Patents Assigned to ENSCO
  • Publication number: 20140203970
    Abstract: A system and method for estimating the position of an object, such as a person, animal, or machine. The system includes first and second inertial measurement units, a first and second originator antennas, and a first and second transponder antennas. The system uses data from the inertial measurement units to estimate a position of the object. The system also calculates a range measurement between the first originator antenna and first transponder antenna. The system calculates a first CPD measurement between the second transponder antenna and the first originator antenna, and a second CPD measurement between the second originator antenna and the first transponder antenna. The range measurement and at least one CPD measurement are used to update a Kalman filter for estimating the position of the object. The system determines also updates the Kalman filter when one of the inertial measurement units is in a zero-velocity condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: ENSCO, Inc.
    Inventors: David W.A. Taylor, Bradley David Farnsworth, William Todd Faulkner, Christopher Matther Foster, Robert Barlow Alwood
  • Publication number: 20140203971
    Abstract: A system and method for estimating the position of an object, such as a person, animal, or machine. The system includes first and second inertial measurement units, a first and second originator antennas, and a first and second transponder antennas. The system uses data from the inertial measurement units to estimate a position of the object. The system also calculates a range measurement between the first originator antenna and first transponder antenna. The system calculates a first CPD measurement between the second transponder antenna and the first originator antenna, and a second CPD measurement between the second originator antenna and the first transponder antenna. The range measurement and at least one CPD measurement are used to update a Kalman filter for estimating the position of the object. The system determines also updates the Kalman filter when one of the inertial measurement units is in a zero-velocity condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: ENSCO, Inc.
    Inventors: David W.A. TAYLOR, JR., Bradley David Farnsworth, William Todd Faulkner, Christopher Matthew Foster, Robert Barlow Alwood
  • Patent number: 8755174
    Abstract: A media appliance and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a housing is adapted to be mounted within a wall. A panel forms a front portion of the housing and the panel includes vents and the panel may be mounted substantially flush with the wall. A media player, which includes a set-top box, is disposed within the housing. A pair of ports, disposed within openings defined by the housing, are configured to receive respective optio-electric connectors. Each port includes optio-electrically conductive elements. The pair of ports are coupled to the media player and one port is configured for providing a connection to a television and the other port is configured for providing a connection to an external source of signal for the television.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Ensco, Inc.
    Inventors: Vanessa Ogle, Jeff Johns, Bill Fang
  • Patent number: 8585325
    Abstract: A cantilever system for a rig comprising a hull, a beam coupled to the hull, an extension member coupled to the beam, and a hold-down member spaced from a support member and coupled to the extension member. A first end of the beam is extendable over an edge of the hull while a second end of the beam is positioned on the hull. The extension member increases the longitudinal length of the beam. The support member is disposed adjacent the edge of the hull. The hold-down member is configured to apply a force to the extension member in a direction toward the hull when the first end of the beam is extended over the edge of the hull. A method of increasing the capacity of the cantilever system comprises increasing the spacing between the support member and the hold-down member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: ENSCO PLC
    Inventor: Richard R. Roper
  • Publication number: 20130291779
    Abstract: Launch and recovery apparatus (220) for launching a boat (230) into water from a supporting structure (210) such as a ship comprises a cradle (211) shaped to receive and support a boat and having a cradle axis, the cradle being moveable relative to the supporting structure between a first stowed position to a second ramp position at which the boat is typically in the water, and wherein the attitude of the axis of the cradle with respect to the water is steeper that when the boat is in the stowed positions. A movement mechanism is configured to move the cradle between the first stowed position and the second ramp position, typically having a linkage mechanism guiding the movement of the cradle into the water, which can be provided in a collapsing parallelogram arrangement which controls the change in attitude of the axis of the cradle as the cradle moves between the stowed and ramp positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2011
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: Ensco 392 Limited
    Inventor: Derek William Frank Clarke
  • Publication number: 20130283550
    Abstract: A bridge apparatus to transfer persons between a moving structure such as a vessel and a second structure such as an offshore installation, for example, to span gaps between work boats and fixed offshore installations such as wind turbines. The bridge comprises a platform supported by a line, the platform being moveable in a vertical direction by movement, of the line, wherein the line extends in a vertical direction from the platform to a capstan, and from the capstan to a counterweight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: ENSCO 392 LIMITED
    Inventor: Derek William Frank Clarke
  • Patent number: 8345099
    Abstract: A railroad track inspection system and method for facilitating inspection of a rail component while traveling on the railroad track. The railroad track inspection system includes an optical path protection device for a protective window for optical sensors of an optical inspection system when it becomes contaminated with dirt, dust, mud, grease, and other contaminants that block or obscure an optical path of the sensors. The optical path protection device eliminates the need for a human operator to perform the periodic cleaning of the protective window by using a clear film with an automated advancement mechanism for providing clean film, as needed, for keeping the optical path of the optical sensors unobstructed and clear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: ENSCO
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Bloom, Antonio Aquino, Anthony Kim, Jacobus McKenzie, Jennifer Steets
  • Patent number: 8334801
    Abstract: A locating system, includes at least one initiator configured to operate at a first clock frequency, and to transmit a measurement signal including a first preamble; and at least one transponder configured to operate at a second clock frequency, to receive the measurement signal, and to transmit a response signal to the initiator, the response signal including a second preamble. The initiator is further configured to calculate, based on the response signal, a distance between the initiator and the transponder for determining a location of the transponder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Ensco, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell Alan Fretenburg, Steven Scott Kazemir, Henry Hon-You Leung, Derek John Pyner, Charles Elmer McNeill, IV, David W. A. Taylor, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8314731
    Abstract: Methods for estimating a distance between an originator and a transponder, methods for calculating a fine time adjustment in a radio, computer-readable storage media containing instructions to configure a processor to perform such methods, originators used in a system for estimating a distance to a transponder, and transponders used in a system for estimating a distance to an originator. The methods utilize fine time adjustments to achieve sub-clock cycle time resolution. The methods may utilize offset master clocks. The methods may utilize a round-trip full-duplex configuration or a round-trip half-duplex configuration. The method produces accurate estimates of the distance between two radios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: ENSCO, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell Alan Fretenburg, Henry Hon-You Leung, Derek John Pyner, Bradley David Farnsworth, David W. A. Taylor, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8287212
    Abstract: A cantilever system for a rig comprising a hull, a beam coupled to the hull, an extension member coupled to the beam, and a hold-down member spaced from a support member and coupled to the extension member. A first end of the beam is extendable over an edge of the hull while a second end of the beam is positioned on the hull. The extension member increases the longitudinal length of the beam. The support member is disposed adjacent the edge of the hull. The hold-down member is configured to apply a force to the extension member in a direction toward the hull when the first end of the beam is extended over the edge of the hull. A method of increasing the capacity of the cantilever system comprises increasing the spacing between the support member and the hold-down member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Ensco PLC
    Inventor: Richard R. Roper
  • Patent number: 8224575
    Abstract: A method for processing data in an inertial navigation system having a Kalman filter and computer-readable storage medium containing instructions to configure a processor to perform the same. The method produces more accurate estimates of the position, velocity and attitude of the inertial measurement unit. The method is fully automatic and enables zero-velocity updates and fixed-azimuth updates to be performed simultaneously. The method may also include a multi-stage filtering process to filter digital compass data when used in an environment with extraterrestrial magnetic field sources. The method may also include a fixed-lag smoother to improve estimates of the position, velocity and attitude of the inertial measurement unit. The method also may include processes to constrain altitude errors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: ENSCO, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Todd Faulkner, Stephen R. Chestnut, David W. A. Taylor
  • Patent number: 8199047
    Abstract: Methods for estimating a distance between an originator and a transponder, methods for calculating a fine time adjustment in a radio, computer-readable storage media containing instructions to configure a processor to perform such methods, originators used in a system for estimating a distance to a transponder, and transponders used in a system for estimating a distance to an originator. The methods utilize fine time adjustments to achieve sub-clock cycle time resolution. The methods may utilize offset master clocks. The methods may utilize a round-trip full-duplex configuration or a round-trip half-duplex configuration. The method produces accurate estimates of the distance between two radios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Ensco, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell Alan Fretenburg, Henry Hon-You Leung, Derek John Pyner, Bradley David Farnsworth, David W. A. Taylor, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20100224770
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method of configuring an ion mobility spectrometer system, particularly for detecting a target analyte. The method involves using quantum chemical techniques to estimate the Ko values of the target analyte, and configure the ion mobility spectrometer system based upon a detection algorithm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: Ensco, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas BURNS, Marshall Cory, JR., Jeffrey Piotrowski
  • Patent number: 7755660
    Abstract: A video inspection system and method for facilitating inspection of a rail component while traveling on the railroad track. The system includes a light source that provides illumination to a rail of the railroad track, a triggering device for automatically providing a trigger signal, a camera adapted to provide an image of the illuminated rail component, and a computing device adapted to capture the image provided by the camera based on the trigger signal. A method for inspecting rail components is also provided, the method including the steps of illuminating a rail of the railroad track, automatically providing a trigger signal, providing a camera adapted to provide an image of the rail component, and capturing the image of the rail component that is provided by the camera based on the trigger signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Ensco, Inc.
    Inventors: Boris Nejikovsky, Christian Diaz, Gary A. Carr, Toofan Parniani
  • Publication number: 20080201089
    Abstract: A system for determining a neutral temperature of a metal specimen includes an excitation assembly disposed adjacent to the metal specimen for inducing vibrations to the metal specimen, at least one vibration detector disposed adjacent to the metal specimen to measure the induced vibrations transmitted in the metal specimen, a temperature sensor disposed adjacent to the metal specimen to measure temperature of the metal specimen, and a control/acquisition system for control of the excitation assembly and acquisition of data from the excitation assembly, the at least one vibration detector, and the temperature sensor, wherein the control/acquisition system calculates damping coefficients for each of the induced vibrations and determines a peak damping coefficient corresponding to the neutral temperature of the metal specimen based upon the acquired data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: ENSCO, INC.
    Inventors: Christian Diaz, Gary A. Carr
  • Patent number: 7394553
    Abstract: An integrated measurement device for taking gauge and cross-level measurements between two objects. The integrated measurement device includes at least an emitter/receiver unit, a sensor unit, and a microprocessor. In operation, the integrated measurement device is pivotably placed on the top of the first object such that a light emitted from the emitter/receiver unit travels along a surface of the second object as the device rotates about a pivot point of the first object. The sensor unit senses data associated with incident angles and traveling distances of the emitted light. Based on the data sensed by the sensor unit, the microprocessor calculates the incident angle, the traveling distance, and a distance between the first and second objects. The calculated values can also be transformed to (x, y) space coordinates that are used to describe a profile of the second object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Ensco, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary A. Carr, Christian Diaz, Arthur Lee Clouse
  • Patent number: 7334219
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for software testing, including analyzing the source code under test to generate a scan file, including a map of the source code under test and a tree structure for the source code under test; generating a stub file for the source code under test based on the scan file; generating a driver test script file based on the scan file and the stub file; generating a test driver based on the driver test script file; and running the test driver on the source code under test to generate a results file for summarizing the results of the software testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: ENSCO, Inc.
    Inventors: James David Cebula, Raymond A. Gee
  • Publication number: 20070188491
    Abstract: A system and method for fast efficient contour shading of spatially sampled data presents accurate contour regions. The system and method render a contour graphic for display by obtaining a set of gridded data, dividing the set of gridded data into tiles, analyzing each tile sequentially to determine contour levels within each tile from lowest contour level to highest contour level, creating a contour region based upon the determined contour levels, drawing contour lines based upon the determined contour levels, shading the contour regions, and providing the shaded contoured region for display. The system and method make a single pass through the gridded data rather than exhaustively detecting contour levels of interest and following the detected levels of interest through the grid of data using analytic and interpolative approaches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Applicant: ENSCO, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin Denelsbeck, Stephen Burch
  • Patent number: 7254896
    Abstract: A split axle assembly for obtaining gage measurements of a track including a first wheel with a first split axle, a second wheel with a second split axle, a first bearing for rotatably receiving the first split axle, and a second bearing for rotatably receiving the second split axle, the first bearing and the second bearing being positioned inboard between the first wheel and the second wheel. In one embodiment, a sliding barrel device is provided. In another embodiment, the first bearing is received in a first bearing body and the second bearing is received in a second bearing body so that they are axially movable relative to one another. At least one linear guide is provided to allow axial movement of the first bearing body and the second bearing body relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: ENSCO, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary A. Carr, Cameron D. Stuart, Jeffrey A. Bloom
  • Patent number: 7129425
    Abstract: A vertical load measurement device and a method for measuring a load at least partially supported by an axle of a railcar are disclosed. The measurement device includes a bearing adapter sized to be mounted between a load bearing member of the railcar and an axle bearing housing of the railcar. The beam member has a first end and a second end, at least one end being secured to the bearing adapter, and a midsection extending between the ends which supports the load applied by the load bearing member of the railcar. The midsection of the beam member is vertically spaced from the bearing adapter to allow deflection of the beam member in response to the load applied by the load bearing member. The vertical load measurement device also includes a sensor secured to the beam member which measures the deflection of the beam member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: ENSCO, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary A. Carr, Daniel J. Fullum, William L. Jordan