Patents by Inventor John L. Upchurch

John L. Upchurch 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: 7798233
    Abstract: The present invention relates to overpressure protection systems and methods for use on a production system for transferring hydrocarbons from a well on the seafloor to a vessel floating on the surface of the sea. The production system includes a subsea well in fluid communication with a turret buoy through a production flowline and riser system. The turret buoy is capable of connecting to a swivel located on a floating vessel. The overpressure protection device is positioned upstream of the swivel, to prevent overpressure of the production swivel and downstream components located on the floating vessel. The device may include one or more shut down valves, one or more sensors, an actuator assembly, and a control processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremiah Daniel, Jin-Sug Chung, Ramanathan Ramaswamy, Joseph M. Gebara, John L. Upchurch
  • Patent number: 7793725
    Abstract: The present invention relates to overpressure protection systems and methods for use on a production system for transferring hydrocarbons from a well on the seafloor to a vessel floating on the surface of the sea. The production system includes a subsea well in fluid communication with a turret buoy through a production flowline and riser system. The turret buoy is capable of connecting to a swivel located on a floating vessel. The overpressure protection device is positioned upstream of the swivel, to prevent overpressure of the production swivel and downstream components located on the floating vessel. The device may include one or more shut down valves, one or more sensors, an actuator assembly, and a control processor. Each shut down valve and sensor is coupled to a production flowline. Each of the sensors is capable of generating a signal based upon a pressure sensed within the production flowline. The actuator assembly is connected to each of the shut down valves for operating the shut down valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremiah Daniel, Jin-Sug Chung, Ramanathan Ramaswamy, Joseph M. Gebara, John L. Upchurch
  • Publication number: 20080135258
    Abstract: The present invention relates to overpressure protection systems and methods for use on a production system for transferring hydrocarbons from a well on the seafloor to a vessel floating on the surface of the sea. The production system includes a subsea well in fluid communication with a turret buoy through a production flowline and riser system. The turret buoy is capable of connecting to a swivel located on a floating vessel. The overpressure protection device is positioned upstream of the swivel, to prevent overpressure of the production swivel and downstream components located on the floating vessel. The device may include one or more shut down valves, one or more sensors, an actuator assembly, and a control processor. Each shut down valve and sensor is coupled to a production flowline. Each of the sensors is capable of generating a signal based upon a pressure sensed within the production flowline. The actuator assembly is connected to each of the shut down valves for operating the shut down valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicants: Chevron U.S.A. Inc., Technip USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremiah Daniel, Jin-Sug Chung, Ramanathan Ramaswamy, Joseph M. Gebara, John L. Upchurch
  • Publication number: 20080140337
    Abstract: The present invention relates to overpressure protection systems and methods for use on a production system for transferring hydrocarbons from a well on the seafloor to a vessel floating on the surface of the sea. The production system includes a subsea well in fluid communication with a turret buoy through a production flowline and riser system. The turret buoy is capable of connecting to a swivel located on a floating vessel. The overpressure protection device is positioned upstream of the swivel, to prevent overpressure of the production swivel and downstream components located on the floating vessel. The device may include one or more shut down valves, one or more sensors, an actuator assembly, and a control processor. Each shut down valve and sensor is coupled to a production flowline. Each of the sensors is capable of generating a signal based upon a pressure sensed within the production flowline. The actuator assembly is connected to each of the shut down valves for operating the shut down valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicants: Chevron U.S.A. Inc., Technip USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremiah Daniel, Jin-Sug Chung, Ramanathan Ramaswamy, Joseph M. Gebara, John L. Upchurch