Patents Examined by James F Hook
  • Patent number: 11841105
    Abstract: A motorized apparatus includes a body assembly and a maintenance device mounted to the body assembly. The maintenance device is configured to perform a service operation on a surface. The maintenance device extends from the body assembly at an angle. The motorized apparatus also includes a plurality of leg assemblies coupled to the body assembly and configured to support the body assembly and the maintenance device at a distance from the surface. The motorized apparatus further includes at least one actuator assembly coupled to the plurality of leg assemblies and configured to independently actuate each leg assembly of the plurality of leg assemblies. The at least one actuator assembly is configured to receive instructions related to a position of the maintenance device and actuate the plurality of leg assemblies to adjust an orientation of the body assembly and the maintenance device relative to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alexander Kyle Duncan, Todd William Danko
  • Patent number: 11841095
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a telescopic hose and the process technology thereof. The telescopic hose comprises an elastic support member that can be configured to conduct strong electricity; the support member comprises a first wire and a second wire, and the first wire and the second wire are arranged in a double helix structure in cooperation with each other; a hose wall that is wrapped around the outer side of the support member, and at least part of the hose wall between the first wire and the second wire forms a corrugated portion. Through the setting of the above structures, the hose can not only conduct strong electricity, but also stretch back and forth and turn at any angle. In addition, the hose structure is relatively simple, the amount of gas and liquid passing per unit time is larger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Jinhua Chunguang Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Zhengming Chen
  • Patent number: 11835169
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present technology may encompass pipe insulation systems. The insulation systems may include an insulation member having an inner surface and an outer surface. The insulation systems may include a protective cladding having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The interior surface of the protective cladding may be disposed about the outer surface of the insulation member. The interior surface of the protective cladding may include an embossed texture formed from a plurality of protruding features and a plurality of recessed features. The plurality of protruding features may extend at least 1 mm beyond the plurality of recessed features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventors: Marybeth Jones, Ames Kulprathipanja
  • Patent number: 11835157
    Abstract: An extensible-retractable helically reinforced hose is formed by helically wrapping a freshly extruded bead of thermoplastic material about a rotating mandrel to form a helical array of spaced reinforcing coils, and by helically wrapping a freshly extruded thin yet wide web of thermoplastic material so edge regions of the wide web are placed onto and bond continuously with the peripheries of each adjacent pair of the reinforcing coils, with a leading edge region of each new wrap of the web overlying and bonding to a trailing edge region of a prior web wrap. Central portions of each web wrap extend radially inwardly and are sandwiched between adjacent reinforcing coils when the hose is retracted to a minimal axial length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: GLOBALMED, INC.
    Inventors: Martin E Forrester, Carl J Garrett
  • Patent number: 11828399
    Abstract: Methods of sealing tubulars are disclosed herein, which methods may include: providing a patch plug assembly that includes: a shaft; a wedge coupled to the shaft; a slip coupled to the shaft; a plug slidably coupled to the wedge; and a ferrule disposed between the wedge and the plug; pushing the slip against the tubular; pushing the plug against the ferrule after the slip is pushed against the tubular; pushing the ferrule against the wedge after the plug is pushed against the ferrule; and pushing a plug portion of the plug against an inner surface of the tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Inventors: Glenn Mitchel Walls, Robert Bradley Cook, Daniel Teen, Paul James Wilson
  • Patent number: 11828400
    Abstract: A pipe rehabilitation system and/or robot can be used inside a pipe to measure characteristics of branch conduits, install plugs into branch conduits before the pipe is lined with a liner, remove portions of plugs and liners after lining to restore fluid communication between the pipe and branch conduits, and/or install fittings into the branch conduits to connect the liner to the branch conduits. A probe can measure characteristics of a branch conduit. A tool can install plugs and/or fittings into the branch conduits. A linkage can connect a tool to a robotic tractor so that the connected elements can navigate through a main pipe. A visualization system can aid in aligning a robot with a branch conduit. Height-adjustable braces can support robotic tools in a pipe. A plug can include integrated locating features and/or movable parts that enable expanding the plug to seal with the branch conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: INA Acquisition Corp.
    Inventors: Rick Baxter, Robert Kodadek, Hermann Herrlich, Steven McKeefrey, John Webster
  • Patent number: 11828398
    Abstract: A device for inserting a pipe into an elongated cavity, comprising at least two pipe grippers which can be moved along a curved path and which are arranged and designed in such a way that they grip around the pipe at least in sections and, in the gripped state, they move curved at least for a portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: TRACTO-TECHNIK Gmbh & Co. KG
    Inventors: Elmar Koch, Martin Köper, Lucas Jostes, Stefan Hermes
  • Patent number: 11827484
    Abstract: A cured-in-place-pipe (CIPP) end cap internal roller apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus can include a housing having an opening, wherein the housing can further include an interior space. In addition, the apparatus can include a roller assembly, wherein the roller assembly is at least partially disposed within the interior space of the housing and at least partially disposed through the opening of the housing. Further, the apparatus may include a grommet seal coupled to an upper region or side region of the housing, wherein the seal includes an opening. Further, the opening of the grommet seal may be at least partially aligned with the roller assembly. The roller assembly may further include a plurality of rollers or rotatable members secured between a first bracket and a second bracket, wherein the first bracket and second bracket each include an at least partial arcuate configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Omega Liner Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Homrighaus
  • Patent number: 11808398
    Abstract: A pipe for transporting gas, notably carbon dioxide, includes at least one tubular element, tubular element consisting of a juxtaposition of concentric layers including, from inside to outside, at least one sealing layer, a wall including a prestressed concrete layer and at least one circumferential mechanical reinforcement layer. Furthermore, the concrete making up prestressed concrete layer is selected from among the ultra-high performance fibre-reinforced concretes (UHPFRC).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: IFP Energies nouvelles
    Inventor: Vivien Esnault
  • Patent number: 11802650
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to duct liner insulation products for curvilinear ducts, and more specifically relates to methods and materials to universally fit duct liner insulation for lining oval ducts in air conditioning, heating, and ventilating (HVAC) systems. A duct liner insulation for a curvilinear duct is provided that includes an insulation layer configured to line an interior surface of a curvilinear duct when installed within the curvilinear duct. The duct liner insulation also includes an elastically deformable layer configured to compress the insulation layer against the interior surface of the curvilinear duct when installed within the curvilinear duct such that the insulation layer extends substantially uniformly around an inner periphery of the curvilinear duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventors: Thomas John Fellinger, Michaela Roxane Roy, Ames Kulprathipanja, Brennan Hall
  • Patent number: 11796116
    Abstract: A system for use in maintaining a pipe having a sidewall is provided. The system includes a motorized apparatus sized to fit within the pipe and configured to travel along the pipe through an interior cavity. The motorized apparatus includes a plurality of leg assemblies coupled circumferentially around a body assembly. The body assembly includes an actuator assembly coupled to each leg assembly and configured to independently actuate each leg assembly to adjust a position of each leg assembly. The body assembly also includes at least one sensor configured to collect information associated with the position of each leg assembly. The body assembly also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the motorized apparatus and configured to receive the information from the sensor, and to determine at least one of a pipe diameter and a pitch of the motorized apparatus based on the information from the at least one sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Alexander Kyle Duncan, Todd William Danko, Justin Foehner, Yakov Polishchuk, Douglas R. Forman
  • Patent number: 11796114
    Abstract: A pipeline isolation tool [10] and method of its use includes a plugging head [20] having a seal [30] to sealably engage a pipe wall; a fluid-activated cylinder [64] located on one side of the seal and moveable in an axial direction; metal support segments [40] located on another side of the seal and moveable in a transverse direction radially outward and inward; the metal segments including a concave portion [45], a portion [35] of the seal residing within the concave portion when unset and set. When in a seal unset position a portion [33] of the seal is covered by adjacent metal support segments of the plurality. When in a seal set position the portion of the seal is exposed between the adjacent metal support segments. The seal is self-energizing, its actuating force being in a same direction as a force from isolation pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: TDW Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas H. McKone, Cody A. Parsley, Keelan J. Prewett
  • Patent number: 11796118
    Abstract: A vacuum-insulated line (200) has an inner and an outer corrugated hose (101, 102) which are separated from one another by an evacuated intermediate space (103). One of the corrugated hoses is encased with a wound hose (201). The wound hose (201) prevents the line (200) from becoming elongated when it is charged with pressure during the transport of a medium. The wound hose (201) furthermore protects the line against external mechanical loads or damage. The wound hose simultaneously protects the corrugated hoses against excessive bending.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: NEXANS
    Inventors: Holger Schulz, Jurgen Essler
  • Patent number: 11788664
    Abstract: An intelligent maintenance and repair robot for small diameter and small flow oil and gas pipelines, including a frame, a speed control mechanism, a braking mechanism, an anchoring mechanism, and a sealing mechanism; the speed control mechanism is composed of a motor, rotor, etc; the braking mechanism is composed of a braking rubber cylinder and a first extrusion ring; the anchoring mechanism is composed of a rubber conical cylinder, slips, etc; and the sealing mechanism is composed of a sealing rubber cylinder and a second extrusion ring. The second extrusion ring is driven by a hydraulic rod to press the sealing rubber cylinder, causing it to expand and block the pipe wall to achieve sealing. The intelligent maintenance and repair robot inside the pipeline has the characteristics of good speed control response, wide speed range, strong ability to pass bends, stable braking process, and high sealing reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Southwest Petroleum University
    Inventors: Yang Tang, Wudi Zhang, Shouhong Ji, Jinzhong Wang, Mingbo Wang, Chenglin Wang, Qiang Wang, Guorong Wang, Li Gu, Wei Zhang, Junkai Zhu
  • Patent number: 11788763
    Abstract: Example air duct assemblies include a pliable air duct supported such that the duct is maintained in a generally expanded shape even when the duct is deflated. In some examples, a series of hangers suspend the duct from one or more cables, tracks or other type of overhead support. The hangers are spaced apart and distributed over the length of the duct, and each one contributes in pulling the duct taut in the duct's longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: RITE-HITE HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cary Pinkalla, Jeff Logic, Kevin J. Gebke, Nicholas L. Kaufmann
  • Patent number: 11781681
    Abstract: A containment sleeve for use with a pressurized piping system including a pliable fabric sheet having first and second opposing longitudinal edges, first and second opposing transverse edges, and first and second opposing major surfaces respectively defining an interior and exterior surfaces. At least one pleat extends between the first and second transverse edges, the pleat being in a normally closed position to define the interior surface with a first surface area. The sheet of pliable fabric to secure about a portion of a pressurized piping system with the interior major surface facing the pipe so as to form a sleeve having an initial interior volume there about. In response to a rupture of the pressurized piping system within the interior volume, the pleat to expand to an open position to expand the interior surface to a second surface area to increase the interior volume from the initial volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignees: Suburban Manufacturing, Inc., Concrete Pumping Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Sharon Saukkola, Randall Brolander, Dustin Ericson, Bradley Barger
  • Patent number: 11781934
    Abstract: A sealing device is provided for use with a fitting. The fitting has circular port and a flow path with a longitudinal axis. A circular port encircles a portion of the flow path opposite the port with the sealing device inserted into the port. The sealing device has a circular top with two opposing surfaces depending therefrom but inclined so the surfaces are closer at the top. A continuous sidewall joins the periphery of the two surfaces. The opposing surfaces are inclined and spaced apart further at the top than at an end opposite the top. A cylindrical hole through the opposing surfaces encircles the flow path during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: RELIANCE WORLDWIDE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dennis L. Hart, Cristobal Gonzalez, Virgil E. O'Neil, Jeffrey A. Jaramillo, Larry D. Brown
  • Patent number: 11745240
    Abstract: A double-walled tube section for constructing a double-walled tube segment suitable for underpressure applications such as an evacuated tube transport system including elongated curved outer shell parts, interlayer shell parts and an inner wall. The elongated curved outer shell parts form the outer wall of the double-walled tube segment. The interlayer shell parts are of thin sheet and include a rectanqular portion having short edges and long edges and a flange on at least one of the short edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: TATA STEEL NEDERLAND TECHNOLOGY B.V.
    Inventor: Tessa Virginia Van Kol
  • Patent number: 11739879
    Abstract: An assembly to plug a leak in a flowline includes a plug configured to plug the leak in the flowline, which includes a circumferential surface and a longitudinal axis. A plug insertion subassembly supports the plug. The plug insertion subassembly can move the plug between the circumferential surface and the longitudinal axis of the flowline. An axial positioning subassembly supports the plug insertion subassembly. The axial positioning subassembly can move the plug insertion subassembly along the longitudinal axis of the flowline. A chain-operated rotational positioning subassembly supports the axial positioning subassembly. The rotational positioning subassembly can be attached to the flowline with the leak. The rotational positioning subassembly is movable and can move the axial positioning subassembly on the circumferential surface of the flowline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Ayedh Meshref Alshehri
  • Patent number: 11739775
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an expanding and radiative flow mechanism. The mechanism has a bottom surface. The bottom surface is provided with a fluid supply port. The bottom surface of the mechanism and a surface of a to-be-adsorbed object form a gap during use. A fluid flows out from the fluid supply port, enters the gap and flows out along the gap. The gap is an expanding gap and meets the following: a radial length exists with the fluid supply port as an initial point of the flow, and a height of the gap continuously increases in an outward radial direction within this length. With improvements to a parallel radiative flow mechanism, the mechanism of the present disclosure can effectively increase an absorption force of a radiative flow, which is conducive to subsequent applications thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Xin Li, Xubo Yu