Patents by Inventor Stephen Barnes
Stephen Barnes 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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Publication number: 20240117916Abstract: An integrity monitoring system for a lined pipeline is provided for monitoring the integrity of a polymer liner in a host pipe. Methods and apparatus are described by which a lined pipeline is provided with such an integrity monitoring system. Sensor cable is able to bridge a joint between sections of lined pipe, for example by routing the sensor cable across the joint via a channel in an electrofusion fitting or by connecting successive lengths of sensor cable via pass-throughs in an electrofusion fitting. Advantageously, the sensor cable is disposed within a continuous annulus between linings and host pipes, and the continuous annulus is maintained across pipe joints using electrofusion fittings.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Inventor: Stephen Barnes
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Publication number: 20240109031Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system for processing ultramafic material. The system may comprise a reactor for accelerating weathering of said ultramafic material. The reactor may comprise one or more chambers comprising one or more microbes, biological medicators, or enzymatic accelerants to facilitate the weathering of the ultramafic material.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2023Publication date: April 4, 2024Inventors: Stephen J. ROMANIELLO, Brian D. LEY, Douglas O. EDWARDS, Margaret G. ANDREWS, Nathan G. WALWORTH, Thomas ISHOEY, Tom C. GREEN, Francesc MONTSERRAT, Martin VAN DEN BERGHE, Kenneth NEALSON, Devon Barnes COLE, Kelly ERHART
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Publication number: 20240019066Abstract: A method creates a weld between a liner of a section of lined pipe and an electrofusion fitting. The fitting has at least one heating element, which is suitably disposed on or in an outer surface of the electrofusion fitting and is electrically isolated from an inner surface of the fitting. The method includes locating an end of the electrofusion fitting within an end of the section of lined pipe, locating an induction coil within a bore of the electrofusion fitting in the vicinity of the at least one heating element, and supplying electrical power to the induction coil to energise the at least one heating element by electromagnetic induction.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2023Publication date: January 18, 2024Inventor: Stephen Barnes
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Patent number: 11796091Abstract: An improved pipe liner and associated methods, including a method of manufacturing the improved pipe liner and a method of lining a host pipe with such a pipe liner. The invention solves the problem of gas permeation through a polymer liner in hydrocarbon service which can result in corrosion of the host pipe and can also cause liner collapse. Corrosion occurs due to contact between corrosive species and the host pipe itself. Gases (307) can also accumulate in an annulus between or within the liner (305) and the host pipe (303) and expand during operational de-pressurisation of the pipeline, causing collapse of the liner. The improved pipe liner comprises a barrier layer (311), which prevents permeation through the liner, surrounding an inner polymer pipe (305A) and optionally covered by an outer polymer pipe (305B).Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2020Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Flowlining LimitedInventor: Stephen Barnes
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Patent number: 11739876Abstract: A method of creating a weld between a liner of a section of lined pipe and an electrofusion fitting. The fitting comprises at least one heating element, which is suitably disposed on or in an outer surface of the electrofusion fitting and is electrically isolated from an inner surface of the fitting. The method comprises locating an end of the electrofusion fitting within an end of the section of lined pipe, locating an induction coil within a bore of the electrofusion fitting in the vicinity of the at least one heating element, and supplying electrical power to the induction coil to energise the at least one heating element by electromagnetic induction.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2017Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Pioneer Lining Technology LimitedInventor: Stephen Barnes
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Publication number: 20230213136Abstract: An integrity monitoring system for a lined pipeline is provided for monitoring the integrity of a polymer liner in a host pipe. Methods and apparatus are described by which a lined pipeline is provided with such an integrity monitoring system sensor cable is able to bridge a joint between sections of lined pipe, for example by routing the sensor cable across the joint via a channel in an electrofusion fitting or by connecting successive lengths of sensor cable via pass-throughs in an electrofusion fitting. Advantageously, the sensor cable is disposed within a continuous annulus between linings and host pipes, and the continuous annulus is maintained across pipe joints using electrofusion fittings.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2022Publication date: July 6, 2023Inventor: Stephen Barnes
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Publication number: 20220341515Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making lined pipelines in which pipes are joined together by attaching fittings at their ends and joining the fittings together. Within the joint there is a fit-up sleeve which forces liners against respective fittings and provides corresponding seals. Other seals can be provided by inserting sealing rings which force different portions of the liners against different portions of the fittings. The fit-up sleeve and sealing rings may force the liners against castellations which prevent movement of the liners. The fit-up sleeve may cooperate with insertion rims on the fittings to provide very accurate spacing, or touching edges which can be desirable if automatic welding is employed. The seals provided by the fit-up sleeve also eliminate backdraughts and assist welding operations. Furthermore, the fit-up sleeve permits pigging through the pipe joint and therefore along the length of the resulting lined pipeline.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2020Publication date: October 27, 2022Inventor: Stephen BARNES
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Publication number: 20220341514Abstract: An improved pipe liner and associated methods, including a method of manufacturing the improved pipe liner and a method of lining a host pipe with such a pipe liner. The invention solves the problem of gas permeation through a polymer liner in hydrocarbon service which can result in corrosion of the host pipe and can also cause liner collapse. Corrosion occurs due to contact between corrosive species and the host pipe itself. Gases (307) can also accumulate in an annulus between or within the liner (305) and the host pipe (303) and expand during operational de-pressurisation of the pipeline, causing collapse of the liner. The improved pipe liner comprises a barrier layer (311), which prevents permeation through the liner, surrounding an inner polymer pipe (305A) and optionally covered by an outer polymer pipe (305B).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2020Publication date: October 27, 2022Inventor: Stephen BARNES
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Patent number: 11454346Abstract: An integrity monitoring system for a lined pipeline is provided for monitoring the integrity of a polymer liner in a host pipe. Methods and apparatus are described by which a lined pipeline is provided with such an integrity monitoring system. Sensor cable is able to bridge a joint between sections at lined pipe, for example by routing the sensor cable across the joint via a channel in an electrofusion fitting or by connecting successive lengths of sensor cable via pass-throughs in an electrofusion fitting. Advantageously, the sensor cable is disposed within a continuous annulus between linings and host pipes, and the continuous annulus is maintained across pipe joints using electrofusion fittings.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2016Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: Pioneer Lining Technology LimitedInventor: Stephen Barnes
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Publication number: 20220065879Abstract: A method for automatic sampling of immune cells from a biological fluid sample, e.g., whole blood, deposited in a well of a microwell plate. The sample contains red blood cells (RBCs) and magnetic beads which are designed to bind to the RBCs. The microwell plate is placed on a shaker having a magnetic adapter including at least one magnet. The magnet causes the RBCs bound to the magnetic beads to be attracted to and migrate to a wall of the well (e.g., the bottom or side wall) and be held against the wall. The shaker is then operated to shake the microwell plate in a manner and for a time period so as to suspend substantially evenly or homogeneously the immune cells in the biological fluid sample within a region of the well but still retain the holding of the RBCs to the wall of the well such that the immune cells are substantially isolated from the RBCs in the region of the well.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2020Publication date: March 3, 2022Inventors: Zhaoping LIU, Stephen BARNES, Dominique PEREZ, Christopher SUSKI
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Patent number: 11169073Abstract: The disclosure provides example rinse station apparatus, cartridges, and methods for flow cytometry. The rinse station apparatus includes: (a) a cartridge docking station having a base with a recessed receptacle for a cartridge, a vertical support coupled to the base's first end and a top support coupled to the vertical support and cantilevered over the base, the top support has an opening that aligns with the cartridge's opening, (b) a locking arm coupled to the base's second end, the locking arm's free end has a ridge to cooperate with a detent coupled to the cartridge's rear wall to retain the cartridge in place, (c) a spring coupled to the vertical support's front face to apply force to the cartridge's front wall to bias the cartridge toward the locking arm, and (d) a load cell coupled to the base of the cartridge docking station, the load cell measure's the cartridge's weight.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2019Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: Essen Instruments, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Barnes, Zachary Kane, Richard Bennett, Jason Barrett
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Patent number: 11137336Abstract: A flow cytometer module configured to be integrated with a liquid handling system is provided herein. The flow cytometer module includes (a) a flow cell, (b) a first fluidic pathway, (c) an inlet configured to receive a sample introduction device of the liquid handling system including one or more samples, (d) a second fluidic pathway in fluid communication with the first fluidic pathway, (e) a laser interrogation device configured to examine the one or more samples at a laser interrogation point in the second fluidic pathway, and (f) a controller in communication with the liquid handling system and configured to cause the flow cytometer module to perform functions comprising: (i) recording data from the laser interrogation device corresponding to a plurality of events as the one or more samples pass the laser interrogation point, and (ii) transmitting the data corresponding to the plurality of events to the liquid handling system.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2018Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: Essen Instruments, Inc.Inventor: Stephen Barnes
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Patent number: 11047513Abstract: In order to reduce or remove the potential risk of heat damage in the absence of cooling jackets when joining lined pipe sections, each lined pipe section is provided with an insulatory sleeve which is disposed between the host pipe and the respective liner. The sleeves provide discrete thermal protection to the ends of the liners and, where applicable, electrofusion welds between an electrofusion fitting and the liners. The sleeves are first located in the ends of the host pipes which are then lined by drawing the liners through the host pipes via a reduction die to reduce their external diameter. The liners are then reverted towards their original dimensions resulting in a tight fitting against the internal surface of the host pipes and of the insulatory sleeves thereby compressing the insulation material.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2016Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: Pioneer Lining Technology LimitedInventor: Stephen Barnes
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Publication number: 20200371012Abstract: The disclosure provides example rinse station apparatus, cartridges, and methods for flow cytometry. The rinse station apparatus includes: (a) a cartridge docking station having a base with a recessed receptacle for a cartridge, a vertical support coupled to the base's first end and a top support coupled to the vertical support and cantilevered over the base, the top support has an opening that aligns with the cartridge's opening, (b) a locking arm coupled to the base's second end, the locking arm's free end has a ridge to cooperate with a detent coupled to the cartridge's rear wall to retain the cartridge in place, (c) a spring coupled to the vertical support's front face to apply force to the cartridge's front wall to bias the cartridge toward the locking arm, and (d) a load cell coupled to the base of the cartridge docking station, the load cell measure's the cartridge's weight.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2019Publication date: November 26, 2020Inventors: Stephen Barnes, Zachary Kane, Richard Bennett, Jason Barrett
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Publication number: 20200132587Abstract: A flow cytometer module configured to be integrated with a liquid handling system is provided herein. The flow cytometer module includes (a) a flow cell, (b) a first fluidic pathway, (c) an inlet configured to receive a sample introduction device of the liquid handling system including one or more samples, (d) a second fluidic pathway in fluid communication with the first fluidic pathway, (e) a laser interrogation device configured to examine the one or more samples at a laser interrogation point in the second fluidic pathway, and (f) a controller in communication with the liquid handling system and configured to cause the flow cytometer module to perform functions comprising: (i) recording data from the laser interrogation device corresponding to a plurality of events as the one or more samples pass the laser interrogation point. and (ii) transmitting the data corresponding to the plurality of events to the liquid handling system.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2018Publication date: April 30, 2020Inventor: Stephen Barnes
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Patent number: 10533690Abstract: The invention provides improvements to electrofusion fitting methods that allow for continuity and repeatability of welds between an electrofusion fitting and a pipe lining (or stand-alone pipe). An electrofusion fitting for joining sections of lined pipe has heating elements configured to create at least one weld between the electrofusion fitting and a pipe lining. However, prior to the weld step taking place the electrofusion fitting is heated and expands accordingly to ensure contact with the pipe lining. Preheating the electrofusion fitting also provides a predetermined starting temperature for the fitting and the lining which results in improved fusion cycle reliability. Furthermore, the need for clamps or support frames to support the electrofusion fitting in situ is removed, with corresponding reductions in cycle times, complexity, and hence cost.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2018Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: Pioneer Lining Technology LimitedInventor: Stephen Barnes
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Patent number: 10465834Abstract: Methods and apparatus enable the integrity of a liner pipe to be quickly and effectively tested in the field, while permitting rapid removal and replacement of the liner pipe if it is compromised. The liner pipe is leak tested prior to reversion, after being pulled through a host pipe to be lined via a swaging die and while the liner pipe is still under tension. If the liner pipe exhibits a leak, it can be removed from the liner pipe immediately and, importantly, before it has expanded to contact the host pipe. Leak testing apparatus includes a packer, which seals the opposite end of the liner pipe from the end which is pulled, creating a contained fluid volume upon which the leak test is performed. The leak test may be a pressure test or a vacuum test or any other suitable test.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2016Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: Pioneer Lining Technology LimitedInventor: Stephen Barnes
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Publication number: 20190316721Abstract: A method of creating a weld between a liner of a section of lined pipe and an electrofusion fitting. The fitting comprises at least one heating element, which is suitably disposed on or in an outer surface of the electrofusion fitting and is electrically isolated from an inner surface of the fitting. The method comprises locating an end of the electrofusion fitting within an end of the section of lined pipe, locating an induction coil within a bore of the electrofusion fitting in the vicinity of the at least one heating element, and supplying electrical power to the induction coil to energise the at least one heating element by electromagnetic induction.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2017Publication date: October 17, 2019Inventor: Stephen Barnes
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Patent number: 10274108Abstract: A method lays lined pipeline which actively and successfully removes air pockets which might be trapped in the annulus between the liner and the host pipe by progressively flooding the lined pipeline. Further, the liner is brought into closer contact and engagement with the host pipe. The removal of air in the annulus enables the pipeline test pressure to stabilize more quickly and avoids the risk of potential collapse during operational service life in the event the pipeline pressures fluctuate or a vacuum is created during an emergency shutdown.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2016Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: Pioneer Lining Technology LimitedInventor: Stephen Barnes
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Publication number: 20180363822Abstract: The invention provides improvements to electrofusion fitting methods that allow for continuity and repeatability of welds between an electrofusion fitting and a pipe lining (or stand-alone pipe). An electrofusion fitting for joining sections of lined pipe has heating elements configured to create at least one weld between the electrofusion fitting and a pipe lining, however prior to the weld step taking place the electrofusion fitting is heated and expands accordingly to ensure contact with the pipe lining. Preheating the electrofusion fitting also provides a predetermined starting temperature for the fitting and the lining which results in improved fusion cycle reliability. Furthermore, the need for clamps or support frames to support the electrofusion fitting in situ is removed, with corresponding reductions in cycle times, complexity, and hence cost.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2018Publication date: December 20, 2018Inventor: Stephen Barnes