Patents by Inventor Franz Hover
Franz Hover 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: 9638343Abstract: A valve actuator, valve, and method of actuation of a valve are disclosed. The valve actuator includes a shape memory alloy element attachable to a valve body, capable of use with a valve to cause movement of the valve between first and second positions responsive to at least a threshold amount of temperature change of the shape memory alloy element. The valve actuator further includes a negative-differential spring applied to the shape memory alloy element, thereby reducing the threshold amount of temperature change needed to cause movement of the valve between the first and second positions.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2012Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignees: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.Inventors: Eric Wright Gilbertson, Franz Hover, Donald Bryan Freeman, Jose Arellano
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Patent number: 9284825Abstract: A valve actuator, valve, and method of actuation of a valve are disclosed. The valve actuator includes a shape memory alloy element attachable to a valve body, capable of use with a valve to cause movement of the valve between first and second positions. The valve actuator also includes a sensor located within a well and capable of detecting the presence of a fluid based on a fluid property of the fluid. The valve actuator includes a power supply electrically connected to the sensor and the shape memory alloy element, capable of applying an electric current to the shape memory alloy element in response to the sensor detecting the presence of the fluid. The electric current causes a temperature of the shape memory alloy element to increase beyond a threshold temperature at which the shape memory alloy element actuates.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2012Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Changkuan Yu, Eric Wright Gilbertson, Franz Hover, Dennis Harris, Jose Arellano
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Patent number: 9145974Abstract: A valve actuator, valve, and method of actuation of a valve are disclosed. The valve actuator includes a shape memory alloy element attachable to a valve body, capable of use with a valve to cause movement of the valve between first and second positions at a predetermined temperature and responsive to at least a threshold amount of temperature change of the shape memory alloy element. The valve actuator further includes an expansion element attached to the shape memory alloy element, the expansion element responsive to temperature changes at a rate lower than a rate of change of temperature indicative of a valve leak, the expansion element adjusting tension on the shape memory alloy element, thereby changing the predetermined temperature.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2012Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Eric Wright Gilbertson, Changkuan Yu, Franz Hover, Dennis Harris, Jose Arellano
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Patent number: 8800590Abstract: In one embodiment, a valve comprising a valve body; an orifice disposed within the valve body; a fluid flow restraining member located at a first location of the orifice, the fluid flow restraining member pivotable between a closed position and an open position; an extending member connected to, and moveable in pivotable synchronization with, the fluid flow restraining member; and a shape memory alloy element attached to the extending member and the valve body, the shape memory alloy element causing a pivotal movement of the extending member between positions corresponding to the open and closed positions responsive to a change in temperature of the shape memory alloy element.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2011Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Eric Wright Gilbertson, Franz Hover, Eduardo Colina, Donald Bryan Freeman
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Publication number: 20140150869Abstract: A valve actuator, valve, and method of actuation of a valve are disclosed. The valve actuator includes a shape memory alloy element attachable to a valve body, capable of use with a valve to cause movement of the valve between first and second positions. The valve actuator also includes a sensor located within a well and capable of detecting the presence of a fluid based on a fluid property of the fluid. The valve actuator includes a power supply electrically connected to the sensor and the shape memory alloy element, capable of applying an electric current to the shape memory alloy element in response to the sensor detecting the presence of the fluid. The electric current causes a temperature of the shape memory alloy element to increase beyond a threshold temperature at which the shape memory alloy element actuates.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2012Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicants: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.Inventors: Changkuan Yu, Eric Wright Gilbertson, Franz Hover, Dennis Harris, Jose Arellano
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Publication number: 20140150879Abstract: A valve actuator, valve, and method of actuation of a valve are disclosed. The valve actuator includes a shape memory alloy element attachable to a valve body, capable of use with a valve to cause movement of the valve between first and second positions at a predetermined temperature and responsive to at least a threshold amount of temperature change of the shape memory alloy element. The valve actuator further includes an expansion element attached to the shape memory alloy element, the expansion element responsive to temperature changes at a rate lower than a rate of change of temperature indicative of a valve leak, the expansion element adjusting tension on the shape memory alloy element, thereby changing the predetermined temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2012Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicants: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Eric Wright Gilbertson, Changkuan Yu, Franz Hover, Dennis Harris, Jose Arellano
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Patent number: 8397657Abstract: A subsea vertical glider robot which supports deployment in subsea oilfield activities is disclosed. This vertical glider robot can also be used in oceanographic research exploration. One application of this vertical glider robot is the autonomous delivery of equipment and sensor systems to a precise predetermined location on the sea floor. The vertical glider robot is deployed from a surface ship or any other suitable sea surface platform and allowed to free fall to the bottom of the ocean. The traversal through the body of water is performed primarily by converting initial potential energy of the apparatus into kinetic energy, it does not use propellers. The traversing of the seafloor is controlled with a steering module that refines orientation while processing information about the vertical glider robot's current position and the target where it has to land.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2010Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignees: Schlumberger Technology Corporation, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Julio Guerrero, Franz Hover, Charles Ambler, Brooks Reed, Robert Hummel
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Publication number: 20120247780Abstract: In one embodiment, a valve comprising a valve body; an orifice disposed within the valve body; a fluid flow restraining member located at a first location of the orifice, the fluid flow restraining member pivotable between a closed position and an open position; an extending member connected to, and moveable in pivotable synchronization with, the fluid flow restraining member; and a shape memory alloy element attached to the extending member and the valve body, the shape memory alloy element causing a pivotal movement of the extending member between positions corresponding to the open and closed positions responsive to a change in temperature of the shape memory alloy element.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2011Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicants: Chevron U.S.A. Inc., Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: ERIC WRIGHT GILBERTSON, FRANZ HOVER, EDUARDO COLINA, DONALD BRYAN FREEMAN
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Publication number: 20120067268Abstract: A subsea vertical glider robot which supports deployment in subsea oilfield activities is disclosed. This vertical glider robot can also be used in oceanographic research exploration. One application of this vertical glider robot is the autonomous delivery of equipment and sensor systems to a precise predetermined location on the sea floor. The vertical glider robot is deployed from a surface ship or any other suitable sea surface platform and allowed to free fall to the bottom of the ocean. The traversal through the body of water is performed primarily by converting initial potential energy of the apparatus into kinetic energy, it does not use propellers. The traversing of the seafloor is controlled with a steering module that refines orientation while processing information about the vertical glider robot's current position and the target where it has to land.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2010Publication date: March 22, 2012Inventors: Julio Guerrero, Franz Hover, Charles Ambler, Brooks Reed, Robert Hummel