Patents by Inventor Francis Biolley

Francis Biolley has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7066686
    Abstract: Method intended for automatic control of an underwater pipe for connecting the lower end of the pipe to a wellhead, wherein the following stages are carried out: Stage 1: determining a mathematical model expressing the position of the lower end of the pipe as a function of the position of the upper end of the pipe, Stage 2: determining a reference path leading to the wellhead, Stage 3: from the mathematical model determined in stage 1, determining control laws allowing to control the path of the lower end of the pipe, Stage 4: applying determined motions to the upper end of the pipe so that the position of the lower end is as close as possible to the reference path determined in stage 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Rida Sabri, Claude Putot, Francis Biolley, Cédric Le Cunff, Yann Creff, Jean Levine
  • Publication number: 20050265789
    Abstract: Method intended for automatic control of an underwater pipe for connecting the lower end of the pipe to a wellhead, wherein the following stages are carried out: Stage 1: determining a mathematical model expressing the position of the lower end of the pipe as a function of the position of the upper end of the pipe, Stage 2: determining a reference path leading to the wellhead, Stage 3: from the mathematical model determined in stage 1, determining control laws allowing to control the path of the lower end of the pipe, Stage 4: applying determined motions to the upper end of the pipe so that the position of the lower end is as close as possible to the reference path determined in stage 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Inventors: Rida Sabri, Claude Putot, Francis Biolley, Cedric Le Cunff, Yann Creff, Jean Levine
  • Patent number: 6869253
    Abstract: Pipe for great water depths allowing transfer of a fluid between a floating support and a point situated below and at a distance from the water surface, characterized in that it comprises: at least one flexible part connected at one of its ends to the point situated below the surface, at least one rigid part connected to the flexible part at one of its ends and to the floating support at the second end, the rigid part being held up onto the floating support by holding means allowing this part to be essentially tensioned under the effect of its own weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventor: Francis Biolley
  • Publication number: 20020060077
    Abstract: Pipe for great water depths allowing transfer of a fluid between a floating support (1) and a point situated below and at a distance from the water surface, characterized in that it comprises:
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Inventor: FRANCIS BIOLLEY
  • Patent number: 5971075
    Abstract: A drilling and/or production riser includes on at least part of the length thereof, a stiffener suited to withstand strains induced by the stresses transmitted by the marine environment, those induced by said supporting and guide device, and the strains due to the weight of the loads supported by said stiffener. System intended for production of petroleum effluents from a production site, such as one or more production wells, to a floater having at least one assembly allowing transfer of the effluents from at least one of the production wells to the floater. The assembly includes a production riser equipped on at least part of the length thereof with a float and with at least one stiffener situated above the float and suited to withstand strains induced by the stresses transmitted by the marine environment, those induced by said supporting and guide device and the strains due to the weight of the loads supported by said stiffener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Pierre Odru, Francis Biolley