B63B35/00

SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND DEVICES FOR DETECTING HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS
20220404328 · 2022-12-22 ·

Described herein are systems, methods, and devices for detecting harmful algae blooms. An example system includes autonomous watercraft; and a computing device operably connected to the autonomous watercraft over a network, the computing device including a processor and a memory having computer-executable instructions stored thereon that cause the processor to: surveil a body of water for an algae growth; receive a local condition at the body of water; predict a spread of the algae growth in the body of water based on the local condition; determine a deployment strategy for the autonomous watercraft based on the spread of the algae growth; and transmit one or more control signals to the plurality of autonomous watercraft based on the deployment strategy, where the autonomous watercraft are configured to collect and analyze a plurality of water samples to determine whether the algae growth is a harmful algae bloom.

MARINE VESSEL WITH FLYWHEELS FOR PROVIDING ELECTRICAL POWER AND STABILIZING ANGULAR ROTATION OF THE MARINE VESSEL
20220396338 · 2022-12-15 · ·

A marine vessel may include thrusters, an electrical system, and multiple flywheels (i) to supply electrical power to the electrical system and (ii) to stabilize marine vessel roll and/or pitch angle. A flywheel controller may be configured to control electrical power output from the flywheels to the electrical system, and control axis of rotation of one or more rotors of respective flywheels to compensate for roll and/or pitch angles of the marine vessel. A method of powering and stabilizing a marine vessel may include supplying, by flywheels, electrical power to an electrical system to supply electrical power to thrusters and electrical equipment. Flywheel(s) may be used to stabilize marine vessel roll and/or pitch angle. Electrical power output may be controlled from the flywheels to the electrical system. Axis of rotation of one or more flywheel rotors may be controlled to compensate for roll and/or pitch angles of the marine vessel.

Biomechanically adapted sportsboard
11584484 · 2023-02-21 ·

A biomechanically adapted dual direction sportsboard. This stance-specific sportsboard accommodates a rider's stance, whether they are a “regular-foot” or a “goofy-foot.” This stance-accommodating dual direction sportsboard allows the rider much greater control since the board accommodates the specific biomechanics of the rider's dominant stance, whether their preference is to ride with their left foot in front or their right foot in front. The dual direction sportsboard has rails which are offset from each other, which allows for a rider with fixed foot positions to significantly change the trim of the board by shifting from heel-side rail to toe-side rail or back to heel-side rail. This provides the rider much greater control over the board while performing surfing-style maneuvers, especially with the board attached to their feet. Additionally, for kiteboarding, the offset rails allow for greater windward ability than with legacy designs.

Biomechanically adapted sportsboard
11584484 · 2023-02-21 ·

A biomechanically adapted dual direction sportsboard. This stance-specific sportsboard accommodates a rider's stance, whether they are a “regular-foot” or a “goofy-foot.” This stance-accommodating dual direction sportsboard allows the rider much greater control since the board accommodates the specific biomechanics of the rider's dominant stance, whether their preference is to ride with their left foot in front or their right foot in front. The dual direction sportsboard has rails which are offset from each other, which allows for a rider with fixed foot positions to significantly change the trim of the board by shifting from heel-side rail to toe-side rail or back to heel-side rail. This provides the rider much greater control over the board while performing surfing-style maneuvers, especially with the board attached to their feet. Additionally, for kiteboarding, the offset rails allow for greater windward ability than with legacy designs.

A PILE UPENDING AND HOLDING SYSTEM AND METHOD

A pile upending and holding system includes a support assembly configured to be mounted on the vessel and to provide compensation for wave-induced motion of the vessel to maintain a predetermined X-Y location of the pile holder independent of said motion, and a pile holder mounted on the support assembly to be tillable about a substantially horizontal tilt axis. The pile holder includes a lower ring and an upper ring, and a pile holder frame supporting the lower ring and upper ring, the upper ring longitudinally spaced from the lower ring. Each of the rings include pile engaging devices distributed about the circumference thereof, each pile engaging device being adapted to engage an exterior of the pile extending through the lower and upper ring. Each of the lower ring and upper ring includes a ring base fixed to the pile holder frame and one or more movable jaws, movable between a closed position for holding and guiding the pile and an opened position for entry of the pile. The pile holder is provided, below the lower ring thereof, with a pile foot end support for engaging a longitudinal end of the pile to limit longitudinal movement thereof.

A PILE UPENDING AND HOLDING SYSTEM AND METHOD

A pile upending and holding system includes a support assembly configured to be mounted on the vessel and to provide compensation for wave-induced motion of the vessel to maintain a predetermined X-Y location of the pile holder independent of said motion, and a pile holder mounted on the support assembly to be tillable about a substantially horizontal tilt axis. The pile holder includes a lower ring and an upper ring, and a pile holder frame supporting the lower ring and upper ring, the upper ring longitudinally spaced from the lower ring. Each of the rings include pile engaging devices distributed about the circumference thereof, each pile engaging device being adapted to engage an exterior of the pile extending through the lower and upper ring. Each of the lower ring and upper ring includes a ring base fixed to the pile holder frame and one or more movable jaws, movable between a closed position for holding and guiding the pile and an opened position for entry of the pile. The pile holder is provided, below the lower ring thereof, with a pile foot end support for engaging a longitudinal end of the pile to limit longitudinal movement thereof.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A RACK STRUCTURE FOR A TRANSPORT VESSEL ADAPTED FOR USE WITH AN OFFSHORE SELF-ELEVATING VESSEL

A deployed L-shaped rack structure interengaged with a self-elevating vessel is used for supporting a feeder transport vessel, such as an ocean or sea barge, to eliminate relative motion or movement between the vessels. Some of the proposed rack structures are movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The method of use for the movable rack structures includes the self-elevating vessel arriving at a predetermined location, elevating the hull of the self-elevating to a suitable height above the sea surface at a desired still water line (SWL) to create an air gap, and then deploying the rack structure. A feeder transport vessel, with its cargo and/or components, can then be floated over the deployed rack structure. The self-elevating vessel then uses its jacking system including a plurality of legs supported on the seabed to raise the feeder transport vessel and its cargo and/or components to a desired height above the SWL. From this position relative motion between the self-elevating vessel and transport vessel is eliminated so that the self-elevating vessel lifting device, such as a crane, can be more safely used to install energy components, such as wind turbine components. A bottom supported tower/column section could also be assembled and installed in seabed using the self-elevating vessel and rack structure along with the lifting device. A fixed rack structure system and its method can also be advantageously used with a self-elevating vessel. The systems and methods could be used in reversing the method or steps for deinstallation of the energy components installed in the sea.

Device and method for providing a sizeable, slender object with a longitudinal direction into an underwater bottom

Described is a device for providing a sizeable, slender object having a longitudinal direction into an underwater bottom from a deck of a vessel. The device includes a lifting means configured to take up the object at a lifting point thereof and position it on the underwater bottom; an upending tool connected to an edge of the vessel and configured to engage a first circumferential part of the object suspended from the lifting means and provide a pivot around which the object can be upended; and a gripping tool connected to an edge of the vessel and configured to engage a second circumferential part of the object suspended from the lifting means, whereby the first and second circumferential parts are optionally spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the object. The gripping tool includes an actuator system configured to act on at least one of the upending tool and the gripping tool and control movements of at least one of the first and the second circumferential parts, relative to the vessel. A method using the device is also described.

Swimming pool floating maintenance system
11493495 · 2022-11-08 · ·

A method for analyzing a fluid of a pool by a floating system. The method may include sensing, by a sensor of the floating system, at least one out of (a) a wind parameter related to a wind that impinges on the floating system and (b) a movement of the floating system; wherein the floating system further comprises a top portion comprises at least one float, a submerged portion that comprises comprises a fluid analysis instrument, a power source, a controller, and a propulsion unit; determining, by the controller, an impact of the wind on the floating system based on the at least one out of the wind parameter and the movement of the floating system; controlling, by the controller, a movement of the floating system based, at least in part, on the impact of the wind; and analyzing, by the fluid analysis instrument, at one or more analysis points, the fluid of the pool to provide one or more fluid analysis results.

Swimming pool floating maintenance system
11493495 · 2022-11-08 · ·

A method for analyzing a fluid of a pool by a floating system. The method may include sensing, by a sensor of the floating system, at least one out of (a) a wind parameter related to a wind that impinges on the floating system and (b) a movement of the floating system; wherein the floating system further comprises a top portion comprises at least one float, a submerged portion that comprises comprises a fluid analysis instrument, a power source, a controller, and a propulsion unit; determining, by the controller, an impact of the wind on the floating system based on the at least one out of the wind parameter and the movement of the floating system; controlling, by the controller, a movement of the floating system based, at least in part, on the impact of the wind; and analyzing, by the fluid analysis instrument, at one or more analysis points, the fluid of the pool to provide one or more fluid analysis results.