Patents by Inventor Richard A. Meronek

Richard A. Meronek 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: 11143020
    Abstract: A subsea well equipment landing body (1) includes an indicator assembly to indicate landing of the landing body or to indicate locking of the landing body. The indicator assembly has a stem bore (7), a sliding stem (11) within the stem bore that has a stem head (23) protruding beyond an external face of the landing body. A stem channel (25) in the sliding stem extends between the stem head and a stem channel mouth (27), and is in fluid communication with the outside of the landing body. A hydraulic channel (9) in the landing body is in fluid communication with the stem bore. The stem channel mouth is positionable in a communicating position, in which there is fluid communication between the hydraulic channel and the stem channel, and a non-communicating position, without fluid communication between the hydraulic channel and the stem channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: AKER SOLUTIONS AS
    Inventors: Thiago Bigarella, Richard Meronek, Laura Small, Douglas Caraway
  • Publication number: 20200182046
    Abstract: A subsea well equipment landing body (1) includes an indicator assembly to indicate landing of the landing body or to indicate locking of the landing body. The indicator assembly has a stem bore (7), a sliding stem (11) within the stem bore that has a stem head (23) protruding beyond an external face of the landing body. A stem channel (25) in the sliding stem extends between the stem head and a stem channel mouth (27), and is in fluid communication with the outside of the landing body. A hydraulic channel (9) in the landing body is in fluid communication with the stem bore. The stem channel mouth is positionable in a communicating position, in which there is fluid communication between the hydraulic channel and the stem channel, and a non-communicating position, without fluid communication between the hydraulic channel and the stem channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Applicant: Aker Solutions AS
    Inventors: Thiago BIGARELLA, Richard MERONEK, Laura SMALL, Douglas CARAWAY
  • Patent number: 10655454
    Abstract: A subsea well equipment landing body (1) comprising an indicator assembly to indicate landing of the landing body or to indicate locking of the landing body. The indicator assembly has a stem bore (7), a sliding stem (11) within the stem bore that has a stem head (23) protruding beyond an external face of the landing body. A stem channel (25) in the sliding stem extends between the stem head and a stem channel mouth (27), and is in fluid communication with the outside of the landing body. A hydraulic channel (9) in the landing body is in fluid communication with the stem bore. The stem channel mouth is positionable in a communicating position, in which there is fluid communication between the hydraulic channel and the stem channel, and a non-communicating position, without fluid communication between the hydraulic channel and the stem channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: AKER SOLUTIONS AS
    Inventors: Thiago Bigarella, Richard Meronek, Laura Small, Douglas Caraway
  • Publication number: 20190178077
    Abstract: A subsea well equipment landing body (1) comprising an indicator assembly to indicate landing of the landing body or to indicate locking of the landing body. The indicator assembly has a stem bore (7), a sliding stem (11) within the stem bore that has a stem head (23) protruding beyond an external face of the landing body. A stem channel (25) in the sliding stem extends between the stem head and a stem channel mouth (27), and is in fluid communication with the outside of the landing body. A hydraulic channel (9) in the landing body is in fluid communication with the stem bore. The stem channel mouth is positionable in a communicating position, in which there is fluid communication between the hydraulic channel and the stem channel, and a non-communicating position, without fluid communication between the hydraulic channel and the stem channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Applicant: Aker Solutions AS
    Inventors: Thiago BIGARELLA, Richard MERONEK, Laura SMALL, Douglas CARAWAY
  • Patent number: 6059336
    Abstract: A connector unit is disclosed which comprises a shaft, a plurality of collet fingers, and a sleeve. The plurality of collet fingers are peripherally positioned against the generally cylindrical outside surface of the shaft adjacent the lower end of the shaft. The sleeve has an upper end, a lower end, and a generally cylindrical inside surface positioned peripherally around the shaft. The sleeve is provided with a radially inwardly extending annular flange extending from its inside surface between its upper end and its lower end which forms a seal with the generally cylindrical outside surface of the shaft. An upper annular chamber is formed between the generally cylindrical outside surface of the shaft and the generally cylindrical inside surface of the sleeve above the radially inwardly extending flange and a lower annular chamber is formed between the generally cylindrical outside surface of the shaft and the generally cylindrical inside surface of the sleeve below the radially inwardly extending flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Kvaernet Oilfield Products
    Inventor: Richard A. Meronek
  • Patent number: 6050544
    Abstract: A coupling element is disclosed that is capable of axial and lateral movement for use in connecting fluid lines such as control lines used in subsea drilling. The coupling element has a male sealing element with a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end. The male sealing element defines a generally frusto-conical sealing surface. A fluid passageway for the transmission of fluids is defined through the male sealing element along the longitudinal axis. The generally frusto-conical sealing surface forms a metal-to-metal seal when mated with a female sealing element. A female sealing element with a sealing surface that is complementary to the generally frustoconical sealing surface of the male coupling element is also disclosed. The female sealing element forms a pressure energized metal-to-metal seal with the male sealing element when the two are mated. A poppet valve element may be positioned within the fluid passageway of the female sealing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Kvaerner Oilfield Products
    Inventor: Richard A. Meronek