IP Library Granted Patent US 11,035,194
Granted Patent B2
US 11,035,194 · App. 16/199,375 · Granted Jun 15, 2021

Pressure control device, and installation and retrieval of components thereof

Inventor: Tuong T. Le (Katy, TX)
Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
E21B33/06E21B17/01E21B23/01E21B33/085
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,035,194
App. No.
16/199,375
Granted
Jun 15, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

Conveying a replaceable assembly between latched and unlatched configurations with an outer housing can include connecting the replaceable assembly to a running tool, so the assembly can be conveyed with the running tool, and disconnecting the assembly from the running tool. At least one of the connecting and disconnecting steps can include actuating an iris mechanism. A pressure control device can include an annular seal and a latch that releasably secures the annular seal relative to an outer housing, the latch including a grip member that grips a surface and prevents relative rotation. Another pressure control device can include an annular seal connected to and rotatable with an inner mandrel, and a bearing that permits relative rotation between the annular seal and the outer housing. A structure rotates with the inner mandrel, the structure including a flow inductive profile exposed to a bearing lubricant flow path.

Claims (18)

1. A pressure control device, comprising:

a replaceable assembly comprising at least one annular seal configured to seal about a tubular disposed in a longitudinal passage formed through the replaceable assembly; and

a pressure control device outer housing configured to receive the replaceable assembly, the outer housing comprising a latch that releasably secures the replaceable assembly within the pressure control device outer housing, the latch comprising at least one grip member which is configured to displace radially inward and grip a surface of the replaceable assembly in response to a predetermined downwardly directed force applied to the replaceable assembly, thereby prohibiting relative rotation between the surface and the pressure control device outer housing, wherein the grip member concurrently displaces longitudinally as the grip member displaces radially inward.

2. The pressure control device of claim 1 , wherein the annular seal is rotatably mounted within a replaceable assembly outer housing, and wherein the surface is on the replaceable assembly outer housing.

3. The pressure control device of claim 2 , wherein the replaceable assembly includes at least one bearing that permits relative rotation between the annular seal and the replaceable assembly outer housing.

4. The pressure control device of claim 1 , wherein the grip member displaces between engaged and disengaged positions in response to relative displacement between the grip member and the pressure control device outer housing.

5. The pressure control device of claim 4 , wherein the grip member in the engaged position prevents relative longitudinal displacement between the annular seal and the pressure control device outer housing.

6. The pressure control device of claim 1 , wherein the grip member is displaceable with a setting sleeve between engaged and disengaged positions, and wherein a biasing device biases the setting sleeve from displacing from the engaged position to the disengaged position.

7. The pressure control device of claim 6 , wherein a biasing force exerted by the biasing device is overcome by a predetermined pressure applied to the latch, which permits the grip member and setting sleeve to displace to the disengaged position.

8. A pressure control device, comprising:

a replaceable assembly comprising at least one annular seal, an inner mandrel, and a first outer housing, wherein the at least one annular seal is configured to seal about a tubular disposed in a longitudinal passage formed through the replaceable assembly, the annular seal being connected to and rotatable with the inner mandrel, and wherein at least one bearing permits relative rotation between the inner mandrel and the first outer housing; and

a second outer housing configured to receive the replaceable assembly, the second outer housing comprising a latch that releasably secures the replaceable assembly within the second outer housing, the latch comprising at least one grip member which is configured to displace radially inward and grip a surface of the first outer housing in response to a predetermined downwardly directed force applied to the replaceable assembly, and thereby prohibit relative rotation between the first and second outer housings, wherein the grip member concurrently displaces longitudinally as the grip member displaces radially inward.

9. The pressure control device of claim 8 , wherein at least one structure rotates with the inner mandrel, the structure including a flow inductive profile exposed to a lubricant flow path in communication with the bearing.

10. The pressure control device of claim 9 , wherein the flow inductive profile comprises a helical profile disposed in an annular section of the lubricant flow path.

11. The pressure control device of claim 9 , wherein the lubricant flow path is in communication with a lubricant chamber in which pressure is maintained greater than pressure in the longitudinal passage.

12. The pressure control device of claim 9 , further comprising an iris mechanism that selectively permits and prevents relative longitudinal displacement in at least one direction between the annular seal and a running tool.

13. The pressure control device of claim 8 , further comprising a setting sleeve displaceable between engaged and disengaged positions, and a biasing device that prevents the setting sleeve from displacing from the engaged position to the disengaged position, and wherein a predetermined pressure applied to the latch overcomes a biasing force exerted by the biasing device and permits the setting sleeve to displace to the disengaged position.

14. The pressure control device of claim 9 , wherein the flow inductive profile comprises vanes on the inner mandrel.

Assignments (6)
PATENT SECURITY INTEREST ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 26, 2023
From: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 063470/0629 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 28, 2020
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY, INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD.; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES ULC; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
Reel/Frame 053838/0323 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 28, 2020
From: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY, INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD.; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES ULC; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 054288/0302 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 26, 2019
From: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY, INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD.; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES ULC; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 051419/0140 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 18, 2019
From: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS LLC; WEATHERFORD NETHERLANDS B.V.; WEATHERFORD NORGE AS; HIGH PRESSURE INTEGRITY INC.; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES INC.; WEATHERFORD CANADA LTD.; WEATHERFORD SWITZERLAND TRADING AND DEVELOPMENT GMBH; PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES ULC; WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
To: WELLS FARGO BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 051891/0089 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 26, 2018
From: LE, TUONG T.
To: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 047578/0595 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 15252499 · Aug 31, 2016
Related Publication 20190093442A1 · Mar 28, 2019