Patents by Inventor Patrick McMullen

Patrick McMullen 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: 20260104051
    Abstract: A fluid system for a well includes an electric motor in a housing with an outer surface in fluid communication with a flow of fluid in a pipe. The motor includes an electric stator, a rotor supported to rotate on a rotational axis and be driven by the stator while in fluid communication with the fluid, and a non-metallic sleeve between the rotor and the stator to seal the stator from the fluid. The housing is submerged in the fluid within the pipe, and includes a power cable extending from the motor through a sidewall of the pipe. A fluid end coupled to the housing includes an inlet and an impeller, where the fluid end drives the fluid through the pipe. A seal carried by the fluid system is downstream from the inlet and seals a space between the fluid end and an inner wall of the pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2025
    Publication date: April 16, 2026
    Inventors: Patrick McMullen, David Biddick
  • Publication number: 20260103960
    Abstract: A fluid production system having a plurality of pipes residing outside of a well at an offshore platform and a plurality of in-line multiphase fluid systems arranged within the plurality of the pipes. The plurality of in-line multiphase fluid systems include a motor in a hermetically sealed housing and comprising a power cable extending from the motor through the sidewall of the pipe, a fluid end coupled to the motor and having a fluid end inlet and a fluid end outlet. The fluid end configured to drive fluid in the pipe from the inlet to the outlet. A seal is carried by the fluid system downstream from the fluid end inlet and is configured to seal a space between the fluid end and an inner wall of the pipe. A magnetic coupling is configured to couple the fluid end and the motor to enable the motor to drive the fluid end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2025
    Publication date: April 16, 2026
    Inventors: David Biddick, Patrick McMullen, Kuo-Chiang Chen
  • Publication number: 20260103962
    Abstract: A fluid production system for a well including a fluid system configured to reside within a conduit residing outside the well. The fluid system includes a fluid end inlet, a fluid end outlet, and an impeller arranged between the fluid end inlet and the fluid end outlet and supported to rotate on a first rotational axis. A first seal is carried by the fluid production system downstream from the fluid end inlet and is configured to seal a space between the fluid end and an inner wall of the conduit. A motor including a rotor is supported to rotate on a second rotational axis, residing on an opposite side of the first seal from the fluid end, and is configured to reside external to the conduit. A magnetic coupling is configured to couple the rotor to the impeller to drive the fluid end via the motor. A second seal is carried by the fluid production system upstream from the fluid end inlet and configured to seal to the inner wall of the conduit proximate the magnetic coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2025
    Publication date: April 16, 2026
    Inventors: Nick Flores, Patrick McMullen
  • Publication number: 20260104050
    Abstract: A fluid system for a well including a motor in a hermetically sealed housing having a rotor supported to rotate on a rotational axis. The hermetically sealed housing is configured to reside submerged in fluid within a pipe that is residing outside of the well. The hermetically sealed housing includes a power cable extending from the motor through a sidewall of the pipe. The fluid system includes a fluid end coupled to the hermetically sealed housing. The fluid end has a fluid end inlet and an impeller supported to rotate on the rotational axis. The fluid end is configured to drive the fluid and to reside within the pipe. The fluid system includes a seal carried by the fluid system downstream from the fluid end inlet and is configured to seal a space between the fluid end and an inner wall of the pipe. The fluid system includes a magnetic coupling configured to couple the rotor and the motor to drive the fluid end via the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2025
    Publication date: April 16, 2026
    Inventors: David Biddick, Abhishek Srivastava, Patrick McMullen
  • Publication number: 20260103963
    Abstract: A fluid production system for a well including a fluid system configured to reside within a conduit residing outside the well. The fluid system includes a fluid end inlet, a fluid end outlet, and an impeller arranged between the fluid end inlet and the fluid end outlet and supported to rotate on a first rotational axis. A first seal is carried by the fluid production system downstream from the fluid end inlet and is configured to seal a space between the fluid end and an inner wall of the conduit. A motor including a rotor is supported to rotate on a second rotational axis, residing on an opposite side of the first seal from the fluid end, and is configured to reside external to the conduit. A magnetic coupling is configured to couple the rotor to the impeller to drive the fluid end via the motor. A second seal is carried by the fluid production system upstream from the fluid end inlet and configured to seal to the inner wall of the conduit proximate the magnetic coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2025
    Publication date: April 16, 2026
    Inventors: Patrick McMullen, Kuo-Chiang Chen, Christopher Matthew Sellers
  • Patent number: 12291950
    Abstract: An electric machine is configured to be positioned within a wellbore. The electric machine enclosed within a housing isolates the electric machine from fluids within the wellbore. A first lubrication circuit includes a lubrication reservoir within the housing. The lubrication reservoir is fluidically connected to the electric machine. The first lubrication circuit is configured to provide lubrication to a bearing within the electric machine. A fluid rotor is configured to move or be moved by a fluid within the wellbore. A magnetic coupling couples the fluid rotor and a rotor of the electric machine to rotate in unison. A second lubrication circuit is configured to provide lubrication to a bearing supporting the fluid rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: Upwing Energy, LLC
    Inventors: David Biddick, Patrick McMullen, Christopher Matthew Sellers, Herman Artinian
  • Patent number: 12152466
    Abstract: A downhole-type device includes an electric machine. The electric machine includes an electrical rotor configured to couple with a device to drive or be driven by the electric machine. An electrical stator surrounds the electric rotor. The electric stator includes a seal configured to isolate stator windings from an outside, downhole environment. An inner surface of the seal and an outer surface of the electric rotor define an annulus exposed to the outside environment. A bearing couples the electric rotor to the electric stator. A lubrication system is fluidically coupled to the downhole-type device. The lubrication system includes a topside pressure pump and a downhole-type distribution manifold configured to be used within a wellbore. The distribution manifold is fluidically connected to the topside pressure pump and the bearing to receive a flow of lubricant from the topside pressure pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: Upwing Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: David Biddick, Patrick McMullen, Herman Artinian
  • Patent number: 12146394
    Abstract: A parameter of a magnetic bearing supporting a rotor in operation within a stator of the downhole-type rotating machine is measured. A speed of the rotor is controlled based on the measured parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: Upwing Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chiang Chen, Patrick McMullen, Christopher Matthew Sellers
  • Patent number: 12046982
    Abstract: During rotation of a shaft of a downhole-type wellbore system, a first signal corresponding to an axial position of the rotating shaft is transmitted by a sensor. The shaft is axially levitated by a plurality of magnetic thrust bearings. A controller determines an amount of axial force to apply to the rotating shaft to maintain axial levitation of the rotating shaft based on the first signal. The controller transmits a second signal corresponding to the determined amount of axial force to the plurality of magnetic thrust bearings. The plurality of magnetic thrust bearings applies the amount of axial force on the rotating shaft to maintain the axial levitation of the rotating shaft based on the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Upwing Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick McMullen
  • Publication number: 20240133278
    Abstract: An electric machine is configured to be positioned within a wellbore. The electric machine enclosed within a housing isolates the electric machine from fluids within the wellbore. A first lubrication circuit includes a lubrication reservoir within the housing. The lubrication reservoir is fluidically connected to the electric machine. The first lubrication circuit is configured to provide lubrication to a bearing within the electric machine. A fluid rotor is configured to move or be moved by a fluid within the wellbore. A magnetic coupling couples the fluid rotor and a rotor of the electric machine to rotate in unison. A second lubrication circuit is configured to provide lubrication to a bearing supporting the fluid rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: Upwing Energy, LLC
    Inventors: David Biddick, Patrick McMullen, Christopher Matthew Sellers, Herman Artinian
  • Patent number: 11859474
    Abstract: An electric machine is configured to be positioned within a wellbore. The electric machine enclosed within a housing isolates the electric machine from fluids within the wellbore. A first lubrication circuit includes a lubrication reservoir within the housing. The lubrication reservoir is fluidically connected to the electric machine. The first lubrication circuit is configured to provide lubrication to a bearing within the electric machine. A fluid rotor is configured to move or be moved by a fluid within the wellbore. A magnetic coupling couples the fluid rotor and a rotor of the electric machine to rotate in unison. A second lubrication circuit is configured to provide lubrication to a bearing supporting the fluid rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Upwing Energy, LLC
    Inventors: David Biddick, Patrick McMullen, Christopher Matthew Sellers, Herman Artinian
  • Patent number: 11828144
    Abstract: An electric stator surrounds an electric rotor. A magnetic coupling is attached to an end of the electric rotor. The magnetic coupling is configured to transmit rotational force to or from a separate rotational device. A housing surrounds and isolates the electrical rotor, the electric stator, and a portion of the magnetic coupling, from a wellbore fluid. The housing is flooded with an incompressible fluid. A pressure within the housing is substantially the same or lower than a pressure within a wellbore environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Upwing Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Herman Artinian, Patrick McMullen
  • Patent number: 11686161
    Abstract: A multi-phase, inductive coupling first portion is carried by a tubular. The coupling first portion is configured to inductively transmit current with a corresponding multi-phase, inductive coupling second portion. A downhole-type electric stator is carried by the tubular and is configured to receive and electromagnetically interact with an electric rotor-impeller. The coupling first portion is electrically connected to windings of the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Upwing Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: David Biddick, Patrick McMullen
  • Publication number: 20230184036
    Abstract: A downhole-type device includes an electric machine. The electric machine includes an electrical rotor configured to couple with a device to drive or be driven by the electric machine. An electrical stator surrounds the electric rotor. The electric stator includes a seal configured to isolate stator windings from an outside, downhole environment. An inner surface of the seal and an outer surface of the electric rotor define an annulus exposed to the outside environment. A bearing couples the electric rotor to the electric stator. A lubrication system is fluidically coupled to the downhole-type device. The lubrication system includes a topside pressure pump and a downhole-type distribution manifold configured to be used within a wellbore. The distribution manifold is fluidically connected to the topside pressure pump and the bearing to receive a flow of lubricant from the topside pressure pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: David Biddick, Patrick McMullen, Herman Artinian
  • Patent number: 11646631
    Abstract: A tool includes a device including a housing and a rotor, the rotor to rotate about a longitudinal axis, and an axial gap generator including a stator assembly positioned adjacent to the rotor. The axial gap generator generates a voltage signal as a function of a gap spacing between the stator assembly and the rotor, the gap spacing being parallel to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Upwing Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick McMullen, Herman Artinian
  • Patent number: 11578535
    Abstract: A downhole-type device includes an electric machine. The electric machine includes an electrical rotor configured to couple with a device to drive or be driven by the electric machine. An electrical stator surrounds the electric rotor. The electric stator includes a seal configured to isolate stator windings from an outside, downhole environment. An inner surface of the seal and an outer surface of the electric rotor define an annulus exposed to the outside environment. A bearing couples the electric rotor to the electric stator. A lubrication system is fluidically coupled to the downhole-type device. The lubrication system includes a topside pressure pump and a downhole-type distribution manifold configured to be used within a wellbore. The distribution manifold is fluidically connected to the topside pressure pump and the bearing to receive a flow of lubricant from the topside pressure pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Upwing Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: David Biddick, Patrick McMullen, Herman Artinian
  • Patent number: 11371327
    Abstract: A system for operating in a wellbore in a subterranean formation is described. The system includes a housing, a rotor, a stator, and a controller. The rotor is within the housing and includes a rotatable shaft, a fluid impeller, and a magnetic field source. The magnetic field source is configured to generate a net magnetic field around an entire circumference of the rotor that is uniformly polarized in a single orientation. The stator is within the housing and laterally surrounds the rotatable shaft. The stator is configured to conduct the generated magnetic field to produce a voltage waveform signal. The controller is communicatively coupled to the stator. The controller is configured to receive the voltage waveform signal from the stator and determine an operating characteristic of the rotor based on the received voltage waveform signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Upwing Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick McMullen
  • Patent number: 11326428
    Abstract: A stator for a downhole-type motor includes a housing. The housing includes a sleeve. The sleeve includes a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. The first layer is erosion-resistant. The second layer is corrosion-resistant. The third layer can provide structural support. The stator includes a motor stack. The stator can be used to drive a rotor disposed within an inner bore of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Upwing Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick McMullen, Kuo-Chiang Chen
  • Publication number: 20220006352
    Abstract: A downhole-type system includes a rotatable shaft; a sensor that can sense an axial position of the shaft and generate a first signal corresponding to the axial position of the shaft; a controller coupled to the sensor, in which the controller can receive the first signal generated by the sensor, determine an amount of axial force to apply to the shaft to maintain a target axial position of the shaft, and transmit a second signal corresponding to the determined amount of axial force; and multiple magnetic thrust bearings coupled to the shaft and the controller, in which each magnetic thrust bearing can receive the second signal from the controller and modify a load, corresponding to the second signal, on the shaft to maintain the target axial position of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventor: Patrick McMullen
  • Publication number: 20220003089
    Abstract: An electric stator surrounds an electric rotor. A magnetic coupling is attached to an end of the electric rotor. The magnetic coupling is configured to transmit rotational force to or from a separate rotational device. A housing surrounds and isolates the electrical rotor, the electric stator, and a portion of the magnetic coupling, from a wellbore fluid. The housing is flooded with an incompressible fluid. A pressure within the housing is substantially the same or lower than a pressure within a wellbore environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Herman Artinian, Patrick McMullen