Patents Assigned to MARKWEST ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.
  • Patent number: 10655774
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a pig ramp for receiving and supporting a pig in a pig receiver includes a frame portion having an inner diameter, the inner diameter of the ring being larger than an outer diameter of a pig. The pig ramp also includes one or more ramp segments extending longitudinally away from the frame portion, the one or more ramp segments being coupled to a back side of the frame portion at a lower portion and positioned to receive and support the pig when positioned thereon to elevate the pig above a bottom of a tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: MARKWEST ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.
    Inventors: Danny Lee Dray, Bryan Anthony Crowe, David Abraham Fitch, William Lee Sprowls, John Charles Mollenkopf, Dustin Michael Howell
  • Patent number: 10486946
    Abstract: Embodiments of a heavy compressor valve removal tool to remove and lift heavy compressor valves and associated methods are provided. An embodiment of a heavy-compressor valve removal tool can include one or more valve interfacing surfaces to position along, interface with, and abuttingly contact a plurality of outer surfaces when positioned around a perimeter of a compressor valve. The tool also can include one or more reinforcing arms connected to the one or more valve interfacing surfaces to reinforce the one or more valve interfacing surfaces when lifting the heavy compressor valve and one or more tool lifting arms connected to the one or more reinforcing arms to lift the heavy compressor valve from a designated position when the tool is positioned around a perimeter of the heavy compressor valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: MARKWEST ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.
    Inventor: Ernie Wells
  • Patent number: 10408377
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a pig ramp for receiving and supporting a pig in a pig receiver includes a frame portion having an inner diameter, the inner diameter of the ring being larger than an outer diameter of a pig. The pig ramp also includes one or more ramp segments extending longitudinally away from the frame portion, the one or more ramp segments being coupled to a back side of the frame portion at a lower portion and positioned to receive and support the pig when positioned thereon to elevate the pig above a bottom of a tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Markwest Energy Partners, L.P.
    Inventors: Danny Lee Dray, Bryan Anthony Crowe, David Abraham Fitch, William Lee Sprowls, John Charles Mollenkopf, Dustin Michael Howell
  • Patent number: 10247643
    Abstract: System, method, and apparatus embodiments characterize potential air emissions during the pig receiver depressurization. The mass flow rate, pressure, and temperature of exhaust gas released from the pig receiver are ascertained using a mass flow meter, pressure gauge, and temperature gauge, respectively. A flow meter and control valve regulate flow of exhaust gas through a sampling line and into a grab sample collection train. The grab sample collection train includes grab sample containers (e.g., piston cylinders, double-ended cylinders, and evacuated canisters) that collect exhaust gas samples over a range of pressures. The exhaust gas samples are used to determine the concentrations of gas components in the exhaust gas over the range of pressures. These concentrations are interpolated and/or extrapolated to provide a concentration versus pressure curve for each identified component in the exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: MARKWEST ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.
    Inventor: David Johnsen
  • Patent number: 10197206
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a pig ramp for receiving and supporting a pig in a pig receiver includes a frame portion having an inner diameter, the inner diameter of the ring being larger than an outer diameter of a pig. The pig ramp also includes one or more ramp segments extending longitudinally away from the frame portion, the one or more ramp segments being coupled to a back side of the frame portion at a lower portion and positioned to receive and support the pig when positioned thereon to elevate the pig above a bottom of a tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: MARKWEST ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.
    Inventors: Danny Lee Dray, Bryan Anthony Crowe, David Abraham Fitch, William Lee Sprowls, John Charles Mollenkopf, Dustin Michael Howell
  • Patent number: 10196243
    Abstract: Embodiments of a heavy compressor valve removal tool to remove and lift heavy compressor valves and associated methods are provided. An embodiment of a heavy-compressor valve removal tool can include one or more valve interfacing surfaces to position along, interface with, and abuttingly contact a plurality of outer surfaces when positioned around a perimeter of a compressor valve. The tool also can include one or more reinforcing arms connected to the one or more valve interfacing surfaces to reinforce the one or more valve interfacing surfaces when lifting the heavy compressor valve and one or more tool lifting arms connected to the one or more reinforcing arms to lift the heavy compressor valve from a designated position when the tool is positioned around a perimeter of the heavy compressor valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: MarkWest Energy Partners, L.P.
    Inventor: Ernie Wells
  • Patent number: 10168255
    Abstract: System, method, and apparatus embodiments characterize potential air emissions during the pig receiver depressurization. The mass flow rate, pressure, and temperature of exhaust gas released from the pig receiver are ascertained using a mass flow meter, pressure gauge, and temperature gauge, respectively. A flow meter and control valve regulate flow of exhaust gas through a sampling line and into a grab sample collection train. The grab sample collection train includes grab sample containers (e.g., piston cylinders, double-ended cylinders, and evacuated canisters) that collect exhaust gas samples over a range of pressures. The exhaust gas samples are used to determine the concentrations of gas components in the exhaust gas over the range of pressures. These concentrations are interpolated and/or extrapolated to provide a concentration versus pressure curve for each identified component in the exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: MARKWEST ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.
    Inventor: David Johnsen
  • Patent number: 10094508
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a pig ramp for receiving and supporting a pig in a pig receiver includes a frame portion having an inner diameter, the inner diameter of the ring being larger than an outer diameter of a pig. The pig ramp also includes one or more ramp segments extending longitudinally away from the frame portion, the one or more ramp segments being coupled to a back side of the frame portion at a lower portion and positioned to receive and support the pig when positioned thereon to elevate the pig above a bottom of a tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: MarkWest Energy Partners, L.P.
    Inventors: Danny Lee Dray, Bryan Anthony Crowe, David Abraham Fitch, William Lee Sprowls, John Charles Mollenkopf, Dustin Michael Howell
  • Patent number: 10024768
    Abstract: System, method, and apparatus embodiments characterize potential air emissions during the pig receiver depressurization. The mass flow rate, pressure, and temperature of exhaust gas released from the pig receiver are ascertained using a mass flow meter, pressure gauge, and temperature gauge, respectively. A flow meter and control valve regulate flow of exhaust gas through a sampling line and into a grab sample collection train. The grab sample collection train includes grab sample containers (e.g., piston cylinders, double-ended cylinders, and evacuated canisters) that collect exhaust gas samples over a range of pressures. The exhaust gas samples are used to determine the concentrations of gas components in the exhaust gas over the range of pressures. These concentrations are interpolated and/or extrapolated to provide a concentration versus pressure curve for each identified component in the exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: MarkWest Energy Partners, L.P.
    Inventor: David Johnsen
  • Patent number: 10012340
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a pig ramp for receiving and supporting a pig in a pig receiver includes a frame portion having an inner diameter, the inner diameter of the ring being larger than an outer diameter of a pig. The pig ramp also includes one or more ramp segments extending longitudinally away from the frame portion, the one or more ramp segments being coupled to a back side of the frame portion at a lower portion and positioned to receive and support the pig when positioned thereon to elevate the pig above a bottom of a tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: MarkWest Energy Partners, L.P.
    Inventors: Danny Lee Dray, Bryan Anthony Crowe, David Abraham Fitch, William Lee Sprowls, John Charles Mollenkopf, Dustin Michael Howell
  • Patent number: 10001240
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a pig ramp for receiving and supporting a pig in a pig receiver includes a frame portion having an inner diameter, the inner diameter of the ring being larger than an outer diameter of a pig. The pig ramp also includes one or more ramp segments extending longitudinally away from the frame portion, the one or more ramp segments being coupled to a back side of the frame portion at a lower portion and positioned to receive and support the pig when positioned thereon to elevate the pig above a bottom of a tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: MARKWEST ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.
    Inventors: Danny Lee Dray, Bryan Anthony Crowe, David Abraham Fitch, William Lee Sprowls, John Charles Mollenkopf, Dustin Michael Howell