Patents by Inventor National Oilwell Varco, L.P.

National Oilwell Varco, L.P. 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: 20140298008
    Abstract: A widespread security strategy for industrial control networks is physical isolation of the network, also known as an “air gap.” But the network might still be infected with unauthorized software if, say, an infected USB drive were to be plugged into one of the network's computers. The invention relates to a security module placed between the network and a device in the network. Each security module in the network mimics the Internet protocol (IP) configuration of its protected device. Each security module includes a private encryption key and a signed public key that it automatically shares with other security modules discovered on the network. These keys permit the security module to perform asymmetric point-to-point encryption of traffic from the protected device to the corresponding security module for a target device node and to detect (and thus block) unauthorized devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventor: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
  • Publication number: 20140251695
    Abstract: A downhole motor for directional drilling includes a driveshaft assembly including a driveshaft housing and a driveshaft rotatably disposed within the driveshaft housing. In addition, the downhole motor includes a bearing assembly including a bearing housing and a bearing mandrel rotatably disposed within the bearing housing. The bearing mandrel has a first end directly connected to the driveshaft with a universal joint and a second end coupled to a drill bit. Further, the downhole motor includes an adjustment mandrel configured to adjust an acute deflection angle ? between the central axis of the bearing housing and the central axis of the driveshaft housing. The adjustment mandrel has a central axis coaxially aligned with the bearing housing, a first end coupled to the driveshaft housing, and a second end coupled to the bearing housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
    Inventor: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
  • Publication number: 20140246197
    Abstract: A production system for producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir includes a wellhead including a housing and a head. The housing has a central axis, an upper end, a lower end, and an inner surface. The inner surface defines a passage extending axially through the housing. In addition, the inner surface of the housing includes an annular recess positioned between the upper end and the lower end. The housing also includes a first production port extending radially through the housing. Further, the system includes a casing hanger disposed within the housing. The casing hanger has an upper end, a lower end, an outer surface, and a through bore extending from the upper end to the lower end. The casing hanger also includes a plurality of circumferentially-spaced ports extending radially through the casing hanger from the through bore to the annular recess of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
    Inventor: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
  • Publication number: 20130220703
    Abstract: A track guiding system includes a first track segment having a first end and a second end, the first track segment including a first linear beam segment operatively coupled to a first linear plate segment. The track guiding system further includes and a second track segment having a first end and a second end, the second track segment including a second linear beam segment operatively coupled to a second linear plate segment, wherein the first end of the first track segment is adapted to be operatively coupled to the second end of the second track segment, a first end of the first linear beam segment proximate the first end of the first track segment being adapted to overlap a second end of the second linear plate segment proximate the second end of said second track segment when the second track segment is operatively coupled to the first track segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventor: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
  • Publication number: 20130186689
    Abstract: A downhole tool comprises a first connector sub coupled to an outer housing. A mandrel is disposed in the outer housing and is coupled to a mandrel. The second connector sub is slidably engaged with the outer housing so that torque loads are transferred from the first connector sub to the second connector sub through the outer housing independently of the mandrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventor: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
  • Publication number: 20130189141
    Abstract: A drilling fluid pumping system including a pump apparatus with a pumping chamber having an inlet valve and an outlet valve and a dampener system in fluid communication with the pumping chamber for damping the flow of fluid, e.g. drilling fluid, This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
    Inventor: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
  • Publication number: 20130180186
    Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure is directed to a collapsible substructure of a mobile drilling rig. In one illustrative embodiment, a drilling rig substructure is disclosed that includes a base having a fixed drill floor mounted thereon, wherein an upper surface of the fixed drill floor is positioned at an operating height above the base for performing drilling operations at a wellbore location of a drilling site. Furthermore, a raisable floor is also included that is adapted to be positioned in a lowered transportation position for transportation of the substructure to the drilling site and raised to an operating position adjacent to the fixed drill floor for performing drilling operations, wherein a height level of an upper surface of the raisable floor is lower than a height level of the upper surface of the fixed drill floor when the raisable floor is positioned in the lowered transportation position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
    Inventor: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
  • Publication number: 20130168345
    Abstract: A crane including an inner boom, an outer boom, a plurality of guide assemblies arranged along the length of the inner and outer boom and adapted for guiding a plurality of lines, and a multi-line material handling system including a first line having an outgoing portion extending to a sheave block, and an incoming portion returning from the sheave block to a supported anchor device, and a second line having an outgoing portion extending to the sheave block, and an incoming portion returning from the sheave block to the supported anchor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventor: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
  • Publication number: 20130168516
    Abstract: A positioning apparatus for moving connection equipment on a drilling rig, the positioning apparatus comprising a piston and cylinder (151,152) having a cylinder (601), a piston (607) and a piston rod (604), the piston (607) and piston rod (604) moveable relative to the cylinder (601) from a retracted position to an extended position, the positioning apparatus further comprising a transfer barrier (620) linked to the piston and cylinder (151,152) for setting a maximum extension of said piston rod (607).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
    Inventor: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
  • Publication number: 20130160309
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring a pipe is provided. The system includes a frame rotatably receiving the pipe, a carriage movably positionable along the frame, a guide floatingly positionable about the carriage, at least one sensor for measuring a position of the pipe, and a measurement unit operatively linked to the sensor for collecting measurements therefrom. The guide has a mouth that receivingly engages the pipe and axially aligns therewith. The pipe is measured with the sensor(s) while moving at least one of the pipe, the carriage and the guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
    Inventor: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
  • Publication number: 20130161029
    Abstract: A rotating control device comprises an outer housing having a bore for receiving a tubular member. An inner housing and a piston assembly are rotatably disposed within the outer housing. An annular sealing assembly is disposed between the piston assembly and the inner housing so that axial movement of the piston assembly moves the annular sealing assembly into sealing engagement with the inner housing and the tubular member. A plurality of bearings is disposed between the inner housing and the outer housing. At least one of the plurality of bearings is a hydrodynamic journal bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventor: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
  • Publication number: 20130146359
    Abstract: A method of monitoring a well for unwanted formation fluid influx is disclosed. Measurements of well outflow are acquired during a period in which drilling operations are performed for the well. Occurrences of stagnant flow events during the period are determined. An outflow signature is generated from the well outflow measurements for each stagnant flow event. The outflow signatures are displayed sequentially in time of occurrence. Each outflow signature is analyzed for an anomaly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventor: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
  • Publication number: 20130142977
    Abstract: The present invention includes compositions and methods of supplying a corrosion inhibitor including placing a corrosion inhibitor attached to a nanostructure carrier, placing the nanostructure carrier containing the corrosion inhibitor at a location and the nanostructure carrier is capable of releasing the corrosion inhibitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
    Inventor: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
  • Publication number: 20130118812
    Abstract: A steerable drilling apparatus includes a control system inside a cylindrical housing connected to a drill bit having radially-extendable pistons. A fluid-metering assembly directs a piston-actuating fluid into fluid channels leading to respective pistons. The control system controls the fluid-metering assembly to allow fluid flow to selected pistons, causing the actuated pistons to temporarily extend in the opposite direction to a desired wellbore deviation, thereby deflecting the drill bit away from the borehole centerline. An upper member in the fluid-metering assembly can be moved to stabilize, steer, and change TFA within the drill bit. The control system and drill bit are connected so as to facilitate removal to change the drill bit's steering section and cutting structure configuration or gauge simultaneously. The apparatus may incorporate a fluid filter module mounted to the control system. The pistons may incorporate auxiliary cutting elements to provide near-bit reaming capability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
    Inventor: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
  • Publication number: 20130112486
    Abstract: A drill bit for subsurface drilling includes a body, a blade extending from the body, and a flex cut behind the front side of the blade to allow at least a portion of the blade to flex. The drill bit may include a void cut disposed behind the front side of the blade and intersecting the flex cut. A void cut is larger in one dimension than is the flex cut in that dimension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
    Inventor: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
  • Publication number: 20130043168
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to vibratory separators that are used for processing drilling fluid, and in particular, vibratory separators that utilize electromagnetic clamping apparatuses for attaching screen assemblies to a basket assembly. In one exemplary embodiment, an illustrative vibratory separator is disclosed which includes, among other things, a basket assembly having at least one screen support, and at least one screen assembly that is adapted to be releasably secured to the at least one screen support. Additionally, the disclosed vibratory separator also includes an electromagnetic clamp apparatus that is adapted to releasably secure the at least one screen assembly to the at least one screen support when the electro-magnetic clamp apparatus is energized to a magnetized state, and to release the at least one screen assembly from the at least one screen support when the electro-magnetic clamp apparatus is de-energized to an un-magnetized state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
    Inventor: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.