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).
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Patent number: 10371284Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 16, 2016Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLCInventors: Wade A. Miller, Michael L. Hair, Leonard Medill
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Patent number: 9810343Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 10, 2016Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLCInventors: Wade A. Miller, John E. Burris, Michael L. Hair
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Publication number: 20170261120Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2016Publication date: September 14, 2017Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Wade A. Miller, John E. Burris, Michael L. Hair
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Patent number: 9745822Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 18, 2015Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: John L. Bernard, Michael L. Hair
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Patent number: 9739119Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 11, 2014Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Ronald J. Garr, Brett C. Jones, John D. Lindemann, Michael L. Hair, Thomas S. Myerley
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Publication number: 20170234454Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2016Publication date: August 17, 2017Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Wade A. Miller, Michael L. Hair, Leonard Medill
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Patent number: 9719326Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 12, 2013Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Brett C. Jones, Samuel C. Kucera, Michael L. Hair, Clifford H. Beall
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Publication number: 20160273306Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2015Publication date: September 22, 2016Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: John L. Bernard, Michael L. Hair
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Publication number: 20160010431Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2014Publication date: January 14, 2016Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Ronald J. Garr, Brett C. Jones, John D. Lindemann, Michael L. Hair, Thomas S. Myerley
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Patent number: 9068661Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 6, 2012Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Robert J. Dyer, Thomas S. Myerley, Wade A. Miller, Matthew P. Presley, Michael L. Hair
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Publication number: 20150129196Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2013Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicant: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Brett C. Jones, Samuel C. Kucera, Michael L. Hair, Clifford H. Beall
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Patent number: 8863767Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 19, 2012Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Wade A. Miller, Robert J. Dyer, Michael L. Hair, Thomas S. Myerley, Leonard D. Medill, Matthew P. Presley
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Patent number: 8844631Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 30, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: David Z Anderson, Michael L. Hair
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Publication number: 20130327974Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2012Publication date: December 12, 2013Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Robert J. Dyer, Thomas S. Myerley, Wade A. Miller, Matthew P. Presley, Michael L. Hair
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Publication number: 20130240051Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2012Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Wade A. Miller, Robert J. Dyer, Michael L. Hair, Thomas S. Myerley, Leonard D. Medill, Matthew P. Presley
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Publication number: 20130133893Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2011Publication date: May 30, 2013Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: David Z. Anderson, Michael L. Hair
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Patent number: 5376172Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 23, 1992Date of Patent: December 27, 1994Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Carl P. Tripp, Michael L. Hair, Richard P. N. Veregin
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Patent number: 4816370Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 24, 1987Date of Patent: March 28, 1989Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Melvin D. Croucher, Raymond W. Wong, Michael L. Hair
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Patent number: 4789616Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 9, 1987Date of Patent: December 6, 1988Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Melvin D. Croucher, Raymond W. Wong, Christopher K. Ober, Michael L. Hair
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Patent number: 4766049Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 9, 1987Date of Patent: August 23, 1988Assignee: Xerox CorporationInventors: Melvin D. Croucher, Raymond W. Wong, James M. Duff, Michael L. Hair, John R. C. Fuller