Patents by Inventor Charles B. Fly

Charles B. Fly 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: 7861744
    Abstract: The invention comprises a device for expanding tubular members to a controlled diameter and its method of fabrication. The device includes an expandable bladder held in a convoluted form. After the device is inserted into a cylindrical tube to be evenly expanded, the bladder is expanded by hydraulic pressure to a controlled maximum diameter. It is then deflated so the device can then be moved to another location and reused. The bladder is formed from a flexible impervious material having integral reinforcing fibers. It is initially formed in a fully expanded configuration over a convoluted mandrel and a removable cylindrical shell. When the shell is removed vacuum or external pressure draws the bladder against the mandrel. The bladder is overmolded with a resilient cover to hold it in reduced form until pressurized. The bladder cover prevents the bladder from kinking during the expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Expansion Technologies
    Inventors: Charles B. Fly, Gerald W. Fly, Kenneth W. Walker
  • Publication number: 20090126436
    Abstract: The invention comprises a device for expanding tubular members to a controlled diameter and its method of fabrication. The device includes an expandable bladder held in a convoluted form. After the device is inserted into a cylindrical tube to be evenly expanded, the bladder is expanded by hydraulic pressure to a controlled maximum diameter. It is then deflated so the device can then be moved to another location and reused. The bladder is formed from a flexible impervious material having integral reinforcing fibers. It is initially formed in a fully expanded configuration over a convoluted mandrel and a removable cylindrical shell. When the shell is removed vacuum or external pressure draws the bladder against the mandrel. The bladder is overmolded with a resilient cover to hold it in reduced form until pressurized. The bladder cover prevents the bladder from kinking during the expansion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: EXPANSION TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Charles B. Fly, Gerald W. Fly, Kenneth W. Walker
  • Patent number: 4362627
    Abstract: A plurality of vortex cells are established in a tank of sea water. Each vortex cell is an individual unit with little mixing with adjacent cells. Cationic and anionic resins are introduced into an initial vortex cell. The resins are diffused through serially adjacent vortex cells and withdrawn from a final vortex cell. Sea water is added to the final vortex cell and purified water is withdrawn from the initial vortex cell, thus counter-flowing the resins and sea water. Water is transferred between cells by pumping. The exhausted resins are rejuvenated using a similar system. The materials removed during the rejuvenation are valuable by-products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1982
    Inventors: Anderson B. Fly, Charles B. Fly