Patents by Inventor Tom A. Fraser

Tom A. Fraser 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).

  • Actuation assembly for riser connection dog
    Patent number: 8316948
    Abstract: A box and pin coupling for a drilling riser having an actuator assembly with an attached dog. The actuator assembly includes an actuation rod having an end affixed to the dog. A portion of the rod is circumscribed by an annular sleeve, where the outer surface of the sleeve is threadingly attached to one of the box or pin. A shoulder is formed on the rod outer circumference between the sleeve and the end of the rod attached to the dog. A retainer cap is provided on the end of the rod opposite where it attaches to the dog. The sleeve abuts the rod on one end, and the retainer cap on the other, so that rotating the sleeve axially moves the actuation rod, that in turn moves the attached dog into or out of engagement with a profile on the other of the box or pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Rick L. Stringfellow, Jesse L. Bullard, Tom A. Fraser, Brian N. Munk
  • ACTUATION ASSEMBLY FOR RISER CONNECTION DOG
    Publication number: 20110214877
    Abstract: A box and pin coupling for a drilling riser having an actuator assembly with an attached dog. The actuator assembly includes an actuation rod having an end affixed to the dog. A portion of the rod is circumscribed by an annular sleeve, where the outer surface of the sleeve is threadingly attached to one of the box or pin. A shoulder is formed on the rod outer circumference between the sleeve and the end of the rod attached to the dog. A retainer cap is provided on the end of the rod opposite where it attaches to the dog. The sleeve abuts the rod on one end, and the retainer cap on the other, so that rotating the sleeve axially moves the actuation rod, that in turn moves the attached dog into or out of engagement with a profile on the other of the box or pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Rick L. Stringfellow, Jesse L. Bullard, Tom A. Fraser, Brian N. Munk