Patents Represented by Attorney Henry C. Query, Jr.
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Patent number: 7323009Abstract: A balloon catheter for use in treating a condition of a vessel occurring near a bifurcation defined by the intersection of a main vessel with a side branch vessel comprises a shaft which comprises a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal passageway extending between the proximal and distal ends, and a transverse hole extending from the passageway. The balloon catheter also comprises a balloon head which is mounted on the shaft and which comprises an elongated balloon portion having a generally uniform outer diameter surface, an intermediate portion secured to the shaft proximate the hole, a port formed in the intermediate portion in alignment with the hole, and a portal extending between the outer diameter surface and the intermediate portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2003Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Inventors: William S. Suhr, Hannah S. Suhr
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Patent number: 7287642Abstract: An idler roller assembly comprises a base frame which includes first and second spaced-apart mounting brackets, a support frame which includes a support tube that comprises a first end which is positioned adjacent the first mounting bracket and a second end which is positioned adjacent the second mounting bracket, and a locking shaft assembly which includes a stationary sleeve which is secured to the first mounting bracket and a rotating sleeve which is rotatably supported by the stationary sleeve and is secured to the first end of the support tube. The stationary sleeve comprises a first contact surface and the rotating sleeve comprises a second contact surface, and the locking shaft assembly further includes a lock spool which comprises a first lock surface which conforms to the first contact surface and a second lock surface which conforms to the second contact surface.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2006Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James L. Carr, Charles C. Stanford, William B. Harwood, Thomas E. Hubbert
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Patent number: 7273105Abstract: A system is described for monitoring a subsea formation, which is under development. Instruments located in a completed but unconnected well are employed for providing information by a provisional monitoring unit being lowered downhole and connected to the well. Changes in the reservoir as a result of operations in other adjacent wells are intercepted by the instruments in the well and transmitted via an acoustic link to the surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2002Date of Patent: September 25, 2007Assignee: FMC Kongsberg Subsea ASInventors: John A. Johansen, Morten Sivertsen
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Patent number: 7225749Abstract: A turret mooring system for a vessel which includes a concrete hull and a moonpool which extends generally vertically through the hull comprises a turret which is positioned in the moonpool, an upper bearing substructure which is mounted to the hull proximate an upper end of the moonpool, and an upper bearing which includes a non-rotatable part that is connected to an upper end portion of the turret and a rotatable part that is connected to the upper bearing substructure. Thus, the turret is rotatably connected to the hull via the upper bearing and the upper bearing substructure.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2004Date of Patent: June 5, 2007Assignee: SOFEC, Inc.Inventor: L. Terry Boatman
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Patent number: 7156169Abstract: An electrically operated actuation tool for a subsea completion system component having at least one hydraulically actuatable mechanism comprises an electric motor, a hydraulic pump which is driven by the motor and at least one hydraulic line which communicates between the hydraulic pump and a corresponding hydraulic conduit that is fluidly connected to the mechanism. In this manner, the motor drives the hydraulic pump to generate hydraulic pressure which is used to actuate the mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2003Date of Patent: January 2, 2007Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Christopher D. Bartlett
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Patent number: 7143830Abstract: A method for installing a subsea completion system comprises installing a conductor housing on the sea floor, landing a wellhead in the conductor housing, securing a BOP to the wellhead, landing a casing hanger in the wellhead through the BOP, connecting a tubing hanger to a THRT, landing the tubing hanger in the wellhead or the casing hanger through the BOP, installing a wireline plug in the tubing hanger production bore through the THRT, retrieving the THRT, retrieving the BOP, securing an ROSL to the christmas tree, landing the christmas tree on the wellhead, and retrieving the wireline plug from the tubing hanger production bore using the ROSL.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2006Date of Patent: December 5, 2006Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Christopher D. Bartlett
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Patent number: 7121345Abstract: A lockdown device for securing a tubing hanger to a production member comprises a lockdown member which is mounted on the production member and is movable into and out of engagement with a corresponding locking profile on the tubing hanger, and an actuating mechanism for moving the lockdown member into and out of engagement with the locking profile.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2004Date of Patent: October 17, 2006Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Christopher D. Bartlett
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Patent number: 7117891Abstract: The invention is directed to a pressure bleed device for a hydraulic coupling which includes a male component that comprises a body, a flow passage which extends generally axially through the body, a valve seat which is formed proximate one end of the flow passage, and a valve element which is biased into sealing engagement with the valve seat to thereby close the flow passage. The pressure bleed device includes a bleed passage which extends through the body and communicates with the flow passage, and a valve for selectively opening the bleed passage when an internal pressure within the flow passage is greater than an external pressure outside the body. Thus, when the flow passage is closed, excess internal pressure within the flow passage is vented outside the body through the bleed passage.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2004Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: FMC Kongsberg Subsea ASInventors: Heyn Halfdan Magnus, Petter Støvset
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Patent number: 7114571Abstract: A running string for a subsea completion comprises an upper section (70) which may be a coiled tubing (CT) injector unit as shown, or a wireline lubricator (FIG. 8). A lower section (60) provides wireline/CT access to production/annulus bores of a tubing hanger (not shown) attached to tubing hanger running tool (62). A flow package (64) in the lower section (60), together with BOP pipe rams (86) and annular seal (88), directs production and annulus fluid flows/pressures to the BOP choke/kill lines (78/76). The upper and lower sections allow installation and pressure/circulation testing of, and wireline/CT access to, a subsea completion, without the use of a high pressure riser.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2001Date of Patent: October 3, 2006Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Nicholas Gatherar, Graeme John Collie
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Patent number: 7108070Abstract: A GTL facility for a fixed offshore hydrocarbon production platform which comprises a deck attached to a base that is secured to the sea floor. The GTL facility comprises a syngas reactor for converting natural gas into syngas and a liquids production unit for converting the syngas into a hydrocarbon liquid. Furthermore, at least one of the syngas reactor and the liquids production unit comprises a catalyst which is constructed using PI micro-reactor technology. As a result, the GTL unit is sufficiently small to be located on the deck of the platform.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2003Date of Patent: September 19, 2006Assignee: GTL Microsystems AGInventors: Ricky A. Hall, Richard D. Yetman
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Patent number: 7104394Abstract: A conveying apparatus comprises an elongated conveying bed which includes a proximal end and a distal end. A support structure for the conveying bed accommodates vibratory motion of a portion of the conveying bed extending from the proximal end a substantial distance toward the distal end but dampens vibratory motion at the distal end. In addition, a piezoelectric driver is operatively connected to the conveying bed adjacent the proximal end. Consequently, operation of the piezoelectric driver will induce a wave motion in the conveying bed which will effectively convey a material from the proximal end to the distal end.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2005Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Randy K. Baird, Jeffery L. Cable, Garry Kostel, Henry J. Nicolo, Dale Cameron
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Patent number: 7096937Abstract: A flow completion system for controlling the flow of fluid from a well bore comprises a tubing spool which includes a central bore that extends axially therethrough and a production outlet which communicates with the central bore. A tubing hanger is supported in the central bore and includes a production bore that extends axially therethrough and a production passageway that communicates between the production bore and the production outlet. A first closure member is positioned in the production bore above the production passageway, and a first metal seal is positioned concentrically between the tubing hanger and the central bore above the production passageway. In addition, a second closure member is positioned in the production bore above the first closure member, and a second metal seal is positioned concentrically between the tubing hanger and the central bore above the first seal.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2004Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Christopher D. Bartlett, Christopher E. Cunningham, Richard D. Kent, Nicholas Gatherar, David Harrold
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Patent number: 7069988Abstract: A flow completion system for controlling the flow of fluid from a well bore, the flow completion system comprising a tubing spool which includes a central bore that extends axially therethrough and a production outlet which communicates with the central bore; a tubing hanger which is supported in the central bore and which includes a production bore that extends axially therethrough and a production passageway that communicates between the production bore and the production outlet, the tubing hanger supporting a tubing string which extends into the well bore and defines a tubing annulus surrounding the tubing string; a first closure member which is positioned in the production bore above the production passageway; a first annular seal which is positioned between the tubing hanger and the central bore above the production passageway; wherein the first closure member and the first seal comprise a first pressure-containing barrier between the well bore and a surrounding environment; a second closure member whichType: GrantFiled: October 10, 2003Date of Patent: July 4, 2006Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Christopher D. Bartlett, Christopher E. Cunningham, Richard D. Kent, Nicholas Gatherar, David Harrold
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Patent number: 7063032Abstract: A turret mooring system for a vessel which includes a moon pool comprises a turret which is positioned in the moon pool, a buoy and anchor chain assembly for anchoring the turret to the sea floor, a bearing assembly for rotatably connecting the turret to the vessel, and a bearing support assembly which comprises an upper ring member to which the bearing assembly is connected, a lower ring member which is connected to the vessel in the moon pool, and a number of elongated support beams which are connected between the upper and lower ring members. In addition, the lower ring member is connected to the vessel near the vertical center of the vessel in order to minimize the deflections of the bearing assembly due to hogging and sagging of the vessel.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2004Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Stephen P. Lindblade, Quoc A. Dang
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Patent number: 7063157Abstract: A method for installing a subsea completion system comprises installing a conductor housing on the sea floor, landing a wellhead in the conductor housing, securing a BOP to the wellhead, landing a casing hanger in the wellhead through the BOP, connecting a tubing hanger to a THRT, landing the tubing hanger in the wellhead or the casing hanger through the BOP, installing a wireline plug in the tubing hanger production bore through the THRT, retrieving the THRT, retrieving the BOP, securing an ROSL to the christmas tree, landing the christmas tree on the wellhead, and retrieving the wireline plug from the tubing hanger production bore using the ROSL.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2003Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Christopher D. Bartlett
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Patent number: 7038592Abstract: A method and a device for detection of physical or approximately physical bottom contact for objects, for instance fishing tackles, which are dragged closely above or on a sea bottom, said method consisting of sensoring an alteration of a force acting on a tension sensor (4) as a consequence of a mass (7) coupled to the tension sensor (4) coming into physical contact with the bottom, said alteration being used as indication of bottom contact, and that frictional forces (F2) being due to the dragging of the mass (7) along the bottom mainly are taken up by means of a tension release means (8). The device comprise the mass (7) being suspended in a tension sensor (4) in such a manner that the sensor (4) is actuated by bottom contact, and at least one tension release means (8) connected to the mass (7) and adapted to take up forces caused by dragging of the mass above the bottom.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2001Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignee: Simrad ASInventors: Kjell Ramberg, Bjørn Faber
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Patent number: 7025133Abstract: A large bore Christmas tree includes a production outlet that is split into multiple separate outlets, each controlled by a separate, standard sized valve and valve actuator.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2001Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Gavin J. McIntosh
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Patent number: 7025132Abstract: A flow completion apparatus comprises a wellhead housing installed at an upper end of a well bore and a tubing spool connected over the wellhead housing. The tubing spool includes a central bore extending axially therethrough, a production outlet communicating with the central bore and an annulus passageway communicating with the tubing annulus. A tubing hanger is supported in the central bore and includes a production bore extending axially therethrough and a production passageway communicating between the production bore and the production outlet. The tubing spool comprises a workover passageway extending between the annulus passageway and a portion of the central bore located below the top of the tubing hanger. Furthermore, the tubing hanger comprises an annulus bore extending between the workover passageway and the top of the tubing hanger.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2003Date of Patent: April 11, 2006Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Richard D. Kent, Michael R. Tierney, Gregory L. Glidden, Christopher E. Cunningham, Christopher D. Bartlett
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Patent number: 7013970Abstract: A completion system comprises a christmas tree (10) mounted on a wellhead housing (11), a tubing hanger (12) landed in the tree or wellhead housing, the wellhead housing (11) being mounted on a casing string (100) and a tubing string (14) being suspended from the tubing hanger within the casing string; wherein, in use, the annulus defined between the tubing (14) and the casing (100) serves as a production bore. A second tubing string (98) is expanded into sealing engagement with the casing string (100) over at least a portion of their lengths. The annulus normally used to provide well service functions is thus eliminated. Well servicing is instead provided via the tubing string (14), which may be coiled tubing.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2001Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Graeme John Collie, David Ramsay Hutchison, Richard Kent
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Patent number: 7004306Abstract: A conveying apparatus comprises an elongated conveying bed which includes a proximal end and a distal end. A support structure for the conveying bed accommodates vibratory motion of a portion of the conveying bed extending from the proximal end a substantial distance toward the distal end but dampens vibratory motion at the distal end. In addition, a piezoelectric driver is operatively connected to the conveying bed adjacent the proximal end. Consequently, operation of the piezoelectric driver will induce a wave motion in the conveying bed which will effectively convey a material from the proximal end to the distal end.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2003Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Randy K. Baird, Jeffery L. Cable, Garry Kostel, Henry J. Nicolo, Dale Cameron