Patents by Inventor Robert Erling Fowler
Robert Erling Fowler 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).
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Patent number: 11859609Abstract: A sealed connection device configured to connect a pump head with a pump on an additive pump. The sealed connection device may comprise an adapter and a sealing collar that inserts into the adapter. The sealing collar may comprise a body with a bore forming open ends, a shoulder disposed between the open ends, an annular detent adjacent the shoulder, annular grooves, one being disposed on the shoulder two others found on either side of the shoulder, and o-rings disposed in the annular grooves. The pump may couple with a first side of the adapter, the pump comprising a shaft that inserts in the bore of the sealing collar. The pump head may insert into a second side of the adapter so as to contact one of o-rings on the sealing collar.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2022Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: Natural Gas Solutions North America, LLCInventors: Robert Erling Fowler, Ramesh Konduri, Matthew Walter Schoppe
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Publication number: 20220275801Abstract: A sealed connection device configured to connect a pump head with a pump on an additive pump. The sealed connection device may comprise an adapter and a sealing collar that inserts into the adapter. The sealing collar may comprise a body with a bore forming open ends, a shoulder disposed between the open ends, an annular detent adjacent the shoulder, annular grooves, one being disposed on the shoulder two others found on either side of the shoulder, and o-rings disposed in the annular grooves. The pump may couple with a first side of the adapter, the pump comprising a shaft that inserts in the bore of the sealing collar. The pump head may insert into a second side of the adapter so as to contact one of o-rings on the sealing collar.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2022Publication date: September 1, 2022Inventors: Robert Erling Fowler, Ramesh Konduri, Matthew Walter Schoppe
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Patent number: 11339779Abstract: A sealed connection device configured to connect a pump head with a pump on an additive pump. The sealed connection device may comprise an adapter and a sealing collar that inserts into the adapter. The sealing collar may comprise a body with a bore forming open ends, a shoulder disposed between the open ends, an annular detent adjacent the shoulder, annular grooves, one being disposed on the shoulder two others found on either side of the shoulder, and o-rings disposed in the annular grooves. The pump may couple with a first side of the adapter, the pump comprising a shaft that inserts in the bore of the sealing collar. The pump head may insert into a second side of the adapter so as to contact one of o-rings on the sealing collar.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2017Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: Natural Gas Solutions North America, LLCInventors: Robert Erling Fowler, Ramesh Konduri, Matthew Walter Schoppe
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Patent number: 10890173Abstract: An additive pump is configured to collect migrant additive that penetrates into its reciprocating shaft. These configurations may include a pump head, an actuator that penetrates into the pump head, a sealed region disposed about the actuator to form a fluid-free zone, and a fluid sensing unit coupled with the sealed region, the fluid sensing unit comprising a receptacle that is configured to retain fluid that transits from inside the sealed region.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2018Date of Patent: January 12, 2021Assignee: Natural Gas Solutions North America, LLCInventor: Robert Erling Fowler
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Patent number: 10677631Abstract: A gas meter (100) and like metering systems that are configured for use underwater. The gas meter may embody a positive displacement rotary gas meter having a meter body with impellers that counter-rotate in response to material flow. The gas meter can also comprise an index unit having an electronics assembly to generate a value that equates rotation of impellers with a parameter of the material flow. The gas meter can further comprise a connective interface having a first part and a second part, one each disposed on the meter unit and the index unit, respectively, the first part and the second part coupling with one another to provide data to the electronics assembly, the data corresponding with operating conditions on the meter unit and rotation of the impellers. In one example, the first part and the second part are configured so that the meter unit and the index unit are operable underwater to generate the value.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2017Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: Natural Gas Solutions North America, LLCInventors: Richard Jin Yao, Robert Erling Fowler, Jeff Thomas Martin, Ronald Lewis Strong
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Publication number: 20190249658Abstract: An additive pump is configured to collect migrant additive that penetrates into its reciprocating shaft. These configurations may include a pump head, an actuator that penetrates into the pump head, a sealed region disposed about the actuator to form a fluid-free zone, and a fluid sensing unit coupled with the sealed region, the fluid sensing unit comprising a receptacle that is configured to retain fluid that transits from inside the sealed region.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2018Publication date: August 15, 2019Inventor: Robert Erling Fowler
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Publication number: 20190121375Abstract: A flow modulator generates energy concomitantly with pressure drop in a flowing fluid. The flow modulator may include a pipe section have a peripheral wall forming a bore and flanges on either end, a flow control disposed on the pipe section, the flow control comprising a first part and a second part, the first part disposed in the bore and the second part coupled with the peripheral wall to remain stationary relative to the first part. In one implementation, the first part generates a field to stimulate the second part to generate an electrical signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2017Publication date: April 25, 2019Inventor: Robert Erling Fowler
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Publication number: 20190093653Abstract: A sealed connection device configured to connect a pump head with a pump on an additive pump. The sealed connection device may comprise an adapter and a sealing collar that inserts into the adapter. The sealing collar may comprise a body with a bore forming open ends, a shoulder disposed between the open ends, an annular detent adjacent the shoulder, annular grooves, one being disposed on the shoulder two others found on either side of the shoulder, and o-rings disposed in the annular grooves. The pump may couple with a first side of the adapter, the pump comprising a shaft that inserts in the bore of the sealing collar. The pump head may insert into a second side of the adapter so as to contact one of o-rings on the sealing collar.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2017Publication date: March 28, 2019Inventors: Robert Erling Fowler, Ramesh Konduri, Matthew Walter Schoppe
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Patent number: 10215302Abstract: An actuator with an override device to avoid damage to components during transition to and from manual operation and during manual operation. In one embodiment, the actuator comprises an output shaft, a drive assembly coupled with the output shaft, the drive assembly comprising a motor and a brake, an override device coupled with the output shaft, the override device comprising a gear assembly and a switch actuator, and a housing forming an enclosure about at least the gear assembly and the switch actuator. The switch actuator can be configured to modify an external input to the drive assembly in response to relocation of the gear assembly relative to the output shaft between a first position and a second position so as to disconnect the motor from the external input at the first position, disconnect both the motor and the brake from the external input at the second position, and apply the external input to the brake during transition between the first position and the second position.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2016Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: Natural Gas Solutions North America, LLCInventors: Robert Erling Fowler, Kurt Douglas Regenbrecht
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Publication number: 20180259378Abstract: A gas meter (100) and like metering systems that are configured for use underwater. The gas meter may embody a positive displacement rotary gas meter having a meter body with impellers that counter-rotate in response to material flow. The gas meter can also comprise an index unit having an electronics assembly to generate a value that equates rotation of impellers with a parameter of the material flow. The gas meter can further comprise a connective interface having a first part and a second part, one each disposed on the meter unit and the index unit, respectively, the first part and the second part coupling with one another to provide data to the electronics assembly, the data corresponding with operating conditions on the meter unit and rotation of the impellers. In one example, the first part and the second part are configured so that the meter unit and the index unit are operable underwater to generate the value.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2017Publication date: September 13, 2018Inventors: Richard Jin Yao, Robert Erling Fowler, Jeff Thomas Martin, Ronald Lewis Strong
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Publication number: 20180149282Abstract: An actuator with an override device to avoid damage to components during transition to and from manual operation and during manual operation. In one embodiment, the actuator comprises an output shaft, a drive assembly coupled with the output shaft, the drive assembly comprising a motor and a brake, an override device coupled with the output shaft, the override device comprising a gear assembly and a switch actuator, and a housing forming an enclosure about at least the gear assembly and the switch actuator. The switch actuator can be configured to modify an external input to the drive assembly in response to relocation of the gear assembly relative to the output shaft between a first position and a second position so as to disconnect the motor from the external input at the first position, disconnect both the motor and the brake from the external input at the second position, and apply the external input to the brake during transition between the first position and the second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2016Publication date: May 31, 2018Inventors: Robert Erling Fowler, Kurt Douglas Regenbrecht
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Publication number: 20160356269Abstract: A pumping device configured to directly drive a reciprocating member to pump a fluid. In one embodiment, the pumping device comprises a body forming an internal chamber. The reciprocating member may be disposed in the body, the reciprocating member having a first end, a second end, and an axis. The embodiment may further include a drive system magnetically coupled with the reciprocating member, the drive system comprising a first conductive body affixed relative to the reciprocating member. The drive system may be configured to induce a first magnetic field by energizing the first conductive body. The reciprocating member may be configured to induce a second magnetic field in a manner that causes the reciprocating member to move between a first position and a second position to fill and evacuate the internal chamber with a fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2015Publication date: December 8, 2016Inventors: Francisco Manuel Gutierrez, Robert Erling Fowler
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Patent number: D906485Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2017Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Natural Gas Solutions North America, LLCInventor: Robert Erling Fowler