Patents by Inventor Dean Leroy Henning

Dean Leroy Henning 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: 10890272
    Abstract: A vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression device comprising: a fairing comprising a fairing body dimensioned to partially encircle an underlying tubular and a first arm and a second arm extending from the fairing body, the fairing body comprises a first section and a second section that each have first ends that are interfacing one another to form a gap in between and a second end, and the first arm and the second arm are attached to the second ends such that they extend radially outward from the underlying tubular, and the first arm and the second arm are spaced a distance from one another; and an interior block member to facilitate an opening or a closing of the fairing body around an underlying tubular, the interior block member having a first block section and a second block section movably coupled to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: VIV Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Donald Wayne Allen, Dean Leroy Henning, Kathryn Marie Oujesky
  • Patent number: 9511825
    Abstract: An apparatus including a body dimensioned to surround a structure capable of experiencing a VIV, the body having a first section and a second section capable of being separated and positioned around the structure. The apparatus further including a blade member extending from the body, the blade member dimensioned to suppress the VIV of the structure when the body is positioned around the structure. A method of suppressing VIV about a structure by positioning a plurality of VIV suppression devices around the structure and wherein the plurality of VIV suppression devices cover less than 70% of a section of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: VIV SOLUTIONS LLC
    Inventors: Dean Leroy Henning, Donald Wayne Allen, William Andrew West
  • Patent number: 9188245
    Abstract: An apparatus including a fairing operable to suppress a vortex-induced vibration of a tubular, the fairing having a body portion and a tail portion that tapers from the body portion to an end portion, the body portion defining an annulus dimensioned to encircle a tubular. The apparatus further including a stabilizing member positioned along the body portion, the stabilizing member being dimensioned to stabilize the fairing along a tubular positioned within the annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: VIV Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Donald Wayne Allen, Dean Leroy Henning, William Andrew West, Philip Albert Larson
  • Patent number: 9151308
    Abstract: A system including a vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression device dimensioned to suppress a vortex-induced vibration of a support structure, the VIV suppression device having a base portion that encircles at least a portion of the support structure and a support member formed along the base portion. The system further including a collar having a body portion defining an annular channel and a flange portion extending outwardly from the annular channel, the flange portion dimensioned to form a receiving channel around the support structure for receiving the support member. The support member is received within the receiving channel to secure the VIV suppression device to the support structure and the VIV suppression device is capable of rotating around the support structure along the receiving channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: VIV Solutions LLC
    Inventors: William Andrew West, Donald Wayne Allen, Dean Leroy Henning
  • Publication number: 20150233494
    Abstract: An apparatus including a fairing operable to suppress a vortex-induced vibration of a tubular, the fairing having a body portion and a tail portion that tapers from the body portion to an end portion, the body portion defining an annulus dimensioned to encircle a tubular. The apparatus further including a stabilizing member positioned along the body portion, the stabilizing member being dimensioned to stabilize the fairing along a tubular positioned within the annulus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventors: Donald Wayne Allen, Dean Leroy Henning, William Andrew West, Philip Albert Larson
  • Patent number: 9080392
    Abstract: A vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression device including a body portion dimensioned to surround a structure subject to VIV, the body portion having a first side and a second side separated by a first opening formed along a length dimension one side of the body portion and a second opening formed along the length dimension of another side of the body portion. The device further including a biasing hinge mechanism attached to the first side and the second side at the first opening, the biasing hinge mechanism to bias the first side and the second side toward one another. The device further including a closure mechanism attached to the first side and the second side at the second opening, the closure mechanism to secure the first side and the second side in a closed position around the structure. The device may be installed according to a retrofit installation method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: VIV Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Donald Wayne Allen, William Andrew West, Julie Ann Dehne, Dean Leroy Henning
  • Patent number: 9080610
    Abstract: An apparatus including a suppression device dimensioned to suppress a vortex induced vibration of a tubular. The apparatus further including an adjustable strap assembly attached to the suppression device, the adjustable strap assembly dimensioned to secure the suppression device to the tubular. Alternatively, the apparatus may include a support arm extending from the suppression device to rotatably attach the suppression device to the tubular, the support arm having a guide member at one end dimensioned to be received by a slot formed around an outer surface of the tubular. A method including positioning a suppression device dimensioned to suppress a vortex induced vibration of a tubular against the tubular and attaching the suppression device to the tubular such that the suppression device is movable about the tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: VIV Solutions LLC
    Inventors: William Andrew West, Donald Wayne Allen, Dean Leroy Henning
  • Patent number: 9074426
    Abstract: An apparatus including a collar member dimensioned to encircle an underlying tubular and having a modifiable diameter to accommodate a change in a diameter of the underlying tubular. The apparatus further including a band dimensioned to encircle the collar member, the band having a modifiable length capable of changing in response to the tubular diameter change. The collar member may have a first section and a second section. A resilient member may be coupled to the collar member between the first section and the second section. A method including modifying a diameter of a collar member positioned around a tubular in response to a diameter change of the tubular, wherein modifying the diameter comprises changing a size of a resilient member coupled to the collar in response to the change in diameter of the tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: VIV Solutions LLC
    Inventors: William Andrew West, Donald Wayne Allen, Dean Leroy Henning, Julie Ann Dehne
  • Patent number: 9022075
    Abstract: An apparatus including a fairing having a tail portion and an end portion capable of suppressing a vortex-induced vibration of a tubular. The apparatus further including a stabilizing member attached to the end portion of the fairing, the stabilizing member dimensioned to increase a thickness of the end portion of the fairing and a flange member attached to the stabilizing member, the flange member dimensioned to increase a chord dimension of the fairing so as to improve a stability of the fairing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: VIV Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Donald Wayne Allen, Dean Leroy Henning, William Andrew West, Philip Albert Larson
  • Publication number: 20140241793
    Abstract: A system including a vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression device dimensioned to suppress a vortex-induced vibration of a support structure, the VIV suppression device having a base portion that encircles at least a portion of the support structure and a support member formed along the base portion. The system further including a collar having a body portion defining an annular channel and a flange portion extending outwardly from the annular channel, the flange portion dimensioned to form a receiving channel around the support structure for receiving the support member. The support member is received within the receiving channel to secure the VIV suppression device to the support structure and the VIV suppression device is capable of rotating around the support structure along the receiving channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: VIV Solutions LLC
    Inventors: William Andrew West, Donald Wayne Allen, Dean Leroy Henning
  • Patent number: 8727667
    Abstract: A system including a votex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression device dimensioned to suppress a vortex induced vibration of a support structure, the VIV suppression device having a base portion that encircles at least a portion of the support structure and a support member formed along the base portion. The system further including a collar having a body portion defining an annular channel and a flange portion extending outwardly from the annular channel, the flange portion dimensioned to form a receiving channel around the support structure for receiving the support member. The support member is received within the receiving channel to secure the VIV suppression device to the support structure and the VIV suppression device is capable of rotating around the support structure along the receiving channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: VIV Solutions LLC
    Inventors: William Andrew West, Donald Wayne Allen, Dean Leroy Henning
  • Patent number: 8511245
    Abstract: An apparatus including a strake section having a plurality of helical fins separated by at least one helical opening. A method including forming a helically shaped fin that independently maintains the helical shape once formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: VIV Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Julie Ann Dehne, William Andrew West, Donald Wayne Allen, Philip Albert Larson, Dean Leroy Henning
  • Publication number: 20130039702
    Abstract: A system including a votex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression device dimensioned to suppress a vortex induced vibration of a support structure, the VIV suppression device having a base portion that encircles at least a portion of the support structure and a support member formed along the base portion. The system further including a collar having a body portion defining an annular channel and a flange portion extending outwardly from the annular channel, the flange portion dimensioned to form a receiving channel around the support structure for receiving the support member. The support member is received within the receiving channel to secure the VIV suppression device to the support structure and the VIV suppression device is capable of rotating around the support structure along the receiving channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: VIV Solutions LLC
    Inventors: WILLIAM ANDREW WEST, Donald Wayne Allen, Dean Leroy Henning
  • Publication number: 20120291687
    Abstract: An apparatus including a strake section having a plurality of helical fins separated by at least one helical opening. A method including forming a helically shaped fin that independently maintains the helical shape once formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: VIV SOLUTIONS LLC
    Inventors: JULIE ANN DEHNE, WILLIAM ANDREW WEST, DONALD WAYNE ALLEN, PHILIP ALBERT LARSON, DEAN LEROY HENNING
  • Publication number: 20120168019
    Abstract: An apparatus including a fairing having a tail portion and an end portion capable of suppressing a vortex-induced vibration of a tubular. The apparatus further including a stabilizing member attached to the end portion of the fairing, the stabilizing member dimensioned to increase a thickness of the end portion of the fairing and a flange member attached to the stabilizing member, the flange member dimensioned to increase a chord dimension of the fairing so as to improve a stability of the fairing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: VIV Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Donald Wayne Allen, Dean Leroy Henning, William Andrew West, Philip Albert Larson
  • Publication number: 20120006053
    Abstract: A system comprising an array of structures in a flowing fluid environment, the array comprising at least 3 structures; and vortex induced vibration suppression devices on at least 2 of the structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: Donald Wayne Allen, Michalakis Efthymiou, Dean Leroy Henning, Guido Leon Kuiper, Li Lee
  • Publication number: 20110200396
    Abstract: A system for reducing drag and/or vortex induced vibration of a structure, the system comprising a multiple sided device comprising from 4 to 6 sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Donald Wayne Allen, Dean Leroy Henning, Li Lee
  • Publication number: 20100139384
    Abstract: There is disclosed a current tank system comprising a first current tank adapted to produce a first current in a first direction, and a second current tank adapted to produce a second current in a second direction. There is also disclosed a method of testing a sample, comprising exposing the sample to a first current in a first current tank, and exposing the sample to a second current in a second current tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Donald Wayne Allen, Dean Leroy Henning, David Wayne McMillian, Janet Kay McMillian, Raghunath Gopal Menon, Ernesto Uehara-Nagamine, Christopher Steven West
  • Publication number: 20100061809
    Abstract: There is disclosed a system for reducing drag and/or vortex induced vibration of a structure, the system comprising a fairing comprising a dampening mechanism adapted to dampen the rotation of the fairing about the structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Donald Wayne Allen, Dean Leroy Henning, Li Lee, David Wayne McMillan, Janet Kay McMillan
  • Patent number: 7669491
    Abstract: There is disclosed a current tank system comprising a first current tank adapted to produce a first current in a first direction; a second current tank adapted to rotate to produce a second current in a second direction; a sample adapted to be exposed to the first current and the second current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Donald Wayne Allen, Dean Leroy Henning, Li Lee, David Wayne McMillan, Raghunath Gopal Menon, Christopher Steven West