Patents by Inventor Charles G. Boellstorff

Charles G. Boellstorff 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).

  • Publication number: 20250060064
    Abstract: Embodiments of a pipeline pig (10) of this disclosure and method of its use include a pressure-equalizing transmitter cavity system. Excluding sensors(S) and other electronic circuitry, the pipeline pig may be an all polyurethane pig. A plug (15) located at the rearward end (41) of the transmitter cavity (13) includes a passageway (25) that permits pipeline product to flow into the transmitter cavity. The plug is received by a flange (17) which may have a different harness than that of the plug. When in an intended use, the pipeline pig is inserted into the pipeline at one end and retrieved from the pipeline at another end. As the pipeline pig traverses the pipeline under differential pressure, pipeline pressure and temperature data may be collected and the location of the pipeline pig may be tracked. Pressure within the transmitter cavity is equalized with that of the pipeline product flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2022
    Publication date: February 20, 2025
    Inventors: Charles G. Boellstorff, William C. Keenan, Michael Johnston, Joshua D. Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20240230007
    Abstract: A pipeline pigging element (10) that changes its size in an axial and a radial direction as a function of applied pipeline pressure. The pigging element includes at least two circumferential zones (13, 15) having different section modulus than one another, each of the zones changing at different rates from one another between an uninflated and an inflated state at the applied pipeline pressure. The pigging element reacts to changes in pipe geometry, having a first length and a first diameter at a first applied pipeline pressure and a second length and a second diameter different than the first at a second applied pipeline pressure. As the pigging element wears, it becomes easier to inflate at the applied pressure and sealing contact with the pipe wall remains substantially unaffected. No onboard pumps or fluid circuits are required to inflate the pigging element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2024
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Inventors: Roger L. Poe, Matt Logan, John R. Morrow, Charles G. Boellstorff
  • Patent number: 11873938
    Abstract: A pipeline pigging element (10) that changes its size in an axial and a radial direction as a function of applied pipeline pressure. The pigging element includes at least two circumferential zones (13, 15) having different section modulus than one another, each of the zones changing at different rates from one another between an uninflated and an inflated state at the applied pipeline pressure. The pigging element reacts to changes in pipe geometry, having a first length and a first diameter at a first applied pipeline pressure and a second length and a second diameter different than the first at a second applied pipeline pressure. As the pigging element wears, it becomes easier to inflate at the applied pressure and sealing contact with the pipe wall remains substantially unaffected. No onboard pumps or fluid circuits are required to inflate the pigging element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: TDW Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger L. Poe, Matt Logan, John R. Morrow, Charles G. Boellstorff
  • Publication number: 20210301966
    Abstract: A pipeline pigging element (10) that changes its size in an axial and a radial direction as a function of applied pipeline pressure. The pigging element includes at least two circumferential zones (13, 15) having different section modulus than one another, each of the zones changing at different rates from one another between an uninflated and an inflated state at the applied pipeline pressure. The pigging element reacts to changes in pipe geometry, having a first length and a first diameter at a first applied pipeline pressure and a second length and a second diameter different than the first at a second applied pipeline pressure. As the pigging element wears, it becomes easier to inflate at the applied pressure and sealing contact with the pipe wall remains substantially unaffected. No onboard pumps or fluid circuits are required to inflate the pigging element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Roger L. Poe, Matt Logan, John R. Morrow, Charles G. Boellstorff