Patents by Inventor James R. Hodde

James R. Hodde 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: 20190154185
    Abstract: A pig receiver and methods to operate the pig receiver in pipeline pigging operations. In one embodiment, a pig receiver includes a pig receiver unit, The pig receiver also includes a pig gate valve assembly disposed on the pig receiving unit. The pig gate valve assembly includes a gate valve. The pig gate valve assembly also includes a rod, wherein the gate valve is attached to the rod at a longitudinal end of the gate valve. The pig gate valve assembly further includes a gate housing, wherein the rod is disposed within the gate housing. In addition, the pig gate valve assembly includes a cylinder guide, wherein the cylinder guide extends longitudinally from the gate housing. The pig gate valve assembly also includes a first actuator and a second actuator. The pig receiver also includes a contaminant removal system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicant: Cross Country Infrastructure Services, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Hodde
  • Patent number: 10197205
    Abstract: A pig receiver and method to retrieve pigs in pipeline pigging operations. In one embodiment, a pig receiver includes a pressure equalization system including a gate valve, wherein a first side of the gate valve is coupled to a downstream pressure connection, and wherein a second side of the gate valve is coupled to an upstream pressure connection. The pressure equalization system also includes a pressure equalization valve disposed between the downstream pressure connection and the upstream pressure connection. The pressure equalization system also includes a pig receiver unit, wherein a first side of the pig receiver unit is coupled to the downstream pressure connection downstream of the gate valve, and wherein a second side of the pig receiver unit is coupled to the upstream pressure connection upstream of the gate valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Cross Country Infrastructure Services, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Hodde
  • Patent number: 9593794
    Abstract: A pig receiver and method retrieve pigs in pipeline pigging operations. In one embodiment, a pig receiver includes a pig receiver unit. The pig receiver also includes a pig gate valve assembly disposed on the pig receiving unit. The pig gate valve assembly includes a gate valve. The pig gate valve assembly also includes a first actuator and a second actuator. The pig gate valve assembly further includes a cylinder guide. In addition, the pig gate valve assembly includes a tie bar. Actuation of the tie bar actuates the gate valve. An end of the tie bar is attached to the first actuator, and an opposing end of the tie bar is attached to the second actuator. The pig receiver also includes a system for removing contaminants from the pig receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Power Associates International, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Hodde
  • Patent number: 9518693
    Abstract: A pig receiver and method retrieve pigs in pipeline pigging operations. In one embodiment, a pig receiver includes a pig receiver unit. The pig receiver also includes a pig gate valve assembly disposed on the pig receiving unit. The pig gate valve assembly includes a gate valve. The pig gate valve assembly also includes a first actuator and a second actuator. The pig gate valve assembly further includes a cylinder guide. In addition, the pig gate valve assembly includes a tie bar. Actuation of the tie bar actuates the gate valve. An end of the tie bar is attached to the first actuator, and an opposing end of the tie bar is attached to the second actuator. The pig receiver also includes a system for removing contaminants from the pig receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Power Associates International, LLC
    Inventor: James R. Hodde
  • Publication number: 20160195214
    Abstract: A pig receiver and method to retrieve pigs in pipeline pigging operations. In one embodiment, a pig receiver includes a pressure equalization system including a gate valve, wherein a first side of the gate valve is coupled to a downstream pressure connection, and wherein a second side of the gate valve is coupled to an upstream pressure connection. The pressure equalization system also includes a pressure equalization valve disposed between the downstream pressure connection and the upstream pressure connection. The pressure equalization system also includes a pig receiver unit, wherein a first side of the pig receiver unit is coupled to the downstream pressure connection downstream of the gate valve, and wherein a second side of the pig receiver unit is coupled to the upstream pressure connection upstream of the gate valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Applicant: Power Associates International, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Hodde
  • Patent number: 9310016
    Abstract: A pig receiver and method retrieve pigs in pipeline pigging operations. In one embodiment, a pig receiver includes a pig receiver unit. The pig receiver also includes a pig gate valve assembly disposed on the pig receiving unit. The pig gate valve assembly includes a gate valve. The pig gate valve assembly also includes a first actuator and a second actuator. The pig gate valve assembly further includes a cylinder guide. In addition, the pig gate valve assembly includes a tie bar. Actuation of the tie bar actuates the gate valve. An end of the tie bar is attached to the first actuator, and an opposing end of the tie bar is attached to the second actuator. The pig receiver also includes a system for removing contaminants from the pig receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Power Associates International, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Hodde
  • Publication number: 20150152993
    Abstract: A pig receiver and method retrieve pigs in pipeline pigging operations. In one embodiment, a pig receiver includes a pig receiver unit. The pig receiver also includes a pig gate valve assembly disposed on the pig receiving unit. The pig gate valve assembly includes a gate valve. The pig gate valve assembly also includes a first actuator and a second actuator. The pig gate valve assembly further includes a cylinder guide. In addition, the pig gate valve assembly includes a tie bar. Actuation of the tie bar actuates the gate valve. An end of the tie bar is attached to the first actuator, and an opposing end of the tie bar is attached to the second actuator. The pig receiver also includes a system for removing contaminants from the pig receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Applicant: Power Associates International, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Hodde
  • Publication number: 20140245550
    Abstract: A pig receiver and method retrieve pigs in pipeline pigging operations. In one embodiment, a pig receiver includes a pig receiver unit. The pig receiver also includes a pig gate valve assembly disposed on the pig receiving unit. The pig gate valve assembly includes a gate valve. The pig gate valve assembly also includes a first actuator and a second actuator. The pig gate valve assembly further includes a cylinder guide. In addition, the pig gate valve assembly includes a tie bar. Actuation of the tie bar actuates the gate valve. An end of the tie bar is attached to the first actuator, and an opposing end of the tie bar is attached to the second actuator. The pig receiver also includes a system for removing contaminants from the pig receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: POWER ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: James R. Hodde
  • Patent number: 8701234
    Abstract: A pig receiver and method retrieve pigs in pipeline pigging operations. In one embodiment, a pig receiver includes a pig receiver unit. The pig receiver also includes a pig gate valve assembly disposed on the pig receiving unit. The pig gate valve assembly includes a gate valve. The pig gate valve assembly also includes a first actuator and a second actuator. The pig gate valve assembly further includes a cylinder guide. In addition, the pig gate valve assembly includes a tie bar. Actuation of the tie bar actuates the gate valve. An end of the tie bar is attached to the first actuator, and an opposing end of the tie bar is attached to the second actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Power Associates International, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Hodde
  • Patent number: 8689384
    Abstract: A pig receiver and method retrieve pigs in pipeline pigging operations. In one embodiment, a pig receiver includes a pig receiver unit. The pig receiver also includes a pig gate valve assembly disposed on the pig receiving unit. The pig gate valve assembly includes a gate valve. The pig gate valve assembly also includes a first actuator and a second actuator. The pig gate valve assembly further includes a cylinder guide. In addition, the pig gate valve assembly includes a tie bar. Actuation of the tie bar actuates the gate valve. An end of the tie bar is attached to the first actuator, and an opposing end of the tie bar is attached to the second actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Power Associates International, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Hodde
  • Publication number: 20130167943
    Abstract: A pig receiver and method retrieve pigs in pipeline pigging operations. In one embodiment, a pig receiver includes a pig receiver unit. The pig receiver also includes a pig gate valve assembly disposed on the pig receiving unit. The pig gate valve assembly includes a gate valve. The pig gate valve assembly also includes a first actuator and a second actuator. The pig gate valve assembly further includes a cylinder guide. In addition, the pig gate valve assembly includes a tie bar. Actuation of the tie bar actuates the gate valve. An end of the tie bar is attached to the first actuator, and an opposing end of the tie bar is attached to the second actuator. The pig receiver also includes a system for removing contaminants from the pig receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: POWER ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: James R. Hodde
  • Patent number: 8312584
    Abstract: A pig receiver and method retrieve pigs in pipeline pigging operations. In one embodiment, a pig receiver includes a pig receiver unit. The pig receiver also includes a pig gate valve assembly disposed on the pig receiving unit. The pig gate valve assembly includes a gate valve. The pig gate valve assembly also includes a first actuator and a second actuator. The pig gate valve assembly further includes a cylinder guide. In addition, the pig gate valve assembly includes a tie bar. Actuation of the tie bar actuates the gate valve. An end of the tie bar is attached to the first actuator, and an opposing end of the tie bar is attached to the second actuator. The pig receiver also includes a pressure equalization system that adjusts the pressure downstream of the gate valve when the gate valve is in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Power Associates International, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Hodde
  • Publication number: 20110240135
    Abstract: A pig receiver and method retrieve pigs in pipeline pigging operations. In one embodiment, a pig receiver includes a pig receiver unit. The pig receiver also includes a pig gate valve assembly disposed on the pig receiving unit. The pig gate valve assembly includes a gate valve. The pig gate valve assembly also includes a first actuator and a second actuator. The pig gate valve assembly further includes a cylinder guide. In addition, the pig gate valve assembly includes a tie bar. Actuation of the tie bar actuates the gate valve. An end of the tie bar is attached to the first actuator, and an opposing end of the tie bar is attached to the second actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: POWER ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: James R. Hodde
  • Publication number: 20110239386
    Abstract: A pig receiver and method retrieve pigs in pipeline pigging operations. In one embodiment, a pig receiver includes a pig receiver unit. The pig receiver also includes a pig gate valve assembly disposed on the pig receiving unit. The pig gate valve assembly includes a gate valve. The pig gate valve assembly also includes a first actuator and a second actuator. The pig gate valve assembly further includes a cylinder guide. In addition, the pig gate valve assembly includes a tie bar. Actuation of the tie bar actuates the gate valve. An end of the tie bar is attached to the first actuator, and an opposing end of the tie bar is attached to the second actuator. The pig receiver also includes a pressure equalization system that adjusts the pressure downstream of the gate valve when the gate valve is in a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: POWER ASSOCIATES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: James R. Hodde