Patents by Inventor Kenneth C. Hardy

Kenneth C. Hardy 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).

  • Process and apparatus for insertion of robots in gas distribution systems
    Patent number: 5660202
    Abstract: A hot tap apparatus for insertion of a controllable device into an in-service pipeline comprising a housing adapted to be sealably secured to a pipe and enclose a portion of the pipe. The housing forms a chamber which is partitioned into an insertion chamber and a discharge chamber, the insertion chamber being disposed adjacent to an insertion end of the housing and the discharge chamber being disposed adjacent the discharge end of said housing. The insertion end of the housing is sealable. The apparatus further comprises a cutting apparatus for cutting an opening in the pipe sized to receive the controllable device disposed in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Assignee: Institute of Gas Technology
    Inventors: William F. Rush, Jr., Bruce K. Campbell, Kenneth C. Hardy, Lynn A. Sweetwood