Patents by Inventor Rick Baxter
Rick Baxter 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: 20240060592Abstract: A pipe rehabilitation system and/or robot can be used inside a pipe to measure characteristics of branch conduits, install plugs into branch conduits before the pipe is lined with a liner, remove portions of plugs and liners after lining to restore fluid communication between the pipe and branch conduits, and/or install fittings into the branch conduits to connect the liner to the branch conduits. A probe can measure characteristics of a branch conduit. A tool can install plugs and/or fittings into the branch conduits. A linkage can connect a tool to a robotic tractor so that the connected elements can navigate through a main pipe. A visualization system can aid in aligning a robot with a branch conduit. Height-adjustable braces can support robotic tools in a pipe. A plug can include integrated locating features and/or movable parts that enable expanding the plug to seal with the branch conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2023Publication date: February 22, 2024Inventors: Rick Baxter, Robert Kodadek, Hermann Herrlich, Steven McKeefrey, John Webster
-
Patent number: 11873939Abstract: An end termination assembly for a pipe liner includes a liner fitting and a clamping collar. The liner fitting has a nipple. The clamping collar can be disposed on the nipple to clamp the liner between the two components. A clamping surface of one or both of the nipple and clamping collar can be tapered to accommodate a range of liner wall thicknesses. The clamping collar can connect to the nipple without rotating. For example, a draw mechanism can draw the clamping collar along pipe liner to clamp the liner between collar and the nipple. The clamping collar and the nipple define an annular space in which a pipe liner can be clamped, and the radial thickness of the annular space is different at different positions of the collar.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2020Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: INA Acquisition Corp.Inventors: Mark Hairston, Rick Baxter
-
Patent number: 11828400Abstract: A pipe rehabilitation system and/or robot can be used inside a pipe to measure characteristics of branch conduits, install plugs into branch conduits before the pipe is lined with a liner, remove portions of plugs and liners after lining to restore fluid communication between the pipe and branch conduits, and/or install fittings into the branch conduits to connect the liner to the branch conduits. A probe can measure characteristics of a branch conduit. A tool can install plugs and/or fittings into the branch conduits. A linkage can connect a tool to a robotic tractor so that the connected elements can navigate through a main pipe. A visualization system can aid in aligning a robot with a branch conduit. Height-adjustable braces can support robotic tools in a pipe. A plug can include integrated locating features and/or movable parts that enable expanding the plug to seal with the branch conduit.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2022Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: INA Acquisition Corp.Inventors: Rick Baxter, Robert Kodadek, Hermann Herrlich, Steven McKeefrey, John Webster
-
Patent number: 11774025Abstract: A fitting for connecting a branch conduit to a liner installed in a main pipe is configured to mechanically connect to the branch conduit as it is inserted into the branch conduit from inside the main pipe. The mechanical connection is established without rotating the fitting. The fitting can include a body having an outer shaft section for being received in the branch conduit and an inner flange section for opposing the liner within the main pipe. The fastener include one or more teeth that extend radially from the exterior of the shaft section. The teeth can be secured to the shaft section by deforming portions of the fitting body against the teeth. The flange section supports a gasket for sealing against the liner when the fitting is installed. The flange section can include a rim that maintains the gasket in the proper position.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2019Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: INA Acquisition Corp.Inventors: George Bontus, Rick Baxter, Benjamin Lagosz-Sinclair, George Lohr, David Antanavige, Dennis Semet, Steven McKeefrey
-
Patent number: 11724318Abstract: In one aspect, a bit for removing a plug from a branch conduit extending from a main pipe has a boring head at a distal end portion of a shaft configured to bore a pilot hole in the plug. A catch on the shaft is configured to pass through the pilot hole and then engage the plug after the pilot hole is bored for pushing the plug proximally. A burr proximal of the boring head is configured to remove a portion of the plug to separate a removable section from a durable section of the plug. In a method of restoring fluid communication between a main pipe and a branch conduit, the bit bores a pilot hole with the boring head, separates the removable section from the durable section with the burr, and then with the catch, withdraws the removable section only.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2021Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: INA Acquisition Corp.Inventors: Rick Baxter, Steven McKeefrey, Hermann Herrlich, Kole Kottmeier
-
Publication number: 20220397224Abstract: A pipe rehabilitation system and/or robot can be used inside a pipe to measure characteristics of branch conduits, install plugs into branch conduits before the pipe is lined with a liner, remove portions of plugs and liners after lining to restore fluid communication between the pipe and branch conduits, and/or install fittings into the branch conduits to connect the liner to the branch conduits. A probe can measure characteristics of a branch conduit. A tool can install plugs and/or fittings into the branch conduits. A linkage can connect a tool to a robotic tractor so that the connected elements can navigate through a main pipe. A visualization system can aid in aligning a robot with a branch conduit. Height-adjustable braces can support robotic tools in a pipe. A plug can include integrated locating features and/or movable parts that enable expanding the plug to seal with the branch conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2022Publication date: December 15, 2022Inventors: Rick Baxter, Robert Kodadek, Hermann Herrlich, Steven McKeefrey, John Webster
-
Patent number: 11391407Abstract: A pipe rehabilitation system and/or robot can be used inside a pipe to measure characteristics of branch conduits, install plugs into branch conduits before the pipe is lined with a liner, remove portions of plugs and liners after lining to restore fluid communication between the pipe and branch conduits, and/or install fittings into the branch conduits to connect the liner to the branch conduits. A probe can measure characteristics of a branch conduit. A tool can install plugs and/or fittings into the branch conduits. A linkage can connect a tool to a robotic tractor so that the connected elements can navigate through a main pipe. A visualization system can aid in aligning a robot with a branch conduit. Height-adjustable braces can support robotic tools in a pipe. A plug can include integrated locating features and/or movable parts that enable expanding the plug to seal with the branch conduit.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2019Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: INA Acquisition Corp.Inventors: Rick Baxter, Robert Kodadek, Hermann Herrlich, Steven McKeefrey, John Webster
-
Publication number: 20220118525Abstract: In one aspect, a bit for removing a plug from a branch conduit extending from a main pipe has a boring head at a distal end portion of a shaft configured to bore a pilot hole in the plug. A catch on the shaft is configured to pass through the pilot hole and then engage the plug after the pilot hole is bored for pushing the plug proximally. A burr proximal of the boring head is configured to remove a portion of the plug to separate a removable section from a durable section of the plug. In a method of restoring fluid communication between a main pipe and a branch conduit, the bit bores a pilot hole with the boring head, separates the removable section from the durable section with the burr, and then with the catch, withdraws the removable section only.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2021Publication date: April 21, 2022Inventors: Rick Baxter, Steven McKeefry, Herman Herrlich, Kole Kottmeier
-
Publication number: 20220099229Abstract: An end termination assembly for a pipe liner includes a liner fitting and a clamping collar. The liner fitting has a nipple. The clamping collar can be disposed on the nipple to clamp the liner between the two components. A clamping surface of one or both of the nipple and clamping collar can be tapered to accommodate a range of liner wall thicknesses. The clamping collar can connect to the nipple without rotating. For example, a draw mechanism can draw the clamping collar along pipe liner to clamp the liner between collar and the nipple. The clamping collar and the nipple define an annular space in which a pipe liner can be clamped, and the radial thickness of the annular space is different at different positions of the collar.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2020Publication date: March 31, 2022Inventors: Mark Hairston, Rick Baxter
-
Patent number: 11079055Abstract: A fitting for connecting a branch conduit to a liner installed in a main pipe is configured to mechanically connect to the branch conduit as it is inserted into the branch conduit from inside the main pipe. The mechanical connection is established without rotating the fitting. The fitting can include a body having an outer shaft section for being received in the branch conduit and an inner flange section for opposing the liner within the main pipe. The fastener include one or more teeth that extend radially from the exterior of the shaft section. The teeth can be secured to the shaft section by deforming portions of the fitting body against the teeth. The flange section supports a gasket for sealing against the liner when the fitting is installed. The flange section can include a rim that maintains the gasket in the proper position.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2020Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: INA Acquisition Corp.Inventors: George Bontus, Rick Baxter, Benjamin Lagosz-Sinclair, George Lohr, David Antanavige, Dennis Semet, Steven McKeefrey
-
Publication number: 20200248857Abstract: A fitting for connecting a branch conduit to a liner installed in a main pipe is configured to mechanically connect to the branch conduit as it is inserted into the branch conduit from inside the main pipe. The mechanical connection is established without rotating the fitting. The fitting can include a body having an outer shaft section for being received in the branch conduit and an inner flange section for opposing the liner within the main pipe. The fastener include one or more teeth that extend radially from the exterior of the shaft section. The teeth can be secured to the shaft section by deforming portions of the fitting body against the teeth. The flange section supports a gasket for sealing against the liner when the fitting is installed. The flange section can include a rim that maintains the gasket in the proper position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2020Publication date: August 6, 2020Inventors: George Bontus, Rick Baxter, Benjamin Lagosz-Sinclair, George Lohr, David Antanavige, Dennis Semet, Steven McKeefrey
-
Publication number: 20200173599Abstract: A pipe rehabilitation system and/or robot can be used inside a pipe to measure characteristics of branch conduits, install plugs into branch conduits before the pipe is lined with a liner, remove portions of plugs and liners after lining to restore fluid communication between the pipe and branch conduits, and/or install fittings into the branch conduits to connect the liner to the branch conduits. A probe can measure characteristics of a branch conduit. A tool can install plugs and/or fittings into the branch conduits. A linkage can connect a tool to a robotic tractor so that the connected elements can navigate through a main pipe. A visualization system can aid in aligning a robot with a branch conduit. Height-adjustable braces can support robotic tools in a pipe. A plug can include integrated locating features and/or movable parts that enable expanding the plug to seal with the branch conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2019Publication date: June 4, 2020Inventors: Rick Baxter, Robert Kodadek, Hermann Herrlich, Steven McKeefrey, John Webster, Brian Lynn, John Jayne, Ryan Goldband, Michael Hauser, George Bontus
-
Publication number: 20200132234Abstract: A fitting for connecting a branch conduit to a liner installed in a main pipe is configured to mechanically connect to the branch conduit as it is inserted into the branch conduit from inside the main pipe. The mechanical connection is established without rotating the fitting. The fitting can include a body having an outer shaft section for being received in the branch conduit and an inner flange section for opposing the liner within the main pipe. The fastener include one or more teeth that extend radially from the exterior of the shaft section. The teeth can be secured to the shaft section by deforming portions of the fitting body against the teeth. The flange section supports a gasket for sealing against the liner when the fitting is installed. The flange section can include a rim that maintains the gasket in the proper position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2019Publication date: April 30, 2020Inventors: George Bontus, Rick Baxter, Ben Sinclair, George Lohr, Dave Antanavige, Dennis Semet, Steven McKeefrey