Patents by Inventor Preston Fox

Preston Fox 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).

  • Top drives with shaft multi-seal
    Patent number: 7748473
    Abstract: A top drive system for wellbore operations, the top drive system including motor apparatus, a main shaft driven by the motor apparatus, the main shaft having a top end and a bottom end, a quill connected to the main shaft, a gear system interconnected with the quill and the motor apparatus, and a multi-seal system for sealing against the quill. 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: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Wells, Preston Fox, Cliff Swiontek, Svein Stubstad, Howard L. Ervin, James D. Brugman, Paul Conover
  • Top drives with shaft multi-seal
    Publication number: 20090044982
    Abstract: A top drive system for wellbore operations, the top drive system including motor apparatus, a main shaft driven by the motor apparatus, the main shaft having a top end and a bottom end, a quill connected to the main shaft, a gear system interconnected with the quill and the motor apparatus, and a multi-seal system for sealing against the quill. 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: July 11, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Wells, Preston Fox, Cliff Swiontek, Svein Stubstad, Howard L. Ervin, James D. Brugman, Paul Conover
  • Top drive systems
    Patent number: 7401664
    Abstract: A top drive system for wellbore operations, the top drive system including motor apparatus, a main shaft driven by the motor apparatus, the main shaft having a top end and a bottom end, a quill connected to the main shaft, and a gear system interconnected with the quill and the motor apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Varco I/P
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Wells, Preston Fox, Cliff Swiontek, Svein Stubstad
  • Top drive systems
    Publication number: 20070251699
    Abstract: A top drive system for wellbore operations, the top drive system including motor apparatus, a main shaft driven by the motor apparatus, the main shaft having a top end and a bottom end, a quill connected to the main shaft, and a gear system interconnected with the quill and the motor apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Inventors: Lawrence Wells, Preston Fox, Cliff Swiontek, Svein Stubstad
  • Tubular-drill bit connect/disconnect apparatus
    Publication number: 20070193417
    Abstract: An apparatus for rotating a tubular with respect to a drill bit, e.g., for making or breaking a connection between a tubular and a drill bit, the apparatus, in at least certain aspects including a frame, gripper apparatus connected to the frame for gripping and rotating a primary tubular, and a torquing frame with plate apparatus for holding the drill bit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2007
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Inventors: Neil West, Preston Fox
  • Subsea intervention system, method and components thereof
    Patent number: 7165619
    Abstract: The subsea intervention system (SIM) includes a BOP module 10 and CT module 20. A tool positioning system 76 is used for positioning a selected subsea tool 22 stored within a rack 18 with a tool axis in line with the BOP axis, while a marinized coiled string injector 80 is moved by positioning system 81 to an inactive position. Power to the subsea electric motors 162 is supplied by an electrical line umbilical extending from the surface for powering the pumps 164, with the hydraulic system controlled by power control unit 198. The injector 80 preferably includes a pressure compensator roller bearing 220 and a pressure compensated drive system case 254.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Varco I/P, Inc.
    Inventors: Preston Fox, John Goode, Ivan Iankov, David Martin, Andrew Michel, Ronald Yater
  • Subsea intervention system, method and components thereof
    Publication number: 20030178200
    Abstract: The subsea intervention system (SIM) includes a BOP module 10 and CT module 20. A tool positioning system 76 is used for positioning a selected subsea tool 22 stored within a rack 18 with a tool axis in line with the BOP axis, while a marinized coiled string injector 80 is moved by positioning system 81 to an inactive position. Power to the subsea electric motors 162 is supplied by an electrical line umbilical extending from the surface for powering the pumps 164, with the hydraulic system controlled by power control unit 198. The injector 80 preferably includes a pressure compensator roller bearing 220 and a pressure compensated drive system case 254.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventors: Preston Fox, John Goode, Ivan Iankov, David Martin, Andrew Michel, Ronald Yater