Invention

  • Avondale Operations valve supervisor Bubba Thornton mounted and checked the 68 valves on Polar Endeavour, he set out to improve the process of installing and testing that many valves on such a huge ship. That's why Thornton joined 20 other Avondale employees to come up with a way to test the valves prior to installation aboard ship. There is a total of 68 valves, ranging in size from 8 to 36 in. in diameter, in the Polar tanker's cargo system. Of those valves, 31 control the flow of crude oil in and out of each tank during filling or discharging from land-based terminals.

    The other 37 valves control the movement of ballast water, potable water, ship's fuel and most of the other fluids in the ship's systems. Ken Genter and zone manager John Whittington wanted to develop a basic concept of a valve-testing device that was compact, light, and could handle high-pressure loads. "I had an idea of a tool for testing valves at a different location other than aboard ship, as well as having the valves tested and the results witnessed by our customer prior to installation on the ship," said Genter. Engineers Gopal Suthar and Aseem Kaikini took the lead and designed a device that would test a valve up to 36-inches in diameter with a minimum number of settings.

    "After discussing the concept with all involved, I started putting together a preliminary concept that I thought was the best available method of performing the task," said Suthar. "I took that preliminary concept and completed the detailed design of the testing tool," said Kaikini. "But I took it one step further to design the tool and its components so that the tool would successfully test each valve on the first trial." Pipefitter Alvin Phillips took the detailed drawings and, with welder John Guillory, manufactured all of the components and assembled the testing device. "The real proof in the tool's design is that it's flexible enough to test different size valves, gain successful approval, and then sell those to the customer well in advance of installation," added Suthar. The valve-testing device is 6 x 4 x 6 ft. (1.8 x 1.2 x 1.8 m), weighs 750 lbs., and is relatively inexpensive to build. The device uses water to pressure-test a valve from 5 PSI to 250 PSI. That's equivalent to a generating force of 255,000 lbs./ft. on the valve. Normally, the manufacturer only tests the valve using air pressure. All of the valves destined for Polar Discovery, the third double-hulled tanker under construction at Avondale, have been pre-tested prior to installation, and no leaks were detected. "This device is one of the most significant pieces of equipment we have invented that will help us with this series of ships," said zone manager John Whittington. The valve-testing device's influence extends far beyond the Polar tanker construction program. It can be integral to any of the Northrop Grumman facilities. Suthar and Kaikini have even bigger plans for the device. They envision it being used at any facility along the Gulf Coast that needs to pressure-test valves. "The efforts of all involved in this project are greatly appreciated," said Polar Tanker Project Integration Director Terry Verret. "The ability to set up and test the valves prior to installation aboard the ship is a major cost reduction for the program." — By Jeff Nowakowski

  • Jensen Maritime Consultants – leveraging a unique porthole on the maritime industry – anticipates and meets demand in the burgeoning maritime LNG sectors. Nevertheless, says Jensen’s Johan Sperling, it’s not rocket science.  At the recent Passenger Vessel Association (PVA) annual meeting held in Houston

  • ONR & The Culture of Innovation and Invention: Adm. Matt Klunder, U.S. Navy Chief of Naval Research MTR sister publication Maritime Reporter & Engineering News recently had the honor to interview Rear Adm. Matt Klunder, U.S. Navy Chief of Naval Research. Here we share select responses that are pertinent

  • Design Results In A 10 To 15-Percent Higher Speed Or 20 To 30-Percent Reduction In Power Required To Tow Loaded Barges At The Same Speed A Canadian invention which reduces the power needed to tow loaded barges by up to 30 percent was used to speed the delivery of the drill rig Interocean II from Japan

  • A Canadian invention said to reduce the power needed to tow loaded barges by up to 30 percent, introduced in 1976, has seen successful operation for the past four years fitted to a fleet of four 400-foot by 100- foot by 25-foot, 16,500-dwt semisubmerging barges. Developed by Seaspan Development

  • In the invention devised by Langh Ship, steel coils are transported on tweendecks that are equipped with integrated cradles. The method was granted a Finnish patent in 2001 and it has now passed the European Patent Office's inspection, which ascertained that the innovation's novelty, inventiveness and

  • A Swedish and Dutch invention aims to eliminate misalignment, modernizing today’s shaft alignment practice. The Dynaligner is said to offer trouble free operation of marine propulsion trains, irrespective of ship operation condition or hull deflections. Dynaligner ‘s developer said the propeller shafting is

  • division, Hi Tech Boat, Inc., that will build and market the new specially built craft based on the Blount patent. The project is the result of an invention developed and patented by Luther H. Blount in 1981. In May 1982, the 40-foot experimental Island Express was built using the new method cited in

  • new U.S.S Hancock aircraft carrier, and scooped him up, thereby making him one of that ship’s original plank owners.     Necessity … The Mother of Invention Plato said it and Robert W. Fernstrum proved it, leading to the creation of R.W. Fernstrum & Company, a ubiquitous name in commercial maritime

  • offer long-term promise in both power efficiency and affordability. Described by some as the most exciting new development in renewable energy since the invention of the solar panel, the Marine WITT (Whatever Input to Torsion Transfer) is a unique technology with the power to harness energy from motion. WITT

  • that attracted 15,400 visitors in 2015. The prize was juried in part by U.S.-based, clean-shipping protagonist, Carbon War Room. Innovation Slat’s invention is an “ocean curtain” that drapes for miles to trap plastic bags, six-pack rings and other garbage tossed by humans or carried by the wind into the

  • and Cocoa, Florida, Elastec manufactures water pollution control products specializing in oil spill recovery equipment. Established in 1990 with the invention of the ELASTEC Drum Skimmer, the U.S. Clean Water act inspired Elastec to expand its product line to include floating booms, turbidity curtains,

  • MT Mar-24#39 experi- ence, projects, inventions, and feedback by writing)
    March 2024 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 39

    place to start is Battery University at . FEEDBACK Readers are encouraged to share their ocean lander experi- ence, projects, inventions, and feedback by writing to Kevin Hardy @ [email protected]. www.marinetechnologynews.com 39 MTR #3 (34-47).indd 39 4/4/2024 11:11:26 A

  • MR Nov-23#45 with LNG dual fuel engines. inventions in 20 countries. www)
    November 2023 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 45

    by Aker Arctic, is the world’s ? rst icebreaker ice. Aker Arctic’s intellectual property includes 12 patented equipped with LNG dual fuel engines. inventions in 20 countries. www.marinelink.com 45 MR #11 (34-49).indd 45 11/2/2023 9:44:02 A

  • MT Sep-23#57 to share their experience, inventions, and feedback by this)
    September 2023 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 57

    switch the MOSFET Exposition Press, 1954, a seminal early text on. Depending on the part you select, Readers are encouraged to share their experience, inventions, and feedback by this will be between 4v to 10v. I look writing the author at [email protected] for MOSFETS that fully saturate at logic

  • MR May-23#19 Hyblend was the actual invention that made it happen)
    May 2023 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 19

    . ity’s major technology advances, but it may well turn out that This chicken and egg realization has led me to surrender Hyblend was the actual invention that made it happen. to battery powered EV’s. I simply could not think of a way Meanwhile, never, ever, ignore Chicken and Egg issues that hydrogen

  • MR May-23#6 Ventimiglia tion and re-invention of technologies that)
    May 2023 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 6

    in for analysis by [email protected] and watch the continued evolution, inven- MOL. Production & Graphic Design Nicole Ventimiglia tion and re-invention of technologies that Radical new designs and technolo- [email protected] are designed to help ships run clean. From gies are the future for

  • MT Jan-23#44 Hardy of patents for his inventions. While in John passed)
    January 2023 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 44

    was an elite shell col- John and the USN received a number lector and passionate student of the topic. (Remembrance by Kevin Hardy of patents for his inventions. While in John passed peacefully surrounded by Scripps Institution of Oceanography/ Project Nekton, he attended and gradu- family and friends

  • MR Dec-22#40 is the mother invention, and Miros started )
    December 2022 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 40

    safely, as Jonas Røstad, Chief Commercial Of? cer, explains the premise behind ‘Sea States as a Service.’ By Greg Trauthwein ecessity is the mother invention, and Miros started thymetry, wave conditions can vary signi? cantly at different in 1984 as a ‘geeky science project’ to provide bet- points in

  • MR Dec-22#21 He further referred to the invention as a “caudal ? n.” search)
    December 2022 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 21

    verts the pitching motion of the ship into forward propulsion.” engineer who spent 20 years at IFREMER, the French re- He further referred to the invention as a “caudal ? n.” search institute. His work focuses on designing mechanical In addition to fuel savings – and CO2 reduction – the external and

  • MT Nov-22#22 .” He further referred to the invention as a scope. IFREMER)
    November 2022 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 22

    the pitching motion of the ship into ies and oceanography agencies. Its programs are international in forward propulsion.” He further referred to the invention as a scope. IFREMER manages the French Oceanographic Fleet. Its “caudal ? n.” budget is 240M€ annually and it operates under the joint author-

  • MT Sep-22#36 in the footsteps of an invention and TV engineering)
    September 2022 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 36

    products engineering company founded by her grandfather and run by her father for MARINE many years. TECHNOLOGY Following in the footsteps of an invention and TV engineering pioneer is neither straight nor easy. Following in the footsteps of your grandfather and father, taking the helm of a 77-year-old

  • MR Sep-22#39 help manage world-changing invention get started? the massive)
    September 2022 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 39

    guide the tor-trailers and railroad ? atbeds. But when and where did this ships into port, the Coast Guard personnel who help manage world-changing invention get started? the massive shipping traf? c, the crews who unload the con- My book traces the birth of containerization to Port Newark, tainers

  • MT May-22#41 that before the latter invention, the bowling leagues)
    May 2022 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 41

    to the bowling scoring systems for AMF,” she said, trained on the future of her family’s company and the unique so- noting that before the latter invention, the bowling leagues had lutions it delivers. While unable to give explicit details of what’s to have a pin counter, an actual person who would

  • MT May-22#35 nearly eight decades of invention and innovation. Dawn)
    May 2022 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 35

    , building and delivering sonar systems used by the most powerful navy on the planet, Massa Products Corporation represents nearly eight decades of invention and innovation. Dawn Massa Stancavish shares her insights and experience as a female, third generation leader of this innovative sonar and ultrasonic

  • MT Jan-22#47 . Ocean Landers inspire such invention. Come along on the journey)
    January 2022 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 47

    of the western Paci? c, NMS completed the development. Exploration of the ultra-deep sea changed dramatically after that. Ocean Landers inspire such invention. Come along on the journey. References: Copies of the Ewing & Vine (1938), Snodgrass (1968), and other papers are available for download at https:// ww

  • MR Jan-21#25 short-lived pivots, re-invention and new upward spurts)
    January 2021 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 25

    Turbine Installation Vessels (WTIVs). will be viewed as a year of While the bulk carrier market chugs along, with occasional short-lived pivots, re-invention and new upward spurts, forecasts point sky high for offshore wind demand in the 2020s. As of mid-December, 2020, SALT had sold nearly two doz- paradigms

  • MR Nov-20#59 . aussiepumps.com.au ITALIAN INVENTION Shipboard FiFi Training)
    November 2020 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 59

    coating both inside and out. The pump also is ? tted with a sacri? cial anode and stainless steel fasteners throughout. aussiepumps.com.au ITALIAN INVENTION Shipboard FiFi Training Tool A pair of Italian ? re? ghters have devised an innovative tool for use in shipboard ? re? ghting training. “One

  • MN Nov-20#48 has been the mother of invention in 2020, a time Seacor)
    November 2020 - Marine News page: 48

    Kirby and Marquette have all made strides in this area. years, the Inland River Services group within NYSE-listed Necessity has been the mother of invention in 2020, a time Seacor Holdings Inc., which manages more than 1,110 when the industry is halfway into its Subchapter M inspec- barges (including

  • MR Sep-20#48 the Mother of Invention Nothing inspires change)
    September 2020 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 48

    On the Drawing Board Innovative new Ship & Boat designs Necessity: the Mother of Invention Nothing inspires change quite like being told to do something, in the case of maritime this means new legislation mandating increasingly strict emissions reduction limits. Pro? led here are some innovative new and

  • MR May-20#26 ‘necessity is the mother of invention’ companies by the deteriorat)
    May 2020 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 26

    some see the mental strain on seafarers as an equal- ly serious situation. “As an ex-seafarer I have been saddened Believing ‘necessity is the mother of invention’ companies by the deterioration in the attitude towards, working conditions engaged in supplying maritime medical services have been and treatment

  • MT Jun-19#20 MUMs (and daughters) of invention Sea nymphs and MUMs)
    June 2019 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 20

    MUMs (and daughters) of invention Sea nymphs and MUMs are inspiring a new generation of underwater systems and vehicles. By Elaine Maslin An iDROP’s Oceanid. In Greek mythol- ogy, Oceanids are nymphs who were the 3000 daugh- ters of the Titans Oceanus and Tethys. Image: iDROP June 2019 20

  • MT Jun-19#2 5 20 MUMs (& daughters) of invention Sea nymphs and MUMs)
    June 2019 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 2

    June 2019 Vehicles Contents Volume 62 • Number 5 20 MUMs (& daughters) of invention Sea nymphs and MUMs are inspiring a new generation of underwater systems and vehicles. By Elaine Maslin Hydrographic Survey 28 Game Changer Offshore survey vessels are ready for faster sensors. By Jamie Sangster, CEO

  • MT Jun-19#Cover (& Daughters) of Invention Research Institutions Automat)
    June 2019 - Marine Technology Reporter page: Cover

    2019 www.marinetechnologynews.com Hydrographic Survey OSVs are ready for faster sensors USVs MUMs (& Daughters) of Invention Research Institutions Automating Environmental Monitoring Offshore Energy Offshore Wind’s One-Stop Power Conversion Volume 62 Number 5 Marine

  • MT Jan-19#10 changes done by hand. The invention of the o-ring was hailed)
    January 2019 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 10

    Kevin Hardy provides an insightful, personal re? ection on technology evolution in this sector. number of remarkable changes done by hand. The invention of the o-ring was hailed as a had already come to pass before breakthrough in ocean engineering, dramatically improving I joined the Scripps Institutio

  • MR Feb-19#14 engineering. In Imother of invention’. Faced with January)
    February 2019 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 14

    of change serves supports safety-enhancing education and as a reminder that ‘necessity is the research in transport and engineering. In Imother of invention’. Faced with January, we were delighted to win Foun- a constant tide of commercial, techni- dation funding to study the dramatic cal and regulatory