Patents by Inventor Robert Bennitt

Robert Bennitt 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: 9416789
    Abstract: A closure device for monitoring leakage of a process fluid through a bore of a compressor casing is provided. The closure device may include a body configured to be detachably coupled with the compressor casing about the bore of the compressor. The body may define a fluid passage and a plurality of grooves. The plurality of grooves may be defined about an outer circumferential surface of the body and may be axially spaced from one another. The closure device may also include a plurality of seals at least partially disposed in respective grooves of the plurality of grooves. The plurality of seals may be configured to engage an inner surface of the compressor casing such that adjacent seals of the plurality of seals at least partially define an annular gap therebetween fluidly coupled with the fluid passage and configured to contain the leakage of the process fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: Robert A. Bennitt
  • Publication number: 20150152874
    Abstract: A closure device for monitoring leakage of a process fluid through a bore of a compressor casing is provided. The closure device may include a body configured to be detachably coupled with the compressor casing about the bore of the compressor. The body may define a fluid passage and a plurality of grooves. The plurality of grooves may be defined about an outer circumferential surface of the body and may be axially spaced from one another. The closure device may also include a plurality of seals at least partially disposed in respective grooves of the plurality of grooves. The plurality of seals may be configured to engage an inner surface of the compressor casing such that adjacent seals of the plurality of seals at least partially define an annular gap therebetween fluidly coupled with the fluid passage and configured to contain the leakage of the process fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Publication date: June 4, 2015
    Applicant: DRESSER-RAND COMPANY
    Inventor: Robert A. Bennitt
  • Patent number: 6817846
    Abstract: A gas compressor and method according to which a piston assembly reciprocates in a bore to draw the fluid to be compressed into the bore during movement of the piston unit in one direction and to compress the fluid during movement of the piston unit in the other direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: Robert Bennitt
  • Patent number: 6712363
    Abstract: A sealing method and method according to which a first and second ring are each provided with split ends, and an arcuate lip extends from one end portion of the each ring and in an axial direction relative to the ring and projects outwardly from the face of the ring. The rings are disposed in an interlocking relationship with the second portion of the lip of the first ring extending within, and in a closely spaced relation to, the corresponding inner surface of the second ring; and with the second portion of each lip of the second ring extending within, and in a closely spaced relation to, the corresponding inner surface of the first ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Bennitt, Larry A. Schnautz
  • Publication number: 20040018106
    Abstract: A gas compressor and method according to which a plurality of inlet valve assemblies are angularly spaced around a bore. A piston reciprocates in the bore to draw the fluid from the valve assemblies during movement of the piston unit in one direction and compress the fluid during movement of the piston unit in the other direction and the valve assemblies prevent fluid flow from the bore to the valve assemblies during the movement of the piston in the other direction. A discharge valve is associated with the piston to permit the discharge of the compressed fluid from the bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: Robert Bennitt, Dale George, Derek Woollatt, Tim Miller, Charles Seavey, Steve Chaykosky, Jim Crimmer
  • Publication number: 20030231969
    Abstract: A gas compressor and method according to which a piston assembly reciprocates in a bore to draw the fluid to be compressed into the bore during movement of the piston unit in one direction and to compress the fluid during movement of the piston unit in the other direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Applicant: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: Robert Bennitt
  • Patent number: 6655935
    Abstract: A gas compressor and method according to which a plurality of inlet valve assemblies are angularly spaced around a bore. A piston reciprocates in the bore to draw the fluid from the valve assemblies during movement of the piston unit in one direction and compress the fluid during movement of the piston unit in the other direction and the valve assemblies prevent fluid flow from the bore to the valve assemblies during the movement of the piston in the other direction. A discharge valve is associated with the piston to permit the discharge of the compressed fluid from the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: Robert Bennitt, Dale George, Derek Woollatt, Tim Miller, Charles Seavey, Steve Chaykosky, Jim Crimmer
  • Publication number: 20030133813
    Abstract: A gas compressor and method according to which a plurality of inlet valve assemblies are angularly spaced around a bore. A piston reciprocates in the bore to draw the fluid from the valve assemblies during movement of the piston unit in one direction and compress the fluid during movement of the piston unit in the other direction and the valve assemblies prevent fluid flow from the bore to the valve assemblies during the movement of the piston in the other direction. A discharge valve is associated with the piston to permit the discharge of the compressed fluid from the bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Applicant: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: Robert Bennitt, Dale M. George, Derek Woollatt, Timothy M. Miller, Charles Seavey, Steve Chaykosky, Jim Crimmer
  • Publication number: 20030127802
    Abstract: A sealing method and method according to which a first and second ring are each provided with split ends, and an arcuate lip extends from one end portion of the each ring and in an axial direction relative to the ring and projects outwardly from the face of the ring. The rings are disposed in an interlocking relationship with the second portion of the lip of the first ring extending within, and in a closely spaced relation to, the corresponding inner surface of the second ring; and with the second portion of each lip of the second ring extending within, and in a closely spaced relation to, the corresponding inner surface of the first ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Applicant: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Bennitt, Larry A. Schnautz, Donna A. Schnautz
  • Patent number: 6318967
    Abstract: A gas compression apparatus and method according to which a compression cylinder is connected between two heads, and gas is introduced into at least one header and into the cylinder. A piston is reciprocated in the cylinder with a stroke corresponding to the length of the cylinder to compress the gas after which the compressed gas is discharged from the cylinder. If the cylinder bore becomes damaged or wears out, or if it is desired to change the stroke length of the piston, the cylinder can easily be replaced by disconnecting it from the heads and installing another cylinder between the heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: William C. Wirz, Robert A. Bennitt
  • Patent number: 5727930
    Abstract: A hollow through-bolt is threaded internally and externally, at one end, to receive therein a reciprocable, end-threaded rod. A pair of fluid-control valves, centrally bored, are mounted on the through-bolt in spaced apart disposition. The other end of the through-bolt has a shoulder formed thereon for seating one of the valves thereagainst, and the other valve central bore is tapped for threaded engagement with the one end of the through-bolt. A sleeve, slidably engaged with the through-bolt, and interposed between the valves, maintains the one valve positioned against the shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Bennitt, Daniel Valla
  • Patent number: 5564906
    Abstract: An elongated sleeve, externally threaded, is threadedly engaged with threaded bores in transverse walls formed in a straight cylinder of a gas compressor. A nut is secured to an intermediate portion of the sleeve, by means of a setscrew, and an end of the sleeve threadedly mounts a valve. The cylinder wall has an aperture formed therein to provide access for an open-end wrench, so that the wrench can work the nut to cause rotation of the nut and the sleeve, and move the valve outwardly or inwardly of the cylinder, as the valve is wholly confined within the cylinder at the frame-end thereof, and is otherwise inaccessible for movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Bennitt, Derek Woollatt
  • Patent number: 5378117
    Abstract: A cylindrical gas compressor has inlet valves confined therewithin, at opposite ends thereof, and discharge valves, shaft-mounted therebetween, for reciprocation to ingest and compress admitted gas. Outboard of the inlet valves are circular plates from which extend a plurality of fingers. The plates are confined within chambers in the compressor, and radial ports are provided for admitting pressured fluid to the plates to cause them to move inboard, whereby the fingers penetrate the inlet valves and remove the inlet valve valving elements off the valve seat, effecting unloading of the inlet valves. Springs hold the plates outboard of the inlet valves, to allow the valves to function normally-loaded, in the absence of the plate-displacing, ports-admitted, pressured fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: Robert A. Bennitt
  • Patent number: 5378116
    Abstract: Inlet valves, in a fluid-pressuring cylinder, are biasingly held in given operative positions where they occlude passageways, formed in the cylinder, which open at opposite ends onto the cylinder interior and the cylinder exterior. When an incompressible slug of liquid enters the cylinder, the relevant valve retracts against the bias thereof to expose the passageway, whereby the risk of over-pressuring is avoided, and the excess pressure is simply vented through the passageway(s), directly to the exterior of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1995
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Bennitt, Derek Woollatt
  • Patent number: 5236008
    Abstract: A body having a longitudinal axis, and parallel bearing surfaces at opposite axial ends thereof, has grooves formed therein, adjacent both axial ends thereof for receiving sealing rings therein. The body is interposed between fluid-control valves which are centrally supported, in spaced-apart disposition on a reciprocable rod, for abutting engagement thereof with the outermost peripheries of axial ends of the valves to support the valves and prevent bending moments from being exerted on the valves, and the grooves-receivable sealing rings offer enhanced fluid sealing over that carried by the valves themselves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: Robert A. Bennitt
  • Patent number: 5209647
    Abstract: A straight cylinder, clamped between end headers, confines valve assemblies wholly therewithin, and has a cylindrical sleeve set within one half length of the cylinder to effect a staging, i.e., a two-step compression, of the admitted gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: Robert A. Bennitt
  • Patent number: 5141413
    Abstract: The compressor has a straight cylinder wholly confined within which are inlet valves, and reciprocatable discharge valves. One inlet valve is set in place by a centerbolt which can be turned by a wrench (or the like) to move the inlet valve to selected positions relative to its confronting discharge valve, whereby the volume of the clearance pocket is varied. The centerbolt mounted inlet valve, then, comprises an instrument for selectively varying the clearance pocket volume, obviating any need for any special clearance pocket varying devices or components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: Robert A. Bennitt
  • Patent number: 5062311
    Abstract: A housing, feet therefor, and casings, formed of common, readily available tubular stock, of uniform thickness, are assembled and welded together to define a frame for a crankshaft and crosshead assemblies. The tubular housing has openings in the sides thereof in which to receive the casings, and has apertures, also in sides thereof, in which to journal a crankshaft. The casings include transverse webs with arcuate ways formed therein for slidably supporting crosshead shoes thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: Robert A. Bennitt
  • Patent number: 5015158
    Abstract: The compressor is formed of a simple, straight cylinder clamped between end headers by means of tie bolts. Confined within the cylinder are inlet valves--one at each end thereof--and inlet ports formed in the cylinder open onto these valves. A reciprocable piston rod carries a pair of spaced-apart discharge valves thereon. The latter valves, having annular bodies, have piston ring grooves formed thereabout, to receive sealing piston rings therein; too the discharge valves serve as the gas compressing pistons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1991
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: Robert A. Bennitt
  • Patent number: 5011383
    Abstract: The assembly, designed for use in combination with a straight-cylinder, gas-compression chamber, has a center bolt which is threaded at opposite ends thereof to receive a pair of valve sets. Each of the latter has a ported valve seat, valve guard, and ported valve plate. The guard is set about the bolt, and against a shoulder formed on the bolt therefor. The seat is centrally threaded, to engage one of the threaded ends of the bolt, and it and the guard confine the valve plate therebetween. In that one of the valve sets is turned 180.degree. from the other, i.e., the two guards being in confrontation, and the two seats remotely disposed, vis-a-vis, the one valve set is open to fluid flow, while the other is closed, as the assembly is reciprocated in such a straight-cylinder, chamber. Identical valve sets, on different, short bolts set in end closures of such a chamber, serve as gas inlet valves, while the reciprocable assembly carries the discharge valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: Dresser-Rand Company
    Inventor: Robert A. Bennitt