Patents by Inventor Christopher M. Knott

Christopher M. Knott 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: 10513906
    Abstract: A method for pre-pressurizing fluid control valves is provided. The fluid control valves may be part of a hydraulic fracturing tree, or may be part of a so-called zipper frac manifold. In either instance, the method uses a lubrication unit for pre-pressurizing the cavity of a valve by injecting lubricant under high pressure. A portable lubrication unit is also provided. The lubrication unit is used to pre-pressurize the fluid control valves with lubricant, and to then hold pressure during a hydraulic fracturing operation. Lubricating the control valves restricts scarring by the fracturing fluid of the internal components of the control valve by equalizing pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Inventor: Christopher M. Knott
  • Publication number: 20190360300
    Abstract: A method for pre-pressurizing fluid control valves is provided. The fluid control valves may be part of a hydraulic fracturing tree, or may be part of a so-called zipper frac manifold. In either instance, the method uses a lubrication unit for pre-pressurizing the cavity of a valve by injecting lubricant under high pressure. A portable lubrication unit is also provided. The lubrication unit is used to pre-pressurize the fluid control valves with lubricant, and to then hold pressure during a hydraulic fracturing operation. Lubricating the control valves restricts scarring by the fracturing fluid of the internal components of the control valve by equalizing pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventor: Christopher M. Knott
  • Patent number: 10358891
    Abstract: A method for pre-pressurizing fluid control valves is provided. The fluid control valves may be part of a hydraulic fracturing tree, or may be part of a so-called zipper frac manifold. In either instance, the method uses a lubrication unit for pre-pressurizing the cavity of a valve by injecting lubricant under high pressure. The fracturing tree or zipper frac manifold is useful for conducting hydraulic fracturing operations as part of the completion of a well. Each control valve has an upper lube fitting extending to an upper lube channel which communicates with an upper pocket. Similarly, each control valve includes a lower lube fitting extending to a lower lube channel which communicates with a lower pocket. A pressurized lubricating fluid is forced into the lube fittings to pre-pressurize the control valves prior to the fracturing fluid passing through the control valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Inventor: Christopher M. Knott
  • Publication number: 20190186234
    Abstract: A method for pre-pressurizing fluid control valves is provided. The fluid control valves may be part of a hydraulic fracturing tree, or may be part of a so-called zipper frac manifold. In either instance, the method uses a lubrication unit for pre-pressurizing the cavity of a valve by injecting lubricant under high pressure. The fracturing tree or zipper frac manifold is useful for conducting hydraulic fracturing operations as part of the completion of a well. Each control valve has an upper lube fitting extending to an upper lube channel which communicates with an upper pocket. Similarly, each control valve includes a lower lube fitting extending to a lower lube channel which communicates with a lower pocket. A pressurized lubricating fluid is forced into the lube fittings to pre-pressurize the control valves prior to the fracturing fluid passing through the control valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2019
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventor: Christopher M. Knott
  • Publication number: 20180112491
    Abstract: A method for pre-pressurizing fluid control valves is provided. The fluid control valves may be part of a hydraulic fracturing tree, or may be part of a so-called zipper frac manifold. In either instance, the method uses a lubrication unit for pre-pressurizing the cavity of a valve by injecting lubricant under high pressure. The fracturing tree or zipper frac manifold is useful for conducting hydraulic fracturing operations as part of the completion of a well. Each control valve has an upper lube fitting extending to an upper lube channel which communicates with an upper pocket. Similarly, each control valve includes a lower lube fitting extending to a lower lube channel which communicates with a lower pocket. A pressurized lubricating fluid is forced into the lube fittings to pre-pressurize the control valves prior to the fracturing fluid passing through the control valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventor: Christopher M. Knott