Patents by Inventor Brett R. McConaughy

Brett R. McConaughy has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6119773
    Abstract: A tubular wellhead member has an inner seal surface. A hydraulic passage extends through the wellhead member and terminates at a port at the seal surface. A tubing hanger having an outer mating surface lands in the wellhead member. A hydraulic line extends from a hydraulically operated downhole safety valve to a passage in the tubing hanger and terminates at a tubing hanger port. A seal is located at the tubing hanger port for sealing the junction with the tubular member port. A check valve is located within the seal to maintain the tubing hanger fluid passage closed until the tubing hanger lands in the wellhead. An adapter is employed to apply a running-in hydraulic fluid pressure to the tubing hanger hydraulic fluid passage with the check valve open. Then, the adapter closes the check valve to trap hydraulic fluid pressure in the line leading to the downhole safety valve. This pressure is sufficient to maintain the downhole safety valve in an open position during running in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: ABB Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Gariepy, Norman Brammer, Brett R. McConaughy
  • Patent number: 5555935
    Abstract: An annular wellhead member has an inner mating surface. The wellhead member has a auxiliary fluid passage with an inboard opening at the inner mating surface. A tubing hanger is landed concentrically within the wellhead member. The tubing hanger has an outer mating surface which mates with the inner mating surface of the wellhead member. A production fluid passage through the tubing hanger places the production tubing string in communication with a production line. A hydraulic line extends from a hydraulically operated downhole safety valve to the tubing hanger. A tubing hanger auxiliary fluid passage has a first opening and an outboard opening. The first opening is connected to the hydraulic line. The outboard opening is located on the outer mating surface of the tubing hanger and registers with the inboard opening of the wellhead member auxiliary fluid passage. The wellhead member auxiliary fluid passage is connected to a hydraulic supply line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: ABB Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Norman Brammer, Brett R. McConaughy, James A. Gariery
  • Patent number: 5503230
    Abstract: A subsea well assembly has guides for orienting electrical connectors located on a concentric tubing hanger and on the tree. The guides use a guide slot and key to rotate the electrical connectors on the lower end of the tree when the tree is installed on the wellhead. The tree electrical connectors are located on the upper guide member and rotate relative to the tree as the guide slot engages the guide key. An annulus valve in the tubing hanger uses a sleeve with inner and outer metal seal lips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Osborne, Brett R. McConaughy, Robert O. Lilley, Norman Brammer, Kenneth C. Davidson
  • Patent number: 5465794
    Abstract: An annular wellhead member has an inner mating surface. The wellhead member has a hydraulic fluid passage with an inboard opening at the inner mating surface. A tubing hanger is landed concentrically within the wellhead member. The tubing hanger has an outer mating surface which mates with the inner mating surface of the wellhead member. A production fluid passage through the tubing hanger places the production tubing string in communication with a production line. A hydraulic line extends from a hydraulically operated downhole safety valve to the tubing hanger. A tubing hanger hydraulic fluid passage has a first opening and an outboard opening. The first opening is connected to the hydraulic line. The outboard opening is located on the outer mating surface of the tubing hanger and registers with the inboard opening of the wellhead member hydraulic fluid passage. The wellhead member hydraulic fluid passage is connected to a hydraulic supply line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: ABB Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Brett R. McConaughy, Norman Brammer, James A. Gariepy