Patents Examined by David Andrews
  • Patent number: 9534444
    Abstract: A down-the-hole hammer drill bit assembly includes a foot valve and a drill component having respective abutment regions in the form of cooperating lugs and shoulders that may be engaged by rotation of the valve relative to the drill bit component to allow the lugs and shoulders to overlap radially to lock the valve at the drill component. The assembly is advantageous to allow coupling and decoupling on-site without the need for specific swaging or hydraulic/pneumatic assembly tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: SANDVIK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AB
    Inventors: Conny Kraft, Anna Nordstrand
  • Patent number: 9534465
    Abstract: A method of completing a well includes lowering a wellhead onto a base at an upper end of the well. A hub with internal threads and an external circumferential stepped recess is secured to external threads of the wellhead. A blowout preventer assembly with an annular locking member having a plurality of locking elements is landed on the hub, and the locking elements are engaged with the recess of the hub. The well is drilled through the blowout preventer assembly to a greater depth then the blowout preventer assembly and the hub are removed. A threaded flange with a plurality of bolt holes spaced around the flange is secured to the external threads of the wellhead and a wellhead member is bolted to the bolt holes of the threaded flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: GE Oil & Gas Pressure Control LP
    Inventors: Khang V. Nguyen, Saurabh Kajaria, Knox F. Wright, Sheila A. Adkinson
  • Patent number: 9528324
    Abstract: An underreamer for increasing a diameter of a wellbore. The underreamer includes a body having an axial bore extending at least partially therethrough. A mandrel is disposed within the bore of the body and has a port formed radially therethrough. A sleeve is disposed radially-outward from the mandrel. The sleeve blocks fluid flow through the port in the mandrel when the sleeve is in a first position, and the sleeve is axially-offset from the port in the mandrel when the sleeve is in a second position. A flow tube is coupled to the mandrel. The sleeve moves from the first position to the second position when fluid flows through the flow tube and through a channel disposed in the mandrel. A cutter block is movably coupled to the body and is responsive to fluid flow from the axial bore through the port in the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Fuller, Craig Boswell
  • Patent number: 9523251
    Abstract: In one aspect an apparatus for performing a downhole operation is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment may include a downhole tool that contains a hydraulically-operated motor and a flow control device that in one position allows a fluid to pass through the motor while preventing the fluid to flow to the motor and in another position allows the fluid to flow to the motor to operate the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Jacob R. Honekamp
  • Patent number: 9523245
    Abstract: A rock drilling shank adaptor includes an elongate body having an internal flushing bore and an entry hole through the sidewall of the adaptor in fluid communication with the internal bore. The flushing hole is optimized to reduce the likelihood of fracture at the wall of the adaptor and in particular includes straight sections at axially forward and rearwardmost regions of the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: SANDVIK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AB
    Inventors: Rasmus Hemph, Tomas Sh Jansson
  • Patent number: 9523264
    Abstract: A gravel pack assembly has a longitudinal body that disposes in a borehole. A wellscreen and other components can connect to the body to complete the assembly. One or more packoff seals or bushings disposed in the body's inner passage can engage a smooth external surface of a crossover tool when disposed therein to prevent passage of sand and fluids between the tool and the assembly's inner passage. The packoff seals or bushings can be fixed or activated by movement to engage the smooth external surface of the crossover tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: John P. Broussard, Patrick J. Zimmerman, Christopher Hall
  • Patent number: 9523269
    Abstract: A control system for an automatic drilling tool changer apparatus for use with a drilling rig includes a drilling control device programmed with a control scheme for controlling the automatic drilling tool changer apparatus, and a user interface coupled to the drilling control device for initiating actions of the automatic drilling tool changer apparatus and for interactively monitoring a status of the automatic drilling tool changer apparatus. The control scheme includes steps for an automatic drilling tool change-out operation, and the drilling control device and the user interface are configured to communicate with the automatic drilling tool changer apparatus over a network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLC
    Inventors: Ross L. Hoult, Samuel C. Taylor, Andrew Wright, Timo Diekmann, Chinpei Tang, Marcus U. Bähtz, Vin J. Varghese
  • Patent number: 9518437
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a downhole tool extending in a longitudinal direction, comprising a tool housing; an arm assembly pivotally mounted about a pivot point fixed in relation to the tool housing and movable between a retracted position and a projecting position in relation to the tool housing; an arm activation assembly for moving the arm assembly between the retracted position and the projecting position, the arm activation assembly being arranged inside the tool housing and having a first end face and a second end face adapted for being connected with the end faces of other arm activation assemblies; wherein the arm activation assembly comprises: a piston housing having a piston chamber extending in the longitudinal direction of the downhole tool and comprising: a first piston housing part, a second piston housing part removably connected to the first piston housing part, a piston member arranged inside the piston housing and connected with the arm assembly, the piston member being movable in th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: WELLTEC A/S
    Inventor: Jørgen Hallundbæk
  • Patent number: 9518452
    Abstract: A setting tool for hanging a tubular string includes: a tubular mandrel having an actuation port formed through a wall thereof; a debris barrier for engaging an upper end of the tubular string; and a piston having an upper face in fluid communication with the actuation port. The setting tool further includes: an actuator sleeve extending along the mandrel and connected to the piston; a latch releasably connecting the debris barrier to the actuator sleeve and for releasably connecting the debris barrier to the tubular string; a packoff connected to the mandrel below the piston and operable to seal against an inner surface of the tubular string, thereby forming a buffer chamber between the debris barrier and the packoff; and a passage. The passage: is in fluid communication with a lower face of the piston, is formed in a wall of and along the mandrel, and bypasses the packoff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Rocky A. Turley, Mike Bock, George Givens, Kathleen Cassard, Paul A. Reinhardt
  • Patent number: 9518430
    Abstract: An adjustable fracturing system is provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a fracturing manifold and a fracturing tree. A fluid conduit is coupled between the fracturing manifold and the fracturing tree to enable receipt of fracturing fluid by the fracturing tree from the fracturing manifold. Further, the fluid conduit is an adjustable fluid conduit that allows an operator to vary a dimension of the fluid conduit to facilitate coupling of the fluid conduit between the fracturing manifold and the fracturing tree. Additional systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Kirk P. Guidry
  • Patent number: 9512693
    Abstract: A hydraulically set packer has a mandrel with an internal bore and a port communicating the internal bore outside the mandrel. A packing element disposed on the mandrel can be compressed by a piston to engage the borehole. The piston is disposed on the mandrel on a first side of the packing element and moves against the packing element when tubing pressure is communicated into a first piston chamber via the mandrel's port. To increase the setting forces, a sleeve disposed between the packing element and the mandrel defines a space communicating an opposite side of the packing element with a second pressure chamber of the piston. During high pressure operations, high pressure on the first side of the packing element acts with high pressure on the first side of the piston, increasing the pistons movement from a high pressure region to a low pressure region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Michael C. Derby
  • Patent number: 9512713
    Abstract: A telebending tool for conveying a logging tool into a wellbore includes a tool body having a central axis. In addition, the tool also includes a cam housing coupled to the tool body and a nose moveably coupled to the tool body through a pivoting member. Further, the telebending tool includes a compression spring positioned between the nose and the pivoting member, and a camming arm coupled to the nose. The camming arm extends coaxially through the pivoting member to selectively engage a cam pathway of the cam housing. The nose has a first position with a central axis of the nose coaxially aligned with the central axis of the body and a second position with the central axis of the nose oriented at an angle less than 180° relative to the central axis of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignees: RASGAS COMPANY LIMITED, QATAR FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Shehab Ahmed, Mohammad Fouad AlGammal, Omar Abdelzaher Abdelzaher, Stephen M. Remmert, Ahmad F. Ahmad Zamri, Calvin H. Myers
  • Patent number: 9500065
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly including a nozzle. The nozzle has an elongated body. The elongated body has a nozzle end at one end and a connection portion at another end. A joint section is connected with the connection portion. The joint section allows the nozzle to move axially and radially when an axial force is applied to the nozzle end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael Jensen
  • Patent number: 9500044
    Abstract: A coupling device includes an upper adapter and a lower adapter. The lower adapter may be pre-installed on a downhole tool and positioned in a wellbore. The upper adapter may be attached to a conveyance and lowered into the wellbore for connection with the lower adapter. The upper adapter may be coupled to the lower adapter by sliding over the lower adapter and applying weight to actuate a locking mechanism. After coupling, axial and torque load may be transmitted from the conveyance to the downhole tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Eric M. Twardowski
  • Patent number: 9500056
    Abstract: A weight down collet includes a mandrel that provides an outer diameter feature and a shoulder, and a collet sleeve assembly movably disposed about the mandrel. The collet sleeve assembly includes a body, a primary collet provided on the body and defining an upper detent and a lower detent having a gap defined therebetween, and a secondary collet provided on the body and axially spaced from the primary collet. The upper and lower detents extend radially outward from the body and are engageable with one or more restrictions provided on an inner wall of a completion string, and the secondary collet defines an inner detent that extends radially inward and is engageable with the shoulder. The collet sleeve assembly is movable between an unsupported position, where the primary collet is radially unsupported, and a supported position, where the primary collet is radially supported on the outer diameter feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Wayne Scott, Thomas Jules Frosell
  • Patent number: 9494005
    Abstract: A debris removal device for subterranean use features a debris laden inlet tube within a housing to define a debris collection space at the lower end of the housing. An eductor draws the debris laden fluid to the top of the inlet tube where the flow stream is returned to a downhole direction with discrete passages formed between the housing and the inlet tube by spaced parallel plates. The plates feature extending tabs on diametrically opposed lower ends of the plates. As a result flow heading back downhole can release debris and turn back uphole in passages defined between the outside of the plates and the inside wall of the housing. The tabs allow the flow turning uphole to make a greater radius turn because of a crossing over effect created by the tabs. There is less turbulence and narrower width to the flowing stream going uphole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Calvin J. Stowe
  • Patent number: 9488016
    Abstract: A skate for an injector apparatus in which gripper dies on a pair of endless chains driven around respective closed loop paths on different sides a continuous wellbore string are forced against the continuous string by forcing a set of the skates toward theretoward from inside the closed loop paths of the endless chains. The inventive skate features a skate body carrying a plurality of spherical balls that are exposed on a side of the skate that faces toward the continuous string in order to allow riding of endless chains over exposed surfaces of the spherical balls as the endless chains are driven through the respective closed-loop paths, whereby the gripper dies ride over the spherical balls of said skates under the forcing of said skates toward the continuous string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: CELTIC MACHINING LTD.
    Inventors: Martin E. C. Gubbins, Sven W. Larsen
  • Patent number: 9488034
    Abstract: A method of opening a conduit cemented in a subterranean well can include flowing a fluid through a passage in the well after the conduit is cemented in the well, and the conduit opening in response to the flow of the fluid through the passage. A well system can include a flow control device cemented in a wellbore, and a conduit positioned adjacent a passage of the flow control device, whereby the conduit opens in response to the passage being opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel David Shaw, Paul Robert Terry
  • Patent number: 9482066
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in controlling first and second downhole tools includes a first cyclical indexing mechanism associated with a first downhole tool, and a second cyclical indexing mechanism associated with a second downhole tool, wherein the first indexing mechanism defines at least three sequential indexing positions within a cycle and the second indexing mechanism defines at least two sequential indexing positions within a cycle. The apparatus includes at least one actuator for actuating the first and second indexing mechanisms in response to a common stimulus to cause said first and second indexing mechanisms to advance between respective indexing positions so as to permit co-ordination of the operational states of the associated first and second downhole tools. The apparatus may be used for controlling first and second under reamers or for controlling an under reamer and a corresponding stabilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: NOV DOWNHOLE EURASIA LIMITED
    Inventors: Alan MacKenzie, Matthew Shaw
  • Patent number: 9482078
    Abstract: A pump includes one or more stages, each stage including a tubular housing and a mandrel disposed in the housing. The mandrel includes a rotor rotatable relative to the housing and having: an impeller, a shaft, and one or more helicoidal blades on an outer surface of the impeller. The mandrel further includes a diffuser: connected to the housing, having the rotor shaft extending therethrough and having a plurality of vanes on an outer surface thereof. Each vane has an arcuate portion and a longitudinal portion. The diffuser further has a channel formed between an adjacent pair of vanes. The pump further includes a fluid passage formed between the housing and the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: ZEITECS B.V.
    Inventors: Christian Carstensen, Rik De Doncker, Helge Brauer, Holger Franz, Johannes Schmidt, Benjamin Eduard Wilkosz