Patents by Inventor Norbert Lenz
Norbert Lenz 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: 10371275Abstract: Actuator for actuating a valve device comprising an electric drive (14) being operatively engaged to an actuating element (1) of the valve device, the electric drive (14) comprising at least one torque motor (2) which drives a hollow shaft (3) as an internal rotor, that positions a threaded drive (4) having a screw nut (6) and a threaded spindle (5) for converting the rotational movement of the hollow shaft (3) into a translational movement of the threaded spindle (5), and the threaded spindle (5) acts upon the actuating element (1) for displacing the same, wherein the threaded drive (4) comprises an inverted roller screw (4.1), and the screw nut (6) of the inverted roller screw (4.1) houses the threaded spindle (5) as a push rod.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2014Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: ONESUBSEA IP UK LIMITEDInventor: Norbert Lenz
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Patent number: 10030787Abstract: An actuator for actuating a valve mechanism, such as a gate valve mechanism, a blow-out preventer or the like for maritime oil or gas production. The actuator includes at least one motor housing. The motor housing includes an electric motor, a vehicle adapter at a first housing end of the motor housing to dock with a remote controlled vehicle, and a connection adapter at a second housing end to dock with a spring assembly housing disposed on the valve mechanism. The spring assembly housing includes a spring assembly that pressurizes a spring piston displaceably mounted in the spring assembly housing.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2013Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: ONESUBSEA IP UK LIMITEDInventor: Norbert Lenz
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Patent number: 9810341Abstract: An actuating device for displacing a control device, such as a valve, gate valve, or the like, particularly for use in oil or gas production systems. The actuating device includes at least one torque motor having an electric drive and a thread drive that is rotatable by the electric drive. The actuating device also includes a threaded spindle, a screw nut, a torque control/regulation device, and a position detection device. The threaded spindle is axially displaceable to displace a flow control device between an advanced position and a retracted position. The torque motor is connected to the screw nut in a rotationally-fixed manner and the position detection device is assigned to the threaded spindle to determine the axial position thereof.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2013Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Cameron International CorporationInventors: Norbert Lenz, Klaus Biester
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Publication number: 20170248247Abstract: Actuator for actuating a valve device comprising an electric drive (14) being operatively engaged to an actuating element (1) of the valve device, the electric drive (14) comprising at least one torque motor (2) which drives a hollow shaft (3) as an internal rotor, that positions a threaded drive (4) having a screw nut (6) and a threaded spindle (5) for converting the rotational movement of the hollow shaft (3) into a translational movement of the threaded spindle (5), and the threaded spindle (5) acts upon the actuating element (1) for displacing the same, wherein the threaded drive (4) comprises an inverted roller screw (4.1), and the screw nut (6) of the inverted roller screw (4.1) houses the threaded spindle (5) as a push rod.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2014Publication date: August 31, 2017Inventor: Norbert Lenz
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Patent number: 9719607Abstract: A magnetic holding brake (1) having at least one turning brake member (4) allocatable to a rotatable part (2) of an actuator (3) and a fixed brake member (6) allocatable to a torque-proof part (5) of the actuator (3). The turning brake member (4) and the fixed brake member (6) each at least have one permanent magnet (7, 8) of different polarity. The permanent magnets are lying opposite to each other in a pre-defined relative position of the turning brake member (4) and the fixed brake member (6) under exertion of a braking or holding torque. In this manner, the possibility exists that a holding in the so-called “fail as is”-mode is more easily and reliably and at the same time cost-efficiently achievable without wear or further energy demand.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2012Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Cameron International CorporationInventor: Norbert Lenz
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Patent number: 9714720Abstract: An electrical actuator (1) especially for operating a valve (2) has at least one electric motor (3), a drive shaft (4) driven by the electric motor (3) and a gear shaft (5) rotatable by the drive shaft (4), which gear shaft is connected to a valve member (6) in a motion-transferring manner. Between the drive shaft (4) and the gear shaft (5), a return stop device (7) especially acting both ways in rotational direction is formed. This return stop device (7) has a pot-shaped outer part (8) and a hub part (9) rotatably supported therein. The hub part (9) is connected to the gear shaft (5) in a torque-proof manner and within at least one free space (10) between the hub part (9) and the outer part (8) a wedging member is arranged. This is only movement into free rolling position by the drive shaft (4) under a rotation of the drive shaft (4).Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2012Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignee: Cameron International CorporationInventor: Norbert Lenz
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Patent number: 9494252Abstract: A locking device is used for locking at least a piston associated with an operating element of a valve, a choke, a blowout preventer or some other unit used in the field of oil/natural gas drilling and/or oil/natural gas production. The locking device comprises a sleeve, which is axially displaceable relative to the piston and which is threadedly engaged with a rotatably supported rod for displacement in an axial direction. The rod is drivingly connected to a motor. In order to be able to determine, by means of simple structural measures, the position of the piston for each of its positions in a sufficiently precise and reproducible manner, the locking device is provided with a position sensor, which extends from a fixed point through a longitudinal bore of the lock rod up to the hydraulic piston and by means of which a distance between the piston and the fixed point can be detected.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2011Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: OneSubsea IP UK LimitedInventors: Klaus Biester, Norbert Lenz
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Patent number: 9470330Abstract: An actuating device or displacing a control device, such as a valve, gate valve or other control mechanism, in particular for use in oil or gas production systems, comprises a motor-gear unit (21) and a thread drive (22) which is operable by said motor-gear unit (21) and which comprises at least a threaded spindle (23) and a screw nut (24). The threaded spindle (23) is displaceable in an essentially axial direction so as to displace the control device (2) between a use position (7) and a non-use position (8, 9, 19, 20). To ensure a safe displacement into the non-use position in a simple way and independently of the pressure conditions prevailing between conveying medium and inner medium, the threaded spindle (23) is substantially axially displaceable beyond the use position (7) into a second non-use position (9). The invention also refers to a corresponding method for displacing the actuating device.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2015Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: OneSubsea IP UK LimitedInventor: Norbert Lenz
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Patent number: 9407175Abstract: A system supplies power from an AC voltage source to an electrical device. The system includes a plurality of AC/DC voltage converters having inputs connected to the AC voltage source and outputs connected to an electrical conductor. The system also includes a plurality of DC voltage converters, each having an input side connected to the electrical conductor and an output side connected to the electrical device. A converted DC or AC voltage is supplied to the electrical device. The system also includes a data coupling device coupled to the electrical conductor. The data coupling device allows communication with the electrical device via the electrical conductor using signals associated with a first frequency range while power is supplied to the electrical device via the electrical conductor.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2013Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: OneSubsea IP UK LimitedInventors: Klaus Biester, Peter Kunow, Norbert Lenz
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Publication number: 20160153580Abstract: An actuator for actuating a valve mechanism, such as a gate valve mechanism, a blow-out preventer or the like for maritime oil or gas production. The actuator includes at least one motor housing. The motor housing includes an electric motor, a vehicle adapter at a first housing end of the motor housing to dock with a remote controlled vehicle, and a connection adapter at a second housing end to dock with a spring assembly housing disposed on the valve mechanism. The spring assembly housing includes a spring assembly that pressurizes a spring piston displaceably mounted in the spring assembly housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2013Publication date: June 2, 2016Inventor: Norbert Lenz
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Publication number: 20160053912Abstract: An actuating device for displacing a control device, such as a valve, gate valve, or the like, particularly for use in oil or gas production systems. The actuating device includes at least one torque motor having an electric drive and a thread drive that is rotatable by the electric drive. The actuating device also includes a threaded spindle, a screw nut, a torque control/regulation device, and a position detection device. The threaded spindle is axially displaceable to displace the control device between an advanced position and a retracted position. The torque motor is connected to the threaded spindle or screw nut in a rotationally-fixed manner and the position detection device is assigned to the threaded spindle and screw nut, respectively, to determine the axial position thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2013Publication date: February 25, 2016Inventors: Norbert Lenz, Klaus Biester
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Patent number: 9251323Abstract: mechanisms are provided to securely access systems of a distributed computer system by entering passwords. Some systems are accessible by equal, and some systems are accessible by different passwords. The mechanisms store information, which systems (I, II) are accessible by equal, and which are accessible by different passwords and ask to enter a proper password when opening a session by accessing a system of the distributed computer system. The mechanisms cache the password and use the stored information to verify, if another system to be accessed during the current session is accessible by an equal password like a system already accessed during said session. If the result of the verification is true, the mechanisms re-use the adequate cached password.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2006Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Thomas Graser, Bernd Jostmeyer, Norbert Lenz, Andreas Schauberer, Wolfgang Schaeberle
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Publication number: 20150300520Abstract: A magnetic holding brake (1) having at least one turning brake member (4) allocatable to a rotatable part (2) of an actuator (3) and a fixed brake member (6) allocatable to a torque-proof part (5) of the actuator (3). The turning brake member (4) and the fixed brake member (6) each at least have one permanent magnet (7, 8) of different polarity. The permanent magnets are lying opposite to each other in a pre-defined relative position of the turning brake member (4) and the fixed brake member (6) under exertion of a braking or holding torque. In this manner, the possibility exists that a holding in the so-called “fail as is”-mode is more easily and reliably and at the same time cost-efficiently achievable without wear or further energy demand.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2012Publication date: October 22, 2015Inventor: Norbert LENZ
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Patent number: 9163484Abstract: An actuator for displacing a control device including a valve, a gate valve or the like, in particular for use in oil or gas production systems, said actuator comprising an electric drive and a thread drive displaceable by means of said electric drive. The thread drive comprises at least a threaded spindle and a screw nut. The threaded spindle is displaceable in a substantially axial direction between an advanced position and a retracted position so as to displace the control device. In order to improve an actuator of this kind in such a way that advantages of an already known actuator will be maintained on the basis of a smaller number of components and a more compact structural design and a reduction of the manufacturing costs can simultaneously be accomplished, the electric drive comprises at least one torque motor with a hollow shaft, said hollow shaft being connected to the driven side of a safety clutch unit such that it is secured against rotation relative thereto.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2009Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: OneSubsea IP UK LimitedInventors: Klaus Biester, Norbert Lenz
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Publication number: 20150240963Abstract: An electrical actuator (1) especially for operating a valve (2) has at least one electric motor (3), a drive shaft (4) driven by the electric motor (3) and a gear shaft (5) rotatable by the drive shaft (4), which gear shaft is connected to a valve member (6) in a motion-transferring manner. Between the drive shaft (4) and the gear shaft (5), a return stop device (7) especially acting both ways in rotational direction is formed. This return stop device (7) has a pot-shaped outer part (8) and a hub part (9) rotatably supported therein. The hub part (9) is connected to the gear shaft (5) in a torque-proof manner and within at least one free space (10) between the hub part (9) and the outer part (8) a wedging member is arranged. This is only movement into free rolling position by the drive shaft (4) under a rotation of the drive shaft (4).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2012Publication date: August 27, 2015Inventor: Norbert Lenz
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Patent number: 9051806Abstract: The separator serves to mechanically separate an actuator and an operating mechanism, such as a choke, a valve, a blow-out preventer or the like, which is displaceable by said actuator, for use especially in the field of oil or natural gas production. The separator is adapted to be arranged between the actuator and the operating mechanism and comprises at least a first component associated with the actuator and a second component associated with the operating mechanism. These first and second components are displaceable relative to one another by means of at least one application part, which is connected to the first or second component, between an engagement position and a release position. The application part is adapted to be brought into releasable engagement with a displacement part which is suitable for handling by a user.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2011Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: OneSubsea IP UK LimitedInventors: Norbert Lenz, Klaus Biester
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Publication number: 20150152971Abstract: An actuating device or displacing a control device, such as a valve, gate valve or other control mechanism, in particular for use in oil or gas production systems, comprises a motor-gear unit (21) and a thread drive (22) which is operable by said motor-gear unit (21) and which comprises at least a threaded spindle (23) and a screw nut (24). The threaded spindle (23) is displaceable in an essentially axial direction so as to displace the control device (2) between a use position (7) and a non-use position (8, 9, 19, 20). To ensure a safe displacement into the non-use position in a simple way and independently of the pressure conditions prevailing between conveying medium and inner medium, the threaded spindle (23) is substantially axially displaceable beyond the use position (7) into a second non-use position (9). The invention also refers to a corresponding method for displacing the actuating device.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2015Publication date: June 4, 2015Applicant: ONESUBSEA IP UK LIMITEDInventor: Norbert Lenz
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Patent number: 9037715Abstract: A method of selecting active members of resource groups is disclosed. The method includes assigning a first label from a predetermined static label set to a first member of a first resource group. The method includes assigning a second label from the predetermined static label set to a second member of the first resource group. The method further includes assigning the first label to a third member of a second resource group. The method includes assigning the second label to a fourth member of the second resource group. The method also includes selecting an active label from the predetermined static label set in response to a command received at a computing system. Upon selection of the active label from the predetermined static label set, computing resources identified by members associated with the active label are automatically placed online and computing resources identified by members associated with a label other than the active label are automatically placed offline.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2009Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Norbert Lenz, Markus Mueller, Martin Reitz, Joachim Weber
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Patent number: 8978687Abstract: An actuating device or displacing a control device, such as a valve, gate valve or other control mechanism, in particular for use in oil or gas production systems, comprises a motor-gear unit (21) and a thread drive (22) which is operable by said motor-gear unit (21) and which comprises at least a threaded spindle (23) and a screw nut (24). The threaded spindle (23) is displaceable in an essentially axial direction so as to displace the control device (2) between a use position (7) and a non-use position (8, 9, 19, 20). To ensure a safe displacement into the non-use position in a simple way and independently of the pressure conditions prevailing between conveying medium and inner medium, the threaded spindle (23) is substantially axially displaceable beyond the use position (7) into a second non-use position (9). The invention also refers to a corresponding method for displacing the actuating device.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2009Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Cameron International CorporationInventor: Norbert Lenz
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Publication number: 20140251468Abstract: A locking device is used for locking at least a piston associated with an operating element of a valve, a choke, a blowout preventer or some other unit used in the field of oil/natural gas drilling and/or oil/natural gas production. The locking device comprises a sleeve, which is axially displaceable relative to the piston and which is threadedly engaged with a rotatably supported rod for displacement in an axial direction. The rod is drivingly connected to a motor. In order to be able to determine, by means of simple structural measures, the position of the piston for each of its positions in a sufficiently precise and reproducible manner, the locking device is provided with a position sensor, which extends from a fixed point through a longitudinal bore of the lock rod up to the hydraulic piston and by means of which a distance between the piston and the fixed point can be detected.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2011Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: OneSubSea, LLCInventors: Klaus Biester, Norbert Lenz