Patents by Inventor Robert W. Franklin
Robert W. Franklin 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: 9297214Abstract: A free-standing riser system connects a subsea source to a surface structure. The system includes a concentric free-standing riser comprising inner and outer risers defining an annulus there between. A lower end of the riser is fluidly coupled to the subsea source through a lower riser assembly (LRA) and one or more subsea flexible conduits. An upper end of the riser is connected to a buoyancy assembly and the surface structure through an upper riser assembly (URA) and one or more upper flexible conduits, the riser also mechanically connected to a buoyancy assembly that applies upward tension to the riser. The riser may be insulated for flow assurance, either by a flow assurance fluid in the annulus, insulation of the outside of the outer riser, or both. The system may include a hydrate inhibition system and/or a subsea dispersant system. The surface structure may be dynamically positioned.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2015Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignees: BP Corporation North America Inc., BP Exploration Operating Company LimitedInventors: Roy Shilling, Paul W. Gulgowski, Jr., Philip D. Maule, Kevin Kennelley, Walter Greene, Robert W. Franklin, Vicki Corso, Tony Oldfield, Adam L. Ballard, Graeme Steele, David E. Wilkinson, Ricky Thethi, Chau Nguyen, Steve Hatton
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Publication number: 20150122503Abstract: A free-standing riser system connects a subsea source to a surface structure. The system includes a concentric free-standing riser comprising inner and outer risers defining an annulus there between. A lower end of the riser is fluidly coupled to the subsea source through a lower riser assembly (LRA) and one or more subsea flexible conduits. An upper end of the riser is connected to a buoyancy assembly and the surface structure through an upper riser assembly (URA) and one or more upper flexible conduits, the riser also mechanically connected to a buoyancy assembly that applies upward tension to the riser. The riser may be insulated for flow assurance, either by a flow assurance fluid in the annulus, insulation of the outside of the outer riser, or both. The system may include a hydrate inhibition system and/or a subsea dispersant system. The surface structure may be dynamically positioned.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2015Publication date: May 7, 2015Inventors: Roy Shilling, Paul W. Gulgowski, Jr., Philip D. Maule, Kevin Kennelley, Walter Greene, Robert W. Franklin, Vicki Corso, Tony Oldfield, Adam L. Ballard, Graeme Steele, David E. Wilkinson, Ricky Thethi, Chau Nguyen, Steve Hatton
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Patent number: 8960302Abstract: A free-standing riser system connects a subsea source to a surface structure. The system includes a concentric free-standing riser comprising inner and outer risers defining an annulus there between. A lower end of the riser is fluidly coupled to the subsea source through a lower riser assembly (LRA) and one or more subsea flexible conduits. An upper end of the riser is connected to a buoyancy assembly and the surface structure through an upper riser assembly (URA) and one or more upper flexible conduits, the riser also mechanically connected to a buoyancy assembly that applies upward tension to the riser. The riser may be insulated for flow assurance, either by a flow assurance fluid in the annulus, insulation of the outside of the outer riser, or both. The system may include a hydrate inhibition system and/or a subsea dispersant system. The surface structure may be dynamically positioned.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2011Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignees: BP Corporation North America, Inc., BP Exploration Operating Company LimitedInventors: Roy Shilling, Paul W. Gulgowski, Jr., Philip D. Maule, Kevin Kennelley, Walter Greene, Robert W. Franklin, Vicki Corso, Tony Oldfield, Adam L. Ballard, Graeme Steele, David E. Wilkinson, Ricky Thethi, Chau Nguyen, Steve Hatton
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Publication number: 20130269947Abstract: A lower riser assembly connects a riser to a seabed mooring and to a subsea hydrocarbon fluid source. The assembly includes sufficient intake ports to accommodate flow of hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon fluid source, as well as optional flow assurance fluid. The upper end of the member has a profile suitable for fluidly connecting to the riser. The lower end of the member includes a connector suitable for connecting to the seabed mooring. An upper riser assembly connects the riser to a near-surface subsea buoyancy device and to a surface structure. The assembly includes sufficient outtake ports to accommodate flow of hydrocarbons from the riser through a subsea flexible conduit to the surface structure. The upper end of the member includes a connector for connecting to a subsea buoyancy device. The lower end of the member comprises a profile suitable for fluidly connecting to the riser.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2011Publication date: October 17, 2013Applicant: BP Corporation North America, Inc.Inventors: Roy Shilling, Kevin Kennelley, Robert W. Franklin, Vicki Corso, Adam L. Ballard, Ricky Thethi, Chau Nguyen, Steve Hatton
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Publication number: 20120085544Abstract: A free-standing riser system connects a subsea source to a surface structure. The system includes a concentric free-standing riser comprising inner and outer risers defining an annulus there between. A lower end of the riser is fluidly coupled to the subsea source through a lower riser assembly (LRA) and one or more subsea flexible conduits. An upper end of the riser is connected to a buoyancy assembly and the surface structure through an upper riser assembly (URA) and one or more upper flexible conduits, the riser also mechanically connected to a buoyancy assembly that applies upward tension to the riser. The riser may be insulated for flow assurance, either by a flow assurance fluid in the annulus, insulation of the outside of the outer riser, or both. The system may include a hydrate inhibition system and/or a subsea dispersant system. The surface structure may be dynamically positioned.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2011Publication date: April 12, 2012Applicants: BP Exploration Operating Company Limited, BP CORPORATION NORTH AMERICA INC.Inventors: Roy Shilling, Paul W. Gulgowski, JR., Philip D. Maule, Kevin Kennelley, Walter Greene, Robert W. Franklin, Vicki Corso, Tony Oldfield, Adam L. Ballard, Graeme Steele, David Wilkinson, Ricky Thethi, Chau Nguyen, Steve Hatton
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Patent number: 5228188Abstract: SMD fuses having consistent operating characteristics are fabricated by forming a repeating lithographic fuse element pattern on an insulative substrate, passivating the structure, bonding a protective glass plate over the passivation layer, slicing the assembly so formed, terminating the slices and cutting the slices into individual fuses. Fuses thus manufactured may be of any desired dimensions, including standard and non-standard chip sizes.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 1992Date of Patent: July 20, 1993Assignee: AVX CorporationInventors: Avner Badihi, Robert W. Franklin, Barry N. Breen
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Patent number: 5166656Abstract: SMD fuses having consistent operating characteristics are fabricated by forming a repeating lithographic fuse element pattern on an insulative substrate, passivating the structure, bonding a protective glass plate over the passivation layer, slicing the assembly so formed, terminating the slices and cutting the slices into individual fuses. Fuses thus manufactured may be of any desired dimensions, including standard and non-standard chip sizes.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 1992Date of Patent: November 24, 1992Assignee: AVX CorporationInventors: Avner Badihi, Robert W. Franklin, Barry N. Breen
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Patent number: 5054569Abstract: A novel system for use in remotely starting a motor vehicle and operating vehicle accessories includes a remote unit having a digital controller which provides encoded digital command signals and a vehicle unit which receives the digital command signals and controllably operates the vehicle's engine and accessories in dependence thereon. The system is characterized by a frequency shift keying method of signal transmission which is highly reliable and not burdened by known carrier on, carrier off techniques.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 1988Date of Patent: October 8, 1991Assignee: Comfort Key CorporationInventors: Steven S. Scott, Robert W. Franklin, Manfred Davis
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Patent number: 4757423Abstract: A solid electrolytic capacitor has an anode body (1) and an anode wire (2) and lead out connections (8, 3). In series with the connections and the body is a fusable link (6) formed of a composite of low melting point conductive plastics metal matrix. The fusable link (6) is in the form of a pad of this material. In a preferred form this material is made by compressing into sheets metal-coated polymer particles. The sheet is cut into pads and inserted into the capacitor assemblies to act as a combined thermal and electrical fuse. Preferably the pads are less than 1 mm thick and coated on both sides with solder and approximately 1 mm square. The pads can be reflow soldered between the anode and the lead frame or negative wire termination. Alternatively it can be reflow soldered between the anode wire and the positive wire termination. As the current reaches high level if a fault develops in the capacitor, the metal layer will melt and also melt the plastics.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 1987Date of Patent: July 12, 1988Assignee: STC plcInventor: Robert W. Franklin
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Patent number: 4494299Abstract: Solid electrolytic capacitors are made in a batch process by etching a tantalum foil to form a number of rows of teeth, screen-printing tantalum powder ink onto the teeth, processing the sheet through sintering, anodizing and manganesing stages, sequentially encapsulating opposite edges of the rows of teeth in conductive epoxy and the "gap" with insulating epoxy and separating the individual capacitors from the rows.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1982Date of Patent: January 22, 1985Assignee: International Standard Electric CorporationInventors: Robert W. Franklin, Peter F. Briscoe