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).
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Patent number: 10890272Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 28, 2020Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: VIV Solutions LLCInventors: Donald Wayne Allen, Dean Leroy Henning, Kathryn Marie Oujesky
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Patent number: 9511825Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 4, 2012Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: VIV SOLUTIONS LLCInventors: Dean Leroy Henning, Donald Wayne Allen, William Andrew West
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Patent number: 9188245Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 4, 2015Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: VIV Solutions LLCInventors: Donald Wayne Allen, Dean Leroy Henning, William Andrew West, Philip Albert Larson
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Patent number: 9151308Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 5, 2014Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: VIV Solutions LLCInventors: William Andrew West, Donald Wayne Allen, Dean Leroy Henning
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Publication number: 20150233494Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2015Publication date: August 20, 2015Inventors: Donald Wayne Allen, Dean Leroy Henning, William Andrew West, Philip Albert Larson
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Patent number: 9080392Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 24, 2012Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: VIV Solutions LLCInventors: Donald Wayne Allen, William Andrew West, Julie Ann Dehne, Dean Leroy Henning
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Patent number: 9080610Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 20, 2011Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: VIV Solutions LLCInventors: William Andrew West, Donald Wayne Allen, Dean Leroy Henning
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Patent number: 9074426Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 20, 2011Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: VIV Solutions LLCInventors: William Andrew West, Donald Wayne Allen, Dean Leroy Henning, Julie Ann Dehne
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Patent number: 9022075Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 28, 2011Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: VIV Solutions LLCInventors: Donald Wayne Allen, Dean Leroy Henning, William Andrew West, Philip Albert Larson
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Publication number: 20140241793Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2014Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: VIV Solutions LLCInventors: William Andrew West, Donald Wayne Allen, Dean Leroy Henning
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Patent number: 8727667Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 7, 2012Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: VIV Solutions LLCInventors: William Andrew West, Donald Wayne Allen, Dean Leroy Henning
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Patent number: 8511245Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 14, 2011Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: VIV Solutions LLCInventors: Julie Ann Dehne, William Andrew West, Donald Wayne Allen, Philip Albert Larson, Dean Leroy Henning
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Publication number: 20130039702Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2012Publication date: February 14, 2013Applicant: VIV Solutions LLCInventors: WILLIAM ANDREW WEST, Donald Wayne Allen, Dean Leroy Henning
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Publication number: 20120291687Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2011Publication date: November 22, 2012Applicant: VIV SOLUTIONS LLCInventors: JULIE ANN DEHNE, WILLIAM ANDREW WEST, DONALD WAYNE ALLEN, PHILIP ALBERT LARSON, DEAN LEROY HENNING
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Publication number: 20120168019Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2011Publication date: July 5, 2012Applicant: VIV Solutions LLCInventors: Donald Wayne Allen, Dean Leroy Henning, William Andrew West, Philip Albert Larson
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Publication number: 20120006053Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2009Publication date: January 12, 2012Inventors: Donald Wayne Allen, Michalakis Efthymiou, Dean Leroy Henning, Guido Leon Kuiper, Li Lee
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Publication number: 20110200396Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2008Publication date: August 18, 2011Inventors: Donald Wayne Allen, Dean Leroy Henning, Li Lee
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Publication number: 20100139384Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2007Publication date: June 10, 2010Inventors: Donald Wayne Allen, Dean Leroy Henning, David Wayne McMillian, Janet Kay McMillian, Raghunath Gopal Menon, Ernesto Uehara-Nagamine, Christopher Steven West
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Publication number: 20100061809Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2007Publication date: March 11, 2010Applicant: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Donald Wayne Allen, Dean Leroy Henning, Li Lee, David Wayne McMillan, Janet Kay McMillan
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Patent number: 7669491Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 14, 2007Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Donald Wayne Allen, Dean Leroy Henning, Li Lee, David Wayne McMillan, Raghunath Gopal Menon, Christopher Steven West