Patents by Inventor Bill G. Louis

Bill G. Louis 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: 6513551
    Abstract: A device for arresting the propagation of a buckle appearing on an outer tube of a double-walled rigid pipe intended to transport hydrocarbons and consisting of two coaxial tubes. The double-walled pipe is of the reelable type and intended for very great depths and consists of a thick and rigid annular transverse partition fastened to the inner tube and to the outer tube. The partition is joined to the outer tube and to the inner tube by way of an outer and inner sleeve having the same diameter as the outer and inner tubes and fastened to the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Coflexip
    Inventors: Bill G. Louis, Mike Bell
  • Publication number: 20010012476
    Abstract: This device 10 for arresting the propagation of a buckle appearing on an outer tube 3 of a double-walled rigid pipe 1 intended to transport hydrocarbons and consisting of two coaxial tubes 2, 3, this pipe being of the reelable type and intended for very great depths, consists of a thick and rigid annular transverse partition 11 fastened to the inner tube 2 and to the outer tube 3. The partition 11 is joined to the outer tube 3 and to the inner tube 2 by means of an outer 12 and inner 14 sleeve having the same diameter as the said outer and inner tubes and fastened to the latter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2001
    Publication date: August 9, 2001
    Applicant: Coflexip
    Inventors: Bill G. Louis, Mike Bell
  • Patent number: 4784523
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for orienting a flowline so that it may be remotely connected to a riser connected to an offshore structure. The apparatus includes a structural guide, connected to the offshore structure, that is capable of being rotated so that the front side of the structural guide is directed toward the lead end of the flowline. The structural guide is designed in such a manner so that is is automatically rotated by the cable which is used to pull the flowline to the offshore structure when tension is applied to the cable. The lead end of the flowline is directed upwardly by a pipe guide. The pipe guide has riser guidepost recepticals that receive guideposts as they are lowered from the offshore structure by guidelines. The guidelines and guideposts direct the riser into position over the lead end of the flowline for final connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1988
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Company
    Inventors: Bill G. Louis, Ronald C. Mack
  • Patent number: 4661017
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning a component with an underwater receptacle is disclosed. The component is attached to one end of a swing arm having a hook attached to the other end. The swing arm is lowered in the water until the hook engages a pivot attached to an underwater base at a selected distance from the receptacle. Following such contact, the component is lowered in an arcuate path defined by the rotation of the swing arm about the pivot until the component is aligned with the receptacle. In another embodiment of the invention, a stop is attached to a vertical guidepost at a selected distance from the receptacle and a guidepost engaging hook pivots to lower the component into alignment with the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1987
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Co.
    Inventors: Norman H. Wood, Walter E. Gray, Charles R. Yemington, Bill G. Louis