Patents by Inventor Howard J. Bates

Howard J. Bates 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).

  • Patent number: 4724866
    Abstract: A speed control valve is formed with a pair of cooperating inversely operating dashpots to control movement of a valve element in either direction so as to prevent sudden actuation upon change in fluid velocity or oscillation due to fluid flow changes. Bleeding of fluid into and out of the dashpots controls the speed of movement of the valve element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1988
    Assignee: NL Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard J. Bates, Willard D. Childs, Eugene S. Matsuda, Douglas W. J. Nayler
  • Patent number: 4501219
    Abstract: The invention pertains to tensioners for maintaining a load between two relatively movable structures, such as an offshore drill ship or the like and a riser pipe. First and second tensioner bodies are mounted for relative reciprocation, and are further functionally interconnected with the first and second offshore structures respectively. Relative movement of the offshore structures tends to cause corresponding relative reciprocation of the tensioner bodies. A force is applied between the tensioner bodies tending to reciprocate them in a first directional mode and thereby supporting the offshore riser pipe with respect to the offshore support structure. A balancing chamber cooperative between the tensioner bodies communicates with a source of pressurized fluid for resisting reciprocation of the tensioner bodies in the first directional mode, but includes an outlet for egress of the pressurized fluid to permit such reciprocation under controlled conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1985
    Assignee: NL Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Howard J. Bates, Jr.