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).
-
Patent number: 10581297Abstract: A fluid rotor is configured to move or be rotated by a working fluid. A fluid stator surrounds the fluid rotor. The fluid stator is spaced from the fluid rotor and defines a first annular fluid gap in-between that is in fluid communication with an outside environment exterior the downhole-type pump. A radial magnetic bearing includes a first portion coupled to the fluid rotor and a second portion coupled to the fluid stator. The first portion is spaced from the second portion defining a second annular fluid gap in-between that is in fluid communication with the outside environment exterior the downhole-type pump.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2017Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: Upwing Energy, LLCInventors: Kuo-Chiang Chen, Patrick McMullen
-
Publication number: 20200032630Abstract: An electric submersible pump (ESP) is described. The ESP includes a stator chamber, a stator within the stator chamber, a rotor, and an electrical connection. The stator chamber is configured to reside in a wellbore. The stator chamber is configured to attach to a tubing of a well. The stator chamber defines an inner bore having an inner bore wall that, when the stator chamber is attached to the tubing, is continuous with an inner wall of the tubing. The rotor is positioned within the inner bore of the stator chamber. The rotor includes an impeller. The rotor is configured to be retrievable from the well while the stator remains in the well. The stator is configured to drive the rotor to rotate the impeller and induce well fluid flow in response to receiving power through the electrical connection.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2019Publication date: January 30, 2020Applicant: Upwing Energy, LLCInventors: Herman Artinian, Kuo-Chiang Chen, Patrick McMullen, David Biddick
-
Patent number: 10536053Abstract: A system to provide power to a downhole-type tool includes a downhole-type electric motor that can be positioned in a wellbore and a variable speed drive electrically connected to the electric motor, in which the downhole-type electric motor can operate at rotary speeds of at least 6,000 rotations per minute (rpm), the variable speed drive can control and supply power to the electric motor when the electric motor is positioned at a downhole location inside the wellbore, and the variable speed drive can be at a surface of the wellbore.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2017Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: Upwing Energy, LLCInventors: Suratkal P. Shenoy, Liping Zheng, Herman Artinian, Patrick McMullen, David Biddick, Kuo-Chiang Chen
-
Publication number: 20190368325Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2019Publication date: December 5, 2019Applicant: Upwing Energy, LLCInventors: Patrick McMullen, Herman Artinian
-
Patent number: 10447111Abstract: A downhole-type system includes a rotatable shaft, a downhole-type magnetic bearing coupled to the rotatable shaft, a downhole-type sensor, a surface-type controller, and a surface-type amplifier coupled to the magnetic bearing. The magnetic bearing can control levitation of the rotatable shaft. The downhole-type sensor can detect a position of the rotatable shaft in a downhole location and generate a first signal based on the detected position. The surface-type controller can receive the first signal, determine an amount of force to apply to the shaft, and generate a second signal corresponding to the determined amount of force. The surface-type amplifier can receive the second signal, amplify the second signal to a sufficient level to drive the magnetic bearing to apply force to the rotatable shaft to control the levitation of the rotatable shaft at the downhole location, and transmit the amplified second signal to the magnetic bearing.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2017Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: Upwing Energy, LLCInventor: Patrick McMullen
-
Patent number: 10428822Abstract: An outer barrel is configured to rotate. A first central shaft passes through the outer barrel. The first central shaft is configured to rotate with the outer barrel. A first bearing assembly is attached to the first shaft on a first side of the outer barrel. A second bearing assembly is attached to the first shaft on a second side of the barrel. The second bearing assembly supports the first shaft to an isolation can. An inner barrel is magnetically coupled to and is configured to rotate with the outer barrel. A second central shaft passes through the inner barrel. The second central shaft is configured to rotate with the inner barrel. A third bearing assembly is attached to the second shaft. The isolation can fluidically isolates the inner barrel assembly from the outer barrel assembly. The isolation can supports the second bearing assembly to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2018Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: Upwing Energym LLCInventors: Zhiyang Wang, Patrick McMullen, David Biddick
-
Patent number: 10385665Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 28, 2017Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: Upwing Energy, LLCInventors: Patrick McMullen, Herman Artinian
-
Patent number: 10370947Abstract: A retrievable string configured to be positioned in a well is described. The retrievable string includes a rotating portion and a non-rotating portion. The rotating portion includes a rotor configured to be positioned in and driven by a stator of a well completion. The rotating portion includes an impeller coupled to the rotor. The non-rotating portion is cooperatively configured with the impeller to induce fluid flow in the well in response to the stator driving the rotor. The non-rotating portion includes a coupling part configured to support the rotor positioned in the stator. The coupling part is configured to detachably couple to a corresponding coupling part of the well completion.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2018Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: Upwing Energy, LLCInventors: Herman Artinian, Kuo-Chiang Chen, Patrick McMullen, David Biddick
-
Publication number: 20190207493Abstract: A first electric stator surrounds a first electric rotor and is configured to cause the first electric rotor to rotate or generate electricity in the first electric stator when the first electric rotor rotates. The first electric stator includes a first set of electric windings. A second electric stator surrounds the second electric rotor and is configured to cause the second electric rotor to rotate or generate electricity in the second electric stator when the second electric rotor rotates. The second electric stator includes a second set of electric windings. The second electric stator is electrically coupled to the first electric stator. A controller is electrically coupled to both the first electric stator and the second electric stator. The controller is configured to exchange an electric current with a combination of the first electric stator and the second electric stator.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2017Publication date: July 4, 2019Applicant: Upwing Energy, LLCInventors: Patrick McMullen, Herman Artinian, Kuo-Chiang Chen, Liping Zheng
-
Publication number: 20190203719Abstract: A regenerative turbine impeller includes a first side and a second side. An impeller housing surrounds the regenerative turbine impeller. The impeller housing includes a seal separating the first side and the second side of the regenerative turbine impeller. A first fluid inlet is fluidically coupled to the first side of the regenerative turbine impeller. A first fluid outlet is fluidically coupled to the first side of the regenerative turbine impeller. A second fluid inlet is fluidically coupled to the second side of the regenerative turbine impeller. A second fluid outlet is fluidically coupled to the second side of the regenerative turbine impeller.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2017Publication date: July 4, 2019Applicant: Upwing Energy, LLCInventors: David Biddick, Justin Jongsik Oh, Patrick McMullen
-
Patent number: 10337557Abstract: An inner barrel shaft is separate from the shaft of the first rotating machine. A first bearing assembly is configured to support the inner barrel shaft. The first bearing assembly is separate from the first rotating machine. An outer barrel includes an outer barrel shaft that is separate from a shaft of a second rotating machine. The outer barrel is configured to be coupled to the shaft of the second rotating machine. The second rotating machine is configured to drive or be driven by the first rotating machine. The outer barrel is fluidically isolated from the inner barrel. The outer barrel is configured to surround the inner barrel. The outer barrel is magnetically coupled to the inner barrel to co-rotate with the inner barrel. A second bearing assembly is configured to support the outer barrel shaft. The second bearing assembly is separate from the second rotating machine.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2018Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: Upwing Energy, LLCInventor: Patrick McMullen
-
Patent number: 10309200Abstract: A fluid module includes a fluid rotor configured to rotatably drive or be driven by fluid produced from a wellbore. A first shaft is coupled to the fluid rotor. The first shaft is configured to rotate in unison with the fluid rotor. A thrust bearing module includes a thrust bearing rotor. A second shaft is coupled to the thrust bearing rotor. The second shaft is configured to rotate in unison with the thrust bearing rotor. The second shaft is coupled to the first shaft. An electric machine module includes an electric machine rotor. A third shaft is coupled to the electric machine rotor. A third shaft is configured to rotate in unison with the electric machine rotor. The third shaft is coupled to the second shaft. The third shaft is rotodynamically isolated from the first shaft and the second shaft.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2018Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: Upwing Energy, LLCInventors: Patrick McMullen, Herman Artinian, Kuo-Chiang Chen, David Biddick
-
Patent number: 10312772Abstract: A device includes a rotor to rotate about a longitudinal axis, a magnetic bearing actuator, and an axial gap generator including a stator assembly adjacent to the rotor, the axial gap generator to generate an amount of power as a function of a gap spacing between the stator assembly and the rotor, the gap spacing parallel to the longitudinal axis, and the axial gap generator to supply the amount of power to a control coil of the magnetic bearing actuator.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2017Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: Upwing Energy, LLCInventor: Patrick McMullen
-
Patent number: 10280721Abstract: A retrievable string is positioned in a stator of a completion string installed in a well. The retrievable string includes a rotating portion and a non-rotating portion. The rotating portion includes a rotor and an impeller coupled to the rotor. The non-rotating portion includes a coupling part. The coupling part is coupled to a corresponding coupling part of the completion string.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2018Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: Upwing Energy, LLCInventors: Herman Artinian, Kuo-Chiang Chen, Patrick McMullen, David Biddick
-
Patent number: 10253606Abstract: A system for use in a completion string of a well is described. The system includes a coupling part configured to detachably couple a retrievable string to the system. The system includes a stator configured to attach to a tubing of the completion string. While the retrievable string is coupled to the system, the stator is configured to drive a rotor of the retrievable string in response to receiving power.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2018Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: Upwing Energy, LLCInventors: Herman Artinian, Kuo-Chiang Chen, Patrick McMullen, David Biddick
-
Publication number: 20190085672Abstract: A fluid module includes a fluid rotor configured to rotatably drive or be driven by fluid produced from a wellbore. A first shaft is coupled to the fluid rotor. The first shaft is configured to rotate in unison with the fluid rotor. A thrust bearing module includes a thrust bearing rotor. A second shaft is coupled to the thrust bearing rotor. The second shaft is configured to rotate in unison with the thrust bearing rotor. The second shaft is coupled to the first shaft. An electric machine module includes an electric machine rotor. A third shaft is coupled to the electric machine rotor. A third shaft is configured to rotate in unison with the electric machine rotor. The third shaft is coupled to the second shaft. The third shaft is rotodynamically isolated from the first shaft and the second shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2018Publication date: March 21, 2019Applicant: Upwing Energy, LLCInventors: Patrick McMullen, Herman Artinian, Kuo-Chiang Chen, David Biddick
-
Publication number: 20190089290Abstract: A system to provide power to a downhole-type tool includes a downhole-type electric motor that can be positioned in a wellbore and a variable speed drive electrically connected to the electric motor, in which the downhole-type electric motor can operate at rotary speeds of at least 6,000 rotations per minute (rpm), the variable speed drive can control and supply power to the electric motor when the electric motor is positioned at a downhole location inside the wellbore, and the variable speed drive can be at a surface of the wellbore.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2017Publication date: March 21, 2019Applicant: Upwing Energy, LLCInventors: Suratkal P. Shenoy, Liping Zheng, Herman Artinian, Patrick McMullen, David Biddick, Kuo-Chiang Chen
-
Publication number: 20190085668Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2017Publication date: March 21, 2019Applicant: Upwing Energy, LLCInventors: Patrick McMullen, Herman Artinian
-
Publication number: 20190089221Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2017Publication date: March 21, 2019Applicant: Upwing Energy, LLCInventor: Patrick McMullen
-
Publication number: 20190089220Abstract: A device includes a rotor to rotate about a longitudinal axis, a magnetic bearing actuator, and an axial gap generator including a stator assembly adjacent to the rotor, the axial gap generator to generate an amount of power as a function of a gap spacing between the stator assembly and the rotor, the gap spacing parallel to the longitudinal axis, and the axial gap generator to supply the amount of power to a control coil of the magnetic bearing actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2017Publication date: March 21, 2019Applicant: Upwing Energy, LLCInventor: Patrick McMullen