Patents Assigned to FMC Technologies, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20230193724
    Abstract: A system may include a connector coupled to a wellhead assembly. The system may also include a hydraulic power unit coupled to the connector and a valve of the wellhead assembly. The system may further include a controller in communication with the connector and the hydraulic power unit. The controller may be operable to receive one or more conditions associated with the connector and a valve of the wellhead assembly. The controller may also be operable to operate at least one of the connector and the valve through the hydraulic power unit based on the one or more condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajeev Pillai, Richard Bridwell, Thiago Machado, Hosameldin Abouelhassan, Kirul Patel
  • Patent number: 11680461
    Abstract: One illustrative valve disclosed herein includes a body, a first flow bore in the body that includes a fluid flow gallery, a first fluid flow port and a second fluid flow port, wherein the fluid flow gallery is in fluid communication with the first and second fluid flow ports. In this example, the valve also includes a second flow bore in the body and at least one sliding sleeve positioned in the body, wherein the at least one sliding sleeve is adapted to be moved from a first closed position to a second open position, and vice-versa, wherein, in the first closed position, fluid communication between the first flow bore and the second flow bore is blocked and wherein, in the second open position, fluid communication between the first flow bore and the second flow bore is established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Partridge
  • Patent number: 11680671
    Abstract: A system for transporting corrosive or erosive fluids having a flow conduit or flow equipment with a flow bore. One or more inserts (50) are disposed within the flow bore of the flow conduit or flow equipment. The insert(s) (50) include an internal structure (52) and an erosion or corrosion resistant coating (54) disposed around the internal structure. The insert(s) (50) is/are disposed inside the flow bore and provide erosion and/or corrosion resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel R. Fink
  • Patent number: 11674621
    Abstract: A hammer union includes a male sub, a threaded female sub, a threaded union nut disposed around abutting ends of the threaded female sub and the male sub, the abutting ends of the threaded female sub and the male sub include contact surfaces perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the hammer union, and an outermost diameter of the perpendicular contact surfaces and a minor thread diameter of the female sub are equidistant from a longitudinal axis of the hammer union. A method of assembling a hammer union includes inserting a plurality of load segments between a threaded union nut and a male sub, threadedly engaging internal threads of the threaded union nut with external threads of a female sub, and engaging flat contact surfaces of abutting ends of the male sub and the female sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Tep Ungchusri, Paul A. Crawford, William H. Garner, Alan R. Killingsworth, King F. Choi
  • Patent number: 11668151
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide for a tubing head spool that may be disposed in a wellhead during drilling or other wellbore operations, after which a tubing hanger adapter may be disposed within the tubing head spool for hanging tubing. Methods include installing a tubing head spool onto a wellhead, installing a blow out preventer onto the tubing head spool, drilling a well by running downhole tools and at least one casing string through the tubing head spool, running a tubing hanger adapter bushing through the blow out preventer and into the tubing head spool, running a tubing string into the well, and landing out the tubing string using a tubing hanger configured to hang within the tubing hanger adapter bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Bourgeois, Ian Mcclymont Davidson
  • Patent number: 11668412
    Abstract: A system includes a foundation with a post mounted on the foundation top surface and a pipe module configured to couple to the foundation. The pipe module has a yoke to cooperate with the post to engage the pipe module with the foundation. The pipe module is connected to the end of a pipeline and is configured to slide along the foundation responsive to longitudinal and angular movements of the end of the pipeline. A method includes deploying a foundation subsea and securing the foundation to a seafloor. The foundation has a post. The method includes deploying the pipe module via the pipeline suspended by a pipe module installation machine. The pipe module has a yoke. The method includes engaging the yoke with the post, paying out the pipeline to lower the yoke, and lowering and engaging the pipe module with the foundation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Changan Ji, Bryan Houston, Sylvain Routeau
  • Patent number: 11661958
    Abstract: A high-pressure unit (HPU) skid for greasing and actuating a frac tree valve includes one or more hydraulic pumps, a grease pump, a hydraulic reservoir, and two or more accumulators all of which are mounted on a portable frame. The HPU skid further includes fluidic connections to connect the frac tree valve to an output of the grease pump and fluidic connections to connect the frac tree valve to at least one of the two or more accumulators. The hydraulic pumps are configured to withdraw hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic reservoir for charging the accumulators, operating the grease pump, or charging the accumulators and operating the grease pump at a same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James Cook, Corey Massey, Chad Vrla
  • Patent number: 11644107
    Abstract: A flow control device includes a valve body, a first port disposed on the valve body, a second port disposed on the valve body, a gate disposed within the valve body and configured to control a flow of a fluid between the first port and the second port, and a seat disposed between the gate and the valve body, the seat including a first surface configured to form a circumferential seal with the valve body and a second surface configured to form a face seal with the gate. A method includes receiving, by a sealing assembly forming a circumferential seal between a seat and a valve body, a first force from a collar disposed on the seat in response to a first movement of a gate, and moving, in response to receiving the first force, the sealing assembly in a first direction of the first force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott E. Linder, Robert P. Matson, Calvin C. Liu
  • Publication number: 20230114563
    Abstract: A method of retrofitting an existing separator pressure vessel (100) with a solids removal system (118) includes installing a support structure (122) in the separator pressure vessel (100), adjusting a size of the support structure (122) within the separator pressure vessel to frictionally engage contact surfaces of the support structure with an inner surface of the separator pressure vessel or a surface of a component installed in the separator pressure vessel, installing a supply header (124) and a suction header (126) on the support structure in the separator pressure vessel, coupling a jetting nozzle (128) or a cyclonic device to the supply header, coupling the supply header to an inlet nozzle (160a) extending from an interior of the separator pressure vessel to an exterior of the separator pressure vessel; and coupling the return header to an outlet nozzle (160b) from an interior of the separator pressure vessel to an exterior of the separator pressure vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Applicant: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Sander Baaren
  • Patent number: 11624267
    Abstract: A system for transferring fluid from a pump to a manifold, the manifold having a plurality of fluid inlets. A first pump truck includes a first pump having a first fluid outlet. A first flexible pipe couples the first fluid outlet to a first fluid inlet. The first flexible pipe is self-supporting and forms an arch extending over the first pump truck. The first pump truck may include a second pump having a second fluid outlet and a second flexible pipe may couple the second fluid outlet to a second fluid inlet. A second pump truck may include third and fourth pumps having third and fourth fluid outlets, respectively, that may be coupled to third and fourth fluid inlets by third and fourth self-supporting flexible pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Corey Massey, John Eden, Julian Keihany
  • Patent number: 11624268
    Abstract: A system for transferring fluid from a pump to a manifold, the manifold having a plurality of fluid inlets. A first pump truck includes a first pump having a first fluid outlet. A first flexible pipe couples the first fluid outlet to a first fluid inlet. The first flexible pipe is self-supporting and forms an arch extending over the first pump truck. The first pump truck may include a second pump having a second fluid outlet and a second flexible pipe may couple the second fluid outlet to a second fluid inlet. A second pump truck may include third and fourth pumps having third and fourth fluid outlets, respectively, that may be coupled to third and fourth fluid inlets by third and fourth self-supporting flexible pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Corey Massey, John Eden, Julian Keihany
  • Patent number: 11619110
    Abstract: A system may include a connector coupled to a wellhead assembly. The system may also include a hydraulic power unit coupled to the connector and a valve of the wellhead assembly. The system may further include a controller in communication with the connector and the hydraulic power unit. The controller may be operable to receive one or more conditions associated with the connector and a valve of the wellhead assembly. The controller may also be operable to operate at least one of the connector and the valve through the hydraulic power unit based on the one or more condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajeev Pillai, Richard Bridwell, Thiago Machado, Hosameldin Abouelhassan, Kirul Patel
  • Patent number: 11613978
    Abstract: A system for transporting corrosive or erosive fluids having a conduit or flow equipment with a flow bore, comprising; a flexible pipe, an adapter, an end connector, a clamp connector, insert(s), and a metal spacer. Insert(s) comprise an erosion resistant coating disposed around the internal structure that is a spring or helical structure. The insert(s) is/are disposed inside the flow bore and provide erosion and/or corrosion resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Fink, Julian Keihany
  • Patent number: 11607626
    Abstract: Electro-coalescer systems herein may include a vessel, a base plate separating a process chamber and an electric enclosure, rod-shaped ceramic insulated electrodes, and a sealing assembly. An end of the electrodes is located within the electric enclosure. The electrodes traverse respective through-holes of the base plate into or through the process chamber, where a second portion is supported by a spacer, configured to maintain a position of the electrodes while allowing fluid passage. The sealing assembly forms a seal between the through-holes and the rod-shaped insulated electrodes, preventing fluid traversing from the process chamber into the electric enclosure. The sealing assembly may include: a metal fitting disposed around the rod-shaped insulated electrode; metal o-rings; metal seats; and a closing nut. The metal fitting has a coefficient of thermal expansion similar to that of the ceramic insulator, thereby preventing breakage of the electrodes during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Arturo Ernesto Menchaca Lobato
  • Patent number: 11608148
    Abstract: A system receives data from a submersible remote operated vehicle (ROV), the data being about the operation of an arm of the ROV. The system automatically controls, based on the data, movement of the arm in docking the arm to a tool holder. In certain instances, the system implements an image based control. In certain instances, the system implements a force accommodation control. In certain instances, the system implements both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Leonhardt, Bijou Abraham, Peter Boissiere, Steve Cohan, Kevin Hjelden, Doug Mayne, Tim Ranstrom, Sean Rogers, Kevin Schell, Spencer Slam, Adwait Jayant Gandhe
  • Publication number: 20230083234
    Abstract: An illustrative modular manifold system includes, among other things, two or more modular pump manifolds, a low-pressure header, and a main high-pressure manifold. Modular pump manifolds may include a low-pressure manifold for supplying fracturing fluid or water to pumps, a high-pressure manifold for supplying fracturing fluid or water to one or more wells and a bleed-off/prime-up manifold. Each modular pump manifold of the modular manifold system is configured to be fluidly isolatable from the other modular pump manifolds. Each isolated modular pump manifold is configured to be flushed with water, bled off and primed up independently of the other modular pump manifolds. After the bleed off, maintenance procedures may be performed on pumps associated with the isolated modular pump manifold. The modular pump manifolds that are not isolated may continue in active fracing stage operations while a modular pump manifold is isolated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Applicant: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James Cook, Julian Keihany, Corey Massey, Andrew Krupa
  • Publication number: 20230076356
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods provide for a tubing head spool that may be disposed in a wellhead during drilling or other wellbore operations, after which a tubing hanger adapter may be disposed within the tubing head spool for hanging tubing. Methods include installing a tubing head spool onto a wellhead, installing a blow out preventer onto the tubing head spool, drilling a well by running downhole tools and at least one casing string through the tubing head spool, running a tubing hanger adapter bushing through the blow out preventer and into the tubing head spool, running a tubing string into the well, and landing out the tubing string using a tubing hanger configured to hang within the tubing hanger adapter bushing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Applicant: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Bourgeois, Ian Mcclymont Davidson
  • Publication number: 20230053422
    Abstract: A system may a first frac tree having a first inlet, a manifold having a first fluid outlet, and a first flexible pipe. The first flexible pipe may include a first end of the first flexible pipe coupled to the first fluid outlet; a second end of the first flexible pipe is coupled to the first inlet; and a first outer shell rotationally mounted on the manifold, the first outer shell extends from the manifold a length between the first end and the second end. The first outer shell may extend from the manifold a length between the first end and the second end. Additionally, the first outer shell is curved to have a radius to arch the first flexible pipe from the manifold to the frac tree.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Applicant: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James Cook, Corey Massey, John Eden
  • Patent number: 11577183
    Abstract: One method disclosed herein of processing a process fluid that comprises dissolved gas includes performing a degassing process on the process fluid by heating the process fluid via heat transfer with a heat transfer fluid, wherein at least some amount of the heat transfer fluid condenses in the first heat transfer process and latent heat of the heat transfer fluid as it condenses is used to increase the temperature of the process fluid. Thereafter, the heat transfer fluid is passed through an expansion device so as to produce a post-expansion heat transfer fluid. The temperature of the heated process fluid is decreased by performing a second heat transfer process between the post-expansion heat transfer fluid and the heated process fluid, wherein the temperature of the post-expansion heat transfer fluid is increased and the latent heat that was supplied to the process fluid in the first heat transfer process is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: FMC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Sander Baaren
  • Patent number: 11571701
    Abstract: One illustrative cyclone separator disclosed herein includes an outer body, an inner body positioned at least partially within the outer body, an internal flow path within the inner body, the internal flow path having a fluid entrance and a fluid outlet, a first fluid flow channel between the inner body and the outer body, and a re-entrant fluid opening that extends through the outer body and is in fluid communication with the fluid flow channel, wherein the re-entrant fluid opening is positioned at a location upstream of the fluid entrance of the internal flow path in the inner body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: FMC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Sander Baaren