Rotary Blowout Preventer Type Patents (Class 166/84.3)
  • Patent number: 11486220
    Abstract: The tall flange rubber adapter attaches to the inner barrel of a rotating head assembly. A rubber attaches to the tall flange rubber adapter. The rubber secured to the rubber adapter also rotates with the inner barrel thus maintaining the seal with the drill string to divert the drilling fluid from the well to the outlet flange. Fasteners install upward into the adapter and the inner barrel to secure the rubber adapter with the inner barrel. The increased height of the rubber adapter provides additional surface for the fastener to contact. The increased contact of the fastener with the tall flange maintains the fastener within the rubber adapter and the inner barrel to limit fasteners from falling downhole into the drilling area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: PRUITT TOOL & SUPPLY CO.
    Inventors: Grant Pruitt, Cris Braun
  • Patent number: 11391111
    Abstract: The swivel device attaches to a bowl or is implemented as a component of the bowl. The swivel device enables adjustment of the bowl to align the outlet with the flowline. A flange of the swivel device includes multiple fastener apertures for securing the flange to the stack. The swivel device secures the bowl to the stack while allowing rotation of the bowl. Rotation of the bowl adjusts the positioning of the outlet to align the outlet with the flowline for connecting the outlet to the flowline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: PRUITT TOOL & SUPPLY CO.
    Inventors: Grant Pruitt, Cris Braun
  • Patent number: 11236575
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a rotating control device used in a drilling system having a non-rotating tubular RCD housing enclosing an elongate passage. A mandrel rotatably extends along the passage about an axis. A seal assembly seals the RCD housing to the mandrel and provides first and second seals against the mandrel's exterior surface. The first and second seals are spaced parallel to the mandrel's axis to create space between the mandrel and the first and second seals. The first seal has a first side exposed to fluid pressure in the RCD housing and a second side exposed to fluid in the space between the seals. The second seal has a first side exposed to fluid pressure in the space between the seals and a second side exposed to fluid pressure at the exterior of the RCD housing. A pressure stepping mechanism supplies fluid to the space between the two seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: NTDrill Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Earl Dietrich, Christian Leuchtenberg, Philip J. Engelman, Jeffrey S. Meister, Daniel E. Sabelko, Nicolas A. Haugen
  • Patent number: 11149507
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a non-rotating housing, a rotatable member rotatably supported in the non-rotating housing and a bearing adapter sleeve disposed externally to the non-rotating housing. The bearing adapter sleeve has an internal upset for limiting longitudinal movement of the non-rotating housing. The bearing adapter sleeve has a retaining ring affixed to a longitudinal end of the bearing adapter sleeve to limit longitudinal movement of the non-rotating housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Lap Tran
  • Patent number: 10801296
    Abstract: The tall flange rubber adapter attaches to the inner barrel of a rotating head assembly. A rubber attaches to the tall flange rubber adapter. The rubber secured to the rubber adapter also rotates with the inner barrel thus maintaining the seal with the drill string to divert the drilling fluid from the well to the outlet flange. Fasteners install upward into the adapter and the inner barrel to secure the rubber adapter with the inner barrel. The increased height of the rubber adapter provides additional surface for the fastener to contact. The increased contact of the fastener with the tall flange maintains the fastener within the rubber adapter and the inner barrel to limit fasteners from falling downhole into the drilling area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: PRUITT TOOL & SUPPLY CO.
    Inventors: Grant Pruitt, Cris Braun
  • Patent number: 10801297
    Abstract: The swivel device attaches to a bowl or is implemented as a component of the bowl. The swivel device enables adjustment of the bowl to align the outlet with the flowline. A flange of the swivel device includes multiple fastener apertures for securing the flange to the stack. The swivel device secures the bowl to the stack while allowing rotation of the bowl. Rotation of the bowl adjusts the positioning of the outlet to align the outlet with the flowline for connecting the outlet to the flowline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: PRUITT TOOL & SUPPLY CO.
    Inventors: Grant Pruitt, Cris Braun
  • Patent number: 10738558
    Abstract: A modular rotating diverter head is disclosed for use on oil, gas or geothermal wells. While providing for sealing with or without rotation of the drill pipe, the head consists of a central housing body which has removable mounted flanges for vertical and horizontal use. The design enables the use of a multitude of different connectors and adapters as well as the replacement of these due to wear and tear without affecting the life and integrity of the central housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: ADS Services LLC
    Inventor: Charles Robert Orbell
  • Patent number: 10648271
    Abstract: The swivel device attaches to a bowl or is implemented as a component of the bowl. The swivel device enables adjustment of the bowl to align the outlet with the flowline. A flange of the swivel device includes multiple fastener apertures for securing the flange to the stack. The swivel device secures the bowl to the stack while allowing rotation of the bowl. Rotation of the bowl adjusts the positioning of the outlet to align the outlet with the flowline for connecting the outlet to the flowline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: PRUITT TOOL & SUPPLY CO
    Inventors: Grant Pruitt, Cris Braun
  • Patent number: 10563467
    Abstract: A clamp for attachment to a blow out preventer (BOP) stack for lifting and/or maneuvering the BOP stack and a method for attaching the clamp to the BOP stack is described. The clamp is formed from a first and second clamp half which are connected together using male and female connectors located at inner mating surfaces of the clamp halves, and locking connectors located at the outer edge of the clamp halves. The clamp includes at least two connection points for attaching the clamp and/or clamp halves to lifting devices for moving each clamp half and/or the whole clamp and BOP stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Nelsen Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Blair Nelsen, Cody Gunderson
  • Patent number: 10558765
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides a computer implemented method for determining underbalanced drilling conditions. The method may include determining the number of tool joints in a segment of drill string, where each tool joint has a length and an inner diameter and an outer diameter, determining the total length of all tool joints in a segment of drill string, determining the total length of the segment of drill string excluding the tool length of all tool joints in the segment of drill string, wherein the drill string has an inner diameter and an outer diameter, determining the inner diameter of a segment of wellbore encompassing a segment of drill string, and determining a pressure drop in the segment of wellbore, based on the total length of all tool joints in the segment of drill string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Landmark Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Robello Samuel, Xiaoqian Huang
  • Patent number: 10465467
    Abstract: An arrangement for a drilling string where a tubular support receives a rubber tip mounted on a block composed of scaling and locking elements. The tubular support having a perpendicular nozzle projecting from the tubular support. The tip will receive directly the pressure imposed by unwanted gas or fluid (G) escaping in case of influx. Under pressure, the tip in counteraction compresses a drill string automatically for causing efficient sealing and preventing unwanted gas or fluid (G) to rise and reach the platform (P). Also automatically, gas (G), by not to having anywhere to escape, is directed by the perpendicular nozzle of the tubular support for burning in a remote burner far from the platform (P) until taking measures, safely, to control the influx.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: SLIM DRILLING SERVICOS DE PERFURACAO S.A.
    Inventors: Antonio Sergio Cavalheiro, Mario Cesar Pereira Dos Santos, Leandro Diniz Brandao Rocha, Hamilton Suss Junior, Jose Roberto Scalon Cotello, Ronaldo Soares Eisele
  • Patent number: 10287845
    Abstract: The swivel device attaches to a bowl or is implemented as a component of the bowl. The swivel device enables adjustment of the bowl to align the outlet with the flowline. A flange of the swivel device includes multiple fastener apertures for securing the flange to the stack. The swivel device secures the bowl to the stack while allowing rotation of the bowl. Rotation of the bowl adjusts the positioning of the outlet to align the outlet with the flowline for connecting the outlet to the flowline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: PRUITT TOOL & SUPPLY CO.
    Inventors: Grant Pruitt, Cris Braun
  • Patent number: 10190384
    Abstract: A stripping element for rotary flow control diverters used in the oil and gas industry can include a stiffening member formed of a first harder material than a deformable member formed of a second softer material over-molded to the stiffening member. The stiffening member can include apertures that provide for the second softer material of the deformable member to be displaced through the apertures when a pipe of a drill is displaced through the stripping element. The stiffening member can include multiple members that stiffen the deformable member to prevent the deformable member from bending into the stripping element when a pipe of a drill is displaced through the stripping element. The multiple members can be displaced out in a direction away from the pipe of the drill when the pipe of the drill is displaced through the stripping element to prevent the stripping element from being compromised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Boyd, Stephen D. Masters, Andrew Barabash
  • Patent number: 10156117
    Abstract: A system comprises an outer housing, an inner housing, a first seal and a second seal. The outer housing comprises an inlet and an outlet. The inner housing is mounted inside the outer housing. The inner housing is dimensioned relative to the outer housing to allow for an annular space between the outer housing and the inner housing. The first seal and the second seal are mounted in the annular space so as to define a fluid chamber enclosed by the outer housing, the inner housing, the first seal and the second seal. The inlet and the outlet are in communication with the fluid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: William DeWesee, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9957770
    Abstract: An annular blowout preventer includes a body, a piston disposed within the body, and a packing unit disposed adjacent the piston. The packing unit includes an packer body surrounding an opening. The packer body is fabricated from a first material. The packing unit further includes a second material disposed between the packer body and the opening, the second material being less rigid than the first material. The packer body and the second material constrict the opening when the annular blowout preventer is actuated. The second material creates a seal around a tool disposed within the opening. The second material fills in one or more crevices or recesses on an outer perimeter of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: William Stephen Averill, Michael James Fuller, Dana Earl Witt
  • Patent number: 9382773
    Abstract: The casing stripper attachment secures the casing stripper within a housing, such as the bowl. The casing stripper rubber attaches to an attachment body for installation within the housing. The attachment body includes a base and an attachment lip. The base provides an outer surface for securing the attachment body and stripper rubber to the housing. The clamp secures the outer surface of the base with the housing. The stripper rubber fastens to the attachment lip of the attachment body to be secured within the bowl. The base of the present invention could attach to a drilling nipple that assists with inserting the casing into the well, a process known as running casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: PRUITT TOOL & SUPPLY CO.
    Inventors: Grant Pruitt, Cris Braun
  • Patent number: 9121249
    Abstract: The casing stripper attachment secures the casing stripper within a housing, such as the bowl. The casing stripper rubber attaches to an attachment body for installation within the housing. The attachment body includes a base and an attachment lip. The base provides an outer surface for securing the attachment body and stripper rubber to the housing. The clamp secures the outer surface of the base with the housing. The stripper rubber fastens to the attachment lip of the attachment body to be secured within the bowl. The base of the present invention could attach to a drilling nipple that assists with inserting the casing into the well, a process known as running casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: PRUITT TOOL & SUPPLY CO.
    Inventors: Grant Pruitt, Cris Braun
  • Patent number: 9022131
    Abstract: A rotating control device comprises an outer housing having a bore for receiving a tubular member. An inner housing and a piston assembly are rotatably disposed within the outer housing. An annular sealing assembly is disposed between the piston assembly and the inner housing so that axial movement of the piston assembly moves the annular sealing assembly into sealing engagement with the inner housing and the tubular member. A plurality of bearings is disposed between the inner housing and the outer housing. At least one of the plurality of bearings is a hydrodynamic journal bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventor: Keith George Kaase
  • Patent number: 8991484
    Abstract: A rotating head having a bearing assembly removably seated in a bowl housing such that a top end of the bearing assembly sits flush with a top end of said bowl housing, the bowl housing having a tapered interior body, and the bearing assembly having a tapered exterior slightly smaller in diameter than, but conforming to the shape of the interior body of the bowl housing, the bearing assembly further comprising a stripper rubber, a bearing cap having an upper seal, a lower seal, bearings, and a snap ring holding the bearing assembly together and the bowl housing further having a dual hinge clamp assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Inventor: Blaise P. Riggs
  • Patent number: 8939218
    Abstract: An apparatus for installing and removing a rotary control device insert or an element thereof has a first clamp with a receptacle suitable for receiving a flange of the rotary control device insert therein, a second clamp having an interior suitable for extending around a pipe, and a plurality of lines extending between the first clamp and the second clamp. The first clamp is movable between an open position and a closed position. The second clamp is movable between an open position and a closed position. Each of the clamps includes a first jaw and a second jaw connected to the first jaw by a hinged connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: JTB Tools & Oilfield Services, LLC
    Inventors: Barry Marshall, Gary Marshall
  • Patent number: 8936096
    Abstract: A method for removing a rubber element of a rotary control device includes closing an upper pulling ring around the rubber element, closing a lower stabilizing ring around a drill pipe stump, suspending the lower ring by a chain from the upper ring, connecting a hoist to the upper pulling ring, said lifting the drill stem until the chain tightens and the drill stem is pulled up through the rubber element so as to leave the rubber element free. The hoist is connected to a chain sling affixed to the upper pulling ring. The rubber element can then be released from the upper pulling ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: JTB Tools & Oilfield Services, LLC
    Inventor: Barry Marshall
  • Patent number: 8919430
    Abstract: A system for containing and recovering from the blowout of an oil or gas well. The blowout containment (BOC) system is operable in place of, or as a failsafe alternative to, standard blowout preventer (BOP) systems. The BOC system includes a hydraulically operated gate valve positioned over the well at the wellhead. The gate valve includes a check valve operable when the gate valve is closed. The BOC system further includes at least one shearing assembly positioned over the gate valve. The shearing assembly orients explosive charges into the well flow path. An activation trigger detonates the explosive charges to clear the well flow path of obstructions to permit the gate valve to close. Operation of the BOC system is preferably monitored and controlled from a remote location apart from the rig associated with the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Inventor: Dwight Baker
  • Patent number: 8881801
    Abstract: An apparatus for installing and removing a rotary control device insert or an element thereof has a first clamp with a receptacle suitable for receiving a flange of the rotary control device insert therein, a second clamp having an interior suitable for extending around a pipe, and a plurality of lines extending between the first clamp and the second clamp. The first clamp is movable between an open position and a closed position. The second clamp is movable between an open position and a closed position. Each of the clamps includes a first jaw and a second jaw connected to the first jaw by a hinged connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: JTB Tools & Oilfield Services, LLC
    Inventors: Barry Marshall, Gary Marshall
  • Patent number: 8863858
    Abstract: A system compensates for heave-induced pressure fluctuations on a floating rig when a drill string or tubular is lifted off bottom and suspended on the rig, such as when tubular connections are made during NIPD, tripping, cementing operations or when a kick is circulated out during conventional drilling. In one embodiment, a pressure relief valve or adjustable choke allows the movement of fluid from the riser when the tubular moves down, and a pump with a pressure regulator moves fluid to the riser when the tubular moves up. The system also compensates for heave induced pressure fluctuations on a floating rig when a riser telescoping joint located below an RCD is moving between its retracted and extended positions while drilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Don M. Hannegan, Thomas F. Bailey, Simon J. Harrall
  • Patent number: 8844617
    Abstract: An annular blowout container (ABOC) that may be used in multiples in a stack in conjunction with additional gate and shear valves to protect a wellhead. The ABOC incorporates a cylindrical formed bladder that provides a tight constrictive seal around whatever pipe or tubing may be in the well bore. The bladder is made of top and bottom rotator plates with springs extending between the plates. The springs are encased in Teflon® and held in place by Kevlar® then covered over completely with cured Viton® that is injected to complete the overall bladder in a molded form. Rotation of the top and bottom rotator plates effects a twisting constriction around the drill pipe or tubing. Electrical and hydraulic operational components are housed inside chambers within the ABOC for predominantly self-contained operation. The cylindrical bladder assembly may be removed and replaced after extended use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventor: Dwight Baker
  • Patent number: 8770297
    Abstract: An RCD is used to provide a system and method for sealing a marine riser having a rotatable tubular. A bypass internal channel or external line may be used to allow fluid to bypass the RCD seal. An RCD holding member seal could be a mechanically extrudable seal or a hydraulically expanded seal to seal the RCD with the riser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Bailey, Danny W. Wagoner, Waybourn J. Anderson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8739863
    Abstract: An RCD can include a housing assembly containing a bearing assembly and a rotating seal which seals an annulus between a tubular string and a body of the RCD, and a remotely operable clamp device which selectively permits and prevents displacement of the housing assembly relative to the body. A method of remotely operating a clamp device can include rotating a threaded member which is secured relative to an RCD body, and displacing a clamp section in response to the threaded member rotation, thereby selectively securing and releasing a bearing assembly and an annular seal relative to the body. Another RCD can include a rotating seal which seals an annulus between a tubular string and a body of the RCD, and a remotely operable clamp device which selectively permits and prevents access to an interior of the body, the clamp device including a motor which rotates a threaded member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Leonard Charles Linde, Fredrick D. Curtis, Derrick W. Lewis, Joseph Michael Karigan, Mike Harvey, Neal G. Skinner, Matthew H. Wiggins, Patrick Looper
  • Patent number: 8596345
    Abstract: A sealing element for a rotating control device is disclosed, wherein the sealing element has an inner surface which forms a drillstring bore extending axially through the sealing element, an attachment end having a receiving cavity extending into the attachment end substantially parallel with the drillstring bore, a nose end opposite from the attachment end, wherein the nose end has an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the attachment end, a throat region between the attachment end and the nose end, at least one soft elastomer region comprising a soft elastomer material having a hardness of 70 duro or less, and at least one stiff elastomer region comprising a stiff elastomer material having a hardness greater than 70 duro.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Yanmei Li, Alan W. Lockstedt, Sudarsanam Chellappa
  • Patent number: 8573293
    Abstract: A housing of a dual rubber cartridge attaches at least one rubber to an inner barrel for rotation with the inner barrel. A first rubber and a second rubber may attach to the housing for quick installation of the rubbers. The user removes the housing to remove and replace the two rubbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Pruitt Tool & Supply Co.
    Inventors: Grant Pruitt, Cris Braun
  • Publication number: 20130233556
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to rotating flow control diverter having sealed bearing assembly that does not require external hydraulic pumping to circulate and cool the lubricating fluid used to lubricated the bearings of the sealed bearing assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: ELITE ENERGY PRODUCTS LTD.
    Inventor: Michael Boyd
  • Patent number: 8522864
    Abstract: A stripper blow out preventer for oil field equipment, wherein the stripper blow out preventer can include a housing with a bore. The housing can have an open port and close port for accepting the hydraulic fluid, and a grease port for accepting grease. An annular recess of the housing can be in communication with the bore. A retainer ring can be engaged in the annular recess. A piston can be disposed in the annular recess. A seal element can be disposed in the annular recess between the retainer ring and the piston, and can have a thru bore. An insert can be engaged with the retainer ring. When the close port is pressurized, the piston can press against the seal element to form a seal against the oil field equipment. When the open port is pressurized, the piston can move to relax the seal element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Inventor: James Otis Miller
  • Patent number: 8505652
    Abstract: A well drilling head comprises a well drilling head housing, a bearing assembly, a first lubricant manifold and a second lubricant manifold. The well drilling head housing has a sidewall structure defining a central bore. The bearing assembly is configured for being removably seated within the well drilling head housing and for having a stripper rubber assembly attached to a lower end portion thereof. The bearing assembly includes a plurality of bearings and a bearing lubricant flow path configured for allowing bearing lubricant to be circulated through the bearings. The first lubricant manifold has a bearing lubricant passage coupled to the first end portion of the bearing lubricant flow path. The second lubricant manifold has a bearing lubricant passage coupled to a second end portion of the bearing lubricant flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Hampton IP Holding Co., LLC
    Inventor: Theresa J. Williams
  • Publication number: 20130140043
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to directing a flow from a borehole termination structure. Embodiments include a device for containing fluid flow from a borehole. The device includes an engagement body and a sealing member located within a cavity of the engagement body. The cavity is configured to receive a portion of a borehole termination structure extending from the borehole and to direct fluid from the borehole into a fluid conduit. The sealing member has a changeable shape configured to surround the borehole termination structure and to form a seal between an outer surface of the borehole termination structure and an inner surface of the body of the containment assembly based on the borehole termination structure being positioned within the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Aaron R. Swanson, James Peter Dwyer, Todd J. Talbot
  • Patent number: 8381816
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Trung Leduc, Huward Paul Fontenot, Alberto Zubia, Robert James Costo
  • Publication number: 20130020068
    Abstract: Rotating flow control diverters and rotating blow our preventers having stabilized bearings. The bearing elements are stabilized in a neutral operational position using coil springs disposed in passages in a shoulder defined on the outer surface of the rotating tubular shaft of the rotating flow control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventor: Michael BOYD
  • Patent number: 8353497
    Abstract: A packing unit to seal a wellbore, the packing unit including at least one rotatable cam having a cam axis disposed about an axis of the wellbore, wherein the at least one rotatable cam is rotatable about the cam axis, the at least one rotatable cam comprising a seal recess formed in an outer periphery of the at least one rotatable cam, wherein the packing unit sealingly engages a tool in the wellbore by rotation of the at least one rotatable cam, bringing the seal recess into sealing contact with the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Hydril USA Manufacturing LLC
    Inventor: David Alexander Trevas
  • Patent number: 8347982
    Abstract: A system compensates for heave induced pressure fluctuations on a floating rig when a drill string or tubular is lifted off bottom and suspended on the rig, such as when tubular connections are made during MPD, tripping, or when a kick is circulated out during conventional drilling. In one embodiment, a liquid and a gas interface moves along a flow line between a riser and a gas accumulator as the tubular moves up and down. In another embodiment, a pressure relief valve or adjustable choke allows the movement of fluid from the riser when the tubular moves down, and a pump with a pressure regulator moves fluid to the riser when the tubular moves up. In other embodiments, a piston connected with the rig or the riser telescoping joint moves in a fluid container thereby communicating fluid either into or out of the riser annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Don M. Hannegan, Thomas F. Bailey, Simon J. Harrall
  • Publication number: 20120318496
    Abstract: An RCD is used to provide a system and method for sealing a marine riser having a rotatable tubular. A bypass internal channel or external line may be used to allow fluid to bypass the RCD seal. An RCD holding member seal could be a mechanically extrudable seal or a hydraulically expanded seal to seal the RCD with the riser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Bailey, Danny W. Wagoner, Waybourn J. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8322432
    Abstract: An RCD is used to provide a system and method for sealing a marine riser having a rotatable tubular. A bypass internal channel or external line may be used to allow fluid to bypass the RCD seal. An RCD seal assembly seal could be a mechanically extrudable seal or a hydraulically expanded seal to seal the RCD with the riser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Bailey, Danny W. Wagoner, Waybourn J. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8245772
    Abstract: An improved rotating head that utilizes a box assembly that stores at least one locking element that allows for movement of the locking balls within the box assembly such that a liner inserted into the box assembly biases the locking elements to a locked position to couple the box assembly and the outer barrel. An integrated wear surface of the present invention seals the bearing elements to extend the life of the rotating head and reduce downtime caused by necessary maintenance of the rotating head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Pruitt Tool & Supply Co.
    Inventors: Grant Pruitt, Cris Braun
  • Publication number: 20120125598
    Abstract: A rotating control device can include a housing assembly, a body and a clamp device which releasably secures the housing assembly to the body. The clamp device can include a piston which radially displaces a clamp section. A well system can include a rotating control device which includes at least one seal which seals off an annulus between a body of the rotating control device and a tubular string which extends longitudinally through the rotating control device. The rotating control device can also include a piston which displaces longitudinally and selectively clamps and unclamps a housing assembly to the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Craig W. GODFREY, Peter ANTONENKO, Neal G. SKINNER, Fredrick D. CURTIS, Derrick W. LEWIS
  • Publication number: 20120118559
    Abstract: A sealing element for a rotating control device is disclosed, wherein the sealing element has an inner surface which forms a drillstring bore extending axially through the sealing element, an attachment end having a receiving cavity extending into the attachment end substantially parallel with the drillstring bore, a nose end opposite from the attachment end, wherein the nose end has an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the attachment end, a throat region between the attachment end and the nose end, at least one soft elastomer region comprising a soft elastomer material having a hardness of 70 duro or less, and at least one stiff elastomer region comprising a stiff elastomer material having a hardness greater than 70 duro.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Yanmei Li, Alan W. Lockstedt, Sudarsanam Chellappa
  • Patent number: 8176933
    Abstract: A packing unit for a blowout preventer includes an elastomeric, annular body configured to be disposed about a longitudinal axis of the blowout preventer and configured to be displaced radially inward towards the longitudinal axis upon actuation of the blowout preventer. The elastomeric, annular body includes a first section having a first set of material properties and a second section having a second set of material properties. The packing unit includes a plurality of rigid inserts distributed at equal radial distances from each other within the elastomeric annular body and about the longitudinal axis of the blowout preventer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Hydril USA Manufacturing LLC
    Inventors: Philip A. Huff, Shafiq Khandoker, Stefan Butuc
  • Patent number: 8028750
    Abstract: Force balancing adjusts hydraulic fluid pressure in an upper piston area of a Rotating Pressure Control Device (RPCD) that has an inner housing rotatably engaged within an outer housing by an upper bearing and a lower bearing. The hydraulic fluid pressure is adjusted to balance net force in a upper piston area and a lower piston area. The fluid pressure adjustment creates a force differential that balances the total load transmitted through the upper bearing and the lower bearing and thereby extends the life of the sealing element and bearings. Additionally, a wear indicator signals the end of the useful life of the drill pipe sealing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Sunstone Corporation
    Inventors: William James Hughes, Murl Ray Richardson, Thomas L. Pettigrew, Kurt D. Vandervort, Kenneth D. Young
  • Patent number: 7997345
    Abstract: A universal marine diverter converter (UMDC) housing is clamped or latched to a rotating control device. The UMDC housing assembled with the RCD is inserted into a marine diverter above the water surface to allow conversion between conventional open and non-pressurized mud-return system drilling, and a closed and pressurized mud-return system used in managed pressure or underbalanced drilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: Don M. Hannegan
  • Patent number: 7926594
    Abstract: A well drilling head comprises a housing having a sidewall structure defining a central bore and a bearing assembly removably seated within the central bore of the housing. The bearing assembly includes an outer barrel having a central bore, an inner barrel at least partially disposed within the central bore of the outer barrel and bearing units coupled between the barrels for providing concentric alignment of the barrels and allowing rotation therebetween. The inner barrel includes a central bore and a plurality of cooling structures protruding from a surface thereof within the central bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Hampton IP Holdings Co., LLC
    Inventors: John R. Williams, Theresa J. Williams, legal representative
  • Patent number: 7926559
    Abstract: A stuffing box (10) is provided for sealing with a rotating rod string (20) extending into a well for powering a pump (22). A sleeve (30) is rotated within the stuffing box housing (24) and receives the sucker rod therein, while one or more bearings (34, 36) guide rotation of the sleeve. A plurality of static seals (50) seal between the sleeve and the sucker rod, while a plurality of dynamic seals (40) seal between the sleeve and the stuffing box housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Robbins & Myers Energy Systems L.P.
    Inventor: Eduardo Salloum
  • Patent number: 7918291
    Abstract: A well drilling head comprises a housing and a bearing assembly. The housing has a sidewall structure defining a central bore. The bearing assembly includes an outer barrel, an inner barrel, bearing units and a preload force exerting member. The outer barrel has a central bore and the inner barrel is removably seated within the housing central bore. The bearing units are coupled between the barrels for providing concentric alignment of the barrels and allowing rotation therebetween. A first one of the bearing units is configured for carrying loads exerted radially between the barrels and a second one of the bearing units is configured for carrying loads exerted longitudinally between the barrels. The preload force exerting member maintains force on the longitudinal load carrying bearing unit and said barrels thereby preloading the longitudinal load carrying bearing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Inventors: John R. Williams, Theresa J. Williams, legal representative
  • Patent number: 7891426
    Abstract: A bearing cooling system comprises a bearing assembly, a heat exchanger, a coolant flow circuit apparatus and a lubricant flow circuit apparatus. The bearing assembly is configured for being removably seated within a well drilling head housing and for having a stripper rubber assembly attached thereto. The bearing assembly includes bearings and a lubricant flow path configured for allowing lubricant to be circulated through the bearings. The heat exchanger has a lubricant core portion and a coolant core portion, which are jointly configured for allowing heat transfer between respective fluids of the core portions. The coolant flow circuit apparatus is coupled to the coolant core portion and is configured for circulating coolant through the coolant core portion. The lubricant flow circuit apparatus is coupled to the lubricant core portion and lubricant flow path, and is configured for circulating lubricant through the coolant core portion and the lubricant flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Inventors: John R. Williams, Theresa J. Williams, legal representative
  • Patent number: 7874353
    Abstract: A well drilling head housing comprises a sidewall structure, a ram and selective displacement means. The sidewall structure defines a central bore configured for having a bearing assembly removably seated therein. The ram is slideably mounted on the side wall structure and is disposed within a passage extending through the sidewall structure. The selective displacement means is coupled between the ram and the sidewall structure. The selective displacement means, is configured for moving the ram to an engaged position in which the ram is engaged with the bearing assembly for securing the bearing assembly in a seated position within the central bore and a disengaged position in which the ram is disengaged from the bearing assembly thereby allowing the bearing assembly to be removed from within the central bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Inventors: John R. Williams, Theresa J. Williams, legal representative