Patents by Inventor Xichang Zhang

Xichang Zhang 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: 20240093563
    Abstract: A wellbore system includes a hanger lock energizing ring, a hanger lock ring, and a shoulder ring. The wellbore system further includes a seal energizing ring coupled to the shoulder ring. The wellbore system also includes a seal element being driven into an energized position by the seal energizing ring. The wellbore system further includes a seal lock energizing ring being driven to move via one or more extensions. The wellbore system includes a seal lock ring being supported, at least in part, by the seal energizing ring. Both the hanger lock ring and the seal lock ring are set, substantially simultaneously, responsive to movement of the one or more extensions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Samuel Cheng, Prashant Patel, Xichang Zhang
  • Publication number: 20240084662
    Abstract: A wellhead annulus packoff and an associated method of energizing and de-energizing are disclosed. The wellhead annulus packoff includes at least one seal element, a hanger lockdown ring, a hanger lockdown energizing ring, a seal lockdown ring, a seal lockdown energizing ring, and one or more mechanical conditional operators, where the at least one seal element adapted to be energized with a first energizing force applied through a seal lockdown energizing ring and with the one or more mechanical conditional operators being engaged, where the seal lockdown ring is adapted to be energized with the first energizing force and with the one or more mechanical conditional operators being disengaged, and where the hanger lockdown ring is adapted to be energized with a second energizing force applied through a hanger lockdown energizing ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Samuel Cheng, Xichang Zhang, Prashant Patel
  • Patent number: 11851972
    Abstract: A wellhead annulus packoff and an associated method of energizing and de-energizing are disclosed. The wellhead annulus packoff includes at least one seal element, a hanger lockdown ring, a hanger lockdown energizing ring, a seal lockdown ring, a seal lockdown energizing ring, and one or more mechanical conditional operators, where the at least one seal element adapted to be energized with a first energizing force applied through a seal lockdown energizing ring and with the one or more mechanical conditional operators being engaged, where the seal lockdown ring is adapted to be energized with the first energizing force and with the one or more mechanical conditional operators being disengaged, and where the hanger lockdown ring is adapted to be energized with a second energizing force applied through a hanger lockdown energizing ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Samuel Cheng, Xichang Zhang, Prashant Patel
  • Patent number: 11851971
    Abstract: A wellbore system includes a hanger lock energizing ring, a hanger lock ring, and a shoulder ring. The wellbore system further includes a seal energizing ring coupled to the shoulder ring. The wellbore system also includes a seal element being driven into an energized position by the seal energizing ring. The wellbore system further includes a seal lock energizing ring being driven to move via one or more extensions. The wellbore system includes a seal lock ring being supported, at least in part, by the seal energizing ring. Both the hanger lock ring and the seal lock ring are set, substantially simultaneously, responsive to movement of the one or more extensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Samuel Cheng, Prashant Patel, Xichang Zhang
  • Publication number: 20230295997
    Abstract: A wellhead annulus packoff and an associated method is disclosed. A retainer lock mechanism of the wellhead annulus packoff is to sit at least partly within a first indentation of a hanger. The retainer lock mechanism includes a bottom surface and a side surface so that the bottom surface is to be associated with a lower energizing ring and the side surface is to be engaged in an energized state with a first side of the seal element. A second side of the seal element is to abut with a surface of a housing and a slot of the seal element is to abut with the lower energizing ring in the energized state of the wellhead annulus packoff.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Samuel Cheng, Prashant Patel, Xichang Zhang
  • Patent number: 11649689
    Abstract: A wellhead annulus packoff and an associated method is disclosed. A retainer lock mechanism of the wellhead annulus packoff is to sit at least partly within a first indentation of a hanger. The retainer lock mechanism includes a bottom surface and a side surface so that the bottom surface is to be associated with a lower energizing ring and the side surface is to be engaged in an energized state with a first side of the seal element. A second side of the seal element is to abut with a surface of a housing and a slot of the seal element is to abut with the lower energizing ring in the energized state of the wellhead annulus packoff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Samuel Cheng, Prashant Patel, Xichang Zhang
  • Publication number: 20230146842
    Abstract: A wellhead annulus packoff and an associated method of energizing and de-energizing are disclosed. The wellhead annulus packoff includes at least one seal element, a hanger lockdown ring, a hanger lockdown energizing ring, a seal lockdown ring, a seal lockdown energizing ring, and one or more mechanical conditional operators, where the at least one seal element adapted to be energized with a first energizing force applied through a seal lockdown energizing ring and with the one or more mechanical conditional operators being engaged, where the seal lockdown ring is adapted to be energized with the first energizing force and with the one or more mechanical conditional operators being disengaged, and where the hanger lockdown ring is adapted to be energized with a second energizing force applied through a hanger lockdown energizing ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Samuel Cheng, Xichang Zhang, Prashant Patel
  • Publication number: 20230147369
    Abstract: A wellhead annulus packoff and an associated method is disclosed. A retainer lock mechanism of the wellhead annulus packoff is to sit at least partly within a first indentation of a hanger. The retainer lock mechanism includes a bottom surface and a side surface so that the bottom surface is to be associated with a lower energizing ring and the side surface is to be engaged in an energized state with a first side of the seal element. A second side of the seal element is to abut with a surface of a housing and a slot of the seal element is to abut with the lower energizing ring in the energized state of the wellhead annulus packoff.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2021
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Samuel Cheng, Prashant Patel, Xichang Zhang
  • Publication number: 20230132558
    Abstract: A wellbore system includes a hanger lock energizing ring, a hanger lock ring, and a shoulder ring. The wellbore system further includes a seal energizing ring coupled to the shoulder ring. The wellbore system also includes a seal element being driven into an energized position by the seal energizing ring. The wellbore system further includes a seal lock energizing ring being driven to move via one or more extensions. The wellbore system includes a seal lock ring being supported, at least in part, by the seal energizing ring. Both the hanger lock ring and the seal lock ring are set, substantially simultaneously, responsive to movement of the one or more extensions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Samuel Cheng, Prashant Patel, Xichang Zhang
  • Patent number: 11512799
    Abstract: A system for blocking rotation between a first tubular and a second tubular includes a key positioned within a recess formed in the first tubular. The system also includes a retention fastener securing the key to the first tubular, the retention fastener being arranged within an elongated aperture extending through the key. The system further includes an installation fastener moving the key from a storage configuration when in a first position to an engaged configuration when in a second position, the installation fastener having a tapered face that engages at least a portion of the key. The system also includes teeth arranged along a bottom portion of the key, proximate the second tubular, the teeth engaging the second tubular via rotation of the key about the retention fastener and blocking rotation of the first tubular relative to the second tubular in a first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Pallini, Dennis R Martinchich, Matthew Lord, Alejandro Rodela, Xichang Zhang
  • Patent number: 11459833
    Abstract: A system for blocking rotation between a first tubular and a second tubular includes a key positioned within a recess formed in the first tubular. The system also includes a retention fastener securing the key to the first tubular, the retention fastener being arranged within an elongated aperture extending through the key. The system further includes an installation fastener moving the key from a storage configuration when in a first position to an engaged configuration when in a second position, the installation fastener having a tapered face that engages at least a portion of the key. The system also includes teeth arranged along a bottom portion of the key, proximate the second tubular, the teeth engaging the second tubular via rotation of the key about the retention fastener and blocking rotation of the first tubular relative to the second tubular in a first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Dennis R. Martinchich, Joseph Pallini, Micah Thomas, Alejandro Rodela, Matthew Lord, Xichang Zhang
  • Publication number: 20220010629
    Abstract: A system for blocking rotation between a first tubular and a second tubular includes a key positioned within a recess formed in the first tubular. The system also includes a retention fastener securing the key to the first tubular, the retention fastener being arranged within an elongated aperture extending through the key. The system further includes an installation fastener moving the key from a storage configuration when in a first position to an engaged configuration when in a second position, the installation fastener having a tapered face that engages at least a portion of the key. The system also includes teeth arranged along a bottom portion of the key, proximate the second tubular, the teeth engaging the second tubular via rotation of the key about the retention fastener and blocking rotation of the first tubular relative to the second tubular in a first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Dennis R. MARTINCHICH, Joseph PALLINI, Micah THOMAS, Alejandro RODELA, Matthew LORD, Xichang ZHANG
  • Publication number: 20220010895
    Abstract: A system for blocking rotation between a first tubular and a second tubular includes a key positioned within a recess formed in the first tubular. The system also includes a retention fastener securing the key to the first tubular, the retention fastener being arranged within an elongated aperture extending through the key. The system further includes an installation fastener moving the key from a storage configuration when in a first position to an engaged configuration when in a second position, the installation fastener having a tapered face that engages at least a portion of the key. The system also includes teeth arranged along a bottom portion of the key, proximate the second tubular, the teeth engaging the second tubular via rotation of the key about the retention fastener and blocking rotation of the first tubular relative to the second tubular in a first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Joseph PALLINI, Dennis R. MARTINCHICH, Matthew LORD, Alejandro RODELA, Xichang ZHANG
  • Patent number: 10025889
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed for characterizing a threaded coupling such as between two tubular members, e.g., casing segments employed in the field of oil and gas recovery. In one embodiment, a virtual model of the coupling is generated, and the virtual model is re-arranged to simulate plastic deformation of at least part of the coupling. The re-arranged model is analyzed to derive a stress/strain distribution of the coupling subject to subsequent loading, and an SAF (stress amplification factor) is determined from the analysis that reflects the effect of cyclic loading of the coupling. The method facilitates a thorough assessment of the performance of the coupling in fatigue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: VETCO GRAY, LLC
    Inventors: Micah Antonio Thomas, Jr., Jeffrey Allen Raynal, Thomas Lowell Steen, Joseph William Pallini, Xichang Zhang, Baozhi Zhu
  • Patent number: 9416652
    Abstract: A wellhead assembly having a tubular magnetized in at least one selected location, and a sensor proximate the magnetized location that monitors a magnetic field from the magnetized location. The magnetic field changes in response to changes in mechanical stress of the magnetized location, so that signals from the sensor represent loads applied to the tubular. Analyzing the signals over time provides fatigue loading data useful for estimating structural integrity of the tubular and its fatigue life. Example tubulars include a low pressure housing, a high pressure housing, conductor pipes respectively coupled with the housings, a string of tubing, a string of casing, housing and tubing connections, housing and tubing seals, tubing hangers, tubing risers, and other underwater structural components that require fatigue monitoring, or can be monitored for fatigue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Yuri Alexeyevich Plotnikov, Teresa Chen-Keat, Yanyan Wu, Chad Eric Yates, Xichang Zhang, Li Zheng, Pinghai Yang
  • Publication number: 20150127308
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed for characterizing a threaded coupling such as between two tubular members, e.g., casing segments employed in the field of oil and gas recovery. In one embodiment, a virtual model of the coupling is generated, and the virtual model is re-arranged to simulate plastic deformation of at least part of the coupling. The re-arranged model is analyzed to derive a stress/strain distribution of the coupling subject to subsequent loading, and an SAF (stress amplification factor) is determined from the analysis that reflects the effect of cyclic loading of the coupling. The method facilitates a thorough assessment of the performance of the coupling in fatigue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Micah Antonio Thomas, JR., Jeffrey Allen Raynal, Thomas Lowell Steen, Joseph William Pallini, Xichang Zhang, Baozhi Zhu
  • Publication number: 20150041119
    Abstract: A wellhead assembly having a tubular magnetized in at least one selected location, and a sensor proximate the magnetized location that monitors a magnetic field from the magnetized location. The magnetic field changes in response to changes in mechanical stress of the magnetized location, so that signals from the sensor represent loads applied to the tubular. Analyzing the signals over time provides fatigue loading data useful for estimating structural integrity of the tubular and its fatigue life. Example tubulars include a low pressure housing, a high pressure housing, conductor pipes respectively coupled with the housings, a string of tubing, a string of casing, housing and tubing connections, housing and tubing seals, tubing hangers, tubing risers, and other underwater structural components that require fatigue monitoring, or can be monitored for fatigue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Yuri Alexeyevich Plotnikov, Teresa Chen-Keat, Yanyan Wu, Chad Eric Yates, Xichang Zhang, Li Zheng, Pinghai Yang