Christopher Lloyd Caldwell

US Patent:

7096940, Aug 29, 2006

Filed:

Oct 20, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/689479

Inventors:

Carl F. G. Baxter - Viram, DK
Christopher S. Caldwell - The Woodlands TX, US
Brent L. Dyer - Missouri City TX, US
Michael Beard - Spring TX, US
Roy Daniel Avery - Jersey Village TX, US

Assignee:

RTI Energy Systems, Inc. - Spring TX

International Classification:

E21B 17/10

US Classification:

1662416, 1753257, 1662424

Abstract:

A centralizer system is provided for use in a marine riser system with an insulated pipe, which may be a titanium stress joint. The centralizer system utilizes one or more centralizers mounted such that insulation material is provided in an annulus between the one or more centralizers and the stress joint. A clamp is utilized to axially affix either one centralizer or multiple centralizers to the stress joint. The clamp is comprised of a plurality of sections with cylindrical interior surfaces which are tightened together using fasteners. The cylindrical interior surfaces avoid damage to the insulation layer which may be elastomeric. The clamp and each centralizer have radially directed projections thereon which interlock the clamp with each centralizer. Because the clamp is axially affixed, the centralizer is then also axially affixed. In one embodiment, the centralizer is axially moveable to a desired axial position prior to being interlocked to the tightened clamp.

US Patent:

7393158, Jul 1, 2008

Filed:

Oct 20, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/689472

Inventors:

Christopher S. Caldwell - The Woodlands TX, US
Carl F. G. Baxter - Virum, DK
Brent L. Dyer - Missouri City TX, US
Michael Beard - Spring TX, US

Assignee:

RTI Energy Systems, Inc. - Spring TX

International Classification:

E21B 7/12
E21B 29/12

US Classification:

4052242, 405216, 166356, 1662416

Abstract:

A centralizer system is provided for use in a marine riser system, the centralizer being preferably heat-shrink fitted to an upset portion of a keel joint, the upset portion having tapered sections on the upper and lower ends that gradually blend into the outer diameter of the pipe used as the keel joint, the centralizer preferably comprising axially extending annular grooves in surrounding relationship to the upset portion, the grooves serving to permit forces acting on the centralizer to be redirected or dissipated to thereby prevent excessive buildup on a selected region of the upset portion adjacent the radial grooves.

US Patent:

7699354, Apr 20, 2010

Filed:

Apr 28, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/414315

Inventors:

Michael E. Beard - Spring TX, US
David J. Cole - Katy TX, US
Christopher S. Caldwell - The Woodlands TX, US
Michael B. Foley - Humble TX, US

International Classification:

F16L 17/00

US Classification:

28512313, 285108

Abstract:

A marine riser assembly having a first tubular member having an external surface with a plurality of first axially spaced formations, a second tubular member having an external surface with a plurality of second axially spaced formations thereon, a segmented ring in surrounding relationship to the first and second tubular members, the segmented ring having an inner surface with a plurality of formations engageable with the formations on the first and second tubular members, the engageable formations serving to urge the first and second tubular members toward each other when the segmented ring is subjected to radially inwardly directed compressive forces, a sleeve in surrounding relationship to force the engageable formations together and a seal assembly for sealing against external and internal pressure.

US Patent:

8100437, Jan 24, 2012

Filed:

Apr 19, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/763032

Inventors:

Michael E. Beard - Spring TX, US
David J. Cole - Katy TX, US
Christopher S. Caldwell - The Woodlands TX, US
Michael B. Foley - Humble TX, US

International Classification:

F16L 17/00

US Classification:

28512313, 285108

Abstract:

A marine riser assembly having a first tubular member having an external surface with a plurality of first axially spaced formations, a second tubular member having an external surface with a plurality of second axially spaced formations thereon, a segmented ring in surrounding relationship to the first and second tubular members, the segmented ring having an inner surface with a plurality of formations engageable with the formations on the first and second tubular members, the engageable formations serving to urge the first and second tubular members toward each other when the segmented ring is subjected to radially inwardly directed compressive forces, a sleeve in surrounding relationship to force the engageable formations together and a seal assembly for sealing against external and internal pressure.

US Patent:

8424919, Apr 23, 2013

Filed:

Jan 24, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/356953

Inventors:

Michael E. Beard - Spring TX, US
David J. Cole - Katy TX, US
Christopher S. Caldwell - The Woodlands TX, US
Michael B. Foley - Humble TX, US

Assignee:

RTI Energy Systems, Inc. - Spring TX

International Classification:

F16L 17/00

US Classification:

28512313, 285108

Abstract:

A marine riser assembly having a first tubular member having an external surface with a plurality of first axially spaced formations, a second tubular member having an external surface with a plurality of second axially spaced formations thereon, a segmented ring in surrounding relationship to the first and second tubular members, the segmented ring having an inner surface with a plurality of formations engageable with the formations on the first and second tubular members, the engageable formations serving to urge the first and second tubular members toward each other when the segmented ring is subjected to radially inwardly directed compressive forces, a sleeve in surrounding relationship to force the engageable formations together and a seal assembly for sealing against external and internal pressure.

US Patent:

20130234431, Sep 12, 2013

Filed:

Apr 19, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/866123

Inventors:

Michael E. Beard - Spring TX, US
David J. Cole - Katy TX, US
Christopher S. Caldwell - The Woodlands TX, US
Michael G. B. Foley - Humble TX, US

International Classification:

E21B 17/08
F16L 37/138

US Classification:

28512313, 2853827

Abstract:

A marine riser assembly having a first tubular member having an external surface with a plurality of first axially spaced formations, a second tubular member having an external surface with a plurality of second axially spaced formations thereon, a segmented ring in surrounding relationship to the first and second tubular members, the segmented ring having an inner surface with a plurality of formations engageable with the formations on the first and second tubular members, the engageable formations serving to urge the first and second tubular members toward each other when the segmented ring is subjected to radially inwardly directed compressive forces, a sleeve in surrounding relationship to force the engageable formations together and a seal assembly for sealing against external and internal pressure.