Patents by Inventor Colin Stuart

Colin Stuart 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: 7495384
    Abstract: The present invention provides a dynamic high resolution color display. In particular a display comprising a plurality of pixels composed of a fluorescent dye doped polymer material is provided. Specifically said pixels are applied to a suitable base substrate and further modulated, such that a moving image can be produced by the display. The present invention further provides a variety of pixel elements which may be used to produce static display signs, or further combined with a phosphorescent material to act as a backlight for an LCD or other similar display. In all cases the displays of the present invention have no, or a greatly reduced direct energy consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Freelight Systems Limited
    Inventors: Janos Peter Hajto, Colin Stuart Hindle, Brendan Thomas McGuckin
  • Patent number: 7451658
    Abstract: There is described a sensing apparatus comprising first and second members which are supported relative to each other by a support means. The first member comprises a magnetic field generator for generating a magnetic field and the second member comprises an aerial for monitoring the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator. At least one of the first and second members is locally deformable relative to the other of the first and second members in order to vary at least one of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator and the electromagnetic coupling between the magnetic field generator and the receive aerial so that, in response to a local deformation, a signal is induced in the receive aerial indicative of the position of the local deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Sensopad Limited
    Inventors: Colin Stuart Sills, Darran Kreit, Mark Anthony Howard
  • Patent number: 7319319
    Abstract: There is described a sensor comprising an excitation winding, a signal generator operable to generate an excitation signal and arranged to apply the generated excitation signal to the excitation winding, a sensor winding electromagnetically coupled to the excitation winding and a signal processor operable to process a periodic electric signal generated in the sensor winding when the excitation signal is applied to the excitation winding by the signal generator to determine a value of a sensed parameter. The excitation signal comprises a periodic carrier signal having a first frequency modulated by a periodic modulation signal having a second frequency, the first frequency being greater than the second frequency. In this way, the sensor is well suited to using digital processing techniques both to generate the excitation signal and to process the signal induced in the sensor windings. In an embodiment, the sensor is used to detect the relative position of two members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: TT Electronics Technology Limited
    Inventors: Ross Peter Jones, Richard Allen Doyle, Mark Anthony Howard, David Alun James, Darran Kreit, Colin Stuart Sills
  • Patent number: 7298137
    Abstract: There is described an inductive position sensor in which a signal generator applies a excitation signal to an excitation winding formed on a first member, the excitation winding being electromagnetically coupled to at least two resonant circuits formed on a second member which are spaced from each other along a measurement path. The excitation windings are shaped so that the electromagnetic coupling between the exciting winding and each of the resonators varies along the measurement path. In this way, by applying an excitation signal to the excitation winding, respective different signals are induced in the resonators which depend upon the relative position of the first and second members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: TT Electronics Technology Limited
    Inventors: Mark Anthony Howard, Colin Stuart Sills, Darran Kreit, David Alun James
  • Patent number: 7208945
    Abstract: There is described a sensor comprising an excitation winding, a signal generator operable to generate an excitation signal and arranged to apply the generated excitation signal to the excitation winding, a sensor winding electromagnetically coupled to the excitation winding and a signal processor operable to process a periodic electric signal generated in the sensor winding when the excitation signal is applied to the excitation winding by the signal generator to determine a value of a sensed parameter. The excitation signal comprises a periodic carrier signal having a first frequency modulated by a periodic modulation signal having a second frequency, the first frequency being greater than the second frequency. In this way, the sensor is well suited to using digital processing techniques both to generate the excitation signal and to process the signal induced in the sensor windings. In an embodiment, the sensor is used to detect the relative position of two members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: TT Electronics Technology Limited
    Inventors: Ross Peter Jones, Richard Alan Doyle, Mark Anthony Howard, David Alun James, Darran Kriet, Colin Stuart Sills
  • Patent number: 6834724
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a spoolable compliant guide, a system including a spoolable compliant guide and injector and methods for using the compliant guide, where the guide is designed to connect at one end to the injector and at its other end to a remote installation having a seal and to allow coiled tubing to be inserted into the installation through the seal. Because the guide permits a substantial distance to exist between the injector and the installation seal and functions as a crimp or band resistor for the coiled tubing, the guide enables the injector to be conveniently positioned remote from the installation such as a wellhead and assumes a compliant shape between the injector and the installation allowing dynamic relative movement between them without the use of heave compensators. Thus, for subsea installations, the injector, its control system and coiled tubing reels can all be located on the water's surface for ease of access and maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Inventor: Colin Stuart Headworth
  • Patent number: 6772840
    Abstract: A flow assurance system includes an inner pipe disposed within an outer pipe to assure flow through the outer pipe. During installation and relative axial movement with the outer pipe, the inner pipe is nearly neutrally buoyant or fully neutrally buoyant in the fluids of the outer pipe and may extend partially or completely through the outer pipe. The inner pipe may be anchored at one end within the outer pipe. The inner pipe is preferably composite coiled tubing that is installed using a propulsion system. The system may allow fluids to flow through the inner pipe and commingle with the fluids in the outer pipe or may flow fluids through the inner pipe to the exterior of the outer pipe. Hot fluids may pass through the inner pipe to maintain the temperature of the fluids flowing through the outer pipe and chemicals may flow through the inner pipe to condition the fluids in the outer pipe. Tools may be attached to the end of the inner pipe for conducting flow assurance operations within the outer pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Colin Stuart Headworth
  • Patent number: 6745840
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a spoolable compliant guide, a system including a spoolable compliant guide and injector and methods for using the compliant guide, where the guide is designed to connect at one end to the injector and at its other end to a remote installation having a seal and to allow coiled tubing to be inserted into the installation through the seal. Because the guide permits a substantial distance to exist between the injector and the installation seal and functions as a crimp or band resistor for the coiled tubing, the guide enables the injector to be conveniently positioned remote from the installation such as a wellhead and assumes a compliant shape between the injector and the installation allowing dynamic relative movement between them without the use of heave compensators. Thus, for subsea installations, the injector, its control system and coiled tubing reels can all be located on the water's surface for ease of access and maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Colin Stuart Headworth
  • Publication number: 20040100432
    Abstract: The present invention provides a dynamic high resolution colour display. In particular a display comprising a plurality of pixels composed of a fluorescent dye doped polymer material is provided. Specifically said pixels are applied to a suitable base substrate and further modulated, such that a moving image can be produced by the display. The present invention further provides a variety of pixel elements which may be used to produce static display signs, or further combined with a phosphorescent material to act as a backlight for an LCD or other similar display. In all cases the displays of the present invention have no, or a greatly reduced direct energy consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Janos Peter Hajto, Colin Stuart Hindle, Brendan Thomas McGuckin
  • Patent number: 6691775
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a spoolable compliant guide, a system including a spoolable compliant guide and injector and methods for using the compliant guide, where the guide is designed to connect at one end to the injector and at its other end to a remote installation having a seal and to allow coiled tubing to be inserted into the installation through the seal. Because the guide permits a substantial distance to exist between the injector and the installation seal and functions as a crimp or band resistor for the coiled tubing, the guide enables the injector to be conveniently positioned remote from the installation such as a wellhead and assumes a compliant shape between the injector and the installation allowing dynamic relative movement between them without the use of heave compensators. Thus, for subsea installations, the injector, its control system and coiled tubing reels can all be located on the water's surface for ease of access and maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Inventor: Colin Stuart Headworth
  • Publication number: 20030056954
    Abstract: A flow assurance system includes an inner pipe disposed within an outer pipe to assure flow through the outer pipe. During installation and relative axial movement with the outer pipe, the inner pipe is nearly neutrally buoyant or fully neutrally buoyant in the fluids of the outer pipe and may extend partially or completely through the outer pipe. The inner pipe may be anchored at one end within the outer pipe. The inner pipe is preferably composite coiled tubing that is installed using a propulsion system. The system may allow fluids to flow through the inner pipe and commingle with the fluids in the outer pipe or may flow fluids through the inner pipe to the exterior of the outer pipe. Hot fluids may pass through the inner pipe to maintain the temperature of the fluids flowing through the outer pipe and chemicals may flow through the inner pipe to condition the fluids in the outer pipe. Tools may be attached to the end of the inner pipe for conducting flow assurance operations within the outer pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Colin Stuart Headworth
  • Publication number: 20020079108
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system including a spoolable compliant guide, injector and lubricator to obtain vertical access to any oil well and to insert coiled tubing therein to. The spoolable compliant guide provides a substantial distance between the injector and the annular well seal at the lubricator and functions as a crimp or bend resistor for the coiled tubing therein facilitating the imposition of compression forces thereon. This enables the injector to be conveniently positioned remote from the wellhead, not necessarily vertically above the wellhead, on the facility with the wellheads or on an entirely separate facility, vehicle or vessel. Wellheads on land, offshore or underwater can all be accessed. Pressurized well fluids are prevented from entering the spoolable compliant guide thus decreasing the risks associated with its damage, failure or emergency disconnection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventor: Colin Stuart Headworth
  • Publication number: 20020074135
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system including a spoolable compliant guide, injector and lubricator to obtain vertical access to any oil well and to insert coiled tubing therein to. The spoolable compliant guide provides a substantial distance between the injector and the annular well seal at the lubricator and functions as a crimp or bend resistor for the coiled tubing therein facilitating the imposition of compression forces thereon. This enables the injector to be conveniently positioned remote from the wellhead, not necessarily vertically above the wellhead, on the facility with the wellheads or on an entirely separate facility, vehicle or vessel. Wellheads on land, offshore or underwater can all be accessed. Pressurized well fluids are prevented from entering the spoolable compliant guide thus decreasing the risks associated with its damage, failure or emergency disconnection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventor: Colin Stuart Headworth
  • Publication number: 20020070033
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system including a spoolable compliant guide, injector and lubricator to obtain vertical access to any oil well and to insert coiled tubing therein to. The spoolable compliant guide provides a substantial distance between the injector and the annular well seal at the lubricator and functions as a crimp or bend resistor for the coiled tubing therein facilitating the imposition of compression forces thereon. This enables the injector to be conveniently positioned remote from the wellhead, not necessarily vertically above the wellhead, on the facility with the wellheads or on an entirely separate facility, vehicle or vessel. Wellheads on land, offshore or underwater can all be accessed. Pressurized well fluids are prevented from entering the spoolable compliant guide thus decreasing the risks associated with its damage, failure or emergency disconnection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventor: Colin Stuart Headworth
  • Patent number: 6386290
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a spoolable compliant guide, a system including a spoolable compliant guide and injector and methods for using the compliant guide, where the guide is designed to connect at one end to the injector and at its other end to a remote installation having a seal and to allow coiled tubing to be inserted into the installation through the seal. Because the guide permits a substantial distance to exist between the injector and the installation seal and functions as a crimp or band resistor for the coiled tubing, the guide enables the injector to be conveniently positioned remote from the installation such as a wellhead and assumes a compliant shape between the injector and the installation allowing dynamic relative movement between them without the use of heave compensators. Thus, for subsea installations, the injector, its control system and coiled tubing reels can all be located on the water's surface for ease of access and maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventor: Colin Stuart Headworth