Charles Barton Bollfrass

US Patent:

6925954, Aug 9, 2005

Filed:

Feb 24, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/785145

Inventors:

Charles A. Bollfrass - Spring TX, US

International Classification:

B63G008/41

US Classification:

114323

Abstract:

A method for allowing underwater escape from a submarine includes attaching a lower escape tower connector of an escape tower to a hatch connector of a submerged submarine to sealingly attach a lower end of the escape tower to the submarine. A first riser tube is attached to an upper escape tower connector of the escape tower and second riser tube is attached to the first riser tube to form an escape tunnel. Water is replaced in an interior of the escape tower and a tunnel interior of the escape tunnel by air. An exterior hatch of the submarine is opened and a person passes through the hatch. The person is raised to the water surface through the tunnel.

US Patent:

20090320953, Dec 31, 2009

Filed:

Apr 30, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/742241

Inventors:

Leroy S. Fletcher - College Station TX, US
Egidio E. Marotta - Bryan TX, US
Charles A. Bollfrass - Spring TX, US

Assignee:

THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM - College Station TX

International Classification:

F16L 9/14
F16L 9/18
B23P 17/00
F17D 1/00

US Classification:

138148, 138149, 138153, 2989014, 137 1, 1372361, 137798

Abstract:

An interstitially insulated pipeline for flowing a hydrocarbon. In an embodiment, the pipeline comprises a first interstitially insulated pipe and a second interstitially insulated pipe. Each interstitially insulated pipe comprises an inner pipe, an outer pipe mounted coaxially around the inner pipe, an insulating interstice radially positioned between the inner pipe and the outer pipe, and a layer of screen mesh having a mesh size 10 or less disposed in the insulating interstice. In addition, the pipeline comprises a joint coupling the first interstitially insulated tubular and the second interstitially insulated tubular end-to-end. The joint includes a connection that couples the outer pipe of the first interstitially insulated pipe to the outer pipe of the second interstitially insulated pipe, and an annular seal member disposed between the inner pipe of the first interstitially insulated pipe and the inner pipe of the second interstitially insulated pipe.

US Patent:

49289993, May 29, 1990

Filed:

Apr 30, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/605378

Inventors:

L. Steven Landriault - Jersey Village TX
Donald J. Ortloff - Houston TX
Charles A. Bollfrass - Houston TX

Assignee:

Hydril Company - Houston TX

International Classification:

F16L 1504

US Classification:

285113

Abstract:

A tubular connection comprising a pin end and a box end of adjacent joints having a conical metal-to-metal seal located with respect to the pin end forward thread set and its nose, the improvement of a circumferential groove in the pin end forward of the metal-to-metal seal which carries an elastomeric sealing ring radially extending beyond the limits of the groove. The metal-to-metal makeup of the connection causes by conical deformation a slight wedge shape opening to form forward of the metal-to-metal seal. The elastomeric material extrudes to fill this wedge shape opening to thereby form a compound seal forward of the metal-to-metal seal.

US Patent:

43737544, Feb 15, 1983

Filed:

Jun 4, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/270315

Inventors:

Charles A. Bollfrass - Houston TX
Leonard S. Landriault - Houston TX
Patrick E. McDonald - Houston TX

Assignee:

Hydril Company - Los Angeles CA

International Classification:

F16L 2500
F16L 2100

US Classification:

285334

Abstract:

A new and improved threaded connector having one or more non-tapered threads on separate diametral steps with at least one flank "hooked" so as to achieve a tensile strength approximately that of the tubular body, is disclosed. The wall thickness of the female member is controlled to improve thread loading and enable inwardly radial movement with the male member to prevent "pulling out" under axial tensile loading. The outer thread step on the male member may only partially engage the threads on the female member such that the critical reduction of the tube wall thickness at the thread roots is a minimum. The resulting threaded connection formed on tubular members has a tensile efficiency in excess of the tube body yield strength and approaching that of the tube body ultimate tensile strength.

US Patent:

48938440, Jan 16, 1990

Filed:

Aug 28, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/771137

Inventors:

K. Darrel Chelette - Katy TX
Charles A. Bollfrass - Houston TX

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - Houston TX

International Classification:

F16L 1504

US Classification:

285113

Abstract:

A deformable sealing member is disposed between two surfaces such that a space is provided to at least one side of such sealing member. A smaller space may be provided to a second side of the sealing member. The sealing member is conformed to contact both surfaces. A pressure coming from the direction of the greater space between the two surfaces will cause the sealing member to deform into greater compliance with the two surfaces. However, should pressure reverse and approach the seal from the opposite direction the seal will distort into the area of greater space thereby causing the seal to break contact with one of the surfaces and for such pressure to vent past the seal.

US Patent:

50299069, Jul 9, 1991

Filed:

Jul 13, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/379106

Inventors:

K. Darrel Chelette - Katy TX
Charles A. Bollfrass - Houston TX

Assignee:

Baker Hughes Incorporated - Houston TX

International Classification:

F16L 1504

US Classification:

285113

Abstract:

A deformable sealing member is disposed between two surfaces such that a space is provided to at least one side of such sealing member. A smaller space may be provided to a second side of the sealing member. The sealing member is conformed to contact both surfaces. A pressure coming from the direction of the greater space between the two surfaces will cause the sealing member to deform into greater compliance with the two surfaces. However, should pressure reverse and approach the seal from the opposite direction the seal will distort into the area of greater space thereby causing the seal to break contact with one of the surfaces and for such pressure to vent past the seal.

US Patent:

45882134, May 13, 1986

Filed:

Oct 5, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/538768

Inventors:

Charles A. Bollfrass - Houston TX
Kenneth D. Chelette - Katy TX

Assignee:

Thread Technology International, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

F16L 5500

US Classification:

285187

Abstract:

In the preferred embodiment, this invention provides a threaded pipe coupling for connection with a conventional threaded pipe end so as to effect improved sealing against internal fluid pressure and against external fluid pressure as may be required in an oil or gas well. The coupling form causes the thread contact pressure to be greater at the maximum and minimum thread contact diameters than exists at intermediate points along the length of thread contact. An auxiliary plastic seal that will undergo thermal cycling is also provided.