Patents by Inventor Christopher E. Cunningham

Christopher E. Cunningham 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).

  • Publication number: 20110050017
    Abstract: A rotating apparatus includes a housing, a shaft at least partially disposed within a first pressure environment defined by the housing, a first magnetic bearing supporting the shaft and being at least partially disposed within the first pressure environment, a sensor operable to sense a position of the shaft relative to the first magnetic bearing, a controller disposed in a second pressure environment independent of the first pressure environment and operable to communicate with the sensor and to generate a control signal for the first magnetic bearing based on the sensed position, and a communication device operable to communicate the control signal between the controller and the first magnetic bearing and to communicate the sensed position between the sensor and the controller without penetrating a pressure boundary defined between the first and second pressure environments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Christopher E. Cunningham, Rune Fantoft, Terje Hollingsaeter
  • Publication number: 20110052432
    Abstract: A pump unit includes a motor, a pump, a shaft spanning the motor and the pump, and at least a first magnetic bearing supporting the shaft. A hydrocarbon production system includes an underwater well and a pump unit exposed to an underwater environment. The pump unit is operable to pump a production fluid from the well and includes a motor, a pump, a shaft spanning the motor and the pump, and at least a first magnetic bearing supporting the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Christopher E. Cunningham, Rune Fantoft, Terje Hollingsaeter
  • Publication number: 20110044831
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a motor. The motor includes a rotor, a stator disposed around the rotor, and a first high pressure rated can separating the stator from the rotor. The first high pressure rated can at least partially defines a rotor cavity encompassing at least a portion of the rotor and a first pressure environment independent of a second pressure environment of the stator. The second pressure environment of the stator is substantially pressure balanced with respect to the ambient environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventors: Christopher E Cunningham, Rune Fantoft, Terje Hollingsaeter
  • Patent number: 7096937
    Abstract: A flow completion system for controlling the flow of fluid from a well bore comprises a tubing spool which includes a central bore that extends axially therethrough and a production outlet which communicates with the central bore. A tubing hanger is supported in the central bore and includes a production bore that extends axially therethrough and a production passageway that communicates between the production bore and the production outlet. A first closure member is positioned in the production bore above the production passageway, and a first metal seal is positioned concentrically between the tubing hanger and the central bore above the production passageway. In addition, a second closure member is positioned in the production bore above the first closure member, and a second metal seal is positioned concentrically between the tubing hanger and the central bore above the first seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Bartlett, Christopher E. Cunningham, Richard D. Kent, Nicholas Gatherar, David Harrold
  • Patent number: 7069988
    Abstract: A flow completion system for controlling the flow of fluid from a well bore, the flow completion system comprising a tubing spool which includes a central bore that extends axially therethrough and a production outlet which communicates with the central bore; a tubing hanger which is supported in the central bore and which includes a production bore that extends axially therethrough and a production passageway that communicates between the production bore and the production outlet, the tubing hanger supporting a tubing string which extends into the well bore and defines a tubing annulus surrounding the tubing string; a first closure member which is positioned in the production bore above the production passageway; a first annular seal which is positioned between the tubing hanger and the central bore above the production passageway; wherein the first closure member and the first seal comprise a first pressure-containing barrier between the well bore and a surrounding environment; a second closure member which
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Bartlett, Christopher E. Cunningham, Richard D. Kent, Nicholas Gatherar, David Harrold
  • Patent number: 7025132
    Abstract: A flow completion apparatus comprises a wellhead housing installed at an upper end of a well bore and a tubing spool connected over the wellhead housing. The tubing spool includes a central bore extending axially therethrough, a production outlet communicating with the central bore and an annulus passageway communicating with the tubing annulus. A tubing hanger is supported in the central bore and includes a production bore extending axially therethrough and a production passageway communicating between the production bore and the production outlet. The tubing spool comprises a workover passageway extending between the annulus passageway and a portion of the central bore located below the top of the tubing hanger. Furthermore, the tubing hanger comprises an annulus bore extending between the workover passageway and the top of the tubing hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Kent, Michael R. Tierney, Gregory L. Glidden, Christopher E. Cunningham, Christopher D. Bartlett
  • Patent number: 6942192
    Abstract: A gate valve for controlling the flow of fluid through a component having a fluid flow passage that includes at least a first branch and a second branch, the gate valve comprising a gate cavity which communicates with both the first branch and the second branch; a gate which is movably positioned in the gate cavity and which includes a first flow port that is connected to a second flow port; and an actuating mechanism for moving the gate between an open position, in which the first flow port is aligned with the first branch and the second flow port is in communication with the second branch, and a closed position, in which the first flow port is offset from the first branch; wherein the second flow port is divergent from the first flow port; whereby when the gate is in the open position, the direction of the flow of fluid through the gate valve is changed by the first and second flow ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher E. Cunningham
  • Patent number: 6923423
    Abstract: A gate valve comprises a valve body, a stem bore which extends through the valve body, a stem which is disposed in the stem bore and which includes a first stem portion that is sealed to the stem bore, a second, smaller diameter stem portion that is sealed to the stem bore, and a gate pocket that is located between the first and second stem portions, and gate which is disposed within the gate pocket between the first and second seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Taylor L. Jones, Philip Hernandez, Archie L. Smith, David E. Cain, Gregory L. Glidden, Christopher D. Bartlett, Christopher E. Cunningham, Paul P. Luangraj
  • Patent number: 6840494
    Abstract: A closure member for a tubing hanger which is suspended in a tubing spool and which comprises an elongated body having an annulus bore that extends generally longitudinally therethrough, the annulus bore comprising at least a first branch which is in fluid communication with a second branch. The closure member comprises a gate cavity which is in fluid communication with both the first branch and the second branch, a gate which is movably positioned in the gate cavity and which includes a first flow port that is connected to a second flow port, and an actuator for moving the gate between an open position, in which the first flow port is aligned with the first branch and the second flow port is in fluid communication with the second branch, and a closed position, in which the first flow port is offset from the first branch, wherein the actuator is disposed at least partially within a conduit that extends generally axially through the tubing hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher E. Cunningham
  • Publication number: 20040188083
    Abstract: A flow completion system for controlling the flow of fluid from a well bore comprises a tubing spool which includes a central bore that extends axially therethrough and a production outlet which communicates with the central bore. A tubing hanger is supported in the central bore and includes a production bore that extends axially therethrough and a production passageway that communicates between the production bore and the production outlet. A first closure member is positioned in the production bore above the production passageway, and a first metal seal is positioned concentrically between the tubing hanger and the central bore above the production passageway. In addition, a second closure member is positioned in the production bore above the first closure member, and a second metal seal is positioned concentrically between the tubing hanger and the central bore above the first seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Bartlett, Christopher E. Cunningham, Richard D. Kent, Nicholas Gatherar, David Harrold
  • Publication number: 20040104024
    Abstract: A flow completion apparatus comprises a wellhead housing installed at an upper end of a well bore and a tubing spool connected over the wellhead housing. The tubing spool includes a central bore extending axially therethrough, a production outlet communicating with the central bore and an annulus passageway communicating with the tubing annulus. A tubing hanger is supported in the central bore and includes a production bore extending axially therethrough and a production passageway communicating between the production bore and the production outlet. The tubing spool comprises a workover passageway extending between the annulus passageway and a portion of the central bore located below the top of the tubing hanger. Furthermore, the tubing hanger comprises an annulus bore extending between the workover passageway and the top of the tubing hanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Kent, Michael R. Tierney, Gregory L. Glidden, Christopher E. Cunningham, Christopher D. Bartlett
  • Publication number: 20040079910
    Abstract: A closure member for a tubing hanger which is suspended in a tubing spool and which comprises an elongated body having an annulus bore that extends generally longitudinally therethrough, the annulus bore comprising at least a first branch which is in fluid communication with a second branch. The closure member comprises a gate cavity which is in fluid communication with both the first branch and the second branch, a gate which is movably positioned in the gate cavity and which includes a first flow port that is connected to a second flow port, and an actuator for moving the gate between an open position, in which the first flow port is aligned with the first branch and the second flow port is in fluid communication with the second branch, and a closed position, in which the first flow port is offset from the first branch, wherein the actuator is disposed at least partially within a conduit that extends generally axially through the tubing hanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher E. Cunningham
  • Publication number: 20040074636
    Abstract: A flow completion system for controlling the flow of fluid from a well bore, the flow completion system comprising a tubing spool which includes a central bore that extends axially therethrough and a production outlet which communicates with the central bore; a tubing hanger which is supported in the central bore and which includes a production bore that extends axially therethrough and a production passageway that communicates between the production bore and the production outlet, the tubing hanger supporting a tubing string which extends into the well bore and defines a tubing annulus surrounding the tubing string; a first closure member which is positioned in the production bore above the production passageway; a first annular seal which is positioned between the tubing hanger and the central bore above the production passageway; wherein the first closure member and the first seal comprise a first pressure-containing barrier between the well bore and a surrounding environment; a second closure member which
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Bartlett, Christopher E. Cunningham, Richard D. Kent, Nicholas Gatherar, David Harrold
  • Patent number: 6715554
    Abstract: A tubing spool has an internal landing profile for a reduced diameter tubing hanger which is arranged and dimensioned to pass through the bore of a slimbore marine riser and BOP of a subsea completion system. The tubing spool is arranged and designed for securement to a wellhead at the sea floor. The tubing hanger is arranged and designed to be sealingly positioned in the tubing spool landing profile and has a production bore and a relatively large multiplicity of electrical and hydraulic passages which terminate at a top end of the hanger with vertically extending electrical and hydraulic couplers. A passage is provided, independent of the tubing hanger, which provides communication from above the tubing hanger to the well annulus below the hanger. The tubing spool may have a slim bore BOP or a conventional xmas tree attached at its top end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher E. Cunningham, Christopher D. Bartlett
  • Patent number: 6681850
    Abstract: A flow completion system for controlling the flow of fluid from a well bore, the flow completion system includes a tubing spool which includes a central bore that extends axially therethrough and a production outlet which communicates with the central bore. A tubing hanger includes a production bore that extends axially therethrough and a production passageway that communicates between the production bore and the production outlet and a first closure member which is positioned in the production bore above the production passageway. A first annular seal which is positioned between the tubing hanger and the central bore above the production passageway including first pressure-containing barrier between the well bore and a surrounding environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Bartlett, Christopher E. Cunningham, Richard D. Kent, Nicholas Gatherar, David Harrold
  • Patent number: 6655455
    Abstract: A flow completion system for controlling the flow of fluid from a well bore, the flow completion system comprising a tubing spool, a tubing hanger supporting a tubing string which extends into the well bore and defines a tubing annulus surrounding the tubing string; a first closure member which is positioned in the production bore above the production passageway; a first annular seal wherein the first closure member and the first seal comprise a first pressure-containing barrier between the well bore and a surrounding environment; a second closure member which is positioned in the production bore above the first closure member; and a second annular seal wherein the second closure member and the second seal comprise a second pressure-containing barrier between the well bore and the environment; and wherein both the first and the second barriers are associated with the tubing hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Bartlett, Christopher E. Cunningham, Richard D. Kent, Nicholas Gatherar, David Harrold
  • Patent number: 6626239
    Abstract: A gate valve for a component which includes an elongated body and a flow passage extending generally longitudinally through the body, the flow passage including a generally lateral first branch connected to a generally longitudinal second branch. The gate valve comprises a gate which is moveable generally longitudinally across the first branch between an open position in which a hole in the gate is aligned with the first branch and a closed position in which the hole is offset from the first branch; a conduit which extends through the body from the gate; an actuating mechanism positioned in the conduit for moving the gate from a first position to a second position; and a return biasing mechanism for moving the gate from the second position to the first position; wherein one of the first and second positions corresponds to the open position of the gate and the other position corresponds to the closed position of the gate; and wherein the conduit extends generally longitudinally through the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher E. Cunningham, Christopher D. Bartlett, Thomas L. Hergarden, Philip S. Hernandez, Michael E. Wilson, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20030178202
    Abstract: A flow completion system for controlling the flow of fluid from a well bore, the flow completion system comprising a tubing spool which includes a central bore that extends axially therethrough and a production outlet which communicates with the central bore; a tubing hanger which is supported in the central bore and which includes a production bore that extends axially therethrough and a production passageway that communicates between the production bore and the production outlet, the tubing hanger supporting a tubing string which extends into the well bore and defines a tubing annulus surrounding the tubing string; a first closure member which is positioned in the production bore above the production passageway; a first annular seal which is positioned between the tubing hanger and the central bore above the production passageway; wherein the first closure member and the first seal comprise a first pressure-containing barrier between the well bore and a surrounding environment; a second closure member which
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Applicant: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Bartlett, Christopher E. Cunningham, Richard D. Kent, Nicholas Gatherar, David Harrold
  • Patent number: 6557638
    Abstract: The concentric tubing completion system of the present invention comprises a surface Christmas tree which is located on a surface structure, a tieback connector which is secured to a mudline wellhead that is installed at the upper end of a subsea well bore, a mudline tubing hanger which is supported in the tieback connector, and a pair of concentric tubing strings which are suspended from corresponding tubing hangers in the surface Christmas tree and connected to the mudline tubing hanger. The annulus between the concentric tubing strings communicates with a number of passages in the mudline tubing hanger which are connected to the tubing annulus below the mudline tubing hanger. Thus, lift gas or other fluids may be communicated between the surface christmas tree and the tubing annulus through this annulus between the concentric tubing strings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher E. Cunningham, Christopher D. Bartlett, Marcus A. Smedley, Russell E. McBeth, Robert B. Baten
  • Patent number: 6520207
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a valve for controlling the flow of fluid through a component which includes a flow conduit extending therethrough. The valve comprises a first closure member for controlling the flow of fluid through the conduit, a second closure member for controlling the flow of fluid through the conduit, and a valve stem which is connected to both the first and second closure members. The stem is responsive to an external force to move the first and second closure members from a closed position, in which the fluid is blocked from flowing through the conduit by both the first and second closure members, to an open position, in which the fluid is permitted to flow through the conduit past both the first and second closure members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Bartlett, Christopher E. Cunningham, Addrew J. Canning, David E. Cain, Taylor L. Jones, Paulo A. Couto