Patents by Inventor Leroy S. Fletcher

Leroy S. Fletcher 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: 20090320953
    Abstract: An interstitially insulated pipeline for flowing a hydrocarbon. In an embodiment, the pipeline comprises a first interstitially insulated pipe and a second interstitially insulated pipe. Each interstitially insulated pipe comprises an inner pipe, an outer pipe mounted coaxially around the inner pipe, an insulating interstice radially positioned between the inner pipe and the outer pipe, and a layer of screen mesh having a mesh size 10 or less disposed in the insulating interstice. In addition, the pipeline comprises a joint coupling the first interstitially insulated tubular and the second interstitially insulated tubular end-to-end. The joint includes a connection that couples the outer pipe of the first interstitially insulated pipe to the outer pipe of the second interstitially insulated pipe, and an annular seal member disposed between the inner pipe of the first interstitially insulated pipe and the inner pipe of the second interstitially insulated pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
    Inventors: Leroy S. Fletcher, Egidio E. Marotta, Charles A. Bollfrass
  • Patent number: 5711628
    Abstract: An expandable clamp of the type that is used within a channel to compress a planar member within that channel against a wall of that channel. The clamp has an expandable bladder of an elongated cylindrical shape and a valve for introducing a gas or a liquid into the bladder for expanding it. Alternatively, the clamp may be manufactured with a closed bladder that is partially filled with a fluid. This closed bladder may be expanded by increasing the pressure on the fluid such as by compressing the fluid with a piston. The clamp is particularly suited for use in Standard Electronic Modules for providing more uniform contact between the frame of the electronic module and the card chassis of the instrumentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Texas A & M University System
    Inventor: Leroy S. Fletcher
  • Patent number: 5591162
    Abstract: A catheter that provides precise temperature control for treating diseased tissue. The catheter may use a variety of passive heat pipe structures alone or in combination with feedback devices. The catheter is particularly useful for treating diseased tissue that cannot be removed by surgery, such as a brain tumor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1997
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Leroy S. Fletcher, George P. Peterson
  • Patent number: 5417686
    Abstract: A catheter that provides precise temperature control is disclosed herein. The catheter may use a variety of passive heat pipe structures alone or in combination with feedback devices. The catheter is particularly useful for treating diseased tissue that cannot be removed by surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: George P. Peterson, Leroy S. Fletcher
  • Patent number: 5190539
    Abstract: A micro-heat-pipe catheter provides a hyperthermia or hypothermia source for the treatment of cancerous tumors or other diseased tissue. The heat-pipe is about the size of a hypodermic needle and is thermally insulated along a substantial portion of its length. The heat-pipe includes a channel, partially charged with an appropriate working fluid. Active or passive heat control tailors the delivery or removal of thermal energy directly to or from the tumor or diseased tissue site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Texas A & M University System
    Inventors: Leroy S. Fletcher, George P. Peterson
  • Patent number: 5119886
    Abstract: A heat transfer method and apparatus are disclosed for transferring heat across a cylinder surface, in order to maintain the cylinder surface at a uniform temperature for drying, rolling or otherwise processing a work piece. The apparatus comprises a rotatable cylinder wall with a plurality of heat pipes bent near their evaporator ends and disposed within and around the periphery of the cylinder wall, at least one end wall, and a plurality of hubs interconnecting the cylinder with a drive shaft. The heat transfer cylinder, itself, may comprise a large rotating heat pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1992
    Assignee: The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Leroy S. Fletcher, George P. Peterson, Jr.