Patents by Inventor Robert Dowling
Robert Dowling 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: 9487275Abstract: Method and vessel for performing marine acoustic survey of a subsurface. The vessel includes a launching module configured to deploy an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) underwater; a recovery module configured to recover the AUV; a homing device mounted on the recovery module and configured to guide the AUV to the recovery module; and a management module connecting the launching module to the recovery module and configured to transport the AUV.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2014Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: CGG SERVICES SAInventors: Thierry Brizard, Alice Hervé, Erwan Postic, Robert Dowle, Jonathan Grimsdale
-
Patent number: 9440013Abstract: A blood flow conduit includes a first conduit portion defining a first portion of a lumen; and a second conduit portion defining a second portion of a lumen. At least one of the first or second conduit portions may include a tip portion and the other of the first or second conduit portions may include an enlarged area.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2014Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: ABIOMED, INC.Inventors: Robert Dowling, Robert T.V. Kung, Paul Spence, Thorsten Siess, Gerd Spanier, Eric Gratz, Caitlyn Hastie
-
Patent number: 9250337Abstract: A source element for generating seismic waves includes a housing; a partitioning element placed inside the housing and configured to split the housing in a closed chamber and an opened chamber; and a valve in fluid communication with the closed chamber and configured to supply high-pressure air to the closed chamber to make the partitioning element oscillates. An oscillation of the partitioning element generates low-frequency seismic waves.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2014Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: CGG SERVICES SAInventors: Hervé Richer De Forges, Robert Dowle, John Sallas
-
Publication number: 20150336646Abstract: An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) for recording seismic signals during a marine seismic survey. The AUV includes a body having a flush shape; an intake water element located on the body and configured to take in water; at least one propulsion nozzle located on the body and configured to eject the water from the intake water element for actuating the AUV; at least one guidance nozzle located on the body and configured to eject water to change a traveling direction of the AUV; and a seismic payload located on the body of the AUV and configured to record seismic signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2015Publication date: November 26, 2015Applicant: Seabed Geosolutions ASInventors: Thierry Brizard, Alice Herve, Jonathan Grimsdale, Robert Dowle
-
Publication number: 20150265757Abstract: A blood flow conduit includes a first conduit portion defining a first portion of a lumen; and a second conduit portion defining a second portion of a lumen. At least one of the first or second conduit portions may include a tip portion and the other of the first or second conduit portions may include an enlarged area.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2014Publication date: September 24, 2015Inventors: Robert Dowling, Bob Kung, Paul Spence, Thorsten Siess, Gerd Spanier, Eric Gratz, Caitlyn Hastie
-
Patent number: 9128209Abstract: System and method for actuating first and second marine acoustic sources in a firing sequence, the firing sequence including at least a first actuation of the first source followed by a first actuation of the second source followed by a second actuation of the first source and a second actuation of the second source. The method includes towing the first source at a depth in water substantially equal to a depth of the second source; establishing a series of reference time instants; actuating the first source with a variable first time delay relative to the series of reference time instants; and actuating the second source with a variable second time delay relative to the series of reference time instants such that time intervals between consecutive activations of the first and second sources are also variable.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2012Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: CGGVERITAS SERVICES SAInventor: Robert Dowle
-
Patent number: 9090319Abstract: An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) for recording seismic signals during a marine seismic survey. The AUV includes a body having a flush shape; an intake water element located on the body and configured to take in water; at least one propulsion nozzle located on the body and configured to eject the water from the intake water element for actuating the AUV; at least one guidance nozzle located on the body and configured to eject water to change a traveling direction of the AUV; and a seismic payload located on the body of the AUV and configured to record seismic signals.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: Seabed Geosolutions ASInventors: Thierry Brizard, Alice Herve, Jonathan Grimsdale, Robert Dowle
-
Patent number: 9075166Abstract: Method and marine acoustic source array for generating an acoustic wave in a body of water. The marine acoustic source array includes a first depth sub-array set of first acoustic source points configured to be provided at a first depth (z1), the first acoustic source points having different inline first locations along a longitudinal axis (X); and a second depth sub-array set of second acoustic source points configured to be provided at a second depth (z2), the second acoustic source points having different inline second locations along the longitudinal axis (X). The first locations do not coincide along the longitudinal axis (X) with any of the second locations.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2012Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: CGGVERITAS SERVICES SAInventors: Thierry Payen, Robert Dowle
-
Patent number: 8881665Abstract: Method and vessel for performing marine acoustic survey of a subsurface. The vessel includes a launching module configured to deploy an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) underwater; a recovery module configured to recover the AUV; a homing device mounted on the recovery module and configured to guide the AUV to the recovery module; and a management module connecting the launching module to the recovery module and configured to transport the AUV.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Cggveritas Services SAInventors: Thierry Brizard, Alice Hervé, Erwan Postic, Robert Dowle, Jonathan Grimsdale
-
Patent number: 8837259Abstract: Method, source and seismic vibro-acoustic source element configured to generate acoustic waves under water. The seismic vibro-acoustic source element includes an enclosure having first and second openings; first and second pistons configured to close the first and second openings; an actuator system provided inside the enclosure and configured to actuate the first and second pistons to generate a wave having first frequency; and a pressure mechanism attached to the enclosure and configured to control a pressure of a fluid inside the enclosure such that a pressure of the fluid is substantially equal to an ambient pressure of the enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2012Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Cggveritas Services SAInventors: Laurent Ruet, Robert Dowle, Benoit Teyssandier
-
Patent number: 8830794Abstract: Method, source and seismic vibro-acoustic source element configured to generate acoustic waves under water. The seismic vibro-acoustic source element includes an enclosure having first and second openings; first and second pistons configured to close the first and second openings; an actuator system provided inside the enclosure and configured to actuate the first and second pistons to generate a wave having first frequency; and a pressure mechanism attached to the enclosure and configured to control a pressure of a fluid inside the enclosure such that a pressure of the fluid is substantially equal to an ambient pressure of the enclosure.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2012Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: CGGVeritas Services SAInventors: Laurent Ruet, Robert Dowle, Benoit Teyssandier
-
Patent number: 8619497Abstract: Method for generating an excitation signal for a first vibratory seismic source so that the first vibratory seismic source is driven with no listening time. The method includes a step of determining a first target spectrum for the first vibratory seismic source; a step of setting a first group of constraints for the first vibratory seismic source; and a step of generating a first excitation signal for the first vibratory seismic source based on the first group of constraints and the first target spectrum. The first seismic traces recorded with plural receivers can be identified when the first vibratory seismic source is driven with no listening time, based on the first excitation signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2012Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: CGGVeritas Services SAInventors: John Sallas, Robert Dowle, Laurent Ruet, Benoit Teyssandier
-
Patent number: 7120087Abstract: An electronic-carrying module (640), for example for use with a seismic data acquisition cable (400), is disclosed. The preferred electronic-carrying module (640) includes, first, an electronics carrier (106) having access means (107) for providing an easy-to-reach access to wrap-around circuitry fitted inside a curved space (104a) within the electronics carrier (106). Second, a pair of rigid end-fittings (102) spaced apart axially by the electronics carrier (106) for connecting to a section of the seismic data acquisition cable (400). And third, an axial hole (100) formed in the electronics carrier (106) and the rigid end-fittings (102) defining the curved space (104a) between the axial hole (100), the access means (107) and the rigid end-fittings (102).Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2003Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: Sercel Australia Pty LtdInventors: Paul Lee, Robert Dowle
-
Patent number: 7104728Abstract: A method for deploying and retrieving seafloor equipment modules is disclosed. A conveyor has a fixed end and a free end. The conveyor is deployed into a body of water until the free end reaches, or is proximate to, the seafloor. The conveyor is dragged through the water. The equipment modules are slidably attached to the conveyor. The equipment modules slide along the conveyor to the seafloor, where the equipment modules engage the seafloor and are secured at a fixed position.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2004Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Compagnie Generale de GeophysiqueInventors: Francois Luc, Robert Dowle
-
Publication number: 20050169713Abstract: The present invention provides a method for deploying and retrieving seafloor equipment including the steps of: providing a conveying means (200) with a fixed end and a free end (201); releasing said conveying means (200) into a body of water (210) from a vessel (220) until said free end (201) reaches, or is proximate to, a seafloor (230) of said body of water (210); dragging said conveying means (200) behind said vessel (220) at a controllable speed; slidably attaching said equipment (240) including a recovery module (241) and stopping means (242) to said conveying means (200), wherein said equipment, said recovery module and said stopping means are secured one to another by a connector (244); sliding said equipment (240) to the free end (201) of the conveying means (200), said equipment (240) being fixed in position on the seafloor (230) by said stopping means (242) once said stopping means reaches the seafloor; activating said recovery module (241) so as to allow said equipment (240) to ascend fromType: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2004Publication date: August 4, 2005Inventors: Francois Luc, Robert Dowle
-
Publication number: 20050146984Abstract: An electronic-carrying module (640), for example for use with a seismic data acquisition cable (400), is disclosed. The preferred electronic-carrying module (640) includes, first, an electronics carrier (106) having access means (107) for providing an easy-to-reach access to wrap-around circuitry fitted inside a curved space (104a) within the electronics carrier (106). Second, a pair of rigid end-fittings (102) spaced apart axially by the electronics carrier (106) for connecting to a section of the seismic data acquisition cable (400). And third, an axial hole (100) formed in the electronics carrier (106) and the rigid end-fittings (102) defining the curved space (104a) between the axial hole (100), the access means (107) and the rigid end-fittings (102).Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2003Publication date: July 7, 2005Applicant: Thales Underwater Systems LimitedInventors: Paul Lee, Robert Dowle
-
Patent number: 5603043Abstract: A configurable hardware system for implementing an algorithmic language program, including at least two programmable logic devices (PLD), a private hardware resource connectible to one PLD, and a programmable connection between PLDs, all of which may be configured as a module or distributed processing units (DPU). The private hardware resource may include a serial processing device such as a DSP, a PLD, a memory device, or a CPU. An extensible processing unit (EPU) can be built out of multiple DPUs, each connected to other modules by one or more of several buses. An N-bus (neighbor bus) connects a module to its nearest neighbor, an M-bus (module bus) connects a group of modules, and an H-bus (host bus) connects a module to a host CPU. The invention also includes a method of translating source code in an algorithmic language into a configuration file for implementation on one or more DPUs.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 1995Date of Patent: February 11, 1997Assignee: Giga Operations CorporationInventors: Brad Taylor, Robert Dowling