Patents by Inventor Thomas C. Bauer

Thomas C. Bauer 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: 9487272
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for deploying one or more anchor piles on the seafloor using submersible line tensioning systems and techniques to achieve tensioning of mooring lines at the seafloor rather than at the conventional vessel deck level. Among other things, the disclosed systems and methods may be advantageously employed for tensioning mooring lines for Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODUs) when additional mooring legs must be added to the original complement of MODU legs, as well as and for tensioning mooring lines for vessels having turret mooring systems, each of which have limited space for surface tensioning equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Intermoor, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas C. Bauer
  • Patent number: 9422034
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for a self-directed (i.e., autonomous), steerable gravity-embedded anchor. This anchor free-falls through the water column, accelerates due to gravity and uses its kinetic energy to embed itself into the seafloor so as to function as an anchor for mooring of both floating vessels and other underwater structures. Unlike existing gravity-embedded plate anchors, this device can steer itself to its intended target location on the seafloor, enhancing placement accuracy and allowing release directly from an installation vessel on the water surface, thereby greatly simplifying installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Intermoor Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Bauer, Kenneth A. Ullrich, Michael J. Covello
  • Publication number: 20150274261
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for a self-directed (i.e., autonomous), steerable gravity-embedded anchor. This anchor free-falls through the water column, accelerates due to gravity and uses its kinetic energy to embed itself into the seafloor so as to function as an anchor for mooring of both floating vessels and other underwater structures. Unlike existing gravity-embedded plate anchors, this device can steer itself to its intended target location on the seafloor, enhancing placement accuracy and allowing release directly from an installation vessel on the water surface, thereby greatly simplifying installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas C. Bauer, Kenneth A. Ullrich, Michael J. Covello
  • Publication number: 20150259043
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for deploying one or more anchor piles on the seafloor using submersible line tensioning systems and techniques to achieve tensioning of mooring lines at the seafloor rather than at the conventional vessel deck level. Among other things, the disclosed systems and methods may be advantageously employed for tensioning mooring lines for Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODUs) when additional mooring legs must be added to the original complement of MODU legs, as well as and for tensioning mooring lines for vessels having turret mooring systems, each of which have limited space for surface tensioning equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas C. Bauer