Patents by Inventor Frank Harold Hollister

Frank Harold Hollister 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).

  • Publication number: 20240125192
    Abstract: A regulator valve has a check valve manifold for use in subsea control circuits. For example, the regulator valve having the check valve manifold can be used in a circuit between a directional control valve and an actuator for a gate valve. The check valve manifold can have a flange that attaches to the regulator valve to communicate with the supply-side and outlet-side of the regulator valve. Internal communication inside the manifold includes a check valve. If the pressure in the circuit downstream of the regulator valve needs to be vented, the check valve can open to allow the pressure to bleed from the outlet-side back to the supply-side without needing to pass through the internal pressure control valve of the regulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Chris ROY, Frank Harold HOLLISTER, Nathan ZEPEDA, Robert E. SMITH, III, Josh WILLIAMS
  • Patent number: 11905782
    Abstract: A regulator valve has a check valve manifold for use in subsea control circuits. For example, the regulator valve having the check valve manifold can be used in a circuit between a directional control valve and an actuator for a gate valve. The check valve manifold can be a flange that attaches to the regulator valve to communicate with the supply and outlet of the regulator valve. Internal communication inside the manifold includes a check valve. If the pressure in the circuit downstream of the regulator valve needs to be vented, the check valve can open to allow the pressure to bleed from the outlet back to the supply without needing to pass through the internal pressure control valve of the regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: National Coupling Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Roy, Frank Harold Hollister, Nathan Zepeda, Robert E. Smith, III, Josh Williams
  • Publication number: 20230287753
    Abstract: A regulator valve has a check valve manifold for use in subsea control circuits. For example, the regulator valve having the check valve manifold can be used in a circuit between a directional control valve and an actuator for a gate valve. The check valve manifold can be a flange that attaches to the regulator valve to communicate with the supply and outlet of the regulator valve. Internal communication inside the manifold includes a check valve. If the pressure in the circuit downstream of the regulator valve needs to be vented, the check valve can open to allow the pressure to bleed from the outlet back to the supply without needing to pass through the internal pressure control valve of the regulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Chris ROY, Frank Harold HOLLISTER, Nathan ZEPEDA, Robert E. SMITH, III, Josh WILLIAMS
  • Patent number: 11105435
    Abstract: A subsea hydraulic system comprises a dual (or dual action) check valve on a port for connection to a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The check valve provides backpressure to flow in either direction. This keeps hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic system, and seawater out. If flow needs to return to the ROV, it may flow out the port, subject to a selected back pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: National Coupling Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Smith, III, Timothy Goggans, Frank Harold Hollister
  • Patent number: 11085545
    Abstract: A pilot-actuated spool valve comprises a generally cylindrical valve cage having a central axial cavity open at both ends and a plurality of generally radial openings connecting the central axial cavity to the external cylindrical surface of the cage; a valve sleeve sized to slide within the central axial cavity of the cage and having a first sealing surface at a first end and a second sealing surface at an opposing second end; a piston responsive to fluid pressure at a pilot inlet of the valve; a piston rod connected at a first end to the piston and having a threaded second end opposite the first end; and a cap nut in threaded engagement with the second end of the piston rod securing the valve sleeve to the piston rod. The cap nut is sized and configured to provide a clearance gap between the cap nut and the valve sleeve when the cap nut is fully tightened onto the threaded second end of the piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: National Coupling Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Max Stetzer, Robert E. Smith, III, Frank Harold Hollister, Chris Roy, Stephen L. Wells
  • Publication number: 20200096114
    Abstract: A pilot-actuated spool valve comprises a generally cylindrical valve cage having a central axial cavity open at both ends and a plurality of generally radial openings connecting the central axial cavity to the external cylindrical surface of the cage; a valve sleeve sized to slide within the central axial cavity of the cage and having a first sealing surface at a first end and a second sealing surface at an opposing second end; a piston responsive to fluid pressure at a pilot inlet of the valve; a piston rod connected at a first end to the piston and having a threaded second end opposite the first end; and a cap nut in threaded engagement with the second end of the piston rod securing the valve sleeve to the piston rod. The cap nut is sized and configured to provide a clearance gap between the cap nut and the valve sleeve when the cap nut is fully tightened onto the threaded second end of the piston rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Max Stetzer, Robert E. Smith, III, Frank Harold Hollister, Chris Roy, Stephen L. Wells
  • Publication number: 20200080657
    Abstract: A subsea hydraulic system comprises a dual (or dual action) check valve on a port for connection to a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The check valve provides backpressure to flow in either direction. This keeps hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic system, and seawater out. If flow needs to return to the ROV, it may flow out the port, subject to a selected back pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: Robert E. Smith, III, Timothy Goggans, Frank Harold Hollister
  • Patent number: 10415715
    Abstract: A subsea hydraulic system comprises a dual (or dual action) check valve on a port for connection to a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The check valve provides backpressure to flow in either direction. This keeps hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic system, and seawater out. If flow needs to return to the ROV, it may flow out the port, subject to a selected back pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: National Coupling Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Smith, III, Timothy Goggans, Frank Harold Hollister
  • Patent number: 10288184
    Abstract: Upper and/or lower seal plates of a sub plate mounted, pilot actuated spool valve are reinforced with one or more metal rings. In a number of preferred embodiments, the metal ring is comprised of steel. Portions of the seal plates may comprise an engineering thermoplastic such as polyoxymethylene (POM) sold by E. I. DuPont de Nemours under the DELRIN® trademark. The plastic material may be molded to the metal ring. In other embodiments, the plastic material and metal ring(s) are mechanically connected together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Hunting Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Smith, III, Frank Harold Hollister, Richard R. Watson, Dane Tipton
  • Publication number: 20190113146
    Abstract: A subsea hydraulic system comprises a dual (or dual action) check valve on a port for connection to a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The check valve provides backpressure to flow in either direction. This keeps hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic system, and seawater out. If flow needs to return to the ROV, it may flow out the port, subject to a selected back pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Robert E. Smith, III, Timothy Goggans, Frank Harold Hollister
  • Patent number: 10247322
    Abstract: Upper and/or lower seal plates of a sub plate mounted, pilot actuated spool valve are reinforced with one or more metal rings. In a number of preferred embodiments, the metal ring is comprised of steel. Portions of the seal plates may comprise an engineering thermoplastic such as polyoxymethylene (POM) sold by E. I. DuPont de Nemours under the DELRIN® trademark. The plastic material may be molded to the metal ring. In other embodiments, the plastic material and metal ring(s) are mechanically connected together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Hunting Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Smith, III, Frank Harold Hollister, Richard R. Watson, Dane Tipton
  • Patent number: 10174857
    Abstract: A subsea hydraulic system comprises a dual (or dual action) check valve on a port for connection to a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The check valve provides backpressure to flow in either direction. This keeps hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic system, and seawater out. If flow needs to return to the ROV, it may flow out the port, subject to a selected back pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: National Coupling Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Smith, III, Timothy Goggans, Frank Harold Hollister
  • Publication number: 20180328510
    Abstract: A subsea hydraulic system comprises a dual (or dual action) check valve on a port for connection to a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The check valve provides backpressure to flow in either direction. This keeps hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic system, and seawater out. If flow needs to return to the ROV, it may flow out the port, subject to a selected back pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Robert E. Smith, III, Timothy Goggans, Frank Harold Hollister
  • Patent number: 10054239
    Abstract: A subsea hydraulic system comprises a dual (or dual action) check valve on a port for connection to a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The check valve provides backpressure to flow in either direction. This keeps hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic system, and seawater out. If flow needs to return to the ROV, it may flow out the port, subject to a selected back pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: National Coupling Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Smith, III, Timothy Goggans, Frank Harold Hollister
  • Publication number: 20180023716
    Abstract: A subsea hydraulic system comprises a dual (or dual action) check valve on a port for connection to a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The check valve provides backpressure to flow in either direction. This keeps hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic system, and seawater out. If flow needs to return to the ROV, it may flow out the port, subject to a selected back pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Robert E. Smith, III, Timothy Goggans, Frank Harold Hollister
  • Patent number: 9822895
    Abstract: Upper and/or lower seal plates of a sub plate mounted, pilot actuated spool valve are reinforced with one or more metal rings. In a number of preferred embodiments, the metal ring is comprised of steel. Portions of the seal plates may comprise an engineering thermoplastic such as polyoxymethylene (POM) sold by E. I. DuPont de Nemours under the DELRIN® trademark. The plastic material may be molded to the metal ring. In other embodiments, the plastic material and metal ring(s) are mechanically connected together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Hunting Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Smith, III, Frank Harold Hollister, Richard R. Watson, Dane Tipton
  • Patent number: 9810336
    Abstract: A subsea hydraulic system comprises a dual (or dual action) check valve on a port for connection to a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The check valve provides backpressure to flow in either direction. This keeps hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic system, and seawater out. If flow needs to return to the ROV, it may flow out the port, subject to a selected back pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: National Coupling Company
    Inventors: Robert E. Smith, III, Timothy Goggans, Frank Harold Hollister
  • Publication number: 20170261112
    Abstract: Upper and/or lower seal plates of a sub plate mounted, pilot actuated spool valve are reinforced with one or more metal rings. In a number of preferred embodiments, the metal ring is comprised of steel. Portions of the seal plates may comprise an engineering thermoplastic such as polyoxymethylene (POM) sold by E. I. DuPont de Nemours under the DELRIN® trademark. The plastic material may be molded to the metal ring. In other embodiments, the plastic material and metal ring(s) are mechanically connected together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Robert E. Smith, III, Frank Harold Hollister, Richard R. Watson, Dane Tipton
  • Publication number: 20170138486
    Abstract: Upper and/or lower seal plates of a sub plate mounted, pilot actuated spool valve are reinforced with one or more metal rings. In a number of preferred embodiments, the metal ring is comprised of steel. Portions of the seal plates may comprise an engineering thermoplastic such as polyoxymethylene (POM) sold by E. I. DuPont de Nemours under the DELRIN® trademark. The plastic material may be molded to the metal ring. In other embodiments, the plastic material and metal ring(s) are mechanically connected together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Robert E. Smith, Frank Harold Hollister, Richard R. Watson, Dane Tipton
  • Publication number: 20170102085
    Abstract: A subsea hydraulic system comprises a dual (or dual action) check valve on a port for connection to a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). The check valve provides backpressure to flow in either direction. This keeps hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic system, and seawater out. If flow needs to return to the ROV, it may flow out the port, subject to a selected back pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Robert E. Smith, III, Timothy Goggans, Frank Harold Hollister