Patents by Inventor Robert D. Ryan

Robert D. Ryan 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: 12404957
    Abstract: A pipe coupling for coupling a first pipe to a second pipe wherein a gap exists between a first pipe end and a second pipe end. The pipe coupling includes a tubular insert configured to fit within the gap and match an inside diameter and outside diameter of the pipes, thereby providing a through-butt joint between the insert and the pipes. The pipe coupling also includes a half-tubular first fitting section and a half-tubular second fitting section, configured to snap-lock and form a tubular shape over the insert, the first pipe end and the second pipe end. In some embodiments, the insert is integral with the fitting sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2024
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2025
    Inventor: Robert D. Ryan
  • Publication number: 20240309978
    Abstract: A pipe coupling for coupling a first pipe to a second pipe wherein a gap exists between a first pipe end and a second pipe end. The pipe coupling includes a tubular insert configured to fit within the gap and match an inside diameter and outside diameter of the pipes, thereby providing a through-butt joint between the insert and the pipes. The pipe coupling also includes a half-tubular first fitting section and a half-tubular second fitting section, configured to snap-lock and form a tubular shape over the insert, the first pipe end and the second pipe end. In some embodiments, the insert is integral with the fitting sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2024
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Inventor: Robert D. Ryan
  • Patent number: 12031648
    Abstract: A pipe coupling for coupling a first pipe to a second pipe wherein a gap exists between a first pipe end and a second pipe end. The pipe coupling includes a tubular insert configured to fit within the gap and match an inside diameter and outside diameter of the pipes, thereby providing a through-butt joint between the insert and the pipes. The pipe coupling also includes a half-tubular first fitting section and a half-tubular second fitting section, configured to snap-lock and form a tubular shape over the insert, the first pipe end and the second pipe end. In some embodiments, the insert is integral with the fitting sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Inventor: Robert D. Ryan
  • Publication number: 20230235838
    Abstract: A pipe coupling for coupling a first pipe to a second pipe wherein a gap exists between a first pipe end and a second pipe end. The pipe coupling includes a tubular insert configured to fit within the gap and match an inside diameter and outside diameter of the pipes, thereby providing a through-butt joint between the insert and the pipes. The pipe coupling also includes a half-tubular first fitting section and a half-tubular second fitting section, configured to snap-lock and form a tubular shape over the insert, the first pipe end and the second pipe end. In some embodiments, the insert is integral with the fitting sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventor: Robert D. Ryan
  • Patent number: 11624462
    Abstract: A pipe coupling for coupling a first pipe to a second pipe wherein a gap exists between a first pipe end and a second pipe end. The pipe coupling includes a tubular insert configured to fit within the gap and match an inside diameter and outside diameter of the pipes, thereby providing a through-butt joint between the insert and the pipes. The pipe coupling also includes a half-tubular first fitting section and a half-tubular second fitting section, configured to snap-lock and form a tubular shape over the insert, the first pipe end and the second pipe end. In some embodiments, the insert is integral with the fitting sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Inventor: Robert D. Ryan
  • Publication number: 20210262598
    Abstract: A pipe coupling for coupling a first pipe to a second pipe wherein a gap exists between a first pipe end and a second pipe end. The pipe coupling includes a tubular insert configured to fit within the gap and match an inside diameter and outside diameter of the pipes, thereby providing a through-butt joint between the insert and the pipes. The pipe coupling also includes a half-tubular first fitting section and a half-tubular second fitting section, configured to snap-lock and form a tubular shape over the insert, the first pipe end and the second pipe end. In some embodiments, the insert is integral with the fitting sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventor: Robert D. Ryan
  • Patent number: 11022243
    Abstract: A pipe coupling for coupling a first pipe to a second pipe wherein a gap exists between a first pipe end and a second pipe end. The pipe coupling includes a tubular insert configured to fit within the gap and match an inside diameter and outside diameter of the pipes, thereby providing a through-butt joint between the insert and the pipes. The pipe coupling also includes a half-tubular first fitting section and a half-tubular second fitting section, configured to snap-lock and form a tubular shape over the insert, the first pipe end and the second pipe end. In some embodiments, the insert is integral with the fitting sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Inventor: Robert D. Ryan
  • Publication number: 20200370689
    Abstract: A pipe coupling for coupling a first pipe to a second pipe wherein a gap exists between a first pipe end and a second pipe end. The pipe coupling includes a tubular insert configured to fit within the gap and match an inside diameter and outside diameter of the pipes, thereby providing a through-butt joint between the insert and the pipes. The pipe coupling also includes a half-tubular first fitting section and a half-tubular second fitting section, configured to snap-lock and form a tubular shape over the insert, the first pipe end and the second pipe end. In some embodiments, the insert is integral with the fitting sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventor: Robert D. Ryan
  • Patent number: 10774964
    Abstract: A pipe coupling for coupling a first pipe to a second pipe wherein a gap exists between a first pipe end and a second pipe end. The pipe coupling includes a tubular insert configured to fit within the gap and match an inside diameter and outside diameter of the pipes, thereby providing a through-butt joint between the insert and the pipes. The pipe coupling also includes a half-tubular first fitting section and a half-tubular second fitting section, configured to snap-lock and form a tubular shape over the insert, the first pipe end and the second pipe end. In some embodiments, the insert is integral with the fitting sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Inventor: Robert D. Ryan
  • Publication number: 20170059078
    Abstract: A pipe coupling for coupling a first pipe to a second pipe wherein a gap exists between a first pipe end and a second pipe end. The pipe coupling includes a tubular insert configured to fit within the gap and match an inside diameter and outside diameter of the pipes, thereby providing a through-butt joint between the insert and the pipes. The pipe coupling also includes a half-tubular first fitting section and a half-tubular second fitting section, configured to snap-lock and form a tubular shape over the insert, the first pipe end and the second pipe end. In some embodiments, the insert is integral with the fitting sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventor: Robert D. Ryan
  • Patent number: 8809738
    Abstract: A method for tracking contact tip deterioration in real time in accordance with the present invention includes establishing a reference that relates welding parameters during welding production to contact tip life; monitoring welding parameters of a contact tip during use; comparing the monitored welding parameters to the reference; providing real-time feedback to an operator; and predicting contact tip failure from the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Ryan, Tiejun Ma, David A. Bellamy
  • Patent number: 8710404
    Abstract: A method of maintaining welding current to compensate for deterioration of a welding contact tip includes: monitoring in real time at least one of welding current and welding voltage during welding production; comparing the at least one of the welding current and the welding voltage to a reference value for a given set of parameters; and adjusting one or more welding parameters in real time to increase energy output in response to the comparison so that consistent energy is consumed across the welding arc, whereby the quality of the welding production is maintained as the welding contact tip is consumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Tiejun Ma, Robert D. Ryan
  • Publication number: 20120234812
    Abstract: A method of maintaining welding current to compensate for deterioration of a welding contact tip includes: monitoring in real time at least one of welding current and welding voltage during welding production; comparing the at least one of the welding current and the welding voltage to a reference value for a given set of parameters; and adjusting one or more welding parameters in real time to increase energy output in response to the comparison so that consistent energy is consumed across the welding arc, whereby the quality of the welding production is maintained as the welding contact tip is consumed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Tiejun Ma, Robert D. Ryan
  • Publication number: 20120234813
    Abstract: A method for tracking contact tip deterioration in real time in accordance with the present invention includes establishing a reference that relates welding parameters during welding production to contact tip life; monitoring welding parameters of a contact tip during use; comparing the monitored welding parameters to the reference; providing real-time feedback to an operator; and predicting contact tip failure from the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Robert D. Ryan, Tiejun Ma, David A. Bellamy