Patents by Inventor Simon Hastings Bittleston
Simon Hastings Bittleston 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).
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Patent number: 9395459Abstract: A control device or “bird” for controlling the position of a marine seismic streamer is provided with an elongate, partly flexible body which is designed to be electrically and mechanically connected in series with a streamer. In its preferred form, the bird has two opposed wings which are independently controllable in order to control the streamer's lateral position as well as its depth.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2009Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: WESTERNGECO, L.L.C.Inventor: Simon Hastings Bittleston
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Patent number: 9395458Abstract: A control device or “bird” for controlling the position of a marine seismic streamer is provided with an elongate, partly flexible body which is designed to be electrically and mechanically connected in series with a streamer. In its preferred form, the bird has two opposed wings which are independently controllable in order to control the streamer's lateral position as well as its depth.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2005Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: WESTERNGECO, L.L.C.Inventor: Simon Hastings Bittleston
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Patent number: 8743655Abstract: A method of controlling a streamer positioning device (18) configured to be attached to a marine seismic streamer (12) and towed by seismic survey vessel (10) and having a wing and a wing motor for changing the orientation of the wing. The method includes the steps of: obtaining an estimated velocity of the streamer positioning device, calculating a desired change in the orientation of the wing using the estimated velocity of the streamer positioning device, and actuating the wing motor to produce the desired change in the orientation of the wing. The invention also involves an apparatus for controlling a streamer positioning device including means for obtaining an estimated velocity of the streamer positioning device, means for calculating a desired change in the orientation of the wing using the estimated velocity of the streamer positioning device, and means for actuating the wing motor to produce the desired change in the orientation of the wing.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2009Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Inventors: Oyvind Hillesund, Simon Hastings Bittleston
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Patent number: 8230801Abstract: A method of controlling a streamer positioning device (18) configured to be attached to a marine seismic streamer (12) and towed by seismic survey vessel (10) and having a wing and a wing motor for changing the orientation of the wing. The method includes the steps of: obtaining an estimated velocity of the streamer positioning device, calculating a desired change in the orientation of the wing using the estimated velocity of the streamer positioning device, and actuating the wing motor to produce the desired change in the orientation of the wing. The invention also involves an apparatus for controlling a streamer positioning device including means for obtaining an estimated velocity of the streamer positioning device, means for calculating a desired change in the orientation of the wing using the estimated velocity of the streamer positioning device, and means for actuating the wing motor to produce the desired change in the orientation of the wing.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2006Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.Inventors: Oyvind Hillesund, Simon Hastings Bittleston
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Publication number: 20090279385Abstract: A method of controlling a streamer positioning device (18) configured to be attached to a marine seismic streamer (12) and towed by seismic survey vessel (10) and having a wing and a wing motor for changing the orientation of the wing. The method includes the steps of: obtaining an estimated velocity of the streamer positioning device, calculating a desired change in the orientation of the wing using the estimated velocity of the streamer positioning device, and actuating the wing motor to produce the desired change in the orientation of the wing. The invention also involves an apparatus for controlling a streamer positioning device including means for obtaining an estimated velocity of the streamer positioning device, means for calculating a desired change in the orientation of the wing using the estimated velocity of the streamer positioning device, wd means for actuating the wing motor to produce the desired change in the orientation of the wing.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2009Publication date: November 12, 2009Inventors: Oyvind Hillesund, Simon Hastings Bittleston
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Publication number: 20090238035Abstract: A method of controlling a streamer positioning device (18) configured to be attached to a marine seismic streamer (12) and towed by seismic survey vessel (10) and having a wing and a wing motor for changing the orientation of the wing. The method includes the steps of: obtaining an estimated velocity of the streamer positioning device, calculating a desired change in the orientation of the wing using the estimated velocity of the streamer positioning device, and actuating the wing motor to produce the desired change in the orientation of the wing. The invention also involves an apparatus for controlling a streamer positioning device including means for obtaining an estimated velocity of the streamer positioning device, means for calculating a desired change in the orientation of the wing using the estimated velocity of the streamer positioning device, and means for actuating the wing motor to produce the desired change in the orientation of the wing.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2009Publication date: September 24, 2009Inventors: Oyvind HILLESUND, Simon Hastings BITTLESTON
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Publication number: 20090204274Abstract: A control device or “bird” for controlling the position of a marine seismic streamer is provided with an elongate, partly flexible body which is designed to be electrically and mechanically connected in series with a streamer. In its preferred form, the bird has two opposed wings which are independently controllable in order to control the streamer's lateral position as well as its depth.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2009Publication date: August 13, 2009Inventor: Simon Hastings Bittleston
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Patent number: 7293520Abstract: A method of controlling a streamer positioning device (18) configured to be attached to a marine seismic streamer (12) and towed by seismic survey vessel (10) and having a wing and a wing motor for changing the orientation of the wing. The method includes the steps of: obtaining an estimated velocity of the streamer positioning device, calculating a desired change in the orientation of the wing using the estimated velocity of the streamer positioning device, and actuating the wing motor to produce the desired change in the orientation of the wing. The invention also involves an apparatus for controlling a streamer positioning device including means for obtaining an estimated velocity of the streamer positioning device, means for calculating a desired change in the orientation of the wing using the estimated velocity of the streamer positioning device, and means for actuating the wing motor to produce the desired change in the orientation of the wing.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2006Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: WesternGeco, L.L.C.Inventors: Oyvind Hillesund, Simon Hastings Bittleston
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Patent number: 7222579Abstract: A method of controlling a streamer positioning device (18) configured to be attached to a marine seismic streamer (12) and towed by seismic survey vessel (10) and having a wing and a wing motor for changing the orientation of the wing. The method includes the steps of: obtaining an estimated velocity of the streamer positioning device, calculating a desired change in the orientation of the wing using the estimated velocity of the streamer positioning device, and actuating the wing motor to produce the desired change in the orientation of the wing. The invention also involves an apparatus for controlling a streamer positioning device including means for obtaining an estimated velocity of the streamer positioning device, means for calculating a desired change in the orientation of the wing using the estimated velocity of the streamer positioning device, and means for actuating the wing motor to produce the desired change in the orientation of the wing.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2006Date of Patent: May 29, 2007Assignee: WesternGeco, L.L.C.Inventors: Oyvind Hillesund, Simon Hastings Bittleston
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Patent number: 7162967Abstract: A method of controlling a streamer positioning device (18) configured to be attached to a marine seismic streamer (12) and towed by seismic survey vessel (10) and having a wing and a wing motor for changing the orientation of the wing. The method includes the steps of: obtaining an estimated velocity of the streamer positioning device, calculating a desired change in the orientation of the wing using the estimated velocity of the streamer positioning device, and actuating the wing motor to produce the desired change in the orientation of the wing. The invention also involves an apparatus for controlling a streamer positioning device including means for obtaining an estimated velocity of the streamer positioning device, means for calculating a desired change in the orientation of the wing using the estimated velocity of the streamer positioning device, and means for actuating the wing motor to produce the desired change in the orientation of the wing.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2006Date of Patent: January 16, 2007Assignee: Westerngeco, L.L.C.Inventors: Oyvind Hillesund, Simon Hastings Bittleston
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Patent number: 7080607Abstract: A method of controlling a streamer positioning device configured to be attached to a marine seismic streamer and towed by a seismic survey vessel and having a wing and a wing motor for changing the orientation of the wing. The method includes the steps of: obtaining an estimated velocity of the streamer positioning device, calculating a desired change in the orientation of the wing using the estimated velocity of the streamer positioning device, and actuating the wing motor to produce the desired change in the orientation of the wing. The invention also involves an apparatus for controlling a streamer positioning device including means for obtaining an estimated velocity of the streamer positioning device, means for calculating a desired change in the orientation of the wing using the estimated velocity of the streamer positioning device, and means for actuating the wing motor to produce the desired change in the orientation of the wing.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2005Date of Patent: July 25, 2006Assignee: WesternGeco, L.L.C.Inventors: Oyvind Hillesund, Simon Hastings Bittleston
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Patent number: 6932017Abstract: A method of controlling a streamer positioning device (18) configured to be attached to a marine seismic streamer (12) and towed by seismic survey vessel (10) and having a wing and a wing motor for changing the orientation of the wing. The method includes the steps of: obtaining an estimated velocity of the streamer positioning device, calculating a desired change in the orientation of the wing using the estimated velocity of the streamer positioning device, and actuating the wing motor to produce the desired change in the orientation of the wing. The invention also involves an apparatus for controlling a streamer positioning device including means for obtaining an estimated velocity of the streamer positioning device, means for calculating a desired change in the orientation of the wing using the estimated velocity of the streamer positioning device, and means for actuating the wing motor to produce the desired change in the orientation of the wing.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 1999Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: Westerngeco, L.L.C.Inventors: Oyvind Hillesund, Simon Hastings Bittleston
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Patent number: 6684160Abstract: A method and system for performing a marine seismic survey is described, including towing at least one seismic streamer comprising a plurality of hydrophones distributed at average intervals of not more than 625 cm therealong in the water over the area to be surveyed; directing acoustic signals down through the water and into the earth beneath; receiving with the hydrophones seismic signals reflected from strata in the earth beneath the water; digitizing the output of each hydrophone separately; and filtering the output to reduce the noise present in the output and to generate a signal with a reduced noise content wherein the filtering process uses as further input the digitized output of at least one nearby hydrophone. The filtering is applied to single sensor recording prior to group-forming and thus able to detect and reduce coherent noise with a coherency length of 20 meters or less. It reduces noise such as streamer or bulge noise.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2000Date of Patent: January 27, 2004Assignee: WesternGecoInventors: Ali Ozbek, James Martin, Nils Lunde, Simon Hastings Bittleston
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Patent number: 6671223Abstract: A control device or “bird” for controlling the position of a marine seismic streamer is provided with an elongate, partly flexible body which is designed to be electrically and mechanically connected in series with a streamer. In its preferred form, the bird has two opposed wings which are independently controllable in order to control the streamer's lateral position as well as its depth.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2001Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignee: WesternGeco, L.L.C.Inventor: Simon Hastings Bittleston
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Patent number: 6477111Abstract: A seismic streamer comprises a substantially solid core having many of the main components of the streamer, namely hydrophones, electronics modules for digitising the outputs of the hydrophones, the main optical and electrical conductor bundles and Keviar strength members, embedded in it. The core also contains a large number of foam buoyancy elements. An outer skin surrounds the core, defining an annular gap around the core, and this annular gap is filled with open-celled polyurethane foam saturated with kerosene. The capsules containing the hydrophones communicate with the annular gap around the core, so that the kerosene can enter the capsules, each of which contains an open-celled polyurethane foam sheath to cushion the hydrophone. In an alternative construction, made possible by using the buoyancy elements in the core to render the core approximately neutrally buoyant in water, the outer skin and the polyurethane foam are omitted, and the core is used on its own as a solid streamer.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2001Date of Patent: November 5, 2002Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Nils Lunde, Simon Hastings Bittleston, Gunnar Parmann, Jan-Age Langeland
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Publication number: 20020126575Abstract: A control device or “bird” for controlling the position of a marine seismic streamer is provided with an elongate, partly flexible body which is designed to be electrically and mechanically connected in series with a streamer. In its preferred form, the bird has two opposed wings which are independently controllable in order to control the streamer's lateral position as well as its depth.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2001Publication date: September 12, 2002Inventor: Simon Hastings Bittleston
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Patent number: 5745436Abstract: A semi-dry marine seismic streamer cable (5) consists of a number of connected streamer cable sections (5a) which each comprises a mechanical jacket (10) surrounding a hollow core (11) enclosing seismic sensor (15) and signal transfer (16) means. Elongated axial stress elements (18) for transmitting axial loads and a radial reinforcement member (12) for relieving radial loads are provided in the jacket (10). The core (11) is filled with a fluid or a fluid-saturated foam and the sensor means (15) are mounted in the core (11) by vibration isolating elements (14).Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 1996Date of Patent: April 28, 1998Assignee: Geco A.S.Inventor: Simon Hastings Bittleston