Patents Represented by Attorney Bracewell & Giuliani LLP
  • Patent number: 8286714
    Abstract: A surface assembly that communicates with subsea structures and includes a working deck on a floating structure. The working deck has an aperture extending axially therethrough. A riser extends from a subsea location to the working deck and through the aperture. The surface assembly includes a frame extending circumferentially around the riser so that the frame moves axially with the riser. The assembly also includes a tensioner assembly connected between the working deck and the frame. The tensioner assembly includes a piston slidably carried in a piston chamber, a piston rod extending from the piston and away from the piston chamber, and a shroud enclosing the piston rod. The shroud has a plurality of segments with at least one of the shroud segments being movable in unison with the piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Fife B. Ellis, Joseph W. Pallini, Jeffery K. McCarty, Charles E. Jennings
  • Patent number: 8290737
    Abstract: A method of testing an electronics module (11) for an underwater well installation, comprises the steps of: providing a test equipment (7) comprising a processor (8) and a Local Area Network (LAN) switch (9), such that the processor (8) may communicate with the switch (9); providing an electronics module (11) comprising a data acquisition means (12) and a second LAN switch (10), such that the data acquisition means (12) may communicate with the second switch (10); passing test data from the processor (8) to the data acquisition means (12) via the first and second LAN switches (9, 10); and monitoring the response of the electronics module (11) in response to the test data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Controls Limited
    Inventor: Julian R. Davis
  • Patent number: 8286706
    Abstract: A perforating system having a perforating gun with a pressurizable gun body. The gun body can be pressurized prior to deployment in a wellbore, or while in the wellbore. Pressurizing the gun body can include adding fluid into the gun body, such as a pressurized gas, a liquid, or combustion products. A seal diaphragm can be used to transfer wellbore pressure into the gun body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Jason W. McCann, Mark Sloan
  • Patent number: 8290853
    Abstract: Systems, program product, and methods for securing or procuring destination currency funds for a traveler to be used for travel in a destination country commencing at a scheduled future travel date, are provided. A system can include a domestic financial institution server including foreign destination currency transaction account program product. The system provides for establishing an interest-bearing foreign destination currency transaction account having a user-selected maturity date coinciding with a preselected travel date, and near, but prior to the preselected travel date, providing to the traveler a travel debit card having access to the balance of foreign destination currency funds including both principal and accrued interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Metabank
    Inventor: Scott Galit
  • Patent number: 8290638
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an augmentation apparatus, program product, and methods for providing updated mission control data to an embedded control system of an aircraft or other vehicle. This augmentation can include a mission system interface unit, a user interface unit, and a display unit. The mission system interface unit can interface with the embedded control system and can exchange data and control signals with the embedded control system. The user interface unit can couple to the mission system interface unit and the display unit to provide a user a direct interface with embedded control system and to supplement the displays of the embedded control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Dennis Eicke, Jeffrey K. Hostetler, Edward M. Griffin, Michael D. Cawood
  • Patent number: 8281863
    Abstract: A removable module for actuating elements, such as valves, within a subsea production tree. The module can include a motor, a drive shaft, and a ball screw. Embodiments exist where only the motor is removable, optionally the motor and drive shaft and/or all module elements are removable. A fail safe system is included that moves the production tree element into a pre-designated fail safe position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventor: Robert K. Voss
  • Patent number: 8277716
    Abstract: A stiffened mandrel used in the manufacture of a composite tubular. The mandrel is placed on a filament winding machine and is comprised of an outer and inner shell. A pressure source is connected to the mandrel to exert a tensile force on the outer shell to stiffen the mandrel and thereby prevent sagging and bending of the mandrel. The stiffened mandrel allows for the manufacture of a composite tubular without undesirable flexing, wrinkling, or contamination of the uncured composite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Galle, Karl A. Parfrey
  • Patent number: 8276672
    Abstract: A subsea well tubular member has an axial passage with upper and lower retrievable plugs releasably mounted in the passage, the plugs having ends facing each other. A cavity is formed on one of the ends of one of the plugs. A movable barrier is mounted sealingly over the cavity, the barrier being movable repeatedly between inner and outer positions in response to temperature changes. The inner position reduces a volume of the cavity and increases a volume of a trapped fluid space between the ends of the plugs. The outer position increases the volume of the cavity and decreases the volume of the trapped fluid space. The barrier has two metallic layers with different coefficients of expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin G. Buckle
  • Patent number: 8276671
    Abstract: A running tool sets and pressure tests a bridging hanger and a packoff in a single trip. The running tool has a stem, an inner body, and a piston. The inner body is connected to the stem so that rotation of the stem relative to the inner body will cause the stem to move longitudinally. The piston is connected to the stem so that the stem and piston rotate and move longitudinally in unison. A piston engagement element is housed in the inner body and is adapted to engage the piston when the bridging hanger is set to prevent premature setting of the packoff. The piston engagement element can be disengaged once the bridging hanger is set, thereby allowing the piston to set the packoff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Guilherme Pedro Eppinghaus Neto, Fernando Sousa
  • Patent number: 8272448
    Abstract: An electrical line for installation in a well for transmitting power to a well pump includes a string of coiled tubing. An electrical cable having insulated electrical conductors embedded within an elastomeric jacket extends longitudinally through the interior passage of the tubing. Body members are placed around the outer periphery of the electrical cable, and the body members are compressed onto the electrical cable through the use of an anchor assembly. The anchor assembly is held in a compressed state through the use of frangible support elements. Once the electrical cable is in place within the coiled tubing, the user applies an external force to cause the support elements to fail, thereby releasing the anchor assembly from its compressed state. The anchor assembly contacts the inner wall of the coiled tubing, such that the weight of the electrical cable is transferred to coiled tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: John J. Mack
  • Patent number: 8272507
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a kit of a plurality of detachable pockets, a detachable pocket and associated methods. An embodiment of a kit has a container with a plurality of detachable pockets positioned therein. Each pocket within the container be used to hold personal items on a person's clothing or skin by adherence of the pocket to a person's skin or clothing. Example embodiments of the detachable pocket include a pocket body having a pocket layer and a flange. Both the pocket layer and the flange can be fabricated from one or more materials. The pocket layer can have an end to be attached as open and defining an open end and three sides having the flange disposed there around and to which adhesive is disposed. The pocket can be attached and removed as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Visionary Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Brenda Crump, Michael Deese
  • Patent number: 8270678
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems, program products, and computer implemented methods to measure the displacement of an object located in a hazardous or otherwise inaccessible location at a long range from an optical device with micron-level accuracy are provided the object being. The objects can be machinery, valves, containers, or any other object whose displacement is to be measured. The object can be located in radioactive, chemically reactive, high voltage, or otherwise hazardous or inaccessible locations that are not accessible for conventional displacement measurement by personnel. A system can comprise an identifier on the object to be tracked, an optical device, an computer with at least processing, storage, and memory facilities, and a communications network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Carl Murray
  • Patent number: 8267171
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for monitoring and controlling a power system of an electrical submersible pump assembly. A sensor monitors an alternating current component of a downhole electrical imbalance voltage at a neutral point of a motor of the electrical submersible pump assembly. The sensor measurement is transmitted to a controller at the surface. The controller analyzes the alternating current component of the downhole electrical imbalance voltage and then adjusting an operation of the electrical submersible pump assembly, or scheduling maintenance, accordingly. Also, a model of a power system of an electrical submersible pump assembly is created to predict an alternating current component of a downhole electrical imbalance voltage. The model is modified as necessary responsive to measurements from the sensor. A controller adjusts surface currents according to the model of the power system to match downhole motor drive currents to thereby optimize the power system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Eric J. Atherton
  • Patent number: 8267645
    Abstract: A centrifugal pump has impellers that are not connected by a central shaft. More specifically, each of the impellers has a separate hub segment that interlocks with an adjacent hub segment from another impeller. The hub segments are rotated in unison with each other to rotate the impellers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Christopher M. Brunner, Jason Ives, David W. Chilcoat
  • Patent number: 8261818
    Abstract: A self-inserting seal assembly that sets a seal at a well component to allow for pressure testing of the well component. The seal assembly can be landed on a well component with an ROV. A seal is located on the lower portion of a lower body in the assembly. A set of outer dogs lock with a grooved mating profile formed on the well component to lock the outer housing to provide a reaction point for setting the seal, which may require several thousand pounds of force. A set of inner dogs lock with a grooved mating profile formed on the inner diameter of the outer housing. This locks the lower body to the outer housing to ensure the seal remains set in place. After the well component is pressure tested, the seal assembly can be unlocked and retrieved from the well via an ROV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Pallini, Rockford D. Lyle, Chii-Ren Lin
  • Patent number: 8265874
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a machine, program product, and computer-implemented method to select a fit-for-purpose tool for reservoir saturation monitoring. A computer stores a plurality of characteristics for a plurality of well-logging tools, including open hole and closed hole resistivity, pulse-neutron spectral carbon-oxygen, and pulse-neutron capture technologies, as well as a predetermined ranking of tools within a technology. The computer obtains user inputs associated with conditions of a candidate well, e.g., a minimum tubing restriction, whether the wellbore is open or cased, and whether the well is a wet producer. Inputs can also include an objective of the reservoir saturation monitoring, such as, evaluating sweep efficiency or identifying remaining pay for sidetrack or perforation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Shouxiang M Ma, Abdrabrasool A Al-Hajari, Kamran B Husain
  • Patent number: 8261771
    Abstract: A check valve assembly has a body having a central cavity intersected by upstream and downstream flow passages. A seat is secured by a threaded engagement in the upstream flow passage. An access bore intersects the cavity and has a support shoulder formed in it. A holder is supported on the support shoulder. A flapper is pivotally secured to the holder and located in the cavity for movement between an open position and a closed position blocking flow through the seat. A straight edge portion in the access bore engages a straight edge portion of the holder to prevent rotation of the holder. A fastener extends through a hole in the support shoulder into engagement with the seat to prevent rotation of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: S.P.M. Flow Control, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian C. Witkowski, Nuder M. Said
  • Patent number: 8261837
    Abstract: A string of conduit extending from a subsea wellhead assembly to a surface wellhead assembly on a platform has a plurality of grooved profiles on an upper portion of the conduit. Each profile is spaced axially from another of the grooved profiles. After a lower end of the conduit is secured to the subsea wellhead assembly, the operator pulls on the conduit to apply a selected tension to the conduit. The operator attaches a support ring to the profile that was closest to and above a load shoulder in the surface wellhead assembly when the desired tension was reached. After landing the support ring on the load shoulder, the operator may cut off any excess portion of the upper portion of the conduit located above the support ring. A seal ring is set between the upper portion of the conduit and the surface wellhead housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome T. Leonard, Rockford D. Lyle, Alireza Shirani
  • Patent number: 8261961
    Abstract: A solid state method for the preparation of composite materials incorporating metal and nano materials is provided, wherein nano materials are deposited on a substrate and incorporated into the substrate structure by friction stir welding. Also provided are composite materials that include nano materials, which are prepared by friction stir welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Craig A. Brice
  • Patent number: 8261822
    Abstract: A system for and method of supplying an injection fluid to a well assembly so that the injection fluid flows at a substantially constant flow rate. The fluid can be injected at a single site in the well assembly or multiple sites. A flow control regulator is included that attaches to the well assembly and provides a self adjusting flow control for the fluid being injected. The regulator includes a slidable floating sleeve having an orifice through which the fluid flows. The sleeve includes an inlet port that can register with a fluid supply port to allow the injection fluid to make its way into the sleeve. The fluid exits the sleeve through the orifice to generate a pressure differential across the orifice that in turn exerts a sliding force onto the sleeve. Moving the sleeve misaligns the inlet port and fluid supply port thereby throttling flow through the regulator to a predetermined flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Dustin R. Jordy