Patents by Inventor Kirk P. Guidry

Kirk P. Guidry 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).

  • Publication number: 20150027731
    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: October 14, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Dennis P. Nguyen, Kirk P. Guidry, Thomas E. Taylor
  • Patent number: 8936075
    Abstract: A wellhead assembly is provided. In one embodiment, the wellhead assembly includes a universal frac sleeve assembly for isolating portions of a wellhead assembly from pressurized fracing fluid. The universal frac sleeve assembly may include an inner sleeve, an outer sleeve, and a seal. Axial movement of the inner sleeve relative to the outer sleeve causes the seal to expand radially, thereby forming a seal within the wellhead assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Kirk P. Guidry
  • Publication number: 20150000901
    Abstract: A ball launcher system is provided. In one embodiment, such a system includes a ball launcher having a rotatable sleeve installed within an internal bore of a hollow body. The hollow body has ball chutes extending from an external surface to the internal bore. The rotatable sleeve has one or more holes that can be sequentially aligned with the ball chutes by rotation of the sleeve to enable balls within the ball chutes to pass sequentially into a well through the one or more holes. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk P. Guidry, Michael F. Levert, JR., Kyle A. Sommerfeld
  • Patent number: 8851182
    Abstract: A well production system including a wellhead and a first casing string supported from a first casing hanger landed on a shoulder in the wellhead bore. A loading shoulder assembly is installable in the wellhead and includes an energizing ring, a loading ring threaded into the interior of the energizing ring, a lock ring, and a hold-down ring threaded into the interior of the loading ring. The hold-down ring engages the first casing hanger to prevent rotation of the hold-down ring and restrain rotation of the loading ring. The lock ring is expandable from an unset position into supporting engagement with the wellhead in a set position upon rotation of the energizing ring. The hold-down ring is also moveable axially out of the loading ring to restrain the first casing hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis P. Nguyen, Kirk P. Guidry, Haw Keat Lim
  • Publication number: 20140246211
    Abstract: An adjustable fracturing system (10) is provided. The system includes an adjustment joint (60, 62, 64, 130, 170, 224) configured to be varied in length to facilitate coupling of a fracturing manifold (22) to a fracturing tree (20). In one embodiment, the system may also include the fracturing manifold and the fracturing tree. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Inventors: Kirk P. Guidry, James D. Cavanagh, Brandon B. Shirley
  • Publication number: 20140246192
    Abstract: A fracturing system including a ring gasket disposed between a fracturing tree and a wellhead component is provided. In one embodiment, the ring gasket includes multiple sealing stages that seal against grooves in the fracturing tree and the wellhead component. The ring gasket may also include one or more recesses between the sealing stages. In some embodiments, the ring gasket has a configuration that reduces gasket setting load and increases flange separation load compared to other gaskets used in fracturing operations. And in some embodiments, the system enables monitoring of gasket sealing integrity, even during fracturing operations. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kirk P. Guidry
  • Publication number: 20140217724
    Abstract: Various novel connectors are provided. In one embodiment, the connector includes a collar configured to receive first and second components. In this embodiment, the connector may also include a load ring configured to be received in a groove of the second component and to move into and out of engagement with the collar when the second component is received by the collar. The connector of this illustrative embodiment may also include a cotter configured for installation to the second component and to inhibit disengagement of the load ring from the collar. In some embodiments, engagement of the load ring and the collar effects securing of the first and second components to one another. Other devices, systems, and methods related to connectors are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk P. Guidry, Dennis P. Nguyen, Joseph R. Wilhelmi, Terry L. Shinn
  • Patent number: 8794306
    Abstract: An integrated wellhead assembly is provided to enable free flow production and artificial lift production from a well without requiring removal and/or reconfiguration of the wellhead assembly. The wellhead assembly includes an upper portion and a lower portion forming an integrated assembly. The upper portion includes a flow tee and at least one set of rams. The lower portion includes a shoulder to receive a hanger. The upper portion may seal the bore of the wellhead assembly and provide full bore access to the bore of the wellhead assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Sheldon Cote, Kirk P. Guidry
  • Patent number: 8695693
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the wellhead system includes first and second wellhead components or members. An exemplary first wellhead member includes an internal bore and a first groove, while an exemplary second wellhead member is at least partially disposed within the internal bore such that a second groove of the second wellhead member is aligned with the first groove. The wellhead system may include a locking ring positioned within at least one of the first or second grooves, and a retaining ring at least partially disposed within the internal bore between the first and second wellhead members. Further, in one embodiment, the retaining ring is configured to selectively engage the locking ring to facilitate securing of the second wellhead member to the first wellhead member. Other embodiments of wellhead systems, devices, and methods of coupling the same are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis P. Nguyen, Kirk P. Guidry
  • Patent number: 8696039
    Abstract: Various novel connectors are provided. In one embodiment, the connector includes a collar configured to receive first and second components. In this embodiment, the connector may also include a load ring configured to be received in a groove of the second component and to move into and out of engagement with the collar when the second component is received by the collar. The connector of this illustrative embodiment may also include a cotter configured for installation to the second component and to inhibit disengagement of the load ring from the collar. In some embodiments, engagement of the load ring and the collar effects securing of the first and second components to one another. Other devices, systems, and methods related to connectors are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk P. Guidry, Dennis P. Nguyen, Joseph R. Wilhelmi, Terry L. Shinn
  • Publication number: 20140069630
    Abstract: An integrated wellhead assembly is provided to enable free flow production and artificial lift production from a well without requiring removal and/or reconfiguration of the wellhead assembly. The wellhead assembly includes an upper portion and a lower portion forming an integrated assembly. The upper portion includes a flow tee and at least one set of rams. The lower portion includes a shoulder to receive a hanger. The upper portion may seal the bore of the wellhead assembly and provide full bore access to the bore of the wellhead assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Sheldon Cote, Kirk P. Guidry
  • Publication number: 20140060809
    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: August 24, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis P. Nguyen, Kirk P. Guidry, Thomas E. Taylor
  • Patent number: 8616289
    Abstract: A system 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. 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: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis P. Nguyen, Kirk P. Guidry, Thomas E. Taylor
  • Patent number: 8544535
    Abstract: An integrated wellhead assembly is provided to enable free flow production and artificial lift production from a well without requiring removal and/or reconfiguration of the wellhead assembly. The wellhead assembly includes an upper portion and a lower portion forming an integrated assembly. The upper portion includes a flow tee and at least one set of rams. The lower portion includes a shoulder to receive a hanger. The upper portion may seal the bore of the wellhead assembly and provide full bore access to the bore of the wellhead assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Sheldon Cote, Kirk P. Guidry
  • Publication number: 20130076026
    Abstract: An adjustable fracturing system is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a fracturing manifold coupled to a fracturing tree having a fracturing head. The fracturing head includes an adjustable body that enables variation of a dimension of the body and facilitates connection of the fracturing manifold to the fracturing tree. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kirk P. Guidry
  • Publication number: 20130075080
    Abstract: An adjustable fracturing system is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a fracturing manifold coupled to a fracturing tree to allow the fracturing tree to receive fracturing fluid from the fracturing manifold. The system also includes an adjustment joint configured to be varied in length to facilitate coupling of the fracturing manifold to the fracturing tree. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kirk P. Guidry
  • Publication number: 20130020095
    Abstract: An adjustable mudline suspension system, including a tubing hanger having an exterior profile, a clamp having an inner profile to mate with the exterior profile of the tubing hanger, a biasing element to bias the clamp radially inward into an engaged position where the inner and exterior profiles are mated, and a piston to bias the clamp radially outward into a disengaged position where the inner and exterior profiles are not mated when hydraulically actuated. The weight of the tubing hanger is supported by the adjustable mudline suspension system when the interior profile of the clamp mates with the exterior profile of the hanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Delbert Edwin Vanderford, Max Van Adrichem, Kirk P. Guidry
  • Patent number: 8328242
    Abstract: Various novel connectors are provided. In one embodiment, the connector includes a collar configured to receive first and second components. In this embodiment, the connector may also include a load ring configured to be received in a groove of the second component and to move into and out of engagement with the collar when the second component is received by the collar. The connector of this illustrative embodiment may also include a cotter configured for installation to the second component and to inhibit disengagement of the load ring from the collar. In some embodiments, engagement of the load ring and the collar effects securing of the first and second components to one another. Other devices, systems, and methods related to connectors are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk P. Guidry, Dennis P. Nguyen, Joseph R. Wilhelmi, Terry L. Shinn
  • Publication number: 20120037356
    Abstract: A wellhead assembly is provided. In one embodiment, the wellhead assembly includes a universal frac sleeve assembly for isolating portions of a wellhead assembly from pressurized fracing fluid. The universal frac sleeve assembly may include an inner sleeve, an outer sleeve, and a seal. Axial movement of the inner sleeve relative to the outer sleeve causes the seal to expand radially, thereby forming a seal within the wellhead assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kirk P. Guidry
  • Publication number: 20120012302
    Abstract: A low-profile wellhead system having a nested hanger configuration, annular communication, elastomeric seals, and seal verification is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Leonard J. Vogel, Michael Larkin, Kirk P. Guidry, Delbert E. Vanderford