Patents by Inventor David V. Brower

David V. Brower 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: 11639862
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a unique new approach to generating operating condition information used for assessing flow assurance and structural integrity. More specifically, apparatuses, systems and methods configured in accordance with embodiments of the present invention enable multiplexed arrangement of optical fiber for sensing of operating conditions within a structural member and utilize fiber optic sensors for enabling monitoring of operating condition information within one or more elongated tubular members. To this end, fiber optic sensors are strategically placed at a plurality of locations along a length of each elongated tubular member thereby allowing critical operating conditions such as strain, temperature and pressure of the elongated tubular member and/or a fluid therein to be monitored. A multiplexing unit is used for allowing selective configuration of individual lengths of optical fiber for creating one or more contiguous optical fiber structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Astro Technology Group, LLC
    Inventor: David V Brower
  • Patent number: 11519802
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a unique new approach to generating operating condition information used for assessing flow assurance and structural integrity. More specifically, apparatuses, systems and sensor housing assemblies configured in accordance with embodiments of the present invention utilize fiber optic sensors for enabling monitoring of operating condition information within one or more elongated tubular members within a subsea environment. To this end, such fiber optic sensors connected by lengths of optical fiber are strategically placed at a plurality of locations along a length of each elongated tubular member thereby allowing critical operating conditions such as strain, temperature and pressure of the elongated tubular member and/or a fluid therein to be monitored. A viscous media is used for mitigating attenuation associated with exposure of optical fiber exposed to forces generated by pressure within the subsea environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Astro Technology Group, LLC
    Inventor: David V Brower
  • Patent number: 9915579
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a unique new approach to generating operating condition information used for assessing flow assurance and structural integrity. More specifically, apparatuses, systems and sensor housing assemblies configured in accordance with embodiments of the present invention utilize fiber optic sensors for enabling monitoring of operating condition information within one or more elongated tubular members. To this end, such fiber optic sensors are strategically placed at a plurality of locations along a length of each elongated tubular member thereby allowing critical operating conditions such as strain, temperature and pressure of the elongated tubular member and/or a fluid therein to be monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventor: David V. Brower
  • Patent number: 9719309
    Abstract: A vortex induced vibration suppression system for use on a subsea riser system having either a stake or fairing component includes at least one fiber optic sensor mounted on the component. The fiber optic sensor associated with the riser includes at least one sensor for producing a sensor signal. The system may include a plurality of sensors and the plurality of signals produced thereby are combined at a multiplexer for generating a single, composite sensor signal. The signal may be monitored in real time or near real time for observing and monitoring the reaction of the subsea riser to conditions inducing vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventor: David V. Brower
  • Publication number: 20160326861
    Abstract: An apparatus to monitor the loads and mechanical behavior of subsea longitudinal vertical components of off shore drilling and production platforms (SLVCs) uses sensors attached directly to the tendons by adhesive or by friction mount. The sensors are typically in a sensor ring assembly which is placed around the perimeter of the SLVC. Ruggedized cables carry the sensor reading from the ring assembly to the SLVC working platform and to a control center for monitoring the action and stresses on the tension legs. The system may be deployed on existing SLVCs or may be installed on new construction during initial assembly and installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventor: David V. Brower
  • Publication number: 20140354974
    Abstract: An apparatus to monitor the loads and mechanical behavior of subsea longitudinal vertical components of off shore drilling and production platforms (SLVCs) uses sensors attached directly to the tendons by adhesive or by friction mount. The sensors are typically in a sensor ring assembly which is placed around the perimeter of the SLVC. Ruggedized cables carry the sensor reading from the ring assembly to the SLVC working platform and to a control center for monitoring the action and stresses on the tension legs. The system may be deployed on existing SLVCs or may be installed on new construction during initial assembly and installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventor: David V. Brower
  • Publication number: 20140354975
    Abstract: An apparatus to monitor the loads and mechanical behavior of tendons for a tension leg platform (TLP) uses sensors attached directly to the tendons by adhesive of by friction mount. The sensors are typically in a sensor ring assembly which is placed around the perimeter of the tension leg. Ruggedized cables carry the sensor reading from the ring assembly to the TLP working platform and to a control center for monitoring the action and stresses on the tension legs. The system may be deployed on existing TLPs or may be installed on new construction before while on land.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventor: David V. Brower
  • Publication number: 20140290374
    Abstract: A combination of sensors are strategically placed along a pipeline to measure critical properties such as temperature and pressure of the flow product. The sensors are a combination of fiber optic sensing devices that are specifically designed to measure a range of properties within particular bandwidth, with a method to reduce light attenuation over the long pipeline distances. The pipeline is typically subsea and can range widely in diameter. In many cases the pipeline has a coating that acts as a barrier to the corrosive sea water and additional thermal barriers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventor: David V. Brower
  • Publication number: 20130287501
    Abstract: A VIV suppression device for a subsea riser system includes either a strake or fairing element having at least one fiber optic sensor mounted on the element. The fiber optic sensor on each VIV suppression device associated with the riser includes a plurality of sensor components forming an array, and wherein each fiber optic sensor component in the array produces a sensor component signal. The multiple array signals are combined at a multiplexer associated with that specific array for generating a single VIV suppression device sensor signal. Each fiber optic sensor array produces a unique sensor signal, the subsea riser system further including a multiplexer for combining the unique sensor signals from the fiber optic sensor array for each of the VIV suppression devices, for producing a single cables combined sensor signal to be introduced into the processor. The processed output signal produced by the processor is introduced to a monitor for real time, or near real time monitoring of the processed signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Inventor: David V. Brower
  • Patent number: 8127801
    Abstract: A cryogenic material transfer system incorporates a pipe-in-pipe configuration with a nanoporous or microporous insulating layer filling the annulus between the inner and outer pipe. The insulating layer is of sufficient flexibility to absorb and expansion or contraction of the inner pipe due to the flow of cryogenic material therethrough. For longer transfer systems a bulkhead is provided between adjacent pipe joints. Intermediately of the pipe joints an additional bulkhead may be employed to provide additional sealing or water stops and for providing provide additional load transfer. A fiber optic sensor system is installed in the annuals between the inner and outer pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Inventor: David V. Brower
  • Publication number: 20110219866
    Abstract: A combination of sensors are strategically placed along a pipeline to measure critical properties such as temperature and pressure of the flow product. The sensors are a combination of fiber optic sensing devices that are specifically designed to measure a range of properties within particular bandwidth, with a method to reduce light attenuation over the long pipeline distances. The pipeline is typically subsea and can range widely in diameter. In many cases the pipeline has a coating that acts as a barrier to the corrosive sea water and additional thermal barriers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventor: David V. Brower
  • Publication number: 20100229662
    Abstract: An instrumentation and monitoring system for a cryogenic material transfer system incorporates a pipe-in-pipe configuration with either a vacuum or a nanoporous or microporous insulating layer filling the annulus between the inner and outer pipe. The insulating layer is of sufficient flexibility to absorb the expansion or contraction of the inner pipe due to thermal effects from the flow of cryogenic material. The monitoring system typically includes a multitude of fiber optic sensors that measure leaks, temperature, pressure and strain. The invention includes the fiber optic sensors, conventional sensors, cabling, connectors/splice assembles, ingress/egress methods, ruggedization methods, data acquisition and analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventor: David V. Brower
  • Publication number: 20090077982
    Abstract: A cryogenic material transfer system incorporates a pipe-in-pipe configuration with a nanoporous or microporous insulating layer filling the annulus between the inner and outer pipe. The insulating layer is of sufficient flexibility to absorb and expansion or contraction of the inner pipe due to the flow of cryogenic material therethrough. For longer transfer systems a bulkhead is provided between adjacent pipe joints. Intermediately of the pipe joints an additional bulkhead may be employed to provide additional sealing or water stops and for providing provide additional load transfer. A fiber optic sensor system is installed in the annuals between the inner and outer pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventor: David V. Brower