Patents by Inventor Gary Galle

Gary Galle 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: 12196045
    Abstract: A connection assembly for connecting first and second tubular members. The first tubular member has an external latching formation and there is a latch which is radially movable and configured to selectively engage the latching formation. A cam or drive ring is in surrounding relationship to the latch. There is a collar threadedly received on the second tubular body. Rotation of the collar to effect downward movement forces the drive ring downwardly and into engagement with the dog such that the dog is moved radially inwardly to engage the latching formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Inventors: Gary Galle, Justin Whitehead
  • Publication number: 20230265723
    Abstract: A connection assembly for connecting first and second tubular members. The first tubular member has an external latching formation and there is a latch which is radially movable and configured to selectively engage the latching formation. A cam or drive ring is in surrounding relationship to the latch. There is a collar threadedly received on the second tubular body. Rotation of the collar to effect downward movement forces the drive ring downwardly and into engagement with the dog such that the dog is moved radially inwardly to engage the latching formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Inventors: Gary Galle, Justin Whitehead
  • Patent number: 8701786
    Abstract: Wellhead assemblies, seal assemblies, and methods of locking down an annulus seal disposed within an annulus between outer and inner wellhead members, are provided. A seal assembly is positioned in an annulus. An energizing member is axially translated downward to energize an annulus seal element and outwardly radially compress a high-strength lockdown member into contact with an inner diameter surface of a wellhead member. The wellhead member can include a set of wickers. During compression, the outer diameter surface of the lockdown member is plastically deformed onto the set of wickers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Galle, Marc Minassian
  • Patent number: 8517089
    Abstract: A wellhead assembly having a wellhead housing, a casing hanger set within the wellhead housing, and sealing areas provided on opposing surfaces of the wellhead housing and casing hanger. The sealing areas circumscribe an axis of the wellhead assembly along respective axial distances on the wellhead housing and casing hanger. A seal is included with the wellhead assembly that has inner and outer legs that respectively engage the sealing areas and form sealing surfaces against the sealing areas. The axial distances of the sealing areas exceeds the length of the inner and outer legs, so that an original seal can be removed and replaced by a secondary seal, wherein the secondary seal engages sealing areas different from the sealing areas engaged by the original seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Galle, Nicholas P. Gette, Ryan Herbel
  • Publication number: 20120241175
    Abstract: Wellhead assemblies, seal assemblies, and methods of locking down an annulus seal disposed within an annulus between outer and inner wellhead members, are provided. A seal assembly is positioned in an annulus. An energizing member is axially translated downward to energize an annulus seal element and outwardly radially compress a high-strength lockdown member into contact with an inner diameter surface of a wellhead member. The wellhead member can include a set of wickers. During compression, the outer diameter surface of the lockdown member is plastically deformed onto the set of wickers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: VETCO GRAY INC.
    Inventors: Gary Galle, Marc Minassian
  • Publication number: 20120012336
    Abstract: A wellhead assembly having a wellhead housing, a casing hanger set within the wellhead housing, and sealing areas provided on opposing surfaces of the wellhead housing and casing hanger. The sealing areas circumscribe an axis of the wellhead assembly along respective axial distances on the wellhead housing and casing hanger. A seal is included with the wellhead assembly that has inner and outer legs that respectively engage the sealing areas and form sealing surfaces against the sealing areas. The axial distances of the sealing areas exceeds the length of the inner and outer legs, so that an original seal can be removed and replaced by a secondary seal, wherein the secondary seal engages sealing areas different from the sealing areas engaged by the original seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: VETCO GRAY INC.
    Inventors: Gary Galle, Nicholas P. Gette, Ryan Herbel
  • Patent number: 6082402
    Abstract: A hydraulic coupling having a lower tubular member and an upper tubular member for sealing engagement one with the other. The lower and upper members are maintained in axial engagement by an axial load. The lower member and the upper member each have an annular body having an axial bore therethrough for the passage of fluid. A metal, concentric inner annular seal leg and outer annular alignment leg extend from the body of the upper member, defining an annular sealing recess between the seal legs. An annular metal sealing portion or wall extends from the body of the lower member and has an inner diameter that defines a sealing surface for insertion into the sealing recess for sealingly engaging the inner annular seal leg. The sealing recess has a backup elastomer ring, which is axially compressed by the sealing portion. When the couplers are made up, the metal-to-metal seal is achieved due to an interference fit between the coupler halves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: ABB Vetco Gray, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Galle, Justin Whitehead