Patents by Inventor Thomas W. Clapp

Thomas W. Clapp 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).

  • Floating vessel for deep water drilling and production
    Patent number: 6371697
    Abstract: An exemplary floatable vessel is described having an upper tower section with a reduced diameter or width and an affixed lower base section having an enlarged diameter or width. The lower section contains weighted ballast distributed upon its lower floor. The lower section also includes flotation tanks which can be filled with air to raise the vessel in the water such that portions of the lower section are raised above the water line. Alternatively, the flotation tanks can be flooded to dispose the lower section and a portion of the upper section below the water level. The upper tower section of the vessel supports a deck structure upon which rig components can be constructed or secured. The tower section includes flotation tanks as well. In preferred embodiments, these tanks are variable tanks that can be partially filled with air and partially flooded with water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: ABB Lummus Global, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Huang, Bambang A. Sarwono, Thomas W. Clapp
  • FLOATING VESSEL FOR DEEP WATER DRILLING AND PRODUCTION
    Publication number: 20010041096
    Abstract: An exemplary floatable vessel is described having an upper tower section with a reduced diameter or width and an affixed lower base section having an enlarged diameter or width. The lower section contains weighted ballast distributed upon its lower floor. The lower section also includes flotation tanks which can be filled with air to raise the vessel in the water such that portions of the lower section are raised above the water line. Alternatively, the flotation tanks can be flooded to dispose the lower section and a portion of the upper section below the water level. The upper tower section of the vessel supports a deck structure upon which rig components can be constructed or secured. The tower section includes flotation tanks as well. In preferred embodiments, these tanks are variable tanks that can be partially filled with air and partially flooded with water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: EDWARD HUANG, RAMBANG A. SARWONO, THOMAS W. CLAPP