Patents by Inventor Shaun Hugh Litherland

Shaun Hugh Litherland 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: 8939214
    Abstract: Various implementations include a system for introducing upwardly a flexible member into a tubular fixed structure with a sleeve surrounding the flexible member in the region where the flexible member attaches to the tubular fixed structure. The system allows for the flexible member to be drawn upwardly into a bore of the tubular fixed structure. In one implementation, a plurality of locking dogs are attached to and are radially moveable with respect to the sleeve between an inner locking position in which they engage with the flexible member, and an outer release position in which they are disengaged from the flexible member. In addition, a latch ring is disposed on a substantially cylindrical surface so that it may be deflected axially along said surface on contact between the sleeve and tubular fixed structure to permit release of the locking dogs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: First Subsea Limited
    Inventors: Shaun Hugh Litherland, Paul Anthony Hughes
  • Publication number: 20120168172
    Abstract: A system for introducing upwardly a flexible member into a tubular fixed structure with a sleeve surrounding the flexible member in the region where the flexible member attaches to the tubular fixed structure. The system comprises means for enabling the flexible member to be drawn upwardly into a bore of the tubular fixed structure, said bore being defined by an inner surface of said tubular structure, clamping means on the sleeve temporarily clamping the sleeve and flexible member together, and release means on the sleeve adapted to automatically release the clamping means when the sleeve attains a fixed disposition with respect to the tubular fixed structure, such as to permit continued movement of the flexible member with respect to the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicants: TRELLEBORG OFFSHORE UK LIMITED, FIRST SUBSEA LIMITED
    Inventors: Shaun Hugh Litherland, Paul Anthony Hughes