Raymond E. Latham
Engineering at Tamerlaine Dr, Houston, TX

6682105, Jan 27, 2004

Apr 30, 2002

10/137189

Raymond E. Latham - Houston TX
Gyula Pasztor - Houston TX

Reflange, Inc. - Houston TX

F16L 2704

285261, 285 27, 28514828, 285 24

A remotely operable coupling device is disclosed. The device is suitable for coupling misaligned first and second conduits. The device includes a first connector and a second connector. The first connector is attached to the first conduit and includes a first flange with a ball end extending therefrom. The second connector is attached to the second conduit and receives the first connector. The second connector includes a first mechanism operable to position a second flange adjacent the first flange and to dispose the ball end into a socket member. The second connector also includes a second mechanism disposed about the adjacent first and second flanges and operable to hold the flanges adjacent one another and maintain the ball end disposed within the socket.

6419279, Jul 16, 2002

Dec 13, 1999

09/460166

Raymond E. Latham - Houston TX 77024

F16L 2706

285261, 285368, 285412, 411107, 411533, 411999

A ball and socket misalignment coupling includes a socket flange, ball member, retaining flange, threaded studs, and threaded retaining rings of limited shear strength. The threaded retaining rings function to permit the coupling to be pre-assembled. When the pre-assembled coupling is installed into service by using the threaded studs and associated nuts to bolt the coupling to a standard flange, the threaded rings are stripped out and remain in the assembly without obstructing the function of the coupling. The threaded retaining rings fit into recesses in the flanges through which the studs insert. The threaded retaining rings may made as a single-piece construction made from a material that has a yield and shear strength lower than that of the threaded studs about which they are mounted, or may be made as a two-piece threaded ring having inner threaded portion and a separate outer portion, each with differing material construction. The materials of the two pieces preferably are selected so that once the threaded region strips, the outer geometry can be used as a standard washer.

6789578, Sep 14, 2004

Apr 30, 2002

10/135199

Raymond E. Latham - Houston TX
Gyula Pasztor - Houston TX

Reflange, Inc. - Houston TX

F16L 5510

138 89, 138 96 R, 285 15, 220324, 220263

A remotely operable closure device is disclosed. The device includes a base hub, a clamping mechanism, a closure mechanism, and a drive mechanism. The base hub is attached to a conduit and allows access to the conduit. The clamping mechanism is disposed about the base hub and is actuatable to clamp or unclamp about the base hub and a blind hub. The closure mechanism is movably connected to the clamping mechanism and is actuatable therewith to move the blind hub into or out of engagement with the base hub. The drive mechanism is remotely operable to simultaneously actuate the clamping mechanism and the closure mechanism.

3997197, Dec 14, 1976

Oct 8, 1974

5/513056

Gerald A. Marsh - Houston TX
Eugene O. Lee - Houston TX
James A. Burton - Houston TX
Raymond E. Latham - Houston TX

HydroTech International, Inc. - Houston TX

F16L 3500

285 93

A ball and socket type coupling for connecting the ends of two pipes which may be axially misaligned by as much as several degrees. It includes a pair of coupling members, each of which is arranged for connection to one of the pipes to be connected. One of the members has attached at the other end thereof a ball portion, and the other coupling member has attached thereto a housing arranged for receiving in mating relationship therewith the forward surface of the ball portion. Seal means are disposable between the ball and the housing member for providing a fluid seal therebetween. A plurality of cam members are supported in circumferentially spaced about positions in the housing and pivotally movable between a retracted position to permit the receiving portion of the housing to freely receive the ball in mating engagement with the internal surface thereof, and an extended and locked position of engagement with the rearward side of the ball at a plurality of circumferentially spaced about points and so arranged to urge the ball into continual positive contact with the housing, whereby the coupling members are restrained against relative axial separation. Means are also provided for pivoting the cam members to the extended and locked position and subsequently to the retracted and unlocked position, should the latter become desirable.

4075923, Feb 28, 1978

Jun 17, 1976

5/696877

Raymond E. Latham - Houston TX

F16B 3500

85 1T

Apparatus and method for placing and holding tension on a fastener device of the type having a shaft and a cooperable member engageable therewith. The apparatus may comprise a housing member for surrounding the fastener shaft in a fixed relationship; a piston member disposed within the housing member for seating axial movement therein between first and second positions; a passageway centrally disposed in the housing and piston member through which the fastener shaft may extend and be affixed to the piston member; an annular chamber defined by the housing and piston members; and one or more ports communicating with the chamber through which pressure may be applied to the piston member for movement thereof between the first and second positions so as to place the fastener shaft in tension. A method of utilizing the apparatus is also disclosed.

5368342, Nov 29, 1994

Aug 7, 1992

7/927614

Raymond E. Latham - Houston TX
Charles R. Mynheir - Houston TX

Reflange, Inc. - Houston TX

F16L 27053, F16L 2706

285261

An improved misalignment flange and method for use is provided by a socket member having a substantially spherical inside diameter surface seat which engages, in fluid-tight fashion, a ball member having a substantially spherical outside diameter surface and associated therewith a stored-energy seal. A retaining member is also utilized to clamp the ball member and spherical seal into fluid-tight engagement with the inside spherical surface of the socket member. The misalignment flange of the present invention provides up to 20. degree. of off-axis misalignment and service in hostile environments.

6070912, Jun 6, 2000

Feb 5, 1997

8/794400

Raymond E. Latham - Houston TX

Reflange, Inc. - Houston TX

F16L 300

285 61

A dual seal is provided for establishing fluid tight engagement between conduits subjected to both internal and external pressure. The dual seal comprises four seal portions disposed between an inner and an outer cylindrical surface.

4086830, May 2, 1978

Jan 6, 1977

5/757344

Raymond E. Latham - Houston TX

B25B 1346

81 5739

A hydraulic wrench comprising: an elongated body; a drive assembly mounted at one end of the body for rotating a socket member connected thereto; a hydraulic power member connected to the drive assembly and the body for rotating the drive assembly; and an elongated reaction member engageable with the body and extendable therefrom for engagement with any suitable fixed object to provide a reaction force for operation of the wrench.

4214763, Jul 29, 1980

Oct 23, 1978

5/953406

Raymond E. Latham - Houston TX

F16L 2300

2771675

An annular bore seal for sealing between connected first and second coaxially aligned members, each of which is provided with an internal frusto-conical seating surface tapering inwardly from their adjoining ends. The seal comprises: an inner cylindrical surface; annular end surfaces at opposite ends thereof; frusto-conical outer sealing surfaces adjacent each of the end surfaces and tapering outwardly therefrom; an outer alignment ring surface midway between the end surfaces; and annular relieved areas between the alignment ring surface and the frusto-conical sealing surfaces.

4186950, Feb 5, 1980

Sep 14, 1977

5/833085

Lloyd E. Billingsley - Houston TX
Raymond E. Latham - Houston TX

Comex Marine Services, Inc. - Houston TX

F16L 2706

285270

Coupling apparatus capable of joining first and second conduits in a nonaligned articulated relationship may comprise: a male member having a radially enlarged end portion thereon; a female member into which the male member may be inserted; a seal assembly for sealing between the male and female members; a gripping assembly carried by the female member and radially movable from a normally expanded position, in which the male member may be freely inserted and removed from the female member, to a contracted position gripping the enlarged end portion of the male member, preventing its removal and locking it in a fixed, articulated relationship with the female member; and a load ring carried by the female member and axially movable from a first position, allowing the gripping assembly to assume its normal expanded position, to a second position engaging and forcing the gripping assembly into its contracted position.