Patents by Inventor Franco Chakkalakal
Franco Chakkalakal 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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Publication number: 20230204162Abstract: A method for monitoring a pipeline temperature management system includes communicating, via a management console, with a controller of the pipeline temperature management system, where the controller is configured to obtain temperature data from sensors of the pipeline and control application of heat to sections of the pipeline. The method also includes displaying, via a user interface of the management console, a current state of the pipeline based on information from the controller, receiving an alarm notification based on the temperature data, and displaying the alarm notification via the user interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2023Publication date: June 29, 2023Inventors: Franco A. Chakkalakal, Mike Allenspach, Kent Kalar
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Patent number: 11592144Abstract: A system may automatically control a pipeline heating system to maintain a desired temperature and/or to provide flow assurance of process fluid along a pipeline. The system may identify the occurrence and location of the solidification of a given process fluid or the melting of the given process fluid by monitoring temperatures along the pipeline and identifying from the monitored temperatures the occurrence and location of a latent heat signature associated with the solidification or melting of the given process fluid. The system may calculate and display fill percentages of the solidified process fluid at locations along the pipeline. The system may determine the percentage of a given section of pipeline that is filled with solid and/or liquid process fluid on a meter-by-meter basis. The system may perform automated re-melt operations to resolve plugs of solidified process fluid that may occur in the pipeline.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2020Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: nVent Services GmbHInventors: Franco A. Chakkalakal, Mike Allenspach, Kent Kalar
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Publication number: 20200248875Abstract: A system may automatically control a pipeline heating system to maintain a desired temperature and/or to provide flow assurance of process fluid along a pipeline. The system may identify the occurrence and location of the solidification of a given process fluid or the melting of the given process fluid by monitoring temperatures along the pipeline and identifying from the monitored temperatures the occurrence and location of a latent heat signature associated with the solidification or melting of the given process fluid. The system may calculate and display fill percentages of the solidified process fluid at locations along the pipeline. The system may determine the percentage of a given section of pipeline that is filled with solid and/or liquid process fluid on a meter-by-meter basis. The system may perform automated re-melt operations to resolve plugs of solidified process fluid that may occur in the pipeline.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2020Publication date: August 6, 2020Inventors: Franco A. Chakkalakal, Mike Allenspach, Kent Kalar
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Patent number: 10634284Abstract: A system may automatically control a pipeline heating system to maintain a desired temperature and/or to provide flow assurance of process fluid along a pipeline. The system may identify the occurrence and location of the solidification of a given process fluid or the melting of the given process fluid by monitoring temperatures along the pipeline and identifying from the monitored temperatures the occurrence and location of a latent heat signature associated with the solidification or melting of the given process fluid. The system may determine a distribution of solidified process fluid along the pipeline. The system may determine the percentage of a given section of pipeline that is filled with solid and/or liquid process fluid on a meter-by-meter basis. The system may perform automated re-melt operations to resolve plugs of solidified process fluid that may occur in the pipeline.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2017Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: Nvent Services GmbHInventors: Franco A. Chakkalakal, Mike Allenspach, Kent Kalar
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Publication number: 20180073685Abstract: A system may automatically control a pipeline heating system to maintain a desired temperature and/or to provide flow assurance of process fluid along a pipeline. The system may identify the occurrence and location of the solidification of a given process fluid or the melting of the given process fluid by monitoring temperatures along the pipeline and identifying from the monitored temperatures the occurrence and location of a latent heat signature associated with the solidification or melting of the given process fluid. The system may determine a distribution of solidified process fluid along the pipeline. The system may determine the percentage of a given section of pipeline that is filled with solid and/or liquid process fluid on a meter-by-meter basis. The system may perform automated re-melt operations to resolve plugs of solidified process fluid that may occur in the pipeline.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2017Publication date: March 15, 2018Inventors: Franco A. Chakkalakal, Mike Allenspach, Kent Kalar
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Patent number: 9719623Abstract: A fluid pipeline has a first end and a second end. An elongated heat trace element comprised of first and second heat tubes is aligned and coupled to at least a portion of an outer surface of the fluid pipeline. The outer surface of fluid pipeline carries a first insulation material covering a first portion of the outer surface. The outer surface of the fluid pipeline further carries a second insulation material covering a second portion of the outer surface and wherein the second portion of the outer surface is different than the first portion of the outer surface. The first and second insulation materials are configured to cover the outer surface of the fluid pipeline. The fluid pipeline further comprises a third insulation material carried over a second outer surface defined by the cooperation of the first and second insulation materials.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2011Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Pentair Thermal Managment LLCInventor: Franco Chakkalakal
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Publication number: 20130248013Abstract: A fluid pipeline has a first end and a second end. An elongated heat trace element comprised of first and second heat tubes is aligned and coupled to at least a portion of an outer surface of the fluid pipeline. The outer surface of fluid pipeline carries a first insulation material covering a first portion of the outer surface. The outer surface of the fluid pipeline further carries a second insulation material covering a second portion of the outer surface and wherein the second portion of the outer surface is different than the first portion of the outer surface. The first and second insulation materials are configured to cover the outer surface of the fluid pipeline. The fluid pipeline further comprises a third insulation material carried over a second outer surface defined by the cooperation of the first and second insulation materials.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2011Publication date: September 26, 2013Inventor: Franco Chakkalakal
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Publication number: 20130068340Abstract: A fluid pipeline has a first end and a second end. An elongated heat trace element is aligned and coupled to at least a portion of an outer surface of the fluid pipeline. The outer surface of fluid pipeline carries a first insulation material, wherein the first insulation covers a first portion of the outer surface. The outer surface of fluid pipeline further carries a second insulation material, wherein the second insulation covers a second portion of the outer surface and wherein the second portion of the outer surface is different than the first portion of the outer surface. The first and second insulation materials are configured to cover the outer surface of the fluid pipeline. The fluid pipeline further comprises a third insulation material carried over a second outer surface defined by the cooperation of the first and second insulation materials.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2011Publication date: March 21, 2013Applicants: TYCO THERMAL CONTROLS, LLCInventor: Franco Chakkalakal