Patents by Inventor Patrick McMullen

Patrick McMullen 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: 10989027
    Abstract: An electric submersible pump (ESP) is described. The ESP includes a stator chamber, a stator within the stator chamber, a rotor, and an electrical connection. The stator chamber is configured to reside in a wellbore. The stator chamber is configured to attach to a tubing of a well. The stator chamber defines an inner bore having an inner bore wall that, when the stator chamber is attached to the tubing, is continuous with an inner wall of the tubing. The rotor is positioned within the inner bore of the stator chamber. The rotor includes an impeller. The rotor is configured to be retrievable from the well while the stator remains in the well. The stator is configured to drive the rotor to rotate the impeller and induce well fluid flow in response to receiving power through the electrical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Upwing Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Herman Artinian, Kuo-Chiang Chen, Patrick McMullen, David Biddick
  • Publication number: 20210079772
    Abstract: A stator for a downhole-type motor includes a housing. The housing includes a sleeve. The sleeve includes a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. The first layer is erosion-resistant. The second layer is corrosion-resistant. The third layer can provide structural support. The stator includes a motor stack. The stator can be used to drive a rotor disposed within an inner bore of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Patrick McMullen, Kuo-Chiang Chen
  • Patent number: 10914149
    Abstract: A stator assembly for a downhole-type well tool includes a stator housing including an internal chamber, an electric stator, a flow channel in the stator housing, and a heat exchanger. The electrical stator is disposed within the stator housing and in contact with the heat exchanger, the electrical stator to drive a rotor. The flow channel in the stator housing includes an inlet and an outlet, and the heat exchanger includes a first heat exchanger portion in contact with the electric stator in the internal chamber and a second heat exchanger portion at least partially disposed in the flow channel. The flow channel flows coolant fluid along the second heat exchanger portion to transmit heat across the heat exchanger from the electric stator to the coolant fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Upwing Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Kuo-Chiang Chen, David Biddick, Patrick McMullen
  • Patent number: 10900285
    Abstract: A downhole-type device includes a fluid-end with a fluid rotor configured to move or be rotated by wellbore fluids. A fluid stator surrounds and supports the fluid rotor. A first bearing couples the fluid rotor to the fluid stator. A second bearing couples the fluid rotor to the fluid stator. An electric machine includes an electrical rotor rotably coupled to the fluid rotor. The electric rotor is configured to rotate in unison with the fluid rotor. An electrical stator surrounds and supports the electric rotor. A lubrication system is fluidically coupled to the downhole-type device. The lubrication system includes a topside pressure pump. A downhole-type distribution manifold is within a wellbore. The distribution manifold fluidically connects to the topside pressure pump, the first bearing, and the second bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Upwing Energy, LLC
    Inventors: David Biddick, Patrick McMullen, Herman Artinian
  • Patent number: 10890056
    Abstract: An electric motor is configured to be positioned in a well. The motor includes a housing flooded with an incompressible fluid, a seal, a stator in the housing, and a rotor-impeller. The housing is configured to affix to a tubing of the well. The housing defines an inner bore having an inner bore wall continuous with an inner wall of the tubing for flow of well fluid. The housing defines a port that can be in fluid communication with the well. The seal seals the port against ingress of fluid. The seal is movable by the well fluid to apply a pressure on the incompressible fluid to equalize pressure between the incompressible fluid and the well fluid. The rotor-impeller is configured to be positioned within the inner bore of the housing. The rotor-impeller is configured to be retrievable from the well while the stator remains in the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Upwing Energy, LLC
    Inventors: David Biddick, Patrick McMullen
  • Patent number: 10844685
    Abstract: This disclosure describes various implementations of a downhole-blower system that can be used to boost production in a wellbore. The downhole-blower system includes a blower and an electric machine coupled to the blower that can be deployed in a wellbore, and that can, in cooperation, increase production through the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Upwing Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Venkateshwaran Krishnan, John Stout, Patrick McMullen, Archie A. T. Andonian
  • Patent number: 10840788
    Abstract: A first electric stator surrounds a first electric rotor and is configured to cause the first electric rotor to rotate or generate electricity in the first electric stator when the first electric rotor rotates. The first electric stator includes a first set of electric windings. A second electric stator surrounds the second electric rotor and is configured to cause the second electric rotor to rotate or generate electricity in the second electric stator when the second electric rotor rotates. The second electric stator includes a second set of electric windings. The second electric stator is electrically coupled to the first electric stator. A controller is electrically coupled to both the first electric stator and the second electric stator. The controller is configured to exchange an electric current with a combination of the first electric stator and the second electric stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Upwing Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick McMullen, Herman Artinian, Kuo-Chiang Chen, Liping Zheng
  • Publication number: 20200325728
    Abstract: A downhole-type device includes a fluid-end with a fluid rotor configured to move or be rotated by wellbore fluids. A fluid stator surrounds and supports the fluid rotor. A first bearing couples the fluid rotor to the fluid stator. A second bearing couples the fluid rotor to the fluid stator. An electric machine includes an electrical rotor rotably coupled to the fluid rotor. The electric rotor is configured to rotate in unison with the fluid rotor. An electrical stator surrounds and supports the electric rotor. A lubrication system is fluidically coupled to the downhole-type device. The lubrication system includes a topside pressure pump. A downhole-type distribution manifold is within a wellbore. The distribution manifold fluidically connects to the topside pressure pump, the first bearing, and the second bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: David Biddick, Patrick McMullen, Herman Artinian
  • Patent number: 10781668
    Abstract: Providing power to a downhole-type tool includes positioning a downhole-type electric motor in a wellbore, electrically connecting a variable speed drive to the electric motor with three-phase conductors extending between the variable speed drive and the electric motor, where the variable speed drive controls and supplies power to the electric motor through the three-phase conductors, diverting at least a portion of a power supply from the three-phase conductors to a rectifier, and supplying, from the rectifier, the diverted portion of the power supply to at least one downhole-type tool proximate to the electric motor, the at least one downhole-type tool operable using the diverted portion of the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Upwing Energy, LLC
    Inventor: Patrick McMullen
  • Publication number: 20200217183
    Abstract: A downhole-type tool includes a casing joint, a housing affixed to the casing joint, and an electric stator encased in the housing. The housing defines an inner bore and has an inner bore wall that is continuous with an inner wall of the casing joint. The housing is sealed against ingress of cement to the stator. The electric stator is configured to drive an electric rotor-impeller. A flow of cement can be received with an outer surface of the housing. The flow of cement can be directed into an annulus between the housing and a wall of a wellbore. The casing joint can be cemented in the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Applicant: Upwing Energy, LLC
    Inventors: David Biddick, Kuo-Chiang Chen, Patrick McMullen
  • Publication number: 20200217184
    Abstract: An electric motor is configured to be positioned in a well. The motor includes a housing flooded with an incompressible fluid, a seal, a stator in the housing, and a rotor-impeller. The housing is configured to affix to a tubing of the well. The housing defines an inner bore having an inner bore wall continuous with an inner wall of the tubing for flow of well fluid. The housing defines a port that can be in fluid communication with the well. The seal seals the port against ingress of fluid. The seal is movable by the well fluid to apply a pressure on the incompressible fluid to equalize pressure between the incompressible fluid and the well fluid. The rotor-impeller is configured to be positioned within the inner bore of the housing. The rotor-impeller is configured to be retrievable from the well while the stator remains in the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Applicant: Upwing Energy, LLC
    Inventors: David Biddick, Patrick McMullen
  • Publication number: 20200208471
    Abstract: This disclosure describes various implementations of a downhole-blower system that can be used to boost production in a wellbore. The downhole-blower system includes a blower and an electric machine coupled to the blower that can be deployed in a wellbore, and that can, in cooperation, increase production through the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Applicant: Upwing Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick McMullen, Venkateshwaran Krishnan, Larry Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20200208473
    Abstract: A multi-phase, inductive coupling first portion is carried by a tubular. The coupling first portion is configured to inductively transmit current with a corresponding multi-phase, inductive coupling second portion. A downhole-type electric stator is carried by the tubular and is configured to receive and electromagnetically interact with an electric rotor-impeller. The coupling first portion is electrically connected to windings of the stator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: David Biddick, Patrick McMullen
  • Publication number: 20200208509
    Abstract: A parameter of a magnetic bearing supporting a rotor in operation within a stator of the downhole-type rotating machine is measured. A speed of the rotor is controlled based on the measured parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Applicant: Upwing Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Kuo-Chiang Chen, Patrick McMullen, Christopher Matthew Sellers
  • Patent number: 10697276
    Abstract: Providing power to a downhole-type tool includes rotating a rotor of a downhole power unit about a longitudinal axis, generating, with a generator stator assembly of a generator positioned adjacent the downhole power unit, an amount of power in response to rotating the rotor, and supplying, with the generator, the amount of power to at least one downhole-type tool proximate to the downhole power unit. The at least one downhole-type tool is operable using the supplied amount of power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Upwing Energy, LLC
    Inventor: Patrick McMullen
  • Patent number: 10630139
    Abstract: A downhole-type system includes a rotatable rotor, a magnetic thrust bearing coupled to the rotor, and a mechanical thrust bearing coupled to the rotor. The magnetic thrust bearing is configured to support a first portion of an axial load of the rotor during rotor rotation, and the mechanical thrust bearing is configured to support a second portion of the axial load of the rotor during rotor rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Upwing Energy, LLC
    Inventors: David Biddick, Patrick McMullen, Kuo-Chiang Chen
  • Patent number: 10612351
    Abstract: An electric stator surrounds an electric rotor. A magnetic coupling is attached to an end of the electric rotor. The magnetic coupling is configured to transmit rotational force to or from a separate rotational device. A housing surrounds and isolates the electrical rotor, the electric stator, and a portion of the magnetic coupling from a wellbore fluid. A pressure within the housing is lower than a pressure within a wellbore environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Upwing Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick McMullen, David Biddick, Christopher Matthew Sellers
  • Patent number: 10605057
    Abstract: Certain aspects of the subject matter described here can be implemented in a downhole-type electric submersible pump system. An electric machine can be disposed downhole in a wellbore. The electric machine is coupled to rotate with an impeller that can be disposed downhole in the wellbore. The electric machine includes a stator assembly with at least three stator sections axially arranged and spaced apart from each other along a longitudinal axis of the electric machine. The electric machine also includes a rotor assembly with at least three rotor sections arranged axially along the longitudinal axis of the electric machine. The rotor assembly is carried within and supported to rotate by the stator assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Upwing Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Co Si Huynh, John Stout, Patrick McMullen, Kuo-Chiang Chen
  • Patent number: 10584533
    Abstract: This disclosure describes various implementations of a downhole-blower system that can be used to boost production in a wellbore. The downhole-blower system includes a blower and an electric machine coupled to the blower that can be deployed in a wellbore, and that can, in cooperation, increase production through the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Upwing Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick McMullen, Venkateshwaran Krishnan, Larry Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20200072245
    Abstract: A stator assembly for a downhole-type well tool includes a stator housing including an internal chamber, an electric stator, a flow channel in the stator housing, and a heat exchanger. The electrical stator is disposed within the stator housing and in contact with the heat exchanger, the electrical stator to drive a rotor. The flow channel in the stator housing includes an inlet and an outlet, and the heat exchanger includes a first heat exchanger portion in contact with the electric stator in the internal chamber and a second heat exchanger portion at least partially disposed in the flow channel. The flow channel flows coolant fluid along the second heat exchanger portion to transmit heat across the heat exchanger from the electric stator to the coolant fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Kuo-Chiang Chen, David Biddick, Patrick McMullen