Patents Examined by Cathleen Hutchins
  • Downhole tool with remotely actuated drag blocks and methods
    Patent number: 9284814
    Abstract: Apparatus useful for remotely actuating the drag blocks of a downhole tool includes at least one remotely actuated sleeve configured to allow the drag blocks to move from one position to another when the downhole tool is disposed in a well bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Gabriel Antoniu Slup, Douglas Julius Lehr
  • Downhole tool housing
    Patent number: 9279320
    Abstract: A housing (15) for connection to a downhole assembly (17), the housing comprising first and second sections (31, 32), the first section (31) being adapted for connection to a portion of the downhole assembly, the second section (32) defining a compartment (23) to receive a downhole tool (11) or component thereof, the second section (32) being configured to provide a path (40) for fluid flow past the compartment (23) as the assembly descends within the borehole, and the first section (31) being configured for fluid communication between a passage in said portion of the downhole assembly and the fluid flow path (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Reflex Technology International Pty Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter Jacobs, Kelvin Brown
  • Diamond enhanced drilling insert with high impact resistance
    Patent number: 9279291
    Abstract: An insert for a drill bit may include a substrate; a working layer of polycrystalline diamond material on the uppermost end of the insert, wherein the polycrystalline diamond material includes a plurality of interconnected diamond grains; and a binder material; and an inner transition layer between the working layer and the substrate, wherein the inner transition layer is adjacent to the substrate; wherein the inner transition layer has a hardness that is at least 500 HV greater than the hardness of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Yi Fang, Scott L. Horman
  • Polycrystalline diamond compacts and related products
    Patent number: 9272392
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) and methods of manufacturing such PDCs in which an at least partially leached polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table is infiltrated with a low viscosity cobalt-based alloy infiltrant. In an embodiment, a method includes forming a PCD table in the presence of a metal-solvent catalyst in a first high-pressure/high-temperature (“HPHT”) process. The method includes at least partially leaching the PCD table to remove at least a portion of the metal-solvent catalyst therefrom to form an at least partially leached PCD table. The method includes subjecting the at least partially leached PCD table and a substrate to a second HPHT process effective to at least partially infiltrate the at least partially leached PCD table with a cobalt-based alloy infiltrant having a composition at or near a eutectic composition of the cobalt-based alloy infiltrant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: US SYNTHETIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Debkumar Mukhopadhyay, Jair J. Gonzalez
  • Smart downhole control
    Patent number: 9267356
    Abstract: A downhole control system can include a pair of drive lines passing through a wellbore member such as a tubing hanger, and a plurality of hydraulic switches, each in communication with the drive lines. Each hydraulic switch can have a unique pressure band, wherein the switch only responds when the pressure in the drive lines is within the unique pressure band. Once the pressure in the drive lines is within the pressure band, the switch can open or close in response to a pressure differential in the drive lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: GE Oil & Gas UK Limited
    Inventor: Robert Bell
  • Varying pore size in a well screen
    Patent number: 9260951
    Abstract: A method can include applying a magnetic field to a well screen, thereby varying sizes of pores via which fluid flows through the well screen. A well screen can include a magnetic shape memory material having a dimension which changes in response to application of a magnetic field. Restriction to flow through the well screen can vary in response to the change in dimension of the magnetic shape memory material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Dagenais, Michael L. Fripp
  • Internal bidirectional tubing plug
    Patent number: 9249644
    Abstract: A process of manufacturing a well closure apparatus and using it downhole by releasing components contained within the apparatus. The well closure apparatus is an internal bidirectional tubing plug that is adapted for insertion into a tubing string for sealing the tubing string internally while running the tubing into a fluid filled well. The tubing plug is comprised of a body having an inner surface with a recess or passage extending through the body from one end to the other. The recess holds petals and a keystone petal that are held within the recess by a cork and the cork is held in place by a nut. At depth, the tubing is filled with well fluid, the tubing plug is released at a predetermined hydraulic pressure, and the pieces of the releasing components are pumped to the bottom of the well or are circulated out of the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: New Product Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: William Bundy Stone
  • System and method for activating a down hole tool
    Patent number: 9243480
    Abstract: Systems and methods for setting a down hole tool include a base pipe having an interior and defining a port that communicates with a pressure chamber positioned outside of the base pipe. A sleeve is positioned in the interior to substantially block the port and to prevent substantial fluid communication between the interior and the pressure chamber. The sleeve includes a first portion having a first shear resistance for resisting movement of the first portion with respect to the base pipe. The sleeve also includes a second portion having a second shear resistance for resisting movement of the second portion with respect to the first portion. Movement of the first portion with respect to the base pipe in response to overcoming the first shear resistance exposes the port to permit fluid communication between the interior and the pressure chamber for setting the down hole tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank V. Acosta, Nicholas Frederick Budler, John Roland Key
  • Methods for pre-sharpening impregnated cutting structures for bits, resulting cutting structures and drill bits so equipped
    Patent number: 9243458
    Abstract: Processes for pre-sharpening cutting structures comprising particles of superabrasive material such as diamond grit, dispersed in a metal matrix material such as cemented tungsten carbide. Matrix material may be removed from a surface of a cutting structure to a desired depth to expose superabrasive particles within the matrix material adjacent the surface, and to increase exposure of partially exposed superabrasive particles at the surface. Electrodischarge machining (EDM), laser machining, electrolytic etching and chemical etching may also be employed. Pre-sharpened cutting structures are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: J. Miguel Bilen, Victor L. Reddick, Jr., Wesley Dean Fuller
  • Completion method for stimulation of multiple intervals
    Patent number: 9238953
    Abstract: A technique provides for stimulating or otherwise treating multiple intervals/zones of a well by controlling flow of treatment fluid via a plurality of flow control devices. The flow control devices are provided with internal profiles and flow through passages. Hydraulic darts are designed for selective engagement with the internal profiles of specific flow control devices, and each hydraulic dart may be moved downhole for engagement with and activation of a specific flow control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: John Fleming, Gary L. Rytlewski, Larry W. Phillips, Jason Swaren, Aude Faugere, Rod Shampine, Zhanke Liu, Pete Bazan, Jr., Jabus Talton Davis
  • Bearing assembly for rotary drills
    Patent number: 9234390
    Abstract: A bearing assembly is for a rotary drill, the drill including a base with a shaft and a bit. The bearing assembly includes a bearing having a central axis and including an inner member disposeable on the shaft and an outer member disposed about the inner member. The outer member is angularly displaceable about the axis with respect to the inner member and having an outer circumferential surface and a recess extending generally radially inwardly from the outer surface. At least one and preferably a plurality of retainer members are each disposed at least partially within the bearing outer member recess and is configured to engage with the bit so as to rotatably couple the bit with the shaft. Preferably, each retainer member includes a generally spherical ball rollable through a passage and into the bearing recess during installation into the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventor: Kevin Martin
  • Shear cutter with improved wear resistance of WC-CO substrate
    Patent number: 9234391
    Abstract: A cutting element having a substrate, an abrasive layer mounted to the substrate at an interface, and a longitudinal axis extending through the abrasive layer and the substrate is disclosed, wherein the substrate has a binder material, a plurality of metal carbide grains bonded together by an amount of the binder material, and at least one binder gradient, and wherein the amount of binder material decreases along at least one direction to form the at least one binder gradient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: J. Daniel Belnap, Georgiy Voronin, Peter T. Cariveau
  • Coiled tubing packer system
    Patent number: 9222332
    Abstract: A wellbore monitoring system comprising a length of tubing defining an axial flowbore, two or more data conduits extending within the axial flowbore of the coiled tubing, two or more sensors, each of the two or more sensors configured to measure a wellbore parameter and to communicate data indicative of the measured wellbore parameter via one of the two or more data conduits, and two or more deployable tubular packers, each of the deployable tubular packers disposed within the axial flowbore of the tubing, wherein each of the deployable tubular packers is selectively secured within the axial flowbore of the tubing, and wherein the two deployable tubular packers provide fluid isolation between a first region of the axial flowbore, a second region of the axial flowbore, and a third region of the axial flowbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth James Hueston, Douglas Huber
  • Cutter tool insert having sensing device
    Patent number: 9222350
    Abstract: A cutting element for an earth-boring drilling tool and its method of making are provided. The cutting element may include a substrate, a superhard layer, and a sensing element. The superhard layer may be bonded to the substrate along an interface. The superhard layer may have a working surface opposite the interface and an outer peripheral surface. The outer peripheral surface may extend between the working surface and the interface. The sensing element may comprise at least a part of the superhard layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Diamond Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Vaughn, Steven W. Webb, Patrick Georges Gabriel Dapsalmon
  • Erosion resistant hard composite materials
    Patent number: 9217294
    Abstract: A hard composite composition comprises a binder, and a polymodal blend of matrix powder In an embodiment, the polymodal blend of matrix powder has at least one local maxima at a particle size of 30 ?m or less, at least one local maxima at a particle size of 200 ?m or more, and at least one local minima between a particle size of about 30 ?m to about 200 ?m that has a value that is less than the local maxima at a particle size of 30 ?m or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Garrett T. Olsen
  • Weight-based interlock apparatus and methods
    Patent number: 9206657
    Abstract: A weight-based tubular interlock apparatus adapted to determine whether a tubular is engagingly gripped by a rig-based hoisting device or a secondary gripping device is described. The apparatus includes at least two gripping mechanisms and an interlock system operatively connected that is adapted to measure a tubular load on at least one of the gripping mechanisms and to compare the tubular load to a predetermined load to deter nine whether the at least one gripping mechanism is gripping the tubular. The gripping mechanism is adapted to release the tubular only when the tubular load meets the predetermined load, upon which a release force sufficient to release the tubular from the gripping mechanism is applied to the tubular relative to the gripping mechanism. Methods of using the interlock apparatus are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: CANRIG DRILLING TECHNOLOGY LTD.
    Inventors: Beat Küttel, John B. Patterson
  • System and method for controlling surface equipment to insert and remove tubulars with a well under pressure
    Patent number: 9194194
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for controlling the coordination of pressure control equipment such as a BOP stack and/or a snubbing unit and/or other pressure control equipment in a well completion system while moving pipes into or out of a wellbore under pressure. In one embodiment, a moveable clamp and a fixed clamp are provided. The moveable clamp is clamped to a pipe while the fixed clamp is open so that the moveable clamp either moves the pipe into the well or pulls it out of the well. The fixed clamp is then clamped to the pipe. The moveable clamp is unclamped and moves to another position whereupon the process is repeated. A computer controls operation of the moveable clamp, fixed clamp, seals, and pipe moving equipment which moves pipe into and out of the mast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: SUPERIOR ENERGY SERVICES-NORTH AMERICA SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Mark J. Flusche
  • Tubular assembly
    Patent number: 9194218
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a downhole tubular assembly for sealing an opening in a well tubular structure in a borehole downhole, comprising a first tubular part made of metal having an inner face, an inner diameter, an outer diameter and a first length in an unexpanded state, and a second tubular part having an outer face, an outer diameter and a second length, being arranged inside the first tubular part in an unexpanded state. Furthermore, the invention relates to a downhole system for sealing an opening in a well tubular structure in a borehole. Moreover, the invention relates to a method of sealing an opening in a well tubular structure in a borehole downhole and to a manufacturing method for manufacturing a downhole tubular assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: WELLTEC A/S
    Inventors: Jørgen Hallundbæk, Paul Hazel
  • Apparatus for heating hydrocarbons with RF antenna assembly having segmented dipole elements and related methods
    Patent number: 9194221
    Abstract: The apparatus includes an RF antenna assembly to be positioned within a wellbore and coupled to an RF source. The RF antenna assembly includes a first tubular dipole element having opposing proximal and distal ends, an RF transmission line extending through the proximal end of the first tubular dipole element and including an inner conductor, an outer conductor, and a dielectric therebetween. The inner conductor extends outwardly beyond the distal end of the first tubular dipole element. The outer conductor is coupled to the distal end of the first tubular dipole element. The RF antenna assembly includes a second tubular dipole element having opposing proximal and distal ends, with the proximal end being adjacent the distal end of the first tubular dipole element and being coupled to the inner conductor, and a tubular balun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: HARRIS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Francis Eugene Parsche
  • Containment cellar
    Patent number: 9175550
    Abstract: A containment cellar collects petroleum products leaked in a vicinity of a conductor pipe at an oil drilling site. The containment cellar has a body, a pipe, and a pumping orifice. The body has bottom and side surfaces to define an interior chamber to surround a length of the conductor pipe. The bottom surface includes an aperture to receive the conductor pipe. The surfaces are composed of materials substantially impermeable to the petroleum products. The side surface has sufficient strength to maintain integrity of the interior chamber when the containment cellar is disposed at least partially beneath a surface of the earth. The pipe extends through the interior chamber. The pumping orifice is coupled with the pipe and adapted for coupling with a pump to extract the leaked petroleum products from the interior chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: C & C Rentals, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher L. Dunlavy