Combined Fluid Conduit And Electrical Conductor Patents (Class 174/47)
  • Publication number: 20030066671
    Abstract: A power supply apparatus is provided for supplying power and communications within a first piping structure. An external power transfer device is positioned around the first piping structure and is magnetically coupled to an internal power transfer device. The internal power transfer device is positioned around a second piping structure disposed within the first piping structure. A main surface current flowing on the first piping structure induces a first surface current within the external power transfer device. The first surface current causes a second surface current to be induced within the internal power transfer device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Robert Rex Burnett, William Mountjoy Savage, Frederick Gordon Carl Jr., John Michele Hirsch
  • Patent number: 6545880
    Abstract: Energy distribution and conversion system suitable for high-rise structures, large building complexes, factories, ships, airplanes, city blocks, etc., based on: High-Temperature Superconductors (HTS) and Cryogenic Power and Energy Conversion (CPEC) using Low-Temperature Operated Semiconductor Devices (LOTOS). Energy from an AC source is converted to DC by LOTOS, distributed as DC, and reconverted at low temperatures to AC at levels and fequencies to satisfy individual end-users of energy. The DC energy is distributed via a plurality of super-conductive leads that are submerged in cryogenic liquid. Substantial savings in energy, cost, size, weight are produced. Additionally, load shedding, power quality, and fire protection are provided. The new system supports air conditioning/cooling systems. Expensive floor space is saved; electrical energy savings of 5-10% are achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventor: Otward M. Mueller
  • Patent number: 6545221
    Abstract: A system for splicing coiled tubing used in deploying downhole equipment and having an internal power cable. The system includes first and second segments of coiled tubing each having power cable disposed therein. Additionally, mounting fixtures are attached to the ends of the coiled tubing segments that are to be joined. The system further includes a movable canister that may be slid over the spliced segments of power cable and selectively engaged with the mounting fixtures. The canister provides structural integrity to the overall deployment tubing while protecting the internal power cable splice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Camco International, Inc.
    Inventors: Pinke Halpert, Lee S. Kobylinski, Marcus D. McHugh, Howard A. Oswald, John C. Pursell
  • Patent number: 6538198
    Abstract: Various embodiments of an umbilical are provided. In one aspect, an umbilical is provided that includes a first tube, a second tube positioned in the first tube and a plurality of third tubes positioned in the first tube. Each of the plurality of third tubes has an inner polymer sleeve and an outer sleeve of carbon fibers in an epoxy matrix positioned around the polymer sleeve. The composite tubes yield a lighter umbilical that is easier to handle than a comparably sized conventional umbilical incorporating steel inner tubing and is more tolerant of dynamic bending and hydrostatic pressure loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Timothy M. Wooters
  • Patent number: 6518498
    Abstract: A fire-rated, poke-through floor fitting for use within a floor. The fitting has an electrical receptacle with electrical conductors or wires traveling the length of the fitting. The conductors have thermally activated conductor links. Upon exposure to excessive heat, the links stop the transfer of heat through the conductors. The links can take various forms, including being formed from low melt material or with a spring loading that is sized to fit within the three inch bore. The receptacle preferably has two pairs of electrical outlets coupled to the electrical receptacle along with four voice/datajacks. The fitting provides a high number of electrical outlets and voice/data jacks, while maintaining a relatively low profile and easy accessibility. Each pair of electrical outlets can be separately connected to different power sources or each pair can be connected to the same power source. The bus bars of the receptacle can have various configurations, including non-overlapping orientations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Nelson Bonilla, Jeff Holmes
  • Patent number: 6507686
    Abstract: A cable network with a light waveguide cable which is introduced in the pipeline of an existing pipeline system. The light waveguide cable is arranged along a line, preferably at the vertex of the pipeline, and is provided with a protective layer so that a smooth transition exists between the wall surfaces of the pipeline and the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: CCS Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Edgar Heinz, Thomas Mueller, Helmut Nowsch, Joachim Schaefer, Ernst Mayr
  • Patent number: 6486396
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner wand includes inner and outer relatively telescopable pipes, a cord magazine chamber on the outer pipe, a sheath tube connected to the inner pipe and slidably extending into the chamber, a slider guided slidably parallel to the sheath tube in the chamber, and a flexible electrical cord. The cord extends along inside the sheath tube, bends 180° as a fixed loop at an end of the sheath tube, extends back between the sheath tube and the slider, bends 180° as a movable loop through an opening in the slider, and extends between the slider and a sidewall of the chamber. Thereby the cord has an adjustable extended length corresponding to the selected telescoped length of the wand. The sliding sheath tube slides the cord, which in turn moves the slider, so that the cord remains kink-free.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Stein & Co. GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Stein
  • Publication number: 20020170731
    Abstract: A connector apparatus for controlling fluid dispensing/transmission that includes a control component for communication between couplers thereof. A first coupler has a transmitter, and is releasably connected with a mating reader coupler that has a transmitter and fluid control device to exchange information with the transmitter of the first coupler. The transmitters communicate and are operated by wireless means such as by RF devices. Upon confirming that the first coupler is properly coupled to the mating coupler and that the first coupler has a proper identification, the fluid control device controls fluid flow, using the transmitters of the first coupler and the mating reader coupler, under predetermined parameters, e.g., pressure, temperature, duration, and flow rate, as indicated in the first coupler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Applicant: COLDER PRODUCTS COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard Stewart Garber, Charles Peter Decler, David W. Meyer
  • Publication number: 20020162674
    Abstract: A flow-through cable for transmitting information (20) is provided. The cable includes a jacket (22) having a length and an information conducting core (26) coaxially received within the jacket. A first insulation layer (24) surrounds the information conducting core and has a dielectric strength. The cable further includes a first conduit (28) disposed within the jacket. The first conduit is adapted to permit a compound to flow therethrough and is chemically permeable to permit at least a portion of the compound to diffuse through the first conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Applicant: UTILX Corporation
    Inventors: Glen J. Bertini, Kim Jenkins, Keith Lanan, Glenn S. Jessen
  • Patent number: 6472614
    Abstract: In an umbilical, one or more steel rods, which provide strength and ballast, are wound helically within the umbilical along with the steel tubes and/or elongated active umbilical elements. These steel rods replace some or all of the thermoplastic filler elements that would otherwise be included within the umbilical. An umbilical according to an embodiment of the invention may include a plurality of steel tubes helically wound around a core, and at least one substantially solid steel rod helically wound around the core, the steel rod being arranged in a void between the steel tubes. Thus, the invention avoids the need to apply additional armoring layers to the outside of the umbilical for strength and ballast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Coflexip
    Inventors: Wayne Dupont, Richard Rinehart, John McManus
  • Patent number: 6463960
    Abstract: A secondary conduit for a transmission carrier comprising at least one first arcuate sidewall defining an elongated first conduit, said first conduit providing a means for conveying a fluid, at least one second conduit formed in said at least one first arcuate sidewall, said second conduit being coextensive with said first conduit to define a secondary conduit adapted to receive a transmission carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Nicassio Corporation
    Inventors: Jignesh Madhani, Louis V. Nicassio, Sam Cancilla
  • Patent number: 6433283
    Abstract: A ribbon cable includes electrical conductors surrounded by an insulator and vent tubes positioned adjacent and parallel to the conductors and insulator. The vent tubes allow airflow between an internal area of the enclosure and an external atmosphere and prevent access to the internal area of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Brodsky, David V. Caletka, William Infantolino
  • Publication number: 20020069477
    Abstract: A hand held wand for connecting an electrically powered cleaning device to a source of vacuum and electricity has inner and outer concentrically mounted tubular members which form an intervening passage therebetween. An electrical conductor extends through the passage and terminates in a pair of electrical connectors mounted on a pair of end connector sleeves. The inner and outer tubular members terminate in the end connector sleeves. One of the end connector sleeves is adapted to be connected to the cleaning device and the other connector sleeve is connected to a flexible hose which is connected to the source of vacuum. The electrical connectors are connected to complementary electrical connectors mounted on the cleaning device and on the flexible hose to provide electric power to the cleaning device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventors: James F. Smith, Wesley A. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 6396414
    Abstract: A down-hole tool includes a first and second portion that are moveable relative to one another, but are electrically coupled together. A rigid tube formed into a helical coil extends between the first and second portions. The helical coil is expandable and compressible in response to movement between the first and second portions. A conductor is positioned within the helically wound tube and is adapted to pass electrical signals between the first and second portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Gary P. Bickford, Joseph F. Cordera
  • Patent number: 6396241
    Abstract: An inductive charging apparatus for use in charging batteries of an electric vehicle. The apparatus has a power source, cooling fluid pumping and cooling apparatus, and a charge port disposed in the electric vehicle. An inductive charging coupler that is insertable into the charge port comprises a housing, a ferrite puck, and an insulated, liquid-cooled, current-carrying conductive tubular transformer coil disposed around the puck. A liquid-cooled, liquid-carrying tubular transmission cable is coupled to the power source, to the cooling fluid pumping and cooling apparatus, and to the transformer coil. The transmission cable couples current from the power source to the transformer coil, and couples cooling fluid between the cooling fluid pumping and cooling apparatus and the transformer coil. The transformer coil may be a multilevel helix, spiral fluid-cooled transformer coil such as an eight turn (although n turns are possible), two level helix, four turn spiral winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Sergio Ramos, George R. Woody, Ray G. Radys, John T. Hall
  • Patent number: 6392317
    Abstract: An annular wire harness for use in drill pipe comprising two rings interconnected by one or more insulated conductors. The rings are positioned within annular grooves located within the tool joints and the conductors are fixed within grooves along the bore wall of the pipe. The rings may be recessed within annular grooves in order to permit refacing of the tool joint. The rings are provided with means for coupling a power and data signal from an adjacent pipe to the conductors in such a fashion that the signal may be transmitted along the drill pipe and along an entire drill string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Joe Fox
  • Patent number: 6376767
    Abstract: In a cable with a pneumatic hose, a sheath (9) encloses the hose and conductor elements (6) which are disposed between the sheath (9) and the hose. A layer of compressible material (5) is disposed between the conductor elements (6) and the hose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Nexans
    Inventors: Anton Knudsen, Lars Oyvind Moen
  • Patent number: 6357485
    Abstract: A spoolable composite tube capable of being spooled onto a reel for storage and for use in oil field applications. The spoolable tube exhibits unique anisotropic characteristics that provide improved burst and collapse pressures, increased tensile strength, compression strength, and load carrying capacity, while still remaining sufficiently bendable to be spooled onto a reel in an open bore configuration. The spoolable composite tube can include an inner liner, an interface layer, fiber composite layers, a pressure barrier layer, and an outer protective layer. The fiber composite layers can have a unique triaxial braid structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Fiberspar Corporation
    Inventors: Peter A. Quigley, Stephen C. Nolet, Jerry G. Williams
  • Patent number: 6355879
    Abstract: A flow-through cable for transmitting information (20) is provided. The cable includes a jacket (22) having a length and an information conducting core (26) coaxially received within the jacket. A first insulation layer (24) surrounds the information conducting core and has a dielectric strength. The cable further includes a first conduit (28) disposed within the jacket. The first conduit is adapted to permit a compound to flow therethrough and is chemically permeable to permit at least a portion of the compound to diffuse through the first conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Utilx Corporation
    Inventors: Glen J. Bertini, Kim Jenkins, Keith Lanan, Glenn S. Jessen
  • Patent number: 6354568
    Abstract: A plate valve which includes two sliding plates and which carries seal portions with an elongated slot. A valve body of the plate valve includes a second elongated slot with further seal portions extending from a valve aperture. A cable of different diameters can be accommodated and sealed by the cooperating resilient seal portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignees: BG PLC, BG Intellectual Property Limited
    Inventor: Alec Carruthers
  • Patent number: 6353178
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner tube has electrical conductors and a tube having an inner wall and formed spirally on the outside and formed smoothly on the inside and having an end, a helical step disposed at the tube, an end bush having a rear end and plugged into the end of the tube, wherein the end bush exhibits an axial slot having flanks and open at the rear end of the end bush, and locking noses disposed at the end bush. A protective covering is attached at the inner wall of the tube. A projection is formed at the end bush and closed at its front end and formed for receiving the protective covering, wherein the flanks of the axial slot form a transition into the projection. A slip ring support has a longitudinal passing through slot for engaging the tube, wherein the slip ring support is made as a single part. Breakouts are furnished at the slip ring support for an engagement of the locking noses formed at the end bush. A plurality of electrical conductors are disposed in the protective covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Truplast Kunst Stofftechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Georg Peter Linhart
  • Patent number: 6350947
    Abstract: A flow-through cable for transmitting information (20) is provided. The cable includes a jacket (22) having a length and an information conducting core (26) coaxially received within the jacket. A first insulation layer (24) surrounds the information conducting core and has a dielectric strength. The cable further includes a first conduit (28) disposed within the jacket. The first conduit is adapted to permit a compound to flow therethrough and is chemically permeable to permit at least a portion of the compound to diffuse through the first conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Utilx Corporation
    Inventors: Glen J. Bertini, Kim Jenkins, Keith Lanan
  • Publication number: 20020020541
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner wand includes inner and outer relatively telescopable pipes, a cord magazine chamber on the outer pipe, a sheath tube connected to the inner pipe and slidably extending into the chamber, a slider guided slidably parallel to the sheath tube in the chamber, and a flexible electrical cord. The cord extends along inside the sheath tube, bends 180° as a fixed loop at an end of the sheath tube, extends back between the sheath tube and the slider, bends 180° as a movable loop through an opening in the slider, and extends between the slider and a sidewall of the chamber. Thereby the cord has an adjustable extended length corresponding to the selected telescoped length of the wand. The sliding sheath tube slides the cord, which in turn moves the slider, so that the cord remains kink-free.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas Stein
  • Patent number: 6324940
    Abstract: A composite link comprising a fiber reinforced composite tube, an end fitting on each end of the tube and layers of resin impregnated fiber wound over the end fittings and tube. The fiber is laid in a primary layer formed by winding longitudinally over the end fittings and a secondary layer wound transversely around the primary layer and the tube. The tube, fitting and layers of fiber are encased in a layer of shield material such as paint or a polymer, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: MacLean-Fogg Company
    Inventors: Jiri V. Pazdirek, Ernst Matthew Gaertner, Michael T. Burzawa
  • Patent number: 6323420
    Abstract: A coiled tubing system includes a length of coiled tubing, a cable and an inner tube. The inner tube and the cable are installed in the coiled tubing, and then either the coiled tubing or the inner tube or both are deformed along most of the length of the system so that the cable is secured between the inner surface of the coiled tubing and the outer surface of the inner tube. The coiled tubing and the inner tube may be coaxial, with the cable situated in the annulus between the coiled tubing and the inner tube. The deformation may be produced by a swaging die introduced into the inner tube, the application of a high pressure fluid or gas, crimping the outer surface of the coiled tubing, or using an inner tube reversibly deformable through the application of tension. Similarly, a conducting member may be secured in a system with a length of coiled tubing and an inner tube. Also, a cable or a conducting member may be installed upon an inner tube which may then be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Inventor: Philip Head
  • Patent number: 6311730
    Abstract: Flexible liners for relining fluid transport pipelines contain at least one integral conduit which has no fluid communication with either the interior of the lining of the relined pipeline, or with the inside wall of the pipeline itself. The integral but substantially fluid-isolated conduit may serve to carry telecommunications or other cables, thus providing an economical means of introducing telecommunications through existing pipeline infrastructure without necessitating abandonment of the fluid transport capabilities of the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Inventor: G. Gregory Penza
  • Publication number: 20010025664
    Abstract: A spoolable composite tube capable of being spooled onto a reel for storage and for use in oil field applications. The spoolable tube exhibits unique anistropic characteristics that provide improved burst and collapse pressures, increased tensile strength, compression strength, and load carrying capacity, while still remaining sufficiently bendable to be spooled onto a reel in an open bore configuration. The spoolable composite tube can include an inner liner, an interface layer, fiber composite layers, a pressure barrier layer, and an outer protective layer. The fiber composite layers can have a unique triaxial braid structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Applicant: Fiberspar Corporation
    Inventors: Peter A. Quigley, Stephen C. Nolet, Jerry G. Williams
  • Patent number: 6286558
    Abstract: A spoolable composite tube capable of being spooled onto a reel for storage and for use in oil field applications. The spoolable tube exhibits unique anistropic characteristics that provide improved burst and collapse pressures, increased tensile strength, compression strength, and load carrying capacity, while still remaining sufficiently bendable to be spooled onto a reel in an open bore configuration. The spoolable composite tube can include an inner liner, an interface layer, fiber composite layers, a pressure barrier layer, and an outer protective layer. The fiber composite layers can have a unique triaxial braid structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Fiberspar Corporation
    Inventors: Peter A. Quigley, Stephen C. Nolet, Jerry G. Williams
  • Patent number: 6268567
    Abstract: A ribbon cable includes electrical conductors surrounded by an insulator and vent tubes positioned adjacent and parallel to the conductors and insulator. The vent tubes allow airflow between an internal area of the enclosure and an external atmosphere and prevent access to the internal area of the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Brodsky, David V. Caletka, William infantolino
  • Publication number: 20010003853
    Abstract: Pressurized filtered exhaust air from a motorized fan in a vacuum cleaner body passes on an exhaust path to a floor suction tool. The exhaust air is directed by the floor suction tool generally parallel to the surface to be cleaned to agitate dust and thus to improve cleaning performance. An electric motor in the floor suction tool drives a rotation brush. The exhaust air is also directed toward the rotation brush in the floor suction tool in a direction to add rotation force to the rotation brush. Feeder lines to the electric motor pass through the exhaust path so that the feeder lines are exposed only to filtered air. Passing the feeder lines through the exhaust path avoids the necessity to make special provision for the feeder lines. The exhaust path passes along a hose, and may optionally pass along one or more extension pipes on its way to the floor suction tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Publication date: June 21, 2001
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Fukuoka, Nobuaki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6243915
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner wherein a hose, a pipe and a suction nozzle, which are connected to a vacuum cleaner main body incorporating therein a motor fan, are formed with a suction air passage as well as an exhaust air passage for making air exhausted from the motor fan circumfluently flow. The pipe is composed of an inner cylindrical portion having a substantially circular section and forming the suction air passage, and an outer cylindrical portion a part of which is uniformly formed with the inner cylindrical portion and which covers the inner cylindrical portion to form the exhaust air passage. There can be achieved for a light-weighted and slim-sized arrangement of the pipe through which the suction air passage and the exhaust air passage extends without the fear of dust plugging, and a vacuum cleaner of exhaust circumfluently flowing type can be easily put into to practice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouichi Nakai, Toshinari Kobayashi, Sadaki Kodera, Yoshihiro Mori, Toshiyuki Fujiyoshi, Takahiro Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 6239363
    Abstract: A variable buoyancy cable is provided. In one aspect, the variable buoyancy cable includes a flexible sleeve that has an inner wall and an outer wall. A core is positioned in the sleeve and has a longitudinally disposed external channel with opposing first and second sidewalls. The channel and the inner wall of the flexible sleeve define a fluid passage for receiving a fluid to affect the buoyancy of the variable buoyancy cable. A slackened utility line is positioned in the channel and a fluid supply is coupled to the flexible sleeve and is operable to move fluid into and out of the fluid passage to selectively affect the buoyancy of the variable buoyancy cable. The core protects utility lines in the cable from damage due to ambient pressure and/or bending during deployment and retrieval. The buoyancy may be varied to suit various water conditions and mission requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Marine Innovations, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Timothy M. Wooters
  • Patent number: 6225553
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for increasing the power rating of an offshore high voltage power cable (1) which includes passage of the cable from the sea to a platform installation (2) through a bending strain reliever (BSR) (4). An inlet for introducing cooling fluid to an interface space (5) between the BSR and the cable is provided through a sleeve, (6) closing the space at the end (7) of the BSR and that an outlet for the fluid is provided at the upper end (12) of the BSR through a special flange (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventor: Brigt Løkke Friis
  • Patent number: 6148866
    Abstract: A spoolable composite tube capable of being spooled onto a reel for storage and for use in oil field applications. The spoolable tube exhibits unique anistropic characteristics that provide improved burst and collapse pressures, increased tensile strength, compression strength, and load carrying capacity, while still remaining sufficiently bendable to be spooled onto a reel in an open bore configuration. The spoolable composite tube can include an inner liner, an interface layer, fiber composite layers, a pressure barrier layer, and an outer protective layer. The fiber composite layers can have a unique triaxial braid structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Fiberspar Spoolable Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter A. Quigley, Stephen C. Nolet, Jerry G. Williams
  • Patent number: 6145597
    Abstract: A technique is provided for retaining a cable assembly in a length of conduit, such as coiled tubing. The retaining assembly is secured to an end of the coiled tubing and to tensile members of the cable assembly. A retainer element may be secured directly to conductors of the cable assembly for holding the cable assembly adjacent to the retaining structure. The retainer may include a flat plate-like structure which abuts against a surface of the assembly, such as against an upper surface of a connector to prevent re-entry of the cable into the coiled tubing. Following attachment of the cable and coiled tubing, the submersible equipment coupled to the coiled tubing may be retracted or withdrawn from the well. Certain of the conductors may be coupled to monitoring circuitry for continuously monitoring well parameters during such repositioning. The technique may be used during initial installation of coiled tubing deployed systems, or during subsequent removal or servicing of the equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Camco International, Inc.
    Inventor: Lee S. Kobylinski
  • Patent number: 6116113
    Abstract: A composite link includes a fiberglass body. The body is formed by coating glass fibers with a liquid resin and winding the fibers around a plurality of end pieces or bushings. The end pieces have transition sections for smoothly changing the shape of the composite link and the path of the fibers. The fibers are wound in two layers, a first extending longitudinally of the body and the second transversely and around the first. A shield layer is placed over the fiberglass body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: MacLean-Fogg Company
    Inventors: Jiri V. Pazdirek, Ernst Matthew Gaertner, Michael T. Burzawa
  • Patent number: 6111194
    Abstract: A power transmitting elongate assembly transmits electrical or fluid power in a manipulative robot. At least one power transmitting elongate element has a longitudinal axis. Each elongate element is configured as an electrical cable or a fluid hose. A protective sleeve is wrapped completely around the at least one elongate element. The protective sleeve has a length and two opposite sides. Each side is disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis. At least one fastener couples the protective sleeve to the at least one elongate element. Each fastener is wrapped around and/or attached to the protective sleeve. Each fastener includes two interconnecting components which interconnect with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Flex-Cable, Inc.
    Inventor: Erwin K. Kroulik
  • Patent number: 6103971
    Abstract: Two hard steel wire-made reinforcing wires and two synthetic resin wires which are harder than a soft synthetic resin pipe wall are alternately wound spirally on an inner side of the synthetic resin pipe wall while keeping predetermined intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Totaku Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Masaru Sato, Toshihiro Nakanishi, Hikaru Mizukoshi, Hiroyuki Masui
  • Patent number: 6087583
    Abstract: In a windable multiwire parallel conductor (1) that can be used for windings of electrical devices and machines, e.g. for electrical transformers, there is provided a plurality of individually electrically insulated conductive strands (3,11) which are arranged in at least two juxtaposed stacks (5) and are bent in such a way that their position in the stacks (5) is interchanged over the length of the multiwire parallel conductor (1). In the multiwire parallel conductor (1), there is provided at least one tubular strand (11) with a cooling channel (13) for a coolant to directly cool the winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventor: Joachim Runge
  • Patent number: 6046404
    Abstract: A subsea control cable includes an outer sheath and cables, conduits etc. arranged inside the sheath, and also at least one weight element. The weight element includes at least one strength member extending continuously along the entire length of the control cable, to which strength member there is attached a weight element or elements. The weight of the weight element in relation to the diameter of the control cable varies along the length of the control cable, e.g., from a predetermined minimum weight/diameter ratio, where the weight element consists only of the strength element, to a predetermined maximum weight/diameter ratio, where the cross-section of the control cable is filled to the maximum with the weight member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Kvaerner Oilfield Products a.s.
    Inventors: Arild Figenschou, Ole A. Heggdal
  • Patent number: 6016845
    Abstract: A spoolable composite tube capable of being spooled onto a reel for storage and for use in oil field applications. The spoolable tube exhibits unique anistropic characteristics that provide improved burst and collapse pressures, increased tensile strength, compression strength, and load carrying capacity, while still remaining sufficiently bendable to be spooled onto a reel in an open bore configuration. The spoolable composite tube can include an inner liner, an interface layer, fiber composite layers, a pressure barrier layer, and an outer protective layer. The fiber composite layers can have a unique triaxial braid structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Fiber Spar and Tube Corporation
    Inventors: Peter A. Quigley, Stephen C. Nolet, Jerry G. Williams
  • Patent number: 6012495
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a subsea line comprising a number of fluid/gas conducting steel tubes (1, 3) and possibly other elongated elements (4) like electrical conductors and cables enclosed, and containing elongated sacrificial elements. At least one of the tubes (1, 3) is made of carbon steel and that at least one sacrificial element (2, 5) which is constituted by one or more tapes or strips made of a material less noble than steel is in substantially continuous contact with the surface(s) of at least one carbon steel tube. The line may include a sea water permeable outer cover (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventor: Roy Eivind Antonsen
  • Patent number: 6004639
    Abstract: A spoolable composite member having a sensor and an energy conductor embedded in the composite member. The spoolable composite member is capable of being spooled onto a reel for storage and for use in oil field applications. The spoolable tube exhibits unique anistropic characteristics that provide improved burst and collapse pressures, increased tensile strength, compression strength, and load carrying capacity, while still remaining sufficiently bendable to be spooled onto a reel in an open bore configuration. The spoolable composite tube can include an inner protective layer, an inner pressure barrier layer, an interface layer, fiber composite layers, an outer pressure barrier layer, and an outer protective layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Fiberspar Spoolable Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter A. Quigley, Stephen C. Nolet
  • Patent number: 5951812
    Abstract: This invention provides a method of joining two pieces of fiberglass reinforced pipe, the pipe having a pipe wall and including means for conducting electricity through the pipe from one end to the other end, and a joining member. The joining member includes a cylinder having a wall and including a first end adapted to receive one of the pipe pieces and a second end adapted to receive the other of the pipe pieces. The joining member also includes an inner ring integral with the cylinder wall, the ring extending radially inwardly from the cylinder wall a distance equal to about the width of the pipe wall. The inner ring also has a first side facing the first cylinder end and a second side facing the second cylinder end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventor: James L. Gilchrist, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5944059
    Abstract: A synthetic resin hose includes a corrugated tube wall and an electrically conductive wire disposed substantially straight along the axial direction of the tube wall and configured so that the whole length of the electrically conductive wire on the inner circumferential surface side thereof is covered with the tube wall and the outer circumferential side thereof is enclosedly covered with only top portions of the tube wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Totaku Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Masui
  • Patent number: 5932842
    Abstract: This invention relates to a strength member for a hose and to an improved combined fluid/electrical hose. The strength member of the present invention is a low stretch high strength natural or artificial fibre material which may be incorporated into the bore of the hose and fastened to a hose end termination connector at each end to limit stretch of the hose. In the improved combined fluid/electrical hose of the present invention, the electrical wire extends longitudinally and freely the full length of the hose without attachment to the inner hose wall. This combined fluid/electrical hose also including a strength member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: The University of Alberta
    Inventors: Adolf Eberl, Rolf Eberl, Peter Eberl
  • Patent number: 5927757
    Abstract: A vacuum cleaner hose assembly has a corrugated, flexible hose with fittings at opposite ends for connection to the vacuum cleaner suction inlet and to a cleaning head. A tube or cable extends along the assembly for supply of cleaning fluid or electrical power to the cleaning head. The tube or cable is retained with the hose by means of a U-shape channel provided as a separate member bonded to the outside of the hose. The tube or cable extends within the channel as a loose fit so that it can move along the channel on flexing of the hose, thereby helping maintain flexibility of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Smiths Industries Public Limited Company
    Inventor: Gordon Keith
  • Patent number: 5921285
    Abstract: A spoolable composite tube capable of being spooled onto a reel for storage and for use in oil field applications. The spoolable tube exhibits unique anistropic characteristics that provide improved burst and collapse pressures, increased tensile strength, compression strength, and load carrying capacity, while still remaining sufficiently bendable to be spooled onto a reel in an open bore configuration. The spoolable composite tube can include an inner liner, an interface layer, fiber composite layers, a pressure barrier layer, and an outer protective layer. The fiber composite layers can have a unique triaxial braid structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Fiberspar Spoolable Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter A. Quigley, Stephen C. Nolet
  • Patent number: RE37775
    Abstract: A lightweight hose assembly (10) of the type adapted for conveying fuels and other corrosive fluids. The assembly (10) includes a tubular inner liner (12) comprising a polymeric fluorocarbon material resistant to chemical and heat degradation, and is characterized by including an outer liner (14) comprising an expanded polyamide material disposed about the inner liner (12). The assembly (10) further includes a conductive strip (30) formed along the inner liner (12) for dissipating electrical charges accumulating along the inner liner (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Teleflex Fluid Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Norman S. Martucci
  • Patent number: RE36833
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a continuous metal tube having a plurality of electrical conductors disposed therein, by using a spring member to depress the electrical conductors while a flat metal strip is formed into a tubular member and welded to enclose the electrical conductors. The spring member functions to protect the electrical conductors from heat damage. The welding occurs completely downstream of the spring member in order to avoid excessive heat buildup in the spring member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Quick Connectors, Inc.
    Inventors: Boyd B. Moore, Moye Wicks, III