Patents by Inventor Andre Stenzel

Andre Stenzel 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: 11422273
    Abstract: Apparatus and techniques are disclosed relating to sensor housing and spacer carrier assemblies. In various embodiments, a spacer carrier provides a cavity through a body of the spacer carrier and a first alignment element positioned at a first end of the cavity. In some embodiments, a sensor housing is configured to be deployed within the cavity through the body of the spacer carrier. The sensor housing may include a housing body configured to receive a sensor and a second alignment element configured to interface with the first alignment element. In various embodiments, the first and second alignment elements are configured to maintain an orientation of the sensor housing within the cavity when the sensor housing is inserted into the spacer carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Robert Alexis Peregrin Fernihough, Lakshmi Subramanian, Andre Stenzel
  • Patent number: 11366242
    Abstract: Embodiments may be directed to marine geophysical surveying and associated methods. At least one embodiment may be directed to incorporation of a lock mechanism in a sensor streamer that interlocks the outer jacket with one or more of the spacers to prevent relative rotation between the outer jacket. An embodiment may provide a sensor streamer that includes an outer jacket, a plurality of spacers, and a locking mechanism. The outer jacket may be elongated in an axial direction and comprise an outer jacket surface and an inner jacket surface. The plurality of spacers may be positioned in the outer jacket at spaced apart locations in the axial direction, wherein each of the plurality of spacers comprises a spacer body having an outer spacer surface. The locking mechanism may interlock the outer jacket with at least one of the plurality of spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Stig Rune Lennart Tenghamn, Nicholas George, Andre Stenzel, Ramon Martinez
  • Patent number: 11029433
    Abstract: An apparatus can include a base assembly and a pivot assembly coupled to the base assembly. The apparatus can include a carriage coupled to the pivot assembly. The carriage can be shaped to receive a compass streamer telemetry unit (CSTU). The carriage can be configured to secure the CSTU. The pivot assembly can be rotatably coupled to the base assembly to adjust a pitch of the carriage. The carriage can be rotatably coupled to the pivot assembly to adjust roll of the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Matthew Eric Lyssy, Mattias Südow, Toralf Lund, Andre Stenzel
  • Publication number: 20200073002
    Abstract: Apparatus and techniques are disclosed relating to sensor housing and spacer carrier assemblies. In various embodiments, a spacer carrier provides a cavity through a body of the spacer carrier and a first alignment element positioned at a first end of the cavity. In some embodiments, a sensor housing is configured to be deployed within the cavity through the body of the spacer carrier. The sensor housing may include a housing body configured to receive a sensor and a second alignment element configured to interface with the first alignment element. In various embodiments, the first and second alignment elements are configured to maintain an orientation of the sensor housing within the cavity when the sensor housing is inserted into the spacer carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Robert Alexis Peregrin Fernihough, Lakshmi Subramanian, Andre Stenzel
  • Publication number: 20200064504
    Abstract: Embodiments may be directed to marine geophysical surveying and associated methods. At least one embodiment may be directed to incorporation of a lock mechanism in a sensor streamer that interlocks the outer jacket with one or more of the spacers to prevent relative rotation between the outer jacket. An embodiment may provide a sensor streamer that includes an outer jacket, a plurality of spacers, and a locking mechanism. The outer jacket may be elongated in an axial direction and comprise an outer jacket surface and an inner jacket surface. The plurality of spacers may be positioned in the outer jacket at spaced apart locations in the axial direction, wherein each of the plurality of spacers comprises a spacer body having an outer spacer surface. The locking mechanism may interlock the outer jacket with at least one of the plurality of spacers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Stig Rune Lennart Tenghamn, Nicholas George, Andre Stenzel, Ramon Martinez
  • Patent number: 10537095
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for using an impact-activated device for repelling sharks from marine geophysical survey equipment. An embodiment discloses a marine geophysical survey system, comprising: marine geophysical survey equipment configured to be located in a body of water when in operation; and an impact-activated device coupled to the marine geophysical equipment, wherein the impact-activated device comprises a circuit configured to release a shark repellent in response to a pre-determined impact on the impact-activated device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Bruce William Harrick, Andre Stenzel
  • Publication number: 20180172863
    Abstract: An apparatus can include a base assembly and a pivot assembly coupled to the base assembly. The apparatus can include a carriage coupled to the pivot assembly. The carriage can be shaped to receive a compass streamer telemetry unit (CSTU). The carriage can be configured to secure the CSTU. The pivot assembly can be rotatably coupled to the base assembly to adjust a pitch of the carriage. The carriage can be rotatably coupled to the pivot assembly to adjust roll of the carriage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Matthew Eric Lyssy, Mattias Südow, Toralf Lund, Andre Stenzel
  • Patent number: 9599732
    Abstract: Pressure activated linear locking mechanisms and related methods. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are systems including: a cover member defining an inner surface, an outer surface, a length, and a first locking portion; a first hollow defined in the locking portion, the first hollow extending along the length of the cover member; a locking member defining a first appendage extending along a first side, the first appendage defines a cross-section and an internal volume; said first appendage disposed within the first hollow, and when the releasable cover is exposed to atmospheric pressure, the first appendage in an inflated condition; and the first appendage is configured to transition to a deflated condition in response to a predetermined pressure greater than the initial pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Andre Stenzel, Bengt Finnoen, Youlin Hu
  • Patent number: 9506581
    Abstract: Retriever systems for marine geophysical survey cables. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including causing a submerged sensor streamer to surface. The causing may be by moving a piston within a cylinder of a housing coupled to the sensor streamer, the moving of the piston responsive to pressure exerted on a face of the piston as the sensor streamer reaches or exceeds a predetermined depth, wherein the pressure exerted on the face of the piston overcomes a latching force tending to hold the piston in place at depths above the predetermined depth; and responsive to the piston overcoming the force that latches the piston releasing a ballast weight, wherein prior to the releasing the ballast weight is at least partially held in place based on position of the piston, and the releasing responsive to movement of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Andre Stenzel, Youlin Hu, Troy L. McKey, III
  • Publication number: 20160169415
    Abstract: Retriever systems for marine geophysical survey cables. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including causing a submerged sensor streamer to surface. The causing may be by moving a piston within a cylinder of a housing coupled to the sensor streamer, the moving of the piston responsive to pressure exerted on a face of the piston as the sensor streamer reaches or exceeds a predetermined depth, wherein the pressure exerted on the face of the piston overcomes a latching force tending to hold the piston in place at depths above the predetermined depth; and responsive to the piston overcoming the force that latches the piston releasing a ballast weight, wherein prior to the releasing the ballast weight is at least partially held in place based on position of the piston, and the releasing responsive to movement of the piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Applicant: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Andre STENZEL, Youlin HU, Troy L. McKey, III
  • Patent number: 9316334
    Abstract: Retriever systems for marine geophysical survey cables. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including causing a submerged sensor streamer to surface. The causing may be by moving a piston within a cylinder of a housing coupled to the sensor streamer, the moving of the piston responsive to pressure exerted on a face of the piston as the sensor streamer reaches or exceeds a predetermined depth, wherein the pressure exerted on the face of the piston overcomes a latching force tending to hold the piston in place at depths above the predetermined depth; and responsive to the piston overcoming the force that latches the piston releasing a ballast weight, wherein prior to the releasing the ballast weight is at least partially held in place based on position of the piston, and the releasing responsive to movement of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Andre Stenzel, Youlin Hu, Troy L. McKey, III
  • Patent number: 9261618
    Abstract: Depth triggers for marine geophysical survey cable retriever systems. At least some of the illustrative embodiments include causing a submerged geophysical survey cable to surface. In some cases, the causing the cable to surface may include: fracturing a frangible link wherein the frangible link, before the fracturing, affixes position of a piston within a cylinder bore of a housing coupled to the geophysical survey cable, and the fracturing of the frangible link responsive to pressure exerted on a face of the piston as the geophysical survey cable reaches or exceeds a predetermined depth; moving the piston within the cylinder bore; and deploying a mechanism that makes the geophysical survey cable more positively buoyant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Andre Stenzel, Youlin Hu
  • Publication number: 20150369934
    Abstract: Pressure activated linear locking mechanisms and related methods. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are systems including: a cover member defining an inner surface, an outer surface, a length, and a first locking portion; a first hollow defined in the locking portion, the first hollow extending along the length of the cover member; a locking member defining a first appendage extending along a first side, the first appendage defines a cross-section and an internal volume; said first appendage disposed within the first hollow, and when the releasable cover is exposed to atmospheric pressure, the first appendage in an inflated condition; and the first appendage is configured to transition to a deflated condition in response to a predetermined pressure greater than the initial pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Applicant: PGS GEOPHYSICAL AS
    Inventors: Andre Stenzel, Bengt Finnoen, Youlin Hu
  • Patent number: 9207340
    Abstract: A seismic streamer includes at least one elongated strength member. The seismic streamer further includes a substantially rigid sensor holder coupled to the strength member and fixed in position relative to the strength member. The streamer includes at least one particle motion sensor coupled to the sensor holder and fixed in position relative to the sensor holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Andre Stenzel, Øyvind Hillesund, Nils Lunde, Stian Hegna
  • Patent number: 9188687
    Abstract: Pressure activated linear locking mechanisms and related methods. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are systems including: a first and second cover defining an inner and outer surface, a length, and a locking portion, respectively; a first and second hollow defined in the locking portion of the first and second cover member, respectively, the hollows extending along the length of the first and second cover members, respectively; a locking member defining first and second appendages extending along a first and second side, respectively, each appendage defines a cross-section and an internal volume; said first and second appendages disposed within the first and second hollows, respectively, and when the releasable cover is exposed to atmospheric pressure, the first and second appendages in an inflated condition; and the first and second appendages are configured to transition to a deflated condition in response to a predetermined pressure greater than the initial pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Andre Stenzel, Bengt Finnoen, Youlin Hu
  • Patent number: 9116253
    Abstract: Systems and methods comprise marine geophysical equipment with polyurethane-based material at least partially covering a surface. The surface also at least partially coated with a suspension medium and with a biocide. A method comprises disposing such marine geophysical equipment in a body of water. A method comprises applying a suspension medium and a biocide to a surface at least partially covered with a polyurethane-based material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Andre Stenzel, Bruce William Harrick, Steven Michael Roberts
  • Publication number: 20150133012
    Abstract: Pressure activated linear locking mechanisms and related methods. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are systems including: a first and second cover defining an inner and outer surface, a length, and a locking portion, respectively; a first and second hollow defined in the locking portion of the first and second cover member, respectively, the hollows extending along the length of the first and second cover members, respectively; a locking member defining first and second appendages extending along a first and second side, respectively, each appendage defines a cross-section and an internal volume; said first and second appendages disposed within the first and second hollows, respectively, and when the releasable cover is exposed to atmospheric pressure, the first and second appendages in an inflated condition; and the first and second appendages are configured to transition to a deflated condition in response to a predetermined pressure greater than the initial pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: PGS GEOPHYSICAL AS
    Inventors: Andre Stenzel, Bengt Finnoen, Youlin Hu
  • Patent number: 8998535
    Abstract: Retriever systems for marine geophysical survey sensor streamers. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including attaching a retriever system to a sensor streamer by: wrapping a lifting bag assembly at least partially around the sensor streamer, the lifting bag assembly comprising a deflated lifting bag, a gas cylinder, and a depth trigger mechanism; and covering the lifting bag assembly with an outer cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Andre Stenzel, Youlin Hu, Troy L. McKey, III
  • Patent number: 8995221
    Abstract: A seismic streamer includes a jacket covering an exterior of the streamer. At least one strength member extends the length of the jacket. The strength member is formed as a substantially flat belt having a width to thickness ratio of at least 10. At least one sensor holder is coupled to the at least one strength member. The at least one sensor holder includes at least one arcuate opening for receiving the at least one strength member. The at least one arcuate opening is laterally displaced from a center of the at least one sensor holder such that when the at least one strength member is disposed therein the at least one strength member is substantially tube shaped and substantially coaxial with the jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventor: Andre Stenzel
  • Publication number: 20150037102
    Abstract: Retriever systems for marine geophysical survey cables. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including causing a submerged sensor streamer to surface. The causing may be by moving a piston within a cylinder of a housing coupled to the sensor streamer, the moving of the piston responsive to pressure exerted on a face of the piston as the sensor streamer reaches or exceeds a predetermined depth, wherein the pressure exerted on the face of the piston overcomes a latching force tending to hold the piston in place at depths above the predetermined depth; and responsive to the piston overcoming the force that latches the piston releasing a ballast weight, wherein prior to the releasing the ballast weight is at least partially held in place based on position of the piston, and the releasing responsive to movement of the piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Andre STENZEL, Youlin HU, Troy L. McKey, III