Patents by Inventor John A. Hoefler

John A. Hoefler 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: 9845655
    Abstract: A method for testing an insert packer assembly positioned within a diverter assembly includes inserting a test tool through an opening of the insert packer assembly and into a bore of the diverter assembly. The method includes driving multiple annular flexible components of the insert packer assembly radially inward to contact an outer annular surface of the test tool to form a sealed space between the multiple annular flexible components and the outer annular surface of the test tool. The method also includes applying a fluid to the sealed space to increase a pressure within the sealed space and monitoring the pressure within the sealed space over a period of time to determine a condition of the insert packer assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: John Hoefler, Erman Citirik, James Chris Reed
  • Publication number: 20170096871
    Abstract: A method for testing an insert packer assembly positioned within a diverter assembly includes inserting a test tool through an opening of the insert packer assembly and into a bore of the diverter assembly. The method includes driving multiple annular flexible components of the insert packer assembly radially inward to contact an outer annular surface of the test tool to form a sealed space between the multiple annular flexible components and the outer annular surface of the test tool. The method also includes applying a fluid to the sealed space to increase a pressure within the sealed space and monitoring the pressure within the sealed space over a period of time to determine a condition of the insert packer assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: John Hoefler, Erman Citirik, James Chris Reed
  • Patent number: 9453375
    Abstract: A subsea riser system includes a riser joint. The riser joint includes a main line and an auxiliary line, in which the auxiliary line includes a pin section, a box section, and an interior section intermediate the pin section and the box section. An internal diameter of the interior section is larger than an internal diameter of the pin section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: John Hoefler
  • Patent number: 9422789
    Abstract: A diverter system having stabbing dogs is provided. In one embodiment, such a system includes a diverter, a housing, and a plurality of stabbing dogs coupled to the housing. The stabbing dogs are positioned to enable locking elements of the stabbing dogs to be extended into recesses in the diverter to secure the diverter within the housing. At least one of the recesses in the diverter is connected to a fluid conduit within the diverter, and at least one stabbing dog includes a fluid passage that enables fluid to be routed into the fluid conduit within the diverter through the at least one stabbing dog. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Jerod C. Bushman, John B. Hankins, John A. Hoefler, Harold A. Tenorio
  • Patent number: 9284796
    Abstract: A hang-off gimbal assembly to support a tubular member from an offshore drilling vessel. The hang-off gimbal assembly includes an axis therethrough and comprises a support plate including an opening formed about the axis, a base plate including an opening formed about the axis, and a plurality of shock absorbers between the support plate and the base plate. The hang-off gimbal assembly is movable between an open position and a closed position, such that, in the open position, the hang-off gimbal assembly is configured to receive the tubular member in the opening of the support plate and in the opening of the base plate, and in the closed position, the hang-off gimbal assembly is configured to enclose about and support the tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: John Hoefler, Erman Citirik
  • Publication number: 20160024879
    Abstract: A diverter system having stabbing dogs is provided. In one embodiment, such a system includes a diverter, a housing, and a plurality of stabbing dogs coupled to the housing. The stabbing dogs are positioned to enable locking elements of the stabbing dogs to be extended into recesses in the diverter to secure the diverter within the housing. At least one of the recesses in the diverter is connected to a fluid conduit within the diverter, and at least one stabbing dog includes a fluid passage that enables fluid to be routed into the fluid conduit within the diverter through the at least one stabbing dog. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2015
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicant: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Jerod C. Bushman, John B. Hankins, John A. Hoefler, Harold A. Tenorio
  • Patent number: 9068433
    Abstract: A diverter system having stabbing dogs is provided. In one embodiment, such a system includes a diverter, a housing, and a plurality of stabbing dogs coupled to the housing. The stabbing dogs are positioned to enable locking elements of the stabbing dogs to be extended into recesses in the diverter to secure the diverter within the housing. At least one of the recesses in the diverter is connected to a fluid conduit within the diverter, and at least one stabbing dog includes a fluid passage that enables fluid to be routed into the fluid conduit within the diverter through the at least one stabbing dog. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Jerod C. Bushman, John B. Hankins, John A. Hoefler, Harold A. Tenorio
  • Publication number: 20150167404
    Abstract: A hang-off gimbal assembly to support a tubular member from an offshore drilling vessel. The hang-off gimbal assembly includes an axis therethrough and comprises a support plate including an opening formed about the axis, a base plate including an opening formed about the axis, and a plurality of shock absorbers between the support plate and the base plate. The hang-off gimbal assembly is movable between an open position and a closed position, such that, in the open position, the hang-off gimbal assembly is configured to receive the tubular member in the opening of the support plate and in the opening of the base plate, and in the closed position, the hang-off gimbal assembly is configured to enclose about and support the tubular member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Hoefler, Erman Citirik
  • Publication number: 20150167398
    Abstract: A subsea riser system includes a riser joint. The riser joint includes a main line and an auxiliary line, in which the auxiliary line includes a pin section, a box section, and an interior section intermediate the pin section and the box section. An internal diameter of the interior section is larger than an internal diameter of the pin section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: John Hoefler
  • Publication number: 20140262304
    Abstract: A diverter system having stabbing dogs is provided. In one embodiment, such a system includes a diverter, a housing, and a plurality of stabbing dogs coupled to the housing. The stabbing dogs are positioned to enable locking elements of the stabbing dogs to be extended into recesses in the diverter to secure the diverter within the housing. At least one of the recesses in the diverter is connected to a fluid conduit within the diverter, and at least one stabbing dog includes a fluid passage that enables fluid to be routed into the fluid conduit within the diverter through the at least one stabbing dog. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jerod C. Bushman, John B. Hankins, John A. Hoefler, Harold A. Tenorio