Patents by Inventor Michael L. Ballard

Michael L. Ballard 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).

  • Method and system for laying pipe through the use of a plow
    Patent number: 6821054
    Abstract: A method and system for laying and burying pipe a seabed using a pipe trenching plow that is advanced along the seabed to form a continuous trench. The pipe trenching plow cuts a pilot hole in the seabed using a cutting apparatus and widens and forms a trench from the pilot hole using expandable spreading side sections. A pipe guiding sled also is used to support and guide the pipe into the trench and a trench box section retains the trench geometry as the pipe trenching plow is continuously advanced in a forward direction. The pipe trenching plow cutting the trench and burying the pipe with minimal turbidity and seabed disturbance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Horizon Vessels, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael L. Ballard
  • Method and system for laying pipe through the use of a plow
    Publication number: 20040031174
    Abstract: A method and system for laying and burying pipe a seabed using a pipe trenching plow that is advanced along the seabed to form a continuous trench. The pipe trenching plow cuts a pilot hole in the seabed using a cutting apparatus and widens and forms a trench from the pilot hole using expandable spreading side sections. A pipe guiding sled also is used to support and guide the pipe into the trench and a trench box section retains the trench geometry as the pipe trenching plow is continuously advanced in a forward direction. The pipe trenching plow cutting the trench and burying the pipe with minimal turbidity and seabed disturbance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: Michael L. Ballard