Patents by Inventor Kristin Vorderkunz

Kristin Vorderkunz 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: 9885220
    Abstract: A hanger running tool includes a radially outer surface having at least one recess extending circumferentially about at least a portion of a periphery of the hanger running tool. The hanger running tool also includes at least one alignment element disposed within the at least one recess. The at least one alignment element protrudes radially outward from the radially outer surface and is configured to contact a radially inner surface of a wellhead as the hanger running tool moves within the wellhead. In some embodiments, the hanger running tool includes a plurality of recesses each extending circumferentially about a respective portion of the periphery of the hanger running tool, and the recesses of the plurality of recesses are circumferentially separated from one another to enable fluid to flow through at least one axial flow slot of the hanger running tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis P. Nguyen, Kristin Vorderkunz
  • Patent number: 9822601
    Abstract: A system includes a setting tool configured to set a sealing assembly within an annular space between a hanger and a wellhead. The setting tool comprises an outer annular sleeve and an inner annular sleeve disposed radially inward of the outer annular sleeve. The inner annular sleeve includes a flexible finger configured to removably couple the setting tool to the sealing assembly. The setting tool includes a shear pin extending between the outer annular sleeve and the inner annular sleeve. The shear pin is configured to break in response to axial compression of the setting tool to enable the outer annular sleeve to move axially relative to the inner annular sleeve, and the outer annular sleeve is configured to interact with the sealing assembly to set the sealing assembly within the annular space via axial movement of the outer annular sleeve relative to the inner axial sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis P. Nguyen, Kristin Vorderkunz, Frank Z. Pei
  • Publication number: 20160032675
    Abstract: A hanger running tool includes a radially outer surface having at least one recess extending circumferentially about at least a portion of a periphery of the hanger running tool. The hanger running tool also includes at least one alignment element disposed within the at least one recess. The at least one alignment element protrudes radially outward from the radially outer surface and is configured to contact a radially inner surface of a wellhead as the hanger running tool moves within the wellhead. In some embodiments, the hanger running tool includes a plurality of recesses each extending circumferentially about a respective portion of the periphery of the hanger running tool, and the recesses of the plurality of recesses are circumferentially separated from one another to enable fluid to flow through at least one axial flow slot of the hanger running tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Dennis P. Nguyen, Kristin Vorderkunz
  • Publication number: 20160032674
    Abstract: A system includes a setting tool configured to set a sealing assembly within an annular space between a hanger and a wellhead. The setting tool comprises an outer annular sleeve and an inner annular sleeve disposed radially inward of the outer annular sleeve. The inner annular sleeve includes a flexible finger configured to removably couple the setting tool to the sealing assembly. The setting tool includes a shear pin extending between the outer annular sleeve and the inner annular sleeve. The shear pin is configured to break in response to axial compression of the setting tool to enable the outer annular sleeve to move axially relative to the inner annular sleeve, and the outer annular sleeve is configured to interact with the sealing assembly to set the sealing assembly within the annular space via axial movement of the outer annular sleeve relative to the inner axial sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Dennis P. Nguyen, Kristin Vorderkunz, Frank Z. Pei