Patents by Inventor Stephen D. Pye

Stephen D. Pye 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: 5240293
    Abstract: One or more rigid sealing segments are attached to pipe end sections and the assembly lined to form a fluid-resistant joint. A segment surface forms the primary sealing interface of lined pipe sections without the need for a conventional removable liner edge seal. The lining process and configuration sealably bonds the liner to the fluid-resistant sealing segment and to the non-fluid-resistant pipe. The manner of bonding both avoids (or limits) liner stress and covers the non-fluid-resistant material of the pipe. In an alternative embodiment, the sealing segments are engaged at mating threaded surfaces, the mated threads providing a single primary sealing and engagement interface. Redundant liner end sealing may also be accomplished by a sandwiched deformable material if added reliability of sealing harsh fluids is desired. In another embodiment, portions of the rigid sealing segments are slidably mounted relative to each other and the primary seal interface is temperature actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: William C. Allen, Stephen D. Pye, Gerald M. Hamblin, Jose M. Perez, William E. Amend, John D. Bush, David Holligan, Delbert E. Pyle
  • Patent number: 5236231
    Abstract: One or more rigid sealing segments are attached to pipe end sections and the assembly lined to form a fluid-resistant joint. A segment surface forms the primary sealing interface of lined pipe sections without the need for a conventional removable liner edge seal. The lining process and configuration sealably bonds the liner to the fluid-resistant sealing segment and to the non-fluid-resistant pipe. The manner of bonding both avoids (or limits) liner stress and covers the non-fluid-resistant material of the pipe. In an alternative embodiment, the sealing segments are engaged at mating threaded surfaces, the mated threads providing a single primary sealing and engagement interface. Redundant liner end sealing may also be accomplished by a sandwiched deformable material if added reliability of sealing harsh fluids is desired. In another embodiment, portions of the rigid sealing segments are slidably mounted relative to each other and the primary seal interface is temperature actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: William C. Allen, Stephen D. Pye, Gerald M. Hamblin, Jose M. Perez, William E. Amend, John Bush, David Holligan, Delbert Pyle
  • Patent number: 5069485
    Abstract: One or more rigid sealing segments are attached to pipe end sections and the assembly lined to form a fluid-resistant joint. A segment surface forms the primary sealing interface of lined pipe sections without the need for a conventional removable liner edge seal. The lining process and configuration sealably bonds the liner to the fluid-resistant sealing segment and to the non-fluid-resistant pipe. The manner of bonding both avoids (or limits) liner stress and covers the non-fluid-resistant material of the pipe. In an alternative embodiment, the sealing segments are engaged at mating threaded surfaces, the mated threads providing a single primary sealing and engagement interface. Redundant liner end sealing may also be accomplished by a sandwiched deformable material if added reliability of sealing harsh fluids is desired. In another embodiment, portions of the rigid sealing segments are slidably mounted relative to each other and the primary seal interface is temperature actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1991
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: William C. Allen, Stephen D. Pye, Gerald M. Hamblin, Jose M. Perez, William E. Amend, John D. Bush, David Holligan, Delbert E. Pyle
  • Patent number: 4787450
    Abstract: A method is provided whereby continuous injection of lift gas into a producing geothermal well, preferably from a liquid-dominated reservoir, increases production flow of geothermal fluids from the well by initiating a steam distillation effect within the wellbore. Apparatus is also provided for continuously injecting the lift gas during production from the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Gregory R. Andersen, Stephen D. Pye, Alice A. Probst