Patents by Inventor Robert Arnold Judge
Robert Arnold Judge 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).
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Patent number: 11692410Abstract: A blowout preventer system including a lower blowout preventer stack comprising a number of hydraulic components, and a lower marine riser package comprising a first control pod and a second control pod adapted to provide, during use, redundant control of hydraulic components of the lower blowout preventer stack where the first and the second control pods are adapted to being connected, during use, to a surface control system and to be controlled, during use, by the surface control system. The blowout preventer system further including at least one additional control pod connected to at least one additional surface control system and to be controlled, during use, by the additional surface control system.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2021Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Inventors: John Steven Holmes, Douglas Milliman, Luis E. Huerta, Eric Dale Larson, Gregory Ronald Gillette, Robert Arnold Judge, Viral Shah
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Patent number: 11519237Abstract: A blowout preventer system including a lower blowout preventer stack comprising a number of hydraulic components, and a lower marine riser package comprising a first control pod and a second control pod adapted to provide, during use, redundant control of hydraulic components of the lower blowout preventer stack where the first and the second control pods are adapted to being connected, during use, to a surface control system and to be controlled, during use, by the surface control system. The blowout preventer system further including at least one additional control pod connected to at least one additional surface control system and to be controlled, during use, by the additional surface control system.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2020Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: Hydril USA Distribution LLCInventors: John Steven Holmes, Douglas Milliman, Luis E. Huerta, Eric Dale Larson, Gregory Ronald Gillette, Robert Arnold Judge, Viral Shah
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Publication number: 20220018205Abstract: A blowout preventer system including a lower blowout preventer stack comprising a number of hydraulic components, and a lower marine riser package comprising a first control pod and a second control pod adapted to provide, during use, redundant control of hydraulic components of the lower blowout preventer stack where the first and the second control pods are adapted to being connected, during use, to a surface control system and to be controlled, during use, by the surface control system. The blowout preventer system further including at least one additional control pod connected to at least one additional surface control system and to be controlled, during use, by the additional surface control system.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2021Publication date: January 20, 2022Applicant: Hydril USA Distribution LLCInventors: John Steven Holmes, Douglas Milliman, Luis E. Huerta, Eric Dale Larson, Gregory Ronald Gillette, Robert Arnold Judge, Viral Shah
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Publication number: 20210262312Abstract: A blowout preventer system including a lower blowout preventer stack comprising a number of hydraulic components, and a lower marine riser package comprising a first control pod and a second control pod adapted to provide, during use, redundant control of hydraulic components of the lower blowout preventer stack where the first and the second control pods are adapted to being connected, during use, to a surface control system and to be controlled, during use, by the surface control system. The blowout preventer system further including at least one additional control pod connected to at least one additional surface control system and to be controlled, during use, by the additional surface control system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2020Publication date: August 26, 2021Applicant: Hydril USA Distribution LLCInventors: John Steven Holmes, Douglas Milliman, Luis E. Huerta, Eric Dale Larson, Gregory Ronald Gillette, Robert Arnold Judge, Viral Shah
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Patent number: 10876369Abstract: A blowout preventer system including a lower blowout preventer stack comprising a number of hydraulic components, and a lower marine riser package comprising a first control pod and a second control pod adapted to provide, during use, redundant control of hydraulic components of the lower blowout preventer stack where the first and the second control pods are adapted to being connected, during use, to a surface control system and to be controlled, during use, by the surface control system. The blowout preventer system further including at least one additional control pod connected to at least one additional surface control system and to be controlled, during use, by the additional surface control system.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2017Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Hydril USA Distribution LLCInventors: John Steven Holmes, Douglas Milliman, Luis E. Huerta, Eric Dale Larson, Gregory Ronald Gillette, Robert Arnold Judge, Viral Shah
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Patent number: 10823596Abstract: An ultrasonic flow meter system includes a conduit defining a channel, at least one pair of first transducers, at least one second transducer, and a processor. The pair of first transducers is mounted on the conduit and includes a transmitting transducer and a receiving transducer for generating a first responsive signal. The transmitting transducer and the receiving transducer are arranged on a chordal path. The second transducer is mounted on the conduit for generating a second responsive signal. The processor is configured to receive the first responsive signal and the second responsive signal, select one responsive signal according to a relationship of the first responsive signal and noise thereof and a relationship of the second responsive signal and noise thereof, and determine a flow rate of a flow medium according to the selected responsive signal. A method for measuring the flow rate of the fluid medium is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2015Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLCInventors: Jing Ye, Yan Mei, Xiaolei Ao, Weihua Shang, Ran Niu, Gregory Ronald Gillette, Christopher Edward Wolfe, Robert Arnold Judge
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Publication number: 20190186258Abstract: A riser joint system, comprising: a riser joint assembly defining a channel and comprising a first ultrasound module for transmitting a first ultrasound signal to obtain first ultrasound data and a second ultrasound module for transmitting a second ultrasound signal to obtain second ultrasound data, wherein a beam direction of the first ultrasound signal is perpendicular to an axial line of the channel and a beam direction of the second ultrasound signal is oblique to the axial line of the channel; and a processing module for receiving the first ultrasound data and the second ultrasound data and obtaining first information and second information. A well drilling system and a method for the well drilling system are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2017Publication date: June 20, 2019Applicant: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLCInventors: Ran Niu, Weihua Shang, Yan Mei, Jing Ye, Xing Yu, Heng Wu, Gregory Ronald Gillette, Robert Arnold Judge, Gregory J. Myers
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Publication number: 20180363394Abstract: A kick detection system for drilling a well including an ultrasonic module for transmitting signals to a returning drilling fluid from the well, and receiving corresponding backscatter signals; and a process apparatus for obtaining a flow characteristic of the returning drilling fluid based on the backscatter signals, and detecting a kick based on the flow characteristic of the returning drilling fluid and drilling related data. A well drilling system including a drilling string for guiding a drilling bit and a drilling fluid to a well; a conduit defining a channel for accommodating the drilling string and a returning drilling fluid from the well; and the kick detection system. A kick detection method is also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2016Publication date: December 20, 2018Inventors: Yan MEI, Ran NIU, Weihua SHANG, Jing YE, Robert Arnold JUDGE, Gregory Ronald GILLETTE, Christopher Edward WOLFE
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Patent number: 10048673Abstract: A BOP system for use in a high pressure subsea environment, including a BOP stack including a lower marine riser package and a lower stack portion, the lower stack portion having a plurality of BOP rams attached to a subsea wellhead. The system also includes a riser subsystem extending from a drilling vessel to the BOP stack and providing fluid communication therebetween, a ship board subsystem electronically, mechanically, and hydraulically connected to the BOP stack and the riser subsystem to control the functions of the BOP stack and the riser subsystem, and a safety instrumented system having a surface logic solver and at least one subsea logic solver, the safety instrumented system in communication with at least a portion of the BOP rams to act as a redundant control system in case of failure of the ship board subsystem.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2015Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: HYDRIL USA DISTRIBUTION, LLCInventors: John Steven Holmes, Douglas Milliman, Luis E. Huerta, Eric Dale Larson, Gregory Ronald Gillette, Robert Arnold Judge, Viral Shah
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Publication number: 20180073320Abstract: A blowout preventer system including a lower blowout preventer stack comprising a number of hydraulic components, and a lower marine riser package comprising a first control pod and a second control pod adapted to provide, during use, redundant control of hydraulic components of the lower blowout preventer stack where the first and the second control pods are adapted to being connected, during use, to a surface control system and to be controlled, during use, by the surface control system. The blowout preventer system further including at least one additional control pod connected to at least one additional surface control system and to be controlled, during use, by the additional surface control system.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2017Publication date: March 15, 2018Applicant: Hydril USA Distribution LLCInventors: John Steven Holmes, Douglas Milliman, Luis E. Huerta, Eric Dale Larson, Gregory Ronald Gillette, Robert Arnold Judge, Viral Shah
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Publication number: 20170343397Abstract: A method of measuring a flow rate of a fluid flowing in a space between an outer conduit and an inner element in the outer conduit is provided. Ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received through the space between multiple pairs of ultrasonic transducers along multiple propagation paths, respectively. A mean line velocity of the fluid is calculated based on data from each pair of ultrasonic transducers. As such, multiple mean line velocities across the space are obtained. The flow rate of the fluid is calculated based on the multiple mean line velocities.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2015Publication date: November 30, 2017Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jing YE, Gregory Ronald GILETTE, Christopher Edward WOLFE, Xialei AO, Ran NUI, Weihua SHANG, Robert Arnold JUDGE, Yan MEI
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Publication number: 20170314979Abstract: An ultrasonic flow meter system includes a conduit defining a channel, at least one pair of first transducers, at least one second transducer, and a processor. The pair of first transducers is mounted on the conduit and includes a transmitting transducer and a receiving transducer for generating a first responsive signal. The transmitting transducer and the receiving transducer are arranged on a chordal path. The second transducer is mounted on the conduit for generating a second responsive signal. The processor is configured to receive the first responsive signal and the second responsive signal, select one responsive signal according to a relationship of the first responsive signal and noise thereof and a relationship of the second responsive signal and noise thereof, and determine a flow rate of a flow medium according to the selected responsive signal. A method for measuring the flow rate of the fluid medium is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2015Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: Jing YE, Yan MEI, Xiaolei AO, Weihua SHANG, Ran NIU, Gregory Ronald GILLETTE, Christopher Edward WOLFE, Robert Arnold JUDGE
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Patent number: 9476271Abstract: A flow control system for drilling a well comprises a conduit defining a channel configured to accommodate a drill pipe and a flow of a returning drilling fluid, and an acoustic sensor array configured to detect a flow rate of the returning drilling fluid. The flow control system further comprises a flow control device configured to control the flow rate of the returning drilling fluid and to be actuated in response to an event detected by the sensor array, the flow control device being proximate to the sensor array.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2013Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert Arnold Judge, Christopher Edward Wolfe, Fengsu Liu, Li Liu, Farshad Ghasripoor
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Patent number: 9347289Abstract: Blowout preventer systems are provided. According to an exemplary embodiment, the system includes a blowout preventer, a plurality of position sensing mechanisms, a plurality of pressure sensing mechanisms, and a controller configured to receive position data indicating a position of a piston and pressure data indicating the pressure of hydraulic fluid being applied to the piston, and to determine a current stroking pressure signature or fingerprint during a closing cycle, which when compared to a baseline stroking pressure signature or fingerprint, can provide an indication of the health of one or more components of the operator containing the piston. The controller can also determine a backlash of the ram block, and/or to record a position of the ram block, and/or to calculate an instant when a supplemental closing pressure is desired to be applied, and/or to determine when maintenance of a ram locking mechanism is due, and/or to determine when sealing elements are worn.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2014Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Hydril USA Distribution LLCInventors: Robert Arnold Judge, Eric L. Milne
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Publication number: 20160109874Abstract: A BOP system for use in a high pressure subsea environment, including a BOP stack including a lower marine riser package and a lower stack portion, the lower stack portion having a plurality of BOP rams attached to a subsea wellhead. The system also includes a riser subsystem extending from a drilling vessel to the BOP stack and providing fluid communication therebetween, a ship board subsystem electronically, mechanically, and hydraulically connected to the BOP stack and the riser subsystem to control the functions of the BOP stack and the riser subsystem, and a safety instrumented system having a surface logic solver and at least one subsea logic solver, the safety instrumented system in communication with at least a portion of the BOP rams to act as a redundant control system in case of failure of the ship board subsystem.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2015Publication date: April 21, 2016Applicant: HYDRIL USA DISTRIBUTION, LLCInventors: John Steven Holmes, Douglas Milliman, Luis E. Huerta, Eric Dale Larson, Gregory Ronald Gillette, Robert Arnold Judge, Viral Shah
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Publication number: 20150322978Abstract: A water submerged device for generating a force under water. The device includes an enclosure having a piston that drives a ram, the piston dividing the enclosure into closing and opening chambers, the opening chamber connected to the low pressure recipient, and containing a first fluid. The device further includes a low pressure recipient for containing a first fluid having a lower pressure than the first fluid, and in selective fluid communication with the opening chamber of the enclosure via a first valve. In addition, the device includes a control module connected to the enclosure and in selective communication with the opening chamber of the enclosure via a second valve. The first and second valves are controlled so that only one of the low pressure recipient or the control module is in fluid communication with the opening chamber of the enclosure at a time.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2014Publication date: November 12, 2015Applicant: Hydril USA Manufacturing LLCInventors: Jamie Gamble, Ryan Gustafson, Robert Arnold Judge
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Patent number: 9080427Abstract: Apparatuses useable in an offshore drilling installation close to the seabed for controlling well influx within a wellbore are provided. An apparatus includes a centralizer and flow constrictor assembly, a sensor and a controller. The centralizer and flow constrictor assembly are configured to centralize a drill string within a drill riser and regulate a return mud flow. The sensor is located close to the centralizer and flow constrictor assembly and configured to acquire values of at least one parameter related to the return mud flow. The controller is coupled to the centralizer and flow constrictor assembly and the sensor. The controller is configured to control the centralizer and flow constrictor assembly to achieve a value of a control parameter close to a predetermined value, based on the values acquired by the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2012Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Farshad Ghasripoor, Christopher Edward Wolfe, Thomas James Batzinger, Gary Dwayne Mandrusiak, Robert Arnold Judge
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Patent number: 9033048Abstract: Apparatuses and methods useable in drilling installations having a mud loop for detecting ongoing or imminent kick events are provided. An apparatus includes a first sensor configured to measure a input mud flow pumped into the well, and a second sensor configured to measure a variation of a return mud flow emerging from the well. The apparatus further includes a controller connected to the first sensor, and to the second sensor. The controller is configured to identify an ongoing or imminent kick event based on monitoring and comparing an evolution of the input mud flow as measured by the first sensor and an evolution of the return mud flow as inferred based on measurements received from the second sensor. Additionally, a third sensor can be included in the apparatus to confirm the conclusion made by the controller before alerting the user that a kick has likely occurred.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2011Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Hydril USA Manufacturing LLCInventor: Robert Arnold Judge
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Publication number: 20150122505Abstract: A flow control system for drilling a well comprises a conduit defining a channel configured to accommodate a drill pipe and a flow of a returning drilling fluid, and an acoustic sensor array configured to detect a flow rate of the returning drilling fluid. The flow control system further comprises a flow control device configured to control the flow rate of the returning drilling fluid and to be actuated in response to an event detected by the sensor array, the flow control device being proximate to the sensor array.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2013Publication date: May 7, 2015Inventors: Robert Arnold Judge, Christopher Edward Wolfe, Fengsu Liu, Li Liu, Farshad Ghasripoor
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Patent number: 9016381Abstract: Apparatuses useable in drilling installations for adjusting a mud return flow in a mud loop, at a location far from a mud tank are provided. An apparatus includes (1) a sensor located close to a seabed and configured to acquire values of at least one parameter related to a return mud flow, (2) a valve located near the sensor and configured to regulate the return mud flow, and (3) a controller connected to the valve and the sensor. The controller is configured to automatically control the valve to regulate the return mud flow towards achieving a value of a control parameter close to a predetermined value, based on the values acquired by the sensor. Methods of incorporating an apparatus in a drilling installation and retrofitting existing installations are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2011Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Hydril USA Manufacturing LLCInventors: David Albert Dietz, Robert Arnold Judge, Ahmet Duman