Patents by Inventor Chris Kocurek
Chris Kocurek 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: 9874064Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes an accumulator. The accumulator includes a first cylinder configured to receive a fluid within an internal volume of the first cylinder. The accumulator also includes a piston configured to move axially within the first cylinder. Axial movement of the piston within the first cylinder adjusts the internal volume of the first cylinder. The accumulator further includes a plurality of shape memory alloy wires configured to cause the axial movement of the piston within the first cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2015Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: University of HoustonInventors: Chris Kocurek, Gangbing Song, David McWhorter
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Patent number: 9727062Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes an SMA thermostat. The SMA thermostat includes a body, a sleeve, a biasing spring and an SMA spring. Upon actuation of the SMA spring at a phase transition temperature, the sleeve is configured to shift and expose flow ports formed in the body.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2011Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: ONESUBSEA IP UK LIMITEDInventors: Chris Kocurek, Chelsea Green
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Publication number: 20170120216Abstract: A process for the chemical conversion of a reactive feedstock mixture is provided, the process comprising providing an annular reaction chamber having an inlet end and an outlet end; charging to the annular reaction chamber a reactive feedstock to be converted; detonating the reactive feedstock mixture; allowing a detonation wave to propagate around the annular reaction chamber; introducing into the inlet end of the annular reaction chamber the reactive feedstock to maintain propagation of the detonation wave around the annular reaction chamber; allowing components within the reaction chamber to move from the inlet end towards the outlet end; and recovering from the outlet end of the annular reaction chamber the products of chemical conversion of the feedstock by the action of the detonation wave. An apparatus for the conversion of a reactive feedstock is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2015Publication date: May 4, 2017Inventor: Chris Kocurek
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Patent number: 9458689Abstract: A system for controlling a blowout preventer stack and subsea test tree connected to a subsea wellhead assembly, the system comprising: a marine riser engageable with the subsea wellhead assembly; a lower marine riser package configured to be attached to the marine riser in the subsea environment, wherein the blowout preventer is configured to be removably attached to the lower marine riser package; an umbilical located outside of the marine riser adapted to communicate control fluids, electrical signals and/or fiber optic communications to a subsea controller, wherein the subsea controller is configured to receive control fluids and/or signals from the umbilical and to provide functions to the blowout preventer stack and subsea test tree, further wherein the subsea controller stabs into the system above the subsea wellhead assembly. This out-of-marine riser design provides for simplification in design criteria associated with the subsea controller and umbilical system.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2014Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: OneSubsea IP UK LimitedInventors: Michael Mancuso, Chris Kocurek
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Publication number: 20150361754Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes an accumulator. The accumulator includes a first cylinder configured to receive a fluid within an internal volume of the first cylinder. The accumulator also includes a piston configured to move axially within the first cylinder. Axial movement of the piston within the first cylinder adjusts the internal volume of the first cylinder. The accumulator further includes a plurality of shape memory alloy wires configured to cause the axial movement of the piston within the first cylinder.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2015Publication date: December 17, 2015Inventors: Chris Kocurek, Gangbing Song, David McWhorter
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Patent number: 9187980Abstract: An apparatus that includes a chemical-injection management system of a sub-sea oil and gas extraction system. The chemical-injection management system may include a flow path having an inlet and an outlet. The chemical-injection management system may also include a pump disposed in the flow path between the inlet and the outlet; wherein the pump is configured to increase the pressure of a fluid flow through the flow path.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2010Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: OneSubsea IP UK LimitedInventors: Edmund Peter McHugh, Chris Kocurek
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Patent number: 9127696Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes an accumulator. The accumulator includes a first cylinder configured to receive a fluid within an internal volume of the first cylinder. The accumulator also includes a piston configured to move axially within the first cylinder. Axial movement of the piston within the first cylinder adjusts the internal volume of the first cylinder. The accumulator further includes a plurality of shape memory alloy wires configured to cause the axial movement of the piston within the first cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2009Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: Cameron International CorporationInventors: Chris Kocurek, Gangbing Song, David McWhorter
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Publication number: 20150240585Abstract: A system for controlling a blowout preventer stack and subsea test tree connected to a subsea wellhead assembly, the system comprising: a marine riser engageable with the subsea wellhead assembly; a lower marine riser package configured to be attached to the marine riser in the subsea environment, wherein the blowout preventer is configured to be removably attached to the lower marine riser package; an umbilical located outside of the marine riser adapted to communicate control fluids, electrical signals and/or fiber optic communications to a subsea controller, wherein the subsea controller is configured to receive control fluids and/or signals from the umbilical and to provide functions to the blowout preventer stack and subsea test tree, further wherein the subsea controller stabs into the system above the subsea wellhead assembly. This out-of-marine riser design provides for simplification in design criteria associated with the subsea controller and umbilical system.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2014Publication date: August 27, 2015Applicant: ONESUBSEA IP UK LIMITEDInventors: Michael Mancuso, Chris Kocurek
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Patent number: 8863784Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes a multi-layer composite strip of pipe dampening materials, comprising a first layer of a first material, a second layer of a second material disposed adjacent to the first layer of material, and a third layer of a third material disposed adjacent to the second layer of material, wherein the second material comprises a viscoelastic material, and wherein the multi-layer composite strip of pipe dampening materials is configured to be affixed to an outer surface of a section of pipe. In certain embodiments, the first layer and the third layer may have stiffness values that are substantially different from each other. The difference in stiffness values may enable relative motion in the first layer and the third layer to be generated during vibration of the section of pipe, and the energy may be dissipated by the viscoelastic material, thereby dampening vibration of the section of pipe. In certain embodiments, multiple strips of pipe dampening materials may be used.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2010Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Cameron International CorporationInventors: Gangbing Song, Chris Kocurek, Devendra Patil, He Ma, Mithun Singla, Huigang Xiao
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Publication number: 20130015376Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes an SMA thermostat. The SMA thermostat includes a body, a sleeve, a biasing spring and an SMA spring. Upon actuation of the SMA spring at a phase transition temperature, the sleeve is configured to shift and expose flow ports formed in the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2011Publication date: January 17, 2013Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATIONInventors: Chris Kocurek, Chelsea Green
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Publication number: 20120006556Abstract: An apparatus that includes a chemical-injection management system of a sub-sea oil and gas extraction system. The chemical-injection management system may include a flow path having an inlet and an outlet. The chemical-injection management system may also include a pump disposed in the flow path between the inlet and the outlet; wherein the pump is configured to increase the pressure of a fluid flow through the flow path.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2010Publication date: January 12, 2012Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATIONInventors: Edmund Peter McHugh, Chris Kocurek
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Publication number: 20110259463Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes a multi-layer composite strip of pipe dampening materials, comprising a first layer of a first material, a second layer of a second material disposed adjacent to the first layer of material, and a third layer of a third material disposed adjacent to the second layer of material, wherein the second material comprises a viscoelastic material, and wherein the multi-layer composite strip of pipe dampening materials is configured to be affixed to an outer surface of a section of pipe. In certain embodiments, the first layer and the third layer may have stiffness values that are substantially different from each other. The difference in stiffness values may enable relative motion in the first layer and the third layer to be generated during vibration of the section of pipe, and the energy may be dissipated by the viscoelastic material, thereby dampening vibration of the section of pipe. In certain embodiments, multiple strips of pipe dampening materials may be used.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2010Publication date: October 27, 2011Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTONInventors: Gangbing Song, Chris Kocurek, Devendra Patil, He Ma, Mithun Singla, Huigang Xiao
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Publication number: 20110131964Abstract: A system, in certain embodiments, includes an accumulator. The accumulator includes a first cylinder configured to receive a fluid within an internal volume of the first cylinder. The accumulator also includes a piston configured to move axially within the first cylinder. Axial movement of the piston within the first cylinder adjusts the internal volume of the first cylinder. The accumulator further includes a plurality of shape memory alloy wires configured to cause the axial movement of the piston within the first cylinder.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2009Publication date: June 9, 2011Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATIONInventors: Chris Kocurek, Gangbing Song, David McWhorter