Patents by Inventor Thomas M. Fulton

Thomas M. Fulton 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).

  • Releasable mooring systems and methods for drilling vessels
    Patent number: 9315242
    Abstract: Releasable mooring systems and methods for drilling vessels that may be implemented with dockable and releasable mooring buoys to provide for both a quick disconnect of the mooring system from a drilling vessel and for re-connection of the drilling vessel when the vessel returns to the well site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Intermoor Inc.
    Inventors: Todd B. Veselis, David E. Cobb, Thomas M. Fulton, Mark Williamson
  • Releasable Mooring Systems And Methods For Drilling Vessels
    Publication number: 20130183876
    Abstract: Releasable mooring systems and methods for drilling vessels that may be implemented with dockable and releasable mooring buoys to provide for both a quick disconnect of the mooring system from a drilling vessel and for re-connection of the drilling vessel when the vessel returns to the well site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: INTERMOOR INC.
    Inventors: Todd B. Veselis, David E. Cobb, Thomas M. Fulton, Mark Williamson
  • Variable buoyancy buoy for mooring mobile offshore drilling units
    Patent number: 6309269
    Abstract: In a system for mooring offshore drilling units, a first mooring assembles installed at a first drilling venue, after which the mobile offshore drilling unit is moored by connection to the mooring lines. A second mooring assembly is installed at a second drilling venue while drilling operations are carried out at the first drilling venue. In this manner the mobile offshore drilling unit can be relocated between successive drilling venues with minimum down time. Less than complete mooring assemblies can be used to temporarily secure the mobile offshore drilling unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Aker Marine, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Fulton, Peter George Scott Dove, Gordon R. Wilde, Johannes Jacobus Treu
  • Pumpskid for suction anchors
    Patent number: 6132145
    Abstract: A pumpskid comprises a frame adapted for connection to a remotely operated vehicle for positioning thereby. A male connector mounted on the frame is adapted for engagement with the suction port on a suction anchor. Clamping apparatus is provided for securing the male connector in engagement with the suction port of the suction anchor and thereby clamping the pumpskid in engagement with the suction anchor. A pump mounted on the frame is connected in fluid communication with the male connector by piping sections which include a port open to the surrounding sea. Valves and valve actuators are provided for causing the pump to cause water flow out of or into the suction anchor, as required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Aker Marine, Inc.
    Inventors: Johannes Jacobus Treu, Thomas M. Fulton, Francis Wade Abadie, Frederick Howard Culver
  • Recoverable system for mooring mobile offshore drilling units
    Patent number: 6113315
    Abstract: In a system for mooring offshore drilling units, a first mooring assembly is installed at a first drilling venue, after which the mobile offshore drilling unit is moored by connection to the mooring lines. A second mooring assembly is installed at a second drilling venue while drilling operations are carried out at the first drilling venue. In this manner the mobile offshore drilling unit can be relocated between successive drilling venues with minimum down time. Less than complete mooring assemblies can be used to temporarily secure the mobile offshore drilling unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Aker Marine, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Fulton, Peter George Scott Dove, Gordon R. Wilde, Johannes Jacobus Treu
  • Recoverable system for mooring mobile offshore drilling units
    Patent number: 6009825
    Abstract: In a system for mooring offshore drilling units, a first mooring assembles installed at a first drilling venue, after which the mobile offshore drilling unit is moored by connection to the mooring lines. A second mooring assembly is installed at a second drilling venue while drilling operations are carried out at the first drilling venue. In this manner the mobile offshore drilling unit can be relocated between successive drilling venues with minimum down time. Less than complete mooring assemblies can be used to temporarily secure the mobile offshore drilling unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Aker Marine, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Fulton, Peter George Scott Dove, Gordon R. Wilde, Johannes Jacobus Treu
  • Pumpskid for suction anchors
    Patent number: 5927904
    Abstract: A pumpskid comprises a frame adapted for connection to a remotely operated vehicle for positioning thereby. A male connector mounted on the frame is adapted for engagement with the suction port on a suction anchor. Clamping apparatus is provided for securing the male connector in engagement with the suction port of the suction anchor and thereby clamping the pumpskid in engagement with the suction anchor. A pump mounted on the frame is connected in fluid communication with the male connector by piping sections which include a port open to the surrounding sea. Valves and valve actuators are provided for causing the pump to cause water flow out of or into the suction anchor, as required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Aker Marine, Inc.
    Inventors: Johannes Jacobus Treu, Thomas M. Fulton, Francis Wade Abadie, Frederick Howard Culver