Patents by Inventor Van J. McVicker

Van J. McVicker 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: 9397547
    Abstract: A submersible well pump motor has features to prevent the carrier bearing from sliding axially along the stator due to thermal growth of the rotor. The rotor has a shaft and rotor sections spaced apart from each other. Carrier bearings are located between the rotor sections, each having an anti-rotation member that frictionally engages the inner diameter of the stator to prevent spinning of the carrier bearing. A deflectable thrust washer may be located between ends of the carrier bearing and the rotor sections. The thrust washer reduces in thickness in response to an axial thermal growth force due to axial thermal growth movement of the rotor sections and shaft. The thermal growth force is less than an amount of dislodging force required to cause the anti-rotation member to axially move relative to the stator. Rather than deflectable thrust washers, sacrificial thrust washers that dissolve prior to normal operation may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: David H. Neuroth, Van J. McVicker, Sean A. Cain, Jim F. Evenson, Larry J. Parmeter, Chad A. Craig
  • Patent number: 8651836
    Abstract: An electrical submersible pump assembly has a motor module coupled to a centrifugal pump module by a seal section module. A shaft assembly extends through each of the modules for causing the motor module to rotate the pump module. At least one of the modules has a sleeve extending around the shaft that is of a harder material than the shaft. A torque transmitting ring is deformed between an inner diameter of the sleeve and an exterior portion of the shaft. The inner diameter of the sleeve is a continuous cylindrical surface free of any torque transmitting shoulders. Friction created by the torque transmitting ring transmits the entire rotational force from the shaft to the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry J. Parmeter, Van J. McVicker, Brett D. Leamy
  • Patent number: 8585375
    Abstract: An electrical submersible pumping system (ESP) having a stator lamination stack that is anchored to prevent the stack from spinning. The ESP includes a motor section having a housing with an axial bore. A groove circumscribes an inner surface of the housing and a snap ring is set in the groove. A portion of the snap ring projects into the bore and exerts an axial compression force onto the lamination stack The snap ring includes a gap that aligns with a bead of material that is set in the groove; engagement between the bead and gap prevents the snap ring from spinning in the groove. The bead, that in an embodiment is a weld, can extend across all or a portion of the groove and can also provide coupling between the lamination stack and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Van J. McVicker, Nisarg Z. Patel, Larry J. Parmeter
  • Publication number: 20130293061
    Abstract: A submersible well pump motor has features to prevent the carrier bearing from sliding axially along the stator due to thermal growth of the rotor. The rotor has a shaft and rotor sections spaced apart from each other. Carrier bearings are located between the rotor sections, each having an anti-rotation member that frictionally engages the inner diameter of the stator to prevent spinning of the carrier bearing. A deflectable thrust washer may be located between ends of the carrier bearing and the rotor sections. The thrust washer reduces in thickness in response to an axial thermal growth force due to axial thermal growth movement of the rotor sections and shaft. The thermal growth force is less than an amount of dislodging force required to cause the anti-rotation member to axially move relative to the stator. Rather than deflectable thrust washers, sacrificial thrust washers that dissolve prior to normal operation may be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: David H. Neuroth, Van J. McVicker, Sean A. Cain, Jim F. Evenson, Larry J. Parmeter, Chad A. Craig
  • Patent number: 8567042
    Abstract: A submersible well pump motor has features to prevent the carrier bearing from sliding axially along the stator due to thermal growth of the rotor. The rotor has a shaft and rotor sections spaced apart from each other. Carrier bearings are located between the rotor sections, each having an anti-rotation member that frictionally engages the inner diameter of the stator to prevent spinning of the carrier bearing. A deflectable thrust washer may be located between ends of the carrier bearing and the rotor sections. The thrust washer reduces in thickness in response to an axial thermal growth force due to axial thermal growth movement of the rotor sections and shaft. The thermal growth force is less than an amount of dislodging force required to cause the anti-rotation member to axially move relative to the stator. Rather than deflectable thrust washers, sacrificial thrust washers that dissolve prior to normal operation may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: David H. Neuroth, Van J. McVicker, Sean A. Cain, Jim F. Evenson, Larry J. Parmeter, Chad A. Craig
  • Publication number: 20120257985
    Abstract: An electrical submersible pump assembly has a motor module coupled to a centrifugal pump module by a seal section module. A shaft assembly extends through each of the modules for causing the motor module to rotate the pump module. At least one of the modules has a sleeve extending around the shaft that is of a harder material than the shaft. A torque transmitting ring is deformed between an inner diameter of the sleeve and an exterior portion of the shaft. The inner diameter of the sleeve is a continuous cylindrical surface free of any torque transmitting shoulders. Friction created by the torque transmitting ring transmits the entire rotational force from the shaft to the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry J. Parmeter, Van J. McVicker, Brett D. Leamy
  • Patent number: 8203250
    Abstract: A submersible electric pump motor comprises an unvarnished stator structure having stator windings formed of conductors. The stator windings form end coils at each end of the stator for each phase. The end coils are tied to three arc-shaped, metal segments, each having an opening and positioned circumferentially within a circumferential groove. The metal segments are welded to the interior of the housing to provide a rigid surface. High temperature strings are wound through the openings in each metal segment and around the end coils for each phase to tie each end coil of that phase to that metal segment. This prevents the end coils of each phase from twisting during startup, sliding into the slots, and moving inwards towards a rotating rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry J. Parmeter, Van J. McVicker, Brett D. Leamy
  • Publication number: 20110037332
    Abstract: A submersible well pump motor has features to prevent the carrier bearing from sliding axially along the stator due to thermal growth of the rotor. The rotor has a shaft and rotor sections spaced apart from each other. Carrier bearings are located between the rotor sections, each having an anti-rotation member that frictionally engages the inner diameter of the stator to prevent spinning of the carrier bearing. A deflectable thrust washer may be located between ends of the carrier bearing and the rotor sections. The thrust washer reduces in thickness in response to an axial thermal growth force due to axial thermal growth movement of the rotor sections and shaft. The thermal growth force is less than an amount of dislodging force required to cause the anti-rotation member to axially move relative to the stator. Rather than deflectable thrust washers, sacrificial thrust washers that dissolve prior to normal operation may be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: David H. Neuroth, Van J. McVicker, Sean A. Cain, Jim F. Evenson, Larry J. Parmeter, Chad A. Craig
  • Publication number: 20110012473
    Abstract: A submersible electric pump motor comprises an unvarnished stator structure having stator windings formed of conductors. The stator windings form end coils at each end of the stator for each phase. The end coils are tied to three arc-shaped, metal segments, each having an opening and positioned circumferentially within a circumferential groove. The metal segments are welded to the interior of the housing to provide a rigid surface. High temperature strings are wound through the openings in each metal segment and around the end coils for each phase to tie each end coil of that phase to that metal segment. This prevents the end coils of each phase from twisting during startup, sliding into the slots, and moving inwards towards a rotating rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry J. Parmeter, Van J. McVicker, Brett D. Leamy
  • Publication number: 20110002799
    Abstract: An electrical submersible pumping system (ESP) having a stator lamination stack that is anchored to prevent the stack from spinning. The ESP includes a motor section having a housing with an axial bore. A groove circumscribes an inner surface of the housing and a snap ring is set in the groove. A portion of the snap ring projects into the bore and exerts an axial compression force onto the lamination stack The snap ring includes a gap that aligns with a bead of material that is set in the groove; engagement between the bead and gap prevents the snap ring from spinning in the groove. The bead, that in an embodiment is a weld, can extend across all or a portion of the groove and can also provide coupling between the lamination stack and the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Van J. McVicker, Nisarg Z. Patel, Larry J. Parmeter
  • Patent number: 7810557
    Abstract: An electrical submersible pump assembly (ESP) includes a pump section, a motor section, and a seal section. In one embodiment, an exterior of the pump section defines a gripping indentation above the pump intake. Alternatively, a clamp member may be provided that surrounds the pump, wherein the clamp member defines the gripping indentation. A collet adapter is affixed to an upper end of a shroud. The collet adapter has gripping members that engage the gripping indentation for attaching the shroud to the electrical submersible pump assembly. The collet adapter is provided to ease installation of the motor shroud onto the ESP as well as to ease removal of the motor shroud from the ESP. The collet adapter of the present invention eliminates precise alignment and bolt-on requirements of typical motor shroud mounting techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Jason B. Ives, Christopher Marvin Brunner, Van J. McVicker
  • Patent number: 7611338
    Abstract: An electrical submersible well pump assembly has upper and lower motors that are filled with oil. During installation in a well, the upper motor lowers into engagement with the lower motor. The drive shafts of the motors have splined ends that engage each other within a central cavity. A vent port leads from the central cavity to the exterior for venting any trapped air located within the central cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Mike Allen Swatek, Van J. McVicker
  • Publication number: 20090053080
    Abstract: An electrical submersible pump assembly (ESP) includes a pump section, a motor section, and a seal section. In one embodiment, an exterior of the pump section defines a gripping indentation above the pump intake. Alternatively, a clamp member may be provided that surrounds the pump, wherein the clamp member defines the gripping indentation. A collet adapter is affixed to an upper end of a shroud. The collet adapter has gripping members that engage the gripping indentation for attaching the shroud to the electrical submersible pump assembly. The collet adapter is provided to ease installation of the motor shroud onto the ESP as well as to ease removal of the motor shroud from the ESP. The collet adapter of the present invention eliminates precise alignment and bolt-on requirements of typical motor shroud mounting techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: JASON IVES, Christopher Marvin Brunner, Van J. McVicker
  • Patent number: 7137452
    Abstract: A safety valve has a lock open feature that is actuated by expanding or penetrating the flow tube to disconnect the link between the piston in the hydraulic control system and the flow tube. In normal operation, downward movement of the piston moves the flow tube against a power spring. When the flow tube is expanded, penetrated, or otherwise altered, the piston no longer acts on the flow tube and the flow tube can be simply pushed down and locked in position with the flapper wide open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Van J. McVicker
  • Patent number: 6902006
    Abstract: A lock open device for a flapper is disclosed. The tool engages in the sub-surface safety valve (SSSV) body and rotates the flapper to the open position, without shifting the flow tube. The flapper base is preferably held by a shearable thread and has a groove for engagement by the tool. The tool jars down on the flapper base to shear the thread and force the held open flapper into a retaining groove. Optionally, a penetrating tool can be connected so that, in a single trip, the flapper can be locked open and the pressurized control system can be accessed. Shearing the thread allows the flow tube spring to bias the held open flapper into its retaining groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas S. Myerley, Scott C. Strattan, Van J. McVicker
  • Publication number: 20040065442
    Abstract: A lock open device for a flapper is disclosed. The tool engages in the sub-surface safety valve (SSSV) body and rotates the flapper to the open position, without shifting the flow tube. The flapper base is preferably held by a shearable thread and has a groove for engagement by the tool. The tool jars down on the flapper base to shear the thread and force the held open flapper into a retaining groove. Optionally, a penetrating tool can be connected so that, in a single trip, the flapper can be locked open and the pressurized control system can be accessed. Shearing the thread allows the flow tube spring to bias the held open flapper into its retaining groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas S. Myerley, Scott C. Strattan, Van J. McVicker
  • Publication number: 20040056224
    Abstract: A safety valve has a lock open feature that is actuated by expanding or penetrating the flow tube to disconnect the link between the piston in the hydraulic control system and the flow tube. In normal operation, downward movement of the piston moves the flow tube against a power spring. When the flow tube is expanded, penetrated, or otherwise altered, the piston no longer acts on the flow tube and the flow tube can be simply pushed down and locked in position with the flapper wide open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventor: Van J. McVicker