Patents Assigned to Vetco Gray, LLC
  • Patent number: 10968716
    Abstract: A wellhead includes a wellhead body and a locking end coupled to the wellhead body. The locking end includes an exterior surface with an exterior locking profile. The exterior locking profile includes an exterior groove formed between exterior stab and load flanks on the exterior surface. The locking end also includes an interior surface having an interior locking profile. The interior locking profile includes an interior groove formed between interior stab and load flanks on the interior surface. At least one of the exterior groove or the interior groove is a relief groove that undercuts at least one of the respective stab or load flank. The relief groove corresponds to a portion of the contour of an ellipse intersecting at least a portion of the respective stab or load flank, and an axis of the ellipse is at a tilted angle with respect to an axis of the wellhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Vetco Gray, LLC
    Inventors: Baozhi Zhu, Joseph Pallini
  • Patent number: 10947804
    Abstract: A system is disclosed as including a seal for sealing an area between a hanger and a housing of a wellhead. The seal is provided with at least a notch that defines at least a movable portion such as a wing or a lip. An e-ring is provided for a first energizing of the seal. The movable portion enables pressurized fluid from beneath the seal to cause the movable portion to protrude further against a mating side in the wellhead and the hanger for a second energizing of the seal. This type of seal maintains or improves the sealing of the wellhead in high pressure applications. Methods applied to the above seal are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Vetco Gray, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Ingram, Greg Dunn, Alejandro Martinez, Ronnie Hampton, Joseph Pallini
  • Patent number: 10927637
    Abstract: Embodiments include an energizing ring for setting a downhole seal includes a body having a varied cross-section along at least a portion of an axial length. The energizing ring also includes a plurality of peaks forming at least a portion of the varied cross-section having a first diameter. The energizing ring also includes a plurality of valleys forming at least a portion of the varied cross-section having a second diameter, the first diameter being larger than the second diameter, and respective valleys of the plurality of valleys being arranged proximate respective peaks of the plurality of peaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Vetco Gray, LLC
    Inventors: Samuel Heung Yeung Cheng, Wei He, Andrew Ingram, Kevin O'Dell, Gregory Dunn
  • Patent number: 10830006
    Abstract: Embodiments include a system for setting a seal in a wellbore including a sabot arranged proximate the seal, the sabot being supported by the seal and having a first diameter larger than a second diameter of the seal. The system also includes a bridge coupled to the sabot and in contact with the seal, the bridge extending axially away from the sabot and positioned within a slot formed by an extension of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: VETCO GRAY, LLC
    Inventors: Samuel Heung Yeung Cheng, Kevin O'Dell, Gregory Dunn, Joseph Pallini
  • Patent number: 10753161
    Abstract: A system includes a housing section positioned within a wellhead area, the housing section also includes a removable wellhead bushing arranged over at least one engagement feature of the housing. The system also includes a Christmas tree including a treehead area, the treehead area includes a removable treehead bushing arranged over at least one engagement feature of the treehead area. The system further includes a tubular extending through both the wellhead bushing and the treehead bushing, wherein the tubular includes an installation and removal tool adapted to remove at least one of the wellhead bushing and the treehead bushing during wellbore operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: VETCO GRAY, LLC
    Inventors: Helvecio Carlos Klinke da Silveira, Carlos Alexandre Marinho Lolo Vieira, Guaraci Bornia, Deivis Alves Verdan
  • Patent number: 10689936
    Abstract: A subsea wellhead assembly provides a positive indication of landing of a wellhead member and locking of a wellhead member to a wellhead. The subsea wellhead assembly includes at least one positive indicator assembly disposed within a wellhead member, and a communication line extending down a running string from a platform to a running tool disposed in a subsea wellhead. The at least one positive indicator assembly provides confirmation of setting of the wellhead member, and the communication line is in communication with the positive indicator assembly to communicate the confirmation of setting with the platform following setting of the wellhead member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: VETCO GRAY, LLC
    Inventor: Rodney Mark Fenwick
  • Publication number: 20200173247
    Abstract: Embodiments include an energizing ring for setting a downhole seal includes a body having a varied cross-section along at least a portion of an axial length. The energizing ring also includes a plurality of peaks forming at least a portion of the varied cross-section having a first diameter. The energizing ring also includes a plurality of valleys forming at least a portion of the varied cross-section having a second diameter, the first diameter being larger than the second diameter, and respective valleys of the plurality of valleys being arranged proximate respective peaks of the plurality of peaks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: Vetco Gray, LLC
    Inventors: Samuel Heung Yeung Cheng, Wei He, Andrew Ingram, Kevin O'Dell, Gregory Dunn
  • Publication number: 20200173240
    Abstract: Embodiments include a system for setting a seal in a wellbore including a sabot arranged proximate the seal, the sabot being supported by the seal and having a first diameter larger than a second diameter of the seal. The system also includes a bridge coupled to the sabot and in contact with the seal, the bridge extending axially away from the sabot and positioned within a slot formed by an extension of the seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: Vetco Gray, LLC
    Inventors: Samuel Heung Yeung Cheng, Kevin O'Dell, Gregory Dunn, Joseph Pallini
  • Patent number: 10648566
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include systems and methods with a piston cylinder arrangement comprising an inner barrel positioned within an outer barrel, the inner barrel being linearly moveable along an axis. A primary sealing assembly at an upper end of the outer barrel includes a plurality of seals positioned to block debris from entering an interior chamber. Additionally, an end cap is coupled to the inner barrel and an end cap diameter is greater than an inner barrel outer diameter. Moreover a secondary sealing assembly is arranged between the end cap and the primary sealing assembly and includes a plurality of secondary seals positioned to block debris from entering the interior chamber of the riser tensioner, wherein the secondary sealing assembly reduces a stroke length of the inner barrel when installed above the primary sealing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Vetco Gray, LLC
    Inventors: Rockford Dee Lyle, Jesse B. Riha, Daniel Louis Havelka, Robert James Wagner
  • Patent number: 10605012
    Abstract: A tubular member connection system includes a box having an inner diameter surface and internal box threads. A pin has an outer diameter surface and external pin threads, the pin threads shaped to mate with the box threads to releasably secure the pin to the box so that the pin and the box are aligned along a common central axis. A slot is located in one of the inner diameter surface and the outer diameter surface, the slot having a pair of sidewalls. An anti-rotation profile is located in the other of the inner diameter surface and the outer diameter surface. A key is sized to fit within the slot and have a key profile shaped to engage the anti-rotation profile and prevent relative rotational movement between the box and the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Vetco Gray, LLC
    Inventors: William Alexander Loose-Mitchell, Mayur Mansukh, Joseph William Pallini, Jr., Dennis Robert Martinchich
  • Patent number: 10597950
    Abstract: A tubular member connection system includes a pin having a central axis, external pin threads, and an annular pin lip at a shoulder surface. A box has internal box threads and an annular box lip at an end surface of the box. The box threads are shaped to mate with the pin threads to releasably secure the pin to the box. A recess is formed in an outer diameter surface of the pin and extends in an axial direction from the pin lip. An anti-rotation key is located within the recess and has a row of teeth along an outer edge. A fastener retains the anti-rotation key in the recess. A circumferentially extending series of grooves on the box lip are sized to engage the teeth and resist a rotation of the pin relative to the box in an unscrewing direction when the pin is releasably secured to the box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: VETCO GRAY, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Paul McGowan, Joseph William Pallini, Jr., Dennis Robert Martinchich, Andrew Andor Zac-Williams, William Alexander Loose-Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20200011147
    Abstract: A wellhead includes a wellhead body and a locking end coupled to the wellhead body. The locking end includes an exterior surface with an exterior locking profile. The exterior locking profile includes an exterior groove formed between exterior stab and load flanks on the exterior surface. The locking end also includes an interior surface having an interior locking profile. The interior locking profile includes an interior groove formed between interior stab and load flanks on the interior surface. At least one of the exterior groove or the interior groove is a relief groove that undercuts at least one of the respective stab or load flank. The relief groove corresponds to a portion of the contour of an ellipse intersecting at least a portion of the respective stab or load flank, and an axis of the ellipse is at a tilted angle with respect to an axis of the wellhead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Applicant: Vetco Gray, LLC
    Inventors: Baozhi Zhu, Joseph Pallini
  • Patent number: 10508505
    Abstract: A wellhead assembly includes a tubular wellhead housing having a bore and an annular gallery slot. The annular gallery slot is defined by an enlarged inner diameter of the bore. A tubular hanger is selectively landed in the bore of the wellhead housing, defining an annular cavity between the bore and an outer diameter of the tubular hanger. The tubular hanger is supported by the wellhead housing with a hanger support located in the annular cavity. A flow-by passage is in fluid communication with the annular cavity at locations above and below the hanger support. The flow-by passage intersects with the gallery slot and intersects an outer radial surface of the tubular hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: VETCO GRAY, LLC
    Inventors: Mayur Mansukh, Aniruddha D. Gadre, Daniel Caleb Benson, David Lawrence Ford
  • Patent number: 10465451
    Abstract: A pipe connection includes a pin having circumferentially extending external grooves. A box has an annular base with deflectable fingers extending upward from the base. Each of the fingers has circumferentially extending internal grooves on an inner side and an external thread on an outer side. A collar has an internal thread on an inner side. A radial dimension from the axis to the internal thread crest decreases from turn to turn of the internal thread in a downward direction. The box and the pin are movable from a stab-in position to a locked position in response to rotation of the collar. In the locked position, the external thread crests are in engagement with the internal thread crests, and the internal grooves are in full engagement with the external grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: VETCO GRAY, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph W. Pallini, Rockford D. Lyle
  • Publication number: 20190309593
    Abstract: A system is disclosed as including a seal for sealing an area between a hanger and a housing of a wellhead. The seal is provided with at least a notch that defines at least a movable portion such as a wing or a lip. An e-ring is provided for a first energizing of the seal. The movable portion enables pressurized fluid from beneath the seal to cause the movable portion to protrude further against a mating side in the wellhead and the hanger for a second energizing of the seal. This type of seal maintains or improves the sealing of the wellhead in high pressure applications. Methods applied to the above seal are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Applicant: Vetco Gray, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Ingram, Greg Dunn, Alejandro Martinez, Ronnie Hampton, Joseph Pallini
  • Patent number: 10428594
    Abstract: A connection is established between a pin connector and a box connector defined on a pair of tubular members such as casing segments in the field of oil and gas recovery. The pin connector and box connector include features for the protection of metallic-sealing surfaces during assembly, disassembly, transport and handling of the tubular members. The pin connector includes a stabbing flank with an inwardly tapered annular flank surface thereon, and an alignment protrusion extending outward with respect to the pin-side metallic sealing surface in a direction normal to a cone angle defined by the inwardly tapered annular flank surface. The alignment protrusion engages internal surfaces of the box connector to concentrically align the pin connector with the box connector, and thereby protects the metallic sealing surfaces from damage that might otherwise result from collisions between the pin connector and the box connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Vetco Gray, LLC
    Inventors: Baozhi Zhu, Joseph W. Pallini, Thomas Steen, William R. Patterson, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20190264813
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include systems and methods with a piston cylinder arrangement comprising an inner barrel positioned within an outer barrel, the inner barrel being linearly moveable along an axis. A primary sealing assembly at an upper end of the outer barrel includes a plurality of seals positioned to block debris from entering an interior chamber. Additionally, an end cap is coupled to the inner barrel and an end cap diameter is greater than an inner barrel outer diameter. Moreover a secondary sealing assembly is arranged between the end cap and the primary sealing assembly and includes a plurality of secondary seals positioned to block debris from entering the interior chamber of the riser tensioner, wherein the secondary sealing assembly reduces a stroke length of the inner barrel when installed above the primary sealing assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Applicant: Vetco Gray, LLC
    Inventors: Rockford Dee Lyle, Jesse B. Riha, Daniel Louis Havelka, Robert James Wagner
  • Publication number: 20190234169
    Abstract: A wellhead assembly includes an outer wellhead member having a bore and an inner wellhead member located in the bore, defining an annular pocket between the outer and inner wellhead members. A sealing assembly is located within the annular pocket, the sealing assembly having an annular seal and an energizing ring. The energizing ring engages inner and outer legs of the annular seal to push the inner and outer legs into sealing engagement with the inner and outer wellhead members. A retainer nut is threadingly attached to the free end of the outer leg of the sealing assembly. Mating grooves are located on one of an inner diameter of the retainer nut and an outer diameter of the energizing ring and mating protrusions located on the other. The mating protrusions mate with the mating grooves to prevent relative axial movement between the energizing ring and the annular seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Applicant: Vetco Gray, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Jen-Yue Du, Dinesh Narayan, Durai Balaji, David Lawrence Ford, Baozhi Zhu, Krishnanand Anandan, Kendra Limbrick
  • Patent number: 10233711
    Abstract: A wellhead assembly includes an outer wellhead member having a bore and an inner wellhead member located in the bore, defining an annular pocket between the outer and inner wellhead members. A sealing assembly is located within the annular pocket, the sealing assembly having an annular seal and an energizing ring. The energizing ring engages inner and outer legs of the annular seal to push the inner and outer legs into sealing engagement with the inner and outer wellhead members. A retainer nut is threadingly attached to the free end of the outer leg of the sealing assembly. Mating grooves are located on one of an inner diameter of the retainer nut and an outer diameter of the energizing ring and mating protrusions located on the other. The mating protrusions mate with the mating grooves to prevent relative axial movement between the energizing ring and the annular seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: VETCO GRAY, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Jen-Yue Du, Dinesh Narayan, Durai Balaji, David Lawrence Ford, Baozhi Zhu, Krishnanand Anandan, Kendra Limbrick
  • Patent number: 10184311
    Abstract: A wellhead assembly has a casing hanger for supporting a string of casing, the casing hanger having an external upward-facing shoulder. A radially movable annular lockdown member is carried on the shoulder for movement between a retracted position while the casing hanger is being run and an expanded position. In the expanded position, the lockdown member is in engagement with a lockdown profile shoulder in a wellhead housing. A casing hanger seal is carried by the casing hanger above the lockdown member. The casing hanger seal has a lower extension that includes a connection leg and a nose ring. The nose ring has a cam surface that engages and moves the lockdown member to the expanded position while the casing hanger seal is being lowered into a set position. Slots are formed in the extension to reduce the axial stiffness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: VETCO GRAY, LLC
    Inventors: Aniruddha D. Gadre, Mayur Mansukh, Joseph W. Pallini, David Lawrence Ford, Baozhi Zhu