Patents by Inventor Neil Andrew

Neil Andrew 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: 7505989
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to a system and method for creating custom multi-relational ontologies. The invention includes a system and method for creating a master ontology and the application of one or more customizing constraints to the master ontology. Also provided are methods for creating custom ontologies using path-finding and creation of custom ontologies by applying customizing constraints to extraction, assembly, curation, and publication processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: BioWisdom Limited
    Inventors: Stephen Philip Gardner, Robin Duncan Hill, Conor McMenamin, Matthew David Eldridge, Benjamin Davis, Neil Andrew Miller Blue, Jonathan Kim Chambers
  • Patent number: 7493333
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for parsing and/or exporting one or more multi-relational ontologies. The system may apply a set of export constraints to one or more master ontologies to produce a redacted data subset. The redacted data subset may then be exported to a specified location or application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: BioWisdom Limited
    Inventors: Robin Duncan Hill, Conor McMenamin, Stephen Philip Gardner, Benjamin Davis, Matthew David Eldridge, Neil Andrew Miller Blue
  • Publication number: 20090026325
    Abstract: A temporary load support intended in use to be supported from a fixed structure (10) to temporarily support an element (50) of the fixed structure, said load support comprising a pair of mountings (11) configured to, in use, be mounted to the fixed structure at spaced locations adjacent the element, a load bearing member (17) adapted to be fixed between the mountings, the load bearing member having a support element (23) located intermediate the mountings, wherein in use the mountings are fixed to the fixed structure proximate the element such that the support element is located in the region of the element, said support element being able to support the element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventor: Neil Andrew Roberts
  • Patent number: 7478651
    Abstract: A method of lining a bore section, the method comprises providing a first tubing section and an expandable thin-walled second tubing section. The first tubing section is run into a section of a bore. The second tubing section is then run into the bore section, within the first tubing section, and expanded to a larger diameter, such that the bore section is lined by at least two tubing sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: Neil Andrew Abercrombie Simpson
  • Patent number: 7421587
    Abstract: A technique for detecting Trojans and worms within packed computer files uses fingerprint data derived from the unpacked resource data associated with the packed computer files. The number of entries, the position within the resource data and size of the resource that is the largest resource specified, a timestamp value of compilation and a checksum value derived from the whole of the resource data may be included within a fingerprint value as characteristic of a particular set of resource data. A library of such fingerprint values may be generated for known Trojans and worms, or other programs it is wished to detect, and then a suspect file compared against this library of fingerprints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: McAfee, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Andrew Cowie, Igor Muttik
  • Patent number: 7419193
    Abstract: A method of coupling first and second expandable tubulars comprises providing a male tubular connector portion and a female tubular connection portion having greater yield strength, coupling the connector portions together, and expanding the coupled connector portions. The coupled connector portions may be expanded downhole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: Neil Andrew Abercrombie Simpson
  • Publication number: 20080202753
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and method for expanding a tubular. In one aspect, embodiments of the prevent invention provide an expander tool having at least two expansion members radially extendable from the expander tool into contact with a surrounding inside surface of the tubular, the at least two expansion members radially extendable at different times and axially spaced after radially extending. In another aspect, embodiments include a method for isolating a first portion of a wellbore from a second portion of a wellbore comprising locating an expandable tubular within the wellbore between the first and second portions, the expandable tubular having a weakened portion therein, isolating the first portion from the second portion of the wellbore, and expanding the expandable tubular proximate to the weakened portion to sever the expandable tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Simon John Harrall, Patrick G. Maguire, Robert J. Coon, Neil Andrew Abercrombie Simpson
  • Publication number: 20080206284
    Abstract: The use of an agent in the manufacture of a medicament to affect an allergic condition and/or a hypersensitivity condition is described. The agent is capable of modulating a ganglioside associated activity. The agent is not coupled to an antigen. The modulation of the ganglioside activity affects an allergic condition and/or a hypersensitivity condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Neil Andrew Williams, Timothy Raymond Hirst, John Bienenstock
  • Patent number: 7410001
    Abstract: A method of sealing an expandable tubular within a bore comprises the steps of providing an expandable tubular describing a first diameter and having a sealing medium on its outer surface, running the tubular into a bore and expanding the tubular within the bore to describe a second larger diameter, and activating the sealing medium to facilitate provision of a seal between the tubular and the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Simon John Harrall, Neil Andrew Abercrombie Simpson
  • Patent number: 7401359
    Abstract: Malware definition data for mobile computing devices 2 is generated from master malware definition data 44 by selecting those classes of malware threat to which the mobile computing device is vulnerable and then selecting the matching malware items from within the master malware definition data. A PC 6 to which the mobile computing device may be connected is responsible for downloading an updated version of the master malware definition data for its own use and generates appropriate mobile computing device malware definition data for transfer to the mobile computing device when it is connected to the PC. The scanner programs of both the PC and the mobile computing device may be similarly updated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: McAfee, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Nicholas Gartside, Neil Andrew Cowie
  • Patent number: 7377325
    Abstract: There is disclosed an expandable centraliser for locating a body within a borehole, and a method of centralising tubing in a borehole. In an embodiment of the invention, an expandable centraliser (10) is disclosed, the centraliser (10) comprising a deformable body (12), and at least one abutment portion in the form of a shoulder (14) on the body (12), the shoulder (14) adapted to be urged radially outwardly on deformation of the body (12), to centralise tubing (28) coupled to the centraliser (10) within a borehole (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Duncan James Trinder, Neil Andrew Abercrombie Simpson, Alexander Craig Mackay
  • Patent number: 7373990
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and method for expanding a tubular. In one aspect, embodiments of the prevent invention provide an expander tool having at least two expansion members radially extendable from the expander tool into contact with a surrounding inside surface of the tubular, the at least two expansion members radially extendable at different times and axially spaced after radially extending. In another aspect, embodiments include a method for isolating a first portion of a wellbore from a second portion of a wellbore comprising locating an expandable tubular within the wellbore between the first and second portions, the expandable tubular having a weakened portion therein, isolating the first portion from the second portion of the wellbore, and expanding the expandable tubular proximate to the weakened portion to sever the expandable tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Simon John Harrall, Patrick G. Maguire, Robert J. Coon, Neil Andrew Abercrombie Simpson
  • Patent number: 7370708
    Abstract: A seal arrangement comprises an expandable inner tubular and an outer tubular. The inner tubular comprises an axially extending lip seal. Expansion of the inner tubular serves to energise the lip seal, a free end of which will be urged into contact with the outer tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Andrew Abercrombie Simpson, Alexander Craig Mackay, Robert Cowman
  • Patent number: 7367404
    Abstract: A method of forming a seal between two tubular members comprising providing a first tubular member having an internal surface and an external surface describing a first diameter, with a recess in the external surface at a seal portion of the first tubular member. A deformable circumferentially extending sealing member is located in the recess, the sealing member describes an external diameter no greater than the first diameter. The first tubular member is located within a second tubular member and the seal portion of the first tubular member is expanded such that the sealing member engages an inner surface of the second tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Andrew Abercrombie Simpson, Alexander Craig Mackay
  • Patent number: 7357189
    Abstract: There is disclosed an expandable seal for sealing at least part of a wall of a well borehole, an expandable seal assembly comprising at least two such expandable seals, and a method of sealing at least part of a well borehole using such a seal. In one embodiment, the expandable seal (32) comprises an expandable tubular support member (34) and an inflatable seal element (36) mounted externally of the expandable tubular support member (34) for inflation radially outwardly into sealing engagement with at least part of a wall (50) of a well borehole (10). There is also disclosed a sealing apparatus for sealing at least one flow port in an expandable downhole tubular, in one embodiment, the sealing apparatus (332) comprising a sealing member (384) coupled to an expandable tubular (334), the sealing member (384) including a deformable portion (387) movable between a closed position preventing fluid flow through a flow port (356) and an open position permitting fluid flow through the flow port (356).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Aldaz, Andrew Michael Duggan, James Kennon Whanger, Neil Andrew Abercrombie Simpson, Simon John Harrall, James Oliver
  • Patent number: 7357198
    Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for use in wellbores and particularly, but not exclusively, to circulating subs used during downhole drilling operations. The apparatus includes a control groove and a pin received within the control groove for determining whether or not a longitudinal movement of a piston in a given direction relative to the apparatus body will move the apparatus between open and closed configurations. The apparatus further includes a control member located between and movable relative to the body and the piston. The control groove is defined in one of the piston and control member, and the pin is provided on the other of the piston and control member. Means are also provided for constraining movement of the piston relative to the body to longitudinal movement only. The invention thus provides an apparatus which has improved reliability in moving between open and closed configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Mcgarian, Rory McCrae Tulloch, Neil Andrew Moir
  • Patent number: 7350584
    Abstract: A method of lining a drilled bore comprises running a tubular into a drilled bore and then corrugating the tubular in the bore. The tubular may also be expanded in the bore. In other aspects of the invention the tubular is corrugated prior to running into the bore and may be rotated as it is run into the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Andrew Abercrombie Simpson, Simon John Harrall
  • Patent number: 7350588
    Abstract: A method of supporting a tubular within a bore including the steps of at least partially expanding a sleeve into contact with a bore wall to secure the sleeve within the bore, and engaging a portion of the tubular to be supported with the sleeve to provide hanging support for the tubular. In one embodiment, the sleeve is expanded by engagement with the tubular. In another embodiment, the sleeve is initially expanded using a roller expansion tool, with further expansion being achieved by way of engagement of the tubular with the sleeve. An apparatus for supporting a tubular within a bore in one embodiment comprises an expandable sleeve having a first surface and being adapted to be expanded into contact with a bore wall, and a conical portion adapted to be coupled to a tubular, the conical portion having a second surface adapted to engage the first surface of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Andrew Abercrombie Simpson, Simon John Harrall, Jon Eric Lauritzen
  • Patent number: 7350585
    Abstract: A method of expanding tubing comprises applying a varying fluid pressure across the wall of the tubing. The variation in pressure may be achieved by varying one or both of the fluid pressure within the tubing and the fluid pressure externally of the tubing. A body of varying volume may be located in a volume of fluid associated with the tubing. Alternatively, the volume of a body of fluid associated with the tubing may be varied by movement of a wall portion defining a boundary of the volume, which wall portion may be associated with an oscillator or a percussive or hammer device. In other embodiments a pressurised fluid source may be provided, and the fluid may be supplied at varying pressure from the source. An increase in pressure within the tubing may be accompanied by a reduction in pressure externally of the tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Andrew Abercrombie Simpson, Wayne Rudd
  • Patent number: 7346781
    Abstract: When a user commands execution of a computer program to commence, a loader program 2 is first started. This loader program 2 reads an encrypted version of the computer program 6 and decrypts it using a public key. This generates an executable version of the computer program 9 which is written directly to the computer memory 8. When the loader program 2 has decrypted the whole of the computer program 9 it starts execution of the computer program 9 it has written into the computer memory 8 and terminates itself or is terminated by the computer program it started. The computer program 9 written into the computer memory 8 will be written into its own memory space and will have its own execution thread. The encryption used may be public key/private key encryption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: McAfee, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Andrew Cowie, Igor Garrievich Muttik, Daniel Joseph Wolff