Patents by Inventor Troy L. STAIRES

Troy L. STAIRES 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: 11931612
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for launch and recovery of a remote inspection device within a fluid storage tank. In one embodiment, the tank is accessed by opening an entrance hatch and then injecting a vapor suppression foam across a surface of a stored liquid mass to form a foam layer. A launching system having a remote inspection device is attached to the entrance hatch to define a launch and recovery space sealed from an external environment and isolated from the stored liquid mass in the tank via a valve and the foam layer. The launch and recovery space is purged of hazardous vapors by injection of an inert gas prior to launch and recovery of the remote inspection device. Prior to removal of the launching system, the surface of the stored liquid mass is re-coated with vapor suppression foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: PHILLIPS 66 COMPANY
    Inventors: Troy L. Staires, Benjamin C. Moore, Jerome Vaganay, Eric Levitt, William O'Halloran
  • Patent number: 11925824
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for launch and recovery of a remote inspection device within a liquid storage tank are described herein. In one embodiment, the tank is accessed by opening an entrance hatch and then injecting a vapor suppression foam across a surface of a stored liquid mass to form a foam layer. A launching system having a remote inspection device is attached to the entrance hatch to define a launch and recovery space sealed from an external environment and isolated from the stored liquid mass in the tank via a valve and the foam layer. The launch and recovery space is purged of hazardous vapors by injection of an inert gas prior to launch and recovery of the remote inspection device. Prior to removal of the launching system, the surface of the stored liquid mass is re-coated with vapor suppression foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: PHILLIPS 66 COMPANY
    Inventors: Troy L. Staires, Benjamin C. Moore, Jerome Vaganay, Eric Levitt, William O'Halloran
  • Publication number: 20230166146
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for launch and recovery of a remote inspection device within a liquid storage tank. In one embodiment, the tank is accessed by opening an entrance hatch and then injecting a vapor suppression foam across a surface of a stored liquid mass to form a foam layer. A launching system having a remote inspection device is attached to the entrance hatch to define a launch and recovery space sealed from an external environment and isolated from the stored liquid mass in the tank via a valve and the foam layer. The launch and recovery space is purged of hazardous vapors by injection of an inert gas prior to launch and recovery of the remote inspection device. Prior to removal of the launching system, the surface of the stored liquid mass is re-coated with vapor suppression foam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2022
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Troy L. STAIRES, Benjamin C. MOORE, Jerome VAGANAY, Eric LEVITT, William O'HALLORAN
  • Publication number: 20230138010
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for launch and recovery of a remote inspection device within a liquid storage tank. In one embodiment, the tank is accessed by opening an entrance hatch and then injecting a vapor suppression foam across a surface of a stored liquid mass to form a foam layer. A launching system having a remote inspection device is attached to the entrance hatch to define a launch and recovery space sealed from an external environment and isolated from the stored liquid mass in the tank via a valve and the foam layer. The launch and recovery space is purged of hazardous vapors by injection of an inert gas prior to launch and recovery of the remote inspection device. Prior to removal of the launching system, the surface of the stored liquid mass is re-coated with vapor suppression foam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Troy L. STAIRES, Benjamin C. MOORE, Jerome VAGANAY, Eric LEVITT, William O'HALLORAN
  • Publication number: 20200047016
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for launch and recovery of a remote inspection device within a liquid storage tank. In one embodiment, the tank is accessed by opening an entrance hatch and then injecting a vapor suppression foam across a surface of a stored liquid mass to form a foam layer. A launching system having a remote inspection device is attached to the entrance hatch to define a launch and recovery space sealed from an external environment and isolated from the stored liquid mass in the tank via a valve and the foam layer. The launch and recovery space is purged of hazardous vapors by injection of an inert gas prior to launch and recovery of the remote inspection device. Prior to removal of the launching system, the surface of the stored liquid mass is re-coated with vapor suppression foam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Troy L. STAIRES, Benjamin C. MOORE, Jerome VAGANAY, Eric LEVITT, William O'HALLORAN