Patents by Inventor Rockford Dee Lyle
Rockford Dee Lyle 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: 10648566Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include systems and methods with a piston cylinder arrangement comprising an inner barrel positioned within an outer barrel, the inner barrel being linearly moveable along an axis. A primary sealing assembly at an upper end of the outer barrel includes a plurality of seals positioned to block debris from entering an interior chamber. Additionally, an end cap is coupled to the inner barrel and an end cap diameter is greater than an inner barrel outer diameter. Moreover a secondary sealing assembly is arranged between the end cap and the primary sealing assembly and includes a plurality of secondary seals positioned to block debris from entering the interior chamber of the riser tensioner, wherein the secondary sealing assembly reduces a stroke length of the inner barrel when installed above the primary sealing assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2018Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: Vetco Gray, LLCInventors: Rockford Dee Lyle, Jesse B. Riha, Daniel Louis Havelka, Robert James Wagner
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Publication number: 20190264813Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include systems and methods with a piston cylinder arrangement comprising an inner barrel positioned within an outer barrel, the inner barrel being linearly moveable along an axis. A primary sealing assembly at an upper end of the outer barrel includes a plurality of seals positioned to block debris from entering an interior chamber. Additionally, an end cap is coupled to the inner barrel and an end cap diameter is greater than an inner barrel outer diameter. Moreover a secondary sealing assembly is arranged between the end cap and the primary sealing assembly and includes a plurality of secondary seals positioned to block debris from entering the interior chamber of the riser tensioner, wherein the secondary sealing assembly reduces a stroke length of the inner barrel when installed above the primary sealing assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2018Publication date: August 29, 2019Applicant: Vetco Gray, LLCInventors: Rockford Dee Lyle, Jesse B. Riha, Daniel Louis Havelka, Robert James Wagner
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Patent number: 9803446Abstract: A mechanical lockdown system for a subsea wellhead connector includes a lockdown member or plate that engages with a tie rod that is connected to the wellhead assembly. The lockdown system includes a support member that is permanently secured to an annular ring through which the tie rod passes. The lockdown system also includes a first handle and a second handle that are installed using a plunger or spring loaded system such that mechanical lockdown system can be easily moved from a lockdown open position to a lockdown engaged position as and when desired with minimal ROV interface.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2015Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: VETCO GRAY INC.Inventors: Rockford Dee Lyle, Irving Jair Villasenor, Viviana Resendiz, Sergio Romero
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Patent number: 9745817Abstract: A method for tying back a subsea well assembly to a surface platform and a tieback connector used to perform this operation. The tieback connector includes a mandrel having an axis, external threads, an upward facing lip on an external lower end portion of the mandrel, a backup ring having internal threads engaged with the external threads of the mandrel, a sleeve carried on an outside diameter of the backup ring. When the mandrel is rotated relative to the backup ring, the mandrel moves axially upward relative to the sleeve, deforming an annular seal assembly between the upward facing lip of the mandrel and the load bearing surface of the sleeve, thereby creating a seal between the apparatus and the wellhead housing.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2015Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: VETCO GRAY INC.Inventors: Rockford Dee Lyle, Joseph William Pallini
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Patent number: 9482068Abstract: A subsea well connector for connecting a tubular member to a subsea wellhead assembly includes a tieback connector having an annular stationary connector body that circumscribes a portion of an annular moveable connector body. A tie rod with a tie rod profile extends axially from the stationary connector body. A dog ring circumscribes the tie rod and is moveable between a lockdown open position where the dog ring is spaced from the tie rod, and a lockdown engaged position where a dog ring inner diameter profile engages the tie rod profile, to axially couple the stationary connector body and the moveable connector body. An annular piston circumscribes the dog ring and has a region with a reduced inner diameter that engages an outer diameter of the dog ring to retain the dog ring in the lockdown engaged position. A cylinder circumscribes the annular piston, defining a lockdown piston cavity.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2014Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: Vetco Gray, Inc.Inventor: Rockford Dee Lyle
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Publication number: 20160265297Abstract: A method for tying back a subsea well assembly to a surface platform and a tieback connector used to perform this operation. The tieback connector includes a mandrel having an axis, external threads, an upward facing lip on an external lower end portion of the mandrel, a backup ring having internal threads engaged with the external threads of the mandrel, a sleeve carried on an outside diameter of the backup ring. When the mandrel is rotated relative to the backup ring, the mandrel moves axially upward relative to the sleeve, deforming an annular seal assembly between the upward facing lip of the mandrel and the load bearing surface of the sleeve, thereby creating a seal between the apparatus and the wellhead housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2015Publication date: September 15, 2016Inventors: Rockford Dee Lyle, Joseph William Pallini
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Publication number: 20160177651Abstract: A subsea well connector for connecting a tubular member to a subsea wellhead assembly includes a tieback connector having an annular stationary connector body that circumscribes a portion of an annular moveable connector body. A tie rod with a tie rod profile extends axially from the stationary connector body. A dog ring circumscribes the tie rod and is moveable between a lockdown open position where the dog ring is spaced from the tie rod, and a lockdown engaged position where a dog ring inner diameter profile engages the tie rod profile, to axially couple the stationary connector body and the moveable connector body. An annular piston circumscribes the dog ring and has a region with a reduced inner diameter that engages an outer diameter of the dog ring to retain the dog ring in the lockdown engaged position. A cylinder circumscribes the annular piston, defining a lockdown piston cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2014Publication date: June 23, 2016Applicant: VETCO GRAY INC.Inventor: Rockford Dee Lyle
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Publication number: 20160090807Abstract: A mechanical lockdown system for a subsea wellhead connector includes a lockdown member or plate that engages with a tie rod that is connected to the wellhead assembly. The lockdown system includes a support member that is permanently secured to an annular ring through which the tie rod passes. The lockdown system also includes a first handle and a second handle that are installed using a plunger or spring loaded system such that mechanical lockdown system can be easily moved from a lockdown open position to a lockdown engaged position as and when desired with minimal ROV interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2015Publication date: March 31, 2016Inventors: Rockford Dee Lyle, Irving Jair Villasenor, Viviana Resendiz, Sergio Romero
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Patent number: 9145745Abstract: A collet assembly connects two tubular members with a rotation of an outer sleeve. The collet assembly includes a first tubular member with a grooved outer diameter end. The end is inserted into a collet having grooved inner and outer diameter surfaces, and an outer annular sleeve is threaded onto the collet. A grooved outer diameter end of a second tubular member is inserted into the collet. The outer annular sleeve is rotated relative to the collet. The rotation causes the collet to partially disengage from the outer annular sleeve and fully engage the grooves of the ends of the first tubular member and the second tubular member, thereby securing the first tubular member to the second tubular member.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2011Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.Inventors: Joseph William Pallini, Jr., Ali Hasan, Rockford Dee Lyle
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Patent number: 8757671Abstract: A subsea riser assembly connects two tubular members with axial movement of an outer sleeve. The assembly includes a first tubular member having an end, and a second tubular member having an end with a plurality of box end fingers separated by slots, the second tubular member coaxial with the first tubular member. The end of the first tubular member is inserted into the end of the second tubular member. An outer sleeve having an inner diameter that engages an outer diameter of each box end finger. Axial movement of the outer sleeve relative to the box end fingers causes the inner diameter of the outer sleeve to interact with the outer diameter of the box end fingers, thereby causing the box end fingers to contract radially. The radial contraction of the box end fingers secures the first tubular member to the second tubular member in a made-up position.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2011Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.Inventors: Joseph William Pallini, Jr., Steven Matthew Wong, Rockford Dee Lyle
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Publication number: 20130140813Abstract: A subsea riser assembly connects two tubular members with axial movement of an outer sleeve. The assembly includes a first tubular member having an end, and a second tubular member having an end with a plurality of box end fingers separated by slots, the second tubular member coaxial with the first tubular member. The end of the first tubular member is inserted into the end of the second tubular member. An outer sleeve having an inner diameter that engages an outer diameter of each box end finger. Axial movement of the outer sleeve relative to the box end fingers causes the inner diameter of the outer sleeve to interact with the outer diameter of the box end fingers, thereby causing the box end fingers to contract radially. The radial contraction of the box end fingers secures the first tubular member to the second tubular member in a made-up position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2011Publication date: June 6, 2013Applicant: VETCO GRAY INC.Inventors: Joseph William Pallini, JR., Steven Matthew Wong, Rockford Dee Lyle
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Publication number: 20130076028Abstract: A collet assembly connects two tubular members with a rotation of an outer sleeve. The collet assembly includes a first tubular member with a grooved outer diameter end. The end is inserted into a collet having grooved inner and outer diameter surfaces, and an outer annular sleeve is threaded onto the collet. A grooved outer diameter end of a second tubular member is inserted into the collet. The outer annular sleeve is rotated relative to the collet. The rotation causes the collet to partially disengage from the outer annular sleeve and fully engage the grooves of the ends of the first tubular member and the second tubular member, thereby securing the first tubular member to the second tubular member.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2011Publication date: March 28, 2013Applicant: Vetco Gray Inc.Inventors: Joseph William Pallini, JR., Ali Hasan, Rockford Dee Lyle
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Patent number: 6682107Abstract: A connector for connecting two tubular members has a pin and a box, the box having a bore that receives the pin in stabbing engagement. The bore having a grooved profile, and a split lock ring mounted to the pin, the lock ring snapping into engagement with the grooved profile in the box when the box and pin are stabbed together to lock the tubular members together. An annular wedge shoulder is located on the pin axially spaced apart and facing a rim on the box. The wedge shoulder and rim are inclined relative to each other, resulting in a closer axial distance between them at outer diameters of the pin and box than farther inward. An annular recess is located on the pin at an inner portion of the wedge shoulder, the recess having an inner wall facing outwardly.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2002Date of Patent: January 27, 2004Assignee: ABB Vetco Gray Inc.Inventors: Brian N. Munk, Joseph W. Pallini, Jr., Rockford Dee Lyle
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Publication number: 20020163190Abstract: A connector for connecting two tubular members has a pin and a box, the box having a bore that receives the pin in stabbing engagement. The bore having a grooved profile, and a split lock ring mounted to the pin, the lock ring snapping into engagement with the grooved profile in the box when the box and pin are stabbed together to lock the tubular members together. An annular wedge shoulder is located on the pin axially spaced apart and facing a rim on the box. The wedge shoulder and rim are inclined relative to each other, resulting in a closer axial distance between them at outer diameters of the pin and box than farther inward. An annular recess is located on the pin at an inner portion of the wedge shoulder, the recess having an inner wall facing outwardly.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2002Publication date: November 7, 2002Inventors: Brian N. Munk, Joseph W. Pallini, Rockford Dee Lyle