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).

  • Patent number: 8806500
    Abstract: Embodiments provide a method of dynamically setting the automation behavior of resources via switching between an active mode and a passive mode. One embodiment is a method that includes placing a first computing resource into a first desired state and an active behavioral mode and placing a second computing resource having a relationship to the first resource into the first desired state when a first request for the first resource that specifies the first desired state is received. The method also includes placing the first computing resource into a standby state and a passive behavioral mode and not placing the second computing resource into the first desired state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bernd Jostmeyer, Norbert Lenz, Markus Mueller, Martin Reitz
  • Publication number: 20140191144
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: ONESUBSEA, LLC
    Inventors: Norbert Lenz, Klaus Biester
  • Patent number: 8716963
    Abstract: An actuating device for displacing a control device, such as a gate valve or other control mechanism, in particular for use in oil or gas production systems, includes a motor-gear unit and a threaded spindle drive, which is operable by said motor-gear unit. The threaded spindle drive includes at least a threaded spindle and a screw nut. The threaded spindle is displaceable in an essentially axial-direction so as to displace the control device between an advance position and a retracted position. The threaded spindle drive further includes a position holding means holding the attained position of the threaded spindle. The position holding means is directly connected to a motor shaft of the motor-gear unit so as to apply a holding torque to said motor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Klaus Biester, Peter Kunow, Norbert Lenz
  • Publication number: 20140015449
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Klaus BIESTER, Peter KUNOW, Norbert LENZ
  • Patent number: 8552884
    Abstract: A power and signal distribution system comprises a converter unit connected to a plurality of control units. The converter unit and the control units are arranged in areas difficult to access, for instance on the sea bed. The converter unit is connected to a remote monitoring and supplying device via at least one cable connection. Each control unit has assigned thereto at least one production apparatus for crude oil or natural gas corresponding gate valves, chokes, biops, actuators. In some embodiments, the power and signal distribution system the converter unit comprises a data separation device and a voltage converter. The converted voltage from the voltage converter is transmitted together with data/signals from the converter unit to at least one of the control units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Klaus Biester, Norbert Lenz, Peter Kunow, Steffen Gebauer, Martin Trog, Volker Zabe
  • Patent number: 8536731
    Abstract: In at least some embodiments, an electrically controlled subsea production system includes a subsea electrical distributor that receives a high direct current (DC) voltage. The electrical distributor converts the high DC voltage to a lower DC voltage. The electrically controlled subsea production system also includes a plurality of subsea trees coupled to the subsea electrical distributor, wherein valves of the subsea trees selectively operate based on the lower DC voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Klaus Biester, Peter Kunow, Norbert Lenz
  • Publication number: 20120313491
    Abstract: An actuating device for displacing a control device, such as a gate valve or other control mechanism, in particular for use in oil or gas production systems, includes a motor-gear unit and a threaded spindle drive, which is operable by said motor-gear unit. The threaded spindle drive includes at least a threaded spindle and a screw nut. The threaded spindle is displaceable in an essentially axial-direction so as to displace the control device between an advance position and a retracted position. The threaded spindle drive further includes a position holding means holding the attained position of the threaded spindle. The position holding means is directly connected to a motor shaft of the motor-gear unit so as to apply a holding torque to said motor shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Klaus Biester, Peter Kunow, Norbert Lenz
  • Publication number: 20120299742
    Abstract: A power and signal distribution system comprises a converter unit connected to a plurality of control units. The converter unit and the control units are arranged in areas difficult to access, for instance on the sea bed. The converter unit is connected to a remote monitoring and supplying device via at least one cable connection. Each control unit has assigned thereto at least one production apparatus for crude oil or natural gas corresponding gate valves, chokes, biops, actuators. In some embodiments, the power and signal distribution system the converter unit comprises a data separation device and a voltage converter. The converted voltage from the voltage converter is transmitted together with data/signals from the converter unit to at least one of the control units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Klaus Biester, Norbert Lenz, Peter Kunow, Steffen Gebauer, Martin Trog, Volker Zabe
  • Publication number: 20120241007
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Norbert Lenz
  • Patent number: 8274245
    Abstract: An actuating device for displacing a control device, such as a gate valve or other control mechanism, in particular for use in oil or gas production systems, includes a motor-gear unit and a threaded spindle drive, which is operable by said motor-gear unit. The threaded spindle drive includes at least a threaded spindle and a screw nut. The threaded spindle is displaceable in an essentially axial-direction so as to displace the control device between an advance position and a retracted position. The threaded spindle drive further includes a position holding means holding the attained position of the threaded spindle. The position holding means is directly connected to a motor shaft of the motor-gear unit so as to apply a holding torque to said motor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Klaus Biester, Peter Kunow, Norbert Lenz
  • Patent number: 8264370
    Abstract: A power and signal distribution system comprises a converter unit connected to a plurality of control units. The converter unit and the control units are arranged in areas difficult to access, for instance on the sea bed. The converter unit is connected to a remote monitoring and supplying device via at least one cable connection. Each control unit has assigned thereto at least one production apparatus for crude oil or natural gas corresponding gate valves, chokes, biops, actuators. In some embodiments, the power and signal distribution system the converter unit comprises a data separation device and a voltage converter. The converted voltage from the voltage converter is transmitted together with data/signals from the converter unit to at least one of the control units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Klaus Biester, Norbert Lenz, Peter Kunow, Steffen Gebauer, Martin Trog, Volker Zabe
  • Patent number: 8260897
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for automatically managing IT-resources in a heterogeneous environment on each level of resource abstraction and resource hierarchy by using the concept of the resource-reference object. The resource-reference object represents the link to a referenced resource on a lower level in the hierarchy and may include a priority value assigned by the respective level of hierarchy as well as all information to build a remote request to that referenced resource which may be a single resource or a resource group. Concurrently each resource-reference object itself is accessible from the higher level of hierarchy as an own resource by additional providing a name and a desired state which can differ from desired state of the referenced resource as well as making it externally visible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Graser, Norbert Lenz, Markus Mueller, Juergen Schneider
  • Patent number: 8212410
    Abstract: In at least some embodiments, an electrically controlled subsea production system includes a subsea electrical distributor that receives a high direct current (DC) voltage. The electrical distributor converts the high DC voltage to a lower DC voltage. The electrically controlled subsea production system also includes a plurality of subsea trees coupled to the subsea electrical distributor, wherein valves of the subsea trees selectively operate based on the lower DC voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Klaus Biester, Peter Kunow, Norbert Lenz
  • Publication number: 20120153198
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Klaus Biester, Norbert Lenz
  • Patent number: 8051872
    Abstract: A subsea equipment (1) used for natural gas or crude oil production, such as a subsea actuator (2) for a valve, a restrictor or the like, a control module or other means, comprises at least an oil-filled first component (3) and a compensator unit (4) which is associated with said first component and which is in fluid communication therewith for pressure compensation. To improve such a subsea equipment in a structurally simple manner in such a way that it is capable of functioning and that pressure compensation is still possible, even if the associated compensator unit is damaged or fails to operate, a second compensator unit (5) is in fluid communication with said first component (3) or said first compensator unit (4) for pressure compensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Norbert Lenz
  • Patent number: 7934199
    Abstract: A method and respective system for performing a reconfiguration of a plurality of resources, where the resources reside on multiple different system platforms including a mainframe with a policy-based automation manager. A reconfiguration method with an improved switching facility between such configurations is provided by using a predefined automation choice group as a part of a predetermined automation policy, pre-selecting one group member as preferred to be activated in case a predetermined automation choice group is determined for operation, providing a user interface for triggering a reconfiguration of the resources according to the automation policy, and initiating an automatic change from a first resource configuration into a second resource configuration when the trigger is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bernd Jostmeyer, Norbert Lenz, Markus Mueller, Wolfgang Schaeberle
  • Publication number: 20100289668
    Abstract: A power and signal distribution system comprises a converter unit connected to a plurality of control units. The converter unit and the control units are arranged in areas difficult to access, for instance on the sea bed. The converter unit is connected to a remote monitoring and supplying device via at least one cable connection. Each control unit has assigned thereto at least one production apparatus for crude oil or natural gas corresponding gate valves, chokes, biops, actuators. In some embodiments, the power and signal distribution system the converter unit comprises a data separation device and a voltage converter. The converted voltage from the voltage converter is transmitted together with data/signals from the converter unit to at least one of the control units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Klaus Biester, Norbert Lenz, Peter Kunow, Steffen Gebauer, Martin Trog, Volker Zabe
  • Patent number: 7770649
    Abstract: A locking device for locking an exchangeable unit in an insertion opening of an associated housing, particular in maritime mineral oil or mineral gas extraction, comprises locking elements adjustable between an insertion opening and a locking position, wherein in its insertion direction the unit can be inserted into the insertion opening, and is locked in the locking position within the insertion opening and relative to the housing. The locking elements are formed as thread segments spaced apart by insertion gaps in the circumferential direction and arranged on the outer side of the unit and being aligned with the insertion opening, said thread segments being arranged in the insertion opening at a gap and being in thread engagement in the locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Klaus Biester, Norbert Lenz
  • Publication number: 20100127646
    Abstract: An actuating device for displacing a control device, such as a gate valve or other control mechanism, in particular for use in oil or gas production systems, includes a motor-gear unit and a threaded spindle drive, which is operable by said motor-gear unit. The threaded spindle drive includes at least a threaded spindle and a screw nut. The threaded spindle is displaceable in an essentially axial-direction so as to displace the control device between an advance position and a retracted position. The threaded spindle drive further includes a position holding means holding the attained position of the threaded spindle. The position holding means is directly connected to a motor shaft of the motor-gear unit so as to apply a holding torque to said motor shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Klaus Biester, Peter Kunow, Norbert Lenz
  • Publication number: 20100019573
    Abstract: In at least some embodiments, an electrically controlled subsea production system includes a subsea electrical distributor that receives a high direct current (DC) voltage. The electrical distributor converts the high DC voltage to a lower DC voltage. The electrically controlled subsea production system also includes a plurality of subsea trees coupled to the subsea electrical distributor, wherein valves of the subsea trees selectively operate based on the lower DC voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Klaus Biester, Peter Kunow, Norbert Lenz