Patents by Inventor Richard D. Kent

Richard D. Kent 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: 7096937
    Abstract: A flow completion system for controlling the flow of fluid from a well bore comprises a tubing spool which includes a central bore that extends axially therethrough and a production outlet which communicates with the central bore. A tubing hanger is supported in the central bore and includes a production bore that extends axially therethrough and a production passageway that communicates between the production bore and the production outlet. A first closure member is positioned in the production bore above the production passageway, and a first metal seal is positioned concentrically between the tubing hanger and the central bore above the production passageway. In addition, a second closure member is positioned in the production bore above the first closure member, and a second metal seal is positioned concentrically between the tubing hanger and the central bore above the first seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Bartlett, Christopher E. Cunningham, Richard D. Kent, Nicholas Gatherar, David Harrold
  • Patent number: 7069988
    Abstract: A flow completion system for controlling the flow of fluid from a well bore, the flow completion system comprising a tubing spool which includes a central bore that extends axially therethrough and a production outlet which communicates with the central bore; a tubing hanger which is supported in the central bore and which includes a production bore that extends axially therethrough and a production passageway that communicates between the production bore and the production outlet, the tubing hanger supporting a tubing string which extends into the well bore and defines a tubing annulus surrounding the tubing string; a first closure member which is positioned in the production bore above the production passageway; a first annular seal which is positioned between the tubing hanger and the central bore above the production passageway; wherein the first closure member and the first seal comprise a first pressure-containing barrier between the well bore and a surrounding environment; a second closure member which
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Bartlett, Christopher E. Cunningham, Richard D. Kent, Nicholas Gatherar, David Harrold
  • Patent number: 7025132
    Abstract: A flow completion apparatus comprises a wellhead housing installed at an upper end of a well bore and a tubing spool connected over the wellhead housing. The tubing spool includes a central bore extending axially therethrough, a production outlet communicating with the central bore and an annulus passageway communicating with the tubing annulus. A tubing hanger is supported in the central bore and includes a production bore extending axially therethrough and a production passageway communicating between the production bore and the production outlet. The tubing spool comprises a workover passageway extending between the annulus passageway and a portion of the central bore located below the top of the tubing hanger. Furthermore, the tubing hanger comprises an annulus bore extending between the workover passageway and the top of the tubing hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Kent, Michael R. Tierney, Gregory L. Glidden, Christopher E. Cunningham, Christopher D. Bartlett
  • Publication number: 20040188083
    Abstract: A flow completion system for controlling the flow of fluid from a well bore comprises a tubing spool which includes a central bore that extends axially therethrough and a production outlet which communicates with the central bore. A tubing hanger is supported in the central bore and includes a production bore that extends axially therethrough and a production passageway that communicates between the production bore and the production outlet. A first closure member is positioned in the production bore above the production passageway, and a first metal seal is positioned concentrically between the tubing hanger and the central bore above the production passageway. In addition, a second closure member is positioned in the production bore above the first closure member, and a second metal seal is positioned concentrically between the tubing hanger and the central bore above the first seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Bartlett, Christopher E. Cunningham, Richard D. Kent, Nicholas Gatherar, David Harrold
  • Publication number: 20040104024
    Abstract: A flow completion apparatus comprises a wellhead housing installed at an upper end of a well bore and a tubing spool connected over the wellhead housing. The tubing spool includes a central bore extending axially therethrough, a production outlet communicating with the central bore and an annulus passageway communicating with the tubing annulus. A tubing hanger is supported in the central bore and includes a production bore extending axially therethrough and a production passageway communicating between the production bore and the production outlet. The tubing spool comprises a workover passageway extending between the annulus passageway and a portion of the central bore located below the top of the tubing hanger. Furthermore, the tubing hanger comprises an annulus bore extending between the workover passageway and the top of the tubing hanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Kent, Michael R. Tierney, Gregory L. Glidden, Christopher E. Cunningham, Christopher D. Bartlett
  • Publication number: 20040074636
    Abstract: A flow completion system for controlling the flow of fluid from a well bore, the flow completion system comprising a tubing spool which includes a central bore that extends axially therethrough and a production outlet which communicates with the central bore; a tubing hanger which is supported in the central bore and which includes a production bore that extends axially therethrough and a production passageway that communicates between the production bore and the production outlet, the tubing hanger supporting a tubing string which extends into the well bore and defines a tubing annulus surrounding the tubing string; a first closure member which is positioned in the production bore above the production passageway; a first annular seal which is positioned between the tubing hanger and the central bore above the production passageway; wherein the first closure member and the first seal comprise a first pressure-containing barrier between the well bore and a surrounding environment; a second closure member which
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Bartlett, Christopher E. Cunningham, Richard D. Kent, Nicholas Gatherar, David Harrold
  • Patent number: 6681850
    Abstract: A flow completion system for controlling the flow of fluid from a well bore, the flow completion system includes a tubing spool which includes a central bore that extends axially therethrough and a production outlet which communicates with the central bore. A tubing hanger includes a production bore that extends axially therethrough and a production passageway that communicates between the production bore and the production outlet and a first closure member which is positioned in the production bore above the production passageway. A first annular seal which is positioned between the tubing hanger and the central bore above the production passageway including first pressure-containing barrier between the well bore and a surrounding environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Bartlett, Christopher E. Cunningham, Richard D. Kent, Nicholas Gatherar, David Harrold
  • Patent number: 6655455
    Abstract: A flow completion system for controlling the flow of fluid from a well bore, the flow completion system comprising a tubing spool, a tubing hanger supporting a tubing string which extends into the well bore and defines a tubing annulus surrounding the tubing string; a first closure member which is positioned in the production bore above the production passageway; a first annular seal wherein the first closure member and the first seal comprise a first pressure-containing barrier between the well bore and a surrounding environment; a second closure member which is positioned in the production bore above the first closure member; and a second annular seal wherein the second closure member and the second seal comprise a second pressure-containing barrier between the well bore and the environment; and wherein both the first and the second barriers are associated with the tubing hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Bartlett, Christopher E. Cunningham, Richard D. Kent, Nicholas Gatherar, David Harrold
  • Publication number: 20030178202
    Abstract: A flow completion system for controlling the flow of fluid from a well bore, the flow completion system comprising a tubing spool which includes a central bore that extends axially therethrough and a production outlet which communicates with the central bore; a tubing hanger which is supported in the central bore and which includes a production bore that extends axially therethrough and a production passageway that communicates between the production bore and the production outlet, the tubing hanger supporting a tubing string which extends into the well bore and defines a tubing annulus surrounding the tubing string; a first closure member which is positioned in the production bore above the production passageway; a first annular seal which is positioned between the tubing hanger and the central bore above the production passageway; wherein the first closure member and the first seal comprise a first pressure-containing barrier between the well bore and a surrounding environment; a second closure member which
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Applicant: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Bartlett, Christopher E. Cunningham, Richard D. Kent, Nicholas Gatherar, David Harrold
  • Patent number: 6612368
    Abstract: A flow completion apparatus comprises a wellhead housing installed at an upper end of a well bore and a tubing spool connected over the wellhead housing. The tubing spool includes a central bore extending axially therethrough, a production outlet communicating with the central bore and an annulus passageway communicating with the tubing annulus. A tubing hanger is supported in the central bore and includes a production bore extending axially therethrough and a production passageway communicating between the production bore and the production outlet. An annular seal is positioned between the tubing hanger and the central bore above the production passageway, and the tubing spool comprises a workover passageway extending between the annulus passageway and a portion of the central bore located above the seal. Furthermore, the tubing hanger comprises an annulus bore extending between the workover passageway and the top of the tubing hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard D. Kent, Michael R. Tierney, Gregory L. Glidden, Chistopher E. Cunningham, Christopher D. Bartlett
  • Publication number: 20020189813
    Abstract: A flow completion system for controlling the flow of fluid from a well bore, the flow completion system comprising a tubing spool which includes a central bore that extends axially therethrough and a production outlet which communicates with the central bore; a tubing hanger which is supported in the central bore and which includes a production bore that extends axially therethrough and a production passageway that communicates between the production bore and the production outlet, the tubing hanger supporting a tubing string which extends into the well bore and defines a tubing annulus surrounding the tubing string; a first closure member which is positioned in the production bore above the production passageway; a first annular seal which is positioned between the tubing hanger and the central bore above the production passageway; wherein the first closure member and the first seal comprise a first pressure-containing barrier between the well bore and a surrounding environment; a second closure member which
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Christopher D. Bartlett, Christopher E. Cunningham, Richard D. Kent, Nicholas Gatherar, David Harrold
  • Patent number: 6494257
    Abstract: A flow completion system for controlling the flow of fluid from a well bore, the flow completion system comprising a tubing spool which includes a central bore that extends axially therethrough and a production outlet which communicates with the central bore; a tubing hanger which is supported in the central bore and which includes a production bore that extends axially therethrough and a production passageway that communicates between the production bore and the production outlet, the tubing hanger supporting a tubing string which extends into the well bore and defines a tubing annulus surrounding the tubing string; a first closure member which is positioned in the production bore above the production passageway; a first annular seal which is positioned between the tubing hanger and the central bore above the production passageway; wherein the first closure member and the first seal comprise a first pressure-containing barrier between the well bore and a surrounding environment; a second closure member which
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Bartlett, Christopher E. Cunningham, Richard D. Kent, Nicholas Gatherar, David Harrold
  • Patent number: 6488083
    Abstract: A tubing hanger for a flow completion system which comprises a Christmas tree connected above a wellhead housing that includes a central bore in which the tubing hanger is supported, the tubing hanger comprising a generally annular body; a production bore which extends generally axially through the body; an annulus bore which extends generally axially through the body; the annulus bore comprising a generally lateral first branch which is connected to a generally axial second branch; and a closure member which includes a gate that is moveable generally axially across the first branch between an open position in which a hole in the gate is aligned with the first branch and a closed position in which the hole is offset from the first branch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher D. Bartlett, Christopher E. Cunningham, Richard D. Kent, Nicholas Gatherar
  • Patent number: 6453995
    Abstract: A tubing hanger incorporates a flow control valve that is ordinarily found in a horizontal christmas tree. A branch passage forming a production fluid outlet has a mouth that intersects with a vertical production bore. A valve closure element in the form of a rotatable sleeve or saddle is disposed in the bore for co-operation with a seat disposed in the branch passage. Rotation of the sleeve, e.g. by a shaft extending through a crown plug, brings a hole into or out of alignment with the seat to control production fluid flow. In other embodiments, the sleeve is axially movable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Gatherar, Richard D. Kent
  • Publication number: 20020000315
    Abstract: A flow completion apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid through a tubing string which extends into a well bore and defines a tubing annulus surrounding the tubing string, the flow completion apparatus comprising a wellhead housing which is installed at an upper end of the well bore; a tubing spool which is connected over the wellhead housing and which includes a central bore that extends axially therethrough, a production outlet which communicates with the central bore, and an annulus passageway which communicates with the tubing annulus; a tubing hanger which is supported in the central bore, is connected to an upper end of the tubing string, and includes a production bore which extends axially therethrough and a production passageway which communicates between the production bore and the production outlet; a first closure member which is positioned in the production bore above the production passageway; and a first annular seal which is positioned between the tubing hanger and the central bore above t
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventors: Richard D. Kent, Michael R. Tierney, Gregory L. Glidden, Christopher E. Cunningham, Christopher D. Bartlett
  • Publication number: 20020000322
    Abstract: A flow completion system for controlling the flow of fluid from a well bore, the flow completion system comprising a tubing spool which includes a central bore that extends axially therethrough and a production outlet which communicates with the central bore; a tubing hanger which is supported in the central bore and which includes a production bore that extends axially therethrough and a production passageway that communicates between the production bore and the production outlet, the tubing hanger supporting a tubing string which extends into the well bore and defines a tubing annulus surrounding the tubing string; a first closure member which is positioned in the production bore above the production passageway; a first annular seal which is positioned between the tubing hanger and the central bore above the production passageway; wherein the first closure member and the first seal comprise a first pressure-containing barrier between the well bore and a surrounding environment; a second closure member which
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventors: Christopher D. Bartlett, Christopher E. Cunningham, Richard D. Kent, Nicholas Gatherar, David Harrold
  • Publication number: 20010054507
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a tubing hanger for a flow completion system which comprises a Christmas tree connected above a wellhead housing that includes a central bore in which the tubing hanger is supported, the tubing hanger comprising a generally annular body; a production bore which extends generally axially through the body; an annulus bore which extends generally axially through the body; the annulus bore comprising a generally lateral first branch which is connected to a generally axial second branch; and a closure member which includes a gate that is moveable generally axially across the first branch between an open position in which a hole in the gate is aligned with the first branch and a closed position in which the hole is offset from the first branch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Publication date: December 27, 2001
    Inventors: Christopher D. Bartlett, Christopher E. Cunningham, Richard D. Kent, Nicholas Gatherar
  • Publication number: 20010042619
    Abstract: A tubing hanger incorporates a flow control valve that is ordinarily found in a horizontal christmas tree. A branch passage forming a production fluid outlet has a mouth that intersects with a vertical production bore. A valve closure element in the form of a rotatable sleeve or saddle is disposed in the bore for co-operation with a seat disposed in the branch passage. Rotation of the sleeve, e.g. by means of a shaft extending through a crown plug, brings a hole into or out of alignment with the seat to control production fluid flow. In other embodiments, the sleeve is axially movable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventors: Nicholas Gatherar, Richard D. Kent