Patents by Inventor Randall A. Nichols

Randall A. Nichols 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: 6966950
    Abstract: A system for internally filling a joint or other discontinuity in a pipeline. The system includes a flexible conduit, a fill device removably connected to said flexible conduit, wherein the fill device is constructed and arranged to apply a fill material to an interior surface of said pipeline to fill one or more gaps in the pipeline, and a propulsion unit connected to at least one of the flexible conduit and the fill device that propels the flexible conduit through said pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Inventors: Anthony E. Winiewicz, Randall A. Nichols
  • Publication number: 20030039752
    Abstract: A system for internally filling a joint or other discontinuity in a pipeline. The system includes a flexible conduit, a fill device removably connected to said flexible conduit, wherein the fill device is constructed and arranged to apply a fill material to an interior surface of said pipeline to fill one or more gaps in the pipeline, and a propulsion unit connected to at least one of the flexible conduit and the fill device that propels the flexible conduit through said pipeline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: Anthony E. Winiewicz, Randall A. Nichols
  • Patent number: 6514346
    Abstract: Joints or other discontinuities in live gas pipelines are sealed by spraying the joint or discontinuity with a coating material by means of an explosion-resistant coating device (10), capable of traversing long lengths of pipe (14). The coating device is inserted into the pipe and uses an explosion-resistant camera (44) for locating joints or other discontinuities in the pipe. The preferred coating material is a high build epoxy-type elastomeric polyurethane (48), which quickly cures in the presence of pressurized flowing gas. Several joints or discontinuities, spanning several hundred feet of pipe, may be coated using a single excavation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: NEUCO, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall A. Nichols
  • Patent number: 6180169
    Abstract: Joints or other discontinuities in a live gas pipeline are sealed by attaching an insertion duct to the exterior of the pipeline, inserting a spraying device into the pipeline through the insertion duct, mechanically orienting the spraying device adjacent the joint or other discontinuity and spraying a coating material onto the interior surface of the pipeline wherein the coating material may be applied and will cure in the presence of pressurized flowing gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Inventor: Randall A. Nichols
  • Patent number: 5913977
    Abstract: Joints or other discontinuities in live gas pipelines are sealed by spraying the joint or discontinuity with a coating material by means of an explosion-proof coating device, capable of traversing long lengths of pipe. The coating device is inserted into the pipe and uses a halogen lit explosion-proof camera for locating joints or other discontinuities in the pipe. The preferred coating material is a high build epoxy-type elastomeric polyurethane, which quickly cures in the presence of pressurized flowing gas. Several joints or discontinuities, spanning several hundred feet of pipe, may be coated using a single excavation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: NEUCO, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall A. Nichols