Patents by Inventor Lloyd Cheatham

Lloyd Cheatham 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: 11920687
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes an actuator adapted to drive movement of a valve member. The valve assembly also includes a bonnet coupled to the actuator, a valve body coupled to the bonnet, and a fluid end coupled to the valve body. The valve assembly further includes a quick connection system adapted to couple the fluid end to the valve body. The quick connection system includes a plurality of valve body lugs separated by a plurality of spaces, the plurality of valve body lugs extending radially outward from an axis. The quick connection system also includes a plurality of fluid end lugs configured to interact with the plurality of valve body lugs, the plurality of valve body lugs being arranged to axially align with the plurality of fluid end lugs to block axial movement of the fluid end with respect to the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Choate, Keith M. Adams, Lloyd Cheatham
  • Patent number: 11466783
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body having a flow bore extending along a valve body axis from a first end to a second end, wherein at least one of the first end or the second end includes an opening adapted to receive a fluid end, the opening having an opening diameter sized to enable at least one of a valve member, a valve stem, or a valve seat to be installed through the opening. The valve assembly also includes an actuator adapted to drive movement of a valve member between an open position and a closed position. The valve assembly further includes a bonnet coupled to the actuator, the bonnet being coupled to the valve body at a top location, the bonnet being coupled to the valve body while at least one of the valve member, the valve stem, or the valve seat is installed through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Choate, Keith M. Adams, Lloyd Cheatham
  • Patent number: 11326712
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Ryan Choate, Keith M Adams, Lloyd Cheatham, Robert K Law
  • Publication number: 20210301938
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes an actuator adapted to drive movement of a valve member. The valve assembly also includes a bonnet coupled to the actuator, a valve body coupled to the bonnet, and a fluid end coupled to the valve body. The valve assembly further includes a quick connection system adapted to couple the fluid end to the valve body. The quick connection system includes a plurality of valve body lugs separated by a plurality of spaces, the plurality of valve body lugs extending radially outward from an axis. The quick connection system also includes a plurality of fluid end lugs configured to interact with the plurality of valve body lugs, the plurality of valve body lugs being arranged to axially align with the plurality of fluid end lugs to block axial movement of the fluid end with respect to the valve body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Choate, Keith M. Adams, Lloyd Cheatham
  • Publication number: 20210301927
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body having a flow bore extending along a valve body axis from a first end to a second end, wherein at least one of the first end or the second end includes an opening adapted to receive a fluid end, the opening having an opening diameter sized to enable at least one of a valve member, a valve stem, or a valve seat to be installed through the opening. The valve assembly also includes an actuator adapted to drive movement of a valve member between an open position and a closed position. The valve assembly further includes a bonnet coupled to the actuator, the bonnet being coupled to the valve body at a top location, the bonnet being coupled to the valve body while at least one of the valve member, the valve stem, or the valve seat is installed through the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Choate, Keith M. Adams, Lloyd Cheatham
  • Patent number: 11015733
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: GE Oil & Gas Pressure Control LP
    Inventors: Jeremy Ryan Choate, Travis Kyle McEvoy, Lloyd Cheatham, Keith M Adams, Robert Law
  • Publication number: 20210062920
    Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body, a valve bonnet, coupled to the valve body, an opening extending through the valve body and the valve bonnet, along a longitudinal axis, and a valve stem. The valve assembly also includes a valve member positioned at an end of the valve stem and arranged within the opening, the valve member being movable, along the longitudinal axis, between an open position and a closed position, an actuator housing coupled to the bonnet, and an adapter assembly coupled to the actuator housing. The adapter assembly includes an adapter element, the adapter element coupled to the valve stem and a force converter coupled to the adapter element, the force converter translating an external rotating force into an axial force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Ryan Choate, Keith M. Adams, Lloyd Cheatham
  • Patent number: 10724330
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a method of replacing valve operation methods during fracturing operations including installing a first operator on a first valve of a first fracturing tree. The method also includes installing a second operator on a second valve of a second fracturing tree, the second fracturing tree being adjacent the first fracturing tree. The method also includes removing the first operator from the first valve, the first valve maintaining a position on the first fracturing tree after the first operator is removed. The method further includes removing the second operator from the second valve, the second valve maintaining a position on the second fracturing tree after the second operator is removed. The method also includes installing the first operator on the second valve after the first operator is removed from the first valve and after the second operator is removed from the second valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: GE Oil & Gas Pressure Control LP
    Inventors: Travis Kyle McEvoy, Lloyd Cheatham, Keith Adams, Jonathan Powell, Timothy Fuller
  • Patent number: 10718436
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a valve sleeve for forming at least a portion of a valve flow passage. The valve sleeve includes a seat end having a seat face, the seat end extending at least partially into a chamber of a valve body. The valve sleeve also includes a sleeve portion coupled to the seat end and having a coupling end opposite the seat face, the coupling end comprising a retaining mechanism for removably coupling the valve sleeve to the valve body. The valve sleeve further includes an opening extending along a length of the valve sleeve, the opening forming at least a portion of the valve flow passage and having a generally circular cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: GE Oil & Gas Pressure Control LP
    Inventors: Jonathan Keith Powell, Brian Munk, Guy Mitelman, Lloyd Cheatham
  • Patent number: 10704706
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a valve assembly including a supply housing with a first bore and an injectable housing coupled to the supply housing with a second bore. The valve assembly further includes a piston extending through at least a portion of the first and second bores, the piston being reciprocable axially along a longitudinal axis. The valve assembly also includes a first inlet at a first end of the supply housing for directing a working fluid toward a first end of the piston. The valve assembly includes a second inlet extending through the injectable housing toward a cavity that receives an injectable material. The valve assembly also includes a second outlet at a second end of the injectable housing that directs the injectable material out of the injectable housing as the piston moves axially along the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: GE OIL & GAS PRESSURE CONTROL LP
    Inventors: Travis Kyle McEvoy, Lloyd Cheatham, Keith Adams
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20190264818
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a valve sleeve for forming at least a portion of a valve flow passage. The valve sleeve includes a seat end having a seat face, the seat end extending at least partially into a chamber of a valve body. The valve sleeve also includes a sleeve portion coupled to the seat end and having a coupling end opposite the seat face, the coupling end comprising a retaining mechanism for removably coupling the valve sleeve to the valve body. The valve sleeve further includes an opening extending along a length of the valve sleeve, the opening forming at least a portion of the valve flow passage and having a generally circular cross section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Applicant: GE Oil & Gas Pressure Control LP
    Inventors: Jonathan Keith Powell, Brian Munk, Guy Mitelman, Lloyd 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
  • Publication number: 20180320798
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a valve assembly including a supply housing with a first bore and an injectable housing coupled to the supply housing with a second bore. The valve assembly further includes a piston extending through at least a portion of the first and second bores, the piston being reciprocable axially along a longitudinal axis. The valve assembly also includes a first inlet at a first end of the supply housing for directing a working fluid toward a first end of the piston. The valve assembly includes a second inlet extending through the injectable housing toward a cavity that receives an injectable material. The valve assembly also includes a second outlet at a second end of the injectable housing that directs the injectable material out of the injectable housing as the piston moves axially along the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Applicant: GE Oil & Gas Pressure Control LP
    Inventors: Travis Kyle McEvoy, Lloyd Cheatham, Keith Adams
  • Publication number: 20180320476
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a method of replacing valve operation methods during fracturing operations including installing a first operator on a first valve of a first fracturing tree. The method also includes installing a second operator on a second valve of a second fracturing tree, the second fracturing tree being adjacent the first fracturing tree. The method also includes removing the first operator from the first valve, the first valve maintaining a position on the first fracturing tree after the first operator is removed. The method further includes removing the second operator from the second valve, the second valve maintaining a position on the second fracturing tree after the second operator is removed. The method also includes installing the first operator on the second valve after the first operator is removed from the first valve and after the second operator is removed from the second valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Applicant: GE Oil & Gas Pressure Control LP
    Inventors: Travis Kyle McEvoy, Lloyd Cheatham, Keith Adams, Jonathan Powell, Timothy Fuller
  • Patent number: 10036485
    Abstract: A valve with a packing assembly can include a first stem packing circumscribing a first portion of a valve stem, forming a seal between the valve stem and a valve body assembly, and being located in the second bore portion. A first packing retainer can have a collar that limits axial movement of the first stem packing and a first retainer body defining an inner cavity. A second stem packing can circumscribe a second portion of the valve stem and be located in the inner cavity of the first packing retainer. A second packing retainer can limit axial movement of the second stem packing. A piston member can be located axially between the first stem packing and the second stem packing, the piston member being moveable to apply axial force to one of the first stem packing and the second stem packing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: GE Oil & Gas Pressure Control LP
    Inventors: Keith Adams, Travis McEvoy, Andrew Browne Helvenston, Lloyd Cheatham, Robert Kevin Law
  • Publication number: 20160265686
    Abstract: A valve with a packing assembly can include a first stem packing circumscribing a first portion of a valve stem, forming a seal between the valve stem and a valve body assembly, and being located in the second bore portion. A first packing retainer can have a collar that limits axial movement of the first stem packing and a first retainer body defining an inner cavity. A second stem packing can circumscribe a second portion of the valve stem and be located in the inner cavity of the first packing retainer. A second packing retainer can limit axial movement of the second stem packing. A piston member can be located axially between the first stem packing and the second stem packing, the piston member being moveable to apply axial force to one of the first stem packing and the second stem packing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: GE Oil & Gas Pressure Control LP
    Inventors: Keith Adams, Travis McEvoy, Andrew Browne Helvenston, Lloyd Cheatham, Robert Kevin Law