Patents by Inventor Paul Toom

Paul Toom 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: 20230013094
    Abstract: A surface profiler comprises at least one front support wheel and at least one rear support wheel for travelling along the surface of a profile to be measured, the rotational axes of said wheels being longitudinally spaced and collinear. A frame carried on the support wheels carries at least one inclinometer, and may also carry a first optical encoder to measure distance travelled. A subframe carried on at least two subframe wheels is pivotally coupled to the frame between the support wheels using a parallelogram linkage. The subframe support wheels are collinear with each other and with the support wheels. A second optical encoder measures the angle between the frame and the subframe. Incremental measurements of inclination angle provided by the inclinometer and the angle between the frame and the subframe, produce a series of elevations representing the surface profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2021
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventor: Paul Toom
  • Patent number: 9404738
    Abstract: A surface profiler including at least one front support wheel and at least one rear support wheel for travelling along the surface of a profile to be measured, the rotational axes of said wheels being longitudinally spaced, and the wheels contacting the surface being profiled in a collinear manner. A frame carried on the wheels carries at least one inclinometer and at least two vertical distance measuring apparatus such as lasers, and may also carry an optical encoder. The lasers are collinear with each other and with the wheels. Incremental to measurements of inclination angles provided by the inclinometer, together with incremental measurements of distance to the surface being measured provided by the lasers, produce a continuous, high resolution mathematical series of elevations representing the surface profile, including reproduction of surface features that are smaller than the distance between the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Inventor: Paul Toom
  • Publication number: 20140324383
    Abstract: A surface profiler comprises at least one front support wheel and at least one rear support wheel for travelling along the surface of a profile to be measured, the rotational axes of said wheels being longitudinally spaced, and the wheels contacting the surface being profiled in a collinear manner. A frame carried on the wheels carries at least one inclinometer and at least two vertical distance measuring apparatus such as lasers, and may also carry an optical encoder. The lasers are collinear with each other and with the wheels. Incremental to measurements of inclination angles provided by the inclinometer, together with incremental measurements of distance to the surface being measured provided by the lasers, produce a continuous, high resolution mathematical series of elevations representing the surface profile, including reproduction of surface features that are smaller than the distance between the wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventor: Paul Toom
  • Publication number: 20130020086
    Abstract: A method for capping a subsea wellbore comprises (a) identifying a subsea landing site on the BOP or LMRP for connection of a capping stack. In addition, the method comprises (b) preparing the subsea landing site for connection of the capping stack. Further, the method comprises (c) installing a capping stack on to the subsea landing site. Still further, the method comprises (d) shutting in the wellbore with the capping stack after (c).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicants: BP EXPLORATION OPERATING COMPANY LIMITED, BP CORPORATION NORTH AMERICA INC.
    Inventors: Paul Edward Anderson, Wyatt Chase Breidenthal, Michael Terence Brown, Randall James Chiasson, Kevin James Devers, William Patrick Grames, John Douglas Hughes, Mark Henley Nichols, Leslie Linn Owen, Trevor Paul Deacon Smith, Paul Tooms, James Scott Wellings
  • Patent number: 6775914
    Abstract: A surface profiler comprises at least one mass resiliently supported in relation to the frame of the profiler to exert a downward force opposing upward movement of the frame when the wheels pass over an obstacle. Two such masses may be constrained for substantially vertical movement by tie rods extending from pivoting suspension bars secured on distal portions of the frame. A pivoting bracket optionally connects to a handle or to a motor drive unit for propelling the apparatus. The bracket is pivoted about the center point of a line joining the centers of the wheel axles to avoid any torque on the apparatus as a result of operator manipulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Paul Toom
  • Publication number: 20040055171
    Abstract: A surface profiler comprises at least one mass resiliently supported in relation to the frame of the profiler to exert a downward force opposing upward movement of the frame when the wheels pass over an obstacle. Two such masses may be constrained for substantially vertical movement by tie rods extending from pivoting suspension bars secured on distal portions of the frame. A pivoting bracket optionally connects to a handle or to a motor drive unit for propelling the apparatus. The bracket is pivoted about the center point of a line joining the centers of the wheel axles to avoid any torque on the apparatus as a result of operator manipulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventor: Paul Toom
  • Patent number: RE49844
    Abstract: A surface profiler including at least one front support wheel and at least one rear support wheel for travelling along the surface of a profile to be measured, the rotational axes of said wheels being longitudinally spaced, and the wheels contacting the surface being profiled in a collinear manner. A frame carried on the wheels carries at least one inclinometer and at least two vertical distance measuring apparatus such as lasers, and may also carry an optical encoder. The lasers are collinear with each other and with the wheels. Incremental to measurements of inclination angles provided by the inclinometer, together with incremental measurements of distance to the surface being measured provided by the lasers, produce a continuous, high resolution mathematical series of elevations representing the surface profile, including reproduction of surface features that are smaller than the distance between the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Inventor: Paul Toom