Patents by Inventor John E. Gunnells

John E. Gunnells 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).

  • Publication number: 20120186084
    Abstract: A flapper base provides a flapper base body with a hinge portion unitarily formed thereupon and a flapper seat surface formed within the flowbore of the body. The flapper base may be formed from a single section of tubular metallic stock. In a method of forming a base, the stock is gripped by a rotary clamp, and a five-axis milling machine is used to cut away portions of the stock section and to form the seat surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Tyler C. Roberts, Barry Lee Brown, John E. Gunnells, James T. Sloan
  • Publication number: 20100314571
    Abstract: A flapper base provides a flapper base body with a hinge portion unitarily formed thereupon and a flapper seat surface formed within the flowbore of the body. The flapper base may be formed from a single section of tubular metallic stock. In a method of forming a base, the stock is gripped by a rotary clamp, and a five-axis milling machine is used to cut away portions of the stock section and to form the seat surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Tyler C. Roberts, Barry Lee Brown, John E. Gunnells, James T. Sloan
  • Patent number: 7762335
    Abstract: A system is provided for switching between redundant control systems for a subsurface safety valve (SSV) while being able to isolate the closure spring from hydrostatic pressure in the control line of the system that is not being used. There are two control lines that connect to discrete operating pistons that are both coupled to the flow tube. Each operating piston is connected to a control rod with the control rods terminating near opposed ends of a pivoting member. Pushing down on one rod pushes up on the other rod so that the other rod is held supported and the hydrostatic pressure in its associated control line doesn't affect the force needed by the closure spring to close the SSV. Releasing control line pressure puts the system in neutral to allow either of the systems to be reselected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: David Z. Anderson, Darren E. Bane, Alan N. Wagner, John E. Gunnells, Anthony S. Coghill, Allen P. Carney, Barry Lee Brown, Troy L. Smith, Jeremy R. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20090050327
    Abstract: A system is provided for switching between redundant control systems for a subsurface safety valve (SSV) while being able to isolate the closure spring from hydrostatic pressure in the control line of the system that is not being used. There are two control lines that connect to discrete operating pistons that are both coupled to the flow tube. Each operating piston is connected to a control rod with the control rods terminating near opposed ends of a pivoting member. Pushing down on one rod pushes up on the other rod so that the other rod is held supported and the hydrostatic pressure in its associated control line doesn't affect the force needed by the closure spring to close the SSV. Releasing control line pressure puts the system in neutral to allow either of the systems to be reselected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: David Z. Anderson, Darren E. Bane, Alan N. Wagner, John E. Gunnells, Anthony S. Coghill, Allen P. Carney, Barry Lee Brown, Troy L. Smith, Jeremy R. Johnson