Patents by Inventor Gregory Lee Hern

Gregory Lee Hern 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: 10612659
    Abstract: A seal includes a metal composite that has a cellular nanomatrix that includes a metallic nanomatrix material, a metal matrix disposed in the cellular nanomatrix, and a disintegration agent; an inner sealing surface; and an outer sealing surface disposed radially from the inner sealing surface. The seal can be prepared by combining a metal matrix powder, a disintegration agent, and metal nanomatrix material to form a composition; compacting the composition to form a compacted composition; sintering the compacted composition; and pressing the sintered composition to form the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Zhiyue Xu, YingQing Xu, Gregory Lee Hern, Bennett M. Richard
  • Publication number: 20180187510
    Abstract: A seat for a tubular treating system includes a single piece body having a central portion, and a frustoconical surface extending longitudinally from the central portion in a first direction configured to radially expand slips urged thereagainst. The seat also includes a collar extending longitudinally from the central portion in a second direction configured to be radially expanded into sealing engagement with a structure in response to a frustoconical member urged thereagainst. A seal surface is sealably engagable with a plug run thereagainst, and the seal surface is longitudinally displaced from the collar in the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Applicant: Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC
    Inventors: YingQing Xu, Gregory Lee Hern
  • Patent number: 9926766
    Abstract: A seat for a tubular treating system includes a single piece body having a central portion, and a frustoconical surface extending longitudinally from the central portion in a first direction configured to radially expand slips urged thereagainst. The seat also includes a collar extending longitudinally from the central portion in a second direction configured to be radially expanded into sealing engagement with a structure in response to a frustoconical member urged thereagainst. A seal surface is sealably engagable with a plug run thereagainst, and the seal surface is longitudinally displaced from the collar in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: YingQing Xu, Gregory Lee Hern
  • Publication number: 20170138479
    Abstract: A seal includes a metal composite that has a cellular nanomatrix that includes a metallic nanomatrix material, a metal matrix disposed in the cellular nanomatrix, and a disintegration agent; an inner sealing surface; and an outer sealing surface disposed radially from the inner sealing surface. The seal can be prepared by combining a metal matrix powder, a disintegration agent, and metal nanomatrix material to form a composition; compacting the composition to form a compacted composition; sintering the compacted composition; and pressing the sintered composition to form the seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Zhiyue Xu, YingQing Xu, Gregory Lee Hern, Bennett M. Richard
  • Patent number: 9605508
    Abstract: A seal includes a metal composite that has a cellular nanomatrix that includes a metallic nanomatrix material, a metal matrix disposed in the cellular nanomatrix, and a disintegration agent; an inner sealing surface; and an outer sealing surface disposed radially from the inner sealing surface. The seal can be prepared by combining a metal matrix powder, a disintegration agent, and metal nanomatrix material to form a composition; compacting the composition to form a compacted composition; sintering the compacted composition; and pressing the sintered composition to form the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Zhiyue Xu, YingQing Xu, Gregory Lee Hern, Bennett M. Richard
  • Patent number: 9309733
    Abstract: A tool setting arrangement includes a mandrel, and a tool positionable at the mandrel. The tool includes, a cone, and at least one slip in operable communication with the cone configured to radially expand to set the tool when the slip is moved relative to the cone with at least a setting load. The at least one slip has a portion configured to engage with a feature of the mandrel such that movement of the mandrel relative to the cone causes the at least one slip to move relative to the cone, at least one of the portion and the feature is configured to release at a release load to disengage the mandrel from the tool. The release load is selected to be greater than the setting load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: YingQing Xu, Levi B. Oberg, Gregory Lee Hern, Ellen E. Read
  • Patent number: 9284803
    Abstract: A one-way flowable anchoring system includes a plurality of same anchors that are sealedly fixedly engagable within a structure and each of the plurality of same anchors has a flow bore longitudinally therethrough with a first seat and a second seat on opposing ends thereof The system also has a plug positionable within the structure between two of the plurality of same anchors positioned longitudinally adjacent one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Patrick C. Stone, Douglas J. Lehr, Gregory Lee Hern, Levi B. Oberg, Jim H. Roddy
  • Patent number: 9080416
    Abstract: An anchoring and sealing device includes at least one slip, a seal and a tubular in operable communication with the at least one slip and the seal. The anchoring and sealing device is configured to cause radial movement of the at least one slip into anchoring engagement with a structure and to cause radial movement of the seal into sealing engagement with the structure in response to longitudinal compression of the anchoring and sealing device. The anchoring and sealing device is also configured to maintain anchoring and sealing engagement with the structure without additional components remaining in contact therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: YingQing Xu, Gregory Lee Hern, Douglas J. Lehr
  • Patent number: 9080403
    Abstract: A tubular anchoring system includes a frustoconical member having a first frustoconical portion and a second frustoconical portion. The first frustoconical portion is tapered in a direction opposing a direction of taper of the second frustoconical portion and slips in operable communication with the first frustoconical portion are radially expandable in response to longitudinal movement of the first frustoconical portion relative to the slips. A seal in operable communication with the second frustoconical portion is radially expandable in response to longitudinal movement of the second frustoconical portion relative to the seal, and a seat having a surface configured to be sealingly engagable with a plug runnable thereagainst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: YingQing Xu, Gregory Lee Hern
  • Publication number: 20150184485
    Abstract: A seat for a tubular treating system includes a single piece body having a central portion, and a frustoconical surface extending longitudinally from the central portion in a first direction configured to radially expand slips urged thereagainst. The seat also includes a collar extending longitudinally from the central portion in a second direction configured to be radially expanded into sealing engagement with a structure in response to a frustoconical member urged thereagainst. A seal surface is sealably engagable with a plug run thereagainst, and the seal surface is longitudinally displaced from the collar in the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: YingQing Xu, Gregory Lee Hern
  • Patent number: 9045966
    Abstract: A valve and method of use wherein the valve includes a housing having an axial flowbore defined along its length. A lateral fluid flow port is disposed through the housing. A piston sleeve is disposed within the flowbore and is selectively moveable to block flow through the lateral flow port. The valve can be moved between operating positions wherein flow through the lateral flow port is blocked or allowed and axial flow through the flowbore is blocked or permitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Mohsen Ali, Gregory Lee Hern, Daniel Hart, Yang Xu
  • Patent number: 9033060
    Abstract: A tubular anchoring system includes a frustoconical member and a sleeve with at least one first surface that is radially alterable in response to longitudinal movement of the frustoconical member relative to the sleeve. The at least one first surface is engagable with a wall of a structure positioned radially thereof to maintain position of at least the sleeve relative to the structure when engaged therewith. A seal with at least one second surface is radially alterable in response to longitudinal movement of the frustoconical member relative to the seal, and a seat is in operable communication with the frustoconical member having a land which is sealingly engagable with a removable plug runnable thereagainst. The land is longitudinally displaced relative to the sleeve in an upstream direction defined by direction of flow that urges the plug thereagainst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: YingQing Xu, Gregory Lee Hern
  • Patent number: 9016363
    Abstract: A frustoconical member includes a metal composite that has a cellular nanomatrix comprising a metallic nanomatrix material; a metal matrix disposed in the cellular nanomatrix; and a first frustoconical portion. A process of making the frustoconical member includes combining a metal matrix powder, a disintegration agent, and metal nanomatrix material to form a composition; compacting the composition to form a compacted composition; sintering the compacted composition; and pressing the sintered composition to form the frustoconical member having a tapered portion on an outer surface of the frustoconical member. The frustoconical member can be used by contacting a frustoconical portion of the frustoconical member to a tapered surface of an article; applying pressure to the frustoconical member; urging the frustoconical member in a direction relative to the article to expand a radial dimension of the article; and contacting the frustoconical member with a fluid to disintegrate the frustoconical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Zhiyue Xu, YingQing Xu, Gregory Lee Hern, Bennett M. Richard
  • Patent number: 9010416
    Abstract: A tubular anchoring system includes a first frustoconical member. Slips in operable communication with the first frustoconical member are radially expandable into an anchoring engagement with a structure in response to longitudinal movement relative to a frustoconical surface of the first frustoconical member. A collar in operable communication with the first frustoconical member is radially expandable into sealing engagement with the structure in response to longitudinal movement relative to a second frustoconical member. A seat in operable communication with the first frustoconical member having a surface configured to be sealingly engagable with a plug runnable thereagainst, is configured and positioned relative to the collar to aid the seat in maintaining a radially expanded configuration against a pressure differential formed across the seat when plugged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: YingQing Xu, Gregory Lee Hern
  • Patent number: 8950504
    Abstract: A disintegrable tubular anchoring system comprises a frustoconical member; a sleeve with at least one first surface being radially alterable in response to longitudinal movement of the frustoconical member relative to the sleeve, the first surface being engagable with a wall of a structure; a seal with at least one second surface being radially alterable; and a seat having a land being sealingly engagable with a removable plug runnable thereagainst. The frustoconical member, sleeve, seal, and seat are disintegrable and independently comprise a metal composite which includes a cellular nanomatrix comprising a metallic nanomatrix material; and a metal matrix disposed in the cellular nanomatrix. A process of isolating a structure comprises disposing the disintegrable tubular anchoring system in the structure; radially altering the sleeve to engage a surface of the structure; and radially altering the seal to the isolate the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Zhiyue Xu, YingQing Xu, Gregory Lee Hern, Bennett M. Richard
  • Publication number: 20140041857
    Abstract: An anchoring and sealing device includes at least one slip, a seal and a tubular in operable communication with the at least one slip and the seal. The anchoring and sealing device is configured to cause radial movement of the at least one slip into anchoring engagement with a structure and to cause radial movement of the seal into sealing engagement with the structure in response to longitudinal compression of the anchoring and sealing device. The anchoring and sealing device is also configured to maintain anchoring and sealing engagement with the structure without additional components remaining in contact therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: YingQing Xu, Gregory Lee Hern, Douglas J. Lehr
  • Publication number: 20130300066
    Abstract: A seal includes a metal composite that has a cellular nanomatrix that includes a metallic nanomatrix material, a metal matrix disposed in the cellular nanomatrix, and a disintegration agent; an inner sealing surface; and an outer sealing surface disposed radially from the inner sealing surface. The seal can be prepared by combining a metal matrix powder, a disintegration agent, and metal nanomatrix material to form a composition; compacting the composition to form a compacted composition; sintering the compacted composition; and pressing the sintered composition to form the seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Zhiyue Xu, YingQing Xu, Gregory Lee Hern, Bennett M. Richard
  • Publication number: 20130299184
    Abstract: A valve and method of use wherein the valve includes a housing having an axial flowbore defined along its length. A lateral fluid flow port is disposed through the housing. A piston sleeve is disposed within the flowbore and is selectively moveable to block flow through the lateral flow port. The valve can be moved between operating positions wherein flow through the lateral flow port is blocked or allowed and axial flow through the flowbore is blocked or permitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Mohsen Ali, Gregory Lee Hern, Daniel Hart, Yang Xu
  • Publication number: 20130299185
    Abstract: A frustoconical member includes a metal composite that has a cellular nanomatrix comprising a metallic nanomatrix material; a metal matrix disposed in the cellular nanomatrix; and a first frustoconical portion. A process of making the frustoconical member includes combining a metal matrix powder, a disintegration agent, and metal nanomatrix material to form a composition; compacting the composition to form a compacted composition; sintering the compacted composition; and pressing the sintered composition to form the frustoconical member having a tapered portion on an outer surface of the frustoconical member. The frustoconical member can be used by contacting a frustoconical portion of the frustoconical member to a tapered surface of an article; applying pressure to the frustoconical member; urging the frustoconical member in a direction relative to the article to expand a radial dimension of the article; and contacting the frustoconical member with a fluid to disintegrate the frustoconical member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Zhiyue Xu, YingQing Xu, Gregory Lee Hern, Bennett M. Richard
  • Publication number: 20130299192
    Abstract: A disintegrable tubular anchoring system comprises a frustoconical member; a sleeve with at least one first surface being radially alterable in response to longitudinal movement of the frustoconical member relative to the sleeve, the first surface being engagable with a wall of a structure; a seal with at least one second surface being radially alterable; and a seat having a land being sealingly engagable with a removable plug runnable thereagainst. The frustoconical member, sleeve, seal, and seat are disintegrable and independently comprise a metal composite which includes a cellular nanomatrix comprising a metallic nanomatrix material; and a metal matrix disposed in the cellular nanomatrix. A process of isolating a structure comprises disposing the disintegrable tubular anchoring system in the structure; radially altering the sleeve to engage a surface of the structure; and radially altering the seal to the isolate the structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Zhiyue Xu, YingQing Xu, Gregory Lee Hern, Bennett M. Richard