Patents by Inventor Chad Vrla
Chad Vrla 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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Publication number: 20260055822Abstract: A valve position sensing system includes a valve housing, a tail stock extending from the valve housing, an extendable valve stem extending axially through the tail stock, and a valve sensor housing assembly. The valve sensor housing assembly includes a housing body, having an interior cavity opening to a first and a second end, where the first end has a fixed connection portion integrally formed with the housing body and a movable connection portion that is movable relative to the fixed connection portion. The fixed and movable connection portions are fitted around the tail stock to secure the first end of the housing body to the tail stock. The valve sensor housing assembly further includes a closure mechanism disposed around the first end, a backplate covering the opening of the interior cavity at the second end, and a sensor provided in the interior cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2025Publication date: February 26, 2026Applicant: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Chad Vrla
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Patent number: 12379047Abstract: A valve position sensing system includes a valve housing, a tail stock extending from the valve housing, an extendable valve stem extending axially through the tail stock, and a valve sensor housing assembly. The valve sensor housing assembly includes a housing body, having an interior cavity opening to a first and a second end, where the first end has a fixed connection portion integrally formed with the housing body and a movable connection portion that is movable relative to the fixed connection portion. The fixed and movable connection portions are fitted around the tail stock to secure the first end of the housing body to the tail stock. The valve sensor housing assembly further includes a closure mechanism disposed around the first end, a backplate covering the opening of the interior cavity at the second end, and a sensor provided in the interior cavity.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2022Date of Patent: August 5, 2025Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Chad Vrla
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Publication number: 20250116792Abstract: Systems, methods, and at least one seal pocket detection assembly configured to be placed within a pressure cavity of a well tubing system. The seal pocket detection assembly includes a selectively removable insert body supporting one or more seals and one or more coils that produce an electromagnetic field extending into the bore of tubing sections of the well tubing system. The seal pocket detection assembly is configured to detect a ferrous object passing through the bore.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2024Publication date: April 10, 2025Inventors: James Cook, Chad Vrla, Rajeev Pillai, Pablito Derayunan, Thiago Machado, Corey Massey
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Patent number: 12252951Abstract: A control unit includes a hydraulic fluid system, a lubricant system, at least one sensor cable, an electronics module in communication with the at least one sensor cable, the hydraulic fluid system, and the lubricant system. A housing of the control unit contains the hydraulic fluid system, the lubricant system, the sensor cable(s), and the electronics module.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2022Date of Patent: March 18, 2025Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James Cook, Corey Massey, Chad Vrla
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Patent number: 12210131Abstract: Systems, methods, and at least one seal pocket detection assembly configured to be placed within a pressure cavity of a well tubing system. The seal pocket detection assembly includes a selectively removable insert body supporting one or more seals and one or more coils that produce an electromagnetic field extending into the bore of tubing sections of the well tubing system. The seal pocket detection assembly is configured to detect a ferrous object passing through the bore.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2023Date of Patent: January 28, 2025Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James Cook, Chad Vrla, Rajeev Pillai, Pablito Derayunan, Thiago Machado, Corey Massey
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Publication number: 20240385344Abstract: Systems, methods, and at least one seal pocket detection assembly configured to be placed within a pressure cavity of a well tubing system. The seal pocket detection assembly includes a selectively removable insert body supporting one or more seals and one or more coils that produce an electromagnetic field extending into the bore of tubing sections of the well tubing system. The seal pocket detection assembly is configured to detect a ferrous object passing through the bore.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2023Publication date: November 21, 2024Inventors: James Cook, Chad Vrla, Rajeev Pillai, Pablito Derayunan, Thiago Machado, Corey Massey
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Patent number: 12060896Abstract: A high-pressure unit (HPU) skid includes one or more hydraulic pumps, a grease pump, a hydraulic reservoir, and two or more accumulators all mounted on a portable frame. The HPU skid also includes fluidic connections to connect one or more valves to an output of the grease pump and fluidic connections to connect one or more valves to an output of at least one of the two or more accumulators. The accumulators are configured to close at least one of the one or more valves using a charged pressure. The HPU skid further includes fluidic connections to connect one or more valves to at least one of the one or more hydraulic pumps. The hydraulic pumps are configured to withdraw hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic reservoir for charging the accumulators, operating the grease pump, charging the accumulators and operating the grease pump at a same time, or operating one or more valves.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2023Date of Patent: August 13, 2024Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James Cook, Corey Massey, Chad Vrla
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Publication number: 20240229592Abstract: A control unit includes a hydraulic fluid system, a lubricant system, at least one sensor cable, an electronics module in communication with the at least one sensor cable, the hydraulic fluid system, and the lubricant system. A housing of the control unit contains the hydraulic fluid system, the lubricant system, the sensor cable(s), and the electronics module.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2022Publication date: July 11, 2024Applicant: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James Cook, Corey Massey, Chad Vrla
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Publication number: 20240052947Abstract: A valve position sensing system includes a valve housing, a tail stock extending from the valve housing, an extendable valve stem extending axially through the tail stock, and a valve sensor housing assembly. The valve sensor housing assembly includes a housing body, having an interior cavity opening to a first and a second end, where the first end has a fixed connection portion integrally formed with the housing body and a movable connection portion that is movable relative to the fixed connection portion. The fixed and movable connection portions are fitted around the tail stock to secure the first end of the housing body to the tail stock. The valve sensor housing assembly further includes a closure mechanism disposed around the first end, a backplate covering the opening of the interior cavity at the second end, and a sensor provided in the interior cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2022Publication date: February 15, 2024Applicant: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Chad Vrla
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Publication number: 20230250836Abstract: A high-pressure unit (HPU) skid includes one or more hydraulic pumps, a grease pump, a hydraulic reservoir, and two or more accumulators all mounted on a portable frame. The HPU skid also includes fluidic connections to connect one or more valves to an output of the grease pump and fluidic connections to connect one or more valves to an output of at least one of the two or more accumulators. The accumulators are configured to close at least one of the one or more valves using a charged pressure. The HPU skid further includes fluidic connections to connect one or more valves to at least one of the one or more hydraulic pumps. The hydraulic pumps are configured to withdraw hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic reservoir for charging the accumulators, operating the grease pump, charging the accumulators and operating the grease pump at a same time, or operating one or more valves.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2023Publication date: August 10, 2023Applicant: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James Cook, Corey Massey, Chad Vrla
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Patent number: 11661958Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 26, 2021Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James Cook, Corey Massey, Chad Vrla
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Publication number: 20230026798Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2021Publication date: January 26, 2023Applicant: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James Cook, Corey Massey, Chad Vrla
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Patent number: 11499389Abstract: A control unit includes a hydraulic fluid system, a lubricant system, at least one sensor cable, an electronics module in communication with the at least one sensor cable, the hydraulic fluid system, and the lubricant system. A housing of the control unit contains the hydraulic fluid system, the lubricant system, the sensor cable(s), and the electronics module.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2021Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James Cook, Corey Massey, Chad Vrla