Patents by Inventor Frank W. Groves

Frank W. Groves 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: 20110146814
    Abstract: An elbow fluid flow valve exhibiting reduced flow loss and including a body having a specified shape and size and defining a short radius associated with an elbow shaped fluid passageway characterized by a first fluid flow inlet and a second fluid flow outlet. A cover secures over the valve body, and such that a generally sleeve shaped annulus is defined therebetween. A light-weight and linearly translatable sleeve is mounted exteriorly of the valve body and within the intermediately defined annulus. The sleeve is operable to be displaced between a first location permitting fluid flow to the outlet and a second location interrupting fluid flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventor: Frank W. Groves, II
  • Patent number: 7921867
    Abstract: An elbow fluid flow valve exhibiting reduced flow loss and including a body having a specified shape and size and defining a short radius associated with an elbow shaped fluid passageway characterized by a first fluid flow inlet and a second fluid flow outlet. A cover secures over the valve body, and such that a generally sleeve shaped annulus is defined therebetween. A light-weight and linearly translatable sleeve is mounted exteriorly of the valve body and within the intermediately defined annulus. The sleeve is operable to be displaced between a first location permitting fluid flow to the outlet and a second location interrupting fluid flow. A control element is operably connected to a pair of access ports, in turn communicated with one or a pair of interior regions in communication with locations of the displaceable sleeve and, upon experiencing at least one of a pressure and flow disparity between valve inlet and outlet, facilitates displacement of the sleeve to the second (flow interrupting) location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Olmsted Products Co.
    Inventor: Frank W. Groves, II
  • Publication number: 20080054208
    Abstract: An elbow fluid flow valve exhibiting reduced flow loss and including a body having a specified shape and size and defining a short radius associated with an elbow shaped fluid passageway characterized by a first fluid flow inlet and a second fluid flow outlet. A cover secures over the valve body, and such that a generally sleeve shaped annulus is defined therebetween. A light-weight and linearly translatable sleeve is mounted exteriorly of the valve body and within the intermediately defined annulus. The sleeve is operable to be displaced between a first location permitting fluid flow to the outlet and a second location interrupting fluid flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventor: Frank W. Groves
  • Patent number: 5845893
    Abstract: An underwater self-aligning fairlead latch device is provided for guiding and securing an anchor chain between an offshore structure and an anchor. The fairlead device includes a latch housing pivotally mounted to a fairlead housing. The latch housing includes one or more latches for securing the anchor chain in place. The fairlead housing includes a bending shoe which guides the anchor chain from its orientation within the bending shoe up the platform column to the deck. The fairlead housing is pivotally mounted to the offshore structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Bardex Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank W. Groves
  • Patent number: 5762017
    Abstract: A turret moored vessel with an improved bearing, turning and locking system includes a floating hull, a turret supported by the hull and rotatable relative to the hull and bearing assemblies forming an interface between the hull and turret. The bearing assemblies each include multiple passive blocks, preferably in the form of members (e.g. passive, spring loaded cylinders), that are attached at their lower end to the hull and at their upper end to a frame that supports horizonal and vertical crane wheels. Each cylinder is inwardly inclined along a radial line to form a first angle. There can be first and second pairs of cylinders in each bearing assembly, all four cylinders forming a plane or an annular plane. The first and second pairs of cylinders can be inclined toward each other. The first inward tilt provides stability against horizontal forces. The opposing cylinder tilts provided stability against rotational forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Bardex Corporation
    Inventor: Frank W. Groves