Patents by Inventor Trung Leduc
Trung Leduc 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: 9038729Abstract: An adapter assembly having a sealing element, a drive bushing, and an adapter flange disposed between the sealing element and the drive bushing. Also, a method of assembling a rotational control device that includes coupling mechanically an adapter flange to a sealing element, coupling mechanically the adapter flange to a drive bushing, and installing the adapter flange, sealing element, and drive bushing in the rotational control device.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2011Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventors: Trung Leduc, Sudar Chellappa
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Patent number: 8820747Abstract: A seal assembly, method for sealing a seal assembly and a modular seal unit for a rotating control device for use in an offshore environment. The modular seal unit includes a first outer housing, a first seal housing lockable within the first outer housing, and a first sealing element disposed on a lower end of the first seal housing. The first sealing element includes a throughbore configured to receive a drill pipe, and a sealing surface configured to seal against the drill pipe. The modular seal unit also includes a first connector configured to couple the first seal housing to the first outer housing, and a second connector configured to couple the first seal housing to one selected from a second outer housing of a second modular seal unit or a running tool adapter.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2010Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventors: Alberto Zubia, Trung Leduc, Huward Paul Fontenot, Jr., Robert James Costo, Jr.
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Patent number: 8381816Abstract: A method of flushing a wellbore fluid from a downhole tool containing a bearing package includes pumping hydraulic oil through at least one of a hydraulic inlet line and at least one of a pneumatic inlet line connected to the main housing and into an annulus formed between the bearing package and a main housing of the downhole tool, wherein the hydraulic oil replaces the wellbore fluid in the annulus, removing the wellbore fluid from the annulus through at least one hydraulic outlet line and at least one pneumatic outlet line connected to the main housing, pumping air through the at least one pneumatic inlet line connected to the main housing and removing the hydraulic oil from the at least one pneumatic inlet line connected to the main housing, and removing the hydraulic oil through at least one pneumatic outlet line connected to the main housing.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2010Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventors: Trung Leduc, Huward Paul Fontenot, Alberto Zubia, Robert James Costo
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Publication number: 20120073113Abstract: An adapter assembly having a sealing element, a drive bushing, and an adapter flange disposed between the sealing element and the drive bushing. Also, a method of assembling a rotational control device that includes coupling mechanically an adapter flange to a sealing element, coupling mechanically the adapter flange to a drive bushing, and installing the adapter flange, sealing element, and drive bushing in the rotational control device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2011Publication date: March 29, 2012Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Trung Leduc, Sudar Chellappa
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Publication number: 20120043726Abstract: A seal assembly, method for sealing a seal assembly and a modular seal unit for a rotating control device for use in an offshore environment. The modular seal unit includes a first outer housing, a first seal housing lockable within the first outer housing, and a first sealing element disposed on a lower end of the first seal housing. The first sealing element includes a throughbore configured to receive a drill pipe, and a sealing surface configured to seal against the drill pipe. The modular seal unit also includes a first connector configured to couple the first seal housing to the first outer housing, and a second connector configured to couple the first seal housing to one selected from a second outer housing of a second modular seal unit or a running tool adapter.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2010Publication date: February 23, 2012Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Alberto Zubia, Trung Leduc, Huward Paul Fontenot, JR., Robert James Costo, JR.
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Publication number: 20110214871Abstract: A method of flushing a wellbore fluid from a downhole tool containing a bearing package includes pumping hydraulic oil through at least one of a hydraulic inlet line and at least one of a pneumatic inlet line connected to the main housing and into an annulus formed between the bearing package and a main housing of the downhole tool, wherein the hydraulic oil replaces the wellbore fluid in the annulus, removing the wellbore fluid from the annulus through at least one hydraulic outlet line and at least one pneumatic outlet line connected to the main housing, pumping air through the at least one pneumatic inlet line connected to the main housing and removing the hydraulic oil from the at least one pneumatic inlet line connected to the main housing, and removing the hydraulic oil through at least one pneumatic outlet line connected to the main housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2010Publication date: September 8, 2011Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Trung Leduc, Huward Paul Fontenot, Alberto Zubia, Robert James Costo
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Patent number: 7950474Abstract: A method to detect leaks in a rotating control device includes positioning a leak detection device in communication with a chamber located between an upper sealing element and a lower sealing element of the rotating control device, and signaling with the leak detection device when a pressure of the chamber exceeds a selected critical pressure.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2010Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventors: Trung Leduc, Russell Lewis
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Publication number: 20100269570Abstract: A method to detect leaks in a rotating control device includes positioning a leak detection device in communication with a chamber located between an upper sealing element and a lower sealing element of the rotating control device, and signaling with the leak detection device when a pressure of the chamber exceeds a selected critical pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2010Publication date: October 28, 2010Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Trung Leduc, Russell Lewis
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Patent number: 7802635Abstract: A rotating control drilling device includes an upper sealing element and a lower sealing element positioned around a drillstring and forming a chamber therebetween and a leak detection device. The leak detection device includes a piston in communication with the chamber, a magnet disc disposed on an end of the piston, and a plurality of magnetic sensors arranged in a magnetic sensing ring around the rotating control drilling device. Upon reaching a selected critical pressure in the chamber, a spring is configured to compress as the magnet disc is positioned proximate to the plurality of magnetic sensors. Furthermore, a method to detect leaks in a rotating control device includes positioning a leak detection device in communication with a chamber located between upper and lower sealing elements and signaling with the leak detection device when a pressure of the chamber exceeds a selected critical pressure.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2007Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventors: Trung Leduc, Russell Lewis
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Publication number: 20090152006Abstract: A rotating control drilling device includes an upper sealing element and a lower sealing element positioned around a drillstring and forming a chamber therebetween and a leak detection device. The leak detection device includes a piston in communication with the chamber, a magnet disc disposed on an end of the piston, and a plurality of magnetic sensors arranged in a magnetic sensing ring around the rotating control drilling device. Upon reaching a selected critical pressure in the chamber, a spring is configured to compress as the magnet disc is positioned proximate to the plurality of magnetic sensors. Furthermore, a method to detect leaks in a rotating control device includes positioning a leak detection device in communication with a chamber located between upper and lower sealing elements and signaling with the leak detection device when a pressure of the chamber exceeds a selected critical pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2007Publication date: June 18, 2009Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Trung Leduc, Russell Lewis
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Patent number: 5535938Abstract: An improved internal line up clamp (10) is disclosed which has an integral back up ring (12). A first set of pipe clamps (22) move radially outward to engage the inner surface of a first pipe (14). A second set of pipe clamps (62) and a set of back up ring segments (202) are simultaneously moved radially outward into engagement with the inner surface of the pipes. The back up ring segments (202) are spring loaded to exert a relatively constant back up force against the inner surface of the pipes at the weld. The back up ring segments support the shoe elements (220). The shoe elements are spring loaded to accommodate diameter mismatch and non-circularity of the pipe ends. The back up ring segments rotate about a radial axis from the pipe centerline. Tapered ends on the back up ring segments provide for the decrease in ring circumference necessary to lower the ring segments.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 1994Date of Patent: July 16, 1996Assignee: CRC-Evans Pipeline International, Inc.Inventor: Trung Leduc
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Patent number: 5356067Abstract: An improved internal line up clamp (10) is disclosed which has an integral back up ring (12). A first set of pipe clamps (22) move radially outward to engage the inner surface of a first pipe (14). A second set of pipe clamps (62) and a set of back up ring segments (88) are simultaneously moved radially outward into engagement with the inner surface of the pipes. The back up ring segments (88) are spring loaded to exert a relatively constant back up force against the inner surface of the pipes at the weld. In a modification, a fill block (118) can be used to fill the gap between adjacent back up ring segments when engaging the inner surface of the pipe.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1993Date of Patent: October 18, 1994Assignee: CRC-Evans Pipeline International, Inc.Inventor: Trung Leduc