Patents by Inventor Fife Ellis

Fife Ellis 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: 11072984
    Abstract: A lockdown sleeve and a running tool that may be used to install the lockdown sleeve within a wellhead in a single trip are provided. The lockdown sleeve, may include two pieces that are rotatably coupled together via threads such that the axial length of the lockdown sleeve can be adjusted by rotation of one portion of the lockdown sleeve relative to the other. The running tool may lower the lockdown sleeve into the wellhead, actuate the lockdown sleeve to lock against an inner wall of the high-pressure wellhead housing and subsequently adjust the length of the lockdown sleeve so that the lockdown sleeve is fully landed on the casing hanger and applying any desired pre-load to the connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodrigo Albani Queiroz, Carlos Eduardo Martins Gaban, Sergio Campelo Almeida, Guilherme Pedro Eppinghaus Neto, Fife Ellis
  • Publication number: 20210010340
    Abstract: A lockdown sleeve and a running tool that may be used to install the lockdown sleeve within a wellhead in a single trip are provided. The lockdown sleeve, may include two pieces that are rotatably coupled together via threads such that the axial length of the lockdown sleeve can be adjusted by rotation of one portion of the lockdown sleeve relative to the other. The running tool may lower the lockdown sleeve into the wellhead, actuate the lockdown sleeve to lock against an inner wall of the high-pressure wellhead housing and subsequently adjust the length of the lockdown sleeve so that the lockdown sleeve is fully landed on the casing hanger and applying any desired pre-load to the connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Rodrigo Albani Queiroz, Carlos Eduardo Martins Gaban, Sergio Campelo Almeida, Guilherme Pedro Eppinghaus Neto, Fife Ellis
  • Patent number: 9784064
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for operating a downhole tool are disclosed. A downhole tool configuration device includes an upper stem movable between an up position and a down position. The upper stem comprises an extended portion. An outer sleeve is selectively coupleable to the upper stem at the up position and the down position and an inner sleeve is selectively coupleable to the upper stem at the up position and the down position. In the up position, the upper stem is operable to transfer tension to the outer sleeve and torque to the inner sleeve. In the down position, the upper stem is operable to transfer torque to the outer sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale Norman, Fife Ellis, Travis Potier, Colter Pesek, Jarryd Daniels
  • Patent number: 9181761
    Abstract: The riser tensioning system (10) includes a tensioning ring (18) for secured engagement with the riser and plurality of hydraulic cylinders (12) extending between the tensioning ring and a floating platform. A gimbal mechanism (42) acts between the platform and the riser to allow the riser axis to tilt relative to the floating platform. One or more elongate torque transfer members (38) extend between the tensioning ring and the gimbal mechanism and allow axial movement of the tensioning ring and the riser with respect to the floating platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Hafernik, Fife Ellis
  • Publication number: 20150136412
    Abstract: The riser tensioning system (10) includes a tensioning ring (18) for secured engagement with the riser and plurality of hydraulic cylinders (12) extending between the tensioning ring and a floating platform. A gimbal mechanism (42) acts between the platform and the riser to allow the riser axis to tilt relative to the floating platform. One or more elongate torque transfer members (38) extend between the tensioning ring and the gimbal mechanism and allow axial movement of the tensioning ring and the riser with respect to the floating platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Dril-Quip, Inc
    Inventors: Steven Hafernik, Fife Ellis
  • Publication number: 20150013995
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for operating a downhole tool are disclosed. A downhole tool configuration device includes an upper stem movable between an up position and a down position. The upper stem comprises an extended portion. An outer sleeve is selectively coupleable to the upper stem at the up position and the down position and an inner sleeve is selectively coupleable to the upper stem at the up position and the down position. In the up position, the upper stem is operable to transfer tension to the outer sleeve and torque to the inner sleeve. In the down position, the upper stem is operable to transfer torque to the outer sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Dale Norman, Fife Ellis, Travis Potier, Colter Pesek, Jarryd Daniels
  • Publication number: 20070196182
    Abstract: A riser tensioner has inner and outer cylindrical barrels that telescopingly engage each other. A small external tank is mounted outside of the barrels for communicating a small quantity of hydraulic fluid the seals between the inner and outer barrels. The external tank allows the internal volume of the cylinder rod assembly to be used for gas storage and reduces the need for accumulators. The fluid level in the external tank is checked via a sight glass, and the tank is isolated from the cylinder assembly by a combination of check and three-way valves, which allows easier access to the working fluid, and allows the addition or removal of high pressure fluid to the system without a high pressure fluid cart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2007
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Inventor: Fife Ellis
  • Publication number: 20070181310
    Abstract: A corrosion-resistant alloy tube is formed and bonded to a pre-machined steel alloy rod to form a riser tensioner cylinder rod. During assembly, an epoxy is injected into an annular space between the tube and rod and then cured. The bonded tube is ground to a desired surface finish prior to installation and utilizes a double seal arrangement that prevents external pressure or corrosive fluids from entering the cured epoxy in the annular space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Inventor: Fife Ellis
  • Publication number: 20070056739
    Abstract: A riser tensioner cylinder rod incorporates a thin, corrosion-resistant alloy tube over a pre-machined steel alloy rod. The tube is swedged at one end and expanded to the inner surface of a split die. A gradual tapered surface on a stretching die provides a smooth transition during a stretching process for the tube. A pressurizing vessel traps an outer lip of the pre-swedged tube. Pressurized fluid in the vessel simultaneously causes the tube to expand and force the rod into the tube inner diameter. At the completion of the process, the pressurizing vessel is removed. The stretched tube is parted off at both ends and the stretching die is removed from the rod to complete the assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Inventor: Fife Ellis
  • Publication number: 20060280560
    Abstract: A surface assembly that communicates with subsea structures and includes a working deck on a floating structure. The working deck has an aperture extending axially therethrough. A riser extends from a subsea location to the working deck and through the aperture. The surface assembly includes a frame extending circumferentially around the riser so that the frame moves axially with the riser. The assembly also includes a tensioner assembly connected between the working deck and the frame. The tensioner assembly includes a piston slidably carried in a piston chamber, a piston rod extending from the piston and away from the piston chamber, and a shroud enclosing the piston rod. The shroud has a plurality of segments with at least one of the shroud segments being movable in unison with the piston rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Publication date: December 14, 2006
    Inventors: Fife Ellis, Joseph Pallini, Jeffery McCarty, Charles Jennings
  • Publication number: 20050069654
    Abstract: A method of reducing stress and wear on one or more components in a keel joint assembly in which a cobalt-based, wear resistant alloy coating is applied to the surfaces of one or more components. The use of the coating reduces stress and wear and achieves improved corrosion, galling, erosion and abrasion resistance as compared to other currently known and applied methods. In the present invention, the coating would preferably would be applied to the surfaces of the mating components of the keel joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Publication date: March 31, 2005
    Inventors: Fife Ellis, Kim Phan, Eric Schultz