Patents by Inventor Justin Fraczek
Justin Fraczek 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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Publication number: 20210207447Abstract: A seal and bearing includes a seal and bearing housing, a rotatable mandrel disposed within an inner aperture of the seal and bearing housing, an upper seal carrier attached to a top side of the seal and bearing housing having a dynamic sealing element that contacts the rotatable mandrel, a plurality of tapered-thrust bearings to facilitate rotation of the rotatable mandrel including top tapered-thrust bearings indirectly mounted at a positive offset angle from a perpendicular line to a longitudinal axis of the rotating control device and bottom tapered-thrust bearings indirectly mounted at a negative offset angle from the perpendicular line to the longitudinal axis of the rotating control device, a preload spacer disposed between the top and bottom tapered-thrust bearings, and a lower seal carrier attached to a bottom side of the seal and bearing housing having a plurality of removable seal carrier trays.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2021Publication date: July 8, 2021Inventors: Justin Fraczek, Shawn Paul McClosky, George James Michaud, Alexander John MacGregor, Fukun Lai
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Patent number: 11035186Abstract: This disclosure includes flow spool riser segment assemblies that are suitable for managed pressure drilling (MPD) and that can be lowered (e.g., when connected to other riser segment assemblies) through a rotary of a drilling rig. Some embodiments are configured to have portions of the flow spool connected (e.g., without welding) below the rotary.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2020Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: AMERIFORGE GROUP INC.Inventors: Justin Fraczek, Roland Kennedy, Randy Arthion, Alex Gidman
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Patent number: 11008825Abstract: A rotating control device includes a bowl housing with an inner aperture to receive a seal and bearing assembly. A plurality of hydraulically-actuated fail-last-position latching assemblies are disposed about an outer surface of the bowl housing to controllably extend a plurality of piston-driven dogs radially into a groove of the seal and bearing assembly. The seal and bearing assembly includes a housing, a mandrel disposed within an inner aperture of the housing, a first interference-fit sealing element attached to a bottom distal end of the mandrel, a plurality of tapered-thrust bearings indirectly mounted to the housing, a preload spacer disposed between top and bottom tapered-thrust bearings, a plurality of jam nuts to adjust a preload of the tapered-thrust bearings, and a lower seal carrier attached to the seal and bearing housing comprising a plurality of dynamic sealing elements that contact the mandrel.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2020Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: AMERIFORGE GROUP INC.Inventors: Justin Fraczek, Shawn Paul McClosky, George James Michaud, Alexander John MacGregor, Fukun Lai
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Patent number: 10995573Abstract: A rotating control device includes a bowl housing with an inner aperture to receive a seal and bearing assembly. A plurality of hydraulically-actuated fail-last-position latching assemblies are disposed about an outer surface of the bowl housing to controllably extend a plurality of piston-driven dogs radially into a groove of the seal and bearing assembly. The seal and bearing assembly includes a housing, a mandrel disposed within an inner aperture of the housing, a first interference-fit sealing element attached to a bottom distal end of the mandrel, a plurality of tapered-thrust bearings indirectly mounted to the housing, a preload spacer disposed between top and bottom tapered-thrust bearings, a plurality of jam nuts to adjust a preload of the tapered-thrust bearings and a lower seal carrier attached to the seal and bearing housing comprising a plurality of dynamic sealing elements that contact the mandrel.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2020Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: AMERIFORGE GROUP INC.Inventors: Justin Fraczek, Shawn Paul McClosky, George James Michaud, Alexander John MacGregor, Fukun Lai
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Publication number: 20210115738Abstract: This disclosure includes riser-component assemblies and methods of assembling the same that are suitable for managed pressure drilling (MPD) systems. For example, this disclosure includes integrated flow spool and isolation tool riser components that can be permanently coupled together and that can be configured to pass through a rotary table or other rig equipment.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2020Publication date: April 22, 2021Inventors: Justin Fraczek, Waybourn Anderson, Alex Gidman
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Publication number: 20200362659Abstract: A rotating control device includes a bowl housing with an inner aperture to receive a seal and bearing assembly. A plurality of hydraulically-actuated fail-last-position latching assemblies are disposed about an outer surface of the bowl housing to controllably extend a plurality of piston-driven dogs radially into a groove of the seal and bearing assembly. The seal and bearing assembly includes a housing, a mandrel disposed within an inner aperture of the housing, a first interference-fit sealing element attached to a bottom distal end of the mandrel, a plurality of tapered-thrust bearings indirectly mounted to the housing, a preload spacer disposed between top and bottom tapered-thrust bearings, a plurality of jam nuts to adjust a preload of the tapered-thrust bearings, and a lower seal carrier attached to the seal and bearing housing comprising a plurality of dynamic sealing elements that contact the mandrel.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2020Publication date: November 19, 2020Inventors: Justin Fraczek, Shawn Paul McClosky, George James Michaud, Alexander John MacGregor, Fukun Lai
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Publication number: 20200362651Abstract: A rotating control device includes a bowl housing with an inner aperture to receive a seal and bearing assembly. A plurality of hydraulically-actuated fail-last-position latching assemblies are disposed about an outer surface of the bowl housing to controllably extend a plurality of piston-driven dogs radially into a groove of the seal and bearing assembly. The seal and bearing assembly includes a housing, a mandrel disposed within an inner aperture of the housing, a first interference-fit sealing element attached to a bottom distal end of the mandrel, a plurality of tapered-thrust bearings indirectly mounted to the housing, a preload spacer disposed between top and bottom tapered-thrust bearings, a plurality of jam nuts to adjust a preload of the tapered-thrust bearings and a lower seal carrier attached to the seal and bearing housing comprising a plurality of dynamic sealing elements that contact the mandrel.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2020Publication date: November 19, 2020Inventors: Justin Fraczek, Shawn Paul McClosky, George James Michaud, Alexander John MacGregor, Fukun Lai
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Patent number: 10837239Abstract: This disclosure includes riser-component assemblies and methods of assembling the same that are suitable for managed pressure drilling (MPD) systems. For example, this disclosure includes integrated flow spool and isolation tool riser components that can be permanently coupled together and that can be configured to pass through a rotary table or other rig equipment.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2020Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: AMERIFORGE GROUP INC.Inventors: Justin Fraczek, Waybourn Anderson, Alex Gidman
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Publication number: 20200347685Abstract: This disclosure includes flow spool riser segment assemblies that are suitable for managed pressure drilling (MPD) and that can be lowered (e.g., when connected to other riser segment assemblies) through a rotary of a drilling rig. Some embodiments are configured to have portions of the flow spool connected (e.g., without welding) below the rotary.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2020Publication date: November 5, 2020Inventors: JUSTIN FRACZEK, ROLAND KENNEDY, RANDY ARTHION, ALEX GIDMAN
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Publication number: 20200300052Abstract: A method of seal condition monitoring may determine the state of the annular seal, the state of one or more sealing elements, take actions to maintain the annular seal as one or more sealing elements transition from new to worn, and provide advance notice of the impending failure of one or more sealing elements so as to avoid a catastrophic annular seal failure while the marine riser is pressurized. Advantageously, operations may be conducted proactively rather than reactively, and one or more sealing elements may be replaced well in advance of failure, but potentially later than a conventional maintenance schedule would dictate. The one or more failing sealing elements may be proactively replaced without depressurizing the marine riser, prior to seal failure or replacement may be planned well in advance and coordinated with other rig operations to improve efficiency and maintain the safety of the drilling rig and personnel.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2020Publication date: September 24, 2020Inventors: Austin Johnson, Justin Fraczek, Waybourn Anderson, JR., Brian Piccolo, Saravanan Sundaramoorthy, Alexander John MacGregor, Kareem Ahmed Ameen Amer, George James Michaud
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Publication number: 20200300051Abstract: A method of seal condition monitoring may determine the state of the annular seal, the state of one or more sealing elements, take actions to maintain the annular seal as one or more sealing elements transition from new to worn, and provide advance notice of the impending failure of one or more sealing elements so as to avoid a catastrophic annular seal failure while the marine riser is pressurized. Advantageously, operations may be conducted proactively rather than reactively, and one or more sealing elements may be replaced well in advance of failure, but potentially later than a conventional maintenance schedule would dictate. The one or more failing sealing elements may be proactively replaced without depressurizing the marine riser, prior to seal failure or replacement may be planned well in advance and coordinated with other rig operations to improve efficiency and maintain the safety of the drilling rig and personnel.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2020Publication date: September 24, 2020Inventors: Austin Johnson, Justin Fraczek, Waybourn Anderson, JR., Brian Piccolo, Saravanan Sundaramoorthy, Alexander John MacGregor, Kareem Ahmed Ameen Amer, George James Michaud
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Patent number: 10781956Abstract: Various connection devices and assemblies, such as telescoping riser joints, can include at least one of the present connection devices. Some of the present connection devices, for example, include a housing having a bore therethrough; a locking ring rotatably movable relative to the housing between a first position and a second position; and an engagement member laterally moveable relative to the bore of the housing between a retracted position and an extended position. In some such connection devices, the locking ring is configured such that movement from the first position to the second position causes the engagement member to move from the retracted position to the extended position.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2018Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: AMERIFORCE GROUP INC.Inventors: Justin Fraczek, Waybourn Anderson, Alex Gidman, Julio Garza
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Publication number: 20200284102Abstract: This disclosure includes riser-component assemblies and methods of assembling the same that are suitable for managed pressure drilling (MPD) and that can be split apart when using pin connectors to connect auxiliary lines to other auxiliary lines and to components of the riser-component assemblies.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2020Publication date: September 10, 2020Inventors: Justin Fraczek, Waybourn Anderson, Alex Gidman
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Publication number: 20200232286Abstract: This disclosure includes riser-component assemblies and methods of assembling the same that are suitable for managed pressure drilling (MPD) systems. For example, this disclosure includes integrated flow spool and isolation tool riser components that can be permanently coupled together and that can be configured to pass through a rotary table or other rig equipment.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2020Publication date: July 23, 2020Inventors: Justin Fraczek, Waybourn Anderson, Alex Gidman
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Patent number: 10689929Abstract: This disclosure includes flow spool riser segment assemblies that are suitable for managed pressure drilling (MPD) and that can be lowered (e.g., when connected to other riser segment assemblies) through a rotary of a drilling rig. Some embodiments are configured to have portions of the flow spool connected (e.g., without welding) below the rotary.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2018Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: AMERIFORGE GROUP, INC.Inventors: Justin Fraczek, Roland Kennedy, Randy Arthion, Alex Gidman
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Publication number: 20200182002Abstract: This disclosure includes auxiliary-line riser segment assemblies (e.g., with isolation units) that are suitable for managed pressure drilling (MPD) and that can be lowered (e.g., when connected to other riser segment assemblies) through a rotary of a drilling rig. Some embodiments are configured to have portions of the auxiliary lines connected (e.g., without welding) below the rotary.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2019Publication date: June 11, 2020Inventors: Justin FRACZEK, Roland Kennedy, Randy Arthion, Alex Gidman
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Patent number: 10655403Abstract: This disclosure includes riser-component assemblies and methods of assembling the same that are suitable for managed pressure drilling (MPD) and that can be split apart when using pin connectors to connect auxiliary lines to other auxiliary lines and to components of the riser-component assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2018Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: AMERIFORGE GROUP INC.Inventors: Justin Fraczek, Waybourn Anderson, Alex Gidman
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Patent number: 10655410Abstract: A dual gradient drilling system includes a subsea blowout preventer disposed above a wellhead, the subsea blowout preventer having a central lumen configured to provide access to a wellbore, a lower section of a marine riser fluidly connected to the subsea blowout preventer, a closed-hydraulic positive displacement subsea pump system fluidly connected to the lower section of the marine riser and disposed at a predetermined depth, an annular sealing system disposed above the closed-hydraulic positive displacement subsea pump system, and an independent mud return line fluidly connecting one or more pump heads of the closed-hydraulic positive displacement subsea pump system to a choke manifold disposed on a floating platform of a rig.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2019Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: AMERIFORCE GROUP INC.Inventors: Austin Johnson, Brian Piccolo, Justin Fraczek, Waybourn Anderson, Christian Leuchtenberg
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Patent number: 10612317Abstract: This disclosure includes riser-component assemblies and methods of assembling the same that are suitable for managed pressure drilling (MPD) systems. For example, this disclosure includes integrated flow spool and isolation tool riser components that can be permanently coupled together and that can be configured to pass through a rotary table or other rig equipment.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2018Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: AMERIFORGE GROUP INC.Inventors: Justin Fraczek, Waybourn Anderson, Alex Gidman
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Patent number: 10590721Abstract: A dual gradient drilling system includes a subsea blowout preventer disposed above a wellhead, the subsea blowout preventer having a central lumen configured to provide access to a wellbore, a lower section of a marine riser fluidly connected to the subsea blowout preventer, a closed-hydraulic positive displacement subsea pump system fluidly connected to the lower section of the marine riser and disposed at a predetermined depth, an annular sealing system disposed above the closed-hydraulic positive displacement subsea pump system, and an independent mud return line fluidly connecting one or more pump heads of the closed-hydraulic positive displacement subsea pump system to a choke manifold disposed on a floating platform of a rig.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2019Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: AMERIFORGE GROUP INC.Inventors: Austin Johnson, Brian Piccolo, Justin Fraczek, Waybourn Anderson, Christian Leuchtenberg