Patents by Inventor Joseph Pallini

Joseph Pallini 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: 20240102350
    Abstract: An annular seal system for sealing between a casing hanger and a wellhead housing, the system including an actuator ring having a rigid portion and a flexible portion, and a lockdown ring positioned adjacent the actuator ring. The annular seal system further includes a seal assembly capable of moving between a de-energized position and an energized position, wherein the seal assembly in the de-energized position has a defined a space between the seal assembly and the rigid portion of the actuator ring, wherein the seal assembly in the energized position has the space closed, wherein the rigid portion of the actuator ring is to contact a surface of the casing hanger, wherein the flexible portion of the actuator ring is to push the lockdown ring into engagement with the wellhead, and wherein the flexible portion of the actuator ring adapted is to axially compress to allow positional variation between the lockdown ring and the wellhead housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Samuel H Cheng, Greg Dunn, Daryl Attaway, Joseph Pallini, Amini Shakib
  • Patent number: 11867018
    Abstract: An annular seal system for sealing between a casing hanger and a wellhead housing, the system including an actuator ring having a rigid portion and a flexible portion, and a lockdown ring positioned adjacent the actuator ring. The annular seal system further includes a seal assembly capable of moving between a de-energized position and an energized position, wherein the seal assembly in the de-energized position has a defined a space between the seal assembly and the rigid portion of the actuator ring, wherein the seal assembly in the energized position has the space closed, wherein the rigid portion of the actuator ring is to contact a surface of the casing hanger, wherein the flexible portion of the actuator ring is to push the lockdown ring into engagement with the wellhead, and wherein the flexible portion of the actuator ring adapted is to axially compress to allow positional variation between the lockdown ring and the wellhead housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Samuel H. Cheng, Greg Dunn, Daryl Attaway, Joseph Pallini, Amini Shakib
  • Publication number: 20220389782
    Abstract: An annular seal system for sealing between a casing hanger and a wellhead housing, the system including an actuator ring having a rigid portion and a flexible portion, and a lockdown ring positioned adjacent the actuator ring. The annular seal system further includes a seal assembly capable of moving between a de-energized position and an energized position, wherein the seal assembly in the de-energized position has a defined a space between the seal assembly and the rigid portion of the actuator ring, wherein the seal assembly in the energized position has the space closed, wherein the rigid portion of the actuator ring is to contact a surface of the casing hanger, wherein the flexible portion of the actuator ring is to push the lockdown ring into engagement with the wellhead, and wherein the flexible portion of the actuator ring adapted is to axially compress to allow positional variation between the lockdown ring and the wellhead housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Samuel H. Cheng, Greg Dunn, Daryl Attaway, Joseph Pallini, Amini Shakib
  • Patent number: 11512799
    Abstract: A system for blocking rotation between a first tubular and a second tubular includes a key positioned within a recess formed in the first tubular. The system also includes a retention fastener securing the key to the first tubular, the retention fastener being arranged within an elongated aperture extending through the key. The system further includes an installation fastener moving the key from a storage configuration when in a first position to an engaged configuration when in a second position, the installation fastener having a tapered face that engages at least a portion of the key. The system also includes teeth arranged along a bottom portion of the key, proximate the second tubular, the teeth engaging the second tubular via rotation of the key about the retention fastener and blocking rotation of the first tubular relative to the second tubular in a first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Pallini, Dennis R Martinchich, Matthew Lord, Alejandro Rodela, Xichang Zhang
  • Patent number: 11492865
    Abstract: An annular seal system for sealing between a casing hanger and a wellhead housing, the system including an actuator ring having a rigid portion and a flexible portion, and a lockdown ring positioned adjacent the actuator ring. The annular seal system further includes a seal assembly capable of moving from a de-energized position to an energized position, wherein when the seal assembly is in the de-energized position there is defined a space between the seal assembly and the rigid portion of the actuator ring, and when the seal assembly is in the energized position the space is closed, the rigid portion of the actuator ring contacts a surface of the casing hanger, and the flexible portion of the actuator ring pushes the lockdown ring into engagement with the wellhead, the flexible portion of the actuator ring adapted to axially compress to allow positional variation between the lockdown ring and the wellhead housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Samuel H Cheng, Greg Dunn, Daryl Attaway, Joseph Pallini, Amini Shakib
  • Patent number: 11459833
    Abstract: A system for blocking rotation between a first tubular and a second tubular includes a key positioned within a recess formed in the first tubular. The system also includes a retention fastener securing the key to the first tubular, the retention fastener being arranged within an elongated aperture extending through the key. The system further includes an installation fastener moving the key from a storage configuration when in a first position to an engaged configuration when in a second position, the installation fastener having a tapered face that engages at least a portion of the key. The system also includes teeth arranged along a bottom portion of the key, proximate the second tubular, the teeth engaging the second tubular via rotation of the key about the retention fastener and blocking rotation of the first tubular relative to the second tubular in a first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Dennis R. Martinchich, Joseph Pallini, Micah Thomas, Alejandro Rodela, Matthew Lord, Xichang Zhang
  • Publication number: 20220010629
    Abstract: A system for blocking rotation between a first tubular and a second tubular includes a key positioned within a recess formed in the first tubular. The system also includes a retention fastener securing the key to the first tubular, the retention fastener being arranged within an elongated aperture extending through the key. The system further includes an installation fastener moving the key from a storage configuration when in a first position to an engaged configuration when in a second position, the installation fastener having a tapered face that engages at least a portion of the key. The system also includes teeth arranged along a bottom portion of the key, proximate the second tubular, the teeth engaging the second tubular via rotation of the key about the retention fastener and blocking rotation of the first tubular relative to the second tubular in a first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Dennis R. MARTINCHICH, Joseph PALLINI, Micah THOMAS, Alejandro RODELA, Matthew LORD, Xichang ZHANG
  • Publication number: 20220010895
    Abstract: A system for blocking rotation between a first tubular and a second tubular includes a key positioned within a recess formed in the first tubular. The system also includes a retention fastener securing the key to the first tubular, the retention fastener being arranged within an elongated aperture extending through the key. The system further includes an installation fastener moving the key from a storage configuration when in a first position to an engaged configuration when in a second position, the installation fastener having a tapered face that engages at least a portion of the key. The system also includes teeth arranged along a bottom portion of the key, proximate the second tubular, the teeth engaging the second tubular via rotation of the key about the retention fastener and blocking rotation of the first tubular relative to the second tubular in a first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Joseph PALLINI, Dennis R. MARTINCHICH, Matthew LORD, Alejandro RODELA, Xichang ZHANG
  • Patent number: 10968716
    Abstract: A wellhead includes a wellhead body and a locking end coupled to the wellhead body. The locking end includes an exterior surface with an exterior locking profile. The exterior locking profile includes an exterior groove formed between exterior stab and load flanks on the exterior surface. The locking end also includes an interior surface having an interior locking profile. The interior locking profile includes an interior groove formed between interior stab and load flanks on the interior surface. At least one of the exterior groove or the interior groove is a relief groove that undercuts at least one of the respective stab or load flank. The relief groove corresponds to a portion of the contour of an ellipse intersecting at least a portion of the respective stab or load flank, and an axis of the ellipse is at a tilted angle with respect to an axis of the wellhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Vetco Gray, LLC
    Inventors: Baozhi Zhu, Joseph Pallini
  • Patent number: 10947804
    Abstract: A system is disclosed as including a seal for sealing an area between a hanger and a housing of a wellhead. The seal is provided with at least a notch that defines at least a movable portion such as a wing or a lip. An e-ring is provided for a first energizing of the seal. The movable portion enables pressurized fluid from beneath the seal to cause the movable portion to protrude further against a mating side in the wellhead and the hanger for a second energizing of the seal. This type of seal maintains or improves the sealing of the wellhead in high pressure applications. Methods applied to the above seal are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Vetco Gray, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Ingram, Greg Dunn, Alejandro Martinez, Ronnie Hampton, Joseph Pallini
  • Publication number: 20210062603
    Abstract: An annular seal system for sealing between a casing hanger and a wellhead housing, the system including an actuator ring having a rigid portion and a flexible portion, and a lockdown ring positioned adjacent the actuator ring. The annular seal system further includes a seal assembly capable of moving from a de-energized position to an energized position, wherein when the seal assembly is in the de-energized position there is defined a space between the seal assembly and the rigid portion of the actuator ring, and when the seal assembly is in the energized position the space is closed, the rigid portion of the actuator ring contacts a surface of the casing hanger, and the flexible portion of the actuator ring pushes the lockdown ring into engagement with the wellhead, the flexible portion of the actuator ring adapted to axially compress to allow positional variation between the lockdown ring and the wellhead housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Samuel H. Cheng, Greg Dunn, Daryl Attaway, Joseph Pallini, Amini Shakib
  • Patent number: 10844687
    Abstract: An annulus seal for sealing an interface between a wellhead housing and a casing hanger. The annulus seal includes a central body portion, a first seal leg extending from the central body portion in a first direction and a second seal leg extending from the central body portion in the first direction across from the first seal leg. The first seal leg sealingly engages the casing hanger, and the second seal leg sealingly engages the wellhead housing. At least one of the first seal leg or the second seal leg includes at least one of a first cavity at least partially extending into the respective seal leg from the first direction or a second cavity at least partially extending into the respective seal leg from the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: GE Oil & Gas Pressure Control LP
    Inventors: Alejandro Rodela, Joseph Pallini, Andrew Ingram, Greg Dunn
  • Patent number: 10830006
    Abstract: Embodiments include a system for setting a seal in a wellbore including a sabot arranged proximate the seal, the sabot being supported by the seal and having a first diameter larger than a second diameter of the seal. The system also includes a bridge coupled to the sabot and in contact with the seal, the bridge extending axially away from the sabot and positioned within a slot formed by an extension of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: VETCO GRAY, LLC
    Inventors: Samuel Heung Yeung Cheng, Kevin O'Dell, Gregory Dunn, Joseph Pallini
  • Patent number: 10745992
    Abstract: An energizing ring for setting a downhole sealing element includes a passage extending through a width of the energizing ring and a wing extending radially outward from a body of the energizing ring, the wing includes a sealing arm coupled to the body at a joint and a slot arranged between at least a portion of the sealing arm and the body, wherein the sealing arm is configured to pivot relative to the joint in response to a fluid pressure within the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: GE OIL & GAS PRESSURE CONTROL LP
    Inventors: Samuel Heung Yeung Cheng, Wei He, Kevin O'Dell, Joseph Pallini
  • Publication number: 20200173240
    Abstract: Embodiments include a system for setting a seal in a wellbore including a sabot arranged proximate the seal, the sabot being supported by the seal and having a first diameter larger than a second diameter of the seal. The system also includes a bridge coupled to the sabot and in contact with the seal, the bridge extending axially away from the sabot and positioned within a slot formed by an extension of the seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: Vetco Gray, LLC
    Inventors: Samuel Heung Yeung Cheng, Kevin O'Dell, Gregory Dunn, Joseph Pallini
  • Publication number: 20200011147
    Abstract: A wellhead includes a wellhead body and a locking end coupled to the wellhead body. The locking end includes an exterior surface with an exterior locking profile. The exterior locking profile includes an exterior groove formed between exterior stab and load flanks on the exterior surface. The locking end also includes an interior surface having an interior locking profile. The interior locking profile includes an interior groove formed between interior stab and load flanks on the interior surface. At least one of the exterior groove or the interior groove is a relief groove that undercuts at least one of the respective stab or load flank. The relief groove corresponds to a portion of the contour of an ellipse intersecting at least a portion of the respective stab or load flank, and an axis of the ellipse is at a tilted angle with respect to an axis of the wellhead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Applicant: Vetco Gray, LLC
    Inventors: Baozhi Zhu, Joseph Pallini
  • Publication number: 20190309594
    Abstract: An annulus seal for sealing an interface between a wellhead housing and a casing hanger. The annulus seal includes a central body portion, a first seal leg extending from the central body portion in a first direction and a second seal leg extending from the central body portion in the first direction across from the first seal leg. The first seal leg sealingly engages the casing hanger, and the second seal leg sealingly engages the wellhead housing. At least one of the first seal leg or the second seal leg includes at least one of a first cavity at least partially extending into the respective seal leg from the first direction or a second cavity at least partially extending into the respective seal leg from the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Applicant: GE Oil & Gas Pressure Control LP
    Inventors: Alejandro Rodela, Joseph Pallini, Andrew Ingram, Greg Dunn
  • Publication number: 20190309598
    Abstract: An energizing ring for setting a downhole sealing element includes a passage extending through a width of the energizing ring and a wing extending radially outward from a body of the energizing ring, the wing includes a sealing arm coupled to the body at a joint and a slot arranged between at least a portion of the sealing arm and the body, wherein the sealing arm is configured to pivot relative to the joint in response to a fluid pressure within the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Applicant: GE Oil & Gas Pressure Control LP
    Inventors: Samuel Heung Yeung Cheng, Wei He, Kevin O'Dell, Joseph Pallini
  • Publication number: 20190309593
    Abstract: A system is disclosed as including a seal for sealing an area between a hanger and a housing of a wellhead. The seal is provided with at least a notch that defines at least a movable portion such as a wing or a lip. An e-ring is provided for a first energizing of the seal. The movable portion enables pressurized fluid from beneath the seal to cause the movable portion to protrude further against a mating side in the wellhead and the hanger for a second energizing of the seal. This type of seal maintains or improves the sealing of the wellhead in high pressure applications. Methods applied to the above seal are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Applicant: Vetco Gray, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Ingram, Greg Dunn, Alejandro Martinez, Ronnie Hampton, Joseph Pallini
  • Publication number: 20060280560
    Abstract: A surface assembly that communicates with subsea structures and includes a working deck on a floating structure. The working deck has an aperture extending axially therethrough. A riser extends from a subsea location to the working deck and through the aperture. The surface assembly includes a frame extending circumferentially around the riser so that the frame moves axially with the riser. The assembly also includes a tensioner assembly connected between the working deck and the frame. The tensioner assembly includes a piston slidably carried in a piston chamber, a piston rod extending from the piston and away from the piston chamber, and a shroud enclosing the piston rod. The shroud has a plurality of segments with at least one of the shroud segments being movable in unison with the piston rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Publication date: December 14, 2006
    Inventors: Fife Ellis, Joseph Pallini, Jeffery McCarty, Charles Jennings