Patents by Inventor Keith M. Adams

Keith M. Adams 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: 20200132212
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes an actuator adapted to drive movement of a valve member between an open position and a closed position. The valve assembly also includes a bonnet coupled to the actuator and a valve body coupled to the bonnet, the bonnet arranged between at least a portion of the actuator and the valve body. The valve assembly further includes a quick connector adapted to couple the bonnet to the valve body. The quick connector includes a plurality of bonnet lugs separated by a plurality of spaces, the plurality of bonnet lugs extending radially outward from an axis. The quick connector also includes a plurality of valve body lugs configured to interact with the plurality of bonnet lugs, the plurality of bonnet lugs being arranged to axially align with the plurality of valve body lugs to block axial movement of the bonnet with respect to the valve body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Ryan Choate, Keith M Adams, Lloyd Cheatham, Robert K Law
  • Patent number: 10563789
    Abstract: An apparatus for actuating a valve includes an actuator body with a central body axis and a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end having a connector selectively connectable to a valve assembly. An actuator stem extends along the central body axis. A torsional spring assembly has at least one torsional spring with a spring axis that is offset at an angle from the central body axis. A motion translator engages an inner end of the torsional spring assembly and the actuator stem, selectively converting rotation of the at least one torsional spring about the spring axis of the at least one torsional spring to linear movement of the actuator stem along the central body axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: GE Oil & Gas Pressure Control LP
    Inventors: Claudia Isabella Leon, Keith M. Adams, Travis Kyle McEvoy
  • Publication number: 20190376610
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body and a valve member configured to translate between an open and a closed position. The valve assembly also includes a bonnet coupled to the valve body and a valve stem coupled to the valve member. The valve assembly also includes an actuator coupled to the bonnet. The actuator includes a first drive mechanism positioned to translate a first driving force to the valve stem, the first drive mechanism being in operation during a normal operating condition. The actuator also includes a second drive mechanism positioned to translate a second driving force to the valve stem, the second drive mechanism being in operation during a fail-safe operating condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Applicant: GE Oil & Gas Pressure Control LP
    Inventors: Travis Kyle McEvoy, Keith M. Adams, Jeremy Choate, Guy Mitelman, Paul Cody
  • Patent number: 10480675
    Abstract: A system for securing a valve actuator to body of a valve assembly includes an actuator housing having housing lugs protruding radially to define a plurality of housing slots therebetween. A bonnet has bonnet lugs protruding radially to define a plurality of bonnet slots therebetween. Each of the housing lugs are sized to pass axially through a respective one of the bonnet slots when the actuator housing is in a released position and, after passing through the bonnet slots, the actuator housing is rotatable to a locked position where at least a portion of one or more of the housing lugs is axially aligned with a portion of a respective bonnet lug to prevent axial movement of the actuator housing, the actuator housing rotating less than one full revolution between the released and locked positions. A securing mechanism prevents relative rotation between the actuator housing and the bonnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: GE Oil & Gas Pressure Control LP
    Inventors: Travis Kyle McEvoy, Keith M. Adams, Lloyd R. Cheatham
  • Publication number: 20190195386
    Abstract: A system includes an actuator housing having a plurality of adapter lugs extending radially inward toward an axis, each adapter lug of the plurality of adapter lugs secured to the housing via a respective connector. The system also includes a bonnet having a plurality of bonnet lugs extending radially outward away from the axis, each bonnet lug of the plurality of bonnet lugs being separated by a respective space, the space being sized to permit axial movement of an adapter lug of the plurality of adapter lugs toward a lower flange arranged axially lower than the plurality of bonnet lugs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Applicant: GE Oil & Gas Pressure Control LP
    Inventors: Jeremy Ryan Choate, Travis Kyle McEvoy, Lloyd Cheatham, Keith M. Adams, Robert Law
  • Patent number: 10302222
    Abstract: A valve assembly having a dynamic stem seal assembly includes a valve stem for moving a valve member from a closed position to an open position, the valve stem extending through a stem opening of a valve assembly body and having an axis. A packing assembly seals between the valve stem and the stem opening. The packing assembly has a seal assembly circumscribing the valve stem. The packing assembly also has a packing retainer assembly releasably secured to the valve stem. The packing assembly is axially static relative to the valve stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: GE Oil & Gas Pressure Control LP
    Inventors: Travis Kyle McEvoy, Keith M. Adams, Lloyd R. Cheatham
  • Publication number: 20190040973
    Abstract: A system for securing a valve actuator to a valve assembly includes an actuator housing with a plurality of housing lugs protruding radially. A cylinder assembly is located within the actuator housing and has a horseshoe connector to engage a valve stem nub of a valve stem and transfer axial movement of the horseshoe connector to axial movement of the valve stem. A bonnet has a plurality of bonnet lugs protruding radially from the bonnet to define a plurality of bonnet slots therebetween, wherein each of the plurality of housing lugs are sized to pass axially through a respective one of the plurality of bonnet slots when the actuator housing is in a released position, the actuator housing being rotatable to a locked position such that the plurality of bonnet lugs prevent axial movement of the actuator housing in at least one direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: GE Oil & Gas Pressure Control LP
    Inventors: Travis Kyle McEvoy, Robert Kevin Law, Keith M. Adams, Lloyd R. Cheatham
  • Patent number: 10191761
    Abstract: Autonomous selection between multiple virtualization techniques implemented in a virtualization layer of a virtualized computer system. The virtual machine monitor implements multiple virtualization support processors that each provide for the comprehensive handling of potential virtualization exceptions. A virtual machine monitor resident virtualization selection control is operable to select between use of first and second virtualization support processors dependent on identifying a predetermined pattern of temporally local privilege dependent instructions within a portion of an instruction stream as encountered in the execution of a guest operating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: VMware, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith M. Adams, Jeffrey W. Sheldon, Vyacheslav V. Malyugin
  • Patent number: 10174584
    Abstract: An overpressure safety system for use with a distribution of pressurized fluid associated with hydrocarbon production operations includes a safety valve in fluid communication with a main bore of a fluid control manifold assembly. The safety valve has a blocking condition where the safety valve blocks a flow of pressurized fluid through the safety valve, and a venting condition where the safety valve provides a fluid flow path for the pressurized fluid at a set overpressure to pass through the safety valve. A valve member is moveable within the safety valve between a first position where a pressure side of the valve member blocks the flow of the pressurized fluid at a pressure below the set overpressure from passing through the safety valve, and a second position where the valve member provides a fluid flow path for the pressurized fluid at any pressure to pass through the safety valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: GE OIL & GAS PRESSURE CONTROL LP
    Inventors: Saurabh Kajaria, Robert Ripple, Travis Kyle McEvoy, Keith M. Adams, Gerald Schofield
  • Patent number: 10132422
    Abstract: A system for securing a valve actuator to a valve assembly includes an actuator housing with a plurality of housing lugs protruding radially. A cylinder assembly is located within the actuator housing and has a horseshoe connector to engage a valve stem nub of a valve stem and transfer axial movement of the horseshoe connector to axial movement of the valve stem. A bonnet has a plurality of bonnet lugs protruding radially from the bonnet to define a plurality of bonnet slots therebetween, wherein each of the plurality of housing lugs are sized to pass axially through a respective one of the plurality of bonnet slots when the actuator housing is in a released position, the actuator housing being rotatable to a locked position such that the plurality of bonnet lugs prevent axial movement of the actuator housing in at least one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: GE Oil & Gas Pressure Control LP
    Inventors: Travis Kyle McEvoy, Robert Kevin Law, Keith M. Adams, Lloyd R. Cheatham
  • Patent number: 10107413
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body with a flow passage intersected by a valve cavity. A valve member is axially movable in the valve cavity between a closed position and an open position, the valve member having an opening that registers with the flow passage when the valve member is in the open position. A valve stem is threadingly connected to the valve member, the valve stem rotatable to move the valve member between the closed position and the open position. A collar assembly is located within a slot of the valve member and circumscribes the valve stem, the collar assembly having an annular collar shoulder. The valve stem has an annular load shoulder sized to engage the collar shoulder, limiting axial movement of the valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: GE Oil & Gas Pressure Control LP
    Inventors: Samuel Heung Yeung Cheng, Andrew Browne Helvenston, Keith M. Adams, Lloyd R. Cheatham, Travis Kyle McEvoy
  • Patent number: 10072682
    Abstract: An apparatus for actuating a valve includes a first actuator having a first actuator housing and second actuator with a second actuator housing. A first plate is positioned within the first actuator housing and a second plate is positioned within the second actuator housing. An intermediate stem extends from a first pressure chamber of the first actuator housing to the second plate. A pressure media path extends through the intermediate stem and a second seal nut that extends into the second plate, the pressure media path providing fluid communication between the first pressure chamber, and a second pressure chamber of the second actuator housing. An injection port is open into one of the first pressure chamber and the second pressure chamber. The first plate and the second plate are movable in response to pressure media injected into the injection port, for actuating the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: GE OIL & GAS PRESSURE CONTROL LP
    Inventors: Travis Kyle McEvoy, Keith M. Adams, Lloyd Ray Cheatham, Arianne P. Loeber
  • Publication number: 20180128396
    Abstract: A valve assembly having a dynamic stem seal assembly includes a valve stem for moving a valve member from a closed position to an open position, the valve stem extending through a stem opening of a valve assembly body and having an axis. A packing assembly seals between the valve stem and the stem opening. The packing assembly has a seal assembly circumscribing the valve stem. The packing assembly also has a packing retainer assembly releasably secured to the valve stem. The packing assembly is axially static relative to the valve stem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Applicant: GE Oil & Gas Pressure Control LP
    Inventors: Travis Kyle McEvoy, Keith M. Adams, Lloyd R. Cheatham
  • Publication number: 20180023725
    Abstract: A system for securing a valve actuator to body of a valve assembly includes an actuator housing having housing lugs protruding radially to define a plurality of housing slots therebetween. A bonnet has bonnet lugs protruding radially to define a plurality of bonnet slots therebetween. Each of the housing lugs are sized to pass axially through a respective one of the bonnet slots when the actuator housing is in a released position and, after passing through the bonnet slots, the actuator housing is rotatable to a locked position where at least a portion of one or more of the housing lugs is axially aligned with a portion of a respective bonnet lug to prevent axial movement of the actuator housing, the actuator housing rotating less than one full revolution between the released and locked positions. A securing mechanism prevents relative rotation between the actuator housing and the bonnet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Applicant: GE Oil & Gas Pressure Control LP
    Inventors: Travis Kyle McEvoy, Keith M. Adams, Lloyd R. Cheatham
  • Patent number: 9863551
    Abstract: A valve assembly having a dynamic stem seal assembly includes a valve stem for moving a valve member from a closed position to an open position, the valve stem extending through a stem opening of a valve assembly body and having an axis. A packing assembly seals between the valve stem and the stem opening. The packing assembly has a seal assembly circumscribing the valve stem at a portion of the valve stem with a reduced outer diameter. The packing assembly also has a packing retainer assembly releasably secured to the valve stem at the portion of the valve stem with the reduced outer diameter. The packing assembly is axially static relative to the valve stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: GE OIL & GAS PRESSURE CONTROL LP
    Inventors: Travis Kyle McEvoy, Keith M. Adams, Lloyd R. Cheatham
  • Publication number: 20170335976
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body with a flow passage intersected by a valve cavity. A valve member is axially movable in the valve cavity between a closed position and an open position, the valve member having an opening that registers with the flow passage when the valve member is in the open position. A valve stem is threadingly connected to the valve member, the valve stem rotatable to move the valve member between the closed position and the open position. A collar assembly is located within a slot of the valve member and circumscribes the valve stem, the collar assembly having an annular collar shoulder. The valve stem has an annular load shoulder sized to engage the collar shoulder, limiting axial movement of the valve member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Applicant: GE Oil & Gas Pressure Control LP
    Inventors: Samuel Heung Yeung Cheng, Andrew Browne Helvenston, Keith M. Adams, Lloyd R. Cheatham, Travis Kyle McEvoy
  • Patent number: 9822901
    Abstract: An actuating apparatus for operating a valve assembly includes an actuator body that selectively couples to the valve assembly and an actuator stem that has an end that extends into the actuator body. The valve assembly has having a valve body, a valve member in the valve body, a valve stem attached to the valve member, and a profile on an end of the valve stem distal from the valve member. The actuating apparatus also includes an adapter assembly in the actuator body having a threaded end that engages the actuator stem, and a profiled end distal from the threaded end that engages the profile on the valve stem and couples to the valve stem, so that selectively applying axial forces to the adapter assembly moves the valve stem and the valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: GE OIL & GAS PRESSURE CONTROL LP
    Inventors: Anja King, Blanca Estela Montoya, Keith M. Adams
  • Publication number: 20170299082
    Abstract: An apparatus for actuating a valve includes an actuator body with a central body axis and a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end having a connector selectively connectable to a valve assembly. An actuator stem extends along the central body axis. A torsional spring assembly has at least one torsional spring with a spring axis that is offset at an angle from the central body axis. A motion translator engages an inner end of the torsional spring assembly and the actuator stem, selectively converting rotation of the at least one torsional spring about the spring axis of the at least one torsional spring to linear movement of the actuator stem along the central body axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Applicant: GE Oil & Gas Pressure Control LP
    Inventors: Claudia Isabella Leon, Keith M. Adams, Travis Kyle McEvoy
  • Patent number: 9759240
    Abstract: A system for securing a valve actuator to body of a valve assembly includes an actuator housing having housing lugs protruding radially to define a plurality of housing slots therebetween. A bonnet has bonnet lugs protruding radially to define a plurality of bonnet slots therebetween. Each of the housing lugs are sized to pass axially through a respective one of the bonnet slots when the actuator housing is in a released position and, after passing through the bonnet slots, the actuator housing is rotatable to a locked position where at least a portion of one or more of the housing lugs is axially aligned with a portion of a respective bonnet lug to prevent axial movement of the actuator housing, the actuator housing rotating less than one full revolution between the released and locked positions. A securing mechanism prevents relative rotation between the actuator housing and the bonnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: GE Oil & Gas Pressure Control LP
    Inventors: Travis Kyle McEvoy, Keith M. Adams, Lloyd R. Cheatham
  • Publication number: 20170083360
    Abstract: Autonomous selection between multiple virtualization techniques implemented in a virtualization layer of a virtualized computer system. The virtual machine monitor implements multiple virtualization support processors that each provide for the comprehensive handling of potential virtualization exceptions. A virtual machine monitor resident virtualization selection control is operable to select between use of first and second virtualization support processors dependent on identifying a predetermined pattern of temporally local privilege dependent instructions within a portion of an instruction stream as encountered in the execution of a guest operating system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Keith M. ADAMS, Jeffrey W. SHELDON, Vyacheslav V. MALYUGIN