Patents by Inventor William James Hughes

William James Hughes 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: 10006255
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a first number of splines located near a first end of a first joint section and a second number of splines located near a second end of a second joint section. The first number of splines extends in an axial direction of the first joint section and spans a circumferential surface of the first joint section. Each of the first number of splines has a base, a tip, and a pair of flanks that extends from the base to the tip and forms an acute angle. Each of the first number of splines are configured to be received between adjacent pairs of splines in the second number of splines as the first end of the first joint section and the second end of the second joint section are joined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Sunstone Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William James Hughes, Bryan Lane
  • Publication number: 20170370163
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a first number of splines located near a first end of a first joint section and a second number of splines located near a second end of a second joint section. The first number of splines extends in an axial direction of the first joint section and spans a circumferential surface of the first joint section. Each of the first number of splines has a base, a tip, and a pair of flanks that extends from the base to the tip and forms an acute angle. Each of the first number of splines are configured to be received between adjacent pairs of splines in the second number of splines as the first end of the first joint section and the second end of the second joint section are joined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: William James Hughes, Bryan Lane, Gary Marshall Briggs
  • Patent number: 9845645
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a first number of splines located near a first end of a first joint section and a second number of splines located near a second end of a second joint section. The first number of splines extends in an axial direction of the first joint section and spans a circumferential surface of the first joint section. Each of the first number of splines has a base, a tip, and a pair of flanks that extends from the base to the tip and forms an acute angle. Each of the first number of splines are configured to be received between adjacent pairs of splines in the second number of splines as the first end of the first joint section and the second end of the second joint section are joined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: SUNSTONE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: William James Hughes, Bryan Lane, Gary Marshall Briggs
  • Publication number: 20170089164
    Abstract: An annular drilling device is provided that employs an active or passive, stationary sealing element. More specifically, rotating annular drilling devices commonly used depend on externally pressurized sealing elements that are energized by wellhead pressure or hydraulic pressure to grip a rotating drill pipe and rotate with the drill string. Thus, a plurality of rotary seals and bearings must be used. Here, however, the passive or active sealing element is stationary, thereby eliminating the need for bearings, etc. The passive or active stationary sealing element is made of a low-friction material that contacts the drill pipe, creates a seal, and does not adversely affect drilling operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: SunStone Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: William James Hughes
  • Publication number: 20170067297
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a first number of splines located near a first end of a first joint section and a second number of splines located near a second end of a second joint section. The first number of splines extends in an axial direction of the first joint section and spans a circumferential surface of the first joint section. Each of the first number of splines has a base, a tip, and a pair of flanks that extends from the base to the tip and forms an acute angle. Each of the first number of splines are configured to be received between adjacent pairs of splines in the second number of splines as the first end of the first joint section and the second end of the second joint section are joined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Applicant: Sunstone Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William James Hughes, Bryan Lane
  • Patent number: 9540898
    Abstract: An annular drilling device is provided that employs an active or passive, stationary sealing element. The sealing element is made of a low-friction material that contacts the drill pipe and creates a seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Sunstone Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: William James Hughes
  • Publication number: 20150376970
    Abstract: An annular drilling device is provided that employs an active or passive, stationary sealing element. More specifically, rotating annular drilling devices commonly used depend on externally pressurized sealing elements that are energized by wellhead pressure or hydraulic pressure to grip a rotating drill pipe and rotate with the drill string. Thus, a plurality of rotary seals and bearings must be used. Here, however, the passive or active sealing element is stationary, thereby eliminating the need for bearings, etc. The passive or active stationary sealing element is made of a low-friction material that contacts the drill pipe, creates a seal, and does not adversely affect drilling operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventor: William James Hughes
  • Publication number: 20150176341
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a first number of splines located near a first end of a first joint section and a second number of splines located near a second end of a second joint section. The first number of splines extends in an axial direction of the first joint section and spans a circumferential surface of the first joint section. Each of the first number of splines has a base, a tip, and a pair of flanks that extends from the base to the tip and forms an acute angle. Each of the first number of splines are configured to be received between adjacent pairs of splines in the second number of splines as the first end of the first joint section and the second end of the second joint section are joined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: William James Hughes, Bryan Lane
  • Publication number: 20150008002
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a first number of splines located near a first end of a first joint section and a second number of splines located near a second end of a second joint section. The first number of splines extends in an axial direction of the first joint section and spans a circumferential surface of the first joint section. Each of the first number of splines has a base, a tip, and a pair of flanks that extends from the base to the tip and forms an acute angle. Each of the first number of splines are configured to be received between adjacent pairs of splines in the second number of splines as the first end of the first joint section and the second end of the second joint section are joined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: William James Hughes, Bryan Lane
  • Patent number: 8739861
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first pin and a second pin. The first pin has a first joint section. The first joint section has first holes extending a length of the first joint section and terminating at a first preload face. The second pin has a second joint section. The second joint section has second holes extending a length of the first joint section and terminating at a second preload face. The second joint section is adapted to receive the first joint section and the first holes match the second holes when the first pin and the second pin are mated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Sunstone Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William James Hughes, Bryan Lane, Gary Marshall Briggs
  • Publication number: 20140076679
    Abstract: A rolling briefcase is provided that includes a plurality of storage compartments positioned on either side of a retractable handle. The briefcase may include two, and preferably four, wheels that allow a user to easily roll the briefcase in one or more directions. The retractable handle can assume a first position of use locked adjacent to an upper surface of the briefcase and a second position of use wherein the handle is positioned away from the upper surface of the briefcase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Inventor: William James Hughes
  • Publication number: 20140054886
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a first number of splines located near a first end of a first joint section and a second number of splines located near a second end of a second joint section. The first number of splines extends in an axial direction of the first joint section and spans a circumferential surface of the first joint section. Each of the first number of splines has a base, a tip, and a pair of flanks that extends from the base to the tip and forms an acute angle. Each of the first number of splines are configured to be received between adjacent pairs of splines in the second number of splines as the first end of the first joint section and the second end of the second joint section are joined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Sunstone Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William James Hughes, Bryan Lane, Gary Marshall Briggs
  • Patent number: 8403059
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a jet pump assembly affixed to a riser string and to a blowout preventer. The jet pump assembly comprises a conduit and a sealing assembly configured to accelerate a drilling fluid's return flow by a power fluid delivered by an umbilical connected to the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Sunstone Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William James Hughes, Jack Everett Miller
  • Publication number: 20120012301
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first pin and a second pin. The first pin has a first joint section. The first joint section has first holes extending a length of the first joint section and terminating at a first preload face. The second pin has a second joint section. The second joint section has second holes extending a length of the first joint section and terminating at a second preload face. The second joint section is adapted to receive the first joint section and the first holes match the second holes when the first pin and the second pin are mated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: SUNSTONE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: William James Hughes, Bryan Lane, Gary Marshall Briggs
  • Publication number: 20110278014
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a jet pump assembly affixed to a riser string and to a blowout preventer. The jet pump assembly comprises a conduit and a sealing assembly configured to accelerate a drilling fluid's return flow by a power fluid delivered by an umbilical connected to the conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventors: William James Hughes, Jack Everett Miller
  • Patent number: 8028750
    Abstract: Force balancing adjusts hydraulic fluid pressure in an upper piston area of a Rotating Pressure Control Device (RPCD) that has an inner housing rotatably engaged within an outer housing by an upper bearing and a lower bearing. The hydraulic fluid pressure is adjusted to balance net force in a upper piston area and a lower piston area. The fluid pressure adjustment creates a force differential that balances the total load transmitted through the upper bearing and the lower bearing and thereby extends the life of the sealing element and bearings. Additionally, a wear indicator signals the end of the useful life of the drill pipe sealing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Sunstone Corporation
    Inventors: William James Hughes, Murl Ray Richardson, Thomas L. Pettigrew, Kurt D. Vandervort, Kenneth D. Young
  • Publication number: 20110180273
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a first number of splines located near a first end of a first joint section and a second number of splines located near a second end of a second joint section. The first number of splines extends in an axial direction of the first joint section and spans a circumferential surface of the first joint section. Each of the first number of splines has a base, a tip, and a pair of flanks that extends from the base to the tip and forms an acute angle. Each of the first number of splines are configured to be received between adjacent pairs of splines in the second number of splines as the first end of the first joint section and the second end of the second joint section are joined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: SUNSTONE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: William James Hughes, Bryan Lane, Gary Marshall Briggs
  • Patent number: 7981379
    Abstract: The invention uses a feed of atmospheric air and mixes the air with hydrogen. The hydrogen and air mixture is fed into a catalytic reactor where a deoxygenation reaction occurs. The deoxygenation reaction uses a platinum catalyst to produce water from oxygen and hydrogen. The nitrogen passes through the catalytic reactor without reacting with the hydrogen, the oxygen, or the water. The water is separated from the nitrogen in a dryer. The nitrogen may then be used in drilling and production operations. The water is fed into an electrolyzer where an electrolysis reaction occurs. The electrolyzer passes an electrical current through the water to produce gaseous oxygen and hydrogen. The hydrogen is recycled back to the catalytic reactor and the oxygen may be vented or sold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Sunstone Corporation
    Inventors: William James Hughes, Mark Dunbar
  • Publication number: 20100200213
    Abstract: Force balancing adjusts hydraulic fluid pressure in an upper piston area of a Rotating Pressure Control Device (RPCD) that has an inner housing rotatably engaged within an outer housing by an upper bearing and a lower bearing. The hydraulic fluid pressure is adjusted to balance net force in a upper piston area and a lower piston area. The fluid pressure adjustment creates a force differential that balances the total load transmitted through the upper bearing and the lower bearing and thereby extends the life of the sealing element and bearings. Additionally, a wear indicator signals the end of the useful life of the drill pipe sealing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: SUNSTONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: William James Hughes, Murl Ray Richardson, Thomas L. Pettigrew, Kurt D. Vandervort, Kenneth D. Young
  • Patent number: 7743823
    Abstract: Force balancing adjusts hydraulic fluid pressure in an upper piston area of a Rotating Pressure Control Device (RPCD) that has an inner housing rotatably engaged within an outer housing by an upper bearing and a lower bearing. The hydraulic fluid pressure is adjusted to balance net force in a upper piston area and a lower piston area. The fluid pressure adjustment creates a force differential that balances the total load transmitted through the upper bearing and the lower bearing and thereby extends the life of the sealing element and bearings. Additionally, a wear indicator signals the end of the useful life of the drill pipe sealing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Sunstone Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William James Hughes, Murl Ray Richardson, Thomas L. Pettigrew, Kurt D. Vandervort, Kenneth D. Young