Patents by Inventor Paul Shepherd

Paul Shepherd 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).

  • Publication number: 20220213833
    Abstract: A hybrid pump apparatus (100) having a pump subassembly having an inlet and an outlet an electrical drive (110) arranged to selectively drive the pump subassembly, a mechanical drive comprising a driven member (104) configured to receive a drive torque; and a clutch (160) in a load path between the driven member and the pump subassembly, the clutch being movable between a first condition in which the driven member drives the pump subassembly and a second condition in which the driven member can rotate freely relative to the pump sub assembly in which the clutch is a dog clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2022
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventors: Paul SHEPHERD, Sreekanth GOPINATHAN NAIR
  • Patent number: 10927664
    Abstract: A method for use in or for detecting a downhole feature in a well comprises transmitting an electromagnetic signal from a first position located substantially at or adjacent to surface through a first space to the downhole feature. The method further comprises receiving an electromagnetic signal at a second position located substantially at or adjacent to surface after reflection of the transmitted electromagnetic signal from the downhole feature and after propagation of the reflected electromagnetic signal through a second space. The method may comprise sealing the well before transmitting the electromagnetic signal. Such a method may be used to detector determine a distance from surface to a downhole feature such as a fluid interface in a completed production, injection or observation well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: WELLDATA (SUBSURFACE SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS) LTD
    Inventors: Sydney Joseph Littleford, Christopher Kim Gardiner, Duncan Paul Shepherd
  • Patent number: 10767523
    Abstract: A vehicle engine pump assembly (100, 1000, 1100) has a gerotor pump (102), a mechanical drive (106) driven by the engine and an electrical drive (104). A controller (107) selectively engages the mechanical drive to boost pumping effort when required via a clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Concentric Birmingham Limited
    Inventors: Paul Shepherd, John Magee
  • Publication number: 20190360370
    Abstract: A vehicle engine pump assembly (100, 1000, 1100) has a gerotor pump (102), a mechanical drive (106) driven by the engine and an electrical drive (104). A controller (107) selectively engages the mechanical drive to boost pumping effort when required via a clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Paul SHEPHERD, John MAGEE
  • Patent number: 10422257
    Abstract: A vehicle engine pump assembly (100, 1000, 1100) has a gerotor pump (102), a mechanical drive (106) driven by the engine and an electrical drive (104). A controller (107) selectively engages the mechanical drive to boost pumping effort when required via a clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Concentric Birmingham Limited
    Inventors: Paul Shepherd, John Magee
  • Patent number: 10316713
    Abstract: A recirculation valve for a pump having a regulator spool, a first resilient biasing member and a control valve. The first resilient biasing member biases the regulator spool in a first position in which flow of a liquid from a first port of the pump to a second port of the pump is prevented. The control valve controls the force required to move the regulator spool against the first resilient biasing member to a second position in which flow of the liquid from the first port to the second port is enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: CONCENTRIC BIRMINGHAM LIMITED
    Inventors: Paul Shepherd, Mark Pieczko
  • Publication number: 20180179923
    Abstract: A vehicle engine pump assembly (100, 1000, 1100) has a gerotor pump (102), a mechanical drive (106) driven by the engine and an electrical drive (104). A controller (107) selectively engages the mechanical drive to boost pumping effort when required via a clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Paul SHEPHERD, John MAGEE
  • Patent number: 9752572
    Abstract: A variable flow external rotor hydraulic machine (10, 10?) has an inlet (26, 26?) an outlet (28, 28?), a rotor set having a first rotor (58, 58?) mounted for rotation about a first rotor axis and a second rotor (68, 68?) mounted for rotation about a second rotor axis, the machine being configured as either a pump or a motor, in which at least one of the first and second rotor axes is movable relative to the other to vary a leakage flow between the rotors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: CONCENTRIC BIRMINGHAM LIMITED
    Inventors: Bryan Parsons, Paul Shepherd, Steven Hodge
  • Publication number: 20170152788
    Abstract: A vehicle coolant pump has an impeller and pump gearbox having one or two planetary gear sets each having a selectable gear ratio. The gear sets may be connected in series to provide a compact gearbox which can operate at a number of different selectable gear ratios.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Inventors: Paul Shepherd, Gavin Newman
  • Publication number: 20160265679
    Abstract: A recirculation valve for a pump having a regulator spool, a first resilient biasing member and a control valve. The first resilient biasing member biases the regulator spool in a first position in which flow of a liquid from a first port of the pump to a second port of the pump is prevented. The control valve controls the force required to move the regulator spool against the first resilient biasing member to a second position in which flow of the liquid from the first port to the second port is enabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Paul SHEPHERD, Mark PIECZKO
  • Patent number: 9380871
    Abstract: A table having inner row seating comprising a table top having a central opening, outer seating, a center mounting assembly and inner seat positioned on center mounting assembly. The inner seat provides inner row seating for children. Table top and outer seating both have removable portions that provide entry into inner central opening where inner seat is located. A revolving tray and or umbrella can also be added to the table when the inner seat is not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Inventor: Roger Paul Shepherd
  • Publication number: 20160115784
    Abstract: A method for use in or for detecting a downhole feature in a well comprises transmitting an electromagnetic signal from a first position located substantially at or adjacent to surface through a first space to the downhole feature. The method further comprises receiving an electromagnetic signal at a second position located substantially at or adjacent to surface after reflection of the transmitted electromagnetic signal from the downhole feature and after propagation of the reflected electromagnetic signal through a second space. The method may comprise sealing the well before transmitting the electromagnetic signal. Such a method may be used to detector determine a distance from surface to a downhole feature such as a fluid interface in a completed production, injection or observation well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: Sydney Joseph Littleford, Christopher Kim Gardiner, Duncan Paul Shepherd
  • Patent number: 9094304
    Abstract: Systems and methods reconfigure data transmitted on a network, the network using a communication protocol. The systems and methods include a processor that is operable to receive data from a second device on the network; a memory medium; and a data configurator operable to dynamically reconfigure the data from the second device, with the data from the second device being in the form of a network item defined by the second device. The data configurator is operable to pass the reconfigured data to the processor and/or the memory medium in the form of a device item that is native to the device. A data design tool generates a map configuration to define a unique relationship between the network item and the device item. The map configuration includes a network representation portion for data in the network item and a device representation portion for data in the data item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Cognex Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Shepherd, Dale Peterson
  • Publication number: 20150097398
    Abstract: A table having inner row seating comprising a table top having a central opening, outer seating, a center mounting assembly and inner seat positioned on center mounting assembly. The inner seat provides inner row seating for children. Table top and outer seating both have removable portions that provide entry into inner central opening where inner seat is located. A revolving tray and or umbrella can also be added to the table when the inner seat is not in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Inventor: Roger Paul Shepherd
  • Publication number: 20150071804
    Abstract: A variable flow external rotor hydraulic machine (10, 10?) has an inlet (26, 26?) an outlet (28, 28?), a rotor set having a first rotor (58, 58?) mounted for rotation about a first rotor axis and a second rotor (68, 68?) mounted for rotation about a second rotor axis, the machine being configured as either a pump or a motor, in which at least one of the first and second rotor axes is movable relative to the other to vary a leakage flow between the rotors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Bryan PARSONS, Paul SHEPHERD, Steven HODGE
  • Publication number: 20130304882
    Abstract: Systems and methods reconfigure data transmitted on a network, the network using a communication protocol. The systems and methods include a processor that is operable to receive data from a second device on the network; a memory medium; and a data configurator operable to dynamically reconfigure the data from the second device, with the data from the second device being in the form of a network item defined by the second device. The data configurator is operable to pass the reconfigured data to the processor and/or the memory medium in the form of a device item that is native to the device. A data design tool generates a map configuration to define a unique relationship between the network item and the device item. The map configuration includes a network representation portion for data in the network item and a device representation portion for data in the data item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: COGNEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul Shepherd, Dale Peterson
  • Publication number: 20130040037
    Abstract: A protein beverage includes at least 90 percent egg white and at least one of a flavoring and sweetener. The beverage may be made by mixing pasteurized egg whites with a flavoring sweetener, and/or other biological enhancing agent, homogenizing the mixture, re-pasteurizing the beverage, and then bottling the mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Paul Shepherd, Michael Shepherd
  • Publication number: 20120273215
    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: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Graeme Steele, Douglas Paul Blalock, Steve Eggert, Chau Nguyen, Paul Shepherd, Trevor Smith, David Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 6704884
    Abstract: In a fault-tolerant system employing software fault-tolerance techniques, the identifiers used for control blocks or objects referenced on an interface between two co-operating partner software processes either require resynchronization after fail over of one or both of the partners or impose unwanted performance impacts on normal operation of the system. Replicated handles enhance the techniques currently used in such systems to avoid both the need for resynchronization and other potential performance impacts of the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventors: Adam Paul Shepherd, Benjamin Mark Simon Kenneth Miller, Colin Michael Dancer, Andrew John Tylee, Paul John Brittain, Nicolas Peter Everard Weeds, David William Maxwell Reekie
  • Patent number: 6629260
    Abstract: In a fault-tolerant system employing software fault-tolerance techniques, automatic reconnection of partner processes after a failure of one or more of the partner processes requires that the partner processes are aware of the redundancy strategy employed by their partners. The present invention insulates the partner processes from the need for this knowledge, and also enables automatic reconnection between partner processes running in different parts of a heterogeneous distributed system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Data Connection Ltd
    Inventors: Colin Michael Dancer, Adam Paul Shepherd