Patents by Inventor Robert Duane Fross

Robert Duane Fross 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).

  • Patent number: 6880640
    Abstract: A jumper for transferring fluids from an umbilical to a subsea tree assembly has a plurality of steel tubes. The steel tubes are bent so that the jumper is in a serpentine or w-shape while in a natural state. The steel allows resists damage to the jumper from the fluids and chemicals being transferred to the tree assembly. The w-shape of the jumper allows the jumper to be stretched or contracted so that the distance between the connectors on each end of the jumper can vary. The contracted width jumper is attached to a terminal plate located on the tree assembly as it is landed on a subsea wellhead. An ROV disconnects the jumper and connects the jumper to receptors on the tree assembly and the umbilical, while stretching the jumper to the necessary length to reach the receptors. The jumper can be disconnected from the tree assembly when maintenance is necessary without moving the umbilical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Offshore Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Kenneth Oakley Barratt, Robert Duane Fross
  • Patent number: 6793019
    Abstract: A tool lands a flowline connector on a base and soft land the connector to a mandrel. After the tool lands on the base, the tool locks to the base and then pushes the connector the mandrel until it abuts locks to the member. The tool has at least one ring assembly with a number of dogs per ring assembly. Each dog moves in unison with a follower relative to a cam ring in a slot. The movement along the slot moves the dogs radially and circumferentially relative to the cam ring. An actuator moves a follower ring that slides relative to the cam ring which moves the follower. Each dog remains in contact with the cam ring after moving radially inward because of protuberances on each dog that slide from a recess as the dog moves circumferentially and radially inward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: ABB Offshore Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Tony Alan Rodgers, Robert Duane Fross
  • Publication number: 20040016548
    Abstract: A jumper for transferring fluids from an umbilical to a subsea tree assembly has a plurality of steel tubes. The steel tubes are bent so that the jumper is in a serpentine or w-shape while in a natural state. The steel allows resists damage to the jumper from the fluids and chemicals being transferred to the tree assembly. The w-shape of the jumper allows the jumper to be stretched or contracted so that the distance between the connectors on each end of the jumper can vary. The contracted width jumper is attached to a terminal plate located on the tree assembly as it is landed on a subsea wellhead. An ROV disconnects the jumper and connects the jumper to receptors on the tree assembly and the umbilical, while stretching the jumper to the necessary length to reach the receptors. The jumper can be disconnected from the tree assembly when maintenance is necessary without moving the umbilical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: Richard Kenneth Oakley Barratt, Robert Duane Fross
  • Publication number: 20040007362
    Abstract: A tool lands a flowline connector on a base and soft land the connector to a mandrel. After the tool lands on the base, the tool locks to the base and then pushes the connector the mandrel until it abuts locks to the member. The tool has at least one ring assembly with a number of dogs per ring assembly. Each dog moves in unison with a follower relative to a cam ring in a slot. The movement along the slot moves the dogs radially and circumferentially relative to the cam ring. An actuator moves a follower ring that slides relative to the cam ring which moves the follower. Each dog remains in contact with the cam ring after moving radially inward because of protuberances on each dog that slide from a recess as the dog moves circumferentially and radially inward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Tony Alan Rodgers, Robert Duane Fross