Patents by Inventor Robert Fulton Hendricks

Robert Fulton Hendricks 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: 11719341
    Abstract: A closure [10] for a cylindrical vessel includes at least one holding means [30] configured to move the closure into a fully closed state, the holding means having a predetermined actuation force or torque to properly close the closure, the closure including one or both of the following failsafe failure detection features: a mechanical fuse [20] having a predetermined load failure force below that of a load failure force of at least one component of the holding means and above that of a predetermined actuation force or torque to properly close the closure; or a block[40] sized to at least partially overlap a pressure warning lock hole [19] of the closure door when the closure is not in the fully closed state and to fully expose the pressure warning lock hole when the closure is in the fully closed state, thereby permitting insertion of a pressure warning lock [17].
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: TDW Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Mitchell, William C. Keenan, William J. Tefft, Joseph Alan Morton, Aaron M. Ritchie, Robert Fulton Hendricks, Samuel R. Boehning
  • Patent number: 11391409
    Abstract: A pigging device of this disclosure includes a wear indicator configured to visually indicate an amount of material loss of a pipe wall contacting surface. The material loss may be symmetrical or asymmetrical. The pipe wall contacting surface may be any shape suitable, including but not limited to spherical-shaped, cylindrical-shaped, cup-shaped, disc-shaped, conical-shaped, frusto-conical shaped, bowl-shaped, and bullet-shaped. In some embodiments, the pigging device is a pipeline pig such as but not limited to a spherical foam pig, cylindrical-shaped foam pig, or a bullet-shaped foam pig. In other embodiments, the pigging device is a component of a pipeline pig such as but not limited to a cup or disc arranged about a body of the pipeline pig. The pigging device may also be a pigging disc element. The pigging device may be made of any suitable material, including but not limited to an elastomer such as urethane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: TDW Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Alan Morton, Robert Fulton Hendricks, Roger L. Poe
  • Publication number: 20210018134
    Abstract: A pigging device of this disclosure includes a wear indicator configured to visually indicate an amount of material loss of a pipe wall contacting surface. The material loss may be symmetrical or asymmetrical. The pipe wall contacting surface may be any shape suitable, including but not limited to spherical-shaped, cylindrical-shaped, cup-shaped, disc-shaped, conical-shaped, frusto-conical shaped, bowl-shaped, and bullet-shaped. In some embodiments, the pigging device is a pipeline pig such as but not limited to a spherical foam pig, cylindrical-shaped foam pig, or a bullet-shaped foam pig. In other embodiments, the pigging device is a component of a pipeline pig such as but not limited to a cup or disc arranged about a body of the pipeline pig. The pigging device may also be a pigging disc element. The pigging device may be made of any suitable material, including but not limited to an elastomer such as urethane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Joseph Alan Morton, Robert Fulton Hendricks, Roger L. Poe
  • Publication number: 20190366289
    Abstract: A closure [10] for a cylindrical vessel includes at least one holding means [30] configured to move the closure into a fully closed state, the holding means having a predetermined actuation force or torque to properly close the closure, the closure including one or both of the following failsafe failure detection features: a mechanical fuse [20] having a predetermined load failure force below that of a load failure force of at least one component of the holding means and above that of a predetermined actuation force or torque to properly close the closure; or a block[40] sized to at least partially overlap a pressure warning lock hole [19] of the closure door when the closure is not in the fully closed state and to fully expose the pressure warning lock hole when the closure is in the fully closed state, thereby permitting insertion of a pressure warning lock [17].
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Joshua D. Mitchell, William C. Keenan, William J. Tefft, Joseph Alan Morton, Aaron M. Ritchie, Robert Fulton Hendricks, Samuel R. Boehning