Patents by Inventor Michael W. Spillane

Michael W. Spillane 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).

  • Oscillation suppression and control system for a floating platform
    Patent number: 6910438
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an oscillation suppression system is provided to inhibit vertical and rotational resonance of a floating platform. The oscillation suppression system includes energy absorption chambers mounted in or about the hull of the floating platform. The chambers may be separately attached or integrated as part of the structure. The chambers are comprised of gas in an upper portion, and water mass in a lower portion. The chambers are closed or partially vented at the upper ends and open at their bottom ends. The enclosed gas in the upper portion of the chamber acts as a gas spring reacting against the floating platform and the water mass. The suppression of resonant oscillations of the floating platform system is accomplished through the gas-spring pressure changes acting on the floating platform system in phase opposition to external forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Seahorse Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Leverette, Michael W. Spillane, Oriol R. Rijken, Stephen E. Kibbee
  • Oscillation suppression and control system for a floating platform
    Publication number: 20040216657
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, an oscillation suppression system is provided to inhibit vertical and rotational resonance of a floating platform. The oscillation suppression system includes energy absorption chambers mounted in or about the hull of the floating platform. The chambers may be separately attached or integrated as part of the structure. The chambers are comprised of gas in an upper portion, and water mass in a lower portion. The chambers are closed or partially vented at the upper ends and open at their bottom ends. The enclosed gas in the upper portion of the chamber acts as a gas spring reacting against the floating platform and the water mass. The suppression of resonant oscillations of the floating platform system is accomplished through the gas-spring pressure changes acting on the floating platform system in phase opposition to external forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Steven J. Leverette, Michael W. Spillane, Oriol R. Rijken, Stephen E. Kibbee