U.S. patents available from 1976 to present.
U.S. patent applications available from 2005 to present.

Icon_funbox Bizarre Patents

Patent No. 5871518

Smoking Cessation Lighter and Method

A lighter for tobacco products suppresses the urge to smoke by operant conditioning.

Newsletter  PatentStorm News

Make the Most of Our Site

See this month's Top Inventors and Most Cited Patents.

Stay on top of the latest innovations by subscribing to an RSS feed.

Registered users: Manage your profile.

 

Attorney: Phillips; Richard F.


Number of patents: 52
Last date: October 02, 1990

1    
NumberTitleIssue Date
4960183Seismic source firing control system
A firing system for marine seismic sources 14 grouped and fired in subarrays 18. Each source 14 is provided with a firing circuit 30 including an energy storage device, such as a storage capacitor 32, adapted to pass firing current through the source actu...
10/02/1990
4924099Method and apparatus for monitoring a flowstream
A method and apparatus utilizing inelastic neutron scattering for measuring the volume fractions of the various constituents of a multiconstituent substance. A source of fast neutrons is positioned proximate the substance. A detection system is provided t...
05/08/1990
4881852Method and apparatus for tensioning the tethers of a tension leg platform
Described herein are a system for securing and tensioning the tethers 12 of a tension leg platform 10 and a TLP installation method incorporating such a system. The tethers 12 preferably extend upward from the ocean bottom 16 to a position slightly below ...
11/21/1989
4810135Compliant offshore structure with fixed base
A compliant offshore structure in which the primary restoring force to lateral displacement is provided by elongate flex elements. A gravity base is rigidly secured to the ocean bottom. A tower extends vertically upward from the base to a position above t...
03/07/1989
4808035Pneumatic riser tensioner
A system for supporting one end of a riser or other elongate element from a marine structure. In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of gas springs are symmetrically disposed about the upper end of a riser. The axis of compression of each gas spring is ...
02/28/1989
4785894Apparatus for detecting drill bit wear
An earth drilling bit incorporating a bit wear indicator. The bit wear indicator includes: a sensor to detect wear at a selected point on the bit; a device for altering the resistance of the bit to receiving drilling fluid from the drill string; and, a te...
11/22/1988
4785895Drill bit with wear indicating feature
An earth drilling bit incorporating a tensioned linkage type bit wear indicator. A tensioned linkage extends through the bit between a wear sensor and a device for altering the resistance of the bit to receiving drilling fluid from the drill string. On de...
11/22/1988
4784526Arctic offshore structure and installation method therefor
An arctic offshore platform adapted for use in hydrocarbon exploration and production operations conducted in relatively shallow waters with low to moderate ice environments. The arctic offshore platform of the present invention includes one or more suppo...
11/15/1988
4780266Method for detecting drilling fluid in the annulus of a cased wellbore
A method for logging a cased well to determine the quantity and location of any barite weighted drilling fluid in the annulus between the casing and the wall of the wellbore. A tool assembly having a neutron generator and a gamma scintillation detector is...
10/25/1988
4780026Tension leg platform and installation method therefor
A tether and tether tensioning system for a tension leg platform. A plurality of elongate tethers 12 are used to secure a tension leg platform hull 20 to a foundation 14 at the ocean floor. Each tether 12 has a lower end secured to the ocean floor foundat...
10/25/1988
4721417Compliant offshore structure stabilized by resilient pile assemblies
A compliant offshore structure in which stabilization against excessive sway is provided by a resilient pile assemblies. A series of drive piles extend into the ocean floor beneath the base of the structure. Drive piles extend upward to a position proxima...
01/26/1988
4702636System for connecting two members together
A coupling 10 for connecting an elongate first member 12 to a second member 14. The first member 12 is provided with external radial fins 16. The second member 14 defines a recess provided with a number of internal radial fins 20. The first and second mem...
10/27/1987
4697667Debris ejector for a seismic vibrator
The present invention is an improvement to conventional baseplates for imparting seismic energy to an earth formation. A baseplate typically has a plurality of downwardly disposed triangular prism-shaped cleats for engagement with the earth surface above ...
10/06/1987
4696604Pile assembly for an offshore structure
A pile assembly adapted for use in a compliant piled tower. A plurality of drive piles are driven into the ocean floor in a symetric array about a central, substantially vertical axis. A flex pile is secured to the upper end of each drive pile and extends...
09/29/1987
4696601Articulated compliant offshore structure
An articulated, compliant offshore structure having a base portion establishing a gravity-type foundation on the ocean bottom, a tower extending upward from the base portion and a deck seated on the tower a spaced distance above the ocean surface. The tow...
09/29/1987
4696603Compliant offshore platform
A complaint offshore platform in which the primary restoring force to lateral displacement is established by flex piles driven into the seafloor and fixedly secured to the platform legs a preselected distance above the seafloor. The platform includes a su...
09/29/1987
4695984Method for establishing a surface consistent correction for the effects of the low velocity layer in seismic data processing
A method useful in seismic data processing for correcting data for the effects of the low velocity layer. At least three sets of traces having common offsets are displayed as a function of centerpoint. From this, the first refraction arrival for each trac...
09/22/1987
4671357Method of cementing a casing in a borehole
A method for cementing a casing into a borehole. The borehole is drilled to the desired depth in the usual manner. Before removing the drill string and without substantially interrupting the flow of fluids in the borehole, the mud therein is displaced wit...
06/09/1987
4661017Method and apparatus for aligning underwater components
A method and apparatus for aligning a component with an underwater receptacle is disclosed. The component is attached to one end of a swing arm having a hook attached to the other end. The swing arm is lowered in the water until the hook engages a pivot a...
04/28/1987
4648453Process for remedial cementing
An improved method is disclosed for remedial cementing operations. Prior to conducting the remedial cementing operation, the zone to be cemented is pretreated with a hydrocarbon solvent capable of dissolving hydrocarbons, such as oils and asphaltenes. Fol...
03/10/1987
4630970Buoyancy system for submerged structural member
A buoyancy system for a tension leg platform tether 10 or other element extending a significant vertical distance through a body of water. A series of bulkheads 25 divide the interior of the tether 10 into individual buoyancy cells 31. A central access tu...
12/23/1986
4610161Method and apparatus for determining fluid circulation conditions in well drilling operations
A method and apparatus for establishing the rate at which fluid is transferred between an offshore well 16 and the formations 20 surrounding the well 16 in the course of drilling the well 16 from a floating drilling rig 14. A drilling fluid handling syste...
09/09/1986
4604961Vessel mooring system
The disclosure describes apparatus for mooring a vessel 10 in unprotected waters. The vessel 10 contains a recess 34 in its hull adapted for receiving a buoyant mooring element 18. The mooring element 18 is attached to the ocean floor 12 by a plurality of...
08/12/1986
4576519Offshore platform base
An improved offshore platform base (12) is disclosed having three sets of substantially parallel bulkheads (24, 26, 28) which intersect one another at about 120° forming a repeatable array of contiguous triangular (30) and hexagonal-shaped (34) chambers....
03/18/1986
4558751Apparatus for transporting equipment through a conduit
Apparatus 10 for propelling equipment through a fluid-filled conduit 12, such as a pipeline or oil well tubular. The propulsion apparatus incorporates first and second elements 14,16 adapted to be moved in a first axial direction through the conduit 12 an...
12/17/1985
4553429Method and apparatus for monitoring fluid flow between a borehole and the surrounding formations in the course of drilling operations
A method and apparatus for establishing the rate at which fluid is transferred between a borehole 14 and the surrounding formations 16 in the course of moving drill string 20 upward or downward in the borehole 14. A bell nipple 40 is situated at the upper...
11/19/1985
4549578Coded fluid control system
A fluid control system 10 and selector valve 24 for use therein, for controlling a plurality of fluid actuated elements 12, such as valve operators. The fluid actuated elements are controlled from an operating station 52, which is located remotely from th...
10/29/1985
4537457Connector for providing electrical continuity across a threaded connection
A connector 10 is disclosed which is suited for use in effecting an electrical connection between separate conductor bundles 12, 16 in adjacent sections of a threadably sectioned conduit. The connector 10 is especially well suited for use in providing ele...
08/27/1985
4531787Debris deflector for endless track system
This invention concerns a debris deflector (30) primarily useful for vehicles (24) having wheels (14,16) supporting an endless track (12). With no deflector (30) debris accumulates in the endless track (12) impeding vehicle performance. An inverted "V"-sh...
07/30/1985
4529334Production riser assembly
A production riser assembly includes a controlled bending guide and base assembly having a curved bend control surface which cooperates with a tension and bend shaft member associated with a riser pipe, whereby movement of the riser pipe is controlled by ...
07/16/1985
4512408Moonpool guidance system for drill strings having attached umbilical lines
A system for guiding a drill string with an attached umbilical line through a moonpool of a floating structure. The system comprises a support means, and a workhead assembly secured to the outer end of the support means. The workhead assembly is adapted t...
04/23/1985
4499380Apparatus and method for determining the hydrogen content of a substance
Set forth in the accompanying disclosure is an apparatus 10 and method broadly useful for monitoring the concentration of a hydrogenous component within a given sample or space. The specific apparatus disclosed is directed to monitoring steam quality with...
02/12/1985
4488599Method of controlling displacement of propping agent in fracturing treatments
A method of preventing overdisplacement and underdisplacement of proppant during well treatments to hydraulically induce and maintain a fracture in a subterranean formation traversed by a wellbore having a perforated casing. In the practice of the method,...
12/18/1984
4475591Method for monitoring subterranean fluid communication and migration
A method is detailed for obtaining data useful in the analysis of fluid communication and migration between first and second horizons intersected by a wellbore. In the practice of this method, a pressure transducer is fixedly attached to a length of casin...
10/09/1984
4473323Buoyant arm for maintaining tension on a drilling riser
The invention relates to an elongated buoyant arm mounted below the water line of a drilling vessel. The arm is of variable buoyancy and is attached to a drilling riser extending between the drilling vessel and the sea bottom to maintain tension on the ri...
09/25/1984
4436450Apparatus and method for removing buoyancy modules from submerged pipe
Apparatus for releasably attaching a buoyant module to a submerged pipeline and for releasing the module therefrom is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a strap wrapped over the top of the module and around the underside of the pipeline and a link connect...
03/13/1984
4421167Method of controlling displacement of propping agent in fracturing treatments
A method of preventing overdisplacement of propping agent particles during well treatments to hydraulically induce a fracture in a subterranean formation wherein buoyant or neutrally buoyant ball sealers are incorporated in the trailing end portion of the...
12/20/1983
4398487Fairing for elongated elements
A fairing for elongated elements is disclosed for reducing current-induced stresses on the elongated element. The fairing is made as a stream-lined shaped body that has a nose portion in which the elongated element is accommodated and a tail portion. The ...
08/16/1983
4398427Thin shell pressure sensor
A thin shell pressure sensor for sensing in situ pressures in a medium in which the sensor is embedded is provided. The sensor operates on the principle that the membrane stresses near the apex of a thin shell under an external pressure load are proportio...
08/16/1983
4391298Multiline piggable fluid swivel
A piggable fluid swivel comprising a first element on which a second element is rotatably mounted. Grooves in both the first and second elements align to form a continuous flow passage between the elements. Openings are provided through the first and seco...
07/05/1983
1    
 
Sign InRegister
Username  
Password   
forgot password?