Patents by Inventor Paul Sheperd

Paul Sheperd 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).

  • Offshore fluid transfer systems and methods
    Patent number: 9068424
    Abstract: A system for transferring fluids from a free-standing riser to a surface vessel comprises a first valve assembly including a first valve spool and a first isolation valve configured to control the flow of fluids through the first valve spool. In addition, the system comprises a second valve assembly releasably coupled to the first valve assembly with a hydraulically actuated connector. The second valve assembly includes a second valve spool and a second isolation valve configured to control the flow of fluids through the second valve spool. Further, the system comprises a deployment/retrieval rigging coupled to the first valve assembly and configured to suspend the first valve assembly and the second valve assembly from the surface vessel. Each isolation valve has an open position allowing fluid flow therethrough and a closed position restricting fluid flow therethrough, and each isolation valve is biased to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Graeme Steele, Douglas Paul Blalock, Steve Eggert, Chau Nguyen, Paul Sheperd, Trevor Smith, David Wilkinson