Patents by Inventor Steven M. Hafernik

Steven M. Hafernik 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: 11603716
    Abstract: Systems and methods for pressure communication within a hydro-pneumatic cylinder are provided. The hydro-pneumatic cylinder generally includes a rod, a barrel coaxial to the rod, and a piston assembly disposed within the barrel and connected to the rod. The barrel is hollow to define a chamber, and the piston assembly is axially movable within the chamber to stroke the rod relative to the barrel. The hydro-pneumatic cylinder includes: a flow path formed axially through the rod of the cylinder. This flow path may allow for pressure communication between a low-pressure side of the cylinder and a pressure energized lower pin located at a distal end of the rod. The lower pin may be actuated, via this pressure communication to secure the end of the cylinder to a tension ring on a riser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil B. Prasad, Steven M. Hafernik
  • Publication number: 20210355762
    Abstract: Systems and methods for pressure communication within a hydro-pneumatic cylinder are provided. The hydro-pneumatic cylinder generally includes a rod, a barrel coaxial to the rod, and a piston assembly disposed within the barrel and connected to the rod. The barrel is hollow to define a chamber, and the piston assembly is axially movable within the chamber to stroke the rod relative to the barrel. The hydro-pneumatic cylinder includes: a flow path formed axially through the rod of the cylinder. This flow path may allow for pressure communication between a low-pressure side of the cylinder and a pressure energized lower pin located at a distal end of the rod. The lower pin may be actuated, via this pressure communication to secure the end of the cylinder to a tension ring on a riser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Neil B. Prasad, Steven M. Hafernik
  • Patent number: 9926751
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a ram-style riser tensioner system includes a plurality of cylinders for applying a desired tension to a riser, a support structure coupled to the riser, and a plurality of gas accumulators. Each of the cylinders is coupled to the support structure, and each of the gas accumulators is configured to provide pressurized gas to a corresponding one of the cylinders. The ram-style riser tensioner also includes a plurality of support rods coupled to the support structure for reducing bending moments on the plurality of cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Hafernik, Fife B. Ellis
  • Patent number: 9784052
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a ram-style riser tensioner cylinder assembly includes an outer cylinder barrel and an inner rod barrel disposed within and extending in a first direction from the outer cylinder barrel. The cylinder assembly also includes a high pressure seal disposed along a sliding interface between an end of the inner rod barrel and an inner wall of the outer cylinder barrel. In addition, the cylinder assembly includes a cap coupled to an end of the inner rod barrel extending from the outer cylinder barrel, and a fluid reservoir disposed in the cap. The fluid reservoir may be used to store and communicate fluid from the fluid reservoir to the high pressure seal for lubricating the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.
    Inventors: Fife B. Ellis, Steven M. Hafernik
  • Patent number: 9682752
    Abstract: An example deflection absorbing tensioner frame for a platform of an offshore vessel may include at least one metal beam supporting a tensioner. A deflection absorber may be coupled to at least one metal beam. The deflection absorber may be configured to absorb axial, rotational, and lateral deflections in a platform deck coupled to the deflection absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.
    Inventors: Fife B. Ellis, Steven M. Hafernik, Neil B. Prasad
  • Patent number: 9540890
    Abstract: Improved methods and systems for connecting a riser tensioner system to a riser are disclosed. A system for coupling a tensioner cylinder to a riser includes a top pin connection disposed at a first distal end of the tensioner cylinder. The top pin connection couples the tensioner cylinder to a platform. The tensioner cylinder includes an extension rod and a bottom pin connection is disposed at a second distal end of the tensioner cylinder on the extension rod. A tension ring is coupled to the riser. An adjustable linkage system is coupled to the tensioner cylinder and includes an attachment mechanism and a positioning mechanism. The adjustable linkage system is operable to couple the tensioner cylinder to the tension ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil B. Prasad, Steven M. Hafernik, Fife B. Ellis
  • Publication number: 20160376854
    Abstract: Improved methods and systems for connecting a riser tensioner system to a riser are disclosed. A system for coupling a tensioner cylinder to a riser includes a top pin connection disposed at a first distal end of the tensioner cylinder. The top pin connection couples the tensioner cylinder to a platform. The tensioner cylinder includes an extension rod and a bottom pin connection is disposed at a second distal end of the tensioner cylinder on the extension rod. A tension ring is coupled to the riser. An adjustable linkage system is coupled to the tensioner cylinder and includes an attachment mechanism and a positioning mechanism. The adjustable linkage system is operable to couple the tensioner cylinder to the tension ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Neil B. Prasad, Steven M. Hafernik, Fife B. Ellis
  • Publication number: 20160145951
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a ram-style riser tensioner cylinder assembly includes an outer cylinder barrel and an inner rod barrel disposed within and extending in a first direction from the outer cylinder barrel. The cylinder assembly also includes a high pressure seal disposed along a sliding interface between an end of the inner rod barrel and an inner wall of the outer cylinder barrel. In addition, the cylinder assembly includes a cap coupled to an end of the inner rod barrel extending from the outer cylinder barrel, and a fluid reservoir disposed in the cap. The fluid reservoir may be used to store and communicate fluid from the fluid reservoir to the high pressure seal for lubricating the seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Fife B. Ellis, Steven M. Hafernik
  • Publication number: 20160145952
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a ram-style riser tensioner system includes a plurality of cylinders for applying a desired tension to a riser, a support structure coupled to the riser, and a plurality of gas accumulators. Each of the cylinders is coupled to the support structure, and each of the gas accumulators is configured to provide pressurized gas to a corresponding one of the cylinders. The ram-style riser tensioner also includes a plurality of support rods coupled to the support structure for reducing bending moments on the plurality of cylinders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Steven M. Hafernik, Fife B. Ellis
  • Publication number: 20160024853
    Abstract: An example deflection absorbing tensioner frame for a platform of an offshore vessel may include at least one metal beam supporting a tensioner. A deflection absorber may be coupled to at least one metal beam. The deflection absorber may be configured to absorb axial, rotational, and lateral deflections in a platform deck coupled to the deflection absorber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Fife B. Ellis, Steven M. Hafernik, Neil B. Prasad