Patents by Inventor Bill D. Andrew

Bill D. Andrew has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6550514
    Abstract: An indexer system for a plastic pipe butt-fusion machine of the type having a machine super-structure, parallel horizontal support shafts affixed to the super-structure, a first clamp system for removably grasping an end portion of a first length of plastic pipe, a second clamp system for removably grasping an end portion of a second length of plastic pipe and an actuator system for moving the plastic pipes toward and away from each other, the indexing system having an indexer shaft mounted on the super-structure spaced from and parallel to the support shafts, an indexer carriage slidable on the indexer shaft, a facer and a heater pivotally secured to the indexer carriage, a translation mechanism for laterally positioning the indexer carriage to thereby locate the facer and heater between lengths of plastic pipe and a structural beam secured to the super-structure and parallel to the indexer shaft, the indexer carriage being slidably secured to the structural beam so that it is retained in predetermined orien
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Connectra Fusion Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Bill D. Andrew
  • Patent number: 5612499
    Abstract: A method of inserting a sensor into a pipeline including the steps of securing a fitting onto the pipeline, tapping an opening in the pipeline through the fitting, installing a housing on the fitting, the housing having a nipple extending at an angle to the pipeline, attaching a sensor insertion assembly to the nipple, the insertion assembly having a launch tube movable axially between the insertion assembly and the pipeline, extending the launch tube from the insertion assembly and through the pipeline opening into the pipeline, the launch tube intersecting the pipeline at an acute angle and providing communication between the sensor insertion assembly and the interior of the pipeline, and passing a sensor from the insertion assembly and through the launch tube into the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: TDW Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: Bill D. Andrew, Edward W. Levy
  • Patent number: 5531250
    Abstract: An apparatus for plugging the interior of a pipe that is penetrated by an axis opening including an upright tubular plugger housing attachable at its lower end to have communication with the interior of the pipe through the opening. An elongated vertical cylindrical control bar is provided with a plugger at its lower end, the plugger being positioned through the opening into the interior of the pipe to close against further flow of fluid through the pipe. A jack is affixed to the plugger housing upper end and telescopically receives the control bar, the jack being pivotally affixed to the housing so that the control bar, having a plugger on the lower end thereof, can be pivoted relative to the housing and thereby relative to the pipe for proper positioning of the plugger in the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: TDW Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric N. Freeman, David L. Blevins, Gene R. Ralls, Bill D. Andrew, Buddy A. Wilson, Coy D. Osburn
  • Patent number: 5439331
    Abstract: An apparatus for tapping an opening into an existing pipeline that is under internal pressure including an elongated tapping machine body having means on one end for attachment to a pipeline, a boring bar having a rotatable feed screw therein by which the boring bar is axially positioned, and a pressure responsive valve actuated by differential pressure between the interior of a pipeline and the interior of the tapping machine body to control hydraulic pressure inside the tapping machine body to thereby counterbalance the hydraulic force applied to the boring bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: TDW Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: Bill D. Andrew, William D. Duwe, Michael L. Wilson