Patents by Inventor Michael L. Hair

Michael L. Hair 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: 10371284
    Abstract: A local position indicating device for a subsea isolation valve that has no other visual signals of its position integrates to the hydraulic actuation system for the isolation valve. Three way valves, connected to an operating control line and a force closed balance line leading to opposed ends of an operating piston, are located by the isolation valve and redirected by a diver or ROV, to locally operate the valve. The balance line has a piston that is displaced with fluid pushed by the operating piston when the isolation valve is opened with hydraulic pressure in the operating control line local connection. The piston connected to the balance line moves an indicator out of its housing for the local indication that the isolation valve is open. Displaced fluid from movement of the piston in the position indicator moves a floating piston to keep seawater away from the indicating piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Wade A. Miller, Michael L. Hair, Leonard Medill
  • Patent number: 9810343
    Abstract: The annular space surrounding a flow tube in a subsurface safety valve is sealingly isolated at opposed ends of the flow tube and pressure compensated to the tubing pressure. The subsurface safety valve is inserted and aligned in an outer housing so that hydraulic operating connections are sealingly aligned with opposite hand split ring seals that are properly compressed when the safety valve is secured in its surrounding housing. The assembly is then able to meet high pressure, heavy debris, and marine environment service requirements for subsea conditions with minimal reconfiguration for what would otherwise serve as a borehole subsurface safety valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Wade A. Miller, John E. Burris, Michael L. Hair
  • Publication number: 20170261120
    Abstract: The annular space surrounding a flow tube in a subsurface safety valve is sealingly isolated at opposed ends of the flow tube and pressure compensated to the tubing pressure. The subsurface safety valve is inserted and aligned in an outer housing so that hydraulic operating connections are sealingly aligned with opposite hand split ring seals that are properly compressed when the safety valve is secured in its surrounding housing. The assembly is then able to meet high pressure, heavy debris, and marine environment service requirements for subsea conditions with minimal reconfiguration for what would otherwise serve as a borehole subsurface safety valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Wade A. Miller, John E. Burris, Michael L. Hair
  • Patent number: 9745822
    Abstract: A flapper valve includes a valve body having a hinge member. A flapper is pivotally mounted to the valve body through the hinge member. At least one of the valve body and the flapper includes a multi-stage valve seat. The multi-stage valve seat includes a first sealing zone and a second sealing zone that is distinct from the first sealing zone. The first sealing zone is configured to provide pressure containment at the valve body when the flapper is exposed to a first pressure and the second sealing zone is configured to provide pressure containment at the valve body when the flapper is exposed to a second pressure that is greater than the first pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: John L. Bernard, Michael L. Hair
  • Patent number: 9739119
    Abstract: A penetrator for a Puncture Communication Tool includes a base; a body extending from the base and terminating at a tip; and a fluid bypass disposed in the body. Communicating a hydraulic chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ronald J. Garr, Brett C. Jones, John D. Lindemann, Michael L. Hair, Thomas S. Myerley
  • Publication number: 20170234454
    Abstract: A local position indicating device for a subsea isolation valve that has no other visual signals of its position integrates to the hydraulic actuation system for the isolation valve. Three way valves, connected to an operating control line and a force closed balance line leading to opposed ends of an operating piston, are located by the isolation valve and redirected by a diver or ROV, to locally operate the valve. The balance line has a piston that is displaced with fluid pushed by the operating piston when the isolation valve is opened with hydraulic pressure in the operating control line local connection. The piston connected to the balance line moves an indicator out of its housing for the local indication that the isolation valve is open. Displaced fluid from movement of the piston in the position indicator moves a floating piston to keep seawater away from the indicating piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Wade A. Miller, Michael L. Hair, Leonard Medill
  • Patent number: 9719326
    Abstract: Two control systems are provided to run in parallel between a surface location and the final controlled element, in this case a subsurface safety valve. The primary control circuit is controlling until a predetermined signal is given to the secondary control line which has the effect of actuating the valve a single time against the force of a bias or a shear pin that breaks. The movement of a shuttle in the housing due to the predetermined signal being provided in the secondary line puts the secondary control system in the position of running the tool. The primary system is valved off and cannot return into service. There are just two lines into and out of the housing to make the valve operate at the desired location. A test port is provided for surface testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Brett C. Jones, Samuel C. Kucera, Michael L. Hair, Clifford H. Beall
  • Publication number: 20160273306
    Abstract: A flapper valve includes a valve body having a hinge member. A flapper is pivotally mounted to the valve body through the hinge member. At least one of the valve body and the flapper includes a multi-stage valve seat. The multi-stage valve seat includes a first sealing zone and a second sealing zone that is distinct from the first sealing zone. The first sealing zone is configured to provide pressure containment at the valve body when the flapper is exposed to a first pressure and the second sealing zone is configured to provide pressure containment at the valve body when the flapper is exposed to a second pressure that is greater than the first pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: John L. Bernard, Michael L. Hair
  • Publication number: 20160010431
    Abstract: A penetrator for a Puncture Communication Tool includes a base; a body extending from the base and terminating at a tip; and a fluid bypass disposed in the body. A method for communicating a hydraulic chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ronald J. Garr, Brett C. Jones, John D. Lindemann, Michael L. Hair, Thomas S. Myerley
  • Patent number: 9068661
    Abstract: A recess is provided at the periphery of the flapper so that a corner that defines this recess engages an o-ring seal in a seat for the flapper. A reduced contact area of the flapper on the o-ring seal results in increased pressure over the actual contact area. The pressure applied over the contact area also forces a distortion in the o-ring that has a part of the o-ring not restrained due to the presence of the recess moving out of the surrounding o-ring groove so that the corner on the flapper pinches the o-ring that now is partly in and partly extending from its surrounding groove. Sealing is obtained at lower differential pressures and the o-ring is better fixated as a result of the pinch effect of the corner on the flapper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert J. Dyer, Thomas S. Myerley, Wade A. Miller, Matthew P. Presley, Michael L. Hair
  • Publication number: 20150129196
    Abstract: Two control systems are provided to run in parallel between a surface location and the final controlled element, in this case a subsurface safety valve. The primary control circuit is controlling until a predetermined signal is given to the secondary control line which has the effect of actuating the valve a single time against the force of a bias or a shear pin that breaks. The movement of a shuttle in the housing due to the predetermined signal being provided in the secondary line puts the secondary control system in the position of running the tool. The primary system is valved off and cannot return into service. There are just two lines into and out of the housing to make the valve operate at the desired location. A test port is provided for surface testing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Brett C. Jones, Samuel C. Kucera, Michael L. Hair, Clifford H. Beall
  • Patent number: 8863767
    Abstract: A valve assembly, including a seat and a flapper complementarily formed with respect to the seat for creating a seal at an interface therebetween. At least one shim is operatively disposed in the valve assembly for altering a position of the flapper relative to the seat in at least one direction for aligning the flapper and the seat at the interface. A method of aligning the flapper and seat of a valve assembly is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Wade A. Miller, Robert J. Dyer, Michael L. Hair, Thomas S. Myerley, Leonard D. Medill, Matthew P. Presley
  • Patent number: 8844631
    Abstract: A debris removal system includes a tubular. A closure mechanism arranged to at least partially close an interior of the tubular. An injector mechanism having an exit arranged downhole of the closure mechanism; wherein debris removing material ejected from the injector mechanism is directable towards the closure mechanism. Also included is a method of removing debris in a downhole tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: David Z Anderson, Michael L. Hair
  • Publication number: 20130327974
    Abstract: A recess is provided at the periphery of the flapper so that a corner that defines this recess engages an o-ring seal in a seat for the flapper. A reduced contact area of the flapper on the o-ring seal results in increased pressure over the actual contact area. The pressure applied over the contact area also forces a distortion in the o-ring that has a part of the o-ring not restrained due to the presence of the recess moving out of the surrounding o-ring groove so that the corner on the flapper pinches the o-ring that now is partly in and partly extending from its surrounding groove. Sealing is obtained at lower differential pressures and the o-ring is better fixated as a result of the pinch effect of the corner on the flapper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Robert J. Dyer, Thomas S. Myerley, Wade A. Miller, Matthew P. Presley, Michael L. Hair
  • Publication number: 20130240051
    Abstract: A valve assembly, including a seat and a flapper complementarily formed with respect to the seat for creating a seal at an interface therebetween. At least one shim is operatively disposed in the valve assembly for altering a position of the flapper relative to the seat in at least one direction for aligning the flapper and the seat at the interface. A method of aligning the flapper and seat of a valve assembly is also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Wade A. Miller, Robert J. Dyer, Michael L. Hair, Thomas S. Myerley, Leonard D. Medill, Matthew P. Presley
  • Publication number: 20130133893
    Abstract: A debris removal system includes a tubular. A closure mechanism arranged to at least partially close an interior of the tubular. An injector mechanism having an exit arranged downhole of the closure mechanism; wherein debris removing material ejected from the injector mechanism is directable towards the closure mechanism. Also included is a method of removing debris in a downhole tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: David Z. Anderson, Michael L. Hair
  • Patent number: 5376172
    Abstract: A process for preparing silane metal oxides comprising reacting a metal oxide with an amine compound to form an amine metal oxide intermediate, and subsequently reacting said intermediate with a halosilane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Carl P. Tripp, Michael L. Hair, Richard P. N. Veregin
  • Patent number: 4816370
    Abstract: A liquid developer composition comprised of an oil base, dyed polymer particles, charge control additives, and stabilizers that enable the flocculation of the composition, which stabilizers possess a solubility temperature equal to or exceeding 40.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Melvin D. Croucher, Raymond W. Wong, Michael L. Hair
  • Patent number: 4789616
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of liquid developer compositions containing dyed polymer particles with an average diameter of from about 2 to about 6 microns, which particles are dispersed in an oil base, charge control additives, and stabilizers thereby permitting image transfer efficiencies exceeding 80 percent, which comprises formulating polymer particles by dispersion polymerization in a mixture comprised of a first oil base solvent, and a second solvent with a higher volatility than said first solvent, and further containing an amphipathic steric stabilizer; thereafter dyeing the product resulting; followed by removal of the more volatile second solvent; and subsequently adding to the dyed product a charge control additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1988
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Melvin D. Croucher, Raymond W. Wong, Christopher K. Ober, Michael L. Hair
  • Patent number: 4766049
    Abstract: Disclosed is a colored liquid developer composition comprised of an insulating oil base, a stabilized polymer latex component with imbibed molecularly dispersed colored dye components, and a thickener compatible with the stabilizer selected for the latex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1988
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Melvin D. Croucher, Raymond W. Wong, James M. Duff, Michael L. Hair, John R. C. Fuller