Patents Assigned to HilFlo, LLC
  • Patent number: 10393616
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing blowout preventers for leaks involves maintaining a constant pressure in the portion of the blowout preventer to be tested. A sensor is connected to a controller for maintaining a constant pressure within the blowout preventer. Any amount of fluid introduced into or removed from the blowout preventer in order to maintain constant pressure is measured and is an indication of the leak rate in the blowout preventer. Additionally vibration instrumentation may be used to detect the location and amplitude of vibrations emitted by the test fluid passing from a high pressure regime to the low pressure regime across a leak path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: HilFlo, LLC
    Inventors: Clifford L. Hilpert, Jeffrey L. Hilpert
  • Patent number: 10267705
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing blowout preventers for leaks involves maintaining a constant pressure in the portion of the blowout preventer to be tested. A sensor is connected to a controller for maintaining a constant pressure within the blowout preventer. Any amount of fluid introduced into or removed from the blowout preventer in order to maintain constant pressure is measured and is an indication of the leak rate in the blowout preventer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: HilFlo, LLC
    Inventors: Clifford L. Hilpert, Jeffrey L. Hilpert
  • Publication number: 20190049331
    Abstract: A method of pressure testing a closed hydraulic system for leaks includes heating or cooling pressure intensification fluid before it enters the closed hydraulic system under pressure. The closed hydraulic system may be for example a blowout preventer for an oil/gas well, a manifold system or tubulars. The intensification fluid is heated or cooled to a temperature at or near the temperature of the fluid within the closed hydraulic system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Applicant: HilFlo, LLC
    Inventors: Clifford Lee Hilpert, Jeffrey Lee Hilpert, Lewis Jackson Dutel, Laura Tufts Meyer
  • Patent number: 10190381
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for activating a safety device of a blowout preventer utilizes a variable ratio rotary energy controller. The controller automatically adjusts the pressure of the fluid for activating the safety device thereby conserving the amount of energy required for each activating cycle. The controller includes a variable displacement hydraulic motor coupled to a variable displacement hydraulic pump. A system for recharging the activating fluid circuit allows for the actuating system to be reused as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: HilFlo, LLC
    Inventors: Clifford Lee Hilpert, Jeffrey Lee Hilpert
  • Publication number: 20190025152
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing a blowout preventer which includes a plurality of safety devices and an assembly of fluid control valves that are remotely actuatable to an open and closed position for controlling flow of drilling fluids into a well includes a hydraulic power unit control station for remotely and selectively actuating one or more safety devices and fluid control valves to a test orientation. A hydrostatic test system supplies fluid under first and second test pressure and documents any pressure loss due to fluid leaks within a closed system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Applicant: Hilflo, LLC
    Inventors: Clifford Lee Hilpert, Jeffrey Hilpert
  • Patent number: 10161824
    Abstract: A method of pressure testing a closed hydraulic system for leaks includes heating or cooling pressure intensification fluid before it enters the closed hydraulic system under pressure. The closed hydraulic system may be for example a blowout preventer for an oil/gas well, a manifold system or tubulars. The intensification fluid is heated or cooled to a temperature at or near the temperature of the fluid within the closed hydraulic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: HilFlo, LLC
    Inventors: Clifford Lee Hilpert, Jeffrey Lee Hilpert, Lewis Jackson Dutel, Laura Tufts Meyer
  • Patent number: 10107712
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing a blowout preventer, which includes a plurality of safety devices and an assembly of fluid control valves that are remotely actuatable to an open and closed position for controlling flow of drillings fluids into a well, includes a hydraulic power unit control valves to a test orientation. A hydrostatic test system supplies fluid under first and second test pressure and documents any pressure loss due to fluid leaks within a closed system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: HilFlo, LLC
    Inventors: Clifford Lee Hilpert, Jeffrey Hilpert
  • Publication number: 20160334300
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing closed hydraulic systems such as a blowout preventer for leaks maintain a constant pressure in the portion of the hydraulic system to be tested. A variable displacement pump is connected to the system for maintaining a constant pressure within the system. Any amount of fluid introduced into or removed from the blowout preventer in order to maintain constant pressure is measured and is an indication of the leak rate in the closed hydraulic system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: HilFlo, LLC
    Inventors: Clifford Lee Hilpert, Lewis Jackson Dutel, Laura Tufts Meyer, Jeffery Lee Hilpert, David William Blacklaw, Matteo Giovanni Batista
  • Publication number: 20160334298
    Abstract: A method of pressure testing a closed hydraulic system for leaks includes heating or cooling pressure intensification fluid before it enters the closed hydraulic system under pressure. The closed hydraulic system may be for example a blowout preventer for an oil/gas well, a manifold system or tubulars. The intensification fluid is heated or cooled to a temperature at or near the temperature of the fluid within the closed hydraulic system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: HilFlo, LLC
    Inventors: Clifford Lee Hilpert, Jeffrey Lee Hilpert, Lewis Jackson Dutel, Laura Tufts Meyer
  • Publication number: 20140235420
    Abstract: A torque sensing device capable of measuring the force exerted by a torque arm on a lever is positioned between the torque arm and the lever. The torque arm is connected to the pinion of a planetary gearbox for rotating the bowl and screw conveyer of a decanter centrifuge at different speeds. The torque sensing device measures the torque between the pinion gear and the planetary gearbox. The sensor can be connected to a controller which can reduce the flow of the liquid/solid mixture to the decanter centrifuge thereby/reducing the torque and avoiding substantial damage to the planetary gearbox.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: HilFlo, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. Hilpert