Patents by Inventor Paul Blalock
Paul Blalock 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: 9565904Abstract: A conventional zipper is the preferred means for closure of many jackets and other outerwear. Conventional zippers are prone to jamming and snagging due to the introduction of the liner into the slider body as the zipper is opened and closed. Embodiments herein provide modified slider bodies with one or more features such as an elongated spring cap, a protrusion on the bottom plate and/or plate coupler of the slider body, and/or vertically offset side rails. These features may minimize introduction of loose fabric, such as the lining of a lined garment, into the tape slot of the slider body, thereby help reduce jamming of the slider body during operation of the slide fastener.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2015Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: Columbia Sportswear North America, Inc.Inventors: Michael “Woody” Blackford, Gary Davis, Paul Blalock
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Publication number: 20150237974Abstract: A conventional zipper is the preferred means for closure of many jackets and other outerwear. Conventional zippers are prone to jamming and snagging due to the introduction of the liner into the slider body as the zipper is opened and closed. Embodiments herein provide modified slider bodies with one or more features such as an elongated spring cap, a protrusion on the bottom plate and/or plate coupler of the slider body, and/or vertically offset side rails. These features may minimize introduction of loose fabric, such as the lining of a lined garment, into the tape slot of the slider body, thereby help reduce jamming of the slider body during operation of the slide fastener.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2015Publication date: August 27, 2015Inventors: Michael "Woody" Blackford, Gary Davis, Paul Blalock
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Patent number: 9068424Abstract: A system for transferring fluids from a free-standing riser to a surface vessel comprises a first valve assembly including a first valve spool and a first isolation valve configured to control the flow of fluids through the first valve spool. In addition, the system comprises a second valve assembly releasably coupled to the first valve assembly with a hydraulically actuated connector. The second valve assembly includes a second valve spool and a second isolation valve configured to control the flow of fluids through the second valve spool. Further, the system comprises a deployment/retrieval rigging coupled to the first valve assembly and configured to suspend the first valve assembly and the second valve assembly from the surface vessel. Each isolation valve has an open position allowing fluid flow therethrough and a closed position restricting fluid flow therethrough, and each isolation valve is biased to the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2012Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.Inventors: Graeme Steele, Douglas Paul Blalock, Steve Eggert, Chau Nguyen, Paul Sheperd, Trevor Smith, David Wilkinson
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Patent number: 9027209Abstract: Embodiments herein provide modified slider bodies with one or more features such as an elongated spring cap, a protrusion on the bottom plate and/or plate coupler of the slider body, and/or vertically offset side rails. These features may minimize introduction of loose fabric, such as the lining of a lined garment, into the tape slot of the slider body, thereby help reduce jamming of the slider body during operation of the slide fastener.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2010Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Columbia Sportswear North America, Inc.Inventors: Michael “Woody” Blackford, Gary Davis, Paul Blalock
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Publication number: 20130048295Abstract: A device for capturing hydrocarbons discharged from a subsea flow passage comprises an elongate tubular structure having a central axis, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end. The second end is open and in fluid communication with the first end. The tubular structure includes a rigid stabbing member extending axially from the second end and configured to he inserted into the flow passage. In addition, the device comprises an annular flexible skirt disposed about the stabbing member. The skirt is secured to the stabbing member and extends radially outward from the stabbing member. The skirt is configured to flex from an unflexed position to a flexed position upon insertion of the stabbing member into the flow passage. The skirt is biased to the unflexed position and has an outer diameter in the unflexed position that is greater than the inner diameter of the flow passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2012Publication date: February 28, 2013Applicant: BP CORPORATION NORTH AMERICA INC.Inventors: Pierre Albert Beynet, Douglas Paul Blalock, Kevin James Devers, Trent James Fleece, Kinton Lowell Lawler, Jason Edward Waligura
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Publication number: 20120325489Abstract: Apparatus includes a seal head having first and second ends and a sidewall having an internal diameter. The first end of the seal head is open to the environment, and the second end is closed to the environment by an end cap. The seal head includes an aperture configured to accommodate a subsea source. A tubular seal head extension is fluidly connected to the seal head end cap. The seal head extension has an external diameter, an external surface, and a length. A movable element having first and second ends and a sidewall structure having an internal diameter sufficiently larger than the external diameter of the extension forms an annulus between the movable element and the extension. The movable element first end opens to the environment, while its second end is closed by an end cap defining an exit fluidly connectable to a subsea collection system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2012Publication date: December 27, 2012Applicant: BP CORPORATION NORTH AMERICA INC.Inventors: Pierre Albert Beynet, Douglas Paul Blalock, Kevin James Devers
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Publication number: 20120273213Abstract: A riser system connects a subsea source of hydrocarbons to a collection vessel. The system includes a riser, a lower end of the riser fluidly coupled to a seal stem, the seal stem in turn fluidly attached to a lower riser assembly through a polished bore receptacle. The upper end of the riser is connected to the collection vessel, the riser being maintained in a near vertical position. Methods of installing and using the riser systems for killing and cementing wells are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2012Publication date: November 1, 2012Applicant: BP CORPORATION NORTH AMERICA INC.Inventors: Douglas Paul Blalock, Michael Patrick Cleary, Thomas Patrick Mataway, Steven Dirk Koepke
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Publication number: 20120273216Abstract: Methods are disclosed of establishing and maintaining flow of hydrocarbon-bearing fluid from a subsea source while controlling or limiting hydrocarbon gas hydrate formation in a riser and a collection tool fluidly connected to a distal end of the riser during subsea positioning of the riser and tool. Riser sections are connected at or near the sea surface, and a collection tool may be connected to the distal end of the riser at the surface or picked up subsea by the riser. The riser and tool are deployed subsea near a subsea source of hydrocarbons. A low-density fluid is forced down the riser and tool, and then the riser and tool are positioned to collect hydrocarbons from the subsea source of hydrocarbons. Flow of a low-density fluid is gradually reduced to initiate flow of hydrocarbons up the tool and riser.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2012Publication date: November 1, 2012Applicant: BP CORPORATION NORTH AMERICA INC.Inventors: Pierre Albert Beynet, Kevin James Denver, Norman Dennis McMullen, Douglas Paul Blalock
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Publication number: 20120273215Abstract: A system for transferring fluids from a free-standing riser to a surface vessel comprises a first valve assembly including a first valve spool and a first isolation valve configured to control the flow of fluids through the first valve spool. In addition, the system comprises a second valve assembly releasably coupled to the first valve assembly with a hydraulically actuated connector. The second valve assembly includes a second valve spool and a second isolation valve configured to control the flow of fluids through the second valve spool. Further, the system comprises a deployment/retrieval rigging coupled to the first valve assembly and configured to suspend the first valve assembly and the second valve assembly from the surface vessel. Each isolation valve has an open position allowing fluid flow therethrough and a closed position restricting fluid flow therethrough, and each isolation valve is biased to the closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2012Publication date: November 1, 2012Applicant: BP Corporation North America Inc.Inventors: Graeme Steele, Douglas Paul Blalock, Steve Eggert, Chau Nguyen, Paul Shepherd, Trevor Smith, David Wilkinson
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Publication number: 20100192332Abstract: A conventional zipper is the preferred means for closure of many jackets and other outerwear. Conventional zippers are prone to jamming and snagging due to the introduction of the liner into the slider body as the zipper is opened and closed. Embodiments herein provide modified slider bodies with one or more features such as an elongated spring cap, a protrusion on the bottom plate and/or plate coupler of the slider body, and/or vertically offset side rails. These features may minimize introduction of loose fabric, such as the lining of a lined garment, into the tape slot of the slider body, thereby help reduce jamming of the slider body during operation of the slide fastener.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2010Publication date: August 5, 2010Applicant: COLUMBIA SPORTSWEAR NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventors: Michael "Woody" Blackford, Gary Davis, Paul Blalock