Patents by Inventor Bruce J. Witwer
Bruce J. Witwer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20240044218Abstract: A system includes: a conductor pipe running tool configured to be coupled with an upper end of a conductor pipe, and the conductor pipe running tool is configured to support and lower the conductor pipe from a surface location toward a sea floor location. The conductor pipe running tool further includes: one or more sensors disposed on the conductor pipe running tool for measuring one or more properties associated with the conductor pipe; and a communication system disposed on the conductor pipe running tool and coupled to the one or more sensors, wherein the communication system is configured to communicate data indicative of the one or more measured properties to: a monitoring system proximate the surface location, a remote operated vehicle (ROV), or both.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Inventors: Mason Connor Wade, Morris B. Wade, Bruce J. Witwer
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Patent number: 11585159Abstract: Systems and methods for coupling a platform to a subsea wellhead are provided. The systems may include a riser extending between the platform and the subsea wellhead. The systems may further include an inner drilling riser tie-back connector (“ITBC”) coupled to an inner riser and having an outer body and an inner body. The inner body is at least partially disposed within the outer body, and the inner body is translatable along a longitudinal axis of the ITBC between a first unlocked position and a second locked position. The systems may additionally include a locking mechanism for the ITBC.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2019Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.Inventors: John E. Nelson, Oscar Maldonado, Bruce J. Witwer
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Patent number: 11572968Abstract: A high capacity universal connector for use in connecting tubular members and a method for sealing the tubular members is provided. First and second tubular members are provided which each have ends that are brought into face-to-face engagement by a connector. A metal sealing element seals against conical surfaces at the ends of the first and second tubular members and enables the entire surface of the end of one tubular member to be bought into engagement with the surface of the end of the other tubular member so as to improve the bending and compression capacity of the assembly comprising the tubular members and the metal sealing element. A metal sealing ring for use in this assembly is also provided, along with a gasket retention assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2019Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.Inventors: Morris B. Wade, Mark A. Manning, Blake T. DeBerry, Bruce J. Witwer
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Patent number: 11441707Abstract: A high capacity universal connector for use in connecting tubular members and a method for sealing the tubular members is provided. First and second tubular members are provided which each have ends that are brought into face-to-face engagement by a connector. A metal sealing element seals against conical surfaces at the ends of the first and second tubular members and enables the entire surface of the end of one tubular member to be bought into engagement with the surface of the end of the other tubular member so as to improve the bending and compression capacity of the assembly comprising the tubular members and the metal sealing element. A metal sealing ring for use in this assembly is also provided, along with a gasket retention assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2019Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.Inventors: Morris B. Wade, Mark A. Manning, Blake T. DeBerry, Bruce J. Witwer
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Publication number: 20210002964Abstract: Systems and methods for coupling a platform to a subsea wellhead are provided. The systems may include a riser extending between the platform and the subsea wellhead. The systems may further include an inner drilling riser tie-back connector (“ITBC”) coupled to an inner riser and having an outer body and an inner body. The inner body is at least partially disposed within the outer body, and the inner body is translatable along a longitudinal axis of the ITBC between a first unlocked position and a second locked position. The systems may additionally include a locking mechanism for the ITBC.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2019Publication date: January 7, 2021Inventors: John E. Nelson, Oscar Maldonado, Bruce J. Witwer
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Publication number: 20200116282Abstract: A high capacity universal connector for use in connecting tubular members and a method for sealing the tubular members is provided. First and second tubular members are provided which each have ends that are brought into face-to-face engagement by a connector. A metal sealing element seals against conical surfaces at the ends of the first and second tubular members and enables the entire surface of the end of one tubular member to be bought into engagement with the surface of the end of the other tubular member so as to improve the bending and compression capacity of the assembly comprising the tubular members and the metal sealing element. A metal sealing ring for use in this assembly is also provided, along with a gasket retention assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2019Publication date: April 16, 2020Inventors: Morris B. Wade, Mark A. Manning, Blake T. DeBerry, Bruce J. Witwer
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Publication number: 20200080670Abstract: A high capacity universal connector for use in connecting tubular members and a method for sealing the tubular members is provided. First and second tubular members are provided which each have ends that are brought into face-to-face engagement by a connector. A metal sealing element seals against conical surfaces at the ends of the first and second tubular members and enables the entire surface of the end of one tubular member to be bought into engagement with the surface of the end of the other tubular member so as to improve the bending and compression capacity of the assembly comprising the tubular members and the metal sealing element. A metal sealing ring for use in this assembly is also provided, along with a gasket retention assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2019Publication date: March 12, 2020Inventors: Morris B. Wade, Mark A. Manning, Blake T. DeBerry, Bruce J. Witwer
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Patent number: 10527207Abstract: A high capacity universal connector for use in connecting tubular members and a method for sealing the tubular members is provided. First and second tubular members are provided which each have ends that are brought into face-to-face engagement by a connector. A metal sealing element seals against conical surfaces at the ends of the first and second tubular members and enables the entire surface of the end of one tubular member to be bought into engagement with the surface of the end of the other tubular member so as to improve the bending and compression capacity of the assembly comprising the tubular members and the metal sealing element. A metal sealing ring for use in this assembly is also provided, along with a gasket retention assembly.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2017Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.Inventors: Mark A. Manning, Blake T. DeBerry, Morris B. Wade, Bruce J. Witwer
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Patent number: 10184303Abstract: An improved anti-rotation device for preventing rotation of two joined tubular members of a connector assembly is provided. The connector assembly includes a first threaded portion connected to a second threaded portion. The anti-rotation device includes at least one self-tapping screw installed in an associated threaded bore formed in and tangential to a flange of the second threaded portion. When installed, the at least one self-tapping screw engages a shoulder of the first threaded portion. A partial thread is formed in the shoulder of the first threaded portion by the at least one self-tapping screw, which forms a shear-resistive force that prevents rotation of the first threaded portion relative to the second threaded portion, and thus prevents rotation of one tubular member relative to the other.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2016Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.Inventors: Morris B. Wade, Bruce J. Witwer, Blake T. Deberry
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Patent number: 10125581Abstract: An apparatus and methods for installing and selectively retrieving a casing hanger locking device within a wellhead system during the bit run and retrieval operations are provided. An embodiment is an apparatus comprising: a bit sub comprising a tong neck, a cylindrical portion below the tong neck, and at least one stabilizing fin below the cylindrical section, wherein the at least one stabilizing fin comprises a keyway; a casing hanger locking device comprising an annular structure and an expandable ring disposed around an upper portion of the annular structure, the casing hanger locking device disposed around the bit sub; an actuation sleeve that engages with the casing hanger locking device; and a selective retrieval collar comprising a segmented retrieval ring, wherein the selective retrieval collar is attached to the bit sub, the actuation sleeve, and the casing hanger locking device.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2015Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.Inventors: John E. Nelson, Bruce J. Witwer
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Publication number: 20180163902Abstract: A high capacity universal connector for use in connecting tubular members and a method for sealing the tubular members is provided. First and second tubular members are provided which each have ends that are brought into face-to-face engagement by a connector. A metal sealing element seals against conical surfaces at the ends of the first and second tubular members and enables the entire surface of the end of one tubular member to be bought into engagement with the surface of the end of the other tubular member so as to improve the bending and compression capacity of the assembly comprising the tubular members and the metal sealing element. A metal sealing ring for use in this assembly is also provided, along with a gasket retention assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2017Publication date: June 14, 2018Inventors: Mark A. Manning, Blake T. DeBerry, Morris B. Wade, Bruce J. Witwer
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Patent number: 9982502Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a seal assembly for sealing and locking a casing hanger to a wellhead includes a lower seal body, an upper seal body connected to the lower seal body, an inner lock ring disposed between the upper seal body and the lower seal body, an external lock ring engaging the upper seal body, and an energizing ring. The lower seal body is structured and arranged to form a seal with the casing hanger and the wellhead. The upper seal body includes a load portion that overhangs a load shoulder of the casing hanger. At least a portion of the energizing ring is disposed within an inner groove disposed within the upper seal body. The energizing ring locks the inner lock ring into forcible engagement with the casing hanger, and locks the external lock ring into engagement with the wellhead.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2016Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.Inventors: John E. Nelson, Bruce J. Witwer, Blake T. DeBerry
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Publication number: 20170328139Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, an improved anti-rotation device for preventing rotation of two joined tubular members of a connector assembly is provided. The connector assembly includes a first threaded portion connected to a second threaded portion. The anti-rotation device includes at least one self-tapping screw installed in an associated threaded bore formed in and tangential to a flange of the second threaded portion. When installed, the at least one self-tapping screw engages a shoulder of the first threaded portion. A partial thread is formed in the shoulder of the first threaded portion by the at least one self-tapping screw, which forms a shear-resistive force that prevents rotation of the first threaded portion relative to the second threaded portion, and thus prevents rotation of one tubular member relative to the other.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2016Publication date: November 16, 2017Inventors: Morris B. Wade, Bruce J. Witwer, Blake T. Deberry
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Publication number: 20170175496Abstract: An apparatus and methods for installing and selectively retrieving a casing hanger locking device within a wellhead system during the bit run and retrieval operations are provided. An embodiment is an apparatus comprising: a bit sub comprising a tong neck, a cylindrical portion below the tong neck, and at least one stabilizing fin below the cylindrical section, wherein the at least one stabilizing fin comprises a keyway; a casing hanger locking device comprising an annular structure and an expandable ring disposed around an upper portion of the annular structure, the casing hanger locking device disposed around the bit sub; an actuation sleeve that engages with the casing hanger locking device; and a selective retrieval collar comprising a segmented retrieval ring, wherein the selective retrieval collar is attached to the bit sub, the actuation sleeve, and the casing hanger locking device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2015Publication date: June 22, 2017Inventors: John E. Nelson, Bruce J. Witwer
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Publication number: 20160245040Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a seal assembly for sealing and locking a casing hanger to a wellhead includes a lower seal body, an upper seal body connected to the lower seal body, an inner lock ring disposed between the upper seal body and the lower seal body, an external lock ring engaging the upper seal body, and an energizing ring. The lower seal body is structured and arranged to form a seal with the casing hanger and the wellhead. The upper seal body includes a load portion that overhangs a load shoulder of the casing hanger. At least a portion of the energizing ring is disposed within an inner groove disposed within the upper seal body. The energizing ring locks the inner lock ring into forcible engagement with the casing hanger, and locks the external lock ring into engagement with the wellhead.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2016Publication date: August 25, 2016Inventors: John E. Nelson, Bruce J. Witwer, Blake T. DeBerry
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Patent number: 9151134Abstract: A seal assembly (10) is provided for sealing between an interior surface (14) on a wellhead (12) and a tapered exterior surface (18) on a hanger (16). A unitary seal body (20) includes an upper portion for engagement with a force tool and a lower portion for sealing with the wellhead and the hanger. A first locking ring (24) is movable radially inward for securing the sealing assembly to the hanger, and a second locking ring (22) is movable radially outward for securing the seal assembly to the wellhead. An actuation member (60) including a plurality of downward extending fingers passing through slots in the seal body move downward through a portion of the body to force the first and second locking rings into engagement with the wellhead and the hanger.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2011Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.Inventors: Larry E. Reimert, Denise A. M. Antunes, Andrew J. Grohmann, Bruce J. Witwer