Patents by Inventor Gregory M. Dunn

Gregory M. Dunn 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: 11713639
    Abstract: A system for forming a seal between wellbore components includes an annular seal arranged between a first wellbore component and a second wellbore component, the seal comprising a first leg and a second leg, wherein upon activation of the seal, the first leg engages the first wellbore component and the second leg engages the second wellbore component. The system also includes an energizing ring adapted to activate the seal. The first wellbore component includes a groove profile, the groove profile having a plurality of grooves including respective first surfaces and second surfaces, the respective first surfaces arranged at respective first angles and the respective second surfaces arranged at respective second angles, the respective first and second angles being different to form respective asymmetrical grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Joseph W. Pallini, Baozhi Zhu, Kevin E. O'Dell, Gregory M. Dunn, Luke McElmurry
  • Publication number: 20210301607
    Abstract: A subsea mud evaluation system includes a blowout preventer (BOP), coupled to a wellbore formed in an underground formation, the blowout preventer being positioned proximate a sea floor. The system also includes a riser fluidly coupled to the BOP, the riser extending from the BOP to a sea surface location to transport drilling mud between the wellbore and the sea surface location. The system further includes a dissolved gas detection and mitigation systems (DMS), fluidly coupled to at least one of the BOP or the riser, the DMS receiving a quantity of drilling mud and determining a subsea bubble point of the quantity of drilling mud, corresponding to a pressure where a dissolved gas within the drilling mud is liberated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventor: Gregory M. Dunn
  • Publication number: 20210222508
    Abstract: A system for forming a seal between wellbore components includes an annular seal arranged between a first wellbore component and a second wellbore component, the seal comprising a first leg and a second leg, wherein upon activation of the seal, the first leg engages the first wellbore component and the second leg engages the second wellbore component. The system also includes an energizing ring adapted to activate the seal. The first wellbore component includes a groove profile, the groove profile having a plurality of grooves including respective first surfaces and second surfaces, the respective first surfaces arranged at respective first angles and the respective second surfaces arranged at respective second angles, the respective first and second angles being different to form respective asymmetrical grooves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Joseph W. Pallini, Baozhi Zhu, Kevin E. O'Dell, Gregory M. Dunn, Luke McElmurry
  • Patent number: 8327945
    Abstract: A valve, such as a ball valve, is assembled and carried by a running tool. The valve is actuated by an actuator that is triggered by the running tool, and thus opens and closes communication between the drill pipe and the volume below the running tool. An actuating cam is assembled below the running tool that interfaces the actuator. The actuating cam is threaded such that it travels axially as the drill pipe is turned. A profile on the actuating cam is timed with the function of the running tool and controls the action of the actuator such that the valve is open when the running tool function requires communication with the volume below the running tool and the valve is closed when the running tool needs to be pressurized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas P. Gette, Gregory M. Dunn
  • Patent number: 8220550
    Abstract: A running tool for coaxially setting together subsea wellhead housings, such as a high pressure wellhead housing within a low pressure wellhead housing. The tool includes a conically shaped body that is insertable within the inner most housing, a frame with a base, an axial bore and latches. The base perpendicularly rests on top of an inner housing and the latches extend from the base to connect with an outer housing. The bore is formed to accommodate the tool freely therethrough. Wedge shaped members are provided between the base and inner housing top having their wide ends contactable by the tool. Urging the tool through the bore pushes the wedges radially outward that imparts a force between the base and inner housing top in one direction. The attached latches apply an oppositely directed force onto the outer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory M. Dunn, Joseph W. Pallini, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8127853
    Abstract: A tieback connector connects a tieback conduit from an offshore platform to a subsea wellhead assembly. The tieback connector has a mandrel that is connected to a string of tieback conduit and a sleeve and load ring that are carried by the mandrel. The load ring is radially expansible and has a conical portion with internal threads. The load ring has an external grooved profile that engages an internal grooved profile in the subsea assembly. The mandrel is rotatable relative to the sleeve while in its lower position, causing the load ring to further expand outward into engagement with the internal profile. A locking member is carried below the load ring on an exterior cam surface of the mandrel. The cam surface moves the locking member outward when the mandrel moves downward into engagement with an internal profile in the subsea assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Pallini, Rockford D. Lyle, Gregory M. Dunn
  • Publication number: 20110155382
    Abstract: A tieback connector connects a tieback conduit from an offshore platform to a subsea wellhead assembly. The tieback connector has a mandrel that is connected to a string of tieback conduit and a sleeve and load ring that are carried by the mandrel. The load ring is radially expansible and has a conical portion with internal threads. The load ring has an external grooved profile that engages an internal grooved profile in the subsea assembly. The mandrel is rotatable relative to the sleeve while in its lower position, causing the load ring to further expand outward into engagement with the internal profile. A locking member is carried below the load ring on an exterior cam surface of the mandrel. The cam surface moves the locking member outward when the mandrel moves downward into engagement with an internal profile in the subsea assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Pallini, Rockford D. Lyle, Gregory M. Dunn
  • Patent number: 7896081
    Abstract: A tieback connector connects a tieback conduit from an offshore platform to a subsea wellhead assembly. The tieback connector has a mandrel that is connected to a string of tieback conduit and a sleeve and load ring that are carried by the mandrel. The load ring is radially expansible and has a conical portion with internal threads. The load ring has an external grooved profile that engages an internal grooved profile in the subsea assembly. The mandrel is rotatable relative to the sleeve while in its lower position, causing the load ring to further expand outward into engagement with the internal profile. A locking member is carried below the load ring on an exterior cam surface of the mandrel. The cam surface moves the locking member outward when the mandrel moves downward into engagement with an internal profile in the subsea assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Pallini, Rockford D. Lyle, Gregory M. Dunn
  • Publication number: 20100276153
    Abstract: A valve, such as a ball valve, is assembled and carried by a running tool. The valve is actuated by an actuator that is triggered by the running tool, and thus opens and closes communication between the drill pipe and the volume below the running tool. An actuating cam is assembled below the running tool that interfaces the actuator. The actuating cam is threaded such that it travels axially as the drill pipe is turned. A profile on the actuating cam is timed with the function of the running tool and controls the action of the actuator such that the valve is open when the running tool function requires communication with the volume below the running tool and the valve is closed when the running tool needs to be pressurized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas P. Gette, Gregory M. Dunn
  • Publication number: 20090314494
    Abstract: A running tool for coaxially setting together subsea wellhead housings, such as a high pressure wellhead housing within a low pressure wellhead housing. The tool includes a conically shaped body that is insertable within the inner most housing, a frame with a base, an axial bore and latches. The base perpendicularly rests on top of an inner housing and the latches extend from the base to connect with an outer housing. The bore is formed to accommodate the tool freely therethrough. Wedge shaped members are provided between the base and inner housing top having their wide ends contactable by the tool. Urging the tool through the bore pushes the wedges radially outward that imparts a force between the base and inner housing top in one direction. The attached latches apply an oppositely directed force onto the outer housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory M. Dunn, Joseph W. Pallini, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090277645
    Abstract: A tieback connector connects a tieback conduit from an offshore platform to a subsea wellhead assembly. The tieback connector has a mandrel that is connected to a string of tieback conduit and a sleeve and load ring that are carried by the mandrel. The load ring is radially expansible and has a conical portion with internal threads. The load ring has an external grooved profile that engages an internal grooved profile in the subsea assembly. The mandrel is rotatable relative to the sleeve while in its lower position, causing the load ring to further expand outward into engagement with the internal profile. A locking member is carried below the load ring on an exterior cam surface of the mandrel. The cam surface moves the locking member outward when the mandrel moves downward into engagement with an internal profile in the subsea assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Pallini, Rockford D. Lyle, Gregory M. Dunn