Patents by Inventor Fred A. Shepherd

Fred A. Shepherd 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: 7137200
    Abstract: Buoys are used for mooring purposes and as navigational marks. An embodiment of the invention is be explained in relation to catenary anchor leg mooring (CALM) buoys. Conventional CALM buoys generally have a hull constructed of steel plate by traditional ship building techniques requiring plate benders. Webs, beams and girders are welded inside the hull which is divided into several tanks. The buoy has a central moonpool and a steel turntable. Bending plate, in effect, doubles its cost. A method of constructing a buoy is disclosed, comprising: constructing a framework and affixing flat steel plate to it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Trident Offshore Ltd
    Inventors: Fred Shepherd, Martin Kobiela, Mark Olson
  • Publication number: 20050081357
    Abstract: Buoys are used for mooring purposes and as navigational marks. An embodiment of the invention is explained in relation to catenary anchor leg mooring (CALM) buoys. Conventional CALM buoys generally have a hull constructed of steel plate by traditional ship building techniques requiring plate benders. Webs, beams and girders are welded inside the hull which is divided into several tanks. The buoy has a central moonpool and a steel turntable. Bending plate, in effect, doubles its cost. A method of constructing a buoy is disclosed comprising constructing a framework and affixing steel plates to it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Publication date: April 21, 2005
    Inventors: Fred Shepherd, Martin Kobiela, Mark Olson
  • Patent number: 4702068
    Abstract: The perforated roller of a friction spinning unit includes an outer sleeve having vent openings at one end to provide an air leakage path which by-passes the adjacent bearing of the sleeve, and further by-passing vent passages radially outwardly of the bearing at the opposite end of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1987
    Assignee: Hollingsworth U.K., Ltd.
    Inventors: John Whiteley, Fred A. Shepherd