Patents Assigned to Big Inch Marine Systems
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Publication number: 20020079693Abstract: An articulating connector system including an active connector coupled to a first line and a hub assembly coupled to a second line. The active connector includes a swivel coupling element intermediate a grip and a ball nose to allow rotational and articulating motion. A seal is coupled to the ball nose and is protected and guided by an alignment lip into mating engagement with a sealing surface defined by the hub. A clamp closes about the swivel coupling element and hub to draw together the seal and sealing surface into sealing contact to connect the first line to the second line.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2001Publication date: June 27, 2002Applicant: Big Inch Marine SystemsInventors: Michael W. Spiering, Richard L. Ahlgrim, Bruce E. Morris
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Patent number: 6305720Abstract: An articulating connector system including an active connector coupled to a first line and a hub assembly coupled to a second line. The active connector includes a swivel coupling element intermediate a grip and a ball nose to allow rotational and articulating motion. A seal is coupled to the ball nose and is protected and guided by an alignment lip into mating engagement with a sealing surface defined by the hub. A clamp closes about the swivel coupling element and hub to draw together the seal and sealing surface into sealing contact to connect the first line to the second line.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 1999Date of Patent: October 23, 2001Assignee: Big Inch Marine SystemsInventors: Michael W. Spiering, Richard L. Ahlgrim, Bruce E. Morris
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Patent number: 5590913Abstract: There is disclosed a clamp useful for connecting a tie-in line transversely to a carrier pipe, comprising: a lower body portion and a upper body portion that when connected together define a tubular bore, the lower and upper body portions being adapted to clamp onto the carrier pipe; a set of gripping collets positioned with the tubular sleeve bore proximate opposed ends of the upper and the lower body portions to engage such a carrier pipe; a branch tap positioned between the gripping collets and extending from one of the body portions transversely to the tubular bore; a first seal and a second seal for providing a seal between the carrier pipe and the upper and the lower body portions, the first and second seal positioned within the transverse bore and between the gripping collets and the branch tap; and a set of axial seals to form axially extending seals between the upper and lower body portions during use and to connect the first and second seals during use.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 1995Date of Patent: January 7, 1997Assignee: Big Inch Marine SystemsInventors: Bruce E. Morris, Fred L. Avery
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Patent number: 4618173Abstract: A swivel coupling element for use in sealingly coupling a tubular element to an annular coupling flange.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 1984Date of Patent: October 21, 1986Assignee: Big-Inch Marine Systems, Inc.Inventors: Emil E. Dopyera, Jack E. Miller
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Patent number: 4608739Abstract: A method of forming a connection between a tubular member and an annular collar which has at least one internal annular recess. The method includes positioning the collar over portion of the tubular member to define an axially extending connection zone embracing the annular recess, positioning a solid deformable transmitting material in the tubular member in alignment with the connection zone, confining the transmitting material axially to the connection zone, and applying a deformation force gradually to the transmitting material to deform its radially outwardly and thus deform the tubular member into the recess of the collar to form a connection.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 1984Date of Patent: September 2, 1986Assignee: Big-Inch Marine Systems, Inc.Inventor: Jack E. Miller
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Patent number: 4530526Abstract: A swivel coupling element for use in sealingly coupling a tubular element to an annular coupling flange.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 1983Date of Patent: July 23, 1985Assignee: Big-Inch Marine Systems, Inc.Inventors: Emil E. Dopyera, Jack E. Miller
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Patent number: 4436325Abstract: A locking slip coupling for coupling two tubular elements in sealed relationship. The coupling comprises a first tubular member having an outer end for connection to one tubular element, and having an inner end comprising an axially extending locking sleeve, the locking sleeve having an annular gripping zone defined by the locking sleeve having a plurality of annular gripping teeth along its inner surface in the gripping zone, having cam means along its outer surface in the gripping zone, and by the locking sleeve being radially compressible in the gripping zone. The coupling further comprises a second tubular member having an outer end for connection to another tubular element, and having an inner end comprising an inner barrel located within the locking sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 1981Date of Patent: March 13, 1984Assignee: Big Inch Marine Systems, Inc.Inventor: Jack E. Miller
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Patent number: 4372584Abstract: A coupling for coupling two pipe sections in sealed relationship, the coupling comprising a male member for connection to one pipe section, a female member for connection to a second pipe section, a locking member located on the male member, the locking member comprising a locking sleeve having a plurality of circumferentially spaced bendable locking fingers which extend integrally and axially from the locking sleeve, a displacement piston mounted on the male member for displacing the free end portions of the locking fingers radially outwardly, and a locking recess in the female member for receiving the locking fingers when displaced by the displacement means while the members are in mating engagement, the locking recess defining a bearing surface against which the free ends of the locking fingers will bear during displacement to draw the two members into sealing engagement with each other, the bearing surface being shaped to allow displacement of the locking fingers into and over center locking position.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 1979Date of Patent: February 8, 1983Assignee: Big Inch Marine Systems, Inc.Inventor: Jack E. Miller
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Patent number: 4348039Abstract: A high pressure coupling for releasably coupling high pressure tubular elements in sealed relationship, the coupling comprising a first tubular member having a socket formation, a second tubular member having a spigot formation sealingly engaged with the socket formation in mating relationship therewith, one member having an annular recess and the other member having a radially directed annular bearing surface to cooperate with a locking sleeve, and a radially deformable locking sleeve positioned in the annular recess, the locking sleeve being located against radial deformation out of the recess by the bearing surface engaging with the bearing surface of the locking sleeve. The coupling further includes bias means operative between the tubular members to provide a predetermined bias force to restrain axial separation of the mated formations.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 1980Date of Patent: September 7, 1982Assignee: Big Inch Marine Systems, Inc.Inventor: Jack E. Miller
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Patent number: 4178020Abstract: A locking slip joint has primary utility in the making up of a tie-in in pipeline laying and repair operations. In a preferred embodiment the slip joint comprises an inner sleeve telescopically received within an outer sleeve. Means for locking the sleeves together is disposed in an annulus between the sleeves and comprises a seal ring having annular teeth in communication with both sleeves. A pair of opposed tapered annular pistons engage mating recesses in the seal ring and are hydraulically actuated to deform the seal ring outwardly thereby embedding the teeth into both sleeves. The embedment provides an irreversible metal-to-metal seal.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1977Date of Patent: December 11, 1979Assignee: Big-Inch Marine Systems, Inc.Inventor: Emil E. Dopyera