Patents by Inventor Vidar Hovland

Vidar Hovland 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: 10754052
    Abstract: It is described a node handling device for use during deployment or retrieval of a plurality of seismic nodes (10) attacked to a cable (8), the node handling device comprising: a wheel device (1) adapted for damping of the cable (8) with attached seismic nodes (10) during deployment or retrieval. A wheel device and a method for deployment or retrieval are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: INAPRIL AS
    Inventors: Vidar Hovland, Ragnar Langåker, Jan Roar Storesund
  • Publication number: 20190146110
    Abstract: Method for time drift measurement of at least one slave clock in at least one seismic node, wherein the time drift measurement is performed in the at least one seismic node. The seismic node is configured for receiving a master clock signal and obtaining a time drift between the slave clock and the master clock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Vidar HOVLAND, Terje SPARENGEN
  • Patent number: 10288750
    Abstract: It is described an attachment device (2) for attaching a seismic node to a cable (1), the attachment device comprising an in-line fastening device (6) fastening the cable (1); and at least one locking device (3) securing the cable (1) in the at least one in-line fastening device (6). The locking device (3) prevents the cable (1) from escaping the fastening device (6). A seismic node and a method for deployment and retrieval of a number of seismic nodes are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: INAPRIL AS
    Inventors: Vidar Hovland, Malte Svensson, Vidar Pedersen
  • Publication number: 20180120462
    Abstract: It is described a node handling device for use during deployment or retrieval of a plurality of seismic nodes (10) attacked to a cable (8), the node handling device comprising: a wheel device (1) adapted for damping of the cable (8) with attached seismic nodes (10) during deployment or retrieval. A wheel device and a method for deployment or retrieval are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Applicant: inApril AS
    Inventors: Vidar HOVLAND, Ragnar LANGÅKER, Jan Roar STORESUND
  • Publication number: 20180031717
    Abstract: It is described an attachment device (2) for attaching a seismic node to a cable (1), the attachment device comprising an in-line fastening device (6) fastening the cable (1); and at least one locking device (3) securing the cable (1) in the at least one in-line fastening device (6). The locking device (3) prevents the cable (1) from escaping the fastening device (6). A seismic node and a method for deployment and retrieval of a number of seismic nodes are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Vidar HOVLAND, Malte SENSSON, Vidar PEDERSEN
  • Patent number: 9395461
    Abstract: A steerable seismic energy source includes at least one float. The floatation device includes a device for changing buoyancy thereof. A frame is coupled to the at least one float. At least one seismic energy source is suspended from the frame. At least one steering device is coupled to the floatation device or the frame. The at least one steering device includes at least one control surface and a control surface actuator coupled to the control surface. The actuator is configured to rotate the control surface to generate hydrodynamic lift at least in a vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Vidar Hovland, Tore Steinsland, Karl Petter Elvestad
  • Publication number: 20140010044
    Abstract: A steerable seismic energy source includes at least one float. The floatation device includes a device for changing buoyancy thereof. A frame is coupled to the at least one float. At least one seismic energy source is suspended from the frame. At least one steering device is coupled to the floatation device or the frame. The at least one steering device includes at least one control surface and a control surface actuator coupled to the control surface. The actuator is configured to rotate the control surface to generate hydrodynamic lift at least in a vertical direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Vidar Hovland, Tore Steinsland, Karl Petter Elvestad
  • Patent number: 8570829
    Abstract: A steerable seismic energy source includes at least one float. The floatation device includes a device for changing buoyancy thereof. A frame is coupled to the at least one float. At least one seismic energy source is suspended from the frame. At least one steering device is coupled to the floatation device or the frame. The at least one steering device includes at least one control surface and a control surface actuator coupled to the control surface. The actuator is configured to rotate the control surface to generate hydrodynamic lift at least in a vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Vidar Hovland, Tore Steinsland, Karl Petter Elvestad
  • Patent number: 8051791
    Abstract: A motion compensation system for a helipad on a vessel includes a sensor for measuring a parameter related to at least one or pitch and roll of the vessel. The system includes a first actuator functionally coupled to the helipad to move the helipad translationally with respect to the vessel in response to the measured at least one of pitch and roll of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Vidar Hovland, Arne Vatn
  • Publication number: 20110149681
    Abstract: A steerable seismic energy source includes at least one float. The floatation device includes a device for changing buoyancy thereof. A frame is coupled to the at least one float. At least one seismic energy source is suspended from the frame. At least one steering device is coupled to the floatation device or the frame. The at least one steering device includes at least one control surface and a control surface actuator coupled to the control surface. The actuator is configured to rotate the control surface to generate hydrodynamic lift at least in a vertical direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Vidar Hovland, Tore Steinsland, Karl Petter Elvestad
  • Publication number: 20100224118
    Abstract: A motion compensation system for a helipad on a vessel includes a sensor for measuring a parameter related to at least one or pitch and roll of the vessel. The system includes a first actuator functionally coupled to the helipad to move the helipad translationally with respect to the vessel in response to the measured at least one of pitch and roll of the vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventors: Vidar Hovland, Arne Vatn
  • Patent number: 7152547
    Abstract: A helipad motion compensation system for a vessel includes at least one controllable length actuator operatively coupled between the helipad and the vessel. The system also includes an attitude sensor disposed on at least one of the helipad and the vessel. The sensor produces signals corresponding to change in attitude of the helipad. A controller is in operative communication with the sensor and is arranged to operate the at least one actuator. The actuator is operable to substantially maintain an attitude of the helipad to compensate for motion of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventor: Vidar Hovland