin
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Patent number: 10294626Abstract: Method for installation of an offshore tower, which comprises: providing a tower mast, piles, anchoring means, a platform with securing means, and buoyancy means with securing means; fastening piles to platform; fastening mast to platform in the use position; providing actuation and/or braking means between piles and platform; providing a platform between lower zone and upper zone; anchoring means to piles and to platform; launching buoyancy means; launching base assembly (platform, mast, piles, anchoring means); securing base assembly to buoyancy means using securing means; transferring transport assembly to tower location; actuating actuation and/or braking means until piles are fixed in the seabed; fastening piles to seabed; actuating actuation and/or braking means until platform is on a level with pile upper zone; mounting wind turbine on mast; removing securing means and withdrawing buoyancy means from platform; and tensioning anchoring means.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2014Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: DREIVENTUM, S.L.U.Inventors: José Emilio Jimeno Chueca, José Luis Lleyda Dionis
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Patent number: 10279871Abstract: The present invention relates broadly to a offshore facility. The offshore facility comprise a floating platform; a metal processing apparatus disposed on the floating platform; and a power management module adapted to manage and provide a stable power supply to the metal processing apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2014Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: TMT PTE. LTD.Inventor: Hsin Chi Su
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Patent number: 10280048Abstract: A control method for a handling system includes when a trolley is loaded at a target location by a target loading, matching by a crane controller the target location of the trolley on a crossmember with a target location of a load handling point on the substrate, such that a target load is lowered onto the target location of the load handling point, when the target load is lowered at the target location of the trolley, positioning the trolley at the target location by the crane controller, subsequently lowering the target load onto the load handling point by the crane controller and positioning the load handling point at the target location before the target load is lowered onto the load handling point, when the load handling point is movable on the substrate and the load handling point is controlled by the crane controller.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2015Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Robert Fakkeldij, Uwe Ladra, Alois Recktenwald
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Patent number: 10260666Abstract: A fluid conduit that is below grade or under water is separated from ambient water by a confined layer of liquid that may be largely undivided by solids. The separation distance between the liquid containment means and the piping or pipeline is such that the total heat transfer by natural convection and conduction from the piping or pipeline to the water containing environment is kept within limits thought necessary to adequately insulate the contents of the pipeline. A liquid may be pumped between the pipe and the means for containing the insulation so as to displace fluids from a pipeline or a heated liquid may be pumped through that space to warm the contents of the pipeline. If the insulating liquid also electrically insulates the pipe, then the pipe may be heated by passing a current directly through the pipe.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2015Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Inventor: Glen R. Sumner
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Patent number: 10239590Abstract: Floats having a buoyant portion and a chamber portion hold liquid within their chambers above the interface of the surrounding body of liquid and gas which creates a downward force which stabilizes the float. If the liquid is water, the float holds water in the inner chamber which is disposed above the waterline of the body of water in which the float is suspended. The elevated water exerts a downward force that acts against rocking, swaying, and other destabilizing forces.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2011Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Inventor: James Montgomery
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Patent number: 10196114Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an unmanned floating production unit (300) and method of installing a floating production unit comprising a deck structure (301) for mounting equipment for processing hydrocarbons, and a hull structure (302) formed from a first section (303) and a second section (306), wherein the second section (306) is wider than the first section (303). The floating production unit (300) according to the present disclosure can provide a compact unit, which has dimensions which can lead to a heave natural period outside an area of significant wave energy, and as a result, it has substantially reduced and improved hydrodynamic responses. The floating production unit is configured to be small and lightweight, and can be fabricated, launched and towed to the installation site in two parts, without the requirement for heavy lifting or construction machinery, thus lowering manufacturing costs.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Inventors: Duncan Peace, Ramon Kunkeler, Engin Balli
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Patent number: 10180127Abstract: The present invention relates to a wind turbine comprising a nacelle (1) installed on a tower (2) supported by a floating support. The nacelle is articulated with respect to the tower in a vertical plane, and it comprises means (12, 16) for correcting the nacelle tilt, means for automatically adjusting the correction means in accordance with sensors detecting the correction values, the adjustment means being synchronous with the movements of the floating support. Figure 4 to be published.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2011Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLESInventors: Christian Wittrisch, Pascal Longuemare
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Patent number: 10173758Abstract: A catamaran lifting apparatus is disclosed for lifting objects in a marine environment. The apparatus includes first and second vessels that are spaced apart during use. A first frame spans between the vessels. A second frame spans between the vessels. The frames are spaced apart and connected to the vessels in a configuration that spaces the vessels apart. The first frame connects to the first vessel with a universal joint and to the second vessel with a hinged connection. The second frame connects to the second vessel with a universal joint and to the first vessel with a hinged or pinned connection. Each of the frames provides a space under the frame and in between the barges that enables a package to be lifted and/or a marine vessel to be positioned in between the barges and under the frames. In this fashion, an object that has been salvaged from the seabed can be placed upon the marine vessel that is positioned in between the barges and under the frames.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2016Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: VERSABAR, INC.Inventor: Jon Khachaturian
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Patent number: 10131407Abstract: A multihull multiplatform floating vessel with a plurality of longitudinal hulls, a plurality of pin connectors; each pin connector providing one axis motion, a plurality of joints, each joint providing two axis motion, wherein the first joint is mounted on one hull the second joint is mounted on a second hull and wherein one group of pin connectors is mounted on one hull and a second group of pin connectors is mounted on the second hull. A first moveable planar platform is connected to the hulls and a second moveable planar platform is connected to the hulls by the pin connectors and joints, the platforms spaced apart from each other forming a platform void between pairs of platforms, and a hull void between pairs of hulls increasing safety onboard and decreasing motion of the moveable planar platforms as mounted to the longitudinal hulls.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2018Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Inventors: Kenneth Edward Ruddy, Robert Hoff, Andrew Martin Ruddy