Patents by Inventor Brian L. Rice
Brian L. Rice 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).
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Patent number: 8141592Abstract: A system and method of repairing a pipe including securing a reinforcing material, such as a dry fiber structure (e.g., a carbon fibers) to the surface of the pipe. A polymeric material is placed on top of the reinforcing material, self-penetrating the dry fiber structure. The polymeric material substantially saturates the reinforcing material and cures to form a reinforced polymeric composite which may increase or restore the pressure rating or operating pressure capacity of the pipe. Optionally, an outer containment component, such as a sleeve, shell, box, wall, outer pipe, and so on, may be installed around the reinforcing material prior to introduction of the polymeric material. In this case, the polymeric material may be placed (i.e., poured) into the interior of the containment component on top of the reinforcing material.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2004Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Brian L. Rice
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Patent number: 7673654Abstract: A system and method of repairing a pipe including securing a reinforcing material, such as a dry fiber structure (e.g., a carbon fibers) to the surface of the pipe. A polymeric material is placed on top of the reinforcing material, self-penetrating the dry fiber structure. The polymeric material substantially saturates the reinforcing material and cures to form a reinforced polymeric composite which may increase or restore the pressure rating or operating pressure capacity of the pipe. Optionally, an outer containment component, such as a sleeve, shell, box, wall, outer pipe, and so on, may be installed around the reinforcing material prior to introduction of the polymeric material. In this case, the polymeric material may be placed (i.e., poured) into the interior of the containment component on top of the reinforcing material.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2008Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Brian L. Rice
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Patent number: 7500494Abstract: A system and method of reinforcing a portion of a pipe, including applying a fiber structure to the portion of the pipe to be reinforced, and pressurizing resin through the fiber structure to the portion of the pipe to substantially saturate the fiber structure with resin, wherein the resin comprises a viscosity of less than about 10,000 cP and a surface tension of less than about 30 dynes. The resin is permitted to cure under ambient conditions at a peak exotherm of greater than about 200° F., wherein the cured resin comprises a glass transition temperature of greater than about 150° F. and a heat distortion temperature of greater than about 150° F. Pressurizing the resin may include use of a reinforcing containment and underlying pliable mold that is compressed to pressure the resin through the fiber structure to the pipe.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2007Date of Patent: March 10, 2009Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: David P. Robinson, Brian L. Rice, Henry E. Topf, Jr.
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Patent number: 7426942Abstract: A system and method of repairing a pipe including securing a reinforcing material, such as a dry fiber structure (e.g., a carbon fibers) to the surface of the pipe. A polymeric material is placed on top of the reinforcing material, self-penetrating the dry fiber structure. The polymeric material substantially saturates the reinforcing material and cures to form a reinforced polymeric composite which may increase or restore the pressure rating or operating pressure capacity of the pipe. Optionally, an outer containment component, such as a sleeve, shell, box, wall, outer pipe, and so on, may be installed around the reinforcing material prior to introduction of the polymeric material. In this case, the polymeric material may be placed (i.e., poured) into the interior of the containment component on top of the reinforcing material.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2006Date of Patent: September 23, 2008Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Brian L. Rice
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Publication number: 20080216938Abstract: A system and method of repairing a pipe including securing a reinforcing material, such as a dry fiber structure (e.g., a carbon fibers) to the surface of the pipe. A polymeric material is placed on top of the reinforcing material, self-penetrating the dry fiber structure. The polymeric material substantially saturates the reinforcing material and cures to form a reinforced polymeric composite which may increase or restore the pressure rating or operating pressure capacity of the pipe. Optionally, an outer containment component, such as a sleeve, shell, box, wall, outer pipe, and so on, may be installed around the reinforcing material prior to introduction of the polymeric material. In this case, the polymeric material may be placed (i.e., poured) into the interior of the containment component on top of the reinforcing material.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2008Publication date: September 11, 2008Applicant: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Brian L. Rice
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Patent number: 7387138Abstract: A system and method of repairing a pipe including securing a reinforcing material, such as a dry fiber structure (e.g., a carbon fibers) to the surface of the pipe. A polymeric material is placed on top of the reinforcing material, self-penetrating the dry fiber structure. The polymeric material substantially saturates the reinforcing material and cures to form a reinforced polymeric composite which may increase or restore the pressure rating or operating pressure capacity of the pipe. Optionally, an outer containment component, such as a sleeve, shell, box, wall, outer pipe, and so on, may be installed around the reinforcing material prior to introduction of the polymeric material. Further, the polymeric material may be subjected to pressure to facilitate contact of the resin through the reinforcing material.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2006Date of Patent: June 17, 2008Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Brian L. Rice, Henry E. Topf, Jr.
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Patent number: 7367362Abstract: A system and method of repairing a pipe including securing a reinforcing material, such as a dry fiber structure (e.g., a carbon fibers) to the surface of the pipe. A polymeric material is placed on top of the reinforcing material, self-penetrating the dry fiber structure. The polymeric material substantially saturates the reinforcing material and cures to form a reinforced polymeric composite which may increase or restore the pressure rating or operating pressure capacity of the pipe. Optionally, an outer containment component, such as a sleeve, shell, box, wall, outer pipe, and so on, may be installed around the reinforcing material prior to introduction of the polymeric material. In this case, the polymeric material may be placed (i.e., poured) into the interior of the containment component on top of the reinforcing material.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2006Date of Patent: May 6, 2008Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Brian L. Rice, Henry E. Topf, Jr.
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Patent number: 5593753Abstract: Disclosed is a protective covering system for use in connection with base structures that tend to generate or are subject to hydrostatic pressure. The covering system includes continuously operable pressure relief means between the substrate and a protective coating therefore. The pressure relief means relieves to the atmosphere at least a portion of the pressure generated by said base structure. Methods for producing such systems are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 1994Date of Patent: January 14, 1997Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Brian L. Rice, Albert J. Turansky