Patents by Inventor Daniel R. Barnhart

Daniel R. Barnhart 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).

  • Patent number: 10138698
    Abstract: A wellhead housing has a bore with a landing shoulder aid an annular retaining groove spaced above the landing shoulder. A casing hanger connects to a string of easing and lands on the landing shoulder. A seal assembly between the hanger and an interior side wall of the wellhead housing below the retaining groove has an energizing ring that moves axially downward relative to the seal member to a set position that causes the seal member to sealingly engage the hanger and the interior side wall. A lockdown member has an outer lower end portion that bears against an upper end of the energizing ring and an inner lower end portion that hears against an upper end of the hanger. A lockdown ring mounted to the lockdown member engages the retaining groove to prevent upward movement of the lockdown member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: VETCO GRAY, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel R. Barnhart, David L. Ford
  • Publication number: 20170089162
    Abstract: A wellhead housing has a bore with a Sanding shoulder aid an annular retaining groove spaced above the landing shoulder. A casing hanger connects to a string of easing and lands on the landing shoulder. A seal assembly between the hanger and an interior side wall of the wellhead housing below the retaining groove has an energizing ring that moves axially downward relative to the seal member to a set position that causes the seal member to sealingly engage the hanger and the interior side wall. A lockdown member has an outer lower end portion that bears against an upper end of the energizing ring and an inner lower end portion that hears against an upper end of the hanger. A lockdown ring mounted to the lockdown member engages the retaining groove to prevent upward movement of the lockdown member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Daniel R. Barnhart, David L. Ford
  • Patent number: 9057231
    Abstract: An energizing ring can be used to energize a seal. In embodiments, the energizing ring has a recess, or divot, adjacent to a portion of the seal so that if the seal is deformed during a balloon-type failure, a portion of the deformed seal can occupy the recess. The seal, thus, engages surfaces of the recess to prevent axial movement of the energizing ring relative to the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Barnhart, Nicholas P. Gette, Baozhi Zhu, Jeffrey A. Raynal
  • Publication number: 20140069646
    Abstract: An energizing ring can be used to energize a seal. In embodiments, the energizing ring has a recess, or divot, adjacent to a portion of the seal so that if the seal is deformed during a balloon-type failure, a portion of the deformed seal can occupy the recess. The seal, thus, engages surfaces of the recess to prevent axial movement of the energizing ring relative to the seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Barnhart, Nicholas P. Gette, Baozhi Zhu, Jeffrey A. Raynal