Longitudinally Actuated Packer For Above Ground Apparatus Patents (Class 277/328)
  • 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
  • Patent number: 11542774
    Abstract: A system for forming a seal between wellbore components includes an annular seal having a first leg and a second leg, the first leg positioned proximate a first wellbore component and the second leg positioned proximate a second wellbore component, wherein upon activation of the seal, the first leg engages the first wellbore component and the second leg engages the second wellbore component. The system also includes an energizing ring adapted to activate the seal, the energizing ring extending into an opening of the seal to drive the first leg and the second leg radially outward relative to an axis of the seal. The energizing ring includes bumps positioned to align with respective grooves formed on both the first leg and the second leg, upon activation of the seal, the bumps transmitting an uphole force into components having an axial component and a radial component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ashley Garibay, Chau Hoang, Ronnie L. Hampton, Philip J. Potter, Glen J. Hotchkiss, Jesus Sanmiguel
  • Patent number: 11499387
    Abstract: A system includes a hanger running tool that has a first lock ring configured to secure the hanger running tool to a hanger when a first axial force is applied to the hanger running tool and a tool body configured to direct a push ring of the hanger in an axial direction when a second axial force is applied to the hanger running tool, where the push ring is configured to direct a second lock ring of the hanger radially outward toward a tubular, and where the hanger running tool is configured to secure the hanger to the tubular without rotating the hanger running tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Levert, Jr., Kyle Sommerfeld, Gavin Robottom
  • Patent number: 10941905
    Abstract: An accumulator vessel (10) includes a screwable portion (3) and a lid portion (2) that is positioned at an axially inner side of the screwable portion and an axially inner surface configures a pressure bearing plane. The lid portion includes a protruding portion (22) extending axially outward on an inner circumferential side, and the protruding portion configured to abut against an axially inner end side of the screwable portion to separate an axially inner surface of the screwable portion on an outer circumferential side thereof apart from an axially outer surface of the lid portion on an outer circumferential side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignees: THE JAPAN STEEL WORKS, LTD., TOKYO DENKI UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yoru Wada, Yusuke Yanagisawa, Hirokazu Tsuji
  • Patent number: 10894309
    Abstract: A seal for a tool of a breaking hammer, a sealing arrangement, a breaking hammer and a method of sealing a tool of breaking hammer is provided. The seal includes a resilient first seal element and a rigid second seal element. The first seal element is fastened to a seal housing and the second seal element is fastened to the first seal element. The second seal element provides mechanical protection for the first seal element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: SANDVIK MINING AND CONSTRUCTION OY
    Inventor: Ossi Niemioja
  • Patent number: 10669804
    Abstract: A system includes a hose fitting. The hose fitting includes a body, a fluid passage through the body, a first end portion, a second end portion, and a first floating seal insert. The first end portion and the second end portion are in fluid communication with the fluid passage. The first floating seal insert is disposed in the first end portion and is configured to damp one or more shockwaves having first characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Johnnie Kotrla, Tait Russell Swanson
  • Patent number: 10427894
    Abstract: A module connector for holding and/or transporting of bulk goods for connecting a first container module to a second container module, the container modules being joined together have an aligned container inner surface, a first seal arranged between the first container module and the second container module, a second seal arranged between the first container module and the second container module, the first seal is arranged in a recess and the second seal in a groove, the first seal forming an inner seal and the second seal forming an outer seal, the second seal produces a sealing of the interconnected container modules especially if the first seal fails, the first seal has at least one crimp region, which is crimped by a first and/or second flange surface such that one end face of the first seal is situated flush and/or aligned with the container inner surface without forming a cavity in the area of the end face of the first seal as well as a seal element for the module connector for the sealing of the conta
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Volkmann GmbH
    Inventor: Konrad Sümmermann
  • Patent number: 10260528
    Abstract: A centrifugal pump (10) includes a housing (26), an impeller (28) that is rotatably disposed in the housing (26), a shaft (62) that is provided at a center rotational axis of the impeller (28), and bearings members (70) that respectively and pivotally support the shaft ends (66). An elastic body (80) which is elastically deformable at least in an axial direction of the shaft (62) is provided between at least one of the bearings (70) and the housing (26) or at an intermediate portion of the shaft (62) in the axial direction. A tightening load exerted on the shaft and bearing members can be maintained in a predetermined range even when age-related deformation of the housing or other components occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: TERUMO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yosuke Itamochi
  • Patent number: 10196872
    Abstract: An emergency casing packoff assembly (170) that is adapted to be installed in a wellhead (100) through a blowout preventer includes an upper packoff body (171), a lower packoff body (174) releasably coupled to the upper packoff body (171), and a metal seal ring (175) that is adapted to create a metal to metal seal between the packoff assembly (170) and a casing (110) supported in a wellhead (100) when a pressure thrust load is imposed on the packoff assembly (170). The casing packoff assembly (170) further includes a lock ring energizing mandrel (173) threadably coupled to the upper packoff body (171), wherein at least a portion of the lock ring energizing mandrel (173) is adapted to be threadably rotated relative to the upper packoff body (171) so as to lock the packoff assembly (170) into the wellhead (100) while the imposed pressure thrust load is maintained on the packoff assembly (170).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederic Kauffmann, George B. Haining
  • Patent number: 9790757
    Abstract: A device for covering a pipeline from a wellbore comprising a cover comprising at least one lower bearing surface suitable for being mounted on an end of a vertical annular pipeline of a wellbore. The device includes a distribution elbow comprising a lower end, intended to be connected to a pipe of the wellbore, that extends vertically downwards from the cover and an upper end extending horizontally. The cover and the distribution elbow form a monobloc assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: DAKEEZ FRANCE
    Inventors: Romain Marzullo, Bernard Marzullo
  • Patent number: 9732580
    Abstract: A downhole seal assembly includes a body extending from an uphole end to a downhole end. The body includes a first sealing surface and an opposing, second sealing surface that is angled relative to the first sealing surface. A first void is formed in the second sealing surface adjacent the uphole end, and a seal is arranged in the first void. A second void is formed in the second sealing surface adjacent the downhole end. One or more passages is formed in the downhole end and fluidically coupled to the second void. The one or more passages is configured and disposed to guide downhole fluids into the second void forcing the first sealing surface against a wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Matthew J. Krueger, Charles Michael Meador
  • Patent number: 9447818
    Abstract: A linear bearing assembly including a linear bearing plate, a base plate to support the linear bearing plate within a machine, a sealing structure to seal a volume defined between the linear bearing plate and the base plate, and a fluid adapted to be injected into the volume via at least one injection port. The fluid is injected at a sufficient pressure so as to alter an orientation of the linear bearing plate or the base plate toward an initial geometric orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Inventor: Jochen Corts
  • Patent number: 9238946
    Abstract: Described herein is a “cross-over” connector that can be used with core barrel outer tubes to prevent damage and destruction when they are connected to one another by automated equipment on a rig floor, for example, automated rig-floor torque wrenches. Standard core barrel outer tubes having a pin connector and a box connector are modified by adding “cross-over” sub elements to the pin and box connectors to increase their effective strength. The sub elements include portions which engage respective ones of the pin and box connections. The sub elements are designed to be the contact points for the automated equipment, so that it they are damaged, they can readily be replaced at a lower cost when compared to the scrapping and replacement of the core barrel outer tubes themselves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Olivier Jean-Marc Claude Mageren
  • Patent number: 9133678
    Abstract: A wellhead seal assembly forms a metal-to-metal seal between inner and outer wellhead members. A metal seal ring has inner and outer walls separated by a slot. An energizing ring has a C-ring captured on its outer surface. When the energizing ring is moved further into the slot, the C-ring is forced from its pocket and engages a profile on the seal ring, locking the energizing ring to the seal assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8960276
    Abstract: A wellhead seal device forms metal seals in an annular space between inner and outer tubular members such as a rough casing held within aligned casing and tubing heads. An annular metal sealing sleeve has a lower portion seated in the annular space, and an upper portion which forms an inner sealing annulus adjacent the outer wall of the inner tubular member. A metal seal ring and a wedge ring are located in the inner sealing annulus. A retaining ring is retained by the upper portion above the wedge ring. Threaded seal energizing members extend through the retaining ring to push downwardly on the wedge ring and compress the metal seal ring radially inwardly to form a metal seal to the inner tubular member and thus seal the inner sealing annulus. The lower portion of the annular metal sealing sleeve may seal to the casing head and to the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Stream-Flo Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Heinrich Lang, Tony M. Lam, Tianle Guo
  • Patent number: 8910945
    Abstract: A downhole seal assembly comprises a base pipe upon which is mounted a seal element and a ring member, wherein the ring member is located adjacent an end region of the seal element. The ring member and seal element are adhered together with a bonding agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Tendeka B.V.
    Inventor: Graeme McRobb
  • Publication number: 20140183824
    Abstract: A seal system selectively set between coaxial downhole tubulars seals between the tubulars; the system also locks the tubulars together to resist relative axial movement from thermal expansion. The seal system includes a seal element with a nose ring that couples a lock-down ring to both the inner and outer tubulars. Before inserting the seal system between the tubulars, the lock-down ring is disposed in a groove on the inner tubular. Setting the seal system drives a lower tip of the nose ring between the lock-down ring and inner tubular, thereby urging the lock-down ring radially outward. A portion of the lock-down ring remains in the groove, while an outer radial portion of the lock-down ring inserts into a profile on the outer tubular. Axial movement of a tubular transfers force to the other tubular through the lock-down ring, while a minimal amount of force transfers through the seal system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: VETCO GRAY INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Caleb Benson, David Lawrence Ford
  • Patent number: 8695700
    Abstract: A seal assembly between a wellhead housing having a bore and a casing hanger, has an inner seal leg for sealing against hanger and an outer seal leg for sealing against housing. An extension extends downward from outer seal leg and is connected to a nose ring having a downward facing shoulder that rests on the hanger shoulder to provide a reaction point for setting operations. A lock ring is retained within interior portion of the nose ring. An upward facing shoulder formed on an upper portion of nose ring contacts the lower surface of the inner seal leg. The shoulder prevents the downward deflection of the inner leg and eliminates buckling due to Poisson effect from the resulting axial force due to growth of the seal legs during setting operations. The shoulder thus prevents crooked or twisted setting of the seal to prevent plastic strain in the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas P. Gette, Carl Boehm, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140062025
    Abstract: A seal assembly for use with a casing hanger that includes a pair of split rings held together by a threaded fastener. Torqueing the fastener axially compresses one of the rings so that it expands radially inward into sealing engagement with a wall of wellbore casing, and radially outward against an inner wall of a wellhead housing. Support grommets are provided where the fastener enters and exits the compressible ring. Protrusions on a side of the support grommets project into the compressible ring and create a sealing interface between each support grommet and compressible ring. O-rings line inner circumferences of the support grommets to seal between the support grommets and fasteners. A threaded end on a lower end of the fastener has a diameter less than an inner diameter of the O-rings to prevent damaging the O-rings during assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Chau Hoang, Khanh Anh Duong, William Ryan Moore, Karl A. Parfrey, Clayton Griffin
  • Publication number: 20130307219
    Abstract: A seal holder for retaining a sealing arrangement (119,121), said sealing arrangement (119,121) being adapted to seal against a facing seal surface (209) in a bore (203), said seal holder having an intermediate section (117a) encircled by a peripheral section (117b) arranged for carrying said seal arrangement (119,121), wherein said intermediate section (117a) is convex shaped towards the pressure side and is adapted to exert radial pressure on said peripheral section (117b) in the event of exposure to pressure on its convex side. The invention also relates to a method for sealing a bore by applying an apparatus equipped at its lower end with a seal holder (117) retaining a sealing arrangement (119,121).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Aker Subsea AS
    Inventor: Jarmo Kekarainen
  • Publication number: 20130206427
    Abstract: A seal assembly (10) is provided for sealing between an interior surface (14) on a wellhead (12) and a tapered exterior surface (18) on a hanger (16). A unitary seal body (20) includes an upper portion for engagement with a force tool and a lower portion for sealing with the wellhead and the hanger. A first locking ring (24) is movable, radially inward for securing the sealing assembly to the hanger, and a second locking ring (22) is movable radially outward for securing the seal assembly to the wellhead. An actuation member (60) including a plurality of downward extending fingers passing through slots in the seal body move downward through a portion of the body to force the first and second locking rings into engagement with the wellhead and the hanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventor: Denise A.M. Antunes
  • Patent number: 8479809
    Abstract: An antiextrusion backup system includes an inner expandable backup ring having a first set of slots. An outer expandable backup ring having a second set of slots wherein the outer expandable back up ring is rotationally locked to the inner expandable backup ring to prevent an extrusion gap in an expanded condition of the backup rings. A method for operating within a tubular is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Graham E. Farquhar
  • Publication number: 20130146306
    Abstract: A seal seals an annulus in a subsea assembly between a wellhead and a casing hanger landed on a shoulder within a bore of the wellhead. The seal includes a casing hanger seal ring disposed within the annulus. The seal ring engaged with an inner diameter surface of the wellhead, and engaged with an outer diameter surface of the casing hanger so that the seal ring prevents flow through the annulus. A nose ring is secured to a lower end of the seal ring so that, when the seal ring is energized, a conical surface of the nose ring engages a mating conical profile formed in the inner diameter surface portion of the wellhead and the nose ring engages a surface opposite the conical surface with a substantially smooth outer diameter surface portion of the casing hanger to limit upwards axial movement of the casing hanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: VETCO GRAY INC.
    Inventors: Chad Eric Yates, David L. Ford, Daniel Caleb Benson
  • Publication number: 20130140042
    Abstract: A seal assembly between a wellhead housing having a bore and a casing hanger, has an inner seal leg for sealing against a hanger and an outer seal leg for sealing against the housing. A bellows style portion is formed on a nose ring carried by the seal assembly to increase lockdown capacity. The bellows style portion has an inner surface that faces an outer profile of the hanger, and an outer surface that faces the bore of the housing. Inner and outer lock rings are disposed on the bellows style portion. When the bellows style portion is axially collapsed, it radially expands into the bore of the housing and the outer profile of the hanger, and urges the inner and outer lock rings into engagement with the outer profile of the hanger and the bore of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: VETCO GRAY INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Caleb Benson, David L. Ford
  • Publication number: 20130140775
    Abstract: A wellhead assembly having concentric tubulars and a seal assembly in an annulus between the tubulars. The seal assembly includes an upper portion having an annular body with a U-shaped cross section and a nose ring seal. The nose ring seal has a bellows like cross section and provides sealing in the annulus and exerts a lockdown force onto one of the tubulars. Metal inlays are provided on the outer edges of the folds in the bellows and a compressible medium is disposed between the folds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: VETCO GRAY INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Allen Raynal, Daniel Caleb Benson, David Lawrence Ford
  • Publication number: 20130069315
    Abstract: A seal holder for retaining a sealing arrangement (119,121), said sealing arrangement (119,121) being adapted to seal against a facing seal surface (209) in a bore (203), said seal holder having an intermediate section (117a) encircled by a peripheral section (117b) arranged for carrying said seal arrangement (119,121), wherein said intermediate section (117a) is convex shaped towards the pressure side and is adapted to exert radial pressure on said peripheral section (117b) in the event of exposure to pressure on its convex side. The invention also relates to a method for sealing a bore by applying an apparatus equipped at its lower end with a seal holder (117) retaining a sealing arrangement (119,121).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventor: Jarmo Kekarainen
  • Publication number: 20120227988
    Abstract: A wellhead seal assembly forms a metal-to-metal seal between inner and outer wellhead members. A metal seal ring has inner and outer walls separated by a slot. An energizing ring has a C-ring captured on its outer surface. When the energizing ring is moved further into the slot, the C-ring is forced from its pocket and engages a profile on the seal ring, locking the energizing ring to the seal assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8186426
    Abstract: A seal assembly for sealing between wellhead members in a wellhead, the assembly may include a seal element and a lockdown member. The seal assembly is attachable to either one of the wellhead members by coupling the lockdown member to a locking surface on the wellhead member. The lockdown member and locking surface may include corresponding profiles for mating engagement thereby preventing relative movement between the wellhead member and seal assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20120118585
    Abstract: A wellhead seal assembly has a primary seal and a secondary seal, each seal forming a metal-to-metal seal between inner and outer wellhead members. A primary metal seal ring has inner and outer walls separated by a slot. A secondary metal seal is located below the seal ring and has a bottom portion that contacts an upward facing shoulder of a hanger. A primary energizing exerts downward force on the primary seal, causing a secondary energizing ring, located below the primary energizing ring, to energize the secondary seal. Once the secondary seal is energized, thus stopping downward movement of the (primary seal and secondary energizing ring, the primary energizing ring energizes the primary seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventor: Khanh Anh Duong
  • Publication number: 20120067597
    Abstract: A wellhead seal device forms metal seals in an annular space between inner and outer tubular members such as a rough casing held within aligned casing and tubing heads. An annular metal sealing sleeve has a lower portion seated in the annular space, and an upper portion which forms an inner sealing annulus adjacent the outer wall of the inner tubular member. A metal seal ring and a wedge ring are located in the inner sealing annulus. A retaining ring is retained by the upper portion above the wedge ring. Threaded seal energizing members extend through the retaining ring to push downwardly on the wedge ring and compress the metal seal ring radially inwardly to form a metal seal to the inner tubular member and thus seal the inner sealing annulus. The lower portion of the annular metal sealing sleeve may seal to the casing head and to the casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: Stream-Flo Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Heinrich LANG, Tony M. Lam, Tianle Guo
  • Publication number: 20100327532
    Abstract: A metal-to-metal seal is used to seal between two tubular members. In one embodiment, a metal-to-metal seal forms a seal in an annulus housing between an inner and outer diameter of tubular members of an adjustable casing sub. The seal can have an inner and an outer sealing ring, or more than one pair of inner and outer sealing rings, that can be set in place by a running tool. An energizing ring can have a tapered or bulbous surface, and can create a pre-load force against the sealing rings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: VETCO GRAY INC.
    Inventor: Kenneth D. Thomson
  • Publication number: 20100193195
    Abstract: A system in some embodiments includes a system, having a seal assembly, including an inner energizing ring, an outer energizing ring, a load ring disposed between the inner energizing ring and the outer energizing ring, a sealing element, and a lock ring. Further other embodiments provide a method of sealing, including rotating an inner energizing ring in a direction to move the inner energizing ring in a first axial direction to seat a seal, rotating an outer energizing ring in the direction to wedgingly engage and set a lock ring in a radial direction, and rotating a load ring in the direction to move the load ring in a second axial direction to set the lock ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dennis P. Nguyen, Thomas E. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20100147533
    Abstract: A seal assembly for sealing between wellhead members in a wellhead, the assembly may include a seal element and a lockdown member. The seal assembly is attachable to either one of the wellhead members by coupling the lockdown member to a locking surface on the wellhead member. The lockdown member and locking surface may include corresponding profiles for mating engagement thereby preventing relative movement between the wellhead member and seal assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: VETCO GRAY INC.
    Inventor: John E. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20100126736
    Abstract: A wellhead seal assembly forms a metal-to-metal seal between inner and outer wellhead members. A metal seal ring has inner and outer walls separated by a slot. A lock ring has grooves for locking the inner wellhead member to the outer wellhead member during installation. An energizing ring has a C-ring captured on its inner surface. When the energizing ring is moved further into the slot, the C-ring is forced from its pocket and engages the surface of the inner wellhead member, locking the seal assembly to the inner wellhead member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Ellis, Javier Garcia, JR., Rick C. Hunter, John E. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7665738
    Abstract: In a self-tightening type sealing device according to the present invention, not only a sealing member is tightened by an internal pressure, but also a tightening force imparting device which tightens the sealing member separately from the internal pressure is provided so as to be remotely operable by a controller. This construction remedies drawbacks involved in manual operation of the tightening force imparting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.)
    Inventors: Takanori Yamauchi, Yasuo Manabe, Takeo Nishimoto
  • Patent number: 7559366
    Abstract: A wellhead seal assembly forms a metal-to-metal seal between the inner and outer wellhead members. A metal seal ring has inner and outer conical walls separated by a tapered slot. An energizing ring has inner and outer annular members that are separated by an annular cavity. When the energizing ring is moved further into the slot, the cavity width decreases but remains to provide a preloaded radial force to the seal ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Rick C. Hunter, Anton J. Dach, Jr., Charles E. Jennings, Steven C. Ellis
  • Publication number: 20090057026
    Abstract: A top drive apparatus for a well drilling head comprises a top drive structure, a seal body and a plurality of resilient members. The top drive structure is configured for being fixedly attached to an upper end portion of a bearing assembly and having a seal-carrying portion. The seal body has a mounting portion and a wiper portion extending from the mounting portion. The mounting portion is slideably disposed within a groove of the seal-carrying portion of the top drive structure. The plurality of resilient members are disposed within the groove between the mounting portion of the seal body and the top drive structure such that the entire seal body is resiliently displaceable with respect to the top drive structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventor: John R. Williams
  • Publication number: 20080265517
    Abstract: A bi-directional metal seal is energized and un-energized by a rolling action that takes place between radiused seal lips. The seal forms an assembly with upper and lower energizing rings. The rings have external grooves for engaging hook ends on the inner surfaces of the seal lips in a nesting arrangement when the seal is in the un-energized position. When the upper ring is pulled upward, the seal is un-energized and does not contact the adjacent conductors or wellhead members. When the upper ring is forced downward, the hooks ends of the seal are forced out of the grooves causing the seal lips to roll around in a radial outward direction, rather than stretch, and expand against the seal's outer diameter. This energizing process also causes the seal to become smaller on the seal's inner diameter, and thus forms a pressure-assist, metal-to-metal seal with the adjacent conductors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Charles E. Jennings
  • Patent number: 6705615
    Abstract: A sealing system for sealing with a generally cylindrical surface 52 of a tubular or another tool 50 includes an annular packer element 10, a wedge ring 60 having a substantially conical outer surface 62 configured to radially expand the packer element, and a positioner 40 for moving one of the packer element and wedge ring relative to the other packer element and wedge ring. The packer element 10 includes an first elastomeric seal body 20 axially supported on a first metal rib 14 extending radially from a metal base 12, and a second seal body 22 axially supported on a second metal rib 16. The second seal body 22 has an elasticity lower than that of the first seal body. According to the method of the invention, the positioner is moved to cause the first seal body 20 to sealingly engage the cylindrical surface, and hydraulic forces due to that sealing engagement then move the packer element to the expanded diameter sealing position, in which the second seal body 22 seals against the cylindrical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.
    Inventors: Lionel J. Milberger, Larry E. Reimert
  • Publication number: 20040036225
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and a method for sealing a wellbore. In one aspect, a sealing apparatus for use in a wellbore is provided. The apparatus includes a compressible sealing member disposed around a body and an anchoring device. The apparatus further includes an anti-extrusion assembly having at least one flexible segment and one seal ring disposable a each end of the compressible sealing member, wherein the anti-extrusion assembly is constructed and arranged to form a barrier around the ends of the compressible sealing member upon expansion thereof. In another aspect, a downhole tool for sealing an annulus of a wellbore is provided. In yet another aspect, a method for sealing a wellbore is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Michael G. Ritter, James A. Rochen, Patrick J. Zimmerman, Donald Greenlee
  • Patent number: 6510895
    Abstract: A mechanically energized annular packoff seal cartridge for metal-to-metal sealing with substantially concentrically arranged tubular members, such as the tubular wellhead housing and well casing of an oil and gas well. A tubular pressure responsive energizing mandrel having downwardly converging frusto-conical seal actuating surfaces is of a dimension for entry into the annulus between the wellhead seal bore and the rough outer surface of the well casing. Elastomer seals are carried by the energizing mandrel and establish sealing of the energizing mandrel with the wellhead housing and well casing A pair of soft metal seal rings are carried by the seal cartridge and are forced radially into metal-to-metal sealing with the wellhead housing and the rough outer surface of the well casing respectively by the double tapered seal actuating surfaces responsive to pressure induced downward force on the energizing mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: FMC Technologies
    Inventors: Bashir M. Koleilat, David E. Cain, Qiu Shi Zheng, Michael Hunt
  • Patent number: 6176310
    Abstract: An assembly for sealing the annular space between the inner cylindrical surface of a tubular member and the outer surface of a cylindrical member having a separate upper and lower seal member each of which are sealably and translatably positioned on the cylindrical member outer cylindrical surface, each of the upper and lower seal members having a circumferentially outwardly displaceable sealing lip and including a tubular actuator positioned between the upper and lower seal members having end portions for radially outwardly displacing the upper and lower sealing lips and including a downwardly displaceable seal energizer for moving the upper seal member towards the lower seal member to cause the actuator to concomitantly, radially outwardly expand the circumferential sealing lips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: ERC Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry D. Smith, Floyd J. Lane
  • Patent number: 5904354
    Abstract: The inventive sealing assembly designed to be set by longitudinal compression is mechanically energized, and comprises an elastomeric sealing element and a flexible member in intimate contact with the sealing element, a flexible portion of the flexible member having an expanded and a retracted position, wherein the flexible member is able to forcibly expand the sealing element when the flexible portion of the flexible member is expanded, and further wherein the flexible member is able to forcibly retract the sealing element when the flexible portion of the flexible member is retracted.The flexible member preferably has a generally cylindrical shape and a plurality of longitudinal slots, and passes at least partially through the sealing element, such that the element covers both the outer and inner surface of the flexible member, as well as passing through the slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Leo G. Collins