Patents by Inventor Albert R. Sinclair

Albert R. Sinclair 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).

  • Method and apparatus for making subsea pipe connections
    Patent number: 4019334
    Abstract: A subsea pipeline hub is connected to the hub of an adjacent spool piece connected to an in-place manifold of a subsea structure used in the production of oil and/or gas. The pipeline hub is positioned relative to the opposing spool hub and a remotely operated pipeline connecting tool is lowered from the water's surface to the subsea structure using guidelines and structural guidance for alignment of the pipeline hub with the spool piece hub. The spool piece hub is then drawn to the pipeline hub and the hubs are clamped together by operation of the connecting tool. The seal in the connection can be tested by means of the connecting tool. The spool piece may be retrieved and replaced by the connecting tool if maintenance is needed. Connecting tool operations are powered by hydraulic fluid and controlled from the surface. The pipeline hub may be lowered vertically and pivoted into its position adjacent the spool piece or may be pulled into that position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1977
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Company
    Inventors: Albert R. Sinclair, Arthur C. Daughtry, Thomas W. Childers, Joseph A. Burkhardt
  • Method and apparatus for making subsea pipe connections
    Patent number: RE31265
    Abstract: A subsea pipeline hub is connected to the hub of an adjacent spool piece connected to an in-place manifold of a subsea structure used in the production of oil and/or gas. The pipeline hub is positioned relative to the opposing spool hub and a remotely operated pipeline connecting tool is lowered from the water's surface to the subsea structure using guidelines and structural guidance for alignment of the pipeline hub with the spool piece hub. The spool piece hub is then drawn to the pipeline hub and the hubs are clamped together by operation of the connecting tool. The seal in the connection can be tested by means of the connecting tool. The spool piece may be retrieved and replaced by the connecting tool if maintenance is needed. Connecting tool operations are powered by hydraulic fluid and controlled from the surface. The pipeline hub may be lowered vertically and pivoted into its position adjacent the spool piece or may be pulled into that position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1983
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Co.
    Inventors: Albert R. Sinclair, Arthur C. Daughtry, Thomas W. Childers, Joseph A. Burkhardt