Patents by Inventor James W. Chambers

James W. Chambers 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: 8714240
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing repairs to radial seals used in a rotating control head used while drilling is disclosed. Also, a system and method to detect leaks in the rotating control head and a latching system to latch the rotating control head to a housing is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Bailey, James W. Chambers, Don M. Hannegan, Mark F. Gravouia
  • Patent number: 8701796
    Abstract: A rotating control device is remotely hydraulically latched and unlatched with a docking station housing for use and removal, respectively. The system and method allows for interactive lubrication and cooling of the rotating control device, as needed, along with a supply of fluid for use with an active seal. A first sensor and a second sensor can be used to detect temperature, pressure and density of the supplied fluid at different locations and this data can be compared using a central processing unit (CPU). Also, a sensor can be used to detect the revolutions per minute of a rotating seal of the rotating control device and fluid can be provided to the rotating control device responsive to the detected revolutions per minute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Bailey, James W. Chambers, Danny W. Wagoner
  • Publication number: 20140027129
    Abstract: An annular seal having a sealing member and method for use is provided for sealing an item of oilfield equipment. The annular seal has an inner diameter for receiving the item of oilfield equipment and a frame. The seal member is contiguous with the frame. The annular seal is configured for durability, in that it resists wear, inversion, increases lubricity, enables tightness, and/or otherwise generally increases endurance, toughness, and/or permanence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Don M. Hannegan, James W. Chambers, Melvin Jacobs
  • Publication number: 20130341052
    Abstract: A pressure control apparatus and methodology related to a drilling operation has a housing such as, for example, a bearing assembly configured to engage an item of oilfield equipment being delivered through the oilfield pressure control apparatus. The housing has an upper and/or a lower portion with a seal element coupled to the upper and/or lower portion and configured to seal around the item of oilfield equipment. A guide is coupled proximate the seal element. The guide is configured to support and/or limit lateral deflection of the seal element during the lateral deflection of the seal element created by movement of the item of oilfield equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas F. Bailey, James W. Chambers
  • Publication number: 20130206386
    Abstract: A rotating control device is remotely hydraulically latched and unlatched with a docking station housing for use and removal, respectively. The system and method allows for interactive lubrication and cooling of the rotating control device, as needed, along with a supply of fluid for use with an active seal. A first sensor and a second sensor can be used to detect temperature, pressure and density of the supplied fluid at different locations and this data can be compared using a central processing unit (CPU). Also, a sensor can be used to detect the revolutions per minute of a rotating seal of the rotating control device and fluid can be provided to the rotating control device responsive to the detected revolutions per minute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Bailey, James W. Chambers, Danny W. Wagoner
  • Publication number: 20130192896
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing repairs to radial seals used in a rotating control head used while drilling is disclosed. Also, a system and method to detect leaks in the rotating control head and a latching system to latch the rotating control head to a housing is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Bailey, James W. Chambers, Don M. Hannegan, Mark F. Gravouia
  • Publication number: 20130192847
    Abstract: Rotating control device related oilfield pressure control is accomplished by upper and lower seal members configured to seal around a tubular, a chamber defined between the upper and lower seal members; and wherein fluid enters and/or exits the chamber via some device or structure. Such a device or structure could be a relief valve, a first accumulator, a pressure control valve, an orifice, and/or a void space in a seal member in a location which contacts the tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas F. Bailey, Danny W. Wagoner, James W. Chambers, Andrew A.W. Barry, Simon J. Harrall
  • Patent number: 8408297
    Abstract: A rotating control device is remotely hydraulically latched and unlatched with a docking station housing for use and removal, respectively. The system and method allows for interactive lubrication and cooling of the rotating control device, as needed, along with a supply of fluid for use with an active seal. A first sensor and a second sensor can be used to detect temperature, pressure and density of the supplied fluid at different locations and this data can be compared using a central processing unit (CPU). Also, a sensor can be used to detect the revolutions per minute of a rotating seal of the rotating control device and fluid can be provided to the rotating control device responsive to the detected revolutions per minute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Bailey, James W. Chambers, Danny W. Wagoner
  • Patent number: 8353337
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing repairs to radial seals used in a rotating control head used while drilling is disclosed. Also, a system and method to detect leaks in the rotating control head and a latching system to latch the rotating control head to a housing is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Bailey, James W. Chambers, Don M. Hannegan, Mark F. Gravouia
  • Publication number: 20130009366
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for a law profile rotating control device (LP-RCD) and its housing mounted on or integral with an annular blowout preventer seal, casing, or other housing. The LP-RCD and LP-RCD housing can fit within a limited space available on drilling rigs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Don M. Hannegan, Thomas F. Bailey, James W. Chambers, David R. Woodruff, Simon J. Harrall
  • Patent number: 8286734
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for a low profile rotating control device (LP-RCD) and its housing mounted on or integral with an annular blowout preventer seal, casing, or other housing. The outer diameter of the lateral outlet flange may be substantially the same as the height of the LP-RCD housing and bearing assembly after the bearing assembly is positioned with the LP-RCD housing. The sealing element may be aligned with the lateral outlet, and may be replaced from above. Different embodiments of attachment members for attaching the LP-RCD housing with a lower housing allow the LP-RCD housing to be rotated to align the lateral outlet with the drilling rig's existing line to mud pits or other locations. In one embodiment, the LP-RCD bearings are positioned radially inside the LP-RCD housing. In another embodiment, the LP-RCD bearings are positioned radially outside the LP-RCD housing. One embodiment allows rotation of the inserted tubular about multiple planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Don M. Hannegan, Thomas F. Bailey, James W. Chambers, David R. Woodruff, Simon J. Harrall
  • Publication number: 20120138366
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing repairs to radial seals used in a rotating control head used while drilling is disclosed. Also, a system and method to detect leaks in the rotating control head and a latching system to latch the rotating control head to a housing is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Bailey, James W. Chambers, Don M. Hannegan, Mark F. Gravouia
  • Patent number: 8113291
    Abstract: A leak detection method uses a comparator to compare fluid values in and from the latch assembly of the latch system for an oilfield device and/or in and from the bearing assembly of a rotating control head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Bailey, James W. Chambers
  • Publication number: 20120013133
    Abstract: A latch and method for use is provided for latching an item of oilfield equipment. The latch has a housing containing a latch member, and the latch member is movable between a radially engaged position in which it is engaged with the item of oilfield equipment, and a radially retracted position in which it is disengaged from the item of oilfield equipment. An actuator is configured to drive the latch member into the radially engaged position. Further, the actuator is configured to drive the latch member toward the radially retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Aristeo Rios, III, James W. Chambers, Thomas F. Bailey, Danny W. Wagoner, Simon J. Harrall
  • Publication number: 20110168392
    Abstract: A rotating control device is remotely hydraulically latched and unlatched with a docking station housing for use and removal, respectively. The system and method allows for interactive lubrication and cooling of the rotating control device, as needed, along with a supply of fluid for use with an active seal. A first sensor and a second sensor can be used to detect temperature, pressure and density of the supplied fluid at different locations and this data can be compared using a central processing unit (CPU). Also, a sensor can be used to detect the revolutions per minute of a rotating seal of the rotating control device and fluid can be provided to the rotating control device responsive to the detected revolutions per minute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Bailey, James W. Chambers, Danny W. Wagoner
  • Publication number: 20110168382
    Abstract: A leak detection method uses a comparator to compare fluid values in and from the latch assembly of the latch system for an oilfield device and/or in and from the bearing assembly of a rotating control head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Bailey, James W. Chambers
  • Patent number: 7934545
    Abstract: A system and method to detect leaks in the rotating control head and a latching system to latch the rotating control head to a housing is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Bailey, James W. Chambers
  • Patent number: 7926560
    Abstract: A seal assembly for use with a rotating control head is provided. The seal assembly includes a rotatable member and a cavity formed between the rotatable member and a tubular radially inwardly disposed from the rotatable member. The cavity having a first surface and a second surface. The seal assembly further includes a seal member having a first end and a second end disposed between the first surface and the second surface of the cavity and sealable with the tubular between the first and the second ends due to deformation of the seal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Bailey, James W. Chambers, Mark F. Gravouia
  • Patent number: 7926593
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for converting a drilling rig between conventional hydrostatic pressure drilling and managed pressure drilling or underbalanced drilling using a docking station housing mounted on a marine riser or bell nipple. This docking station housing may be positioned above the surface of the water. When a removable rotating control device is remotely hydraulically latched with the docking station housing, the system and method allows for interactive lubrication and cooling of the rotating control device, as needed, along with a supply of fluid for use with active seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Bailey, Don M. Hannegan, James W. Chambers, Danny W. Wagoner
  • Publication number: 20110036638
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for a low profile rotating control device (LP-RCD) and its housing mounted on or integral with an annular blowout preventer seal, casing, or other housing. The LP-RCD and LP-RCD housing can fit within a limited space available on drilling rigs. An embodiment allows a LP-RCD to be removably disposed with a LP-RCD housing by rotating a bearing assembly rotating plate. A sealing element may be removably disposed with the LP-RCD bearing assembly by rotating a seal retainer ring. Alternatively, a sealing element may be removably disposed with the LP-RCD bearing assembly with a seal support member threadedly attached with the LP-RCD bearing assembly. The seal support member may be locked in position with a seal locking ring removably attached with threads with the LP-RCD bearing assembly over the seal support member. Spaced apart accumulators may be disposed radially outward of the bearings in the bearing assembly to provide self lubrication to the bearings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Sokol, Danny W. Wagoner, Thomas F. Bailey, Aristeo Rios, III, James W. Chambers, Don M. Hannegan