Patents by Inventor Michael Malling

Michael Malling 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: 10248886
    Abstract: At least some of the exemplary embodiments are a method. The method includes obtaining, at an underwater imaging device, a stream of images of geophysical surveying equipment, wherein the geophysical surveying equipment includes a target pattern having a calibrated image size. The geophysical surveying equipment is tracked using the image stream and the target pattern. The method further includes capturing from the image stream, a single image of the images of the geophysical surveying equipment, wherein the single image comprises an image of the target pattern having an apparent size. Based on the calibrated image size and the apparent size, a distance between the underwater imaging device and the geophysical surveying equipment is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Torbjørn Ursin, Michael Malling, Geir Andre Motzfeldt Drange
  • Patent number: 10197690
    Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to marine geophysical surveying and, more particularly, embodiments relate to methods for acquiring geophysical data by dynamically manipulating survey spread in response a change in location of a target. A method may comprise actuating an energy source in a body of water, wherein a target for a marine geophysical survey system is located beneath a bottom of the body of water. The method may further comprise detecting energy generated by the energy source. The method may further comprise manipulating a position of a survey spread in response to a change in distribution of the target beneath the bottom of the body of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Michael Malling, Toralf Lund, Tom Vincent-Dospital, Tollef Jahren
  • Publication number: 20170371069
    Abstract: A method includes collecting spectral data from fiber Bragg grating sensors distributed at locations along a fiber optic component positioned along a streamer; and analyzing the spectral data to produce measurements of bend of an axis of the streamer proximate the locations. A streamer monitoring system includes: a fiber optic component positioned along a streamer; a plurality of fiber Bragg grating sensors distributed at locations along the fiber optic component; a light source optically coupled to the fiber optic component and configured to interrogate the fiber Bragg grating sensors; a photodetector optically coupled to the fiber optic component and configured to collect spectral data from the interrogated fiber Bragg grating sensors; and a spectral analyzer in communication with the photodetector and configured to analyze the spectral data to produce measurements of bend of an axis of the streamer proximate the locations along the fiber optic component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventor: Michael MALLING
  • Patent number: 9695949
    Abstract: Valves. At least some of the example valves include: a valve body; a valve housing; and a piston that defines a proximal end and a distal end, the piston disposed in a piston bore of the valve housing. The valve defines a closed orientation by a first rotational orientation of the valve housing relative to the valve body, and the valve defines an open orientation by a second rotational orientation of the valve housing distinct from the first rotational orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Karl Petter Elvestad, Michael Malling
  • Publication number: 20160238730
    Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to marine geophysical surveying and, more particularly, embodiments relate to methods for acquiring geophysical data by dynamically manipulating survey spread in response a change in location of a target. A method may comprise actuating an energy source in a body of water, wherein a target for a marine geophysical survey system is located beneath a bottom of the body of water. The method may further comprise detecting energy generated by the energy source. The method may further comprise manipulating a position of a survey spread in response to a change in distribution of the target beneath the bottom of the body of water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Applicant: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Michael Malling, Toralf Lund, Tom Vincent-Dospital, Tollef Jahren
  • Patent number: 9354344
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to acoustically interfacing marine survey devices. In one embodiment, a system includes survey equipment, first and second acoustic transducers, and a first device. In this embodiment, the first acoustic transducer is coupled to the survey equipment and configured to perform at least one of receiving survey information and sending control information. In this embodiment, the first device is not directly coupled to the survey equipment. In this embodiment, the second acoustic transducer is coupled to the first device and configured to perform at least one of sending survey information and receiving control information. In one embodiment, the first acoustic transducer is included in or coupled to a streamer cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Torbjørn Ursin, Michael Malling
  • Publication number: 20160061336
    Abstract: Valves. At least some of the example valves include: a valve body; a valve housing; and a piston that defines a proximal end and a distal end, the piston disposed in a piston bore of the valve housing. The valve defines a closed orientation by a first rotational orientation of the valve housing relative to the valve body, and the valve defines an open orientation by a second rotational orientation of the valve housing distinct from the first rotational orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Karl Petter Elvestad, Michael Malling
  • Publication number: 20150117716
    Abstract: At least some of the exemplary embodiments are a method. The method includes obtaining, at an underwater imaging device, a stream of images of geophysical surveying equipment, wherein the geophysical surveying equipment includes a target pattern having a calibrated image size. The geophysical surveying equipment is tracked using the image stream and the target pattern. The method further includes capturing from the image stream, a single image of the images of the geophysical surveying equipment, wherein the single image comprises an image of the target pattern having an apparent size. Based on the calibrated image size and the apparent size, a distance between the underwater imaging device and the geophysical surveying equipment is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: PGS GEOPHYSICAL AS
    Inventors: Torbjørn Ursin, Michael Malling, Geir Andre Motzfeldt Drange
  • Publication number: 20140269168
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to acoustically interfacing marine survey devices. In one embodiment, a system includes survey equipment, first and second acoustic transducers, and a first device. In this embodiment, the first acoustic transducer is coupled to the survey equipment and configured to perform at least one of receiving survey information and sending control information. In this embodiment, the first device is not directly coupled to the survey equipment. In this embodiment, the second acoustic transducer is coupled to the first device and configured to perform at least one of sending survey information and receiving control information. In one embodiment, the first acoustic transducer is included in or coupled to a streamer cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: PGS GEOPHYSICAL AS
    Inventors: Torbjørn Ursin, Michael Malling
  • Patent number: 8072222
    Abstract: To perform an electromagnetic (EM) surveying of a subterranean structure, a signal generator produces a signal having an analog continuous waveform without steps in the waveform. Producing the signal is in response to an indication specifying a characteristic of the signal. An antenna is responsive to the signal having the analog continuous waveform to emit an EM field to produce the EM surveying of the subterranean structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: WesternGeco L. L. C.
    Inventors: Leendert Combee, Michael Malling, Phil Heelan
  • Publication number: 20090243614
    Abstract: To perform an electromagnetic (EM) surveying of a subterranean structure, a signal generator produces a signal having an analog continuous waveform without steps in the waveform. An antenna is responsive to the signal having the analog continuous waveform to emit an EM field to produce the EM surveying of the subterranean structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: LEENDERT COMBEE, Michael Malling, Phil Heelan