Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Robert A. Van Someren
  • Patent number: 6881079
    Abstract: A splicing system that accommodates the splicing of tubing having internal power cable. The splice system is amenable to use in subterranean environments where sections of continuous tubing are spliced along with the splicing of internal power cable. The splice technique comprises utilization of an expandable connector that permits lineal movement of the internal segments of power cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Marcus D. McHugh, Lee S. Kobylinski, Des D'Arcy
  • Patent number: 6820690
    Abstract: A technique for facilitating the use of a variety of completion elements in a wellbore environment. The technique utilizes an insertion guide disposed within an open-hole section of a wellbore. The insertion guide may be radially expanded towards the surrounding formation to remove excess annular space. The expansion of the insertion guide further allows the use of a completion element having a greater diameter than would otherwise be afforded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Claude Vercaemer, Hubertus V Thomeer
  • Patent number: 6817598
    Abstract: The present invention provides a gun brake system adapted to slow the descent of a tool string in a well. In one embodiment, the brake system comprises a brake installed within the well and having a snug fitting restriction and one or more fluid channels extending along a portion thereof. The brake system further provides means for maintaining the fluid volume substantially constant within the production tubing to which the gun brake is installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Parrott, Stephen F. Lloyd, Gerhard Schoonderbeek, Atilla Kaplan, Henrik Praesius, Kuo-Chiang Chen
  • Patent number: 6799637
    Abstract: An apparatus suitable for use in a wellbore comprises an expandable bistable device. An exemplary device has a plurality of bistable cells formed into a tubular shape. Each bistable cell comprises at least two elongated members that are connected to each other at their ends. The device is stable in a first configuration and a second configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: L. McD. Schetky, Craig D. Johnson, Matthew R. Hackworth, Patrick W. Bixenman
  • Patent number: 6789621
    Abstract: An intelligent well system and method has a sand face completion and a monitoring system to monitor application of a well operation. Various equipment and services may be used. In another aspect, the invention provides a monitoring system for determining placement of a well treatment. Yet another aspect of the invention is an instrumented sand screen. Another aspect is a connector for routing control lines. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Rodney J. Wetzel, Sudhir Pai, David R. Smith, Peter V. Howard, Craig D. Johnson, Jake A. Danos, Patrick W. Bixenman
  • Patent number: 6786285
    Abstract: A technique for controlling fluid production in a deviated wellbore is disclosed. The technique utilizes a flow pipe the interior of which is in hydraulic communication with the earth's surface. A plurality of flow control valves are disposed at spaced apart positions along the length of the flow pipe. The flow control valves are used to regulate flow along intervals of the flow pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Craig D. Johnson, Gary Martin Oddie
  • Patent number: 6772836
    Abstract: An apparatus suitable for use in a wellbore comprises an expandable bistable device. An exemplary device has a plurality of bistable cells formed into a tubular shape. Each bistable cell comprises at least two elongated members that are connected to each other at their ends. The device is stable in a first configuration and a second configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: L. McD. Schetky, Craig D. Johnson, Matthew R. Hackworth, Patrick W. Bixenman
  • Patent number: 6749024
    Abstract: This invention is a sand screen comprising a base pipe with openings cut directly thereon. The size, shape, and configuration of the openings may be varied depending on the filtration, inflow, and strength characteristics desired by the operator. The openings may be cut directly on the base pipe by use of water jet, laser, or saw cutting techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Patrick W. Bixenman
  • Patent number: 6722437
    Abstract: A technique for stimulating production of fluids from a subterranean formation. The technique utilizes a tubular member disposed within a wellbore. The tubular member comprises transverse openings that facilitate a formation fracturing process. Subsequent to fracturing, a completion element may be deployed within the tubular element. In some applications, the completion element is an expandable element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Claude Vercaemer, Peter Allan Goode
  • Patent number: 6719064
    Abstract: A well completion has an expanded tubing portion and an unexpanded tubing portion. A seal is provided on the unexpanded portion. In another embodiment, an expandable tubing is provided and a gravel pack operation is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Colin J. Price-Smith, Patrick W. Bixenman, Craig D. Johnson, Matthew R. Hackworth, Garry Sinclair
  • Patent number: 6702015
    Abstract: A technique to facilitate deployment of power cable and at least one capillary tube through a wellbore tool, such as a packer. The technique allows both the power cable and the at least one capillary tube to extend through a single pass-through opening in the wellbore tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Robert P. Fielder, III, Timothy W. Collen, Massimiliano Pozzoni
  • Patent number: 6700252
    Abstract: A modular electric motor for use in a wellbore. The modular motor includes a plurality of modular motor sections. The modular motor sections being mechanically and electrically coupleable. At least one modular motor section having a rotor. The rotor of one modular motor section having a rotor being drivingly coupleable to the rotor of a second modular motor section having a rotor. Thus, a given motor may be assembled to a variety of desired lengths by connecting the appropriate number of modular motor sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Roy R. Fleshman, Rick Bailey
  • Patent number: 6695054
    Abstract: A particulate screen suitable for use in a wellbore. The particulate screen is expandable and may be at least partially formed of a bistable tubular. Also, a filter media may be combined with the bistable tubular to limit influx of particulates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Craig D. Johnson, Matthew R. Hackworth, Patrick W. Bixenman
  • Patent number: 6695052
    Abstract: An electric submersible pumping system having a downhole gauge section. The electric submersible pumping system comprises a submersible motor powered by a submersible pump. The submersible pump may be located below the submersible motor when in operation, while the downhole gauge section is disposed above the submersible motor. A power cable is coupled to the submersible motor through the downhole gauge section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Todd M. Branstetter, Kevin T. Scarsdale, Lee S. Kobylinski, Nolan D. Wanner, John Pursell
  • Patent number: 6688397
    Abstract: A system for expanding tubular structures. The system comprises a mandrel that is moved through the center of a tubular structure to increase the diameter of the tubular structure via deformation. The system utilizes an expansion device having a mandrel with multiple segments moved between a contracted state and an expanded state. In one embodiment, the mandrel segments are spring biased to permit a degree of independent movement of each mandrel segment with respect to the other mandrel segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Joel McClurkin, Dennis L. Mills, Craig D. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6659174
    Abstract: A component, such as an electric motor, for use in a subterranean environment. The component comprises an attached recording system to record the cumulative use time of the component. The recording system typically includes a timing circuit or other circuit to output data related to use of the component. This data is recorded by a recording device to maintain a cumulative total.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp.
    Inventor: James R. Hogan
  • Patent number: 6648071
    Abstract: A technique for connecting expandable tubulars. The technique comprises an expandable connector system that facilitates the connection of tubular components, such as tubulars used in wellbore environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew R. Hackworth, Craig D. Johnson, Patrick W. Bixenman
  • Patent number: 6606665
    Abstract: A workstation utilized in machine control. The workstation comprises a computer having an open control interface and a computer numerical control resident on the workstation. Communications between the computer and the computer numerical control are converted into an acceptable protocol for the receiving entity and communicated through a PCI connection. The workstation also is configured for connection to a network for communication with other networked devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Subbian Govindaraj, James L. Martin, Ganesh Rajagopalan, James M. Slagter
  • Patent number: 6545860
    Abstract: A system to facilitate the use of an automation control disposed within an enclosure. An automation control, such as a distributed motor starter, is disposed within an enclosure. The control is coupled to modules, such as I/O modules, mounted to a glandplate. The glandplate is mounted to the enclosure over an appropriate opening. Furthermore, the glandplate is designed to accommodate a variety of module arrangements and to facilitate the connection of various data and power lines without individually wiring the lines to a separate terminal block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Pip Pierce
  • Patent number: 6528988
    Abstract: A system and method for programming a Hall effect sensor while the sensor is connected into the circuitry for a given application. The system includes a fixture for receiving the printed circuit board to which the sensor is mounted. A plurality of contacts, such as pogo pins, are arranged to contact the circuit board at desired pads that permit programming of the sensor, reduction of the voltage applied to the overall circuit during programming, and measurement of the sensor and circuit output. The system includes a voltage limiting circuitry that is electrically connected, via appropriate pogo pins, to the circuitry intermediate the subject sensor and potentially damaged circuit components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Bolda, Steven T. Haensgen, John L. Scheele, Craig Muschinski