Patents by Inventor Steven C. Ellis

Steven C. Ellis 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: 8146670
    Abstract: A wellhead seal assembly forms a metal-to-metal seal between inner and outer wellhead members. A metal seal ring has inner and outer walls separated by a slot. A lock ring has grooves for locking the inner wellhead member to the outer wellhead member during installation. An energizing ring has a C-ring captured on its inner surface. When the energizing ring is moved further into the slot, the C-ring is forced from its pocket and engages the surface of the inner wellhead member, locking the seal assembly to the inner wellhead member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Ellis, Javier Garcia, Jr., Rick C. Hunter, John E. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20100126736
    Abstract: A wellhead seal assembly forms a metal-to-metal seal between inner and outer wellhead members. A metal seal ring has inner and outer walls separated by a slot. A lock ring has grooves for locking the inner wellhead member to the outer wellhead member during installation. An energizing ring has a C-ring captured on its inner surface. When the energizing ring is moved further into the slot, the C-ring is forced from its pocket and engages the surface of the inner wellhead member, locking the seal assembly to the inner wellhead member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Ellis, Javier Garcia, JR., Rick C. Hunter, John E. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20090230632
    Abstract: A seal is formed from one or more elastomeric materials having a low glass transition temperature for high pressure, and both high and low temperature sealing applications. In an exemplary embodiment, the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the material may be ?35° C. or lower. The seal is adapted to repeatedly form and maintain a seal across a temperature range from 0° C. or lower to +122° C. or greater at pressures up to 15,000 p.s.i.g. or greater. The invention has numerous applications, such as for land-based use, marine surface and marine subsea uses. An anti-extrusion device may circumscribe the upper and lower edges of the material body. The invention also comprises fabrication methods for elastomer or polymeric seals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: VETCO GRAY INC.
    Inventors: Donald R. Petrash, Steven C. Ellis
  • Patent number: 7559366
    Abstract: A wellhead seal assembly forms a metal-to-metal seal between the inner and outer wellhead members. A metal seal ring has inner and outer conical walls separated by a tapered slot. An energizing ring has inner and outer annular members that are separated by an annular cavity. When the energizing ring is moved further into the slot, the cavity width decreases but remains to provide a preloaded radial force to the seal ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Rick C. Hunter, Anton J. Dach, Jr., Charles E. Jennings, Steven C. Ellis
  • Publication number: 20080135229
    Abstract: A wellhead seal assembly forms a metal-to-metal seal between the inner and outer wellhead members. A metal seal ring has inner and outer conical walls separated by a tapered slot. An energizing ring has inner and outer annular members that are separated by an annular cavity. When the energizing ring is moved further into the slot, the cavity width decreases but remains to provide a preloaded radial force to the seal ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Rick C. Hunter, Anton J. Dach, Charles E. Jennings, Steven C. Ellis
  • Patent number: 5685369
    Abstract: A well packer has a metal seal which seals between the packer mandrel and the casing. The metal seal includes a seal sleeve located on the exterior of the mandrel. The sleeve has an inner wall and an outer wall radially separated by a channel. The inner channel is initially separated from the exterior of the mandrel by a clearance. An energizing ring is sizably mounted to the mandrel for axial movement relative to the mandrel. Initially, the energizing ring will be located at the entrance of the channel. An actuating device moves the energizing ring into the channel, wedging the walls of the seal sleeve apart. The inner wall seals against the mandrel. The outer wall seals against the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: ABB Vetco Gray Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C. Ellis, Allan C. Sharp, Stephen Reid, Richard P. Rubbo