Patents by Inventor Chad A. Craig
Chad A. Craig 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).
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Patent number: 10447105Abstract: A subsea pump assembly includes a tubular conduit that has an upstream end plate and an inlet for flowing well fluid into an interior of the conduit. A power cable opening extends through the upstream end plate. An electrical submersible pump and motor are in the interior of the conduit. The motor has a motor assembly housing with an upstream end having an electrical insulator opening. An end connection secures the upstream end to an interior side of the upstream end plate with the insulator opening registering with the power cable opening. An insulated electrical connector is mounted in the insulator opening. A motor wire in the motor assembly housing joins to an inner end of the electrical connector. A power conductor extends from exterior of the conduit through the power cable opening and joins to an outer end of the electrical connector.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2016Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE Company, LLCInventors: Arturo L. Poretti, Ignacio Martinez, Ryan P. Semple, James C. Clingman, Chad A. Craig
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Patent number: 9893578Abstract: Systems and methods for constructing electric motors in which rotor sections are individually keyed to a rotor shaft such that, in a resting position, the rotor sections are circumferentially shifted (“clocked”) with respect to each to mitigate effects of harmonic feedback, torsional flexibility and the like. In one embodiment, a system includes an electric drive, and an ESP coupled to it by a power cable. The ESP motor has a rotor in which multiple permanent-magnet rotor sections are mounted to a shaft. Within each rotor section, permanent magnets are positioned in two or more axially aligned rows. Adjacent rotor sections are clocked with respect to each other so that, in operation, the rows of permanent magnets in the different rotor sections are positioned to counter the harmonic feedback or to use torsional deflection to equalize torque contributions from the different rotor sections.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2015Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: James C. Clingman, Chad A. Craig
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Publication number: 20170194830Abstract: A subsea pump assembly includes a tubular conduit that has an upstream end plate and an inlet for flowing well fluid into an interior of the conduit. A power cable opening extends through the upstream end plate. An electrical submersible pump and motor are in the interior of the conduit. The motor has a motor assembly housing with an upstream end having an electrical insulator opening. An end connection secures the upstream end to an interior side of the upstream end plate with the insulator opening registering with the power cable opening. An insulated electrical connector is mounted in the insulator opening. A motor wire in the motor assembly housing joins to an inner end of the electrical connector. A power conductor extends from exterior of the conduit through the power cable opening and joins to an outer end of the electrical connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2016Publication date: July 6, 2017Applicant: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Arturo L. Poretti, Ignacio Martinez, Ryan P. Semple, James C. Clingman, Chad A. Craig
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Publication number: 20160315527Abstract: Systems and methods for constructing electric motors in which rotor sections are individually keyed to a rotor shaft such that, in a resting position, the rotor sections are circumferentially shifted (“clocked”) with respect to each to mitigate effects of harmonic feedback, torsional flexibility and the like. In one embodiment, a system includes an electric drive, and an ESP coupled to it by a power cable. The ESP motor has a rotor in which multiple permanent-magnet rotor sections are mounted to a shaft. Within each rotor section, permanent magnets are positioned in two or more axially aligned rows. Adjacent rotor sections are clocked with respect to each other so that, in operation, the rows of permanent magnets in the different rotor sections are positioned to counter the harmonic feedback or to use torsional deflection to equalize torque contributions from the different rotor sections.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2015Publication date: October 27, 2016Inventors: James C. Clingman, Chad A. Craig
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Patent number: 9397547Abstract: A submersible well pump motor has features to prevent the carrier bearing from sliding axially along the stator due to thermal growth of the rotor. The rotor has a shaft and rotor sections spaced apart from each other. Carrier bearings are located between the rotor sections, each having an anti-rotation member that frictionally engages the inner diameter of the stator to prevent spinning of the carrier bearing. A deflectable thrust washer may be located between ends of the carrier bearing and the rotor sections. The thrust washer reduces in thickness in response to an axial thermal growth force due to axial thermal growth movement of the rotor sections and shaft. The thermal growth force is less than an amount of dislodging force required to cause the anti-rotation member to axially move relative to the stator. Rather than deflectable thrust washers, sacrificial thrust washers that dissolve prior to normal operation may be used.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2013Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: David H. Neuroth, Van J. McVicker, Sean A. Cain, Jim F. Evenson, Larry J. Parmeter, Chad A. Craig
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Patent number: 9074597Abstract: In aspects, the present disclosure provides an apparatus for handling axial thrust in rotating equipment. The apparatus may include a thrust bearing and a runner having a contact surface engaging the thrust bearing. The runner may include passages extending between the contact surface and an opposing surface of the runner. The apparatus may further include a lock ring assembly that has channels in communication with the passages of the runner. In certain embodiments, one or more cavities may be formed on the contact surface of the runner. The cavities may be in communication with the internal passages of the runner. In aspects, the present disclosure provides a method for handling axial thrust in a pump assembly. The pump assembly may include a thrust bearing assembly that may include a runner having a contact surface engaging a thrust bearing pad. The method may include flowing a lubricating fluid to the contact surface using at least one internal passage formed in runner.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2011Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Larry A. Parmeter, Dan A. Merrill, Michael R. Rumbaugh, Chad A. Craig
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Patent number: 8845308Abstract: A thrust module and a seal module for use in an electric submersible pump assembly is provided. The thrust module provides increased lubrication and heat dissipation while increasing sealing redundancies within the module. The thrust module includes a thrust bearing that absorbs thrust from the primary pump. A circulation pump assembly is coupled to the thrust bearing to circulate fluid through the thrust bearing and dissipate heat generated in the thrust bearing through a plurality of fins formed on an exterior surface of the circulation pump assembly. The seal module has labyrinth discs positioned within the seal module that inhibit fluid flow through the seal module. The seal module also includes check valves that release fluid from and allow fluid into the seal module at predetermined pressures. The sealing assembly is interposed between the thrust bearing and a primary pump of the electric submersible pump.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Steven K. Tetzlaff, Chad A. Craig
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Publication number: 20130293061Abstract: A submersible well pump motor has features to prevent the carrier bearing from sliding axially along the stator due to thermal growth of the rotor. The rotor has a shaft and rotor sections spaced apart from each other. Carrier bearings are located between the rotor sections, each having an anti-rotation member that frictionally engages the inner diameter of the stator to prevent spinning of the carrier bearing. A deflectable thrust washer may be located between ends of the carrier bearing and the rotor sections. The thrust washer reduces in thickness in response to an axial thermal growth force due to axial thermal growth movement of the rotor sections and shaft. The thermal growth force is less than an amount of dislodging force required to cause the anti-rotation member to axially move relative to the stator. Rather than deflectable thrust washers, sacrificial thrust washers that dissolve prior to normal operation may be used.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Inventors: David H. Neuroth, Van J. McVicker, Sean A. Cain, Jim F. Evenson, Larry J. Parmeter, Chad A. Craig
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Patent number: 8567042Abstract: A submersible well pump motor has features to prevent the carrier bearing from sliding axially along the stator due to thermal growth of the rotor. The rotor has a shaft and rotor sections spaced apart from each other. Carrier bearings are located between the rotor sections, each having an anti-rotation member that frictionally engages the inner diameter of the stator to prevent spinning of the carrier bearing. A deflectable thrust washer may be located between ends of the carrier bearing and the rotor sections. The thrust washer reduces in thickness in response to an axial thermal growth force due to axial thermal growth movement of the rotor sections and shaft. The thermal growth force is less than an amount of dislodging force required to cause the anti-rotation member to axially move relative to the stator. Rather than deflectable thrust washers, sacrificial thrust washers that dissolve prior to normal operation may be used.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2010Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: David H. Neuroth, Van J. McVicker, Sean A. Cain, Jim F. Evenson, Larry J. Parmeter, Chad A. Craig
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Publication number: 20130052055Abstract: An electrical power assembly comprises a motor lead with individual metal sheathed conductors, a power cable with individual metal sheathed conductors and a splice connector for connecting each of the conductors. Each splice connector has a tubular metal fastener body with an upward facing shoulder at an upper end and a downward facing shoulder at a lower end. A metal nut assembly is fixed to one of the power cable conductors with a downward facing shoulder in metal-to-metal sealing engagement with the upward facing shoulder of the fastener body. A metal coupler fixed to one of the motor lead conductors with an upward facing shoulder in metal-to-metal sealing engagement with the downward facing shoulder of the fastener body. Contacts electrically connect one of the motor lead conductors to one of the power cable conductors within the fastener body.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2011Publication date: February 28, 2013Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Jeffrey G. Frey, Donald Ray Lingenfelter, Terry L. Glasscock, Steven K. Tetzlaff, Chad A. Craig
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Patent number: 8382508Abstract: An electrical power assembly comprises a motor lead with individual metal sheathed conductors, a power cable with individual metal sheathed conductors and a splice connector for connecting each of the conductors. Each splice connector has a tubular metal fastener body with an upward facing shoulder at an upper end and a downward facing shoulder at a lower end. A metal nut assembly is fixed to one of the power cable conductors with a downward facing shoulder in metal-to-metal sealing engagement with the upward facing shoulder of the fastener body. A metal coupler fixed to one of the motor lead conductors with an upward facing shoulder in metal-to-metal sealing engagement with the downward facing shoulder of the fastener body. Contacts electrically connect one of the motor lead conductors to one of the power cable conductors within the fastener body.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2011Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Jeffrey G. Frey, Donald Ray Lingenfelter, Terry L. Glasscock, Steven K. Tetzlaff, Chad A. Craig
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Publication number: 20120263610Abstract: A thrust module and a seal module for use in an electric submersible pump assembly is provided. The thrust module provides increased lubrication and heat dissipation while increasing sealing redundancies within the module. The thrust module includes a thrust bearing that absorbs thrust from the primary pump. A circulation pump assembly is coupled to the thrust bearing to circulate fluid through the thrust bearing and dissipate heat generated in the thrust bearing through a plurality of fins formed on an exterior surface of the circulation pump assembly. The seal module has labyrinth discs positioned within the seal module that inhibit fluid flow through the seal module. The seal module also includes check valves that release fluid from and allow fluid into the seal module at predetermined pressures. The sealing assembly is interposed between the thrust bearing and a primary pump of the electric submersible pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2011Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Steven K. Tetzlaff, Chad A. Craig
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Publication number: 20120257998Abstract: In aspects, the present disclosure provides an apparatus for handling axial thrust in rotating equipment. The apparatus may include a thrust bearing and a runner having a contact surface engaging the thrust bearing. The runner may include passages extending between the contact surface and an opposing surface of the runner. The apparatus may further include a lock ring assembly that has channels in communication with the passages of the runner. In certain embodiments, one or more cavities may be formed on the contact surface of the runner. The cavities may be in communication with the internal passages of the runner. In aspects, the present disclosure provides a method for handling axial thrust in a pump assembly. The pump assembly may include a thrust bearing assembly that may include a runner having a contact surface engaging a thrust bearing pad. The method may include flowing a lubricating fluid to the contact surface using at least one internal passage formed in runner.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2011Publication date: October 11, 2012Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Larry A. Parmeter, Dan A. Merrill, Michael R. Rumbaugh, Chad A. Craig
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Publication number: 20110037332Abstract: A submersible well pump motor has features to prevent the carrier bearing from sliding axially along the stator due to thermal growth of the rotor. The rotor has a shaft and rotor sections spaced apart from each other. Carrier bearings are located between the rotor sections, each having an anti-rotation member that frictionally engages the inner diameter of the stator to prevent spinning of the carrier bearing. A deflectable thrust washer may be located between ends of the carrier bearing and the rotor sections. The thrust washer reduces in thickness in response to an axial thermal growth force due to axial thermal growth movement of the rotor sections and shaft. The thermal growth force is less than an amount of dislodging force required to cause the anti-rotation member to axially move relative to the stator. Rather than deflectable thrust washers, sacrificial thrust washers that dissolve prior to normal operation may be used.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2010Publication date: February 17, 2011Applicant: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: David H. Neuroth, Van J. McVicker, Sean A. Cain, Jim F. Evenson, Larry J. Parmeter, Chad A. Craig
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Patent number: 7780424Abstract: A bearing configuration for use in electrical submersible pumps having improved stability. The bearing configuration comprised of a plurality of pads, each able to freely tilt and adjust to the surface of the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2008Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Larry J. Parmeter, Chad A. Craig
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Publication number: 20100098564Abstract: A bearing configuration for use in electrical submersible pumps having improved stability. The bearing configuration comprised of a plurality of pads, each able to freely tilt and adjust to the surface of the shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2008Publication date: April 22, 2010Applicant: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Larry J. Parmeter, Chad A. Craig