Patents Assigned to Vetco Gray Inc.
  • PRESSURE ENERGIZED INTERFERENCE FIT SEAL
    Publication number: 20120285676
    Abstract: A seal assembly for use between wellbore tubulars employs an inner seal ring partially circumscribed by an outer seal ring. The seal rings are axially slidable with respect to one another and can be made from pliable inelastic materials such as graphite or a fluoropolymer. The seal rings contact one another along profiled surfaces that are angled such that by axially urging the seal rings towards one another produces a bulge in the seal assembly directed radially outwards and inwards. The bulging seal rings come into contact with opposing sides of the wellbore tubulars to define a sealing surface. Axial supports at opposing lateral ends of the seal rings maintain the seal between the tubulars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: VETCO GRAY INC.
    Inventor: Michael Shaw
  • Automated Well Control Method and Apparatus
    Publication number: 20120274475
    Abstract: A drilling control system monitors and compares drilling and completion operation sensor values and autonomously acts in response to conditions such as a kick or surge. Sensors in various combinations may monitor return fluid flow rate, fluid inflow rate, wellhead bore pressure, temperature of returning fluid, torque, rate of penetration and string weight change. The control system has corresponding control logic to monitor, warn and act based on the sensor inputs. The actions may include the warning of support personnel, closing an annular blowout preventer, shearing drill pipe using a ram shear, pumping heavier fluid down choke and kill lines, disconnecting the riser or various other actions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Eric L. Milne, Joseph P. Ebenezer
  • BALL AND DART LAUNCHER WITH PARALLEL AXIS RELEASE
    Publication number: 20120273198
    Abstract: A universal dart launcher launches a dart by moving a dart from a first position to a second position. The universal dart launcher has a launcher body defining a central bore having an axis and lower and upper ends configured to attach to a string of pipe. A cartridge housed within the launcher body may move perpendicular to the axis from a first position to a second position. A drop member is positioned within the cartridge so that it will not be in axial alignment with the central bore while in the first position, and will be in axial alignment with the central bore while in the second position. An actuator assembly couples to the launcher body to move the cartridge from the first position to the second position when actuated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: VETCO GRAY INC.
    Inventors: Nicholas Peter Gette, Marc Minassian, James Christopher Clingman
  • High capacity running tool and method of setting a packoff seal
    Patent number: 8291987
    Abstract: A high capacity running tool sets and internally tests a casing hanger packoff during the same trip. The running tool has a stem and a body. The body is secured by threads to the stem of the running tool so that rotation of the stem relative to the body will cause the stem to move longitudinally. An engagement element connects the tool body to the casing hanger by engaging the inner surface of the casing hanger. Longitudinal movement of the stem relative to the body moves the engaging element between inner and outer positions and lines up ports in the stem and in the body for setting and testing functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas P. Gette
  • Gate Valve Having Low-Friction Coating Over Substrate and Method for Making Same
    Publication number: 20120261603
    Abstract: A gate valve has a body, the body having a cavity and a flow passage intersecting the cavity. A seat fabricated from a ceramic and/or hardfacing alloy matrix composite substrate is mounted to the body at the intersection of the flow passage and the cavity. A gate fabricated from a ceramic and/or hardfacing alloy matrix composite substrate is installed at the cavity and has an engaging face that slidingly engages the seat while the gate is being moved between open and closed positions. The engaging faces of the gate and seats are coated with a low-friction material to facilitate sliding. The ceramic and/or hardfacing alloy matrix composite substrate construction of the gate and seats with low friction engaging surfaces enhances the gate valve's bearing stress capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: VETCO GRAY INC.
    Inventors: Jon Bonner Kahn, Fei Tang
  • BROKEN PIPE BLOCKER
    Publication number: 20120261133
    Abstract: An apparatus for blocking or capping a pipe end is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tubular body defining a central cavity having an inlet, an outlet, and an axis. The apparatus also includes a plurality of conical blocker rings mounted to an inner diameter surface of the tubular body within the cavity, at least some of the blocker rings being rigid and some of the blocker rings being compliant. The blocker rings are adapted to seal to a pipe end inserted into the central cavity. The rigid blocker rings have an outer diameter joined to an inner diameter of the central cavity, and the compliant blocking rings have an inner diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the rigid blocker rings and are adapted to seal around an exterior of the pipe when inserted from the inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: VETCO GRAY INC.
    Inventor: Pawel Karol Stezycki
  • WELLHEAD WICKER REPAIR TOOL
    Publication number: 20120261134
    Abstract: A wicker repair tool lands on a casing hanger within a wellhead. The wicker repair tool engages cutters with the inner diameter of the wellhead and rotates to reform wickers in the wellhead. The wicker repair tool includes a tubular member having an upper end that couples to a tubing string. A tubular tool head is formed on a lower end of the tubular member. At least one cutter is coupled to the tool head and is radially moveable between an engaged and a disengaged position. The cutters are adapted to engage an inner diameter surface of a wellhead so that rotation of the tool head relative to the wellhead will reform the wickers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: VETCO GRAY INC.
    Inventor: David Silver
  • LEAD IMPRESSION WEAR BUSHING
    Publication number: 20120261132
    Abstract: A wear bushing having a lead impression block is landed axially above a casing hanger and actuated to test an elevation of lock ring grooves formed in a wellhead. Then, drilling operations are performed through the wear bushing. The wear bushing includes a first tubular member having an axis and a second tubular member coaxial with the first tubular member. The second tubular member moves down to actuate a lead impression assembly to measure an elevation within the wellhead with the lead impression block. After the drilling operations are completed, the deformed lead impression block is retrieved along with the wear bushing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: VETCO GRAY INC.
    Inventor: Thomas McCreath Wilson
  • Running tool that prevents seal test
    Patent number: 8286711
    Abstract: A running tool sets a casing hanger packoff and ensures that the packoff is not pressure tested unless the proper setting stroke was made by the running tool. The running tool has a stem, an inner body, and a piston. The inner body is connected to the stem so that rotation of the stem relative to the inner body will cause the stem to move longitudinally. The piston is connected to the stem so that the stem and piston rotate and move longitudinally in unison. A test slot is located in the outer surface of the inner body. A limit pin is connected to the piston and is adapted to engage the test slot when the piston moves longitudinally relative to the inner body. The stem has a raised profile on a portion of its exterior surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Guilherme Pedro Eppinghaus Neto, Francisco Kobata, Nicholas P. Gette
  • Subsea electric actuator using linear motor
    Patent number: 8286935
    Abstract: An actuator for use with valves in a subsea wellhead assembly. The actuator includes a shaft with an alternating polarity along its length and windings spaced around the shaft that create a magnetic field around the shaft. The shaft is connectable to a valve stem so that flowing current through the windings creates a magnetic field for linearly moving the shaft and operating the valve. A fail safe mechanism can be included that pushes the shaft back to its original position thereby also moving the valve into its original, or fail safe, position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventor: Paul W. White
  • Riser tensioner with shrouded rods
    Patent number: 8286714
    Abstract: A surface assembly that communicates with subsea structures and includes a working deck on a floating structure. The working deck has an aperture extending axially therethrough. A riser extends from a subsea location to the working deck and through the aperture. The surface assembly includes a frame extending circumferentially around the riser so that the frame moves axially with the riser. The assembly also includes a tensioner assembly connected between the working deck and the frame. The tensioner assembly includes a piston slidably carried in a piston chamber, a piston rod extending from the piston and away from the piston chamber, and a shroud enclosing the piston rod. The shroud has a plurality of segments with at least one of the shroud segments being movable in unison with the piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Fife B. Ellis, Joseph W. Pallini, Jeffery K. McCarty, Charles E. Jennings
  • REPLACEABLE FLOATING GATE VALVE SEAT SEAL
    Publication number: 20120256113
    Abstract: A gate valve includes a floating gate valve seat that effects a seal between a gate of a gate valve and a gate valve body using a metal seal. The gate valve includes a floating gate valve seat interposed between a gate and a gate valve body. The gate valve seat has a spring member with a cylindrical portion secured to the gave valve seat. The spring member has a leg that exerts a spring force against the gate valve body to maintain a seal between the floating gate valve seat and the gate. A metal-to-metal seal seals between the cylindrical portion of the spring member and a cylindrical portion of the gate valve seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: VETCO GRAY INC.
    Inventor: David Daniel Comeaux
  • Detachable electrical actuator
    Patent number: 8281863
    Abstract: A removable module for actuating elements, such as valves, within a subsea production tree. The module can include a motor, a drive shaft, and a ball screw. Embodiments exist where only the motor is removable, optionally the motor and drive shaft and/or all module elements are removable. A fail safe system is included that moves the production tree element into a pre-designated fail safe position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventor: Robert K. Voss
  • DIFFERENTIAL SCREW ASSEMBLY FOR VARYING TORQUE FOR VALVE
    Publication number: 20120248360
    Abstract: An assembly for actuating a valve that is in a differential screw assembly when the valve is in a portion of its stroke that experiences high resistance. The actuating assembly is selectively changeable into a direct drive configuration when the valve is in a lower resistance portion of its stroke. A sliding sleeve moves axially within the actuating assembly and has a profile that is strategically dimensioned to change the actuating assembly configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: VETCO GRAY INC.
    Inventors: Alfred Olvera, Mahesha Udipi, Raymond Krolczyk
  • SEAL WITH BELLOWS STYLE NOSE RING
    Publication number: 20120247788
    Abstract: A seal assembly between a wellhead housing having a bore and a casing hanger, has an inner seal leg for sealing against hanger and an outer seal leg for sealing against housing. An extension extends downward from outer seal leg and has a downward facing shoulder that rests on an upward facing shoulder formed on a nose ring. Connection connects seal ring to the nose ring with a lower portion of the nose ring resting on the upward facing shoulder of the casing hanger. Bellows are formed on the nose ring to increase lockdown capacity. Bellows have an inner surface that faces an outer profile of the hanger, and an outer surface on the bellow that faces the bore of the housing. When the bellows are axially collapsed, they expand radially outward and contract radially inward into the bore of the housing and the outer profile of the hanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: VETCO GRAY INC.
    Inventors: David L. Ford, Daniel C. Benson, Leonard Landriault
  • Bimetallic diaphragm for trapped fluid expansion
    Patent number: 8276672
    Abstract: A subsea well tubular member has an axial passage with upper and lower retrievable plugs releasably mounted in the passage, the plugs having ends facing each other. A cavity is formed on one of the ends of one of the plugs. A movable barrier is mounted sealingly over the cavity, the barrier being movable repeatedly between inner and outer positions in response to temperature changes. The inner position reduces a volume of the cavity and increases a volume of a trapped fluid space between the ends of the plugs. The outer position increases the volume of the cavity and decreases the volume of the trapped fluid space. The barrier has two metallic layers with different coefficients of expansion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin G. Buckle
  • Apparatus, system, and method of manufacturing a composite tubular using a stiffened mandrel
    Patent number: 8277716
    Abstract: A stiffened mandrel used in the manufacture of a composite tubular. The mandrel is placed on a filament winding machine and is comprised of an outer and inner shell. A pressure source is connected to the mandrel to exert a tensile force on the outer shell to stiffen the mandrel and thereby prevent sagging and bending of the mandrel. The stiffened mandrel allows for the manufacture of a composite tubular without undesirable flexing, wrinkling, or contamination of the uncured composite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Galle, Karl A. Parfrey
  • Bridging hanger and seal running tool
    Patent number: 8276671
    Abstract: A running tool sets and pressure tests a bridging hanger and a packoff in a single trip. The running tool has a stem, an inner body, and a piston. The inner body is connected to the stem so that rotation of the stem relative to the inner body will cause the stem to move longitudinally. The piston is connected to the stem so that the stem and piston rotate and move longitudinally in unison. A piston engagement element is housed in the inner body and is adapted to engage the piston when the bridging hanger is set to prevent premature setting of the packoff. The piston engagement element can be disengaged once the bridging hanger is set, thereby allowing the piston to set the packoff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Guilherme Pedro Eppinghaus Neto, Fernando Sousa
  • CASING HANGER LOCKDOWN SLIP RING
    Publication number: 20120241162
    Abstract: A seal seals an annulus in a subsea assembly between a wellhead and a casing hanger landed on a shoulder within a bore of the wellhead. The seal includes a casing hanger seal ring disposed within the annulus. The seal ring engaged with an inner diameter surface of the wellhead, and engaged with an outer diameter surface of the casing hanger so that the seal ring prevents flow through the annulus. A lockdown slip ring is secured to a lower end of the seal ring so that, when the seal ring is energized, the lockdown slip ring engages a substantially smooth inner diameter surface portion of the wellhead and a substantially smooth outer diameter surface portion of the casing hanger to limit upwards axial movement of the casing hanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: VETCO GRAY INC.
    Inventors: Chad Eric Yates, David L. Ford, Daniel Caleb Benson
  • Positionless Expanding Lock Ring For Subsea Annulus Seals For Lockdown
    Publication number: 20120241175
    Abstract: Wellhead assemblies, seal assemblies, and methods of locking down an annulus seal disposed within an annulus between outer and inner wellhead members, are provided. A seal assembly is positioned in an annulus. An energizing member is axially translated downward to energize an annulus seal element and outwardly radially compress a high-strength lockdown member into contact with an inner diameter surface of a wellhead member. The wellhead member can include a set of wickers. During compression, the outer diameter surface of the lockdown member is plastically deformed onto the set of wickers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: VETCO GRAY INC.
    Inventors: Gary Galle, Marc Minassian