Patents Represented by Attorney Henry C. Query, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6942192
    Abstract: A gate valve for controlling the flow of fluid through a component having a fluid flow passage that includes at least a first branch and a second branch, the gate valve comprising a gate cavity which communicates with both the first branch and the second branch; a gate which is movably positioned in the gate cavity and which includes a first flow port that is connected to a second flow port; and an actuating mechanism for moving the gate between an open position, in which the first flow port is aligned with the first branch and the second flow port is in communication with the second branch, and a closed position, in which the first flow port is offset from the first branch; wherein the second flow port is divergent from the first flow port; whereby when the gate is in the open position, the direction of the flow of fluid through the gate valve is changed by the first and second flow ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher E. Cunningham
  • Patent number: 6926283
    Abstract: An annular metal-to-metal sealing system comprises at least one metal member defining an annular sealing surface and an annular seal body which is comprised of a high strength metal material and which is positioned substantially concentrically relative to the annular sealing surface. The seal body has at least one flexible portion which is flexed during assembly to develop a seal activating force, and the metal-to-metal sealing system further comprises at least one annular soft metal sealing insert which is supported by the flexible portion and which is maintained in sealing engagement with the annular sealing surface by the seal activating force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dwight D. Janoff, John C. Vicic, Gregory L. Glidden, Neil C. Crawford
  • Patent number: 6923423
    Abstract: A gate valve comprises a valve body, a stem bore which extends through the valve body, a stem which is disposed in the stem bore and which includes a first stem portion that is sealed to the stem bore, a second, smaller diameter stem portion that is sealed to the stem bore, and a gate pocket that is located between the first and second stem portions, and gate which is disposed within the gate pocket between the first and second seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Taylor L. Jones, Philip Hernandez, Archie L. Smith, David E. Cain, Gregory L. Glidden, Christopher D. Bartlett, Christopher E. Cunningham, Paul P. Luangraj
  • Patent number: 6918574
    Abstract: A gate valve is disclosed which comprises a valve body which includes a flow bore that extends completely therethrough and a gate cavity that extends partially therethrough and intersects the flow bore, a bonnet which is connected to the valve body over the gate cavity, a gate which is disposed in the gate cavity across the flow bore and includes a transverse opening that extends completely therethrough, a valve stem which includes a first portion that is connected to the gate and a second portion that extends through the gate cavity, a handwheel, and a roller screw assembly which is connected between the handwheel and the second portion of the valve stem and which converts rotation of the handwheel into translation of the valve stem. In this manner, translation of the valve stem raises or lowers the gate to bring the opening into or out of alignment with the flow bore to either open or close the gate valve, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald F. Hallden, David E. Cain, Gregory L. Glidden, William L. Scott
  • Patent number: 6892817
    Abstract: The invention is an insulation material which comprises a silicon based matrix and a plurality of non-metallic beads supported in the matrix. In one embodiment of the invention, the matrix comprises a platinum cured, addition cured silicon material and the beads comprise a mean diameter of less than about 60 microns and an isostatic strength of at least about 10,000 psi. The insulation material may be used in conjunction with subsea oil and gas production equipment, such as pipelines, wellheads and christmas trees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Dwight D. Janoff
  • Patent number: 6887016
    Abstract: A mudmat foundation for supporting an item of subsea equipment on the sea floor comprises a mudmat on which the item of subsea equipment may be supported and a plurality of legs which are pivotably connected to and depend downwardly from the mudmat. The legs are free to pivot outwardly relative to the mudmat upon insertion of the legs into the sea floor to thereby increase the load bearing capacity of the mudmat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Harold B. Skeels
  • Patent number: 6869080
    Abstract: A metal-to-metal sealing element for a wellhead assembly which includes at least first and second adjacent components and first and second generally annular sealing surfaces that are each formed on a corresponding one of the components. The sealing element comprises an annular base, an annular sealing lip which projects radially toward at least one of the first and second sealing surfaces and which comprises a seal retaining groove, a soft metal sealing insert which is disposed within the seal retaining groove and which in use engages the at least one sealing surface, and an annular intermediate portion which extends between the base and the sealing lip. The intermediate portion presses the sealing insert against the at least one sealing surface in an interference fit relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dwight D. Janoff, John C. Vicic, Gregory L. Glidden, Neil C. Crawford
  • Patent number: 6866095
    Abstract: A downhole safety valve for a central circulation completion system having concentric inner and outer tubular members defining a production bore therebetween comprises a generally cylindrical body which includes an outer surface which is sealed to the outer tubular member and an axial through bore to which the inner tubular member is secured. In this manner, the downhole safety valve forms a pressure barrier between a first portion of the production bore located below the body and a second portion of the production bore located above the body. The downhole safety valve further comprises at least one flow passage which extends through the body and communicates between the first and second portions of the production bore, and at least one closure member which is disposed across the flow passage to control fluid flow between the first and second portions of the production bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Harold B. Skeels
  • Patent number: 6857471
    Abstract: A base plate assembly for supporting a number of tubular strings within a tubular housing comprises two base plate portions which when secured together are adapted to be supported on an upper end of the tubular housing. Each base plate portion comprises a top plate which includes an end face and a number of semicircular openings that extend from the end face. Thus, when the base plate portions are secured together, the semicircular openings align to form a number of circular bores which are each adapted to receive a corresponding tubular string. Also, the base plate portions may be disconnected and removed from the tubular housing after the tubular strings are secured in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Appavoo Thangarasu, Bernard Ong, Kevin Kok Sum Lim, Bimo Wiratnanto, Joseph Shu Yian Liew
  • Patent number: 6840494
    Abstract: A closure member for a tubing hanger which is suspended in a tubing spool and which comprises an elongated body having an annulus bore that extends generally longitudinally therethrough, the annulus bore comprising at least a first branch which is in fluid communication with a second branch. The closure member comprises a gate cavity which is in fluid communication with both the first branch and the second branch, a gate which is movably positioned in the gate cavity and which includes a first flow port that is connected to a second flow port, and an actuator for moving the gate between an open position, in which the first flow port is aligned with the first branch and the second flow port is in fluid communication with the second branch, and a closed position, in which the first flow port is offset from the first branch, wherein the actuator is disposed at least partially within a conduit that extends generally axially through the tubing hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher E. Cunningham
  • Patent number: 6817417
    Abstract: An ROV, wireline or diver installed subsea xmas tree debris cap has an integral corrosion inhibitor/biocide provided in the form of a solid block which is wrapped in a water soluble membrane bag. The block is suspended inside the debris cap in a basket or perforated container. After installation of the debris cap, the membrane and solid block will dissolve and sanitize the stagnant water, thereby protecting all materials from corrosion for a number of years. The debris cap also includes an environmental seal in the form of a single O ring. Furthermore, the debris cap is simplified in that it does not include a conventional debris cap-to-xmas tree lockdown mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Blair, William Crawford, Martin Forsyth, Graeme J. Collie, Kevin N. Hannigan
  • Patent number: 6817418
    Abstract: A subsea wellhead (10) includes annulus pressure monitoring and bleed down ports (32, 34, 36) whereby excessive pressure may be detected and bled off to a production controls or workover controls system via an electro/hydraulic jumper (58). A valve block (44) bolted to the wellhead (10) includes pressure transducers (52, 54, 56) and isolation valves (46, 48, 50). Excessive annulus pressures and hence damage to the completion program may thereby be avoided in HPHT subsea well applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Gatherar, Alasdair MacFarlane, Gavin Reilly
  • Patent number: 6782762
    Abstract: A Coriolis mass flowmeter which comprises at least first and second generally parallel flowtubes, each of which includes a first half that is connected to an inlet manifold and a second half that is connected to an outlet manifold, a first brace bar which is attached to the first halves of the flowtubes, and a second brace bar which is attached to the second halves of the flowtubes. The first and second brace bars are oriented on the flowtubes such that, when the flowtubes are vibrated in at least one of a driven mode of vibration and a Coriolis mode of vibration, the resulting reaction forces at the inlet and outlet manifolds are less than those that exist when the first and second brace bars are oriented generally perpendicular to the flowtubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Direct Measurement Corporation
    Inventor: Donald R. Cage
  • Patent number: 6776230
    Abstract: A horizontal Christmas tree is adapted for ESP/HSP or downhole sensor deployment by a coiled tubing hanger 38 received in the tubing hanger 12. Coiled tubing 40 suspends downhole equipment such as ESP 60, and carries power/signal lines. These lines are connected to an external line 58 via a transition connector 46 in a tubing access plug 44 provided in an internal tree cap 32. A debris cap 50 is provided with a further connector 52. Self orientating wet mate connectors 48, 54, 56 are provided between the connectors 46, 52 and external line 58. The coiled tubing hanger and/or tubing hanger may be provided with flow by flutes or holes (78, 80 FIGS. 4 and 5) sealable by a separate adapter plug (88, FIG. 5) above the coiled tubing hanger. Flow test procedures are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Graeme John Collie, David Ramsay Hutchison, Richard Kent
  • Patent number: 6761734
    Abstract: A segmented balloon catheter for use in treating a condition of a blood vessel occurring near a bifurcation comprises a shaft which includes a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal passageway that extends therethrough from the proximal end to the distal end. A first balloon portion is mounted on the shaft adjacent the distal end, and a second balloon portion is mounted on the shaft adjacent the first balloon portion. The shaft also comprises a transverse port which extends between the longitudinal passageway and the exterior of the segmented balloon catheter from between the first and second balloon portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Inventor: William S. Suhr
  • Patent number: 6746761
    Abstract: The invention is an insulation material which comprises a silicon based matrix and a plurality of non-metallic beads supported in the matrix. In one embodiment of the invention, the matrix comprises a platinum cured, addition cured silicon material and the beads comprise a mean diameter of less than about 60 microns and an isostatic strength of at least about 10,000 psi. The insulation material may be used in conjunction with subsea oil and gas production equipment, such as pipelines, wellheads and christmas trees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Dwight D. Janoff
  • Patent number: 6736212
    Abstract: A method for drilling a plurality of well bores through a single conductor housing which comprises providing a base plate which includes at least first and second well slots that extend therethrough, supporting the base plate on the conductor housing, suspending a temporary casing string from the first well slot, drilling a first well bore through the second well slot, removing the temporary casing string from the first well slot, and then drilling a second well bore through the first well slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Shu Yian Liew
  • Patent number: 6719008
    Abstract: The invention concerns an assembly for transferring fluid (13) between a first site and a second site, comprising: a winch (40) for the first site (10) whereon is wound a suspension cable (17) designed to be stretched between the two sites (10, 11) and which is adapted to subject the cable to constant tension; a support (14) for the first site and for storing in suspension rigid pipe sections (15) mutually articulated via articulating sections (16) with rotary bends and joints, so as to shift from a storage position wherein the pipe sections (15) are suspended accordion-like to the support (14) to a stretched position between the two sites (10, 11) by being suspended to the cable; and means for coupling (22) some of the articulating sections (16) to the support (14) or to cable (17) depending on the length of the cable stretched between the two sites (10, 11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, S.A.
    Inventor: Renaud LeDevehat
  • Patent number: 6702013
    Abstract: A flow completion system comprises a tubing spool which is connected above a wellhead housing, a tubing hanger which is supported in the tubing spool and which includes an axial production bore and at least two conduits that each extend from the bottom of the tubing hanger to either the top or the outer diameter of the tubing hanger, and a gate valve assembly which includes an elongated body having a longitudinal bore extending therethrough, a plurality of gates slidably disposed in the longitudinal bore across respective flow passages which each extend laterally through the body between corresponding inlet and outlet ports, each gate being movable between an open position wherein an opening in the gate is aligned with its respective flow passage and a closed position wherein the opening is offset from its respective flow passage, an actuator for moving the gates simultaneously between a first position, wherein at least one of the gates is in its open position, and a second position, wherein the at least one
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher D. Bartlett
  • Patent number: 6695049
    Abstract: A valve assembly for hydrocarbon wells comprises a first valve (e.g., a conventional gate valve) and a second valve (e.g., a hydraulically operated, fail safe check valve). The second valve provides an alternative to the pressure barrier conventionally formed by a downhole annulus safety valve. It is installable/retrievable through the first valve using a tool of the type used for installation of surface wellhead VR (valve replacement) plugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hugh D. Ostocke, Gordon G. Shiach, John Quinn