Patents by Inventor Dennis P. Nguyen

Dennis P. Nguyen 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).

  • Method and system for setting a metal seal
    Patent number: 9702201
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for setting a metal-to-metal seal (e.g., in an annular space between wellhead components) using a temporary elastomer seal. For example, the annular space may be sealed with one or more elastomer seals before hydraulically setting the metal-to-metal seal. A seal assembly may include the elastomer seals and the metal-to-metal seal. Positioning the seal assembly in the annular space between the wellhead components may isolate pressure in the annular space below the seal such that the metal-to-metal seal may be set. In an exemplary embodiment, a hydraulic mechanism axially compresses the metal-to-metal seal between two members of the seal assembly, thereby radially expanding and setting the metal-to-metal seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis P. Nguyen
  • HANGER, HANGER TOOL, AND METHOD OF HANGER INSTALLATION
    Publication number: 20170191324
    Abstract: A system includes a hanger running tool and a pressure port. The hanger running tool includes an upper body, a lower body disposed about the upper body, a first lock ring disposed between the upper body and the lower body, the first lock ring comprising a tapered top surface, a first push ring disposed between the upper body and the lower body, the first push ring comprising a tapered bottom surface that interfaces with the tapered top surface of the first lock ring, an upper piston disposed about the upper body, and a lower piston disposed about the first lock ring, the first push ring, and the lower body, extending axially downward. The pressure port is in fluid communication with a volume between the upper piston and the lower piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Applicant: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis P. Nguyen
  • SHOULDER, SHOULDER TOOL, AND METHOD OF SHOULDER INSTALLATION
    Publication number: 20170191332
    Abstract: A shoulder includes a shoulder body having a plurality of J-slots disposed circumferentially about the shoulder body at a first axial end of the shoulder body, a retainer ring disposed about the shoulder body having an exterior threaded surface and an annular lip, a load ring having a threaded interior surface configured to interface with the threaded exterior surface of the retainer ring and a tapered bottom surface, and a lock ring having a tapered bottom surface configured to interface with the tapered bottom surface of the load ring such that when the load ring moves axially toward the lock ring, the lock ring radially expands and when the load ring moves axially away from the lock ring, the lock ring radially contracts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Applicant: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis P. Nguyen
  • TUBULAR WELLHEAD COMPONENT COUPLING SYSTEMS AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20170191335
    Abstract: A spool adapter includes an annular spool adapter body, a pressure port disposed on an exterior surface of the adapter body, a piston ring disposed within the spool adapter body, adjacent the pressure port, and a retainer ring disposed within the spool adapter body, axially opposite the pressure port from the piston ring. Pressure applied via the pressure port causes the piston ring and the retainer ring to separate from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Applicant: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis P. Nguyen, Thomas Edgar Taylor
  • CONNECTOR SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20170183933
    Abstract: A system including a connector system configured to couple a first tubular to a second tubular comprising a sleeve configured to couple to the first tubular, wherein an inner diameter of the sleeve comprises a coupling feature, a lock ring configured to couple to an exterior surface of the second tubular and radially engage with the coupling feature of the sleeve, a piston ring configured to energize the lock ring into engagement with the sleeve, a first pressure ring configured to couple to the second tubular, wherein the first pressure ring is axially beneath the piston ring, and a second pressure ring disposed about the piston ring and configured to couple to the second tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventor: Dennis P. Nguyen
  • WEAR BUSHING RETRIEVAL TOOL
    Publication number: 20170183922
    Abstract: A system includes a wear bushing retrieval tool. The wear bushing retrieval tool includes a main body, a plurality of apertures extending from an inner diameter of the annular main body to an outer diameter of the annular main body, a plurality of fasteners, wherein each of the plurality of fasteners is disposed within a respective one of the plurality of apertures, and a plurality of pins extending from the outer diameter of the annular main body, wherein the annular main body is configured to be disposed about a tubular string being run into a wellhead, and wherein the plurality of pins is configured to engage with a wear bushing disposed within the wellhead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventor: Dennis P. Nguyen
  • Connector system and method
    Patent number: 9677698
    Abstract: A connector is provided, in one embodiment, the connector includes a collar (16) configured to receive first and second components (12,14). In this embodiment, the connector may also include a load ring (50) configured to be received in a groove (46) of the second component (12) and to move into and out of engagement with the collar (16) when the second component (12) is received by the collar (16). The connector of this illustrative embodiment may also include a locking ring (62) configured to inhibit disengagement of the load ring (50) from the collar (16). In some embodiments, engagement of the load ring (50) and the collar (16) effects securing of the first and second components (12, 14) to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis P. Nguyen, Kirk P. Guidry
  • Non-rotating method and system for isolating wellhead pressure
    Patent number: 9677367
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a plugging assembly configured to be disposed within a production flow bore of a tubing spool tree, wherein the plugging assembly includes a body having a central bore, a lock ring disposed about the body, a support sleeve slidably disposed about the body, and an inner body support pin coupled to the support sleeve and extending into the central bore of the body, wherein axial actuation of the inner body support pin drives the support sleeve between the body and the lock ring to actuate the lock ring radially outward, and wherein the plugging assembly is configured to be disposed within a production flow bore of a tubing spool tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis P. Nguyen, Kristin Dale Vorderkunz
  • Hydraulic tool
    Patent number: 9677374
    Abstract: A system including a hydraulic tool configured to energize a lock ring system and a seal assembly with a hydraulic fluid, wherein the hydraulic tool including a hydraulic body configured to couple to a hydraulic fluid source, a first piston configured to move axially with respect to the hydraulic body to energize the seal assembly, and a second piston configured to move axially with respect to the hydraulic body to energize the lock ring system, wherein the first and second pistons are simultaneously exposed to the hydraulic fluid in an opening in the hydraulic body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis P. Nguyen
  • Hydra-connector
    Patent number: 9637993
    Abstract: A hydraulic connector for a wellhead hub is provided that includes a piston and a bottom portion configured to move in an axial direction via hydraulic pressure applied to one or more hydraulic ports in the connector. The movement of the piston and the bottom portion moves a ring and a segment of the connector in a radial direction to engage recesses in the wellhead hub. The connector may be unlocked by applying hydraulic pressure to a hydraulic port of the connector. A system and method of operating the connector are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis P. Nguyen, Richard Altman
  • Wellhead hanger with spacer to reduce break-out torque
    Patent number: 9598924
    Abstract: A wellhead hanger assembly is provided. In one embodiment, a system includes a wellhead hanger, such as a casing hanger. This system also includes a spacer ring positioned along a neck of the wellhead hanger between a threaded portion of the neck and a shoulder of the wellhead hanger. In at least some instances, the spacer ring may cooperate with a running tool threaded onto the wellhead hanger to reduce the break-out torque needed for disconnecting the running tool from the wellhead hanger. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis P. Nguyen, Jay P. Painter
  • HANGER SEAL ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20170058622
    Abstract: A tubing or casing hanger seal assembly is disclosed including an actuation sleeve to be mounted on a tubing hanger, a shoulder member to be mounted on the tubing hanger, and a seal assembly disposed between the actuation sleeve and the shoulder member. The seal assembly includes a first set or pair of seals engaged at a tapered interface, and a second set or pair of seals engaged at a tapered interface. Radial sectional areas can differ between seals of the seal pairs. Further, the first set of seals can be coupled to the second set of seals such that the first and second sets of seals are energized by the same setting motion of the actuation sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis P. NGUYEN, Jose Roberto NAVAR
  • Landing system
    Patent number: 9556698
    Abstract: A system includes a landing system with a landing member configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position inside an axial bore of a mineral extraction system component. The landing system further includes a shaft configured to drive the landing member in a first radial direction. The landing system further includes an actuation system configured to move the shaft in the first radial direction within the axial bore to move the landing member into the extended position. The landing system further includes a spring configured to drive the shaft in a second radial direction to retract the landing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis P. Nguyen
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TEMPORARILY LOCKING A TUBULAR
    Publication number: 20170016301
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for temporarily locking a wellhead component while cementing it in place within a mineral extraction system. As cement is pumped into the wellhead, its temperature may be increased, leading to thermal expansion of the cement and movement of wellhead components. Disclosed embodiments include a hold-down ring configured to cooperate with tie-down screws to temporarily lock a running tool in place within the wellhead during cementing. In another embodiment, the tie-down screws may cooperate directly with the running tool. The locked running tool then blocks other wellhead components, such as a hanger run into the wellhead by the running tool, from upward axial movement due to thermal expansion of the cement during the cementing process. After the hanger is cemented in place, the running tool may be unlocked and retrieved from the wellhead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventor: Dennis P. Nguyen
  • TESTABLE BACKPRESSURE VALVE SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20170009555
    Abstract: A system including a backpressure valve (BPV) system configured to mount in a hydrocarbon extraction system, wherein the BPV system includes a body comprising a vent port and a test passage, and a plunger configured to form a seal with the body around the vent port wherein the BPV system is configured to test the seal by pumping a fluid into the body through the test passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventor: Dennis P. Nguyen
  • Retrievable horizontal spool tree sealing method and seal assembly
    Patent number: 9512692
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward a seal assembly comprising a main body comprising a production fluid port configured to align with a production fluid bore of a tubing spool of a mineral extraction system, a first annular seal supported by the main body and disposed on a first side of the production fluid port, and a second annular seal supported by the main body and disposed on a second side of the production fluid port, wherein the seal assembly is configured to be disposed in an annular region between a hanger and the tubing spool of the mineral extraction system, the first annular seal and the second annular seal are configured to isolate the production fluid port from the annular region, and the seal assembly is configured to be removed from the tubing spool without the hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis P. Nguyen, Edward Nguyen
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO REDUCE BREAK-OUT TORQUE
    Publication number: 20160326825
    Abstract: A well completion system is provided. In one embodiment, a system includes a wellhead hanger such as a casing hanger. The system also includes a running tool with a stopping protrusion that reduces the likelihood over-torqueing of threads coupling the running tool to the wellhead hanger and that reduces the break-out torque for disengaging the running tool and wellhead hanger from each other upon the completion of casing string cementing. Limiting the thread-per-inch count of the hanger and running tools, respectively, to the range of two threads-per-inch to four threads-per-inch also lowers the break-out torque between the hanger and running tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventor: Dennis P. Nguyen
  • HYDRAULIC TOOL
    Publication number: 20160290094
    Abstract: A system including a hydraulic tool configured to energize a lock ring system and a seal assembly with a hydraulic fluid, wherein the hydraulic tool including a hydraulic body configured to couple to a hydraulic fluid source, a first piston configured to move axially with respect to the hydraulic body to energize the seal assembly, and a second piston configured to move axially with respect to the hydraulic body to energize the lock ring system, wherein the first and second pistons are simultaneously exposed to the hydraulic fluid in an opening in the hydraulic body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventor: Dennis P. Nguyen
  • BACK PRESSURE VALVE
    Publication number: 20160273302
    Abstract: A system in some embodiments includes a back pressure valve configured to mount in a mineral extraction system. The back pressure valve comprises a cylindrical body comprising a venting port coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body and a plunger disposed in the venting port, wherein the plunger comprises a stem that extends from the venting port into an adjacent cavity of the cylindrical body. In some embodiments, a method of operating a valve, includes biasing a plunger to an open position, biasing a valve locking mechanism to a locked position in relation to a bore of a mineral extraction system, and biasing a plunger to a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Dennis P. Nguyen, Kirk P. Guidry, Thomas E. Taylor
  • MULTI-METAL SEAL SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20160265298
    Abstract: A system including a first tubular, a second tubular configured to rest within a bore of the first tubular, a multi-metal seal system configured to seal a space between the first tubular and the second tubular, wherein the multi-metal seal system includes, a first metal seal portion with a first angled surface and a second angled surface, a second metal seal portion with a third angled surface, and a third metal seal portion with a fourth angled surface, wherein the first angled surface selectively engages the third angled surface at a first angled interface and the second angled surface selectively engages the fourth angled surface at a second angled interface, and wherein the first and second angled interfaces are configured to drive the first metal seal portion radially away from the second and third metal seal portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventor: Dennis P. Nguyen