Patents Represented by Attorney Edmonds Nolte, PC
  • Patent number: 8075668
    Abstract: A drainage system is for a compressor assembly that includes at least one separator with a chamber. The system includes a drain valve fluidly coupled with the separator chamber and adjustable between open and closed states. An actuator is operatively coupled with and adjusts the valve between the open and closed states or/and a sensor senses when the valve is open. A pressure sensor is configured to sense pressure within the chamber and a logic circuit is coupled with the pressure sensor and determines when the valve either has been or should have been adjusted to the open state. The logic circuit also generates an output signal or/and operates a device when the chamber pressure remains substantially constant or varies by less than a predetermined amount subsequent to the valve being opened and/or when the chamber pressure varies by at least the predetermined amount after the valve is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: Scott J. Delmotte, Jon T. Vine, Thomas D. O'Leary
  • Patent number: 8075245
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure may provide an exemplary method for operating a compressor system, wherein the method may include cooling a process gas containing water vapor to a first temperature. The water vapor may form a condensate at the first temperature, and cooling the process gas may produce residual heat. At least a portion of the condensate is removed from the process gas, wherein any portion of the condensate that is not removed is a remaining condensate. The remaining condensate may be heated to a second temperature with the residual heat, wherein the remaining condensate in the process gas evaporates at the second temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: Robert R. Odle, David C. Seib
  • Patent number: 8074998
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the disclosure, an annular seal generally includes a hollow member having two ends and an inner surface. The hollow member has a number of depressions formed in and extending around its inner surface. Each of the depressions having a depth that is a function of its distance from one of the two ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventor: Dara W. Childs
  • Patent number: 8074744
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for completing a lateral channel in a subterranean formation using a flexible hose with a waterjet that may be directed down a well casing and into a waterjet guide. The waterjet guide has a diverter assembly configured to receive and divert the flexible hose in a shortened radius. The diverter assembly includes an inlet curvature and a pivot curvature, where the pivot curvature pivots between stowed and deployed configurations in response to forces provided through a mandrel assembly communicably coupled thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: ACT Operating Company
    Inventors: Marshall Charles Watson, Joseph Straeter
  • Patent number: 8070461
    Abstract: A closing element is for a valve assembly of a compressor unloader, the compressor including a casing with a compression chamber, the unloader including a housing defining a chamber. The valve assembly has a base between the compression and unloader chambers, a passage connecting the two chambers, a seat about the passage, and a stem bore within the base having a control chamber. The closing element includes a main body movably disposed within the stem bore and having a sealing surface disposeable against the valve seating surface to obstruct the valve passage and a control end surface within the bore control chamber A sealing member disposed about the main body prevents flow between the control chamber and the valve passage. The main body and/or the sealing member is configured such that the main body is radially moveable to align the body sealing surface with the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: Joel T. Sanford
  • Patent number: 8061737
    Abstract: A guard system for a coupling that connects a first component to a second component in a pressurized machinery system includes a coupling guard moveable between an open position, which allows access to an internal region of the coupling, and a closed position, which forms a seal surrounding the coupling from the first component to the second component. The system also includes a guide for directing movement of the coupling guard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: Kevin M. Majot, Charles A. Rohrs
  • Patent number: 8061970
    Abstract: A shaft support device for a turbomachine including a rotary body and a stationary body. The rotary body is attached to a shaft of the turbomachine, and includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a thrust bearing collar and the second portion has a thrust balance piston. The first and second portions are axially overlapping. The stationary body is fixably attached to a casing of the turbomachine. The stationary body has a first thrust bearing portion that is disposed adjacent to and operatively engages the first portion of the rotary body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: William C. Maier, David J. Peer
  • Patent number: 8061972
    Abstract: A closure device for a compressor having at least one access opening, wherein the closure device includes a plug portion disposeable at least partially within and configured to substantially obstruct the at least one access opening, a head portion having a shoulder surface extending generally radially outwardly with respect to the plug portion, wherein the head portion is generally disposeable against an inner surface of the compressor and configured to maintain the plug portion disposed within the at least one access opening during compressor operation, and a retainer member having a bracket engageable with an outer surface of the compressor and a threaded rod extending between the bracket and the plug portion, wherein the retainer member is configured to retain the plug portion disposed within the at least one access opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: William C. Maier
  • Patent number: 8062400
    Abstract: A drum is for a rotary separator including a shaft rotatable about a central axis. The drum includes an inner drum member having inner and outer circumferential surfaces and being disposed generally about the shaft such that a first flow passage is generally defined between the inner drum member inner surface and the shaft. The inner drum inner surface is configured to separate liquids from a fluid flow contacting the surface. An outer drum member has inner and outer circumferential surfaces and is disposed generally about the inner drum member such that a second flow passage is generally defined between the outer drum member inner surface and the inner drum member outer surface, the second flow passage being generally coaxial with the first flow passage. Further, the outer drum inner surface is also configured to separate liquids from a fluid flow contacting the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: William C. Maier
  • Patent number: 8061984
    Abstract: A sealing assembly configured to seal a rotating shaft of a turbo machine having a high pressure process gas, comprising a housing defining a bore configured to receive the rotating shaft and sealing assembly, wherein the housing is mounted to a casing of the turbo machine; a first sealing stage comprising a single dry gas seal and configured to blow down the high pressure process gas to a lower pressure; a labyrinth seal mounted longitudinally outward from the first sealing stage; and a second sealing stage mounted longitudinally outward from the labyrinth seal, wherein the second sealing stage comprises a tandem dry gas seal having a primary dry gas seal and a secondary dry gas seal axially spaced with an intermediate labyrinth seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: Mark Joseph Kuzdzal, Harry Francis Miller, Glenn R. Grosso, Martin D. Maier, David J. Peer
  • Patent number: 8061031
    Abstract: An impeller assembly is for a fluid machine, such as a compressor, and includes a first, main body and a second body. The main body includes a first section providing at least a substantial portion of either an impeller disc or an impeller cover and a second section spaced generally axially from the first section and providing a portion of the other one of the disc or the cover. A plurality of integrally formed blades extend between and connect the main body first and second sections such that the main body is generally of one piece construction. A plurality of flow channels are defined between the blades and a plurality of access openings extend into the flow channels. The second body provides a remainder of the disc or cover and is attachable to the main body to substantially form an impeller and to close all of the access openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: Andrew Jason Ranz, David C. Seib
  • Patent number: 8061961
    Abstract: A device or system through which fluid is adapted to flow, such as, for example, a fluid-carrying conduit, flow control valve, or fluid expansion device including, for example, a steam turbine or fluid expander, according to which acoustic energy is generated by, or present within, the device or system and the acoustic energy is attenuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: Zheji Liu, Mark Joseph Kuzdzal, Dan Benjamin
  • Patent number: 7985046
    Abstract: A technique for refurbishing nozzle diaphragm sections of a gas turbine replaces an eroded section of the nozzle diaphragm with a replacement part designed to engage a slot machined in the nozzle diaphragm. The replacement part is formed of a material with capable of sustained exposure to higher temperature than the original eroded section, and with a similar coefficient of expansion as the material used for manufacture the original nozzle diaphragm. The combination of the nozzle diaphragm and the replacement part conform to the original manufacturer's dimensional specifications for the nozzle diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Dresser-Rarel Company
    Inventors: Gregory R. Gaul, Gary O'Connor
  • Patent number: 7984787
    Abstract: A device or system through which fluid is adapted to flow, such as, for example, a fluid-carrying conduit, flow control valve, or fluid expansion device including, for example, a steam turbine or fluid expander, according to which acoustic energy is generated by, or present within, the device or system and the acoustic energy is attenuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: Zheji Liu, Mark Joseph Kuzdzal
  • Patent number: 7980790
    Abstract: A compressible mechanically stabilized earth retaining wall system and installation thereof is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: T & B Structural Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Taylor, James Scott Bagwell
  • Patent number: 7972086
    Abstract: An earthen retaining wall constructed with welded wire grid includes a series of soil reinforcing elements and separate facing panels with distal ends is provided. Soil reinforcing transverse elements capture the distal ends of the facing panel on both the front face side and the back face side. Capturing the distal ends on both the front side and back side horizontally secures the reinforcing elements without the aid of secondary connectors such as hog-rings, tie wires, connection pins, or other supplemental connectors. The soil reinforcing elements are free to move in the vertical direction but not in the horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: T & B Structural Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas P. Taylor
  • Patent number: 7938874
    Abstract: A system and method for supplying clean dry gas to gas seals of a compressor. The system uses a rotary separator magnetically coupled to a source of rotational power, along with a gas stream cooling unit configured to condensate liquids out of a wet gas stream before the wet gas stream is supplied to the rotating separator. The system may further include a gas stream pressure booster, a heating unit to heat a dry gas stream generated by the rotary separator, and a controlled recirculation loop configured to continually recirculate the wet gas through the driven rotary separator until a desired amount of condensates are removed from the wet gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: Philippe Auber
  • Patent number: 7941261
    Abstract: A brake controller function to optimally brake a wheel of a vehicle in motion, such as an aircraft. The brake pressure control self regulates by means of applying brake pressure in accordance with vehicle acceleration information and the change in acceleration over time in the horizontal plane. Vehicle acceleration and information about its change enable a brake pressure control function to determine the brake pressure associated with maximum obtainable retardation for a vehicle at that given point in time. By continuously monitoring acceleration change and detecting retardation pinnacles, the culmination and turning points of retardation, with their associated brake pressure, maximum braking ability is assured at any given time. By applying acceleration data in real time as a controls reference in a brake logic control function to increase or reduce brake pressure, such a brake control function will assure a brake pressure perfectly fit with net of all the forces that a vehicle is subjected to.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Inventor: Oddvard Johnsen
  • Patent number: 7922218
    Abstract: A coupler device is for connecting first and second casings to form a casing assembly with a central axis, each casing having an inner end disposed against the inner end of the other casing such that the casings are spaced along the axis. The coupler device includes at least one generally arcuate connector having a first portion engageable with the first casing and a second portion engageable with the second casing so as to connect the two casings, the connector extending at least partially circumferentially about the casing axis. A retainer is disposeable either generally within or generally about the at least one connector and is configured to prevent radial displacement of the connector with respect to the axis so as to maintain engagement of the connector with the first and second casings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: William C. Maier, Harry F. Miller
  • Patent number: 7891912
    Abstract: A system for securing a facing comprising a wire grid that is positionally fixed relative to an earthen formation in a substantially vertical position, a formation anchor that is positionally fixed between the wire grid and the earthen formation, a facing that is laterally offset a distance from the wire grid and having a facing anchor, and a turnbuckle that is rotatably coupled between a first connector and a second connector, wherein the first connector is coupled to the facing anchor and the second connector is coupled to the formation anchor, such that rotation of the turnbuckle relative to the first and second connectors adjusts the distance between the wire grid and the facing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: T & B Structural Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas P. Taylor, James Scott Bagwell