Patents Assigned to Control Flow Inc.
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Patent number: 11035509Abstract: A metal-to-metal sealing system is described for forming a pressure-activated connection between two pieces of equipment under HPHT (high pressure high temperature) conditions which will degrade elastomers. The roughly cylindrical seal comprises four sealing surfaces, two sealing surfaces formed by the circular longitudinal edge, and two sealing surfaces formed by either side of a bulge located halfway along the outer diameter. These surfaces correspond with sealing surfaces on the pieces of equipment to be joined. These pieces of equipment also utilize testing ports in fluid communication with the seal in order to ensure a secure connection.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2017Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: CONTROL FLOW, INC.Inventors: Jock W. Irvine, Thomas M. Lambert
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Patent number: 10156115Abstract: An improved weight-set hanger system and method of securing the weight set hanger for use comprises three independent locking mechanisms that are built into an actuator/packoff assembly. These independent locking mechanisms comprise two locking rings, one of which fastens the actuator/packoff assembly to a spool body, and the other of which internally locks the hanger to the actuator/packoff assembly. A third locking mechanism comprises a plurality of screw down spring loaded lock pin assemblies, which, in an embodiment, are spaced out at 90 degree intervals.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2016Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: CONTROL FLOW, INC.Inventors: Jock W. Irvine, Thomas M. Lambert
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Patent number: 9671044Abstract: Linear pipe recovery/lay tensioners can include one or more pivot assemblies for rotatably moving an upper track away from a lower track to facilitate placement of a pipe segment between the two tracks. In addition, or alternatively, the tensioners can include one or more hydraulic cylinders that provide flexible suspension to the upper and lower tracks so the tracks can move and rotate as necessary due to differing pipe segment shapes. In addition, or alternatively, the upper and lower tracks include one or more gripping pads having one or more gripping members that can be sheathed by a compliant member until such time as the pipe segment compresses the compliant member causing the gripping member(s) to protrude from the compliant member and engage the pipe segment. Rotation of the tracks is controlled by a hydraulic pump capable of rotating the tracks at the same rate or at different rates.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2014Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Control Flow, IncInventors: Patrick K. Alloway, Kevin L. Preston, Loren D. Skiles
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Patent number: 8821069Abstract: Linear pipe recovery/lay tensioners can include one or more pivot assemblies for rotatably moving an upper track away from a lower track to facilitate placement of a pipe segment between the two tracks. In addition, or alternatively, the tensioners can include one or more hydraulic cylinders that provide flexible suspension to the upper and lower tracks so the tracks can move and rotate as necessary due to differing pipe segment shapes. In addition, or alternatively, the upper and lower tracks include one or more gripping pad having one or more gripping member that is sheathed by a compliant member until such time as the pipe segment compresses the compliant member causing the gripping member(s) to protrude from the compliant member and bite into the pipe segment. Rotation of the tracks is controlled by a hydraulic pump capable of rotating the tracks at the same rate or at different rates.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2012Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Control Flow, Inc.Inventors: Patrick K. Alloway, Kevin L. Preston, Loren D. Skiles
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Patent number: 7815032Abstract: Roller assemblies for transporting and laterally shifting pipe section, or joints, on oil and gas exploration and production laybarges, drilling/production vessels and platforms, and pipe spooling yards are disclosed. The roller assemblies comprise rollers that are capable of being tilted to facilitate lateral shifting of the pipe sections or joints. The roller assemblies comprise a frame, a tilting assembly, a roller frame pivotally connected to the tilting assembly and the frame, and a roller rotatably connected to the roller frame by an axle. The tilting assembly lifts one end of the roller frame to tilt the roller.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2007Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Control Flow Inc.Inventors: Kevin L. Preston, H. Paul Reinhardt, Jr., Loren D. Skiles
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Patent number: 7337849Abstract: The invention is directed to a tensioner for providing linear and angular movement of a drilling or production facility relative to a conduit or riser secured to the tensioner and to the wellhead in offshore operations. The tensioner compensates for vessel motion induced by wave action and heave and maintains a variable tension to the riser string alleviating the potential for compression and thus buckling or failure of the riser string. The tensioner of the present invention preferably includes at least one top load plate that facilitates easy and quick installation and removal of the tensioner from the rig floor of the vessel or platform. The tensioner also facilitates the placement of at least one piece of equipment disposed within the area formed by the tensioning cylinders. The tensioner may also include one or more pieces of equipment, e.g., a rotary table, integrally formed with the tensioner to further increase the ease and speed of installation and removal of the tensioner from the rig floor.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2006Date of Patent: March 4, 2008Assignee: Control Flow Inc.Inventor: Richard D. Williams
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Patent number: 7163054Abstract: The invention is directed to breechblock connections to and between oil field equipment and oil field lines for use with oil field equipment associated with oil and gas exploration, drilling, and production. The oil field lines and oil field equipment of the invention include a breechblock connection for quick and easy removal and installation of the oil field lines to oil field equipment and to other oil field lines, and connections between different pieces of oil field equipment. Methods of connecting lines to oil field equipment and connecting one piece of oil field equipment to a second piece of oil field equipment are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2004Date of Patent: January 16, 2007Assignee: Control Flow Inc.Inventor: James Murph Adams
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Patent number: 7131922Abstract: The invention is directed to a tensioner assembly for providing tensile force from a floating vessel at the surface of the ocean to the blowout preventer stack, or production tree, which is connected to the wellhead at the sea floor. The tensioner assembly compensates for vessel motion induced by wave action and heave and maintains a variable tension to the riser string alleviating the potential for compression and thus buckling or failure of the riser string. The tensioner assembly of the present invention includes a cylinder, a stop tube disposed with the cylinder, and a ram slidably engaged within the stop tube. The tensioner assembly also includes at least one gas, or air, transfer tube to create a pressurized air over hydraulic fluid arrangement to provide tensile force to the tensioner assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2006Date of Patent: November 7, 2006Assignee: Control Flow Inc.Inventors: Richard D. Williams, Lacey C. Coffey
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Patent number: 7131496Abstract: A closed system drill string compensator having a hydraulic fluid accumulator, at least one air pressure vessel, and a piston and a piston rod slidably engaged within a cylinder. The drill string compensator provides tensioning force for supporting a drill string and permits the drilling vessel to remain connected to the drill string during ocean level changes caused by wave action or ocean heave. In one embodiment, the accumulator surrounds the cylinder and at least one air pressure vessel is radially disposed around the accumulator and the cylinder. In another embodiment, the accumulator surrounds the cylinder and includes two ports, one port for permitting fluid communication between the cylinder and the accumulator and a second port for permitting fluid communication between the accumulator and the air pressure vessel, the first port including a shut-off valve disposed therein. Methods of compensating a drill string are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2005Date of Patent: November 7, 2006Assignee: Control Flow Inc.Inventors: Richard D. Williams, Lacey C. Coffey
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Patent number: 7040393Abstract: The invention is directed to pressure lines for use with equipment associated with drilling and production risers, and in particular, pressure lines having breechblock connections with the equipment and with choke and kill lines for use in connection with different sized blowout preventer stacks (“BOP stacks”). The pressure line systems and choke and kill line systems of the invention include a breechblock connection for quick and easy removal and installation of the pressure lines to riser equipment and the choke and kill lines to BOP stacks. Additionally, the choke and kill lines of the invention may include a coupling system having a BOP connector, or plate assembly, for permitting one set of choke and kill lines to be used on various sized BOP stacks. The plate assembly is in fluid communication with a first choke or kill line connector.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2003Date of Patent: May 9, 2006Assignee: Control Flow Inc.Inventors: James M. Adams, Jason P. Curtiss, III
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Patent number: 7008340Abstract: The invention is directed to a tensioner assembly for providing tensile force from a floating vessel at the surface of the ocean to the blowout preventer stack, or production tree, which is connected to the wellhead at the sea floor. The tensioner assembly compensates for vessel motion induced by wave action and heave and maintains a variable tension to the riser string alleviating the potential for compression and thus buckling or failure of the riser string. The tensioner assembly of the present invention includes a cylinder, a stop tube disposed with the cylinder, and a ram slidably engaged within the stop tube. The tensioner assembly also includes at least one gas, or air, transfer tube to create a pressurized air over hydraulic fluid arrangement to provide tensile force to the tensioner assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2002Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: Control Flow Inc.Inventors: Richard D. Williams, Lacey C. Coffey
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Patent number: 6968900Abstract: A closed system drill string compensator having a hydraulic fluid accumulator, at least one air pressure vessel, and a piston and a piston rod slidably engaged within a cylinder. The drill string compensator provides tensioning force for supporting a drill string and permits the drilling vessel to remain connected to the drill string during ocean level changes caused by wave action or ocean heave. In one embodiment, the accumulator surrounds the cylinder and at least one air pressure vessel is radially disposed around the accumulator and the cylinder. In another embodiment, the accumulator surrounds the cylinder and includes two ports, one port for permitting fluid communication between the cylinder and the accumulator and a second port for permitting fluid communication between the accumulator and the air pressure vessel, the first port including a shut-off valve disposed therein. Methods of compensating a drill string are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2002Date of Patent: November 29, 2005Assignee: Control Flow Inc.Inventors: Richard D. Williams, Lacey C. Coffey
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Patent number: 6739395Abstract: The invention is directed to a tensioner/slip-joint module for providing a conduit from a floating vessel at the surface of the ocean to the blowout preventer stack, or production tree, which is connected to the wellhead at the sea floor. The tensioner/slip-joint module compensates for vessel motion induced by wave action and heave and maintains a variable tension to the riser string alleviating the potential for compression and thus buckling or failure of the riser string. The tensioner/slip-joint module of the present invention preferably includes at least one mandrel having at least one hang-off donut; at least one upper flexjoint swivel assembly, at least one radially ported manifold, at least one tensioning cylinder, and at least one slip-joint assembly combined in a single unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2003Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: Control Flow Inc.Inventor: Graeme E. Reynolds
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Patent number: 6554072Abstract: A tensioner for providing a conduit, e.g., drilling and production riser strings, from a floating vessel at the surface of the ocean to the blowout preventer stack, production tree, or other assembly which is connected to the wellhead at the sea floor. The tensioner compensates for vessel motion induced by wave action and heave and maintains a variable tension to the riser string alleviating the potential for compression and thus buckling or failure of the riser string. The tensioner of the present invention preferably includes at least one mandrel having at least one hang-off donut; at least one upper flexjoint swivel assembly, at least one radially ported manifold, and at least one tensioning cylinder co-linearly combined in a single unit. Methods for assembling risers are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Control Flow Inc.Inventors: Timothy I. Mournian, Graeme E. Reynolds
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Patent number: 6530430Abstract: A tensioner/slip-joint module for providing a conduit from a floating vessel at the surface of the ocean to the blowout preventer stack, or production tree, which is connected to the wellhead at the sea floor. The tensioner/slip-joint module compensates for vessel motion induced by wave action and heave and maintains a variable tension to the riser string alleviating the potential for compression and thus buckling or failure of the riser string. The tensioner/slip-joint module preferably includes at least one mandrel having at least one hang-off donut; at least one upper flexjoint swivel assembly, at least one radially ported manifold, at least one tensioning cylinder, and at least one slip-joint assembly combined in a single unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2001Date of Patent: March 11, 2003Assignee: Control Flow Inc.Inventor: Graeme E. Reynolds