Patents by Inventor Malcolm Atkinson

Malcolm Atkinson 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: 11933428
    Abstract: A ball valve assembly includes a ball configured to rotate between an open position and a closed position. The ball valve assembly also includes a cradle having a ball-facing surface. The ball-facing surface faces the ball and is positioned at an end of a fluid passage through the cradle. In addition, the cradle is configured to rotatably support the ball to enable the ball to rotate between the open position and the closed position, and the cradle is configured to block movement of the ball toward the ball-facing surface to establish a separation distance between the ball and the ball-facing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: OneSubsea IP UK Limited
    Inventors: Mangesh Edke, Mahesh Shenoy, John Kobersky, Malcolm Atkinson, Adam Tusing
  • Publication number: 20220316606
    Abstract: A ball valve assembly includes a ball configured to rotate between an open position and a closed position. The ball valve assembly also includes a cradle having a ball-facing surface. The ball-facing surface faces the ball and is positioned at an end of a fluid passage through the cradle. In addition, the cradle is configured to rotatably support the ball to enable the ball to rotate between the open position and the closed position, and the cradle is configured to block movement of the ball toward the ball-facing surface to establish a separation distance between the ball and the ball-facing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Mangesh EDKE, Mahesh Shenoy, John Kobersky, Malcolm Atkinson, Adam Tusing
  • Patent number: 10724870
    Abstract: The present invention combines the geographical coverage possible with fixed, pre-defined route segment costs (e.g. the legal speed limit) with, wherever possible, richer time dependent costs. A user of, for example, a portable navigation device, can therefore continue route planning as before to virtually any destination in a country covered by the stored map database, but wherever possible, can also use traffic data with time-dependent costs, so that the effect of congestion with any time predictability can be accurately taken into account as an automatic, background process. It leaves the user to simply carry on driving, following the guidance offered by the navigation device, without needing to be concerned about congestion that exists now, and whether it will impact his journey.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: TOMTOM NAVIGATION B.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Bruce Watson Adam, Ian Malcolm Atkinson, Michael Joseph Dixon
  • Patent number: 10557714
    Abstract: The present invention combines the geographical coverage possible with fixed, pre-defined route segment costs (e.g. the legal speed limit) with, wherever possible, richer time dependent costs. A user of, for example, a portable navigation device, can therefore continue route planning as before to virtually any destination in a country covered by the stored map database, but wherever possible, can also use traffic data with time-dependent costs, so that the effect of congestion with any time predictability can be accurately taken into account as an automatic, background process. It leaves the user to simply carry on driving, following the guidance offered by the navigation device, without needing to be concerned about congestion that exists now, and whether it will impact his journey.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: TOMTOM TRAFFIC B.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Bruce Watson Adam, Ian Malcolm Atkinson, Michael Joseph Dixon
  • Patent number: 10024677
    Abstract: A server arranged to process GPS data to generate enhanced map data is disclosed, and comprises a plurality of navigable segments representing segments of a navigable route in an area covered by a map, the server connected with a wireless telecommunications transceiver arranged to receive GPS fixes by wireless telecommunication from a plurality of navigation devices and send the received GPS fixes to the server, the server comprising a processor arranged to generate at least one speed profile for each segment from the GPS fixes from at least two of the plurality of navigation devices, each speed profile comprising an expected speed of travel through the segment, and the server arranged to subsequently cause the transceiver to send the speed profiles to the navigation devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: TOMTOM TRAFFIC B.V.
    Inventors: Geert Hilbrandie, Ralf-Peter Schaefer, Peter Mieth, Ian Malcolm Atkinson, Martin Wolf, Ben Rutten
  • Patent number: 9696193
    Abstract: A system, method, and fluid analysis module are provided for the real-time analysis of multiphase fluids. The system generally comprises a sampling system for directing a fluid stream from a flow line to a fluid analysis module, a processor and communicator. The fluid analysis module comprises a sensor for measurement of at least one property of the fluid. The processor processes the measurement data from the sensor, and the communicator communicates the processed data to a central acquisition unit or computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bradley Martin, Paul Guieze, David MacWilliam, Malcolm Atkinson, Bernard Theron
  • Patent number: 9695674
    Abstract: A system is described for injecting small controlled amounts of fluid, such as de-emulsifier, into a flowing line at high pressure, in a high-pressure environment such as a subsea environment. The system is connected to the flowing line by tubing lines. It is enclosed either in a high-pressure vessel able to withstand high external pressure or in a vessel that is pressure-matched with the environment. The system is able to inject a controlled volume of fluid into the flowing line at relatively low injection rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: ONESUBSEA IP UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Bernard E. Theron, Malcolm Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20170101855
    Abstract: A technique facilitates fluid flow control with respect to a fluid flowing through a component of a landing string by avoiding or protecting mechanisms otherwise susceptible to debris. A valve is provided in a well component of a landing string and comprises a flexible element. The flexible element is oriented for flexing in an inward direction with respect to an internal flow passage through the landing string. The flexible element enables selective closing off of the internal flow passage without exposing certain types of mechanical mechanisms to fluid flowing through the landing string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Malcolm Atkinson, Gary L. Rytlewski, Rachel Deghuee, Laurent Alteirac
  • Patent number: 9618427
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a system to segregate, enrich and capture oil, water and gas samples from a multiphase flow. The system can be used in a subsea location, on the surface or in any other condition where it is connected to a flow of different phases of gas and/or liquid. The samples obtained are representative in composition of the phases flowing at well head conditions in terms of both pressure and temperature. Additionally, a relatively small volume of each phase is used in obtaining the samples. The system connects and disconnects to ports installed at the sampling location nearby the wellhead or the production line. The sampling flow is controlled by means of a pump. The collected samples are separated in mono (or nearly mono)—phase samples (oil, water and gas) and stored in individual bottles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bernard E. Theron, Malcolm Atkinson, Andrea Sbordone, John Allan Nighswander, Rune Lien
  • Publication number: 20150308847
    Abstract: A server arranged to process GPS data to generate enhanced map data is disclosed, and comprises a plurality of navigable segments representing segments of a navigable route in an area covered by a map, the server connected with a wireless telecommunications transceiver arranged to receive GPS fixes by wireless telecommunication from a plurality of navigation devices and send the received GPS fixes to the server, the server comprising a processor arranged to generate at least one speed profile for each segment from the GPS fixes from at least two of the plurality of navigation devices, each speed profile comprising an expected speed of travel through the segment, and the server arranged to subsequently cause the transceiver to send the speed profiles to the navigation devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: Geert Hilbrandie, Ralf-Peter Schaefer, Peter Mieth, Ian Malcolm Atkinson, Martin Wolf, Ben Rutten
  • Publication number: 20150285036
    Abstract: A system is described for injecting small controlled amounts of fluid, such as de-emulsifier, into a flowing line at high pressure, in a high-pressure environment such as a subsea environment. The system is connected to the flowing line by tubing lines. It is enclosed either in a high-pressure vessel able to withstand high external pressure or in a vessel that is pressure-matched with the environment. The system is able to inject a controlled volume of fluid into the flowing line at relatively low injection rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: ONESUBSEA IP UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Bernard E. Theron, Malcolm Atkinson
  • Patent number: 9140116
    Abstract: A method for capturing a sample from a wellbore, comprising the steps of introducing a first message and a second message into a tubing positioned within the wellbore. The first message is directed to a first modem connected to a first sampler device to cause the first sampler device to collect a first sample. The second message is directed to a second modem connected to a second sampler device to cause the second sampler device to collect a second sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Malcolm Atkinson, John Stevens, Adeel Khan, Susanna Fragoso, Laurent Alteirac, Jim Filas
  • Publication number: 20150247493
    Abstract: A high pressure transfer motor-pump providing for pumping a wide range of process fluids (e.g. chemicals, multiphase fluids, and particle polluted fluids) between intake and outlet ports at high pressure with little to zero leak to the environment and little to no contamination between the pumped process fluid and the driving hydraulic fluid. In accordance to an embodiment a high pressure transfer motor-pump includes a process fluid path extending between an inlet port and an outlet port, a cylinder having a barrier separating a hydraulic fluid path from the process fluid path, a motor coupled across a dynamic seal to a hydraulic pump to manipulate the cylinder barrier by circulating a hydraulic fluid through the hydraulic supply fluid path and a housing pressurized at an inlet pressure of the inlet port and encapsulating the motor, the pump, the dynamic seal and the hydraulic fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Bernard Theron, Malcolm Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20150192422
    Abstract: The present invention combines the geographical coverage possible with fixed, pre-defined route segment costs (e.g. the legal speed limit) with, wherever possible, richer time dependent costs. A user of, for example, a portable navigation device, can therefore continue route planning as before to virtually any destination in a country covered by the stored map database, but wherever possible, can also use traffic data with time-dependent costs, so that the effect of congestion with any time predictability can be accurately taken into account as an automatic, background process. It leaves the user to simply carry on driving, following the guidance offered by the navigation device, without needing to be concerned about congestion that exists now, and whether it will impact his journey.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas Bruce Watson Adam, Ian Malcolm Atkinson, Michael Joseph Dixon
  • Patent number: 8958983
    Abstract: A server arranged to process GPS data to generate enhanced map data is disclosed. The enhanced map data includes a plurality of navigable segments representing segments of a navigable route in an area covered by a map. In at least one embodiment, the server is connected with a wireless telecommunications transceiver arranged to receive GPS fixes by wireless telecommunication from a plurality of navigation devices and send the received GPS fixes to the server, the server includes a processor arranged to generate at least one speed profile for each segment from the GPS fixes from at least two of the plurality of navigation devices, each speed profile comprising an expected speed of travel through the segment, and the server is arranged to subsequently cause the transceiver to send the speed profiles to the navigation devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: TomTom International B.V.
    Inventors: Ralf-Peter Schäfer, Peter Mieth, Ian Malcolm Atkinson, Martin Wolf, Ben Rutten, Karine Hilbrandie
  • Publication number: 20150007648
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a system to segregate, enrich and capture oil, water and gas samples from a multiphase flow. The system can be used in a subsea location, on the surface or in any other condition where it is connected to a flow of different phases of gas and/or liquid. The samples obtained are representative in composition of the phases flowing at well head conditions in terms of both pressure and temperature. Additionally, a relatively small volume of each phase is used in obtaining the samples. The system connects and disconnects to ports installed at the sampling location nearby the wellhead or the production line. The sampling flow is controlled by means of a pump. The collected samples are separated in mono (or nearly mono)—phase samples (oil, water and gas) and stored in individual bottles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Bernard E. Theron, Malcolm Atkinson, Andrea Sbordone, John Allan Nighswander, Rune Lien
  • Publication number: 20140327552
    Abstract: An apparatus is made of a surface communication system for communicating wirelessly with a first wireless modem (25Mi?2) mounted within a section of tubing (14), and configured to communicate wirelessly with a second wireless modem (25Mi?1) through a tubing including the section of tubing and within a well at a distance in excess of 500 feet, comprising: a transceiver assembly (32) adapted to be positioned on the section of tubing and in close proximity with the first wireless modem (25Mi?2); transmitter electronics (36) configured to provide low power signals to the transceiver assembly to cause the transceiver assembly to generate low power wireless signals into the section of tubing to be received and interpreted by the first wireless modem; and receiver electronics (38) configured to receive and interpret high power signals from the transceiver assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: James G. Filas, Laurent Alteirac, Malcolm Atkinson
  • Patent number: 8800393
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for selectively capturing substantially separate phases from a multiphase fluid mixture flowing through a flowline. The apparatus is preferably substantially aerofoil shaped, and includes sample ports which are positioned on the apparatus in such an orientation that takes advantage of the low density and high density flow around the aerofoil shape, as well as the pressure distribution around the aerofoil shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Malcolm Atkinson, Muhammad Adeel Zahid Khan, Bernard Theron
  • Publication number: 20140163849
    Abstract: The present invention combines the geographical coverage possible with fixed, pre-defined route segment costs (e.g. the legal speed limit) with, wherever possible, richer time dependent costs. A user of, for example, a portable navigation device, can therefore continue route planning as before to virtually any destination in a country covered by the stored map database, but wherever possible, can also use traffic data with time-dependent costs, so that the effect of congestion with any time predictability can be accurately taken into account as an automatic, background process. It leaves the user to simply carry on driving, following the guidance offered by the navigation device, without needing to be concerned about congestion that exists now, and whether it will impact his journey.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: TomTom International B.V.
    Inventors: Thomas Bruce Watson Adam, Ian Malcolm Atkinson, Michael Joseph Dixon
  • Publication number: 20120305244
    Abstract: A method for capturing a sample from a wellbore, comprising the steps of introducing a first message and a second message into a tubing positioned within the wellbore. The first message is directed to a first modem connected to a first sampler device to cause the first sampler device to collect a first sample. The second message is directed to a second modem connected to a second sampler device to cause the second sampler device to collect a second sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventors: Malcolm Atkinson, John Stevens, Adeel Khan, Susanna Fragoso, Laurent Alteirac, Jim Filas