By Pile Extending Through Sleeve In Structure Patents (Class 405/227)
  • Patent number: 11852008
    Abstract: A well insert for insertion into a foundation of a well is provided. The insert comprises a channel therethrough for the well; and the well insert is arranged so that when the well insert is inserted into the foundation of the well, the channel of the insert can be adjusted relative to vertical. A well assembly comprising the well insert and a well foundation is also provided as is a method of inserting a well insert and a method of controlling the orientation of a well using a well insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: EQUINOR ENERGY AS
    Inventors: Lorents Reinås, Tore Geir Wernø, Morten Sæther, Harald Sigurd Nesse
  • Patent number: 11820466
    Abstract: A mooring apparatus may allow for watercraft to be secured to a mooring structure. An example of a mooring apparatus includes a frame secured to a shell cover at a plurality of points, a plurality of rollers disposed within the frame, and a tension bar disposed within the frame and parallel to the plurality or rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Baypointe Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: William Todd Streeter
  • Patent number: 11396732
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a free-sliding seabed mudmat foundation, which belongs to the fields of offshore and ocean engineering. The mudmat comprises a base foundation, an upper foundation, and a cover plate. The base foundation sits on the seabed to support dead weights of the mudmat itself and the subsea production system fixed on the mudmat. The upper foundation, with a plurality of universal rolling ball bearing being attached to the bottom, can slide on the base foundation when it is subjected to a horizontal push force generated by the pipeline during operation. Therefore, the axial load on the pipeline during operation due to heating and pressurization is released and the buckling failure risk is then reduced. The mudmat disclosed has smaller size and lighter weight, which is beneficial in reducing fabrication costs and reducing requirements for cranes on the pipeline laying vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: DALIAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Jun Liu, Congcong Han
  • Patent number: 11391008
    Abstract: A template for installing piles underwater includes a template frame and pile guides having parallel pile guide centerlines and being fixed to the template frame. Each pile guide has a pile guide frame that surrounds a passageway configured for passing a pile therethrough. Each pile guide frame includes upper and lower ends. Each pile guide includes a spacer fixed to the pile guide frame and protruding into the passageway. The spacer has a pile contact surface for guiding a pile. The pile contact surface encloses an imaginary cylinder including a centerline which coincides with the pile guide centerline. In a circumferential direction about the pile guide centerline, the location of the pile contact surface shifts with respect to the corresponding pile guide frame in a direction from the lower end to the upper end thereof as seen in a direction from the template center to the pile guide centerline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: IHC HOLLAND IE B.V.
    Inventor: Willibrordus Adelbertus Maria Brouwer
  • Patent number: 10968715
    Abstract: An actuation assembly to actuate a component of a mineral extraction system, where the actuation assembly includes an actuator configured to generate a force in a direction, a lever assembly coupled to the actuator, where the lever assembly is configured to rotate about a fulcrum in response to application of the force, and a piston coupled to the lever assembly, where the piston is configured to move in the direction in response to rotation of the lever assembly about the fulcrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ian McDaniel, Jesse Garcia
  • Patent number: 10941032
    Abstract: A liquid loading device including a vertical lattice support structure, a platform coupled to the vertical lattice support structure, and a riser pipe located within the vertical lattice support structure and coupled to the vertical lattice support structure to substantially remain rotation free relative to the vertical lattice support structure. The device further includes a first rotatable joint located on a distal end of the riser pipe in which the first rotatable joint is operable to rotate relative to the riser pipe. The device further includes an arm extending from the platform and operable to be rotated relative to the platform. The device can also include a second rotatable joint coupled to the first rotatable joint through one or more rigid members, in which the second rotatable joint is operable to rotate relative to the platform. The device can further include an extension pipe extending from the second rotatable joint to a distal end of the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: OIL STATES INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Marc Waguespack, Lee Arceneaux
  • Patent number: 10494785
    Abstract: A pile guide frame is coupled with at least one rotatable arm and includes a plurality of leveling modules for compensating for differences in height of the seabed. The rotatable arm can be rotated along a supporting frame and thereby move a pile guide module to facilitate pile-driving operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: SHIP AND OCEAN INDUSTRIES R&D CENTER
    Inventors: Chun-Chia Huang, Feng-Yeang Chung, Chia-Chuan Ou, Ying-Chao Liao
  • Patent number: 10487470
    Abstract: A pile guide frame is coupled with at least one rotatable arm and includes a plurality of leveling modules for compensating for differences in height of the seabed. The rotatable arm can be rotated along a supporting frame and thereby move a pile guide module to facilitate pile-driving operations. A method for operating a pile guide frame coupled with at least one rotatable arm is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: SHIP AND OCEAN INDUSTRIES R&D CENTER
    Inventors: Chun-Chia Huang, Feng-Yeang Chung, Chia-Chuan Ou, Ying-Chao Liao
  • Patent number: 10309072
    Abstract: Disclosed is a water-permeable pipe pile system capable of accelerating soil consolidation. The system includes a hollow pile, an aerating device, and a drain device. Holes are evenly distributed on the wall of the pile, the bottom of the pile is closed, and a gas-tight gland is provided on the top of the pile. The aerating device includes a gas pipe and a gas pump, the lower end of the gas pipe passing through the gas-tight gland and extending into the cavity of the pile, and the upper end thereof connected to the gas pump. The drain device includes a drain pipe and a water pump, the lower end of the drain pipe passing through the gas-tight gland and extending towards the bottom of the cavity of the pile, and the upper end thereof connected to the water pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: GUANGXI UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Guoxiong Mei, Meijuan Xu, Wenbing Wu, Yongyi Li, Yanlin Zhao, Zhen Zhang
  • Patent number: 10072390
    Abstract: A tubular foundation element, in particular a pile e.g. a jacket pile, to be installed in a ground formation has at least one open end, typically both ends open, allowing a pile driver with an anvil to be inserted into the tubular foundation element. The tubular foundation element comprises a support at the inside thereof, which support is adapted to transmit energy from the anvil directly to the tubular foundation element, during installation of the tubular foundation element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: IHC HOLLAND IE B.V.
    Inventor: Henricus Gerardus Andreas Van Vessem
  • Patent number: 9951491
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a brick, comprising a brick body, which comprises at least one slot position for connecting a column, and a method for using the bricks to build dikes in water, including the following steps: (1) drilling a plurality of pile holes at water bottom; (2) casting concrete into each of the pile holes to form concrete columns; (3) stacking up a number of the bricks along the concrete columns and having them tightly connected to form a wall; (4) filling the clearances between the concrete columns and the bricks with mortar. The bricks and dike building method provided by the present invention are suitable for direct over-water dike building, the construction is fast and the dikes built are firm and stable, have superior waterproof function and can effectively prevent the impact of currents, winds and waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventor: Tsun Chow
  • Patent number: 9777451
    Abstract: Process for installing an offshore tower, comprising: a) manufacturing a foundation comprising a block, manufacturing at least one superposition section of a shaft, and manufacturing a base section of a shaft; b) applying said base section to said foundation block (starting unit) to assume the relative position for the installed condition, applying said superposition sections to said starting unit in a multi-layered configuration, and applying lifting means to at least one of said foundation block and said base section; c) moving said starting unit up to the installation point; d) introducing ballast in said foundation block so that said starting unit sinks until resting on the bottom of the body of water; e) actuating said lifting means to expand said sections into the installed condition; f) between step a) and c), placing said foundation block or starting unit in the body of water of the installation point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignees: ESTEYCO S.A.P., SEA WIND TOWERS, S.L.
    Inventors: Miguel Angel Fernandez Gomez, Jose Emilio Jimeno Chueca
  • Patent number: 9736996
    Abstract: A procedure for moderating the intensity of a hurricane in regions of the seas that are host to the oil and gas industries is described, using the Gulf of Mexico as an example of such a region, and snow-making machines as the instruments for carrying out the procedure. These machines are carried on moving platforms that follow the hurricane and on fixed platforms that are located in the path of the hurricane. In the described procedure snow-making machines are installed on fixed platforms throughout the region, and only those machines that are in the path of an approaching hurricane are turned on, while the snow-making machines on the moving platform(s) are operating continually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Inventor: Alfred Rosen
  • Patent number: 9663916
    Abstract: A foundation structure of an offshore plant, such as a wind turbine, comprising at least one foundation element that can be anchored to the seabed without a gravity foundation and without a floating foundation and a support structure fastened thereto for fixing the offshore plant. The foundation element is a pile that can be inserted into the seabed by means of drilling and/or by means of vibratory driving, can be fixed in the seabed by means of an organic and/or inorganic material, and is oriented at an angle from a vertical on the seabed. A method of installing the foundation structure on a seabed includes first anchoring the coupling element by means of piles inserted into the seabed and then connecting the support structure to the coupling element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Vallourec Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Denker, Nico Genge, Ole Josat, Claas Bruns, Ralf Hojda
  • Patent number: 9506211
    Abstract: The invention relates to a concept for controlled containment of oil and condensate and possibly other types of liquids and chemicals in constructions as a possible failure of the conventional prior art barriers used in offshore petroleum exploration and production activities, intended for use at several water depths. The concept comprises a support structure (10) and a deck structure (14) positioned on top of the support structure (10), from where drilling may be performed, and where possible spillage of hydrocarbons from the drilling or production activities, in case of failure of the conventional barriers, will be contained and directed in a controlled manner to collecting storage tanks (46) integrated in the support structure (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Odfjell Drilling Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Frode Losnedal, Robert Farestveit, Per Albriktsen, Ove Tobias Gudmestad, Geir Morten Skeie
  • Patent number: 9447558
    Abstract: This invention relates to an offshore supporting structure (1) for wind energy installations with multiple, preferably six, specifically tubular piles (2) that can be anchored in the seabed, and a latticework structure (4) assembled from multiple bars, specifically steel tubes (14). Pursuant to the invention, we propose that the latticework structure (4) be assembled from multiple, prefabricated latticework segments (6, 8, 10, 12), where each latticework segment (6, 8, 10, 12) has six lower corners (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) and six upper corners (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d), where the upper corners (5a, 5b, 5c) of one latticework segment (6, 8, 10) can be attached to the lower corners (3b, 3c, 3d) of an adjacent latticework segment (8, 10, 12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: MARITIME OFFSHORE GROUP, GmbH
    Inventor: Emilio Bertomeo Reales
  • Patent number: 9320989
    Abstract: A multi-phase separation apparatus shapes fluid flow in a flow shaping line preferably shaped to have a plurality of loops with consecutively decreasing diameters. Shaping the two-phase flow drives the heavier, denser fluids to the outside wall of the flow shaping line and allows the lighter, less dense fluids such as gas to occupy the inner wall of the flow shaping line. With the gas positioned on the inner wall, an exit port on the inner wall permits a majority, if not all, of the gas, along with a minimal amount of liquid, to be diverted to a conventional gas-liquid separator at a flow rate much lower than the total flow rate within the flow shaping line. The remaining liquid flow in the flow shaping line is subsequently introduced into an adjustable phase splitter to separate different liquid components from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Haven Technology Solutions, LLC.
    Inventors: David James Elms, Gregory Allen Hudspeth
  • Patent number: 9207340
    Abstract: A seismic streamer includes at least one elongated strength member. The seismic streamer further includes a substantially rigid sensor holder coupled to the strength member and fixed in position relative to the strength member. The streamer includes at least one particle motion sensor coupled to the sensor holder and fixed in position relative to the sensor holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Andre Stenzel, Øyvind Hillesund, Nils Lunde, Stian Hegna
  • Patent number: 9145654
    Abstract: A pile guide (10) for supporting a pile as it is driven into a substrate (20) comprises a base frame (12) having a substrate-engaging surface (14) and a pile guide member (16) mounted on the base frame via a support member (18), the pile guide member being configured to guide a pile in a predetermined direction therethrough as it is driven into a substrate. The support member (18) comprises first and second parts (30,32) which are pivotally coupled together to permit pivotal movement of the pile guide member (16) relative to the base frame about a first axis of rotation (AA). The support member (18) further comprises third and fourth parts (34,36) which are pivotally coupled together to permit pivotal movement of the pile guide member (16) relative to the base frame (12) about a second axis of rotation (BB), enabling pivotal movement of the pile guide member (16) relative to the base frame (12) with two degrees of rotational freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: IHC Sea Steel Limited
    Inventors: Alastair Berry, Melchior Klopper, David Howell Gunter
  • Patent number: 9109581
    Abstract: An offshore wind turbine comprising a tower, where said wind turbine at a level above sea level comprises at least one structure for storing at least one container, said container having the size and measures of a standard container, where said structure is arranged on the side of the tower, and a method of manufacturing such a concrete structure for an offshore wind turbine. The structure for storing one or more containers includes a deck, and at least one bed for supporting at least one container along the container's lower surface and/or edges, where the structure is a concrete structure. By manufacturing the structure from concrete, a very robust and strong structure is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Envision Energy (Denmark) ApS
    Inventors: Anders Varming Rebsdorf, Soeren Staugaard
  • Patent number: 9097080
    Abstract: A method of separating a riser, comprising providing a riser having an inner and an outer surface, a circumference of said outer surface, a longitudinal axis and a first end and a second end; radially surrounding said riser with an explosive shaped charge material, wherein said shaped charge explosive material is capable of generating a high-velocity plasma jet in response to an activation signal, and wherein said explosive material comprises an electrically conductive layer; transmitting said activation signal to said explosive material; generating said high-velocity plasma jet; and separating said riser into a first portion comprising said first end and a second portion comprising said second end when said high-velocity plasma jet penetrates said outer surface of said riser and exits said inner surface of said riser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Curtis Len Wilie
  • Publication number: 20150125220
    Abstract: Improved embodiments, apparatus and method relating to the manufacture and installation of offshore steel support structures, known as jackets, for Wind Turbine Generators, including transition pieces thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Kirill Glukhovskoy, Graham Howie Kennedy, Jonathan Michael Wren
  • Publication number: 20150110564
    Abstract: The invention relates to structures, such as offshore structures, associated apparatus and methods. For example, the invention can relate to wind turbine structures, such as piles for offshore wind turbines, and associated apparatus and methods. In some examples, the invention relates to guide apparatus for offshore piles having a guide portion configured to provide an acoustic barrier between a pile and a surrounding body of water during deployment of a pile at a body of water. The apparatus may comprise a dampening structure, such as inflatable bladders, or the like, configured to provide the acoustic barrier. In some example, the guide apparatus comprises a piling template, configured to be positioned on a water floor, so that the guide portion can locate, and be positioned with, the template to allow for guiding of a pile to a water floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Alan West, John Giles, Paul Wilson, Charles Whyte
  • Patent number: 8998540
    Abstract: A remotely operable drilling apparatus (6) comprises a body such as frame (10) and drive means arranged to drill annular pile (8), which is loaded in the drilling apparatus (6) into the floor of a body of water. The annular pile comprises a cutting shoe (24). The drive means comprises a power swivel (12) which attaches to the top of the annular pile (8) by means of a drive head. Delivery means is also provided which comprises at least one nozzle to enable flushing fluid and grout to be injected around annular pile (8). The power swivel (12) is raised and lowered by rack and pinion means 14 disposed on either side of the power swivel (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Blade Offshore Services Ltd..
    Inventors: John Swingler, Neil McNaughton
  • Patent number: 8926226
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for manufacturing a foundation for a mass located at height, such as the jacket of a wind turbine or a jetty, wherein the foundation comprises a quantity of piles driven into an underwater bottom in a geometric pattern. The device comprises a positioning framework of a number of mutually connected guide tubes arranged in a geometric pattern and adapted to receive and guide a pile to be driven into the underwater bottom, wherein the guide tubes comprise a mechanism with which at least an internal wall part of the guide tubes is displaceable in the radial direction of the guide tubes from a radially inward support position for the pile to a radially more outward position in which the internal wall part substantially releases the pile. The invention also relates to a method and an assembly of a jack-up platform and the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: GeoSea N.V.
    Inventors: Luc Vandenbulcke, Koen Vanderbeke
  • Patent number: 8911180
    Abstract: The invention relates to an underwater work assembly and to a method for anchoring the underwater work assembly in a bed of a lake, sea or river. The work assembly comprises a service platform which can be lowered and a plurality of supporting feet which are mounted so that they can be adjusted on the service platform for positioning on the lake, sea or river bed and can be moved in and out relative to the service platform by means of an actuating cylinder. In order to improve anchoring it is provided that at least one supporting foot is mounted rotationally relative to the service platform and that a rotary drive facing the supporting foot is provided, with which the supporting foot is driven in rotation for screwing into the lake, sea or river bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Bauer Maschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Michael Finkenzeller, Ulli Wiedenmann
  • Publication number: 20140328632
    Abstract: A jacket 4 for an offshore structure comprises a plurality of jacket modules 6 stacked one above the other, each of the jacket modules having multiple hollow legs 10; and a plurality of piles 8 passing through the hollow legs 10 for securing the jacket 4 to the sea-bed; wherein the piles 8 include: foundation piles 8a passing through legs 10 of a lowermost jacket module 6a, with a lower part of each foundation pile extending downward below the lowermost jacket module 6a into the sea-bed, and an upper part of each foundation pile extending upward out of the tops of the legs 10 of the lowermost jacket module 6a and into legs 10 of a second jacket module 6b located atop the lowermost jacket module 6a such that the upper parts of the foundation piles 8a extend into the legs 10 of the second jacket module 6b by a height less than the height of the jacket modules 6; and follower piles 8b within the legs 10 of the second jacket module 6b located atop the upper parts of the foundation piles 8a and extending upward ou
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventor: Marc Lefranc
  • Patent number: 8870497
    Abstract: The invention relates to an ice worthy jack-up rig with a conical piled monopod working together to drill wells and produce hydrocarbons in ice prone locations. The inventive rig would work like a conventional jack-up rig while in open water with the hull jacked up out of the water. However, in the event of ice conditions, the legs are held in place by cans embedded in the sea floor to resist lateral movement of the rig. Both the hull and conical piled monopod are shaped with ice-bending surfaces to bend and break up ice that comes into contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Randall S. Shafer, Peter G. Noble, Ravi P. Aurora, Thomas E. Ramsey, Ted H. Westerman, Dominique P. Berta
  • Patent number: 8851795
    Abstract: An apparatus for installing means to supply cold water from depth to a floating vessel comprises a template having a plurality of receptacles for receiving a plurality of vertically-oriented cold water pipes. A method for installing a plurality of cold water pipes at a floating, offshore ocean thermal energy conversion facility comprises: lowering such a template to the seafloor; inserting vertically-oriented pipes into the receptacles on the template; providing sufficient buoyancy near the top of the pipe to maintain the pipe in a generally vertical state; positioning a floating vessel having receptacles configured to engage the upper ends of the pipes over the template; raising the template with the inserted pipes from the seafloor until the upper ends of the pipes engage the receptacles; and, locking the pipes in the receptacles such that the pipes are in fluid communication with a cold water sump on the floating vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Seahorse Equipment Corp
    Inventors: Stephen E. Kibbee, Peimin Cao
  • Patent number: 8834071
    Abstract: A device for manufacturing a foundation for a mass located at height, such as the jacket of a wind turbine or a jetty, wherein the foundation comprises a quantity of piles driven into an underwater bottom in a geometric pattern. The device comprises a positioning framework of a number of mutually connected guide tubes arranged in a geometric pattern and adapted to receive and guide a pile to be driven into the underwater bottom, wherein the guide tubes comprise measuring means adapted to determine the height of a pile present in the guide tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: GeoSea N.V.
    Inventors: Luc Vandenbulcke, Koen Vanderbeke
  • Patent number: 8807875
    Abstract: The invention relates to an ice worthy jack-up rig with a conical piled monopod working together to drill wells and produce hydrocarbons in ice prone locations. The inventive rig would work like a conventional jack-up rig while in open water with the hull jacked up out of the water. However, in the event of ice conditions, the legs are held in place by cans embedded in the sea floor to resist lateral movement of the rig and in sockets attached to the conical piled monopod. Both the hull and conical piled monopod are shaped with ice-bending surfaces to bend and break up ice that comes into contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Randall S. Shafer, Peter G. Noble, Ravi P. Aurora, Thomas E. Ramsey, Ted H. Westerman, Dominique P. Berta
  • Patent number: 8801334
    Abstract: A method for producing an underwater foundation element in a bed of a body of water, in which a working platform for guiding a drilling tool is lowered to the bed of a body of water, so that a drill-hole is introduced into the bed of a body of water and a pile-shaped underwater foundation element is arranged in the drill-hole and anchored therein. A precise alignment is achieved in that on the pile-shaped underwater foundation element a measuring unit is fixed, through which positional data of the pile-shaped underwater foundation element are determined and in that depending on the determined positional data the position of the underwater foundation element is set by at least one positioning means on the working platform prior to anchoring. The measuring unit is arranged on an adjustment head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Bauer Spezialtiefbau GmbH
    Inventors: Simon Paulus, Christoph Schwanz, Ulli Wiedenmann
  • Patent number: 8770132
    Abstract: The present invention provides an offshore wind turbine complete set, comprising a foundation, a tower column and a wind turbine set. The foundation utilizes a steel-concrete structure and comprises a plurality of tanks which are respectively provided with an opening; a lower end of the tower column is installed on the foundation; and the wind turbine set is installed on an upper end of the tower column. When the offshore wind turbine complete set floats on water, the openings of the plurality of tanks are under the water, and the tank is injected with air or water, and the buoyancy and uprighting force are provided by the plurality of tanks, so as to keep the entire structure in a vertical floating state consistent with the state of installation on the offshore site, but without external force on the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Inventors: Aidong Li, Hongyan Ding, Xuanxu Huang
  • Patent number: 8757933
    Abstract: A grouting cabin structure of a grouted connection for use in a foundation of an offshore wind turbine generator is described. The structure includes a pile, a sleeve which is coaxial with said pile and installed outside said pile, and a first grouting exhaust port and a first connection port for a grouting pipe provided at an upper part and a lower part of said sleeve. An enclosed cabin of a barrel form is arranged in a gap between said pile and said sleeve, said enclosed cabin is formed by an internal wall of said cabin and said sleeve, a second connection port for the grouting pipe and a second grouting exhaust port are provided at a lower and an upper part of said enclosed cabin, respectively; the cabin and pile form a first grouting space and said cabin and said sleeve forms a second grouting space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Hydrochina Hangzhou Engineering Corp
    Inventors: Wei Li, Yongming Zheng, Yong Zhou, Shengxiao Zhao, Yingchun Zhuang, Caiyun Huan, Na Lv
  • Patent number: 8714881
    Abstract: Low environmental impact, surface installed, multiple pile foundation locking systems providing stable connection between above ground structures and the earth, having a plurality of driving holes in an engineered component through which piles may be driven into the surrounding soil and locked in a predetermined position to create, in differing configurations, the necessary resistances to any combination or relative proportions of bearing, uplift and lateral loads associated with such structures. The piles are driven at predetermined angles relative to the supported structure, consistent with its loading characteristics, and are locked in the driving holes through which they pass, further binding in their configuration under load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventor: Richard J. Gagliano
  • Patent number: 8696248
    Abstract: A plurality of piles is arranged in frame elements in an axially displaceable manner. Hammers are positioned on the piles. After driving of the piles into a seabed, the hammers are connected to the frame elements, wherein the frame elements together with the hammers are lifted to the surface of the water and to the seaborne vessel by a crane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Henrik Fomsgaard Lynderup, Thomas Oestergaard
  • Patent number: 8672587
    Abstract: A pile guide (10) for supporting a pile as it is driven into a substrate, comprising: a base frame (12) having a planar substrate-engaging surface (14) and a pile guide member (16) configured to guide a pile in a predetermined direction therethrough as it is driven into a substrate (18), the pile guide member (16) being mounted on the base frame (12) via a plurality of support members (20) extending therebetween; characterised in that at least one of the plurality of support members (20) has an adjustable length, with length adjustment of the or each support member (20) enabling the predetermined direction to be varied relative to the planar substrate-engaging surface (14) of the base frame (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: IHC Sea Steel Limited
    Inventors: James Ewart Milligan Mack, David Howel Gunter
  • Patent number: 8529158
    Abstract: Designs and methods for a modular foundation provide a strong and secure foundation in a time efficient and cost efficient manner. The modular foundation can include a cap structure having one or more pile guides coupled together. The modular foundation can further include piles that extend through the pile guides and into the ground. The cap structure and pile guides can be configured to use both vertical and angled piles. A plurality of connectors can connect the cap structure to the piles. The resulting foundation can be used to support various superstructures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Inventor: William W. Reeves
  • Patent number: 8517639
    Abstract: A method of securing a load bearing structure to the bed of a sea, river or estuary. The method comprises placing the load bearing structure on the bed; forming a pile-receiving hole in the bed by means of drilling equipment which is connected to a surface vessel by flexible lines only so that the weight of the drilling equipment is supported by the bed, the drilling equipment being guided by the load bearing structure, and the load bearing structure resisting any non-vertical loads imparted to the drilling equipment; and withdrawing the drilling equipment and installing an attachment pile within the formed hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Tidal Generation Limited
    Inventors: George Gibberd, Christopher Huxley-Reynard
  • Publication number: 20130183101
    Abstract: The invention relates to an efficient method for providing a foundation for a mass located at height, such as the jacket of a wind turbine or a jetty, wherein the foundation comprises a number of piles driven into a bottom in a geometric pattern. The method comprises of providing a floating device provided with lifting means; providing a positioning frame comprising a number of mutually connected guide sleeves arranged in a geometric pattern for the purpose of receiving the piles; lowering the positioning frame to the bottom into a position of use via the lifting means; and arranging the piles in the bottom through the guide sleeves of the positioning frame in the position of use, and to a positioning frame adapted to perform the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: GEOSEA N.V.
    Inventors: Luc VANDENBULCKE, Koen VANDERBEKE
  • Patent number: 8444348
    Abstract: Modular offshore platform systems and associated methods of transport and assembly are disclosed herein. A method of transporting a modular offshore platform to an offshore location in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure includes transporting towing a first platform portion of the offshore platform to an offshore location and transporting a second platform portion of the offshore platform to the offshore location separately from the first platform portion. The method further includes attaching the second platform portion to the first platform portion at the offshore location, and anchoring at least one of the first and second platform portions to a sea floor at the offshore location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: PND Engineers, Inc.
    Inventors: William Dennis Nottingham, Kenton Braun
  • Patent number: 8388267
    Abstract: A driven pile anchor suitable for securing a tendon of a tension leg platform to the seafloor is supplemented with added weight. A load frame is added to the individual pile to accommodate ballast weights. Pre-manufactured ballast weights are placed on the frame to increase the holding power of the pile anchor system. In a second embodiment, the pile is intentionally plugged and installed with the plug intact. Pre-manufactured ballast weights are then placed inside the pile and may be held in place by gravity. In a third embodiment, the pile is a conventional driven friction pile installed with an underwater pile hammer. The pile is initially open but subsequently evacuated and intentionally plugged near its pile tip. Pre-manufactured ballast weights are placed inside the pile to increase its holding capacity. The first embodiment may be retrofitted to existing, driven-pile anchor systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Seahorse Equipment Corp
    Inventors: Larry Dwayne Breaux, Mark DeWitt Slider
  • Patent number: 8387746
    Abstract: The inventive subject matter describes systems and methods for the implementation of an aquatic acoustical barrier, the aquatic acoustical barrier having a multiplicity of acoustical layers, the acoustical layers further having a multiplicity of acoustical leafs, such that when the acoustical barrier surrounds a noise source in the water there is an attenuation created by the noise source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Inventor: John Parkin
  • Patent number: 8371771
    Abstract: An anchor pile apparatus for placement in subsea soil has a tubular member has an interior passageway, a support structure affixed to the upper end of the tubular member, a shaft rotatably mounted in the support structure and extending downwardly through the interior passageway of the tubular member, and an auger connected to the shaft. A suitable hydraulic torquing tool can be connected to the shaft so as to cause the shaft to rotate for the purpose of rotating the auger. The auger is rotated so as to draw the tubular member into the subsea soil. The tubular member has a plurality of fins extending radially outwardly therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Trendsetter Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario R. Lugo, Randolph G. Smith, Noel F. Mascarenhas
  • Publication number: 20120282037
    Abstract: The invention relates to a supporting foundation (20) including a base (50), a marine current turbine carrier (54) supported by the base (50), and at least three legs (52) for bearing on the floor of the body of water (14), connected together by means of the base (50). Each bearing leg (52) comprises a hollow casing (70), and a rigid member (72) for adjusting the vertical position of the hollow casing (70) relative to the floor (12) of the body of water. The rigid adjustment member (72) is immobilized so as to vertically project under the casing (70). Each bearing leg (52) further includes a member (74) for engaging with the floor of the body of water (14) and rigidly connected to the lower end of the rigid adjustment member (72).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventor: Ange Luppi
  • Publication number: 20120263545
    Abstract: A jacket structure for supporting an offshore wind turbine a jacket assembly guide for assembling such a jacket structure and a method of assembling a jacket structure are described The jacket structure includes a plurality of legs, a plurality of connecting braces and a plurality of node elements arranged on the legs for connecting the braces to the legs. A node-to-leg connection is formed between each node element and a leg; and forming a brace-to-node connection between each brace and a node element. A node-to-leg connection and/or a brace-to-node connection include an adhesive joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventors: Thomas Oestergaard, Henrik Stiesdal
  • Publication number: 20120213593
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for manufacturing a foundation for a mass located at height, such as the jacket of a wind turbine or a jetty, wherein the foundation comprises a quantity of piles driven into an underwater bottom in a geometric pattern. The device comprises a positioning framework of a number of mutually connected guide tubes arranged in a geometric pattern and adapted to receive and guide a pile to be driven into the underwater bottom, wherein the guide tubes comprise measuring means adapted to determine the height of a pile present in the guide tubes. The invention also relates to a method and an assembly of a jack-up platform and the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: GEOSEA N.V.
    Inventors: Luc Vandenbulcke, Koen Vanderbeke
  • Patent number: 8215874
    Abstract: Designs and methods for a modular foundation provide a strong and secure foundation in a time efficient and cost efficient manner. The modular foundation can include a cap structure having one or more pile guides coupled together. The modular foundation can further include piles that extend through the pile guides and into the ground. The cap structure and pile guides can be configured to use both vertical and angled piles. A plurality of connectors can connect the cap structure to the piles. The resulting foundation can be used to support various superstructures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventor: William W. Reeves
  • Publication number: 20120107053
    Abstract: The invention relates to a base structure (1) for an off-shore wind power installation having at least a plurality of, in particular three, bases piles (2, 3,, 4), and a support structure (5) connecting the upper ends of the base piles (2, 3, 4) for the pylon of the wind power installation. Furthermore each base pile (2, 3, 4) has a wall comprising a plurality of layers (19, 20, 21) of differing material substantially over its entire length, wherein the wall is formed from at least one surface portion, having an inner layer (19) and an outer layer (20) and wherein a core material is arranged between the inner layer (19) and the outer layer (20) as an intermediate layer (21).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: HILGEFORT GMBH ANLAGENKOMPONENTEN UND APPARATEBAU
    Inventor: Frank Baumfalk
  • Publication number: 20120107054
    Abstract: The invention relates to a base structure for an off-shore wind power installation having preferably three base piles, each of which is of a length such that when installed at an installation location it extends from a seabed to above a sea level, wherein the base pile has a driving pile which is guided in its interior at least portion-wise for anchoring in the seabed, and at least one support structure for mounting the wind power installation. Furthermore at least a portion of the base pile has a wall comprising a plurality of layers, wherein there is provided al least an inner layer and an outer layer, between which, is arranged at least one intermediate layer which has a sound-reducing core material, in particular concrete. The invention also relates to a method and an apparatus of reducing noise emissions when erecting a base structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: HILGEFORT GMBH
    Inventor: Frank Baumfalk