Patents Examined by Patrick F. Brinson
  • Patent number: 11667445
    Abstract: A thread protector that has an external sleeve to protect threads disposed on a tubular member. The thread protector includes a flange disposed on a first end of the external sleeve to be engageable with an end of the tubular member. The thread protector also includes a securing apparatus extending from the flange to frictionally engage an inner side of the tubular member to maintain the thread protector's engagement with the tubular member, the securing apparatus including a magnet that increases the force of the frictional engagement of the securing apparatus with the inner side of the tubular member. The securing apparatus can also extend from the flange to frictionally engage an inner side of the tubular member to maintain the thread protector's engagement with the tubular member, the securing apparatus rotatable relative to the external sleeve. A method of protecting pin threads of pin ends of tubular members by installing a thread protector on an end of a tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Tweedy's Speed Protectors, LLC
    Inventor: Neil E. Tweedy
  • Patent number: 11662118
    Abstract: Provided are a flexible insulated air duct and a modular flexible insulated air-duct system; the flexible insulated air duct includes an air-duct main body (1); the air-duct main body (1) includes an inner air-duct layer (5) and a heat-insulating layer (4) integrally formed on the inner air-duct layer (5); the inner air-duct layer (5) is arranged inside the heat-insulating layer (4), and the heat-insulating layer (4) is a rubber/plastic material. The modular flexible insulated air-duct system made by assembling a main air duct (7), a branched air duct (8), and a connecting air duct (9) may be rapidly connected on-site using a zip fastener to form an air-duct system having any configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: DURKEESOX (WUHAN) AIR DISPERSION SYSTEM CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Biao Lu, Ze Du
  • Patent number: 11644155
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an auxiliary system for starting or restarting the flow of gelled fluid contained in a pipeline (12) wherein the system comprises: at least one relief tank (13) fluidly connected (11) to the pipeline (12), wherein at least one relief tank (13) is suitable for receiving fluid from the pipeline (12); and at least one pressurising element upstream of at least one tank, suitable for pressurising the fluid in the pipeline (12), Additionally, the invention also provides an auxiliary method for starting or restarting the flow of gelled fluid in a pipeline (12) comprising at least one tank fluidly connected (11) to the pipeline (12) and at least one pressurising element upstream of at least one tank, wherein the method comprises the step of, at the start of the process, the pressurising element increasing the pressure in the pipeline (12) and filling at least one tank at least partially with fluid coming from the pipeline (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignees: PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO S.A,—PETROBRAS, UNIVERSIDADE TECNOLOGICA FEDERAL DO PARANA
    Inventors: Guilherme Dos Santos Vieira Lima, Cezar Otaviano Ribeiro Negrao, Eduardo Martinez Barreira, Nezia De Rosso, Paulo Henrique De Carvalho, Fernando Machado Kroetz
  • Patent number: 11639766
    Abstract: Provided is a patch for a fluid line, a system employing a fluid line, and a method for sealing a fluid line. The fluid line, in one aspect, includes a tubular, and a sleeve of expandable metal positioned about the tubular, the sleeve of expandable metal comprising a metal configured to expand in response to hydrolysis and thereby seal a leaking section of a fluid line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Linley Fripp, Shanu Thottungal Eldho
  • Patent number: 11635157
    Abstract: A nonmetallic flexible pipe and a manufacturing method thereof. The nonmetallic flexible pipe comprises, from the inside to the outside, an inner liner, a pressure bearing layer, an isolation layer, a tensile layer, a functional layer, and a protective layer, wherein two adjacent layers are non-rigidly bonded. The inner liner layer is made from a thermoplastic polymer. The pressure bearing layer is made from a fiber-reinforced resin-based composite material. The isolation layer is made from a thermoplastic polymer. The tensile layer is made from a resin-reinforced fiber material. At least one of an optical fiber, a cable, a tracing ribbon, a pipe for conveying a heat transfer medium, a pressure sensor, and a temperature sensor is provided in the functional layer. The protective layer is made from a thermoplastic polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignees: CHINA MERCHANTS HEAVY INDUSTRY (JIANGSU) CO., LTD., China University of Petroleum-Beijing
    Inventors: Lixin Xu, Chuanbo Cong, Hui Cao, Xiaoyu Meng, Qinjing Guo, Qiong Zhou
  • Patent number: 11629800
    Abstract: A double pipe includes an outer pipe in which an inner pipe is placed, and a spacer that maintains a clearance between the inner pipe and the outer pipe. At least a part of the spacer is press-fitted by an inner circumferential surface of the outer pipe and an outer circumferential surface of the inner pipe. More specifically, the outer pipe includes a diameter-reduced portion having undergone diameter reduction by plasticity processing. An inner circumferential surface of the diameter-reduced portion is present across the entire circumference other than the opening of the spacer, and presses an outer circumferential surface of the spacer inwardly in the radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: YUTAKA GIKEN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Yamamoto, Takashi Wagatsuma, Ryoji Noda
  • Patent number: 11619247
    Abstract: Disclosed fluid flow modifying devices are useful with flexible fluid flow conduits. Such devices are adapted for mitigating adverse flow considerations arising from one or more bends in flexible fluid flow conduits. These adverse flow considerations are generally characterized as enhanced laminar flow and associated increased backpressure arising from reduced flow velocity caused by the one or more bends. Beneficially, disclosed fluid flow modifying devices cause flow of flowable material (e.g., a liquid) within a flow passage of a fluid flow conduit to have a rotational flow profile. Such a rotational flow profile advantageously reduces frictional losses associated with laminar flow and with directional change of fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Vortex Pipe Systems LLC
    Inventors: Paul Wayne Schmidt, Avijit Ghosh
  • Patent number: 11618066
    Abstract: A hot and cold composite formed square and rectangular steel tube and a production method for the same are provided. The radius of an outer corner of the square and rectangular steel tube meets the following conditions: when t is less than or equal to 6 mm, R is greater than 0 and less than 2.0 t; when t is greater than 6 mm and less than or equal to 10 mm, R is greater than 0 and less than 2.5 t; when t is greater than 10 mm, R is greater than 0 and less than 3.0 t, wherein t is the wall thickness of a straight tube part of the square and rectangular steel tube; R is the radius of each of the outer corners of the four corners of the square and rectangular steel tube; and the wall thickness of each corner of the square and rectangular steel tube is between 1.0 t and 1.8 t.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Sino Institute of Precise Tubes Industry (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jingtao Han, Haifeng Xu, Yu Wang
  • Patent number: 11619424
    Abstract: A geothermal heat containment barrier operable to be manipulated through an opening of a vault by at least partially folding the geothermal heat containment barrier, and positioned substantially horizontally against walls of the vault to reduce heat transfer through the barrier is provided. The barrier includes a central insulating core, a flexible outer frame, and an outer sealing trim. The central insulating core includes top and bottom outer surfaces and a perimeter edge. The central insulating core includes and/or contains an insulating material. The flexible outer frame has a shape memory and includes at least one flexible component having ends together such that the flexible outer frame is continuous and closed. The outer sealing trim is attached to the top and bottom outer surfaces and wraps around the perimeter edge of the central insulating core. The outer sealing trim is operable to press against the wall of the vault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: PDQ MAZOO, LLC
    Inventors: Tony Abfall, Richard Mazursky, Marvin Barsky
  • Patent number: 11614183
    Abstract: A hose assembly includes a hose defining an internal fluid passage and an exterior surface, an end connection attached to a first end of the hose, an insulation material wrapped onto the exterior surface of the hose, a cover installed over the insulation material, and an elastomeric sleeve extending over and in compressive engagement with at least a portion of the end connection and the cover. The insulation material, the cover, and the elastomeric sleeve are each rated for continuous use at a temperature of at least about 135° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Swagelok Company
    Inventor: Daniel Gutmann
  • Patent number: 11607756
    Abstract: A pneumatic motor propulsion source including a friction welding apparatus, a gas accumulator tank operably coupled to the friction welding apparatus, and an air compressor operably coupled to the gas accumulator tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Forge Tech Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Lee Miller, Daniel J. Rybicki, Mathew A. Rybicki, Lawrence J. Povse, Kenneth R. Vejr, Andre S. Todd, John M. Griffin
  • Patent number: 11608940
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a Polymer Thermal Expansion Based Passive Thermal Diode (PTE-PTD) that includes layers and is configured to provide passive heating and cooling of a pipeline. A polyurethane (PU) layer is provided that is configured to contact at least an upper portion along a length of a pipe. A polyethylene terephthalate (PET) layer is provided that is configured to surround the PU layer and the length of the pipe. A graphene layer is provided that is configured to surround an epoxy layer. An epoxy shell is provided that is configured to surround the graphene layer. An air gap on a first side of the PTE-PTD is provided. The air gap is formed by a void in the PET layer and is configured to provide additional air space between the PET layer and the PU layer. The air gap provides an upward movement of the PET layer using opposite forces of alternate sides of the PET layer. The PTE-PTD is installed on the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Thibault Tarik Villette, Guillaume Robert Jean-Francois Raynel
  • Patent number: 11608915
    Abstract: A hose which automatically expands longitudinally and automatically expands laterally upon the application of a pressurized liquid is disclosed. The hose can automatically expand longitudinally up to six times its unexpanded or contracted length. Upon release of the pressurized liquid within the hose, the hose will automatically contract to a contracted condition. The hose includes an inner tube made from an elastic material and an outer tube made from a non-elastic material. The inner tube is positioned concentrically within the outer tube in both a contracted condition and an expanded condition. The outer tube is secured to the inner tube only at a first end of the inner and outer tubes and at a second end of the inner and outer tubes. The outer tube moves laterally and longitudinally with respect to the inner tube when the tubes are transitioning between a contracted condition and an expanded condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Telebrands Corp.
    Inventor: Michael J. Berardi
  • Patent number: 11596838
    Abstract: A rope edge protection system having a rope protection mat and an edge protection mat in combination for the protection of rope. The rope protection mat is a generally rectangular sheet that can be secured in a sleeve-like configuration around a climbing rope and move along the rope with the user. The edge protection mat is a generally rectangular sheet with loops on each corner, but not limited to the corners, to secure the sheet in place against a building or other structure. The edge protection mat is a multi-layer sheet with a high loft layer to decrease the bend radius of the rope across a ledge. Both the rope protection mat and the edge protection mat include visual safety indicators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Ratigan, Edward Ratigan
  • Patent number: 11598473
    Abstract: A cured-in-place pipe rehabilitation device launcher having a launcher assembly and a liner assist chamber, the launcher assembly includes a nozzle, an air feed chamber above the nozzle to pressurize a cured-in-place liner to aid in urging it into a pipe to be rehabilitated, and an attachment plate is disposed above the adapter. The liner assist chamber includes a base plate to attach to the attachment plate, a liner assist frame coupled to the base plate, a plurality of rollers rotationally attached to the liner assist frame, and a motor operably attached to at least one of the plurality of rollers and configured to aid in urging the cured-in-place liner into the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Pipe Restoration LLC
    Inventors: Richard Andrew Fast, Christopher Mark Finnell
  • Patent number: 11592125
    Abstract: A flexible pipe for subsea transportation of production fluids, a method of manufacturing flexible pipe body and a method of providing corrosion protection to armour wires of at least one tensile armour layer of a flexible pipe having a breached pipe annulus are disclosed. The flexible pipe comprises a fluid retaining layer, an outer sheath and at least one tensile armour layer comprising a plurality of helically wound monofilament armour wires of a first material, each having a non-circular cross section with an aspect ratio of greater than 1:2 disposed between the fluid retaining layer and the outer sheath. The tensile armour layer further comprises at least one helically wound elongate anode element substantially having a cross-section aspect ratio of 1:1 and comprising a further material, interposed between armour wires, the anode element cross section having an area that is 50% or less of a corresponding area of said non-circular cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Energy Technology UK Limited
    Inventor: Peter Francis Richard Collins
  • Patent number: 11592117
    Abstract: In some implementations, an apparatus comprises a pipe, a stud that is forge-welded to the pipe, creating a forge-welded stud, a bracket that is operably coupled to the forge-welded stud, and a ladder support operably coupled to the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Forge Tech, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Lee Miller, Daniel J. Rybicki, Mathew A. Rybicki, Lawrence J. Povse, Kenneth R. Vejr, Andre S. Todd, John M. Griffin
  • Patent number: 11592041
    Abstract: A fairing, in the form of a contoured restriction, submerged on a fluid channel surface of a fluid channel through which liquid flows, re-distributes velocity fields and flow geometries upstream and in some embodiments downstream of a discontinuity, thereby preventing flow separation, reducing cavitation potential and increasing flow capacity. Such discontinuities include, but are not limited to: joints, for example elbow joints, T-joints and Y-joints; valve-trims; entrance regions to centrifugal pumps; and entrance regions to rotary valves, steps, reductions, expansions and ledges. The fairing may be fitted into the channel or integrally fabricated with the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Artisan Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Tavilla, David Hudson, Thomas Gibbons, Ute Meissner
  • Patent number: 11585466
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for passing pipes or cables through an opening in a building. Said device comprises a sleeve-like housing that has an axial passage channel that is open at its opposite ends; bristles that are mounted on the walls of the passage channel in such a way that they are opposite each other and that are extended inwards in such a way that they mesh with one another in order to close the passage channel; and flexible strips of material that are mounted in the passage channel and that are coated with an intumescent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Mario Paetow, Christian Förg, Rudolf Semler, Thomas Monden
  • Patent number: 11583901
    Abstract: An appliance and a method for removing deposits from interiors of receptacles or facilities by way of explosion technology. The appliance includes a supply device for providing an explosive mixture or its starting components, as well as a transport conduit that is connected to the supply device and serves for transporting explosive mixture to a cleaning location. The transport conduit is designed at least in sections as a transport hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: BANG & CLEAN GMBH
    Inventor: Markus Bürgin