Patents by Inventor James N. Thompson
James N. Thompson 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).
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Patent number: 11237285Abstract: A marine seismic exploration method and system comprised of continuous recording, self-contained ocean bottom pods characterized by low profile casings. An external bumper is provided to promote ocean bottom coupling and prevent fishing net entrapment. Pods are tethered together with flexible, non-rigid, non-conducting cable used to control pod deployment. Pods are deployed and retrieved from a boat deck configured to have a storage system and a handling system to attach pods to cable on-the-fly. The storage system is a juke box configuration of slots wherein individual pods are randomly stored in the slots to permit data extraction, charging, testing and synchronizing without opening the pods. A pod may include an inertial navigation system to determine ocean floor location and a rubidium clock for timing. The system includes mathematical gimballing. The cable may include shear couplings designed to automatically shear apart if a certain level of cable tension is reached.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2019Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: MAGSEIS FF LLCInventors: Clifford H. Ray, Glenn D. Fisseler, James N. Thompson, Hal B. Haygood
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Patent number: 11131785Abstract: Systems and methods for deployment of ocean bottom seismic receivers into a body of water having a surface and a seabed. The system can include a remote operated vehicle (ROV) comprising a first wireless communication device. The system can include a seismic data receiver deployed on the seabed comprising a second wireless communication device. The first wireless communication device can be configured to communicate with the second wireless communication device. The ROV can move to a position adjacent to the seismic data receiver. The ROV can establish a wireless link with the seismic data receiver via the first communication device and second wireless communication device.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2020Date of Patent: September 28, 2021Assignee: Magseis FF LLCInventors: James N. Thompson, Clifford H. Ray, Glenn D. Fisseler, Roger L. Fyffe
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Patent number: 11048005Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to an apparatus and method of transferring seismic equipment to and from a marine vessel and subsurface location. In one embodiment, a marine vessel is provided. The marine vessel includes a deck having a plurality of seismic sensor devices stored thereon, two remotely operated vehicles, each comprising a seismic sensor storage compartment, and a seismic sensor transfer device comprising a container for transfer of one or more of the seismic sensor devices from the vessel to the sensor storage compartment of at least one of the two remotely operated vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2018Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: Magseis FF LLCInventors: Reagan Neil Woodward, James N. Thompson
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Publication number: 20200174148Abstract: Systems and methods for deployment and retrieval of ocean bottom seismic receivers. In some embodiments, the system includes a carrier containing receivers. The carrier can include a frame having a mounted structure (e.g., a movable carousel, movable conveyor, fixed parallel rails, or a barrel) for seating and releasing the receivers (e.g., axially stacked). The structure can facilitate delivering receivers to a discharge port on the frame. The system can include a discharge mechanism for removing receivers from the carrier. In some embodiments, the method includes loading a carrier with receivers, transporting the carrier from a surface vessel to a position adjacent the seabed, and using an ROV to remove receivers from the carrier and place the receivers on the seabed. In some embodiments, an ROV adjacent the seabed engages a deployment line that guides receivers from the vessel down to the ROV for “on-time” delivery and placement on the seabed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2020Publication date: June 4, 2020Inventors: James N. Thompson, Clifford H. Ray, Glenn D. Fisseler, Roger L. Fyffe
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Patent number: 10598808Abstract: Systems and methods for deployment and retrieval of ocean bottom seismic receivers. In some embodiments, the system includes a carrier containing receivers. The carrier can include a frame having a mounted structure (e.g., a movable carousel, movable conveyor, fixed parallel rails, or a barrel) for seating and releasing the receivers (e.g., axially stacked). The structure can facilitate delivering receivers to a discharge port on the frame. The system can include a discharge mechanism for removing receivers from the carrier. In some embodiments, the method includes loading a carrier with receivers, transporting the carrier from a surface vessel to a position adjacent the seabed, and using an ROV to remove receivers from the carrier and place the receivers on the seabed. In some embodiments, an ROV adjacent the seabed engages a deployment line that guides receivers from the vessel down to the ROV for “on-time” delivery and placement on the seabed.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2017Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: MAGSEIS FF LLCInventors: James N. Thompson, Clifford H. Ray, Glenn D. Fisseler, Roger L. Fyffe
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Patent number: 10591624Abstract: Systems and methods for deployment and retrieval of ocean bottom seismic receivers. In some embodiments, the system includes a carrier containing receivers. The carrier can include a frame having a mounted structure (e.g., a movable carousel, movable conveyor, fixed parallel rails, or a barrel) for seating and releasing the receivers (e.g., axially stacked). The structure can facilitate delivering receivers to a discharge port on the frame. The system can include a discharge mechanism for removing receivers from the carrier. In some embodiments, the method includes loading a carrier with receivers, transporting the carrier from a surface vessel to a position adjacent the seabed, and using an ROV to remove receivers from the carrier and place the receivers on the seabed. In some embodiments, an ROV adjacent the seabed engages a deployment line that guides receivers from the vessel down to the ROV for “on-time” delivery and placement on the seabed.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2014Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: Magseis FF LLCInventors: James N. Thompson, Clifford H. Ray, Glenn D. Fisseler, Roger L. Fyffe
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Publication number: 20200049848Abstract: A marine seismic exploration method and system comprised of continuous recording, self-contained ocean bottom pods characterized by low profile casings. An external bumper is provided to promote ocean bottom coupling and prevent fishing net entrapment. Pods are tethered together with flexible, non-rigid, non-conducting cable used to control pod deployment. Pods are deployed and retrieved from a boat deck configured to have a storage system and a handling system to attach pods to cable on-the-fly. The storage system is a juke box configuration of slots wherein individual pods are randomly stored in the slots to permit data extraction, charging, testing and synchronizing without opening the pods. A pod may include an inertial navigation system to determine ocean floor location and a rubidium clock for timing. The system includes mathematical gimballing. The cable may include shear couplings designed to automatically shear apart if a certain level of cable tension is reached.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2019Publication date: February 13, 2020Inventors: Clifford H. Ray, Glenn D. Fisseler, James N. Thompson, Hal B. Haygood
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Patent number: 10557958Abstract: A marine seismic exploration method and system comprised of continuous recording, self-contained ocean bottom pods characterized by low profile casings. An external bumper is provided to promote ocean bottom coupling and prevent fishing net entrapment. Pods are tethered together with flexible, non-rigid, non-conducting cable used to control pod deployment. Pods are deployed and retrieved from a boat deck configured to have a storage system and a handling system to attach pods to cable on-the-fly. The storage system is a juke box configuration of slots wherein individual pods are randomly stored in the slots to permit data extraction, charging, testing and synchronizing without opening the pods. A pod may include an inertial navigation system to determine ocean floor location and a rubidium clock for timing. The system includes mathematical gimballing. The cable may include shear couplings designed to automatically shear apart if a certain level of cable tension is reached.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2017Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: Magseis FF LLCInventors: Clifford H. Ray, Glenn D. Fisseler, James N. Thompson, Hal B. Haygood
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Patent number: 10539696Abstract: A marine seismic exploration method and system comprised of continuous recording, self-contained ocean bottom pods characterized by low profile casings. An external bumper is provided to promote ocean bottom coupling and prevent fishing net entrapment. Pods are tethered together with flexible, non-rigid, non-conducting cable used to control pod deployment. Pods are deployed and retrieved from a boat deck configured to have a storage system and a handling system to attach pods to cable on-the-fly. The storage system is a juke box configuration of slots wherein individual pods are randomly stored in the slots to permit data extraction, charging, testing and synchronizing without opening the pods. A pod may include an inertial navigation system to determine ocean floor location and a rubidium clock for timing. The system includes mathematical gimballing. The cable may include shear couplings designed to automatically shear apart if a certain level of cable tension is reached.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2017Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: Magseis FF LLCInventors: Clifford H. Ray, Glenn D. Fisseler, James N. Thompson, Hal B. Haygood
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Patent number: 10502853Abstract: Systems and methods for deployment and retrieval of ocean bottom seismic receivers. In some embodiments, the system includes a carrier containing receivers. The carrier can include a frame having a mounted structure (e.g., a movable carousel, movable conveyor, fixed parallel rails, or a barrel) for seating and releasing the receivers (e.g., axially stacked). The structure can facilitate delivering receivers to a discharge port on the frame. The system can include a discharge mechanism for removing receivers from the carrier. In some embodiments, the method includes loading a carrier with receivers, transporting the carrier from a surface vessel to a position adjacent the seabed, and using an ROV to remove receivers from the carrier and place the receivers on the seabed. In some embodiments, an ROV adjacent the seabed engages a deployment line that guides receivers from the vessel down to the ROV for “on-time” delivery and placement on the seabed.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2017Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: Magseis FF LLCInventors: James N. Thompson, Clifford H. Ray, Glenn D. Fisseler, Roger L. Fyffe
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Patent number: 10473807Abstract: A marine seismic exploration method and system comprised of continuous recording, self-contained ocean bottom pods characterized by low profile casings. An external bumper is provided to promote ocean bottom coupling and prevent fishing net entrapment. Pods are tethered together with flexible, non-rigid, non-conducting cable used to control pod deployment. Pods are deployed and retrieved from a boat deck configured to have a storage system and a handling system to attach pods to cable on-the-fly. The storage system is a juke box configuration of slots wherein individual pods are randomly stored in the slots to permit data extraction, charging, testing and synchronizing without opening the pods. A pod may include an inertial navigation system to determine ocean floor location and a rubidium clock for timing. The system includes mathematical gimballing. The cable may include shear couplings designed to automatically shear apart if a certain level of cable tension is reached.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2017Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: MAGSEIS FF LLCInventors: Clifford H. Ray, Glenn D. Fisseler, James N. Thompson, Hal B. Haygood
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Patent number: 10422908Abstract: A marine seismic exploration method and system comprised of continuous recording, self-contained ocean bottom pods characterized by low profile casings. An external bumper is provided to promote ocean bottom coupling and prevent fishing net entrapment. Pods are tethered together with flexible, non-rigid, non-conducting cable used to control pod deployment. Pods are deployed and retrieved from a boat deck configured to have a storage system and a handling system to attach pods to cable on-the-fly. The storage system is a juke box configuration of slots wherein individual pods are randomly stored in the slots to permit data extraction, charging, testing and synchronizing without opening the pods. A pod may include an inertial navigation system to determine ocean floor location and a rubidium clock for timing. The system includes mathematical gimballing. The cable may include shear couplings designed to automatically shear apart if a certain level of cable tension is reached.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2017Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: Magseis FF LLCInventors: Clifford H. Ray, Glenn D. Fisseler, James N. Thompson, Hal B. Haygood
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Publication number: 20180364385Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to an apparatus and method of transferring seismic equipment to and from a marine vessel and subsurface location. In one embodiment, a marine vessel is provided. The marine vessel includes a deck having a plurality of seismic sensor devices stored thereon, two remotely operated vehicles, each comprising a seismic sensor storage compartment, and a seismic sensor transfer device comprising a container for transfer of one or more of the seismic sensor devices from the vessel to the sensor storage compartment of at least one of the two remotely operated vehicles.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2018Publication date: December 20, 2018Inventors: Reagan Neil WOODWARD, James N. Thompson
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Patent number: 10042068Abstract: A system to deploy seismic sensors in a marine environment is provided. The system includes a seismic sensor transfer device to house and transport a plurality of seismic sensors. The seismic sensor transfer device is deployed from a vessel. The system includes a propulsion system of the seismic sensor transfer device to receive an instruction and move, responsive to the instruction, the seismic sensor transfer device. The system includes an underwater vehicle that transfers at least one of the plurality of seismic sensors from the seismic sensor transfer device to the underwater vehicle. The underwater vehicle operates at a second speed different from a first speed at which the vessel operates. The underwater vehicle places the at least one seismic sensor on a seabed.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2016Date of Patent: August 7, 2018Assignee: FAIRFIELD INDUSTRIES INCORPORATEDInventors: Reagan Neil Woodward, Jr., James N. Thompson
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Patent number: 9829594Abstract: A marine seismic exploration method and system comprised of continuous recording, self-contained ocean bottom pods characterized by low profile casings. An external bumper is provided to promote ocean bottom coupling and prevent fishing net entrapment. Pods are tethered together with flexible, non-rigid, non-conducting cable used to control pod deployment. Pods are deployed and retrieved from a boat deck configured to have a storage system and a handling system to attach pods to cable on-the-fly. The storage system is a juke box configuration of slots wherein individual pods are randomly stored in the slots to permit data extraction, charging, testing and synchronizing without opening the pods. A pod may include an inertial navigation system to determine ocean floor location and a rubidium clock for timing. The system includes mathematical gimballing. The cable may include shear couplings designed to automatically shear apart if a certain level of cable tension is reached.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2014Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: FAIRFIELD INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: Clifford H. Ray, Glenn D. Fisseler, James N. Thompson, Hal B. Haygood
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Patent number: 9829589Abstract: A marine seismic exploration method and system comprised of continuous recording, self-contained ocean bottom pods characterized by low profile casings. An external bumper is provided to promote ocean bottom coupling and prevent fishing net entrapment. Pods are tethered together with flexible, non-rigid, non-conducting cable used to control pod deployment. Pods are deployed and retrieved from a boat deck configured to have a storage system and a handling system to attach pods to cable on-the-fly. The storage system is a juke box configuration of slots wherein individual pods are randomly stored in the slots to permit data extraction, charging, testing and synchronizing without opening the pods. A pod may include an inertial navigation system to determine ocean floor location and a rubidium clock for timing. The system includes mathematical gimballing. The cable may include shear couplings designed to automatically shear apart if a certain level of cable tension is reached.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2017Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: FAIRFIELD INDUSTRIES, INC.Inventors: Clifford H. Ray, Glenn D. Fisseler, James N. Thompson, Hal B. Haygood
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Publication number: 20170299749Abstract: Systems and methods for deployment and retrieval of ocean bottom seismic receivers. In some embodiments, the system includes a carrier containing receivers. The carrier can include a frame having a mounted structure (e.g., a movable carousel, movable conveyor, fixed parallel rails, or a barrel) for seating and releasing the receivers (e.g., axially stacked). The structure can facilitate delivering receivers to a discharge port on the frame. The system can include a discharge mechanism for removing receivers from the carrier. In some embodiments, the method includes loading a carrier with receivers, transporting the carrier from a surface vessel to a position adjacent the seabed, and using an ROV to remove receivers from the carrier and place the receivers on the seabed. In some embodiments, an ROV adjacent the seabed engages a deployment line that guides receivers from the vessel down to the ROV for “on-time” delivery and placement on the seabed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2017Publication date: October 19, 2017Inventors: James N. Thompson, Clifford H. Ray, Glenn D. Fisseler, Roger L. Fyffe
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Publication number: 20170261628Abstract: A marine seismic exploration method and system comprised of continuous recording, self-contained ocean bottom pods characterized by low profile casings. An external bumper is provided to promote ocean bottom coupling and prevent fishing net entrapment. Pods are tethered together with flexible, non-rigid, non-conducting cable used to control pod deployment. Pods are deployed and retrieved from a boat deck configured to have a storage system and a handling system to attach pods to cable on-the-fly. The storage system is a juke box configuration of slots wherein individual pods are randomly stored in the slots to permit data extraction, charging, testing and synchronizing without opening the pods. A pod may include an inertial navigation system to determine ocean floor location and a rubidium clock for timing. The system includes mathematical gimballing. The cable may include shear couplings designed to automatically shear apart if a certain level of cable tension is reached.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2017Publication date: September 14, 2017Inventors: Clifford H. Ray, Glenn D. Fisseler, James N. Thompson, Hal B. Haygood
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Publication number: 20170261627Abstract: A marine seismic exploration method and system comprised of continuous recording, self-contained ocean bottom pods characterized by low profile casings. An external bumper is provided to promote ocean bottom coupling and prevent fishing net entrapment. Pods are tethered together with flexible, non-rigid, non-conducting cable used to control pod deployment. Pods are deployed and retrieved from a boat deck configured to have a storage system and a handling system to attach pods to cable on-the-fly. The storage system is a juke box configuration of slots wherein individual pods are randomly stored in the slots to permit data extraction, charging, testing and synchronizing without opening the pods. A pod may include an inertial navigation system to determine ocean floor location and a rubidium clock for timing. The system includes mathematical gimballing. The cable may include shear couplings designed to automatically shear apart if a certain level of cable tension is reached.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2017Publication date: September 14, 2017Inventors: Clifford H. Ray, Glenn D. Fisseler, James N. Thompson, Hal B. Haygood
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Publication number: 20170254913Abstract: A marine seismic exploration method and system comprised of continuous recording, self-contained ocean bottom pods characterized by low profile casings. An external bumper is provided to promote ocean bottom coupling and prevent fishing net entrapment. Pods are tethered together with flexible, non-rigid, non-conducting cable used to control pod deployment. Pods are deployed and retrieved from a boat deck configured to have a storage system and a handling system to attach pods to cable on-the-fly. The storage system is a juke box configuration of slots wherein individual pods are randomly stored in the slots to permit data extraction, charging, testing and synchronizing without opening the pods. A pod may include an inertial navigation system to determine ocean floor location and a rubidium clock for timing. The system includes mathematical gimballing. The cable may include shear couplings designed to automatically shear apart if a certain level of cable tension is reached.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2017Publication date: September 7, 2017Inventors: Clifford H. Ray, Glenn D. Fisseler, James N. Thompson, Hal B. Haygood