Lee Michael Robichaux

US Patent:

8157004, Apr 17, 2012

Filed:

Apr 15, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/798983

Inventors:

Kris Henderson - Lafayette LA, US
Joseph L. Hawkins - Maurice LA, US
Lee M. Robichaux - Lafayette LA, US

International Classification:

E21B 19/16
E21B 23/00

US Classification:

166 7751, 166 7753, 166 851, 166381, 175423

Abstract:

An arbor arranged for attachment to overhead support, such as a top drive or main rig hoist, is arranged to resiliently support a main body. The main body is arranged to support a wedge-lock type pipe gripper assembly on a second arbor that is resiliently supported by the main body. The two arbors are rotationally connected but only indirectly connected axially and, to a limited extent, can move independently. The actuator, or linear motor, that actuates the wedge-lock system has the ability to force release of the wedge-lock system when it has been set by massive pipe loads. The forced release actuation is independent of the load supporting features of the main body. Full range actuation of the main body linear motor will not actuate the wedge-lock release system.

US Patent:

8240372, Aug 14, 2012

Filed:

Apr 15, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/798984

Inventors:

Kris Henderson - Lafayette LA, US
Joseph L. Hawkins - Maurice LA, US
Lee M. Robichaux - Lafayette LA, US

Assignee:

Premiere, Inc. - New Iberia LA

International Classification:

E21B 19/02

US Classification:

166 841, 166 7514, 166379

Abstract:

A casing running tool capable of handling pipe and tubing has fluid power conducting channels leading from stationary to rotating components, through a swivel. The swivel has a plurality of fluid channels, each confined by dynamic seals that rub peripherally on mating seal surfaces. The seals are carried on at least one piston that is movable, on command, to carry the seals out of contact with the peripherally rubbing surfaces.

US Patent:

8505984, Aug 13, 2013

Filed:

Sep 2, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/602165

Inventors:

Kris Henderson - Lafayette LA, US
Lee M. Robichaux - Lafayette LA, US

International Classification:

F16L 17/00

US Classification:

285376, 285330, 285913

Abstract:

A mating connection assembly of the present invention permits quick and efficient connecting and disconnecting of tubular goods. A female box-end connection member has an inner body defining sockets; ball bearings held within such sockets with an outer sleeve. A male pin-end connection member is inserted within the box end connection. By moving the outer sleeve axially, the ball bearings are urged inward toward the male pin-end connection, creating a frictional locking relationship between the female box-end connection member and male pin-end connection member.

US Patent:

20100080670, Apr 1, 2010

Filed:

Sep 29, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/286249

Inventors:

Kris Henderson - Lafayette LA, US
Lee M. Robichaux - Lafayette LA, US
Joseph L. Hawkins - Maurice LA, US

Assignee:

PREMIERE, INC. - NEW IBERIA LA

International Classification:

E21B 19/06

US Classification:

414 2268, 414 2263

Abstract:

An elevator usable on a drilling rig is modified by attaching a swing arm and related structure to at least one accessory mounting provision on the elevator. The swing arm is tiltable to allow a single section elevator, carried by the swing arm, to engage a pipe extending near the well centerline. While the pipe section is being lifted, the swing arm pivots to allow the section to assume a vertical position under the elevator. When the pipe section is being rotated to run threads to join the section to the string the swing arm can extend to accommodate thread-run dimension changes. An elevator equivalent, without pipe gripping features, may be used.

US Patent:

20100163248, Jul 1, 2010

Filed:

Dec 31, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/319005

Inventors:

Lee M. Robichaux - Lafayette LA, US
Kris Henderson - Lafayette LA, US
Joseph L. Hawkins - Maurice LA, US
Lee J. Matherne - Lafayette LA, US

Assignee:

PREMIERE, INC. - New Iberia LA

International Classification:

E21B 19/02
E21B 19/00

US Classification:

166381, 166 7751

Abstract:

An arbor arranged for attachment to overhead support, such as a top drive or main rig hoist, is arranged to resiliently support a main body. The main body is arranged to support a wedge-lock type pipe gripper assembly on a second arbor that is resiliently supported by the main body. The two arbors are rotationally connected but only indirectly connected axially and, to a limited extent, can move independently. The actuator, or linear motor, that actuates the wedge-lock system has the ability to force release of the wedge-lock system when it has been set by massive pipe loads. The forced release actuation is independent of the load supporting features of the main body. Full range actuation of the main body and main arbor assembly length will not actuate the wedge-lock release system. The length of the overall assembly can be oscillated to vibrate a supported pipe string.

US Patent:

20100183418, Jul 22, 2010

Filed:

Jan 16, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/321308

Inventors:

Kris Henderson - Lafayette LA, US
Lee M. Robichaux - Lafayette LA, US
Joseph L. Hawkins - Maurice LA, US

Assignee:

PREMIERE, INC - NEW IBERIA LA

International Classification:

B66F 11/00
F16H 55/17

US Classification:

4147451, 74460, 747311, 7447312

Abstract:

An arbor, arranged for attachment to a drilling rigs overhead support and drilling fluid circuit, has a cross frame with axles that support telescoping link arms to carry a single stand elevator at their lower end. The link arms have provision, at their top end, to tilt about a horizontal axis. The link arms can extend an amount greater than their minimum length.

US Patent:

20100193197, Aug 5, 2010

Filed:

Feb 5, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/322683

Inventors:

Kris Henderson - Lafayette LA, US
Lee M. Robichaux - Lafayette LA, US
Joseph L. Hawkins - Maurice LA, US

Assignee:

Premiere, Inc - New Iberia LA

International Classification:

E21B 19/16
E21B 19/18

US Classification:

166380, 166 7751, 16625001

Abstract:

A fluid powered pipe tong fluid supply has a shunt that fluidly connects the tong input fluid line to the tong output fluid line. A flow control valve is installed in the shunt and is open when pipe joint make-up begins. The valve is slowly closed and the resulting fluid power made available to the tong causes it to make the low-resistance turns required of the pipe during the thread run. As the valve continues to close, the resulting pipe turn increases the resistance and causes the tong motor to demand more pressure, to achieve more turn. Torque demand continues to develop as the valve continues to close. Options include computer control, a graph reader to direct the computer, a recorder, a manually set by-pass relief valve to parallel the flow control valve as a secondary pressure limit assurance.

US Patent:

20100237612, Sep 23, 2010

Filed:

Mar 20, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/383187

Inventors:

Lee J. Matherne - Lafayette LA, US
Lee M. Robichaux - Lafayette LA, US

Assignee:

PREMIERE, INC. - New Iberia LA

International Classification:

F16L 25/12

US Classification:

285333

Abstract:

A floating shoulder ring is arranged to occupy the J.-space between pin ends of coupled pipe sections. The length of the ring is arranged to allow the pipe connection to approach the specified torque for shoulderless connections before the ring begins to function as an abutment between the approaching pipe ends: The torque accepted by the ring limits the radial force imposed by tapered threads on both pipe and coupling. The ring is provided with modified threads on the outer surface to engage the inner threads of the coupling, in the J-space, to retain the ring in the coupling during handling in preparation for assembly into a pipe string. The modified threads yield axially when substantially forced. Threads that slip axially, non-destructively, and threads that deform under sufficient axial force are provided.