Patents by Inventor Michael B. Winfree

Michael B. Winfree 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: 8801333
    Abstract: A system operates like a conventional jack-up rig while in open water with the hull jacked up out of the water. However, in the event of ice conditions, the legs are held in place by cans embedded in the sea floor to resist lateral movement of the rig and the hull is lowered into the water into an ice defensive configuration. The hull is specifically shaped with an ice-bending surface to bend and break up ice that comes in contact with the hull while in the ice defensive configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Peter G. Noble, Randall S. Shafer, Dominique P. Berta, Michael B. Winfree
  • Publication number: 20120128428
    Abstract: The invention relates to an ice worthy jack-up rig that may extend the drilling season in shallow water off shore Arctic or ice prone locations. The inventive rig would work like a conventional jack-up rig while in open water with the hull jacked up out of the water. However, in the event of ice conditions, the legs are held in place by cans embedded in the sea floor to resist lateral movement of the rig and the hull is lowered into the water into an ice defensive configuration. The hull is specifically shaped with an ice-bending surface to bend and break up ice that comes in contact with the hull while in the ice defensive configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Peter G. Noble, Randall S. Shafer, Dominique P. Berta, Michael B. Winfree
  • Publication number: 20120128429
    Abstract: The invention relates to an ice worthy jack-up rig that may extend the drilling season in shallow water off shore Arctic or ice prone locations. The inventive rig would work like a conventional jack-up rig while in open water with the hull jacked up out of the water. However, in the event of ice conditions, the legs are held in place by cans embedded in the sea floor to resist lateral movement of the rig and the hull is lowered into the water into an ice defensive configuration. The hull is specifically shaped with an ice-bending surface to bend and break up ice that comes in contact with the hull while in the ice defensive configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Peter G. Noble, Randall S. Shafer, Dominique P. Berta, Michael B. Winfree
  • Publication number: 20120128427
    Abstract: The invention relates to an ice worthy jack-up rig that may extend the drilling season in shallow water off shore Arctic or ice prone locations. The inventive rig would work like a conventional jack-up rig while in open water with the hull jacked up out of the water. However, in the event of ice conditions, the legs are held in place by cans embedded in the sea floor to resist lateral movement of the rig and the hull is lowered into the water into an ice defensive configuration. The hull is specifically shaped with an ice-bending surface to bend and break up ice that comes in contact with the hull while in the ice defensive configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Peter G. Noble, Randall S. Shafer, Dominique P. Berta, Michael B. Winfree
  • Patent number: 5472057
    Abstract: A wellbore is formed in the earth with an elongated, non-rotating tubular drillstem which may consist of a well casing or liner and including an expendable sub and reamer bit part connected to the lower distal end of the drillstem. A retrievable drilling fluid operated motor and drive member assembly are disposed in the drillstem. The motor and drive member include pressure fluid responsive mechanism for engagement with and disengagement from the reamer bit part to rotatably drive the reamer bit part and a central bit part connected to the drive member without rotating the casing type drillstem. The motor, drive member and central bit part may be retracted from the drillstem upon completion of drilling operations without retrieving the expendable reamer bit part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventor: Michael B. Winfree