Patents by Inventor Terrance D. Ralston

Terrance D. Ralston 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).

  • Ice break-up using artificially generated waves
    Patent number: 8523483
    Abstract: A system and method for clearing an approaching floating ice mass comprising locating a hydrocarbon development platform in a marine environment, and determining a direction from which the ice mass is approaching the hydrocarbon development platform. The method also includes providing an intervention vessel having a water-agitating mechanism associated therewith for propagating artificially generated waves towards a leading edge of the approaching ice mass to fracture the ice mass along the leading edge, thereby causing small ice pieces to separate from the ice mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Timothy J. Nedwed, Robert D. Kaminsky, Terrance D. Ralston
  • Ice Break-Up Using Artificially Generated Waves
    Publication number: 20110188938
    Abstract: A system and method for clearing an approaching floating ice mass comprising locating a hydrocarbon development platform in a marine environment, and determining a direction from which the ice mass is approaching the hydrocarbon development platform. The method also includes providing an intervention vessel having a water-agitating mechanism associated therewith for propagating artificially generated waves towards a leading edge of the approaching ice mass to fracture the ice mass along the leading edge, thereby causing small ice pieces to separate from the ice mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: Timothy J. Nedwed, Robert D. Kaminsky, Terrance D. Ralston