Patents by Inventor Robert A. Judge

Robert A. Judge 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: 6904982
    Abstract: A sub-sea mud pump system includes a plurality of pump units, and each pumping unit includes a plurality of pumping elements. Each pumping element includes a pressure vessel with a first and a second chamber, a separating member between the first and second chambers, a measurement device adapted to measure the volume of at least one of the first and second chambers, a hydraulic inlet control valve and a hydraulic outlet control valve coupled to the first chamber, a mud suction valve and a mud discharge valve coupled to the second chamber. The first chamber is hydraulically coupled to receive and discharge a hydraulic fluid, and the second chamber is hydraulically coupled to receive and discharge a drilling fluid. The separating member is adapted to move within its the pressure vessel in response to a pressure differential between the first and second chambers. The pump system also includes a hydraulic control unit adapted to control the plurality of pump units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Hydril Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Judge, Dat Manh Nguyen, Harold Wade, Ronald D. Brooks
  • Publication number: 20040007392
    Abstract: A sub-sea mud pump system includes a plurality of pump units, and each pumping unit includes a plurality of pumping elements. Each pumping element includes a pressure vessel with a first and a second chamber, a separating member between the first and second chambers, a measurement device adapted to measure the volume of at least one of the first and second chambers, a hydraulic inlet control valve and a hydraulic outlet control valve coupled to the first chamber, a mud suction valve and a mud discharge valve coupled to the second chamber. The first chamber is hydraulically coupled to receive and discharge a hydraulic fluid, and the second chamber is hydraulically coupled to receive and discharge a drilling fluid. The separating member is adapted to move within its the pressure vessel in response to a pressure differential between the first and second chambers. The pump system also includes a hydraulic control unit adapted to control the plurality of pump units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Robert A. Judge, Dat Manh Nguyen, Harold Wade
  • Patent number: 6505691
    Abstract: The invention is a subsea pump that includes pumping elements, each pumping element including a pressure vessel with a first and a second chamber therein and a separating member disposed between the first and second chambers. The first and second chambers are hydraulically connected to receive and discharge a hydraulic fluid and a drilling fluid, respectively. The separating member moves within the pressure vessel in response to a pressure differential between the first and second chambers. A hydraulic power supply is arranged to pump the hydraulic fluid to the first chamber of each of the pumping elements. A valve assembly is hydraulically coupled to the first chambers of the plurality of pumping elements and to the hydraulic power supply. Volume measurement devices are arranged to measure volumes of each of the first chambers and the second chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Hydril Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Judge, Charles P. Peterman
  • Publication number: 20020066596
    Abstract: The invention is a subsea pump that includes pumping elements, each pumping element including a pressure vessel with a first and a second chamber therein and a separating member disposed between the first and second chambers. The first and second chambers are hydraulically connected to receive and discharge a hydraulic fluid and a drilling fluid, respectively. The separating member moves within the pressure vessel in response to a pressure differential between the first and second chambers. A hydraulic power supply is arranged to pump the hydraulic fluid to the first chamber of each of the pumping elements. A valve assembly is hydraulically coupled to the first chambers of the plurality of pumping elements and to the hydraulic power supply. Volume measurement devices are arranged to measure volumes of each of the first chambers and the second chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventors: Robert A. Judge, Charles P. Peterman