William R Rochelle

Title: Innovations of William R Rochelle

Introduction

William R Rochelle is a notable inventor based in Houston, TX (US). He has made significant contributions to the field of underwater repair technologies, holding a total of 3 patents. His work focuses on innovative methods and apparatuses that enhance the efficiency and safety of pipeline repairs in deep water environments.

Latest Patents

One of his latest patents is titled "Deep Water Repair Methods and Apparatus." This invention relates to methods and apparatus for effecting deep water repair of pipelines, especially during a pipelaying operation. A damaged portion of the pipeline is located and prepared for receiving a pipeline plug member by cutting away the damaged portion, leaving a prepared pipeline end section. The pipeline plug member is secured in a submersible repair frame, which is lowered from a floating vessel into an operational relationship with the prepared pipeline end section. The plug member is aligned with the pipeline end section and is inserted into the end section. Thereafter, the plug member is sealingly secured in the pipeline end section, and the repair frame is removed from its operational relationship with the pipeline. The pipeline is dewatered, and the end section is then raised onto a floating vessel. The repair frame includes means for holding and manipulating the plug member, a manually operable control panel for controlling operations, and a submersible vehicle docking station to position a submersible vehicle in an operative relationship to the control panel. The repair frame is preferably lowered to the bottom of the body of water with a pickup line or a pilot line attached to the plug member.

Another significant patent is the "Bottom Jetting Device." This invention relates to a device for removing material from a submerged surface. The apparatus has a liquid manifold that supports downwardly directed liquid jets to dig or remove material and upwardly directed liquid jets to impel the removed material into the interior of a material removing housing. Additionally, a gas manifold has a plurality of air jets to help urge the material into and through the material removing housing. The device is designed with means for dividing the liquid and gas manifolds into zones and directing all supplied liquid and gas to one or more zones of the respective manifolds to either intensify and localize the effect of the fluids or maintain the device in an operable condition when the source of gas and/or liquid is partially impaired.

Career Highlights

William R Rochelle is associated with Brown