Patents by Inventor Jim R. Reams

Jim R. Reams 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).

  • Riser buoyancy adjustable thrust column
    Patent number: 8322438
    Abstract: An offshore drilling riser joint has a central riser pipe, a number of auxiliary lines mounted around it, and a buoyancy module assembly of a buoyant material. A pair of upper thrust sleeves slide over two of the auxiliary lines, each of the upper thrust sleeves having a flange in contact with an upper end of the buoyancy module assembly. Each of the upper thrust sleeves transfer upward thrust imposed by the buoyancy module assembly to an upper support flange mounted to the central riser pipe. A pair of lower thrust sleeves slide over two of the auxiliary lines. Each lower thrust sleeve has a lower thrust flange that is engaged by a lower end of the buoyancy module assembly. Each of the lower thrust sleeves transfer weight of the buoyancy module assembly while out of water to a lower support flange mounted to the central riser pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Eric D. Larson, Rick L. Stringfellow, Jesse L. Bullard, Jim R. Reams
  • Riser Buoyancy Adjustable Thrust Column
    Publication number: 20100270025
    Abstract: An offshore drilling riser joint has a central riser pipe, a number of auxiliary lines mounted around it, and a buoyancy module assembly of a buoyant material. A pair of upper thrust sleeves slide over two of the auxiliary lines, each of the upper thrust sleeves having a flange in contact with an upper end of the buoyancy module assembly. Each of the upper thrust sleeves transfer upward thrust imposed by the buoyancy module assembly to an upper support flange mounted to the central riser pipe. A pair of lower thrust sleeves slide over two of the auxiliary lines. Each lower thrust sleeve has a lower thrust flange that is engaged by a lower end of the buoyancy module assembly. Each of the lower thrust sleeves transfer weight of the buoyancy module assembly while out of water to a lower support flange mounted to the central riser pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Eric D. Larson, Rick L. Stringfellow, Jesse L. Bullard, Jim R. Reams