Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090294134 | CAPILLARY HANGER ARRANGEMENT FOR DEPLOYING CONTROL LINE IN EXISTING WELLHEAD - To deploy a capillary string through a wellhead to a downhole safety valve, a control port and a retention port are drilled in an adapter between a casing hanger and a gate valve or elsewhere. The capillary string is connected to a first port of a capillary hanger and installed through the wellhead. The capillary hanger is landed on a tubing hanger, and a side port on the capillary hanger communicates with the control port. Because the side port's location may not align with the control port, operators may need to measure how long the capillary hanger should be. A control line connects to the control port in the wellhead's side to communicate with the capillary line, and a retention rod inserts in the retention port to support the capillary hanger. | 12-03-2009 |
20090294136 | Surface controlled subsurface safety valve having integral pack-off - A safety valve apparatus has a housing with a bore and a projection in the bore. A flapper rotatably disposed on the housing is movable relative to the bore between opened and closed positions, and a packing element disposed on the housing is compressible to engage an inner conduit wall surrounding the housing. An upper sleeve disposed within the bore above the projection is hydraulically movable from a first position to a second position via the hydraulic communication with a port in the projection. The first sleeve when moved to the second position compresses the packing element. A piston disposed in the housing hydraulically communicates with the port and couples to a second sleeve disposed within the bore below the projection. The second sleeve conceals the piston and is hydraulically movable via the hydraulic communication of the port with the piston to open and close the flapper. | 12-03-2009 |
20100084136 | Power Slip Assembly for Wellhead Casing and Wellbore Tubing - A power slip extends a joint from tubing disposed in casing at a well so that a casing head can install on the casing and the tubing can be packed-off from the casing. The joint attaches to an inner sleeve having collet members that fit onto the inner tubing so that the joint extends thereabove. An outer sleeve and interlocking collet assemble together and install onto the inner sleeve. The collet threads onto the inner sleeve and forces the outer sleeve downward onto the inner sleeve. Being forced, the outer sleeve causes the collet members to engage around the inner tubing. The casing head then installs on the casing with the joint extending up through the head's bowl. An H-plate installs in the open bowl around the extended joint, and another pack-off installs on the joint to pack it off from a spool attaching to the casing head. | 04-08-2010 |
20130133898 | CAPILLARY HANGER ARRANGEMENT FOR DEPLOYING CONTROL LINE IN EXISTING WELLHEAD - To deploy a capillary string through a wellhead to a downhole safety valve, a control port and a retention port are drilled in an adapter between a casing hanger and a gate valve or elsewhere. The capillary string is connected to a first port of a capillary hanger and installed through the wellhead. The capillary hanger is landed on a tubing hanger, and a side port on the capillary hanger communicates with the control port. Because the side port's location may not align with the control port, operators may need to measure how long the capillary hanger should be. A control line connects to the control port in the wellhead's side to communicate with the capillary line, and a retention rod inserts in the retention port to support the capillary hanger. | 05-30-2013 |
20140238698 | CAPILLARY HANGER ARRANGEMENT FOR DEPLOYING CONTROL LINE IN EXISTING WELLHEAD - To deploy a capillary string through a wellhead to a downhole safety valve, a control port and a retention port are drilled in an adapter between a casing hanger and a gate valve or elsewhere. The capillary string is connected to a first port of a capillary hanger and installed through the wellhead. The capillary hanger is landed on a tubing hanger, and a side port on the capillary hanger communicates with the control port. Because the side port's location may not align with the control port, operators may need to measure how long the capillary hanger should be. A control line connects to the control port in the wellhead's side to communicate with the capillary line, and a retention rod inserts in the retention port to support the capillary hanger. | 08-28-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110187098 | Hydraulic Tensioning Flange Connector - Hydraulic flange connectors connect two flange components together, and hydraulic pressure applied to ports in connector holes of one of the flanges tension the flange studs and crush the gasket between the flange components. Each connector has a piston that dispose in the connector hole and can move therein when hydraulic pressure is applied through the port by a pump. A first stud connected to the piston extends beyond one open end of the hole for connection to a first nut, while a second stud connected to the piston extending beyond another open end of the to the second flange component for connection to a second nut. A retainer having seals threads in this other open end of the hole and seals between the hole and the second stud. | 08-04-2011 |
20120085552 | Wellhead Rotating Breech Lock - A rotating breech lock rotates tubing to distribute wear caused by a rotating or reciprocating rod of an artificial lift system. The rotating breech lock has a spool that disposes on a wellhead. A bowl element disposes in the spool's bore, and a hanger fits into the spool and lands on the bowl element with a thrust bearing. Above the hanger, a load ring fits against the hanger with a bearing, and a hold-down sleeve and locking pins hold the load ring against the hanger. The spool has a worm that mates with a wheel defined about the hanger so turning the worm by a ratchet or other mechanism rotates the hanger. Internally, the hanger has a bore with opposing shoulders separated by gaps. A mandrel couples to the tubing and disposes up into the hanger. Protrusions or keys on the hanger can selectively align with the gaps and the shoulders depending on how the mandrel is rotated in the hanger bore. | 04-12-2012 |
20120125634 | Emergency Bowl for Deploying Control Line from Casing Head - An assembly supports a control line of a downhole tool, such as a downhole deployment valve. The tool deploys on casing and has a control line extending from the wellhead to the tool. To support the line separately from any casing hanger, a split bowl disposes around the casing and lands on a shoulder in the head. A port in the bowl has one opening that aligns with a side port in the head. Another opening of the bowl's port connects to the control line that extends to the downhole tool. A section of the control line from the split bowl can be flexible to help prevent kinking or breaking of the line during installation procedures. A hanger disposes on another shoulder in the head uphole from the bowl. The hanger supports the casing in the head separate from the bowl's support of the control line. | 05-24-2012 |
20130189042 | Adjustable Die - A slip on nut and reverse cut die is provided for dressing the threads of a wellhead or other item. A nut is provided that may be slipped onto a threaded section, past any damaged threads, without engaging the threads of the threaded section. Once positioned on a threaded section the nut may be tightened as desired. When removing the nut the reverse edges of the nut may repair or even cut new threads into the threaded section. | 07-25-2013 |
20140020906 | Cartridge Valve Assembly for Wellhead - A modular assembly for a wellhead has a housing and a plurality of modular cartridges. The housing connects with a studded or flanged connection to the wellhead, which can have a tubing adapter, casing hanger, etc. The modular cartridges can interchangeably stack in the housing's internal pocket so that the bores of the stacked cartridges configure the through-bore of the assembly communicating the wellhead with external components, such as flow lines, capillary lines, etc. The modular cartridges include a spacer cartridge, a hanger cartridge, a valve cartridge, and a cross cartridge. The spacer cartridge can be used to space other cartridges in the internal pocket, and the hanger cartridge can be used to support capillary strings and/or velocity strings in the wellhead. The valve cartridges have valve elements that can be opened and closed by bonnets that affix externally to the housing. The cross cartridge can have one or more cross ports to divert the assembly's through-bore to additional flow components, such as flow lines, wing valves, chokes, and the like. | 01-23-2014 |
20140075741 | Hydraulic Tensioning Flange Connector - Hydraulic flange connectors connect two flange components together, and hydraulic pressure applied to ports in connector holes of one of the flanges tension the flange studs and crush the gasket between the flange components. Each connector has a piston that disposes in the connector hole and can move therein when hydraulic pressure is applied through the port by a pump. A first stud connected to the piston extends beyond one open end of the hole for connection to a first nut, while a second stud connected to the piston extending beyond another open end of the to the second flange component for connection to a second nut. A retainer having seals threads in this other open end of the hole and seals between the hole and the second stud. | 03-20-2014 |
20150114626 | Object Launching System for Well - An object launching apparatus for a well has a housing, a flow mandrel, and a cage. The flow mandrel is disposed in the housing's internal chamber, and a flow passage in the mandrel communicates flow from the housing's inlet to the mandrel's flow port, which in turn communicates with the housing's outlet. The cage is disposed in the internal chamber and defines pockets for holding the objects. A motor and shaft move the cage in the housing relative to the mandrel's flow port so the cage's pockets can be selectively positioned in communication between the mandrel's flow port and the housing's outlet. This allows any of the object(s) held in the positioned pocket to be launched into the flow to the well. Preferably, the motor rotates the shaft so the cage can ride linearly along the shaft's thread and the cage can rotate through a cammed engagement with the housing. | 04-30-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090107685 | Wellhead Completion Assembly Capable of Versatile Arrangements - A wellhead completion assembly has a head connected to surface casing. A rotatable flange or the like can be used to connect various components to a threaded end of the head. A casing hanger installs in the head, and the hanger's upper end extends beyond the head's top edge. This exposed end has an external threaded connection to connect to various wellhead components using a rotatable flange or the like. For example, a locking ring can threadably connect to the head's threaded end to support the hanger in the head. Then, a rotatable flange can threadably connect to the hanger's exposed end so that another component, such as a completion spool or gate valve, can nippled up directly to the hanger. When the hanger is fluted, a pack-off assembly can allow testing off inner and outer sealing integrity via a test port accessible through an opening in the locking ring. | 04-30-2009 |
20090178798 | FRACTURING ISOLATION SLEEVE - An apparatus operatively coupled to a well having a production casing positioned therein, the apparatus including a first device having and internal bore, a second device having an internal bore, and a fracture isolation sleeve disposed at least partially within the internal bores of the first and second devices, wherein the fracture isolation sleeve has an internal diameter that is greater than or equal to an internal diameter of the production casing. | 07-16-2009 |
20100288483 | Wellhead Completion Assembly Capable of Versatile Arrangements - A wellhead completion assembly has a head connected to surface casing. A rotatable flange or the like can be used to connect various components to a threaded end of the head. A casing hanger installs in the head, and the hanger's upper end extends beyond the head's top edge. This exposed end has an external threaded connection to connect to various wellhead components using a rotatable flange or the like. For example, a locking ring can threadably connect to the head's threaded end to support the hanger in the head. Then, a rotatable flange can threadably connect to the hanger's exposed end so that another component, such as a completion spool or gate valve, can nippled up directly to the hanger. When the hanger is fluted, a pack-off assembly can allow testing off inner and outer sealing integrity via a test port accessible through an opening in the locking ring. | 11-18-2010 |
20110155367 | FRACTURING ISOLATION SLEEVE - An apparatus operatively coupled to a well having a production casing positioned therein, the apparatus including a first device having and internal bore, a second device having an internal bore, and a fracture isolation sleeve disposed at least partially within the internal bores of the first and second devices, wherein the fracture isolation sleeve has an internal diameter that is greater than or equal to an internal diameter of the production casing. | 06-30-2011 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130153240 | Offshore Well Drilling System With Nested Drilling Risers - An offshore well drilling system for drilling a subsea well, including a floating platform, an external riser extending from the subsea well, and an internal riser extending from the subsea well to the platform. The internal riser is nested within the external riser. The system also includes an external riser tension device to apply tension to the external riser. The system also includes an internal riser tension device, separate from the external riser tension device, to apply tension to the internal riser. | 06-20-2013 |
20130228340 | Wellhead System with Gasket Seal - An offshore well system for a subsea well. The system includes a floating platform, an external riser and an internal riser nested within the external riser. A external riser tension device tensions the external riser. The drilling system also includes a surface wellhead system that includes a wellhead, a collet, and a flange assembly. The wellhead, collet, and flange assembly are assembled to establish a common bore for receiving the top of the internal riser. A gasket located between the top of the internal riser and an inner shoulder of the flange assembly seals between the wellhead system and the top of the internal riser. The surface wellhead system also retains the internal riser in tension with the wellhead, the internal riser extending above the wellhead into the collet. | 09-05-2013 |
20130230358 | Offshore System with Subsea Riser - An offshore system with a subsea riser, including a floating platform and a subsea riser made up of sections of pipe. A riser tension system compensates for movement of the platform while providing tension to the riser. At least two of the riser sections are connected with a connector such that a portion of the riser is able to be placed in compression without buckling. | 09-05-2013 |
20140069658 | Floating Structure and Riser Systems for Drilling and Production - An offshore well system for a subsea well, including a floating platform, a drilling riser system connected with the well for drilling operations, and a production riser system connected with the well for production operations. The drilling system also includes a riser tension system. The riser tension system is capable of compensating for movement of the platform while adequately tensioning both drilling riser system and the production riser system when each are connected to the well. | 03-13-2014 |
20150129236 | Wellhead System with Gasket Seal - An offshore well system for a subsea well. The system includes a floating platform, an external riser and an internal riser nested within the external riser. A external riser tension device tensions the external riser. The drilling system also includes a surface wellhead system that includes a wellhead, a collet, and a flange assembly. The wellhead, collet, and flange assembly are assembled to establish a common bore for receiving the top of the internal riser. A gasket located between the top of the internal riser and an inner shoulder of the flange assembly seals between the wellhead system and the top of the internal riser. The surface wellhead system also retains the internal riser in tension with the wellhead, the internal riser extending above the wellhead into the collet. | 05-14-2015 |
20150330160 | Floating Structure and Riser Systems for Drilling and Production - An offshore well system for a subsea well, including a floating platform, a drilling riser system connected with the well for drilling operations, and a production riser system connected with the well for production operations. The drilling system also includes a riser tension system. The riser tension system is capable of compensating for movement of the platform while adequately tensioning both drilling riser system and the production riser system when each is connected to the well. | 11-19-2015 |
20150337514 | Offshore System with Subsea Riser - An offshore system with a subsea riser, including a floating platform and a subsea riser made up of sections of pipe. A riser tension system compensates for movement of the platform while providing tension to the riser. At least two of the riser sections are connected with a connector such that a portion of the riser is able to be placed in compression without buckling. | 11-26-2015 |
20150361734 | System for Conveying Fluid from an Offshore Well - The riser system of the present invention includes an external production riser for floating structures with interfaces to the dry and subsea wellheads, internal tieback riser with a special lower overshot/slipping connector for elevated temperatures. The seals can be metallic and/or non-metallic dynamic seals. Special centralizing pipe connectors and a special subsea wellhead tubing hanger are also included. This riser system avoids the penalty of pipe within pipe differential thermal growth and the resulting unwanted effects on the floating structure. This is accomplished by allowing an overshot sealing slipping connector to swallow an expanding polished rod as thermal conditions cause pipe elongation axially. When elevated temperatures fall to ambient the opposite occurs as the pipe shrinks axially. Alternatively, a system is possible where a two pipe drilling riser is needed. The internal pipe in this case would be an inner riser rather than a tubing string. | 12-17-2015 |
20150361753 | Wellhead System with Gasket Seal - An offshore well system for a subsea well. The system includes a floating platform, an external riser and an internal riser nested within the external riser. A external riser tension device tensions the external riser. The drilling system also includes a surface wellhead system that includes a wellhead, a collet, and a flange assembly. The wellhead, collet, and flange assembly are assembled to establish a common bore for receiving the top of the internal riser. A gasket located between the top of the internal riser and an inner shoulder of the flange assembly seals between the wellhead system and the top of the internal riser. The surface wellhead system also retains the internal riser in tension with the wellhead, the internal riser extending above the wellhead into the collet. | 12-17-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090059240 | INCORPORATING FILM OPTICAL PROPERTY MEASUREMENTS INTO SCATTEROMETRY METROLOGY - A method includes collecting optical data from an unpatterned region including a first process layer. At least one optical parameter of the first process layer is determined based on the optical data associated with the unpatterned region. Optical data is collected from a patterned region including a second process layer. At least one characteristic of the patterned region is determined based on the optical data associated with the patterned region and the at least one optical parameter. | 03-05-2009 |
20090082897 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING METROLOGY TAGS TO ALLOW AUTOMATIC METROLOGY RECIPE GENERATION - A method includes generating a layout for an integrated circuit device. A plurality of metrology sites on the layout is generated. A metrology tag associated with each of the metrology sites is generated. Each metrology tag includes identification data, location data, and metrology context data relating to the associated metrology site. A system includes a data store and a metrology tag unit. The data store is operable to store a plurality of metrology tags. Each metrology tag is associated with a metrology site on a layout for an integrated circuit device and includes identification data, location data, and metrology context data relating to the associated metrology site. The metrology tag unit is operable to access at least a subset of the metrology tags and generate a metrology recipe for measuring characteristics of the integrated circuit device based on the subset of metrology tags. | 03-26-2009 |
20090144686 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING MARGINAL LAYOUT DESIGN RULES - A method includes generating a layout for an integrated circuit device in accordance with a plurality of layout design rules. A plurality of metrology sites on the layout associated with at least one subset of the layout design rules is identified. A metrology tag associated with each of the metrology sites is generated. At least one metrology recipe for determining a characteristic of the integrated circuit device is generated based on the metrology tags. Metrology data is collected using the at least one metrology recipe. A selected layout design rule in the at least one subset is modified based on the metrology data. | 06-04-2009 |
20090144692 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING OPTICAL PROXIMITY CORRECTION PERFORMANCE - A method includes specifying a plurality of optical proximity correction metrology sites on a wafer. Metrology data is collected from at least a subset of the metrology sites. Data values are predicted for the subset of the metrology sites using an optical proximity correction design model. The collected metrology data is compared to the predicted data values to generate an optical proximity correction metric. A problem condition associated with the optical proximity correction design model is identified based on the optical proximity correction metric. | 06-04-2009 |
20100310972 | PERFORMING DOUBLE EXPOSURE PHOTOLITHOGRAPHY USING A SINGLE RETICLE - A reticle includes a first pattern formed in a first die flash region of the reticle and a second pattern different than the first pattern formed in a second die flash region of the reticle. A method for patterning a wafer having a plurality of die regions defined thereon includes exposing a first die region using a first pattern formed on a reticle during a first exposure, repositioning the reticle, and exposing the first die region using a second pattern formed on the reticle during a second exposure. | 12-09-2010 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080292071 | Method and System for Non-Traditional Directory Assistance - A directory assistance service includes a database and an interface module. The database stores a set of audio advertisements, and the audio advertisements are priced based on a tiered pricing model. The interface module is in communication with the database and receives a directory assistance request from a caller, plays the caller one or more audio advertisements from the database, and charges an advertiser for playing the audio advertisements based on the tiered pricing model. | 11-27-2008 |
20110150193 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONETIZING TELEPHONE CALLS TO DISCONNECTED BUSINESS LISTINGS - A method includes developing a call profile for a call that has been identified for intercept treatment, the call comprising a call from a caller to a disconnected listing. The developing comprises accessing one or more listing characteristics for the disconnected listing independently of the caller. The method further includes selecting a targeted advertisement for the caller based at least in part on the call profile. Additionally, the method includes reporting to the caller regarding the disconnected listing, the reporting comprising presenting the targeted advertisement to the caller. | 06-23-2011 |
20150103988 | Method and System for Non-Traditional Directory Assistance - A directory assistance service includes a database and an interface module. The database stores a set of audio advertisements, and the audio advertisements are priced based on a tiered pricing model. The interface module is in communication with the database and receives a directory assistance request from a caller, plays the caller one or more audio advertisements from the database, and charges an advertiser for playing the audio advertisements based on the tiered pricing model. | 04-16-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090271045 | Irrigation flow converter, monitoring system and intelligent water management system - The present invention is directed to an intelligent water management irrigation system for monitoring the total water usage for a billing site and preventing cumulative water usage from exceeding a water budget by adjusting the amount of water used for irrigation. Irrigation zone priority values are selected for each irrigation zone that specify a percentage of the full water need that the foliage in the zone can survive and are saved in an intelligent water management irrigation (IWMI) controller. The IWMI controller receives water usage information originating from a property's water meter and compares the measured water usage with the allowable water budget. Water usage is tracked separately for the household use and landscape use (irrigation). Prior to each irrigation cycle, the IWMI controller estimates the amount of water that will be needed by the landscape and for household use during the remainder of a billing cycle; household use is given precedence over landscape use. If the water budget will support both, irrigation can proceed normally. If the budget will not support both, the IWMI controller estimates the amount of water needed for the remainder of the billing cycle if only a priority watering amount is allocated for each landscape zone. If the water budget will support priority irrigation, landscape watering can proceed in priority irrigation mode. If the water budget will not support priority irrigation watering, the irrigation cycle is skipped and the water usage estimations are recalculated prior to the next irrigation cycle. | 10-29-2009 |
20110190947 | Irrigation flow converter, monitoring system and intelligent water management system - The present invention is directed to an intelligent water management irrigation system for monitoring the total water usage for a billing site and preventing cumulative water usage from exceeding a water budget by adjusting the amount of water used for irrigation. Irrigation zone priority values are selected for each irrigation zone that specify a percentage of the full water need that the foliage in the zone can survive and are saved in an intelligent water management irrigation (IWMI) controller. The IWMI controller receives water usage information originating from a property's water meter and compares the measured water usage with the allowable water budget. Water usage is tracked separately for the household use and landscape use (irrigation). Prior to each irrigation cycle, the IWMI controller estimates the amount of water that will be needed by the landscape and for household use during the remainder of a billing cycle; household use is given precedence over landscape use. If the water budget will support both, irrigation can proceed normally. If the budget will not support both, the IWMI controller estimates the amount of water needed for the remainder of the billing cycle if only a priority watering amount is allocated for each landscape zone. If the water budget will support priority irrigation, landscape watering can proceed in priority irrigation mode. If the water budget will not support priority irrigation watering, the irrigation cycle is skipped and the water usage estimations are recalculated prior to the next irrigation cycle. | 08-04-2011 |