Patents by Inventor Thomas Lowell Steen

Thomas Lowell Steen 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: 10025889
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed for characterizing a threaded coupling such as between two tubular members, e.g., casing segments employed in the field of oil and gas recovery. In one embodiment, a virtual model of the coupling is generated, and the virtual model is re-arranged to simulate plastic deformation of at least part of the coupling. The re-arranged model is analyzed to derive a stress/strain distribution of the coupling subject to subsequent loading, and an SAF (stress amplification factor) is determined from the analysis that reflects the effect of cyclic loading of the coupling. The method facilitates a thorough assessment of the performance of the coupling in fatigue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: VETCO GRAY, LLC
    Inventors: Micah Antonio Thomas, Jr., Jeffrey Allen Raynal, Thomas Lowell Steen, Joseph William Pallini, Xichang Zhang, Baozhi Zhu
  • Patent number: 9410647
    Abstract: An anti-rotation system for use in retaining a threaded connection between a pin and a box. The anti-rotation system includes a key that sets in a recess formed in one of the box or pin. The key is selectively in contact with one of the other of the box or pin, and is activated when the threaded connection begins to decouple. The key is profiled and operates in a cam like fashion to wedge itself between the box and pin when these members begin to decouple and prevents further relative rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Lowell Steen, Joseph William Pallini, Daniel Caleb Benson, David Lawrence Ford, Kevin Edward O'Dell, Stephen David Peters, William Rey Patterson, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150127308
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed for characterizing a threaded coupling such as between two tubular members, e.g., casing segments employed in the field of oil and gas recovery. In one embodiment, a virtual model of the coupling is generated, and the virtual model is re-arranged to simulate plastic deformation of at least part of the coupling. The re-arranged model is analyzed to derive a stress/strain distribution of the coupling subject to subsequent loading, and an SAF (stress amplification factor) is determined from the analysis that reflects the effect of cyclic loading of the coupling. The method facilitates a thorough assessment of the performance of the coupling in fatigue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Micah Antonio Thomas, JR., Jeffrey Allen Raynal, Thomas Lowell Steen, Joseph William Pallini, Xichang Zhang, Baozhi Zhu
  • Patent number: 8950785
    Abstract: A broach style anti-rotation device for connected tubular members is described. In embodiments, the broach tool is inserted into a slot in an outer diameter surface of the pin, and teeth of the broach, which have a successively greater height when moving from the front to the tail of the broach, cut a slot in a surface of the box. Sidewalls of the broach and its teeth engage shoulders of each slot to prevent the rotation of the tubular members relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Raynal, Thomas Lowell Steen, Nicholas Peter Gette, David Lawrence Ford, Benjamin Michael Snyder, Stephen David Peters, Ebony LaShaun Towns, Roberto Jose Manzano
  • Patent number: 8792753
    Abstract: A system and method for assembling a fiber optic sensor assembly are provided. The fiber optic sensor system includes a fiber optic cable and a carrier including a first connection end and a second connection end joined together by one or more breakaway tabs, the first connection end including a first fiber attach point configured to secure a distal end of the fiber optic cable to the first connection end, the second connection end including a second fiber attach point configured to secure the fiber optic cable to the second connection end, the one or more breakaway tabs joined to the first connection end and the second connection end using a break area that is structurally weaker than the carrier and the breakaway tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Eric John Ruggiero, Thomas Lowell Steen, Brian Allen Czapor
  • Publication number: 20140103645
    Abstract: An anti-rotation system for use in retaining a threaded connection between a pin and a box. The anti-rotation system includes a key that sets in a recess formed in one of the box or pin. The key is selectively in contact with one of the other of the box or pin, and is activated when the threaded connection begins to decouple. The key is profiled and operates in a cam like fashion to wedge itself between the box and pin when these members begin to decouple and prevents further relative rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Lowell Steen, Joseph William Pallini, Daniel Caleb Benson, David Lawrence Ford, Kevin Edward O'Dell, Stephen David Peters, William Rey Patterson, JR.
  • Publication number: 20130106061
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic sealing system for use in an oxidizing environment includes a rotor and a sealing stator. The stator includes a solid lubricant or a surface treatment and the rotor is hardened or the stator is hardened and the rotor includes the solid lubricant or the surface treatment. The stator is located proximate to the rotor to provide a seal. The stator and the rotor are robust at extreme temperatures above 700 degrees Fahrenheit (F) such that at least one of the stator and the rotor have a wear rate and a surface roughness sufficient to maintain an operating gap between the stator and rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Eric RUGGIERO, Bala CORATTIYIL, Thomas Lowell STEEN
  • Publication number: 20130004116
    Abstract: A system and method for assembling a fiber optic sensor assembly are provided. The fiber optic sensor system includes a fiber optic cable and a carrier including a first connection end and a second connection end joined together by one or more breakaway tabs, the first connection end including a first fiber attach point configured to secure a distal end of the fiber optic cable to the first connection end, the second connection end including a second fiber attach point configured to secure the fiber optic cable to the second connection end, the one or more breakaway tabs joined to the first connection end and the second connection end using a break area that is structurally weaker than the carrier and the breakaway tabs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Eric John Ruggiero, Thomas Lowell Steen, Brian Allen Czapor
  • Publication number: 20110103987
    Abstract: The present invention provides a pump system comprising a bearing housing coupled to a pump liner, the pump liner defining a fluid conduit, the pump liner comprising a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; and at least one rotor having a first rotor portion and a second rotor portion, the first rotor portion being disposed within the fluid conduit and the second rotor portion being disposed within the bearing housing; the first rotor portion comprising a first conveying stage adjacent to the bearing housing, and a second conveying stage adjacent to the first conveying stage, the first and second conveying stages being configured to convey a fluid, the first conveying stage being configured to convey the fluid from the bearing housing into the fluid conduit. The new pump systems rely on a dynamic restriction to reduce the need for mechanical seals between bearing housings and raw process fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Vasanth Srinivasa Kothnur, David Deloyd Anderson, Farshad Ghasripoor, Hrishikesh Vishvas Deo, Michael V. Drexel, Thomas Lowell Steen
  • Publication number: 20100136323
    Abstract: A protective shield for a device exposed to heat includes a granular fill layer, a nano particle layer, a metallic foam layer, a thermal barrier coating, or combinations thereof. The shield is configured for providing thermal resistance, and damping of vibrations, and acoustics to the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Kripa Kiran Varanasi, Farshad Ghasripoor, Tao Deng, Bala Corratiyil, Nitin Bhate, Thomas Lowell Steen, Sanket Sahebrao Mahajan