Patents Assigned to Dril-Quip, Inc.
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Patent number: 12084937Abstract: A subsea wellhead assembly having an arrangement of primary well barriers provided in equipment that is located within the well and/or the wellhead housing is provided. The subsea wellhead assembly may include a tubing hanger positioned in or below a wellhead housing coupled to a subsea well, a tree cap fluidly coupled to the tubing hanger and disposed atop the wellhead housing, and a pair of master production valves configured to be selectively actuated from an open position to a closed position to shut in the subsea well, each of the pair of master production valves located within or below the wellhead housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2023Date of Patent: September 10, 2024Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.Inventors: Chris D. Bartlett, Daniel J. McLaughlin, Raymond A. Guillory, Blake T. DeBerry, Marcus Smedley, Gregory K. Norwood, David A. Scantlebury, Andrew B. Mitchell, Darren W. Mills
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Patent number: 12025000Abstract: A subsea wellhead system includes: a hanger including a first fiber optic cable; a tree including a second fiber optic cable; a seal sub configured to be coupled to the tree and engaged with the hanger, the seal sub including a fiber optic communications line configured to be communicatively coupled to the first and second fiber optic cables; a transducer configured to be disposed at a downhole location and configured to be communicatively coupled to the first fiber optic cable; a first photodetector disposed in the hanger and configured to convert a light signal traveling through the first fiber optic cable from downhole to an electrical signal communicated to the electrical connection; and a first optical transmitter disposed in the seal sub and configured to convert the electrical signal traveling through the electrical connection into a light signal communicated to the second fiber optic cable.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2023Date of Patent: July 2, 2024Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.Inventors: Frank D. Kalb, Justin D. Gorhum
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Patent number: 11959567Abstract: Systems: and methods for decreasing bending stress in flange bolting for a connection between a flange and an adjacent piece of equipment is provided. The flange connection includes a single flange with multiple bolts extending: therethrough. The bolts are threaded into the adjacent piece of equipment at one end, and a nut is disposed at an opposite end. of each bolt to provide a means for tightening and/or securing the flange connection. The equipment to which the flange is attached may include subsea well equipment with relatively large outer diameters. The disclosed flange connection utilizes: an initial region of a counterbored (or unthreaded) hole in the mating equipment piece just prior to the start of the thread formed through the equipment. Additionally, a compound hub flange connection is disclosed to further reduce the bending stress on the bolts.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2019Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.Inventors: Mark A. Manning, Justin Rye, Flavio Santos
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Patent number: 11952853Abstract: Systems and methods for coupling subsea tubular members together are provided. An apparatus may be used to properly orient and/or provide communication between a first subsea tubular member that is being landed on a second subsea tubular member. An apparatus for coupling subsea tubular members may include an alignment sub and a corresponding alignment member. The alignment sub includes: a generally cylindrical body having one or more fluid, electric, or fiber optic lines extending therethrough, one or more couplings coupled to at least one end of the alignment sub, and an orientation profile disposed on a surface of the alignment sub. The alignment member has a profile designed to interface with the orientation profile of the alignment sub. One of the alignment sub and the alignment member remains stationary while the other rotates relative to the stationary structure.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2021Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.Inventors: Blake T. DeBerry, Morris B. Wade, Flavio Santos, Andrew Mitchell, Gregory Norwood, Robert Buxton, David Scantlebury, Matthew Crotwell, Justin Rye, Todd L. Scaggs
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Patent number: 11952854Abstract: Systems and methods for landing a tubing hanger in a wellhead and then orienting a tree (or spool, or flowline connection body) relative to the tubing hanger while landing the tree on the wellhead are provided. This alignment is accomplished without the use of either a tubing spool or a BOP stack with an orientation pin. The tubing hanger alignment devices may be used to orientate the tree as the tree is landed so that the couplings and stabs between the tree and the tubing hanger line up with each other just at the moment of landing.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2022Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.Inventors: Blake T. DeBerry, Morris B. Wade, Flavio Santos, Gregory Norwood, Robert Buxton, Justin Rye, Todd L. Scaggs
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Patent number: 11913908Abstract: Systems and methods for continuously monitoring mass loss through flow erosion of a well equipment component are provided. The disclosed system includes a wear transducer mounted to the equipment component proximate a portion of the equipment component exposed to erosive fluid flow. The wear transducer includes a metal coupon including an elongated end that extends into a flowpath of the equipment component such that the elongated end is exposed to the erosive fluid flow. The wear transducer also includes an ultrasonic sensor disposed within the metal coupon. The ultrasonic sensor transmits ultrasonic signals through the metal coupon toward the elongated end and receives ultrasonic signal reflections reflected back from the elongated end.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2019Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.Inventors: Frank D. Kalb, Alexander Anthony Bradley
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Patent number: 11834918Abstract: Systems and methods for proper orientation of the connections of a tubing hanger and a subsea assembly in a wellhead or tree are provided. The alignment is accomplished with the use of an orientation spool adaptor equipped with positional sensors and an orientation helix. Calibration of the positional sensors at the surface allows for orientation with simple vertical deployment. Positional sensors may provide real time data such as location, speed of installation and orientation back to the surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2019Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.Inventors: Daniel J. McLaughlin, Gregory D. Williams, Eleazar Herrera, Morris B. Wade, Todd Scaggs
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Patent number: 11828127Abstract: A tubing: hanger assembly with a shiftable annulus seal is provided. The shiftable annulus seal allows for selectively sealing the tubing hanger within a easing hanger, a wellhead, or a tubing head. The tubing hanger assembly also includes a secondary annulus flow path formed through the body of the tubing hanger. The shiftable annulus seal selectively opens/closes a relatively large flow path to the tubing string annulus for circulation of fluid through the tubing string and setting a-packer. The secondary annulus flow path facilitates monitoring and bleeding of pressure front the annulus after the shiftable annulus seal is closed.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2019Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.Inventor: Chris D. Bartlett
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Patent number: 11828130Abstract: A release mechanism for a mechanically locked wiper plug system is provided. The release mechanism may utilize a shifting sleeve to rotate or pivot a release.sub, thus: disengaging a load shoulder and releasing the plug system, in some embodiments, the plug system may be mechanically locked to a running tool via corresponding slotted load shoulders in the running tool and on a release sub. The release sub may be connected: to an actuation sleeve via shear screws. Furthermore, the actuation sleeve may contain a guide consisting of one or more helical slotted guides which interact with the release sub shear screws.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2019Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.Inventor: Jacob S. Warneke
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Patent number: 11773678Abstract: A subsea wellhead assembly having an arrangement of primary well barriers provided in equipment that is located within the well and/or the wellhead housing is provided. The subsea wellhead assembly may include a tubing hanger positioned in or below a wellhead housing coupled to a subsea well, a tree cap fluidly coupled to the tubing hanger and disposed atop the wellhead housing, and a pair of master production valves configured to be selectively actuated from an open position to a closed position to shut in the subsea well, each of the pair of master production valves located within or below the wellhead housing.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2022Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.Inventors: Chris D. Bartlett, Daniel J. McLaughlin, Raymond Guillory, Blake T. DeBerry, Marcus Smedley, Gregory K. Norwood, David A. Scantlebury, Andrew B. Mitchell, Darren W. Mills
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Patent number: 11767754Abstract: Systems and methods for real-time monitoring of well conditions and actuation of downhole equipment are provided. A subsea wellhead system comprises a tubing hanger landed in a wellhead, wherein the tubing hanger comprises a first fiber optic cable; a tree landed on the tubing hanger, wherein the tree comprises a second fiber optic cable; a transducer disposed at a downhole location, wherein the first fiber optic cable is communicatively coupled to the transducer and extends between the transducer and the seal sub; and a seal sub, wherein the seal sub is landed in the tubing hanger, wherein the seal sub comprises: a fiber optic communications line that is communicatively coupled to the first fiber optic cable and the second fiber optic cable; wherein the seal sub and the tubing hanger form an electrical connection regardless of an orientation of the tubing hanger relative to the tree.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2020Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.Inventors: Frank D. Kalb, Justin D. Gorhum
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Patent number: 11686172Abstract: Systems and methods for landing a tubing hanger in a wellhead and then orienting a tree (or spool, or flowline connection body) relative to the tubing hanger while landing the tree on the wellhead are provided. This alignment is accomplished without the use of either a tubing spool or a BOP stack with an orientation pin. The tubing hanger alignment devices may be used to orientate the tree as the tree is landed so that the couplings and stabs between the tree and the tubing hanger line up with each other just at the moment of landing.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2022Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.Inventors: Blake T. DeBerry, Morris B. Wade, Flavio Santos, Gregory Norwood, Robert Buxton, Justin Rye, Todd L. Scaggs
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Patent number: 11686171Abstract: Systems and methods for landing a tubing hanger in a wellhead and then orienting a tree (or spool, or flowline connection body) relative to the tubing hanger while landing the tree on the wellhead are provided. This alignment is accomplished without the use of either a tubing spool or a BOP stack with an orientation pin. The tubing hanger alignment devices may be used to orientate the tree as the tree is landed so that the couplings and stabs between the tree and the tubing hanger line up with each other just at the moment of landing.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2022Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.Inventors: Blake T. DeBerry, Morris B. Wade, Flavio Santos, Gregory Norwood, Robert Buxton, Justin Rye, Todd L. Scaggs
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Patent number: 11624253Abstract: A subsea well intervention cap is provided. The subsea well intervention cap includes a frame, a first clamp segment coupled to the frame and configured to be fitted over a horizontally oriented flowpath of a subsea well equipment component, and a second clamp segment having a rim segment configured to interface with the first clamp segment, wherein the second clamp segment is movable with respect to the first clamp segment. The subsea well intervention cap also includes an actuation mechanism coupled to the frame that actuates the second clamp segment in a vertically upward direction and in an axial direction with respect to the frame toward the first clamp segment. The subsea well intervention cap is lightweight and able to be installed on subsea well equipment using a standard remote operated vehicle (ROV).Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2020Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.Inventor: Gary L. Galle
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Patent number: 11603741Abstract: A well production system comprises a safety instrumented system (SIS) having one or more logic solvers; one or more pressure transmitters disposed along a flowpath and communicatively coupled to the one or more logic solvers; one or more valves disposed along the flowpath and communicatively coupled to the SIS, wherein the SIS is configured to selectively actuate the one or more valves based on feedback from the one or more pressure transmitters; and a spare pressure transmitter disposed along the flowpath, wherein the spare pressure transmitter is configured to be selectively coupled to the one or more logic solvers.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2022Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.Inventors: Mark Edwin Organ, Duncan Stuart Hogg
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Patent number: 11603716Abstract: Systems and methods for pressure communication within a hydro-pneumatic cylinder are provided. The hydro-pneumatic cylinder generally includes a rod, a barrel coaxial to the rod, and a piston assembly disposed within the barrel and connected to the rod. The barrel is hollow to define a chamber, and the piston assembly is axially movable within the chamber to stroke the rod relative to the barrel. The hydro-pneumatic cylinder includes: a flow path formed axially through the rod of the cylinder. This flow path may allow for pressure communication between a low-pressure side of the cylinder and a pressure energized lower pin located at a distal end of the rod. The lower pin may be actuated, via this pressure communication to secure the end of the cylinder to a tension ring on a riser.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2019Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.Inventors: Neil B. Prasad, Steven M. Hafernik
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Patent number: 11585159Abstract: Systems and methods for coupling a platform to a subsea wellhead are provided. The systems may include a riser extending between the platform and the subsea wellhead. The systems may further include an inner drilling riser tie-back connector (“ITBC”) coupled to an inner riser and having an outer body and an inner body. The inner body is at least partially disposed within the outer body, and the inner body is translatable along a longitudinal axis of the ITBC between a first unlocked position and a second locked position. The systems may additionally include a locking mechanism for the ITBC.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2019Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.Inventors: John E. Nelson, Oscar Maldonado, Bruce J. Witwer
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Patent number: 11572968Abstract: A high capacity universal connector for use in connecting tubular members and a method for sealing the tubular members is provided. First and second tubular members are provided which each have ends that are brought into face-to-face engagement by a connector. A metal sealing element seals against conical surfaces at the ends of the first and second tubular members and enables the entire surface of the end of one tubular member to be bought into engagement with the surface of the end of the other tubular member so as to improve the bending and compression capacity of the assembly comprising the tubular members and the metal sealing element. A metal sealing ring for use in this assembly is also provided, along with a gasket retention assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2019Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.Inventors: Morris B. Wade, Mark A. Manning, Blake T. DeBerry, Bruce J. Witwer
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Patent number: 11572750Abstract: A liner hanger having one: or more enhanced Socking assemblies is provided. The liner hanger includes a liner hanger body, lower slips, upper slips, a packer cone, and a seal that seals an annulus between the liner hanger and an outer casing, The one or more enhanced locking assemblies may include: a packer cone locking assembly that prevents all components of the liner hanger from actuating until it is unlocked; a slips locking assembly that prevents the lower slips from being actuated until it is unlocked; guide rails that prevent. the lower slips and/or the upper slips from being wedged in a radially outward direction during run in; and a floating cone locking assembly that releases the packer cone from being coupled to a spacer of the liner hanger when it is unlocked.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2019Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.Inventors: Curtis W. Payne, Jacob S. Warneke, Steven M. Zakharia
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Patent number: 11543372Abstract: Methods for performing seal validation with a chemical pre-treatment are provided. One such method includes establishing an Arrhenius relationship between a material property response of a material exposed to a test fluid based on experimental results of testing a plurality of material samples made of the material across multiple temperatures. The method also includes determining, based on the Arrhenius relationship, a pre-treatment time and a pre-treatment temperature that approximates a seal end-of-life condition. The method further includes pre-treating a seal by exposing the seal to the test fluid at the determined pre-treatment temperature for the determined pre-treatment time, the seal having at least in part a same material composition as the plurality of material samples, and after pre-treating the seal, performing one or more validation tests on the pre-treated seal.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2020Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.Inventor: Kyle A. Comeau