Patents by Inventor Frank C. Adamek
Frank C. Adamek 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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Patent number: 8783362Abstract: A subsea assembly for producing fluids from a well having a casing string in the well supported with a hanger on an upper end. Cement is in a portion of an annulus between the casing string and walls of the well, thereby leaving segment of the casing string unsupported in the well. A motion compensating element is coaxially provided in the unsupported segment of the casing string to absorb axial expansion and/or contraction that may occur in the unsupported segment of the casing string.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2010Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.Inventor: Frank C. Adamek
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Patent number: 8777228Abstract: An adjustable casing sub having an outer housing, an inner housing insertable into the outer housing, and a ratcheting system for coupling the inner housing within the outer housing. An annulus is between a portion of the inner and outer housing, the annulus including an inwardly tapered section. A metal faced seal is disposed in the annulus, wherein the metal faced seal includes a sliding surface and a compressive sealing surface. The sliding surface may include a malleable inlay and the compressive sealing surface may include a spring like element. Moreover, the metal faced seal radial thickness is greater than the inwardly tapered section radial thickness.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2012Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.Inventor: Frank C. Adamek
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Patent number: 8387707Abstract: A tieback connection between an offshore production platform and a wellhead on the sea floor has a riser and a tubular expandable and contractable member within the riser. The expandable and contractable member compensates for axial movement within the riser while maintaining axial tension in the riser. The expandable and contractable member is of uni-body construction having a wall configured to correspondingly expand and contract to compensate for the riser movement. In cross section, the member wall comprises folds formable by alternating slots formed into the inner and outer wall surface or an undulating surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2008Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.Inventors: Frank C. Adamek, James R. M. Allison
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Publication number: 20120187634Abstract: An adjustable casing sub having an outer housing, an inner housing insertable into the outer housing, and a ratcheting system for coupling the inner housing within the outer housing. An annulus is between a portion of the inner and outer housing, the annulus including an inwardly tapered section. A metal faced seal is disposed in the annulus, wherein the metal faced seal includes a sliding surface and a compressive sealing surface. The sliding surface may include a malleable inlay and the compressive sealing surface may include a spring like element. Moreover, the metal faced seal radial thickness is greater than the inwardly tapered section radial thickness.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2012Publication date: July 26, 2012Applicant: VETCO GRAY, INC.Inventor: Frank C. Adamek
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Patent number: 8191622Abstract: An adapter for connecting a casing annulus remediation system to a well having a wellhead with standard lateral ports. The adapter has a body with first and second ends. The first end of the adapter body has a substantially planar surface adapted to cover the lateral ports and be in abutting contact with the wellhead when the two are connected to one another. The second end of the adapter body has a planar surface positioned at an angle greater than 0 degrees and up to 90 degrees to the planar surface of the first end. The second end of the adapter is adapted to be connected to a casing annulus remediation system.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2009Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.Inventors: David D. Comeaux, James J. Howell, Richard Porteous, Noel A. Monjure, Frank C. Adamek
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Patent number: 8167312Abstract: An adjustable casing sub having an outer housing, an inner housing insertable into the outer housing, and a ratcheting system for coupling the inner housing within the outer housing. An annulus is between a portion of the inner and outer housing, the annulus including an inwardly tapered section. A metal faced seal is disposed in the annulus, wherein the metal faced seal includes a sliding surface and a compressive sealing surface. The sliding surface may include a malleable inlay and the compressive sealing surface may include a spring like element. Moreover, the metal faced seal radial thickness is greater than the inwardly tapered section radial thickness.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2008Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.Inventor: Frank C. Adamek
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Patent number: 8006764Abstract: An adjustable hanger for retaining in tension casing and tubing extending between a subsea wellhead and a surface wellhead on a platform.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2008Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.Inventors: Frank C. Adamek, David McGuckien, Jim Sinnott
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Patent number: 7963337Abstract: An offshore composite enhanced metallic drilling riser is equipped to enable preloading of the composite shell and the metallic riser. A riser has steel end connectors and a continuous metallic inner liner, encased in a composite shell. A segmented hyperboloid shaped profile is located near each of the end fittings for preloading of the composite and the metallic riser. In one version, both halves of the hyperboloid shape are capable of axial movement by adjusting jack bolts connected to one of the hyperboloid halves. One of the halves is limited in axial movement while the other half moves axially away from the restricted half, the movement simultaneously generates the composite pre-load and the metallic riser pre-load. The other version uses fluid pressure between mating faces of the segments to push them apart.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2008Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.Inventors: Joseph W. Pallini, Jr., Frank C. Adamek, Karl A. Parfrey
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Patent number: 7819182Abstract: A system for monitoring strain in a wellbore casing includes one or more gages that are affixed to an outer surface of the wellbore casing. Each gage includes one or more apertures. During operation, variations in the shape and spacing of the apertures are monitored and used to determine a level of strain in the wellbore casing.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2008Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.Inventor: Frank C. Adamek
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Publication number: 20100147530Abstract: A tieback connection between an offshore production platform and a wellhead on the sea floor has a riser and a tubular expandable and contractable member within the riser. The expandable and contractable member compensates for axial movement within the riser while maintaining axial tension in the riser. The expandable and contractable member is of uni-body construction having a wall configured to correspondingly expand and contract to compensate for the riser movement. In cross section, the member wall comprises folds formable by alternating slots formed into the inner and outer wall surface or an undulating surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2008Publication date: June 17, 2010Applicant: VETCO GRAY INC.Inventors: Frank C. Adamek, James R. M. Allison
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Publication number: 20100032214Abstract: An offshore composite enhanced metallic drilling riser is equipped to enable preloading of the composite shell and the metallic riser. A riser has steel end connectors and a continuous metallic inner liner, encased in a composite shell. A segmented hyperboloid shaped profile is located near each of the end fittings for preloading of the composite and the metallic riser. In one version, both halves of the hyperboloid shape are capable of axial movement by adjusting jack bolts connected to one of the hyperboloid halves. One of the halves is limited in axial movement while the other half moves axially away from the restricted half, the movement simultaneously generates the composite pre-load and the metallic riser pre-load. The other version uses fluid pressure between mating faces of the segments to push them apart.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2008Publication date: February 11, 2010Applicant: Vetco Gray Inc.Inventors: Joseph W. Pallini, JR., Frank C. Adamek, Karl A. Parfrey
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Publication number: 20100007089Abstract: An adjustable casing sub having an outer housing, an inner housing insertable into the outer housing, and a ratcheting system for coupling the inner housing within the outer housing. An annulus is between a portion of the inner and outer housing, the annulus including an inwardly tapered section. A metal faced seal is disposed in the annulus, wherein the metal faced seal includes a sliding surface and a compressive sealing surface. The sliding surface may include a malleable inlay and the compressive sealing surface may include a spring like element. Moreover, the metal faced seal radial thickness is greater than the inwardly tapered section radial thickness.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2008Publication date: January 14, 2010Applicant: VETCO GRAY INC.Inventor: Frank C. Adamek
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Publication number: 20090288832Abstract: An adapter for connecting a casing annulus remediation system to a well having a wellhead with standard lateral ports. The adapter has a body with first and second ends. The first end of the adapter body has a substantially planar surface adapted to cover the lateral ports and be in abutting contact with the wellhead when the two are connected to one another. The second end of the adapter body has a planar surface positioned at an angle greater than 0 degrees and up to 90 degrees to the planar surface of the first end. The second end of the adapter is adapted to be connected to a casing annulus remediation system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2009Publication date: November 26, 2009Applicant: Vetco Gray Inc.Inventors: David D. Comeaux, James J. Howell, Richard Porteous, Noel A. Monjure, Frank C. Adamek
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Publication number: 20080314577Abstract: A system for monitoring strain in a wellbore casing includes one or more gages that are affixed to an outer surface of the wellbore casing. Each gage includes one or more apertures. During operation, variations in the shape and spacing of the apertures are monitored and used to determine a level of strain in the wellbore casing.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2008Publication date: December 25, 2008Applicant: Vetco Gray Inc.Inventor: Frank C. Adamek
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Publication number: 20080308278Abstract: An adjustable hanger for retaining in tension casing and tubing extending between a subsea wellhead and a surface wellhead on a platform.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2008Publication date: December 18, 2008Applicant: Vetco Gray Inc.Inventors: Frank C. Adamek, David McGuckien, Jim Sinnott
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Patent number: 5468023Abstract: A flowline connector will remotely connect subsea flowlines without the assistance of a diver. The flowline connector has a frame which supports a seal carrier plate assembly. Springs allow axial movement of the carrier plate assembly during engagement of mating hubs of flowlines. A metal seal carried by the carrier plate assembly engages conical seats in the hubs of the two flowlines. An elastomeric test seal located radially outward of the metal seal seals between flat faces of the hubs of the flowlines. The test seals elongate radially to wipe the sealing surfaces clean during the makeup.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 1993Date of Patent: November 21, 1995Assignee: Abb Vetco Gray Inc.Inventors: Gary L. Galle, Frank C. Adamek
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Patent number: 5080400Abstract: A hub clamp will be used to connect two conduits together in end-to-end relationship. Each conduit has a pair of generally parallel load shoulders that extend around the conduit and are axially spaced from each other. The clamp has two sets of load shoulders, one for engaging each set of load shoulders on each end of the conduit. The clamp is in two halves, and when bolted together, draws the ends of the conduits toward each other. Each load shoulder is separated by a flank. The two flanks of the mating load shoulders are separated by a gap when fully made up. The first load shoulder of each conduit has multiple angled sections. The lead section is at a greater angle than the load section relative to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the conduit. The clamp will be mounted releasably to an upper conduit so that it can slide inward and outward, for vertical conduit applications.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1990Date of Patent: January 14, 1992Assignee: ABB Vetro Gray Inc.Inventors: Frank C. Adamek, Dag H. Zeiner-Gundersen
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Patent number: 5058906Abstract: A metal seal has features that make it particularly useful for wide temperature variations of the fluid flowing through the conduits that it seals. The seal ring locates within a groove in the face of each conduit. The seal ring engages the outer wall of the grooves. The seal ring has inner legs that engage the inner wall of the grooves. The legs are separated from a mid-section of the seal ring by a slot. The radial width of the seal ring is greater than the distance radially across the grooves so as to provide an interference fit. The deformation of the seal is elastic, not permanent. The sealing surfaces are cylindrical or conical. The seal is not axially compressed.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 1989Date of Patent: October 22, 1991Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.Inventors: Frank C. Adamek, Rick C. Hunter
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Patent number: 4911245Abstract: A metal seal for sealing against casing in a well has a plurality of circumferentially axially spaced metal bands. An inlay material partially fills the cavities located between the metal bands. The metal bands are soft enough to deform when the seal is pressed into contact with the casing. The bands deform to a point flush with the inlay material. If the casing later moves axially relative to the seal because of temperature change or tension loading, then the inlay material will wipe across the band faces to maintain the seal.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 1989Date of Patent: March 27, 1990Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.Inventors: Frank C. Adamek, Charles D. Bridges, Anton J. Dach
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Patent number: RE35533Abstract: A hub clamp will be used to connect two conduits together in end-to-end relationship. Each conduit has a pair of generally parallel load shoulders that extend around the conduit and are axially spaced from each other. The clamp has two sets of load shoulders, one for engaging each set of load shoulders on each end of the conduit. The clamp is in two halves, and when bolted together, draws the ends of the conduits toward each other. Each load shoulder is separated by a flank. The two flanks of the mating load shoulders are separated by a gap when fully made up. The first load shoulder of each conduit has multiple angled sections. The load section is at a greater angle than the load section relative to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the conduit. The clamp will be mounted releasably to an upper conduit so that it can slide inward and outward, for vertical conduit applications.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 1994Date of Patent: June 17, 1997Assignee: ABB Vetco Gray Inc.Inventors: Frank C. Adamek, Dag H. Zeiner-Gundersen