Patents by Inventor Donald Wayne Allen
Donald Wayne Allen 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: 11873797Abstract: A vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression system comprising: a vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression device dimensioned to be coupled to a tower of a wind turbine and operable to rotate about a tower of the wind turbine to suppress a vortex-induced vibration; and a drive member coupled to the vortex-induced vibration suppression device and operable to align the vortex-induced vibration suppression device with a nacelle of the wind turbine.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2021Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: VIV Solutions LLCInventor: Donald Wayne Allen
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Patent number: 11261670Abstract: A vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression apparatus comprising: a strake having a cylindrical body portion dimensioned to encircle an underlying tubular, a fin portion extending radially outward from the body portion and helically positioned around the body portion, and a gap formed through the body portion and the fin; and a connecting assembly configured to facilitate attachment of the strake to an underlying tubular.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2020Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: VIV SOLUTIONS LLCInventor: Donald Wayne Allen
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Patent number: 11261675Abstract: A helical strake for suppressing a vortex induced vibration (VIV) of a tubular. The helical strake having a shell dimensioned to at least partially encircle an underlying tubular, the shell having at least one fin opening; and at least one fin dimensioned to be positioned within the at least one fin opening formed by the shell, the at least one fin having a base portion dimensioned to be positioned along an underlying tubular and a tail portion dimensioned to extend through the at least one fin opening and radially outward from an underlying tubular.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2019Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: VIV SOLUTIONS LLCInventor: Donald Wayne Allen
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Patent number: 11168525Abstract: An apparatus and method for helically installing a vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression fin about a tubular. The apparatus may include an outer ring member dimensioned to encircle an underlying tubular and an inner ring member positioned concentrically inward from the outer ring member. The inner ring member is configured to rotate with respect to at least one of the outer ring member or the tubular as the outer ring member moves along the tubular. The apparatus may further include a fin guide configured to receive a fin and helically position the fin along the tubular as the inner ring member rotates. A method of installing a vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression fin about a tubular may include removably attaching a VIV suppression fin to an installation member. The installation member may be positioned along a tubular and moved about the tubular to helically position the fin around the tubular.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2019Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: VIV SOLUTIONS LLCInventors: Donald Wayne Allen, Julie Ann Dehne, William Andrew West
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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: 10865910Abstract: A vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression device including a body portion dimensioned to encircle an underlying tubular and a tail portion extending laterally outward from the body portion, the tail portion having a top end and a bottom end. The device further including an engaging member positioned at least at the top end or the bottom end of the body portion or the tail portion. The engaging member may be dimensioned to engage with an adjacent VIV suppression device.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2016Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: VIV Solutions LLCInventors: Donald Wayne Allen, Julie Ann Dehne
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Patent number: 10669785Abstract: A vortex induced vibration suppression system including a buoyancy module dimensioned to at least partially encircle an underlying tubular, the buoyancy module having an exterior surface and a groove formed inwardly from the exterior surface; and a collar dimensioned to at least partially encircle the underlying tubular, the collar having a web, a set of flanges extending from the web, and at least one engaging member dimensioned to engage with the buoyancy module, when the collar is positioned around the underlying tubular.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2018Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: VIV Solutions LLCInventors: Donald Wayne Allen, Julie Ann Dehne, Jeffrey Robert Dupuis
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Publication number: 20200115972Abstract: An apparatus and method for helically installing a vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression fin about a tubular. The apparatus may include an outer ring member dimensioned to encircle an underlying tubular and an inner ring member positioned concentrically inward from the outer ring member. The inner ring member is configured to rotate with respect to at least one of the outer ring member or the tubular as the outer ring member moves along the tubular. The apparatus may further include a fin guide configured to receive a fin and helically position the fin along the tubular as the inner ring member rotates. A method of installing a vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression fin about a tubular may include removably attaching a VIV suppression fin to an installation member. The installation member may be positioned along a tubular and moved about the tubular to helically position the fin around the tubular.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2019Publication date: April 16, 2020Inventors: Donald Wayne Allen, Julie Ann Dehne, William Andrew West
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Patent number: 10544635Abstract: An apparatus and method for helically installing a vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression fin about a tubular. The apparatus may include an outer ring member dimensioned to encircle an underlying tubular and an inner ring member positioned concentrically inward from the outer ring member. The inner ring member is configured to rotate with respect to at least one of the outer ring member or the tubular as the outer ring member moves along the tubular. The apparatus may further include a fin guide configured to receive a fin and helically position the fin along the tubular as the inner ring member rotates. A method of installing a vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression fin about a tubular may include removably attaching a VIV suppression fin to an installation member. The installation member may be positioned along a tubular and moved about the tubular to helically position the fin around the tubular.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2017Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: VIV Solutions LLCInventors: Donald Wayne Allen, Julie Ann Dehne, William Andrew West
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Patent number: 10473131Abstract: A vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression system including a strake having a cylindrical body portion dimensioned to encircle an underlying tubular and having opposing ends that form at least one gap extending from a top end to a bottom end of the body portion, a fin portion extending radially outward from the body portion and helically positioned around the body portion, and a connecting member dimensioned to secure the opposing ends of the body portion in a fixed position with respect to one another; and a collar dimensioned to encircle the underlying tubular and position the strake at a fixed axial location along the underlying tubular.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2017Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: VIV SOLUTIONS LLCInventors: Donald Wayne Allen, Julie Ann Dehne, Jeffrey Robert Dupuis
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Publication number: 20190218866Abstract: A helical strake for suppressing a vortex induced vibration (VIV) of a tubular. The helical strake having a shell dimensioned to at least partially encircle an underlying tubular, the shell having at least one fin opening; and at least one fin dimensioned to be positioned within the at least one fin opening formed by the shell, the at least one fin having a base portion dimensioned to be positioned along an underlying tubular and a tail portion dimensioned to extend through the at least one fin opening and radially outward from an underlying tubular.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2019Publication date: July 18, 2019Inventor: Donald Wayne Allen
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Patent number: 10344785Abstract: A fairing for suppressing a vortex induced vibration (VIV) of a tubular including an encircling member dimensioned to encircle a tubular, the encircling member having a first side that extends toward a second side when the encircling member is positioned around a tubular. The fairing further including a support member positioned between the first side and the second side, the support member having a channel formed therein, and an opening to the channel is positioned between the first side and the second side. In addition, the fairing includes a tail member positioned within the channel, the tail member having a substantially planar surface that extends radially outward from the channel.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2018Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: VIV SOLUTIONS LLCInventors: Donald Wayne Allen, Jeffrey Robert Dupuis, Julie Ann Dehne
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Patent number: 10337649Abstract: A vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression apparatus including a base member having an interior surface dimensioned to at least partly encircle a tubular member; a fin protruding outward from an exterior surface of the base member; and at least one aperture formed through the base member, from the interior surface to the exterior surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2017Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: VIV Solutions LLCInventors: Julie Ann Dehne, Donald Wayne Allen
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Publication number: 20180100353Abstract: An apparatus and method for helically installing a vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression fin about a tubular. The apparatus may include an outer ring member dimensioned to encircle an underlying tubular and an inner ring member positioned concentrically inward from the outer ring member. The inner ring member is configured to rotate with respect to at least one of the outer ring member or the tubular as the outer ring member moves along the tubular. The apparatus may further include a fin guide configured to receive a fin and helically position the fin along the tubular as the inner ring member rotates. A method of installing a vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression fin about a tubular may include removably attaching a VIV suppression fin to an installation member. The installation member may be positioned along a tubular and moved about the tubular to helically position the fin around the tubular.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2017Publication date: April 12, 2018Inventors: Donald Wayne Allen, Julie Ann Dehne, William Andrew West
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Patent number: 9869128Abstract: An apparatus and method for helically installing a vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression fin about a tubular. The apparatus may include an outer ring member dimensioned to encircle an underlying tubular and an inner ring member positioned concentrically inward from the outer ring member. The inner ring member is configured to rotate with respect to at least one of the outer ring member or the tubular as the outer ring member moves along the tubular. The apparatus may further include a fin guide configured to receive a fin and helically position the fin along the tubular as the inner ring member rotates. A method of installing a vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression fin about a tubular may include removably attaching a VIV suppression fin to an installation member. The installation member may be positioned along a tubular and moved about the tubular to helically position the fin around the tubular.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: VIV Solutions LLCInventors: Donald Wayne Allen, Julie Ann Dehne, William Andrew West
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Patent number: 9803431Abstract: A vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression apparatus including a body having a wall dimensioned to at least partly envelope a tubular member in an interior area of the body; at least one extension member extending from the body; and an anti-fouling member mechanically coupled to at least one of the body or the extension member. A method of manufacturing a vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression device including providing a VIV suppression device having a body dimensioned to at least partly envelope a tubular member in an interior area of the body and at least one extension member extending from the body. The method further including attaching an anti-fouling sheet to the VIV suppression device.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2015Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: VIV Solutions LLCInventors: Donald Wayne Allen, Julie Ann Dehne, John Wayne Gape
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Patent number: 9702482Abstract: A vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression device including a fairing comprising a fairing body having a nose dimensioned to partially encircle an underlying tubular and a first arm and a second arm extending from the nose, wherein the nose, the first arm and the second arm are one integrally formed unit and the first arm and the second arm are spaced a distance from one another along their entire length so as to define a gap therebetween; and a securing element dimensioned to fit within the gap between the first arm and the second arm and secure the fairing to an underlying tubular. Methods for securing a U-shaped fairing to a tubular and manufacturing a U-shaped fairing are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2016Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: VIV Solutions LLCInventors: Donald Wayne Allen, Julie Ann Dehne, Jeffrey Robert Dupuis
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Patent number: 9677688Abstract: A fairing having a fairing body having a nose dimensioned to partially encircle an underlying tubular and having a fairing body axis; a stand-off region extending radially outward from the nose, wherein the stand-off region comprises a first side wall extending from one side of the nose and a second side wall extending from another side of the nose and toward the first side wall; a tail flange extending radially outward from the stand-off region, the tail flange having a substantially planar member comprising a first portion adjacent the stand-off region and a second portion radially outward to the first portion; and an opening formed within one of the nose or the stand-off region, wherein the opening is parallel to the fairing body axis and the opening is modifiable between an open configuration and a closed configuration.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2016Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: VIV Solutions LLCInventors: Donald Wayne Allen, Jeffrey Robert Dupuis, Julie Ann Dehne
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Patent number: 9546523Abstract: A collar for axially positioning a vortex-induced vibration (VIV) suppression device along a tubular is disclosed. The collar has an annular body portion and a plurality of support members extending in a radial direction from the annular body portion. The support members are annularly spaced around the annular body portion such that gaps are formed between the support members, the gaps being dimensioned to receive an auxiliary tubular positioned external to a main tubular around which the annular body portion is positioned.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2015Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: VIV Solutions LLCInventors: Donald Wayne Allen, William Andrew West, Julie Ann Dehne
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Patent number: 9534618Abstract: A fairing for suppressing a vortex induced vibration (VIV) of a tubular. The fairing including a tail member dimensioned to suppress a vortex induced vibration of a tubular. The fairing further including an encircling member dimensioned to encircle less than an entire circumference of a tubular, the encircling member being separable from the tail member. The fairing further including a connecting assembly dimensioned to attach the tail member to the encircling member.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2015Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: VIV Solutions LLCInventors: Donald Wayne Allen, Julie Ann Dehne, William Andrew West