Patents by Inventor Alan A. Ford

Alan A. Ford 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: 11493154
    Abstract: A threaded tubular connection comprises a first tubular component and a second tubular component. The first tubular component includes a female portion defined on an interior surface of the first tubular component. The female portion includes an inner threaded portion and an outer threaded portion which are offset radially with respect to a longitudinal axis of the first tubular component by a first shoulder. The second tubular component includes a male portion defined on an exterior surface of the second tubular component. The male portion is to be inserted into the female portion, and includes an inner threaded portion and an outer threaded portion which are offset radially with respect to a longitudinal axis of the second tubular component by a second shoulder. The second shoulder is to abut the first shoulder once the male portion is connected to the female portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignees: VALLOUREC OIL AND GAS FRANCE, NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daly Daly, Alan Ford Fothergill, Sebastien Roger Claude Villert
  • Publication number: 20220341342
    Abstract: A variable vane apparatus includes: a case including two or more spaced-apart case pivots; a bellcrank pivotally connected to each case pivot, each of the bellcranks having an input arm and an output arm; a master rod including two or more segments pivotally connected to each other at rod pivots; and wherein the input arm of each of the bellcranks is pivotally connected to one of the rod pivots.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Matthew Nauss, Eric Alan Ford, Hans R. Wagner
  • Patent number: 10550646
    Abstract: Stress reducing system and associated method for reducing stresses at a desired position in an offshore production or drilling system, the offshore production or drilling system comprising: a seabed structure, a floating structure and a riser (24) extending there between, the riser being tensioned, the riser (24) comprising at least a first part (45) and a second part (46), which second part (46) is connected to the first part (45) via a flexible connection (20) allowing an axial, angular and/or rotational movement between the first and second parts (45, 46), said stress reducing system comprises:—a first sensor (41) for real-time monitoring of stresses at the desired position, positioned at or close to the desired position (20),—an actuating system (42) arranged at the flexible connection (20, the actuating system (42) being connected to said first and second parts (45, 46), and wherein the actuating system (45, 46) is configured to apply a force to the first or second part (45, 46) when the first and second
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: FMC Kongsberg Subsea AS
    Inventors: Hans-Paul Carlsen, Joao Pedro Castro Gonçalves, Øystein Ellefsen, Ronny Orekaasa, Graham Alan Ford, Ove Rørgård
  • Patent number: 10508055
    Abstract: This disclosure involves a method of controlling a safety critical control device, the method comprising: sending user inputs to a first state machine, identifying user inputs by the first state machine, determining the correct state to communicate to a second state machine, the correct state being determined by selecting one state of a plurality of states depending on the user inputs, communicating the correct state to a second state machine through a control bus, and determining the correct state for the second state machine based on communication from the control bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: William Reed, Dan Duval, John Proctor, Alan Ford, Chris Williams
  • Publication number: 20190063164
    Abstract: Stress reducing system and associated method for reducing stresses at a desired position in an offshore production or drilling system, the offshore production or drilling system comprising: a seabed structure, a floating structure and a riser (24) extending there between, the riser being tensioned, the riser (24) comprising at least a first part (45) and a second part (46), which second part (46) is connected to the first part (45) via a flexible connection (20) allowing an axial, angular and/or rotational movement between the first and second parts (45, 46), said stress reducing system comprises:—a first sensor (41) for real-time monitoring of stresses at the desired position, positioned at or close to the desired position (20),—an actuating system (42) arranged at the flexible connection (20, the actuating system (42) being connected to said first and second parts (45, 46), and wherein the actuating system (45, 46) is configured to apply a force to the first or second part (45, 46) when the first and second
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Hans-Paul Carlsen, Joao Pedro Castro Gonçalves, Øystein Ellefsen, Ronny Orekaasa, Graham Alan Ford, Ove Rørgård
  • Patent number: 10167302
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, and their use in medicine particular as anti-viral agents; wherein: X is selected from O and NR11; Y is selected from O, S and NR12; A is selected from —(CR1R2)n-, —(CR9R10)—, —(CR9R10)—(CR1R2)n-, —(CR1R3)—(CR2R4)—(CR1R2)n-, —CR3?CR4—(CR1R2)n- and —C?C—(CR1R2)n-; R1 and R2 are independently selected from H, alkyl, hydroxyl, hydroxymethyl and halogen; R3 and R4 are independently selected from H and alkyl, or R3 and R4 together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached form a mono or bicyclic ring system selected from cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkenyl, aryl and heteroaryl; R5 is selected from H, P(?O)(OH)2 and P(?O)(OH)—O—P(?O)(OH)2; R6 is selected from H and alkyl; R7 and R8 are independently selected from H, alkyl, halogen and hydroxymethyl R9 and R19 together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached form a mono or bicyclic ring system selected
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignees: UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK, KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN
    Inventors: Anita Maguire, Alan Ford, Jan Balzarini, Wim Dehaen
  • Patent number: 9905990
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for multiple wavelength Raman interrogation laser generation and Raman spectra acquisition. An intracavity laser tuning subsystem is integrated into the laser cavity. The tuning subsystem allows switching between at least two laser output frequencies in a manner effective for good identification and separation of Raman spectra from non-Raman spectra, including auto-fluorescence from the sample and background. The tuning subsystem can be implemented in different ways in the cavity. It does not require material alteration of the line-narrowing components. Also, processing of acquired raw signal from the multiple wavelength interrogation can further assist effective Raman spectra identification and separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Alakai Defense Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Pohl, Matthew King, Adam J. Hopkins, Alan Ford
  • Patent number: 9822137
    Abstract: A first aspect of the invention relates to a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, wherein the groups are as defined in the claims. Further aspects of the invention relate to pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of formula (I), and the use of compounds of formula (I) in the preparation of a medicament for treating a viral disorder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignees: UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK, KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN
    Inventors: Wim Dehaen, Jan Balzarini, Anita Maguire, Sarah Jane Keane, Alan Ford, Nuala Maguire, Nicholas D. Mullins
  • Patent number: 9794970
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for providing network access, wherein a connection to a core network is established via a wireless access device and a gateway device. Connectivity of the wireless access device is restricted to a pre-defined group of core network address of a pool of gateway devices with multi-node connectivity to the core network, and a single address is selected to establish the connection to a one of the gateway devices. The gateway device is provided with a relay function for mapping a single input address to a plurality of core network addresses based on a location information of the wireless access device and with at least one co-located decentralized core network functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy
    Inventors: Angelo Centonza, Alan Ford, Matti Tapani Kiiski, Matti Einari Laitila, Juergen Michel, Seppo Ilmari Vesterinen
  • Publication number: 20170218001
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, and their use in medicine particular as anti-viral agents; wherein: X is selected from O and NR11; Y is selected from O, S and NR12; A is selected from —(CR1R2)n-, —(CR9R10)—, —(CR9R10)—(CR1R2)n-, —(CR1R3)—(CR2R4)—(CR1R2)n-, —CR3?CR4—(CR1R2)n- and —C?C—(CR1R2)n-; R1 and R2 are independently selected from H, alkyl, hydroxyl, hydroxymethyl and halogen; R3 and R4 are independently selected from H and alkyl, or R3 and R4 together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached form a mono or bicyclic ring system selected from cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkenyl, aryl and heteroaryl; R5 is selected from H, P(?O)(OH)2 and P(?O)(OH)—O—P(?O)(OH)2; R6 is selected from H and alkyl; R7 and R8 are independently selected from H, alkyl, halogen and hydroxymethyl R9 and R19 together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached form a mono or bicyclic ring system selected
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Anita MAGUIRE, Alan Ford, Jan BALZARINI, Wim DEHAEN
  • Publication number: 20170167641
    Abstract: A threaded tubular connection comprises a first tubular component and a second tubular component. The first tubular component includes a female portion defined on an interior surface of the first tubular component. The female portion includes an inner threaded portion and an outer threaded portion which are offset radially with respect to a longitudinal axis of the first tubular component by a first shoulder. The second tubular component includes a male portion defined on an exterior surface of the second tubular component. The male portion is to be inserted into the female portion, and includes an inner threaded portion and an outer threaded portion which are offset radially with respect to a longitudinal axis of the second tubular component by a second shoulder. The second shoulder is to abut the first shoulder once the male portion is connected to the female portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Applicants: VALLOUREC OIL AND GAS FRANCE, Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation
    Inventors: Daly DALY, Alan Ford Fothergill, Sebastien Roger Claude VILLERT
  • Publication number: 20170160031
    Abstract: This disclosure involves a method of controlling a safety critical control device, the method comprising: sending user inputs to a first state machine, identifying user inputs by the first state machine, determining the correct state to communicate to a second state machine, the correct state being determined by selecting one state of a plurality of states depending on the user inputs, communicating the correct state to a second state machine through a control bus, and determining the correct state for the second state machine based on communication from the control bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: William Reed, Dan Duval, John Proctor, Alan Ford, Chris Williams
  • Patent number: 9599970
    Abstract: This disclosure involves a method of controlling a safety critical control device, the method comprising: sending user inputs to a first state machine, identifying user inputs by the first state machine, determining the correct state to communicate to a second state machine, the correct state being determined by selecting one state of a plurality of states depending on the user inputs, communicating the correct state to a second state machine through a control bus, and determining the correct state for the second state machine based on communication from the control bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: William Reed, Dan Duval, John Proctor, Alan Ford, Chris Williams
  • Publication number: 20170013652
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for providing network access, wherein a connection to a core network is established via a wireless access device and a gateway device. Connectivity of the wireless access device is restricted to a pre-defined group of core network address of a pool of gateway devices with multi-node connectivity to the core network, and a single address is selected to establish the connection to a one of the gateway devices. The gateway device is provided with a relay function for mapping a single input address to a plurality of core network addresses based on a location information of the wireless access device and with at least one co-located decentralized core network functionality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: Angelo Centonza, Alan Ford, Matti Tapani Kiiski, Matti Einari Laitila, Juergen Michel, Seppo llmari Vesterinen
  • Patent number: 9491789
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for providing network access, wherein a connection to a core network is established via a wireless access device (20) and a gateway device (42). Connectivity of the wireless access device (20) is restricted to a pre-defined group of core network address of a pool of gateway devices (42) with multi-node connectivity to the core network, and a single address is selected to establish the connection to a one of the gateway devices (42). The gateway device (42) is provided with a relay function for mapping a single input address to a plurality of core network addresses based on a location information of the wireless access device (10) and with at least one co-located decentralized core network functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy
    Inventors: Angelo Centonza, Alan Ford, Matti Tapani Kiiski, Matti Einari Laitila, Juergen Michel, Seppo Ilmari Vesterinen
  • Patent number: 9288151
    Abstract: A power manager for a mobile device comprises a traffic shaping unit (30) and a management unit (26). The traffic shaping unit is incorporated into a networking layer (8) of a mobile device architecture. The traffic management unit spans application layer (7) and networking layer (8) of the mobile device architecture. The traffic shaping unit and management unit are connected via a feed path (73). The management unit (26) is provided with inputs (74) to receive measurements of external parameters (65 to 69). The management unit further comprises a processor (20) to process the received measurements and a traffic shaping function generator (21) to receive the processed measurements and generate a traffic shaping function. The management unit (26) inputs the generated traffic shaping function to the traffic shaping unit (30) via the feed path (73), whereby the traffic management unit controls transmissions from the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Roke Manor Research Limited
    Inventors: Thomas Malcolm Chapman, Alan Ford, Benedict Toner, Abigail West, Robert Zakrzewski
  • Publication number: 20150291640
    Abstract: A first aspect of the invention relates to a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug thereof, wherein the groups are as defined in the claims. Further aspects of the invention relate to pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of formula (I), and the use of compounds of formula (I) in the preparation of a medicament for treating a viral disorder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Wim Dehaen, Jan Balzarini, Anita Maguire, Sarah Jane Keane, Alan Ford, Nuala Maguire, Nicholas D. Mullins
  • Publication number: 20140316537
    Abstract: This disclosure involves a method of controlling a safety critical control device, the method comprising: sending user inputs to a first state machine, identifying user inputs by the first state machine, determining the correct state to communicate to a second state machine, the correct state being determined by selecting one state of a plurality of states depending on the user inputs, communicating the correct state to a second state machine through a control bus, and determining the correct state for the second state machine based on communication from the control bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: William Reed, Dan Duval, John Proctor, Alan Ford, Chris Williams
  • Patent number: D772951
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Fecon, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Stanley, Garrett Alan Ford
  • Patent number: D795929
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Fecon, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Stanley, Garrett Alan Ford