Patents by Inventor Thomas L. Hergarden
Thomas L. Hergarden 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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Publication number: 20210164588Abstract: A system disclosed herein comprises a pipeline and a plurality of access node structures axially spaced apart from one another along the pipeline, wherein each of the plurality of access node structures comprises a substantially planar upper surface. Also disclosed is a method for deploying a pipeline that comprises a plurality of future access node structures, wherein, at the time the pipeline is deployed subsea, the future access node structures prevent access to an interior of the pipeline, and wherein the plurality of access node structures comprises at least one of a tapping structure, a pressure-barrier retaining structure that is adapted to receive a pressure-barrier device and a pressure-barrier retaining structure comprised of a recess with a scored pressure-retaining bottom.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2018Publication date: June 3, 2021Inventors: Aksel M. Schjerpen, Robert A. Perry, Thomas L. Hergarden
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Patent number: 9556713Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure is directed to systems that may be used to facilitate the retrieval and/or replacement of production and/or processing equipment that may be used for subsea oil and gas operations. In one illustrative embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes, among other things, removing at least a portion of trapped production fluid (101a, 101b) from subsea equipment (100) while the subsea equipment (100) is connected to a subsea equipment installation (185) in a subsea environment (180), and storing at least the removed portion of the trapped production fluid (101a, 101b) in a subsea containment structure (120, 120a, 120b, 132) that is positioned in the subsea environment (180). Additionally, the disclosed method also includes disconnecting the subsea equipment (100) from the subsea equipment installation (185) and retrieving the subsea equipment (100) from the subsea environment (180).Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2015Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Michael R. Williams, Thomas L. Hergarden, Howard J. Hartley, Andrei Strikovski, Eric Randall Smedstad, Harold Brian Skeels, John D. Dafler, Jr., Jimmy D. Andrews
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Patent number: 9441461Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure is directed to systems that may be used to facilitate the retrieval and/or replacement of production and/or processing equipment that may be used for subsea oil and gas operations. In one illustrative embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes, among other things, removing at least a portion of trapped production fluid (101a, 101b) from subsea equipment (100) while the subsea equipment (100) is connected to a subsea equipment installation (185) in a subsea environment (180), and storing at least the removed portion of the trapped production fluid (101a, 101b) in a subsea containment structure (120, 120a, 120b, 132) that is positioned in the subsea environment (180). Additionally, the disclosed method also includes disconnecting the subsea equipment (100) from the subsea equipment installation (185) and retrieving the subsea equipment (100) from the subsea environment (180).Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2012Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Michael R. Williams, Thomas L. Hergarden, Howard J. Hartley, Andrei Strikovski, Eric Randall Smedstad, Harold Brian Skeels, John D. Dafler, Jr., Jimmy D. Andrews
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Publication number: 20150361769Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure is directed to systems that may be used to facilitate the retrieval and/or replacement of production and/or processing equipment that may be used for subsea oil and gas operations. In one illustrative embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes, among other things, removing at least a portion of trapped production fluid (101a, 101b) from subsea equipment (100) while the subsea equipment (100) is connected to a subsea equipment installation (185) in a subsea environment (180), and storing at least the removed portion of the trapped production fluid (101a, 101b) in a subsea containment structure (120, 120a, 120b, 132) that is positioned in the subsea environment (180). Additionally, the disclosed method also includes disconnecting the subsea equipment (100) from the subsea equipment installation (185) and retrieving the subsea equipment (100) from the subsea environment (180).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2015Publication date: December 17, 2015Applicant: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Michael R. WILLIAMS, Thomas L. HERGARDEN, Howard J. HARTLEY, Andrei STRIKOVSKI, Eric Randall SMEDSTAD, Harold Brian SKEELS, John D. DAFLER, JR., Jimmy D. ANDREWS
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Publication number: 20150315879Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure is directed to systems that may be used to facilitate the retrieval and/or replacement of production and/or processing equipment that may be used for subsea oil and gas operations. In one illustrative embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes, among other things, removing at least a portion of trapped production fluid (101a, 101b) from subsea equipment (100) while the subsea equipment (100) is connected to a subsea equipment installation (185) in a subsea environment (180), and storing at least the removed portion of the trapped production fluid (101a, 101b) in a subsea containment structure (120, 120a, 120b, 132) that is positioned in the subsea environment (180). Additionally, the disclosed method also includes disconnecting the subsea equipment (100) from the subsea equipment installation (185) and retrieving the subsea equipment (100) from the subsea environment (180).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2012Publication date: November 5, 2015Applicant: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Michael R. WILLIAMS, Thomas L. HERGARDEN, Howard J. HARTLEY, Andrei STRIKOVSKI, Eric Randall SMEDSTAD, Harold Brian SKEELS, John D. DAFLER, JR., Jimmy D. ANDREWS
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Patent number: 6626239Abstract: A gate valve for a component which includes an elongated body and a flow passage extending generally longitudinally through the body, the flow passage including a generally lateral first branch connected to a generally longitudinal second branch. The gate valve comprises a gate which is moveable generally longitudinally 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; a conduit which extends through the body from the gate; an actuating mechanism positioned in the conduit for moving the gate from a first position to a second position; and a return biasing mechanism for moving the gate from the second position to the first position; wherein one of the first and second positions corresponds to the open position of the gate and the other position corresponds to the closed position of the gate; and wherein the conduit extends generally longitudinally through the body.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2002Date of Patent: September 30, 2003Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Christopher E. Cunningham, Christopher D. Bartlett, Thomas L. Hergarden, Philip S. Hernandez, Michael E. Wilson, Jr.
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Patent number: 6497277Abstract: A gate valve for a component which includes an elongated body and a flow passage extending generally longitudinally through the body, the flow passage including a generally lateral first branch connected to a generally longitudinal second branch. The gate valve comprises a gate which is moveable generally longitudinally 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; a conduit which extends through the body from the gate; an actuating mechanism positioned in the conduit for moving the gate from a first position to a second position; and a return biasing mechanism for moving the gate from the second position to the first position; wherein one of the first and second positions corresponds to the open position of the gate and the other position corresponds to the closed position of the gate; and wherein the conduit extends generally longitudinally through the body.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2001Date of Patent: December 24, 2002Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Christopher E. Cunningham, Christopher D. Bartlett, Thomas L. Hergarden, Philip S. Hernandez, Michael E. Wilson, Jr.
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Publication number: 20020185280Abstract: A gate valve for a component which includes an elongated body and a flow passage extending generally longitudinally through the body, the flow passage including a generally lateral first branch connected to a generally longitudinal second branch. The gate valve comprises a gate which is moveable generally longitudinally 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; a conduit which extends through the body from the gate; an actuating mechanism positioned in the conduit for moving the gate from a first position to a second position; and a return biasing mechanism for moving the gate from the second position to the first position; wherein one of the first and second positions corresponds to the open position of the gate and the other position corresponds to the closed position of the gate; and wherein the conduit extends generally longitudinally through the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2002Publication date: December 12, 2002Inventors: Christopher E. Cunningham, Christopher D. Bartlett, Thomas L. Hergarden, Philip S. Hernandez, Michael E. Wilson
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Publication number: 20010042618Abstract: A gate valve for a component which includes an elongated body and a flow passage extending generally longitudinally through the body, the flow passage including a generally lateral first branch connected to a generally longitudinal second branch. The gate valve comprises a gate which is moveable generally longitudinally 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; a conduit which extends through the body from the gate; an actuating mechanism positioned in the conduit for moving the gate from a first position to a second position; and a return biasing mechanism for moving the gate from the second position to the first position; wherein one of the first and second positions corresponds to the open position of the gate and the other position corresponds to the closed position of the gate; and wherein the conduit extends generally longitudinally through the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2001Publication date: November 22, 2001Inventors: Christopher E. Cunningham, Christopher D. Bartlett, Thomas L. Hergarden, Philip S. Hernandez, Michael E. Wilson