Patents by Inventor John J. Mulholland
John J. Mulholland 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).
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Patent number: 10648325Abstract: An apparatus for communicating signals across a wellbore barrier defined by a first flow completion system component positioned at an upper end of the wellbore and a second flow completion system component mounted within the first flow completion system component includes a first wireless node which is mounted on the first flow completion system component on a first side of the wellbore barrier, the first wireless node being configured to be connected to an external device, and a second wireless node which is mounted on the second flow completion system component on a second side of the wellbore barrier, the second wireless node being located generally opposite the first wireless node and being configured to be connected to a downhole device. The first and second wireless nodes are configured to communicate wirelessly through the wellbore barrier using near field magnetic induction (NFMI) communications.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2018Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: John J. Mulholland, Gabriel Silva, David Kane, Daniel McStay
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Patent number: 10267139Abstract: A method for monitoring a condition in at least one of a plurality of casing annuli in a subsea hydrocarbon production system having a wellhead housing mounted at the upper end of a well bore and a number of concentric well casings extending from the wellhead housing through the well bore, including an innermost casing through which a hydrocarbon fluid is produced. The plurality of casing annuli are defined between successive ones of the wellhead housing and the well casings. The method involves sensing at least a first condition at a first location in a first casing annulus, generating a first data signal at the first location which is indicative of the first condition, transmitting the first data signal from the first location to a second location either outside the wellhead housing or inside the innermost casing, receiving the first data signal at the second location; and transmitting the first data signal from the second location to a remote location at which the first condition may be monitored.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2016Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: John J. Mulholland, Corey Jaskolski, Gabriel Silva
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Publication number: 20180320507Abstract: An apparatus for communicating signals across a wellbore barrier defined by a first flow completion system component positioned at an upper end of the wellbore and a second flow completion system component mounted within the first flow completion system component includes a first wireless node which is mounted on the first flow completion system component on a first side of the wellbore barrier, the first wireless node being configured to be connected to an external device, and a second wireless node which is mounted on the second flow completion system component on a second side of the wellbore barrier, the second wireless node being located generally opposite the first wireless node and being configured to be connected to a downhole device. The first and second wireless nodes are configured to communicate wirelessly through the wellbore barrier using near field magnetic induction (NFMI) communications.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2018Publication date: November 8, 2018Inventors: John J. Mulholland, Gabriel Silva, David Kane, Daniel McStay
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Patent number: 10030509Abstract: An apparatus for communicating optical signals between an external device located on a first side of a wellbore barrier and a downhole device located on a second side of the well bore barrier includes a first wireless node which is positioned on the first side of the well bore barrier and is in communication with the external device via a first cable. A second wireless node is positioned on the second side of the well bore barrier and is in communication with the downhole device via a second cable. The first and second wireless nodes are configured to communicate wirelessly through the well bore barrier using near field magnetic induction (NFMI) communications.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2012Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: John J. Mulholland, Gabriel Silva, David Kane, Daniel McStay
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Patent number: 9939547Abstract: A method for monitoring a subsea hydrocarbon production or processing apparatus involves mounting a subsea control module (SCM) on or adjacent the apparatus, mounting a first base unit on or adjacent the apparatus at a distance from the SCM, mounting a plurality of first sensor devices on the apparatus, each of the plurality of first sensor devices being configured to generate a first sensor signal representative of a condition of a component of the apparatus or a property of a fluid in the apparatus, operating each first sensor device to generate a corresponding first sensor signal, wirelessly transmitting each first sensor signal from its corresponding first sensor device to the first base unit, wirelessly receiving the first sensor signals at the first base unit, transmitting the first sensor signals from the first base unit to the SCM, and receiving the first sensor signals at the SCM.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2016Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Daniel McStay, John J. Mulholland, David Kane
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Patent number: 9929777Abstract: A method for increasing the power transfer efficiency of a wireless induction power and/or data transfer system comprising a magnetic field transmitter which is positioned on a first side of a barrier and a magnetic field receiver which is positioned on a second side of the barrier opposite the first side comprises the steps of disposing at least one flux flow member in or adjacent the barrier at least partially between the transmitter and the receiver. The flux flow member comprises a magnetic permeability different from the magnetic permeability of the barrier. As a result, the flux flow member increases the amount of magnetic flux generated by the transmitter which is coupled through the barrier and into the receiver.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2011Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Corey Jaskolski, John J. Mulholland, Daniel McStay
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Patent number: 9929597Abstract: A magnetic saturation apparatus for a wireless inductive power and/or data transfer system which comprises a magnetic field transmitter positioned on a first side of a barrier and a magnetic field receiver positioned on a second side of the barrier. The magnetic saturation apparatus includes a saturation magnet which is positioned on one side of the barrier and which in use generates a saturation flux in an adjacent saturation region of the barrier which is located at least partially between the transmitter and the receiver. The saturation flux effectively lowers the magnetic permeability of the saturation region and thereby inhibits the magnetic flux generated by the transmitter from shorting through the barrier and back into the transmitter. Thus, the saturation region facilitates the flow of magnetic flux from the transmitter into the receiver.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2013Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Corey Jaskolski, John J. Mulholland
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Patent number: 9506994Abstract: A sensor apparatus comprises a first magnetic transducer which in use is positioned on a first side of a barrier and a second magnetic transducer which in use is positioned on a second side of the barrier opposite the first side. The second transducer comprises a magnetic or electrical property which is dependent upon a sensible condition on the second side of the barrier, such as the pressure or temperature on the second side of the barrier. In operation, the first transducer generates a first magnetic field which induces the second transducer to generate a second magnetic field that is dependent upon the magnetic or electrical property of the second transducer. The first transducer detects the second magnetic field and generates a signal which is representative of the sensible condition on the second side of the barrier.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2010Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: John J. Mulholland, Corey Jaskolski, Frank Borke, Gabriel Silva, Christopher D. Bartlett
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Publication number: 20160341030Abstract: A method for monitoring a condition in at least one of a plurality of casing annuli in a subsea hydrocarbon production system having a wellhead housing mounted at the upper end of a well bore and a number of concentric well casings extending from the wellhead housing through the well bore, including an innermost casing through which a hydrocarbon fluid is produced. The plurality of casing annuli are defined between successive ones of the wellhead housing and the well casings. The method involves sensing at least a first condition at a first location in a first casing annulus, generating a first data signal at the first location which is indicative of the first condition, transmitting the first data signal from the first location to a second location either outside the wellhead housing or inside the innermost casing, receiving the first data signal at the second location; and transmitting the first data signal from the second location to a remote location at which the first condition may be monitored.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2016Publication date: November 24, 2016Inventors: John J. Mulholland, Corey Jaskolski, Gabriel Silva
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Publication number: 20160341844Abstract: A method for monitoring a subsea hydrocarbon production or processing apparatus involves mounting a subsea control module (SCM) on or adjacent the apparatus, mounting a first base unit on or adjacent the apparatus at a distance from the SCM, mounting a plurality of first sensor devices on the apparatus, each of the plurality of first sensor devices being configured to generate a first sensor signal representative of a condition of a component of the apparatus or a property of a fluid in the apparatus, operating each first sensor device to generate a corresponding first sensor signal, wirelessly transmitting each first sensor signal from its corresponding first sensor device to the first base unit, wirelessly receiving the first sensor signals at the first base unit, transmitting the first sensor signals from the first base unit to the SCM, and receiving the first sensor signals at the SCM.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2016Publication date: November 24, 2016Inventors: Daniel McStay, John J. Mulholland, David Kane
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Patent number: 9435190Abstract: A non-invasive wireless communication system for monitoring parameters existing within the casing annuli of a subsea hydrocarbon production system. The subsea hydrocarbon production system includes a wellhead housing mounted at the upper end of a well bore and a number of concentric well casings extending from the wellhead housing through the well bore, and the casing annuli are formed between successive ones of the wellhead housing and the well casings The monitoring system comprises an interrogation package which is adapted to wirelessly transmit and receive NFM and/or inductive signals and at least one sensing package which is located in one of the casing annuli and is adapted to wirelessly receive the signals from and transmit response signals to the interrogation package.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2010Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: John J. Mulholland, Corey Jaskolski, Gabriel Silva
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Patent number: 9435908Abstract: A subsea system for producing or processing a hydrocarbon production fluid comprises a plurality of sensors, each of which generates a sensor signal that is representative of a condition of a component of the system or a property of a fluid. A base unit mounted on or adjacent the system is in wireless communication with each of the sensors, and a subsea control module is in communication with the base unit. In operation, the sensor signals are transmitted wirelessly from the sensors to the base unit and are then transmitted from the base unit to the subsea control module.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2010Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Daniel McStay, John J. Mulholland, David Kane
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Publication number: 20160069178Abstract: An apparatus for communicating optical signals between an external device located on a first side of a wellbore barrier and a downhole device located on a second side of the well bore barrier includes a first wireless node which is positioned on the first side of the well bore barrier and is in communication with the external device via a first cable. A second wireless node is positioned on the second side of the well bore barrier and is in communication with the downhole device via a second cable. The first and second wireless nodes are configured to communicate wirelessly through the well bore barrier using near field magnetic induction (NFMI) communications.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2012Publication date: March 10, 2016Inventors: John J. Mulholland, Gabriel Silva, David Kane, Daniel McStay
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Publication number: 20150372501Abstract: A magnetic saturation apparatus for a wireless inductive power and/or data transfer system which comprises a magnetic field transmitter positioned on a first side of a barrier and a magnetic field receiver positioned on a second side of the barrier. The magnetic saturation apparatus includes a saturation magnet which is positioned on one side of the barrier and which in use generates a saturation flux in an adjacent saturation region of the barrier which is located at least partially between the transmitter and the receiver. The saturation flux effectively lowers the magnetic permeability of the saturation region and thereby inhibits the magnetic flux generated by the transmitter from shorting through the barrier and back into the transmitter. Thus, the saturation region facilitates the flow of magnetic flux from the transmitter into the receiver.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2013Publication date: December 24, 2015Inventors: Corey Jaskolski, John J. Mulholland
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Publication number: 20140265613Abstract: A method for increasing the power transfer efficiency of a wireless induction power and/or data transfer system comprising a magnetic field transmitter which is positioned on a first side of a barrier and a magnetic field receiver which is positioned on a second side of the barrier opposite the first side comprises the steps of disposing at least one flux flow member in or adjacent the barrier at least partially between the transmitter and the receiver. The flux flow member comprises a magnetic permeability different from the magnetic permeability of the barrier. As a result, the flux flow member increases the amount of magnetic flux generated by the transmitter which is coupled through the barrier and into the receiver.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2011Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicants: HYDRO TECHNOLOGIES, INC., FMC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Corey Jaskolski, John J. Mulholland, Daniel McStay
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Publication number: 20130269945Abstract: A non-invasive wireless communication system for monitoring parameters existing within the casing annuli of a subsea hydrocarbon production system. The subsea hydrocarbon production system includes a wellhead housing mounted at the upper end of a well bore and a number of concentric well casings extending from the wellhead housing through the well bore, and the casing annuli are formed between successive ones of the wellhead housing and the well casings The monitoring system comprises an interrogation package which is adapted to wirelessly transmit and receive NFM and/or inductive signals and at least one sensing package which is located in one of the casing annuli and is adapted to wirelessly receive the signals from and transmit response signals to the interrogation package.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2010Publication date: October 17, 2013Applicant: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: John J. Mulholland, Corey Jaskolski, Gabriel Silva
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Publication number: 20130147470Abstract: A sensor apparatus comprises a first magnetic transducer which in use is positioned on a first side of a barrier and a second magnetic transducer which in use is positioned on a second side of the barrier opposite the first side. The second transducer comprises a magnetic or electrical property which is dependent upon a sensible condition on the second side of the barrier, such as the pressure or temperature on the second side of the barrier. In operation, the first transducer generates a first magnetic field which induces the second transducer to generate a second magnetic field that is dependent upon the magnetic or electrical property of the second transducer. The first transducer detects the second magnetic field and generates a signal which is representative of the sensible condition on the second side of the barrier.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2010Publication date: June 13, 2013Applicant: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: John J. Mulholland, Corey Jaskolski, Frank Borke, Gabriel Silva, Christopher D. Bartlett
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Publication number: 20120098674Abstract: A subsea system for producing or processing a hydrocarbon production fluid comprises a plurality of sensors, each of which generates a sensor signal that is representative of a condition of a component of the system or a property of a fluid. A base unit mounted on or adjacent the system is in wireless communication with each of the sensors, and a subsea control module is in communication with the base unit. In operation, the sensor signals are transmitted wirelessly from the sensors to the base unit and are then transmitted from the base unit to the subsea control module.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2010Publication date: April 26, 2012Applicant: FMC TECHNOLOGIES INC.Inventors: Daniel McStay, John J. Mulholland, David Kane