Patents Examined by Caroline Butcher
  • Patent number: 8800668
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus is provided for a partially retrievable safety valve to control a well. The method includes securing a normally closed valve in the well. The valve may be a self-equalizing flapper valve. Following this, an actuator system operable to open the valve is run into the well. The actuator system is removable from the well while the valve remains closed and secured in the well. A submersible pump and motor may be secured to the actuator system before the actuator system is run into the well. The submersible pump and motor are also removable from the well while the valve remains closed and secured in the well. Therefore the actuator system, submersible pump and motor can be replaced or redressed, while the valve remains closed, keeping the well under control at all times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Brett Wayne Bouldin, Stephen Wayland Smith
  • Patent number: 8783348
    Abstract: An apparatus for gravel packing includes a sand screen and a secondary flow path module. The module is installed over the sand screen with the sand screen positioned radially inward the secondary flow path module. The secondary flow path module includes a protective cover to which the secondary flow path hardware is attached on an interior of the protective cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeff S. Edwards, Luis A. Garcia
  • Patent number: 8776915
    Abstract: A locking clutch to selectively transmit torque from a stator of a downhole tool to a rotor of the downhole tool includes at least one locking pawl radially between the rotor and the stator and configured to engage at least one recess formed in an outer periphery of the rotor, and a biasing mechanism configured to bias the at least one locking pawl into an engaged position. The at least one locking pawl includes a load path, two pivot axes, and a mass center. The at least one locking pawl transmits force from the stator to the rotor along the load path when in the engaged position, and centrifugal force urges the at least one locking pawl into a disengaged position when the rotor is rotated about one of the two pivot axes above a disengagement speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: James Edmond Beylotte, Lance D. Underwood
  • Patent number: 8770318
    Abstract: A threaded sleeve stabilizer spans an upper stator connection in a mud driven drilling motor used for borehole drilling. A number of collets are loaded in compression between the stator and the housing of the motor, and are held in compression by a threaded connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Peter Shwets, Nazeeh Melhem
  • Patent number: 8763723
    Abstract: A cartridge for breaking rock which includes a tubular housing in which is formed a first compartment. The cartridge includes a first energetic composition inside the first compartment and a primer which is exposed to the first energetic composition. The cartridge includes a second compartment inside the tubular component and a plunger inside the tubular component which is movable under explosive force towards the primer. The cartridge still further includes a second energetic composition inside the second compartment and an actuator and a fuse for initiating the second energetic composition. The actuator has an area which is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the plunger and is movable, by movement of the plunger, towards the primer, and in that the primer is initiated by the actuator only when liquid fills a volume enclosed at least partly by surfaces of the actuator and of the primer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Sandvik Mining and Construction RSA (Pty) Ltd
    Inventors: Jarmo Uolevi Leppanen, Manfred Karl Heinrich Habeck
  • Patent number: 8752629
    Abstract: A valve assembly for regulating fluid flow in a horizontal wellbore. A housing can be coupled to a production tubular. A chamber is defined within the housing and can be in fluid communication through a flow channel with an inner annulus formed adjacent the wellbore. A piston and a biasing member can be disposed within the chamber, where the biasing member biases the piston into a first position. A flowpath is defined within the housing and communicable with both the production tubular and the inner annulus. The flowpath can include one or more nozzles disposed therein, and the piston can be configured to move between the first position allowing fluid flow through the flowpath to the production tubular and a second position preventing fluid flow to the production tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Terje Moen
  • Patent number: 8739861
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first pin and a second pin. The first pin has a first joint section. The first joint section has first holes extending a length of the first joint section and terminating at a first preload face. The second pin has a second joint section. The second joint section has second holes extending a length of the first joint section and terminating at a second preload face. The second joint section is adapted to receive the first joint section and the first holes match the second holes when the first pin and the second pin are mated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Sunstone Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William James Hughes, Bryan Lane, Gary Marshall Briggs
  • Patent number: 8720559
    Abstract: A cementing assembly is mounted to a lower end of a running string. The running string has an obstruction in it such as a cable preventing a wiper dart from passing through. A production string liner wiper plug is secured to the running tool with a shear pin or other device. A dart is temporarily suspended above the liner wiper plug in a manner that cement can be pumped around the dart and through an open bore in the wiper plug. Picking up to let dogs extend followed by setting down releases the dart. Picking up again exposes a lateral port to circulate out contaminated cement. Setting down closes the port and pressure launches the plug to push the cement into the annulus surrounding the string being run in. A passage without restrictions results at the top of the cemented string after the running tool is pulled out of the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignees: Baker Hughes Incorporated, BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Mark O. Johnson, Robert Harris, Carl Diller, John Milne
  • Patent number: 8720544
    Abstract: A fracturing jet nozzle assembly has nested telescoping sections that each have nozzles in them. The outermost stage makes for a large perforation as it and the adjacent stages begin extension. As the stage adjacent the outermost stage continues to extend into the perforation and reaches maximum extension the nozzles in the outermost stage are cut off from fracturing fluid flow and that flow is in turn redirected to the remaining stages that have not yet fully extended. The innermost stage preferably does not get cut off from jet fluid flow even at its full extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Richard Yingqing Xu
  • Patent number: 8714270
    Abstract: An anchor assembly (400) for anchoring a downhole tool in a wellbore tubular. The anchor assembly (400) includes a plurality of slip arm assemblies each having first and second arms (412, 414) hingeably coupled together. The first and second arms (412, 414) each have teeth (418, 426) on one end. A first sleeve (402) is rotatably associated with each of the first arms (412) and a second sleeve (404) is rotatably associated with each of the second arms (414) such that the anchor assembly (400) has a running configuration in which the slip arm assemblies are substantially longitudinally oriented and an operating configuration in which the first and second arms (412, 414) of each slip arm assembly form an acute angle relative to one another such that the teeth (418, 426) of the first and second arms (412, 414) define the radially outermost portion of the anchor assembly (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Gammill Clemens, Wesley Neil Ludwig, John Patrick Rodgers, Edwin A. Eaton, Marco Serra
  • Patent number: 8708064
    Abstract: A system and methodology provide control over the directional drilling of a wellbore while enabling additional functionality. A rotational valve is mounted within a drill collar of a rotary steerable system to control flow of actuating fluid to one or more steering pads which are selectively moved in a lateral direction with respect to the rotary steerable system. The rotational valve also is controlled to carry out at least one additional function while controlling the direction of drilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Geoffrey C. Downton, Brian Clark
  • Patent number: 8695732
    Abstract: A rotary cutter mount for an earth-boring cutter is provided which includes a ball bearing journal [100] adapted to be coupled to a cutter body [210], having a minimum [110] and a maximum [120] cylindrical diameter, and a first [115] and second [116] mounting ends. The maximum diameter [120] defines a journal body [122] which includes an exterior surface adapted to be rotationally coupled to the interior surface of the cutter body [210] so as to allow the cutter body [210] to rotate freely with respect to the bearing journal [110]. The minimum [110] diameter defines a shaft portion having sealing surfaces. The first [115] and a second [116] mounting ends are shaped to enable a rotationally fixed positioning of the bearing journal [100] in a yoke of a corresponding cutter head-plate support bracket. A row of ball-bearing races [126] is recessed to extend circumferentially about the exterior surface of the journal body [122].
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Inventor: Stu Blattner
  • Patent number: 8672056
    Abstract: A system and methodology provide control over the directional drilling of a wellbore. A rotational valve is mounted within a drill collar of a rotary steerable system to enable selective actuation of one or more steering pads on the drill collar via an actuating fluid. The rotational valve is controlled via a motor and designed to provide enhanced control over the flow of actuating fluid to the steering pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Clark, Geoffrey C. Downton
  • Patent number: 8668018
    Abstract: Plug element systems comprise a tubular member having at least two seats. An eccentrically-shaped plug member comprises an upper end portion and a lower end portion. The upper end portion comprises an upper end diameter can be less than, greater than, or equal to a lower end portion diameter of the lower end portion. The eccentric shape of the plug member permits it to pass through a first seat and land on a second seat comprising a second seat length where both the first seat and the second seat comprise substantially equal inner seat diameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Peter J. Fay
  • Patent number: 8668006
    Abstract: Apparatuses for restricting fluid flow through a well conduit comprise a tubular member having an inner wall surface defining a bore and a seat in sliding engagement with the inner wall surface. Operatively associated with the seat is a plug element support member having an expanded position when the apparatus is in a run-in position and a contracted position when the apparatus is in a set position. A plug element adapted to be disposed into the bore and landed on the seat to restrict fluid flow through the bore and the well conduit is used to move the seat which in turn moves the plug element support member from the expanded position to the contracted position, thereby providing support to the plug member landed on the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Ying Qing Xu
  • Patent number: 8657001
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a support member operable to be disposed within a tubular member that includes a threaded connection with a pin member. The tubular member is coupled to an expansion device that is operable to radially expand the tubular member and a pin catcher that is operable to engage the pin member as the expansion device and pin catcher move axially through the tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Enventure Global Technology, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Richard Murray Whiddon
  • Patent number: 8651203
    Abstract: Polycrystalline compacts include a polycrystalline material comprising a plurality of inter-bonded grains of hard material, and a metallic material disposed in interstitial spaces between the inter-bonded grains of hard material. At least a portion of the metallic material comprises a metal alloy that includes two or more elements. A first element of the two or more elements comprises at least one of cobalt, iron, and nickel. A second element of the two or more elements comprises at least one of dysprosium, yttrium, terbium, gadolinium, germanium, samarium, neodymium, and praseodymium. The metal alloys may comprise eutectic or near-eutectic compositions, and may have relatively low melting points. Cutting elements and earth-boring tools include such polycrystalline compacts. Methods include the formation of such polycrystalline compacts, cutting elements, and earth-boring tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Anthony A. DiGiovanni
  • Patent number: 8584776
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and tool assemblies for distributing weight between a bit and a reamer device are disclosed. For example, at least one of the drill bit and the reamer may be configured to selectively distribute a weight-on-bit between the drill bit and the reamer, such as within a predetermined range. Additionally, methods of drilling wellbores may include selectively distributing a weight-on-bit applied to a bottom hole assembly between a drill bit and a reamer of the bottom hole assembly. Also, a reamer may be configured to exhibit a first maximum rate-of-penetration into a relatively hard formation, and a drill bit may be configured to exhibit a second maximum rate-of-penetration into a relatively soft formation that is less than the first maximum rate-of-penetration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven R. Radford, Mark E. Anderson, William C. Thompson, Jim R. Powers
  • Patent number: 8511377
    Abstract: A non-rotating downhole sleeve adapted for open hole drilling and/or casing centralization. The sleeve includes a tubular body made of hard plastic with integrally formed helical blades positioned around its outer surface and an inner surface configuration which allows drilling fluid circulation to form a non-rotating fluid bearing between the sleeve and the drill pipe or casing. The helical blades reduce sliding and rotating torque while drilling, with minimal obstruction to drilling fluid passing through the borehole between the blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: WWT International, Inc.
    Inventors: Garrett C. Casassa, Sarah B. Mitchell, Norman Bruce Moore
  • Patent number: 8511390
    Abstract: A deliquification pump for deliquifying a well comprises a fluid end pump adapted to pump a fluid from a wellbore. In addition, the deliquification pump comprises a hydraulic pump adapted to drive the fluid end pump. The hydraulic pump includes a first internal pump chamber and a first pump assembly disposed in the first chamber. The first pump assembly includes a piston having a first end, a second end, and a throughbore extending between the first end and the second end. In addition, the first pump assembly includes a first wobble plate including a planar end face axially adjacent the second end of the piston and a slot extending axially through the first wobble plate. The first wobble plate is adapted to rotate about the central axis relative to the housing to axially reciprocate the piston and cyclically place the throughbore of the piston in fluid communication with the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Coyle, William Michel, Louis-Claude Porel, Alistair Gill, Paul Ellerton, David Fielding