Patents by Inventor Calvin V. Norton

Calvin V. Norton 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).

  • Dynamically positioned semi-submersible vessel
    Publication number: 20020092456
    Abstract: The invention relates to a semi-submersible vessel designed to operate in harsh environment. The vessel has a twin-hull pontoon structure that supports four corner caissons extending vertically from the pontoons above an operational draft of the vessel. A pair of slender parallel horizontal braces connects each pair of opposing caissons, the braces extending in a general plane perpendicular to longitudinal axes of the pontoons. One of the pair of braces is secured between the forward columns and another of the pair of braces is secured between the aft columns. The braces reduce spreading and torque-induced forces acting on the columns, while not substantially increasing water plane area of the vessel. Each brace has an internal “redundancy” feature, being divided into two independent watertight compartments to continue providing buoyancy to the structure if one of the compartments is breached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventors: Eugene E. Begnaud, Calvin V. Norton, Bruce Malcolm
  • Dynamically positioned semi-submersible drilling vessel with slender horizontal braces
    Patent number: 6378450
    Abstract: The invention relates to a semi-submersible vessel designed to operate in harsh environment. The vessel has a twin-hull pontoon structure that supports four corner caissons extending vertically from the pontoons above an operational draft of the vessel. A pair of slender parallel horizontal braces connects each pair of opposing caissons, the braces extending in a general plane perpendicular to longitudinal axes of the pontoons. One of the pair of braces is secured between the forward columns and another of the pair of braces is secured between the aft columns. The braces reduce spreading and torque-induced forces acting on the columns, while not substantially increasing water plane area of the vessel. Each brace has an internal “redundancy” feature, being divided into two independent watertight compartments to continue providing buoyancy to the structure if one of the compartments is breached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Friede & Goldman, Ltd.
    Inventors: Eugene E. Begnaud, Calvin V. Norton, Bruce Malcolm