Patents by Inventor Robert Laws

Robert Laws 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: 20240175246
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to coupling device and valve assembly for use with accessing the water flow in a fire hydrant. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to various coupling device and valve assemblies which are used as a quick connect and disconnect of a fire hose to the hydrant. Additionally, it is advantageous that the coupling device and valve assemblies also provide a self-sealing valve feature, which immediately stops the flow of water when the hose is disconnected from the hydrant. An advantage provided by the present coupling device and valve assemblies is that should a primary valve on a hydrant become unusable, the fire hose can be quickly disconnected from that hydrant and reconnected to a second hydrant without requiring a shutdown of the water grid feeding the disconnected hydrant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2023
    Publication date: May 30, 2024
    Inventor: Robert Laws
  • Patent number: 11851857
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to coupling device and valve assembly for use with accessing the water flow in a fire hydrant. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to various coupling device and valve assemblies which are used as a quick connect and disconnect of a fire hose to the hydrant. Additionally, it is advantageous that the coupling device and valve assemblies also provide a self-sealing valve feature, which immediately stops the flow of water when the hose is disconnected from the hydrant. An advantage provided by the present coupling device and valve assemblies is that should a primary valve on a hydrant become unusable, the fire hose can be quickly disconnected from that hydrant and reconnected to a second hydrant without requiring a shutdown of the water grid feeding the disconnected hydrant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Inventor: Robert Laws
  • Publication number: 20230081788
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to coupling device and valve assembly for use with accessing the water flow in a fire hydrant. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to various coupling device and valve assemblies which are used as a quick connect and disconnect of a fire hose to the hydrant. Additionally, it is advantageous that the coupling device and valve assemblies also provide a self-sealing valve feature, which immediately stops the flow of water when the hose is disconnected from the hydrant. An advantage provided by the present coupling device and valve assemblies is that should a primary valve on a hydrant become unusable, the fire hose can be quickly disconnected from that hydrant and reconnected to a second hydrant without requiring a shutdown of the water grid feeding the disconnected hydrant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventor: Robert Laws
  • Patent number: 10551515
    Abstract: A shot interval between activations of at least one frequency-controllable survey source is determined, where the shot interval is determined based on an expected frequency of an output of the at least one frequency-controllable survey source. The at least one frequency-controllable survey source is activated using the determined first shot interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Inventors: Robert Laws, Claudio Bagaini, Ralf Ferber
  • Patent number: 9547097
    Abstract: Marine seismic survey using one or more marine seismic vibrators, where the vibrator sweep function is based on a quality requirement, which may be a final image quality requirement or an environmental requirement. The sweep function may be nonlinear and the energy spectrum may not match the energy spectrum of an airgun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventor: Robert Laws
  • Patent number: 9459362
    Abstract: A marine seismic survey using one or more moving marine seismic vibrators, where the vibrator sweeping function is based on smearing error criteria and is a downward-sweeping non-linear sweep function. The acquired seismic data can either be used as is without desmearing or desmeared easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventor: Robert Laws
  • Patent number: 9360578
    Abstract: A technique provides a source design and method for increasing low frequency output of a marine source array. The approach comprises providing a plurality of airguns. At least some of the airguns are activated to generate an effective bubble energy. The effective bubble energy may be optimized through use, preparation and/or arrangement of the airguns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jon-Fredrik Hopperstad, Robert Laws, John Richard Tulett
  • Publication number: 20160097869
    Abstract: A technique provides a source design and method for increasing low frequency output of a marine source array. The approach comprises providing a plurality of airguns. At least some of the airguns are activated to generate an effective bubble energy. The effective bubble energy may be optimized through use, preparation and/or arrangement of the airguns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Jon-Fredrik Hopperstad, Robert Laws, John Richard Tulett
  • Publication number: 20150234063
    Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing low frequency output of marine sources are described. The marine source arrangements and associated methods disclosed herein seek to fully frequency lock bubbles emitted by airguns in close proximity to one another. In this manner, larger effective bubble volumes can be achieved, thus increasing low frequency output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Jon-Fredrik Hopperstad, Robert Laws
  • Patent number: 9103934
    Abstract: A technique facilitates the acquisition of seismic data at a substantially reduced source volume. The methodology generally comprises conducting a seismic survey with seismic sources that have a reduced source volume to collect seismic data. The low frequency data which is lost due to the reduced source volume is replaced with data acquired from a complementary method, such as a receiver-side acquisition method. The two sets of data are combined to provide a comprehensive seismic survey image without requiring conventional seismic source volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: Julian Edward Kragh, Robert Laws, Jon-Fredrik Hopperstad
  • Patent number: 9025417
    Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing low frequency output of marine sources are described. The marine source arrangements and associated methods disclosed herein seek to fully frequency lock bubbles emitted by airguns in close proximity to one another. In this manner, larger effective bubble volumes can be achieved, thus increasing low frequency output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jon-Fredrik Hopperstad, Robert Laws
  • Publication number: 20150039236
    Abstract: A shot interval between activations of at least one frequency-controllable survey source is determined, where the shot interval is determined based on an expected frequency of an output of the at least one frequency-controllable survey source. The at least one frequency-controllable survey source is activated using the determined first shot interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Robert Laws, Claudio Bagaini, Ralf Ferber
  • Publication number: 20130343153
    Abstract: A marine seismic survey using one or more moving marine seismic vibrators, where the vibrator sweeping function is based on smearing error criteria and is a downward-sweeping non-criteria linear sweep function. The acquired seismic data can either be used as is without desmearing or desmeared easily.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventor: Robert Laws
  • Publication number: 20130336087
    Abstract: Marine seismic survey using one or more marine seismic vibrators, where the vibrator sweep function is based on a quality requirement, which may be a final image quality requirement or an environmental requirement. The sweep function may be nonlinear and the energy spectrum may not match the energy spectrum of an airgun.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventor: Robert Laws
  • Patent number: 8582396
    Abstract: A technique facilitates obtaining seismic data in a marine environment. An array of acoustic sources is deployed in a marine environment. The array can be utilized for creating acoustic pulses that facilitate the collection of data on subsea structures. The methodology enables optimization of acoustic source array performance to improve the collection of useful data during a seismic survey.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jon-Fredrik Hopperstad, Robert Laws, Aslaug Strømmen Melbø
  • Patent number: 8331192
    Abstract: The technologies described herein include systems and methods for performing a first seismic survey and performing a second seismic survey after a predetermined amount of time has lapsed between the first seismic survey and the second seismic survey. The shot times and the shot positions of the second seismic survey may be substantially the same as the shot times and the shot positions of the first seismic survey. After performing the seismic surveys, seismic data generated by the first seismic survey may be processed to generate a first image, and seismic data generated by the second seismic survey may be processed to generate a second image. After generating the first and second images, a difference between the first image and the second image may be computed to generate a time lapse difference image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Johan O. A. Robertsson, Dirk-Jan Van Manen, David Halliday, Robert Laws
  • Patent number: 8261874
    Abstract: A method for attenuating out of band energy emitted from a seismic source used in a marine seismic survey. The method includes disposing the seismic source in a body of water and releasing a gas into a volume of water surrounding the seismic source. The released gas may be configured such that it displaces the volume of water surrounding the seismic source at a rate less than 2.9×106 cubic-meters per cubic-second.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jon-Fredrik Hopperstad, Robert Laws, Julian Edward (Ed) Kragh
  • Publication number: 20120218869
    Abstract: A technique provides a source design and method for increasing low frequency output of a marine source array. The approach comprises providing a plurality of airguns. At least some of the airguns are activated to generate an effective bubble energy. The effective bubble energy may be optimized through use, preparation and/or arrangement of the airguns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: Jon-Fredrik Hopperstad, Robert Laws, John Richard Tulett
  • Publication number: 20120218860
    Abstract: A technique facilitates obtaining seismic data in a marine environment. An array of acoustic sources is deployed in a marine environment. The array can be utilized for creating acoustic pulses that facilitate the collection of data on subsea structures. The methodology enables optimization of acoustic source array performance to improve the collection of useful data during a seismic survey.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventors: JON-FREDRIK HOPPERSTAD, ROBERT LAWS, ASLAUG STROEMMEN MELBOC
  • Patent number: 8203906
    Abstract: The technologies described herein include systems and methods for performing a first seismic survey and performing a second seismic survey after a predetermined amount of time has lapsed between the first seismic survey and the second seismic survey. The shot times and the shot positions of the second seismic survey may be substantially the same as the shot times and the shot positions of the first seismic survey. After performing the seismic surveys, seismic data generated by the first seismic survey may be processed to generate a first image, and seismic data generated by the second seismic survey may be processed to generate a second image. After generating the first and second images, a difference between the first image and the second image may be computed to generate a time lapse difference image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.
    Inventors: Johan O. A. Robertsson, Dirk-Jan Van Manen, David Halliday, Robert Laws