Patents Represented by Attorney Philip W. Townsend, III
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Patent number: 8333254Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a steering assembly for downhole directional drilling comprises a drill bit comprising a cutting portion and an outer diameter. A steering ring disposed around the outer diameter, and at least one biasing mechanism disposed intermediate the outer diameter and the steering ring. The at least one biasing mechanism is configured to move the steering ring with respect to the outer diameter.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2010Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Inventors: David R. Hall, Jonathan Marshall, Scott S. Dahlgren
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Patent number: 8313677Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, an assembly for HPHT processing comprises a can with an opening. A powder mixture is disposed within the opening. A substrate is disposed within the opening adjacent the powder mixture. Paint is coated on a surface within the opening and opposite the powder mixture with respect to the substrate. A meltable sealant is disposed within the opening and opposite the substrate with respect to the surface and a cap is covering the opening. In another embodiment of the present invention, an assembly for HPHT processing comprises a can with an opening, a powder mixture is disposed within the opening, a substrate disposed within the opening adjacent and above the powder mixture, a formable sealant barrier is disposed within the opening above the substrate, a meltable sealant is disposed within the opening above the formable sealant barrier, and a cap covers the opening.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2010Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Inventors: David R. Hall, Ronald B. Crockett
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Patent number: 8292372Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a degradation assembly has a holder comprising a first end and a second end and a shank with a longitudinal central bore having an opening at an end proximate the second end. The shank portion of the holder has an inside diameter of the bore and an outside diameter wherein either the inner diameter or the outer diameter comprise at least one recess disposed therein which comprises a depth of less than the distance between the inner diameter and the outer diameters.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2007Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Inventors: David R. Hall, Jeff Jepson, Tyson J. Wilde
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Patent number: 8281880Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention an expandable tool for an earth boring system comprises a mandrel comprising a tubular body and an outer diameter, a plurality of blades disposed about the outer diameter, and a slidable sleeve positioned around the outer diameter and capable of manipulating the plurality of blades into collapsed and expanded positions.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2010Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Inventors: David R. Hall, Scott S. Dahlgren, Jonathan Marshall
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Patent number: 8267482Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a system for removing aggregate from a natural or man-made surface includes a vehicle with a frame and a conveyor. The conveyor has an intake end and an output end. An excavation drum is connected to an underside of the frame and is enclosed within an excavation chamber, which is defined by a front plate, side plates, and a moldboard. The intake end of the conveyor that protrudes into the excavation chamber is configured to remove the aggregate from the excavation chamber, and a dust suppressant nozzle is configured to apply a foamed dust suppressant to the natural or man-made surface prior to being degraded by the excavation drum.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2011Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Inventors: David R. Hall, Logan Gillette, Shaun Austin Heldt
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Patent number: 8262168Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a motorized vehicle comprises a vehicle frame. The vehicle frame comprises translatable elements. The frame comprises a forward end and a rearward end. The invention comprises of a first rotary degradation drum that is connected to the underside of the frame. The invention comprises of at least a second rotary degradation drum also connected to the underside of the frame and rearward of the first rotary degradation drum.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2010Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Inventors: David R. Hall, Thomas Morris
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Patent number: 8261471Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a method of excavation with pointed cutting elements, comprising the steps of providing a excavating assembly with at least one pointed cutting element, the pointed cutting element comprising a rounded apex that intersects a central axis, the pointed cutting element further has a characteristic of having its highest impact resistance to resultant forces aligned with the central axis; engaging the at least one pointed cutting element against a formation such that the formation applies a resultant force against the pointed cutting element; determining an angle of the resultant force; and modifying at least one excavating parameter to align the resultant force with the pointed cutting element's central axis.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2010Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Inventors: David R. Hall, Ronald B. Crockett, Thomas Morris
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Patent number: 8261480Abstract: A rigid composite structure has a bore formed in a metallic material and a super hard interior segment or segments disposed within the bore. Each segment may be lined adjacent to one another and held under compression within the bore. The segments may be made of super hard materials such as natural diamond, synthetic diamond, polycrystalline diamond, single crystalline diamond, cubic boron nitrate or other superhard composite materials which exhibit low thermal expansion rates and are generally chemically inert. The resultant rigid composite structure may possess higher tolerances to high pressures and high temperatures.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2011Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Inventors: David R. Hall, Scott Dahlgren, Ronald Crockett, Timothy C. Duke, Joshua Sensinger, Joe Fox, Tyson J. Wilde
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Patent number: 8256847Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a system for exchanging a milling chamber comprises a vehicle comprising a milling chamber supported by the underside of the vehicle. The underside comprises a track that interfaces with a guide of the milling chamber. The track and guide are configured to accommodate lateral movement of the milling chamber with respect to a length of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2010Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Inventors: David R. Hall, Jeff Jepson, Thomas Morris, David Wahlquist, Daniel Balling
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Patent number: 8250786Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a method of excavation with pointed cutting elements, comprising the steps of providing a excavating assembly with at least one pointed cutting element, the pointed cutting element comprising a rounded apex that intersects a central axis, the pointed cutting element further has a characteristic of having its highest impact resistance to resultant forces aligned with the central axis; engaging the at least one pointed cutting element against a formation such that the formation applies a resultant force against the pointed cutting element; determining an angle of the resultant force; and modifying at least one excavating parameter to align the resultant force with the pointed cutting element's central axis.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2010Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Inventors: David R. Hall, Ronald B. Crockett, Thomas Morris
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Patent number: 8240404Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a roof bolt drill bit for use in underground mines comprises a bit body with a shank adapted for attachment to a driving mechanism. A working face disposed opposite the shank comprises a plurality of polycrystalline diamond cutting elements. Carbide bolsters are disposed intermediate the plurality of cutting elements and the bit body.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2008Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Inventors: David R. Hall, Ronald B. Crockett, Andrew Gerla
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Patent number: 8205688Abstract: In one aspect of the invention a tool string steerable system has a drill bit body with a working face. An indenter protrudes from the working face and the indenter is rotational fixed to a tool string component above the drill bit body. The indenter is rotationally isolated from the drill bit body.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2009Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Inventors: David R. Hall, David Wahlquist
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Patent number: 8201892Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a holder assembly comprises a connection block having a block bore extending from a first opening proximate a first end of the assembly to a second opening proximate a second end of the assembly. The block is adapted for connection to a driving mechanism. An extension element is disposed in the block bore and protrudes from the first opening of the block bore. The extension element comprises a central extension bore having a longitudinal length. An attachment mechanism is disposed within the central extension bore of the extension element and is disposed proximate the second end of the assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2007Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Inventors: David R. Hall, Jeff Jepson, Tyson J. Wilde
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Patent number: 8191651Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a drilling assembly comprises a drill bit comprising a bit body and a cutting surface. A formation engaging element protrudes from the cutting surface and is configured to engage a formation. At least one compliant member is disposed intermediate the bit body and formation engaging element and is configured to provide compliancy in a lateral direction for the formation engaging element.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2011Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Inventors: David R. Hall, Francis Leany, Scott Woolston, Daniel Manwill
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Patent number: 8172009Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, an expandable tool for an earth boring system comprises a mandrel with a sleeve positioned around the outer surface and a blade disposed in a slot formed in the sleeve. The sleeve is also configured to slide along the tubular body. The blade comprises an interior slide groove located on an interior surface and an exterior slide groove located on an exterior surface. A sleeve protrusion is configured to extend into the interior slide groove, while a mandrel protrusion is configured to extend into the exterior slide groove. The blade is configured to shift laterally out of the slot as the sleeve slides axially, wherein the interior and exterior slide grooves are oriented at different angles and as the sleeve slides axially along the length of the mandrel, the slide grooves lock the blade in a pre-determined position through a wedging effect.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2011Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Inventors: David R. Hall, Jonathan Marshall, Scott Dahlgren
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Patent number: 8091627Abstract: A downhole tool string component has a tubular body with an inner and outer diameter. A pocket is formed in the outer diameter and is adapted to receive downhole instrumentation. A covering is attached to the outer diameter of the component and is adapted to seal the pocket from outside debris, the pocket having a bottom floor and a plurality of side walls. A stress relief is formed in the pocket.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2009Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Inventors: David R. Hall, Scott Dahlgren, Paula Turner
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Patent number: 7669663Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a downhole tool string component comprising a through bore running there through formed to accept drilling fluid. At least one mechanical actuation device is also disposed within the through bore. A guide channel is disposed within the through bore and comprises a geometry shaped to conduct the at least one mechanical actuation device. A switch is disposed within the guide channel in an original position and actuatable by the at least one mechanical actuation device to a subsequent position. A resettable mechanism is in contact with the switch wherein the resettable mechanism returns the switch to its original position. A receptacle may also be disposed within the through bore comprising a geometry shaped to accept the at least one mechanical actuation device.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2009Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Inventors: David R. Hall, Scott Dahlgren, Nathan Nelson, David Lundgreen
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Patent number: 7661487Abstract: A downhole percussive tool is disclosed comprising an interior chamber and a piston element slidably sitting within the interior chamber forming two pressure chambers on either side. The piston element may slide back and forth within the interior chamber as drilling fluid is channeled into either pressure chamber. Input channels supply drilling fluid into the pressure chambers and exit orifices release that fluid from the same. An exhaust orifice allows additional drilling fluid to release from the interior chamber. The amount of pressure maintained in either pressure chamber may be controlled by the size of the exiting orifices and exhaust orifices. In various embodiments, the percussive tool may form a downhole jack hammer or vibrator tool.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2009Date of Patent: February 16, 2010Inventors: David R. Hall, Scott Dahlgren, Jonathan Marshall