Patents by Inventor Michael Watchorn

Michael Watchorn 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).

  • Publication number: 20070050929
    Abstract: Access means are provided for accessing a fixed offshore structure such as a wind turbine (70), larger vessel or the like form a smaller transfer vessel (50), or for providing for transfer between vessels One or more guide wires (12) are connected from the vessel (50) to the fixed structure (70) or second vessel and placed in tension such as by directing the transfer vessel away from the fixed structure. In one embodiment, inflatable, members are suspendable from the guide wires and inflation of the inflatable members causes them to extend along the guide wires to form an access surface (56) across which personnel may walk to access the fixed structure or second vessel from the first vessel Mounting means are also provided which accommodate relative rotational, translational and pitching movement of the apparatus and vessel, caused by wave motion. In another embodiment, a bridge member is retained on a runway of the first vessel and deployed using said guide wires (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Inventor: Michael Watchorn
  • Publication number: 20060078385
    Abstract: Apparatus for creating a local reduction in wave height comprises a buoyant or semi buoyant top surface portion (20) with drag inducing elements (26) disposed below said portion. The drag inducing elements (26) may be compressible or inflatable and collapsible. The apparatus is especially suitable for temporary usage at a given site, after which is may be transported to another site or stored. The compressible or collapsible nature of the drag inducing elements (26) facilitates transport and storage by minimising the volume of the apparatus when not in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Applicant: The Engineering Business Limited
    Inventor: Michael Watchorn
  • Publication number: 20050286979
    Abstract: Offshore structures such as wind turbines, wave machines and tidal stream turbines are mounted in a previously located foundation including a socket. The foundation includes an upper body with a conical inner surface which acts as a guide for inserting a leading end of the structure into the socket. The conical surface also provides a reaction surface for alignment means for setting the vertical alignment of the structure when inserted in the socket. Clamp means are provided supported by an A frame for controlled lowering of the structure into the socket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Applicant: The Engineering Business Limited
    Inventor: Michael Watchorn