Patents by Inventor Eric T. Ensley

Eric T. Ensley 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: 9869148
    Abstract: A wellsite connector for connecting components of a wellsite is provided. The wellsite has a wellbore extending into a subsurface formation. The wellsite connector includes a connector body and a floatable seal. The connector body has an end adapted for coupling to a first of the components, a pocket along an inner surface thereof, and a cavity adapted to receive a second of the components. The floatable seal member includes a seal ring having a hole therethrough to sealingly receive the second of the components. The seal member is slidably movable in the pocket of the connector body transversely to an axis of the connector body whereby the second of the components is alignable to the first of the components for connection therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Jahnke, Frank B. Springett, Eric T. Ensley
  • Publication number: 20150083430
    Abstract: A wellsite connector for connecting components of a wellsite is provided. The wellsite has a wellbore extending into a subsurface formation. The wellsite connector includes a connector body and a floatable seal. The connector body has an end adapted for coupling to a first of the components, a pocket along an inner surface thereof, and a cavity adapted to receive a second of the components. The floatable seal member includes a seal ring having a hole therethrough to sealingly receive the second of the components. The seal member is slidably movable in the pocket of the connector body transversely to an axis of the connector body whereby the second of the components is alignable to the first of the components for connection therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Douglas A. Jahnke, Frank B. Springett, Eric T. Ensley
  • Patent number: 7360603
    Abstract: A dual sided elevator for supporting a tubular member in a wellbore operation, the elevator in one aspect having an openable back end and an openable front end, either end openable by using opening apparatus at the front of the elevator; such an elevator with operation apparatus within an elevator body; and/or a top drive system which, in at least certain embodiments, has an apparatus connected below it for breaking connections and such an elevator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Varco I/P, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Benjamin Springett, Eric T. Ensley, Dean A. Bennett, Raul Araujo
  • Patent number: 7350587
    Abstract: A guide is disclosed for facilitating the movement of tubulars in well operations. In one aspect, the guide is a pipe guide with a base, an upper extension apparatus, a lower extension apparatus with a first end pivotably secured to the upper extension apparatus and selectively extendable with the upper extension apparatus, and a pipe holder apparatus connected to the upper extension apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Varco I/P, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Benjamin Springett, Eric T. Ensley, Dean A. Bennett, James D. Brugman
  • Patent number: 7055594
    Abstract: A top drive drilling system, in at least some aspects, having a top drive unit, and a pipe gripping system beneath the top drive unit which has an open throat for receiving a tubular to be gripped by the pipe gripping system; and, in at least certain aspects, the gripping system having a body with first and second jaws movably connected thereto and piston/cylinder devices movably interconnected with each jaw for moving the jaws to clamp and then to rotate the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Varco I/P, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Benjamin Springett, Eric T. Ensley
  • Patent number: 7051990
    Abstract: A blowout preventer which, in certain aspects, has a main body with a main top, a main bottom, and a main bore therethrough from the main top to the main bottom, at least one bonnet releasably secured to the main body, the at least one bonnet containing movable ram apparatus, and side mount apparatus including at least one side mount secured exteriorly to the main body, the side mount for selectively supporting the at least one bonnet; and, in certain aspects, one or more rollers rotatably connected to the bonnet for facilitating movement of the bonnet on the side mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Varco I/P, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Benjamin Springett, Eric T. Ensley, James D. Brugman