Patents by Inventor Earl P. Ellis

Earl P. Ellis 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 system for relieving pipeline stress due to frost action
    Patent number: 4629364
    Abstract: A system and method for relieving frost-heaving stresses in a pipeline for ransporting a product at a temperature less than 32.degree. F. where said pipeline passes through frost-susceptible ground in a trench beneath the ground surface. Bedding supports the pipeline in the trench with its top substantially below the surface of the ground. A pair of relatively thin, elongated soil separators are installed in the trench, one along each side of the pipeline in parallel relation to the longitudinal axis of the pipeline. Each separator has a transverse width extending vertically upward substantially beyond the top of the pipeline and into backfill soil above the pipeline. Padding supports a lower edge of the shear separators adjacent to the pipeline and the separators each have an upper edge located substantially beyond this padding and beyond the top of the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Francis H. Sayles, William T. Black, Earl P. Ellis