Patents Assigned to Downing Wellhead Equipment, LLC
  • Patent number: 10689920
    Abstract: A wellhead internal latch ring apparatus, system and method is described. An internal latch ring includes a running tool brace portion, a load retention portion below the brace portion and extending outward from the brace portion, a plurality of slots dispersed around the load retention portion, each slot extending axially through at least a portion of the load retention portion, and a circumferential groove extending around an inner diameter of the load retention portion. A wellhead latch ring method includes compressing an array of elasticizing slots dispersed around a latch ring during lowering of the latch ring into position within a wellhead, aligning the compressed slots with an internal wellhead groove, removing the compression on the slots to engage the latch ring into the internal wellhead groove, and guiding debris out of the internal wellhead groove through the array of elasticizing slots as the latch ring is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Downing Wellhead Equipment, LLC
    Inventor: Steven Kim Burrows
  • Patent number: 10689938
    Abstract: While a fracturing stack on a well is at fracturing pressure, receiving a perforating string in a section of the center bore of the fracturing stack. The section is a section above a fracturing head of the fracturing stack. While the fracturing stack is at fracturing pressure, sealing the section of the center bore to maintain a fracturing pressure in and below the fracturing head. Equalizing pressure in the section to atmospheric pressure. Receiving, at atmospheric pressure, a well drop in the section. Equalizing pressure in the section to pressure in the fracturing stack below the section. Releasing the well drop into the center bore of the fracturing head and to the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Downing Wellhead Equipment, LLC
    Inventors: Ronnie B. Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon, Joel H. Young, Brian A. Baker, Austin C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10662740
    Abstract: A valve apparatus that includes a first containment area having a fluid disposed therein at a first fluid pressure and a second containment area disposed below the first containment area having a fluid disposed therein at a selective fluid pressure where the selective fluid pressure can be increased and decreased, the second containment area in fluid communication with the first containment area. The valve apparatus also includes a valve disposed between the fluid in the second containment area at the selective fluid pressure and the fluid in the first containment area at the first fluid pressure. The valve apparatus includes a third containment area disposed below the second containment area having a fluid disposed therein at a third fluid pressure wherein the third fluid pressure is higher than the first fluid pressure, the second containment area in fluid communication with the third containment area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Downing Wellhead Equipment, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Cannon, Ronnie B. Beason, Joel H. Young
  • Patent number: 10648243
    Abstract: A casing string torque transfer and suspension system and method for mandrel casing hangers. A running tool for a mandrel casing hanger suspending a casing string includes a pair of rotary drive rings secured around the running tool, a torque transfer ring of the pair of drive rings including a series of sloping teeth that removably couple to the mandrel casing hanger, the drive rings transferring torque to the casing string to rotate the casing string in a right-handed direction during one of running of the casing string, cementing of the casing string or a combination thereof, and the pair of rotary drive rings transferring axial loads to the casing string when the running tool is threaded to the mandrel casing hanger. Rotation of the rotary drive rings in a left-handed direction retracts the rotary drive rings as the running tool separates from the mandrel casing hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Downing Wellhead Equipment, LLC
    Inventor: Steven Kim Burrows
  • Publication number: 20200141196
    Abstract: A well stack connector has the following features. A drive ring is carried by a housing and is rotatable relative to the housing. A clamp is within the housing. The clamp is moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the clamp engages the first well device to the second well device. In the disengaged position, the clamp allows the first well device to become unrestrained from the second well device. A linkage is coupled to the drive ring, the housing and the clamp. The linkage is moveable, by rotation of the drive ring, between a first position supporting the clamp in the engaged position and a second position supporting the clamp in the disengaged position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Applicant: Downing Wellhead Equipment, LLC
    Inventors: Joel H. Young, Ronnie B. Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon
  • Publication number: 20200123876
    Abstract: A valve apparatus that includes a first containment area having a fluid disposed therein at a first fluid pressure and a second containment area disposed below the first containment area having a fluid disposed therein at a selective fluid pressure where the selective fluid pressure can be increased and decreased, the second containment area in fluid communication with the first containment area. The valve apparatus also includes a valve disposed between the fluid in the second containment area at the selective fluid pressure and the fluid in the first containment area at the first fluid pressure. The valve apparatus includes a third containment area disposed below the second containment area having a fluid disposed therein at a third fluid pressure wherein the third fluid pressure is higher than the first fluid pressure, the second containment area in fluid communication with the third containment area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Applicant: Downing Wellhead Equipment, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Cannon, Ronnie B. Beason, Joel H. Young
  • Patent number: 10584552
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for launching objects into a wellbore. The apparatus generally includes a first object container and a container actuator. The first object container includes first compartments. The container actuator is adapted to displace the first object container so that respective ones of the first compartments are sequentially aligned with an opening. When the respective ones of the first compartments are sequentially aligned with the opening, objects loaded into the respective ones of the first compartments are sequentially launchable through the opening and into the wellbore. In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes a second object container including second compartments and being positionable above the first object container so that the respective second compartments are aligned with the respective first compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: DOWNING WELLHEAD EQUIPMENT, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Cannon, Joel H. Young, Ronnie B. Beason
  • Publication number: 20190078409
    Abstract: A tubular string is cut using a severing system deployed from the rig floor inserted through the BOP into the tubular string and landed in a fit-for-purpose wellhead. The cutting operation forms an excess tubular string and a remaining tubular string. Once cut, the excess tubular string is removed through the BOP. The system and its use eliminates the need to perform a cutting operation at the wellhead by personnel under the rig floor and the need for removal of the BOP thus reducing cost, saving time, and eliminating the inherent risk attendant with these operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Applicant: Downing Wellhead Equipment, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew E. Melton, Brian C. Wiesner, Steven L. Kirksey, Sean A. Jeanes, Steven K. Burrows