Patents Examined by Elizabeth Gitlin
  • Patent number: 8613331
    Abstract: A method of selectively actuating a downhole tool, wherein the downhole tool includes a tubular body with an axial borehole therethrough and at least one component, includes increasing a flow rate of a circulating fluid in the axial borehole of the downhole tool to reach a specified circulating fluid pressure, detecting an increased circulating fluid pressure in the borehole of the tool with at least one sensor, actuating a motor to operate a pump, and sending a fluid to operate a sliding sleeve. The method further includes operating the sleeve disposed in the axial borehole to open an actuation chamber port in response to the increased circulating fluid pressure in the borehole of the tool, thereby filling an actuation chamber with the drilling fluid, and moving the at least one expandable component radially outward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventor: Praful C. Desai
  • Patent number: 8596348
    Abstract: A tool is run into a liner that holds an electrical or hydraulic connection for a downhole tool which preferably is an electric submersible pump (ESP). It is capable of cleaning the electrical contacts, replacing them, isolating them from well fluid if no ESP or other downhole tool is to be present for a long time or switching from a main to a backup supply cable or hydraulic line among other downhole functions. The liner with the exterior cable or hydraulic line attached remains in position. Applications to other tools that obtain power or hydraulic pressure in a downhole wet connection are contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Earl B. Brookbank
  • Patent number: 8596382
    Abstract: A system and methods for drilling a well in a field having an existing well are provided. Specifically a method of drilling a new well in a field having an existing well includes drilling the new well using a bottom hole assembly (BHA) having a drill collar divided by an insulated gap, generating a current on the drill collar of the BHA while drilling the new well, and measuring from the existing well a magnetic field caused by the current on the drill collar of the BHA. Using measurements of the magnetic field, a relative position of the new well to the existing well may be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumbeger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Clark, Jaideva C. Goswami
  • Patent number: 8590610
    Abstract: A top drive assembly arranged to travel in a derrick. An important use of this assembly is to manipulate tubulars in a wellbore, so it includes a traveling block housing and sheaves disposed about a compensating airbag. The airbag is arranged to prevent damage to the threads during screwing and unscrewing operations of tubulars in a wellbore. The arrangement of the airbag requires only a single air valve thus having only a single leak path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Inventor: Larry G. Keast
  • Patent number: 8590609
    Abstract: A system for selectively actuating multiple load devices, such as well tools, which are selectively actuated by applying a predetermined voltage across a predetermined pair of conductors. At least one lockout device is associated with each load device. The lockout device prevents current from flowing through the respective load device until voltage across the pair of the conductors exceeds a predetermined minimum. A method is provided for selecting well tools for actuation by applying a minimum voltage across a set of conductors and a lockout device. Leak paths are prevented from draining off current by the lockout devices. A system is provided for applying current to bidirectional load devices such as downhole pumps and motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mitchell C. Smithson, Joel D. Shaw
  • Patent number: 8584762
    Abstract: A downhole fluid flow control system includes a fluidic module (150) having a main fluid pathway (152), a valve (162) and a bridge network. The valve (162) has a first position wherein fluid flow through the main fluid pathway (152) is allowed and a second position wherein fluid flow through the main fluid pathway (152) is restricted. The bridge network has first and second branch fluid pathways (163, 164) each having a common fluid inlet (166, 168) and a common fluid outlet (170, 172) with the main fluid pathway (152) and each including two fluid flow resistors (174, 176, 180, 182) with a pressure output terminal (178, 184) positioned therebetween. In operation, the pressure difference between the pressure output terminals (178, 184) of the first and second branch fluid pathways (163, 164) shifts the valve (162) between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Linley Fripp, Jason D. Dykstra, John Charles Gano, Luke William Holderman
  • Patent number: 8584746
    Abstract: An isolation element includes a body having at least one sealing surface, an internal cavity within the body, and a chemical agent disposed within the internal cavity. The chemical agent is configured to substantially increase a rate of degradation of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Manuel P. Marya, John Fleming, Larry W. Phillips
  • Patent number: 8579050
    Abstract: A reamer bit for use in earth boring operations comprising a body, four cutter mounts, rolling cutters on each mount, and cutting elements disposed on each cutter arranged so adjacent cutting swaths formed by the bit are created by cutting elements on cones of oppositely disposed cutter mounts. The swaths are generally curvilinear, wherein the outermost swaths are formed by cutting element rows on the outer portion of the cutters. The reamer bit can further comprise a pilot bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Rudolf Carl Pessier, Scott Allan Young, Robert J. Buske, Mark Phillip Blackman, Gregory L. Ricks
  • Patent number: 8579045
    Abstract: A rock drilling device comprising a feed beam (4), which has a drill end (41) from which the drill point protrudes at drilling and a rear end(42) opposite the drill end; a rock drilling machine (5) movable along the feed beam (4); a pressure cylinder (6), which is arranged in connection with the feed beam (4) with one end (622) movable relative to the feed beam (4) and one end (611) fixedly arranged relative to the feed beam (4). The pressure cylinder (6) drives a feed line (51) for feeding the drilling machine (5) to and fro along the feed beam (4). The feed line (51) is routed over two outer sheaves (52, 53) that are arranged at each end (41, 42) of the feed beam (4) and a measuring device (7) for measuring the location of the drilling machine (5) relative to the feed beam (4) is arranged to the shaft (9) of one of the sheaves (52, 53) and the sheave and the shaft (9) are arranged such that they rotate together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Rock Drills AB
    Inventors: René Deutsch, Henrik Ronquist
  • Patent number: 8528641
    Abstract: A fracturing and gravel packing tool has features that prevent well swabbing when the tool is picked up with respect to a set isolation packer. An upper or multi-acting circulation valve allows switching between the squeeze and circulation positions without risk of closing the low bottom hole pressure ball valve. The low bottom hole pressure ball valve can only be closed with multiple movements in opposed direction that occur after a predetermined force is held for a finite time to allow movement that arms the low bottom hole pressure ball valve. The multi-acting circulation valve can prevent fluid loss to the formation when being set down with the crossover tool supported or on the reciprocating set down device and the multi-acting circulation valve is closed without risk of closing the wash pipe valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Clem, Martin P. Coronado, Jeffery D. Kitzman, Jeffry S. Edwards
  • Patent number: 8522864
    Abstract: A stripper blow out preventer for oil field equipment, wherein the stripper blow out preventer can include a housing with a bore. The housing can have an open port and close port for accepting the hydraulic fluid, and a grease port for accepting grease. An annular recess of the housing can be in communication with the bore. A retainer ring can be engaged in the annular recess. A piston can be disposed in the annular recess. A seal element can be disposed in the annular recess between the retainer ring and the piston, and can have a thru bore. An insert can be engaged with the retainer ring. When the close port is pressurized, the piston can press against the seal element to form a seal against the oil field equipment. When the open port is pressurized, the piston can move to relax the seal element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Inventor: James Otis Miller
  • Patent number: 8505652
    Abstract: A well drilling head comprises a well drilling head housing, a bearing assembly, a first lubricant manifold and a second lubricant manifold. The well drilling head housing has a sidewall structure defining a central bore. The bearing assembly is configured for being removably seated within the well drilling head housing and for having a stripper rubber assembly attached to a lower end portion thereof. The bearing assembly includes a plurality of bearings and a bearing lubricant flow path configured for allowing bearing lubricant to be circulated through the bearings. The first lubricant manifold has a bearing lubricant passage coupled to the first end portion of the bearing lubricant flow path. The second lubricant manifold has a bearing lubricant passage coupled to a second end portion of the bearing lubricant flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Hampton IP Holding Co., LLC
    Inventor: Theresa J. Williams
  • Patent number: 8496050
    Abstract: Arrangement for the lifting of hydrocarbons in oil field wells, comprising a lifting assembly formed by a fluid collecting hose and a fluid suction tube within the well casing. The suction tube extends along the collecting hose, which has an open upper end, through which passes the upper section of the suction tube, which has an end attached to the pulling cable of the “collecting hose/suction tube” assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Optimol Technologies
    Inventor: Juan Carlos Marie Arlandis
  • Patent number: 8485283
    Abstract: A drill bit including a body section. The body section defines a body proximal end and a longitudinally opposed body distal end, and a body passageway extending longitudinally therethrough for receiving a fluid and conveying the fluid through the body section. An annular crown section extends longitudinally from the body section, the crown section defining a crown distal end and a longitudinally opposed crown proximal end, the crown section extending distally from the body section, the crown section defining a crown passageway extending longitudinally therethrough and in fluid communication with the body passageway. A flow directing component cooperates with the crown section to define a fluid flow channel extending through the crown section radially outwardly from the crown passageway, the fluid flow channel being self-modifiable upon the crown section reaching a predetermined wear threshold so as to modify a flow of the fluid through the fluid flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Groupe Fordia Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Baril, Pierre Auger
  • Patent number: 8479843
    Abstract: A system for drilling a wellbore into an earth formation comprises an expandable tubular element extending into the wellbore, wherein a lower end portion of the wall of the tubular element extends radially outward and in an axially reverse direction so as to define an expanded tubular section extending around a remaining tubular section of the tubular element. The expanded tubular section is extendable by downward movement of the remaining tubular section relative to the expanded tubular section whereby said lower end portion of the wall bends radially outward and in an axially reverse direction. A drill string extends through the remaining tubular section into the wellbore, such that a space is formed between the drill string and the remaining tubular section, and the system further comprises sealing means arranged to seal said space from an open-hole lower section of the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Petrus Cornelis Kriesels
  • Patent number: 8459376
    Abstract: A system for drilling a well bore with an under-balanced hydrostatic pressure. The system includes a tubular member containing a first port, a compression member disposed about the outer portion of the tubular member and having an internal sliding mandrel extending therefrom with a second port, an external sliding sleeve having a third port and being in contact with the internal sliding mandrel and operatively associated with the internal sliding mandrel, and a compressible seal disposed about the external sliding mandrel that is responsive to a longitudinal weight transferred to the compression member. In a closed position the first, second and third port are misaligned and in an open position the first, second and third ports are aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Inventor: Danny T. Williams
  • Patent number: 8430166
    Abstract: A system and process for extracting geothermal energy from a geologic formation. Coolant fluid is introduced into a first fracture system. The first fracture system is at a first height in the formation. The coolant fluid is collected from a second fracture system. The second fracture system is at a second height in the fracture system. The second height is lower than the first height. Coolant fluid introduced into the first fracture system percolates through the geologic formation from the first fracture system to the second fracture system, collecting heat from the geologic formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education
    Inventor: George L. Danko
  • Patent number: 8408295
    Abstract: A testing method for connectors usable with oil or natural gas wells using a test part connector and a control component connector. The method uses a test fluid in a test reservoir that is pumped to each connector simultaneously, uses a test part pressure transducer and a control component pressure transducer to create a test response and a control response. The responses are then transmitted as compared results to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Petro Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: David Levy
  • Patent number: 8403079
    Abstract: A drill bit includes a bit head and a rotating bit cone. A sealing system for the drill bit includes a seal gland and a seal retained within the seal gland. The seal gland is defined by a radial cone surface, a head sealing surface and an opposed cone sealing surface. At least one of the head sealing surface and opposed cone sealing surface is not cylindrical (i.e., the surface is conical and not parallel to an axis of rotation for the cone). Additionally, the radial cone surface may be conical (i.e., the surface does not extend perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the cone). The seal is radially compressed between the head sealing surface and the opposed cone sealing surface. The use of one or more conical surfaces in the gland is provided to bias the compressed seal into a preferred dynamic sealing zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Varel International, Ind., L.P.
    Inventors: Thomas Gallifet, David Michel Harrington
  • Patent number: 8393418
    Abstract: A drill bit includes a bit head and a rotating bit cone. A sealing system for the drill bit includes a seal gland and a seal retained within the seal gland. The seal gland is defined by a radial cone surface, a head sealing surface and an opposed cone sealing surface. At least one of the head sealing surface and opposed cone sealing surface is not cylindrical (i.e., the surface is conical and not parallel to an axis of rotation for the cone). Additionally, the radial cone surface may be conical (i.e., the surface does not extend perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the cone). The seal is radially compressed between the head sealing surface and the opposed cone sealing surface. The use of one or more conical surfaces in the gland is provided to bias the compressed seal into a preferred dynamic sealing zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Varel International, Ind., L.P.
    Inventors: Thomas Gallifet, David Michel Harrington