Patents Examined by Hoang Dang
  • Oil well completion tool having severable tubing string barrier disc
    Patent number: 7533727
    Abstract: An oil well completion tool having a tubular assembly defining an elongated main passage is adapted to be connected to a multiple-section tubing string within an oil well casing. A severable plug is mounted in the tubular assembly in normal blocking relationship to the passage. A movable shear cylinder unit has a plug-severing edge operable to sever an entire central segment of the plug from a remaining peripheral portion thereof. Separate hinge structure has an elongated U-shaped leg portion connected to the central segment of the plug. The leg portion of the hinge structure, which undergoes elongation, is operable to retain the severed central segment of the plug in the main passage while allowing the central segment of the plug to bodily shift independent of and in a direction away from the peripheral portion of the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Fike Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Barton, Mark Burris, Donald R. Hibler, Jr., Daniel O'Halloran, Joel Wicoff
  • Jet arrangement for a downhole drill bit
    Patent number: 7533737
    Abstract: A drill bit having a bit body, and axis of rotation, and a working face, the working face having a plurality of cutting elements. A jack element extends from the working face and is coaxial with the axis of rotation and is a hard metal insert. A plurality of high pressure jets are disposed within the working face and surround the jack element, wherein at least one jet is disposed at least as close to the jack element as an inner most cutting element of the plurality of cutting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Tyson J. Wilde
  • Rotary coring device and method for acquiring a sidewall core from an earth formation
    Patent number: 7530407
    Abstract: A rotary coring device and a method for acquiring a sidewall core from an earth formation adjacent a wellbore are provided. The rotary coring device includes a coring tool having a housing with a core receptacle therein and being adapted for positioning at selected depths within the wellbore. The coring tool further includes a first gear assembly operably coupled to a rotary coring bit. The first gear assembly is configured to rotate the rotary coring bit. The rotary coring device further includes an electrical motor configured to drive the first gear assembly for rotating the rotary coring bit at one of a plurality of rotational speeds. The rotary coring device further includes a hydraulic actuator configured to move the rotary coring bit in a first direction toward the earth formation for obtaining the sidewall core and to move the rotary coring bit in a second direction away from the earth formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Borislav Tchakarov, Bahadur Sagoo, Quan Phan, David Ashcraft
  • Method of drilling using pulsed electric drilling
    Patent number: 7530406
    Abstract: The present invention provides for pulsed powered drilling apparatuses and methods. A drilling apparatus is provided comprising a bit having one or more sets of electrodes through which a pulsed voltage is passed through a mineral substrate to create a crushing or drilling action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Tetra Corporation
    Inventors: William M. Moeny, Gilman Hill
  • Portable electrocrushing drill
    Patent number: 7527108
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable, electrocrushing drilling apparatus and method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Tetra Corporation
    Inventor: William M. Moeny
  • Power and/or data connection in a downhole component
    Patent number: 7527105
    Abstract: A downhole component of a tool string, having a first and a second end intermediate a tubular body. First and second collars are mounted to the inner surface of the component at the first and second ends respectively. Each collar has an electrical conductor secured to the collar. The first collar has a bearing surface adapted to slide with respect to the inner surface of the component and the second collar is rotationally fixed to the inner surface of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Scott Dahlgren, Johnathan Marshall, Tyson J. Wilde
  • Cooling apparatus and method
    Patent number: 7527101
    Abstract: A device and method provide for cooling of a system having an energy source, one or more devices that actively consume energy, and one or more devices that generate heat. The device may include one or more thermoelectric coolers (“TECs”) in conductive engagement with at least one of the heat-generating devices, and an energy diverter for diverting at least a portion of the energy from the energy source that is not consumed by the active energy-consuming devices to the TECs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: James C. Mayes
  • Configurable wellbore zone isolation system and related systems
    Patent number: 7516791
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing zonal isolation in a wellbore includes a plurality of interlocking sealing elements having anchor elements at the opposing ends. Each anchor element sealingly engages a wellbore tubular whereas the interlocking sealing elements do not engage any portion of wellbore therebetween. In one exemplary application utilizes a wellhead and lubricator positioned over a wellbore under pressure and a conveyance device for conveying equipment into the wellhead. The first anchor, the second anchor and the plurality of interlocking sealing elements are separately conveyed into the wellbore with the conveyance device and sequentially assembled in the wellbore to provide zonal isolation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Owen Oil Tools, LP
    Inventors: Rickey C. Bryant, Jim L. Carr, Timothy Edward LaGrange, Kurt J. Schneidmiller, James M. Sloan, Troy D. Vass, Mitch W. Whitman
  • Piston pump assembly with flexible riser pipe
    Patent number: 7516796
    Abstract: A pump for pumping liquid from a well having a continuous flexible riser pipe that does not have a coil memory and a flexible actuating rod disposed within the flexible riser pipe. A piston valve unit is disposed at one end of the riser pipe and drivably connected to the actuating, the piston valve unit having an outer diameter that is greater than the inner diameter of the continuous riser pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Blackhawk Environmental Co.
    Inventor: Mark Bertane
  • Apparatus and methods for operating a tool in a wellbore
    Patent number: 7513305
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and a method for conveying and operating tools into a wellbore. In one aspect, a method of performing a downhole operation in a wellbore is provided. The method includes pushing a continuous rod into the wellbore, wherein the continuous rod includes a member disposed therein. The method further includes positioning the continuous rod proximate at a predetermined location in the wellbore and performing the downhole operation. In yet another aspect, a system for performing a downhole operation in a wellbore is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Wilson, David M. Haugen, Frederick T. Tilton, John Douglas Roberts, Ronald B. Collins, John David, David Nuth, David G. Hosie, Ronald E. Bothner, Michael Nero
  • Wellbore cleanup tool
    Patent number: 7513303
    Abstract: A wellbore cleanup tool features a flow diverter that comprises a series of bristles mounted on a sleeve that slides on a spiral track on a mandrel. For run in the sleeve is in an upper position with respect to the mandrel and allows flow around the outside of the screen and through passages defined between the sleeve and the mandrel. When coming out of the hole, the sleeve shifts down and the bristles block flow through themselves so as to direct the debris laden fluid under the sleeve that now rests on top of the screen. The defined flow path is under the sleeve and behind the screen leaving the debris trapped and allowing the fluid to pass through the screen without the debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: BAker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Gregory L. Hern
  • Packers and methods of use
    Patent number: 7510015
    Abstract: Expandable packers and methods of using same are described. The expandable packers include an anti-extrusion layer comprising a fibrous layer having a first surface adjacent an outer surface of an inner expandable elastomeric member, and a cable layer adjacent the fibrous layer, the cable layer comprising a plurality of stacked unidirectional layers of cables. The cable layer is adapted to form a barrier substantially devoid of gaps through which the inner elastomer member would otherwise extrude into upon expansion of the inner elastomeric member. This abstract allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Pierre-Yves Corre, Philippe Hocquet, Stephane Metayer
  • Method and apparatus for decreasing drag force of trigger mechanism
    Patent number: 7510008
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for decreasing drag force in a mechanism for releasing a mandrel is provided. The mandrel is released by a collet, which is controlled by a trigger sleeve. Most of the axial force on the collet is relieved, thereby decreasing the frictional force exerted by the collet on the mandrel after it is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventor: Robert W. Evans
  • Convertible seal
    Patent number: 7510018
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing a wellbore is described herein. A convertible seal includes a sealing element and a valve. The sealing element is in fluid communication with the valve and fluidly blocks a bore of the convertible seal. The sealing element prevents fluid from flowing through the bore until desired. When desired, the sealing element is removed to allow fluid to flow through the bore. Fluid flow in the bore is controlled by the valve. As a result, the convertible seal has been converted to a flow control seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott E. Williamson, John W. McKeachnie
  • Drill bit assembly for directional drilling
    Patent number: 7506701
    Abstract: In one aspect of the invention a drill bit assembly has a body portion intermediate a shank portion and a working portion, the working portion having at least one cutting element. A shaft is supported by the body portion and extends beyond the working portion. The shaft also has a distal end that is rotationally isolated from the body portion. In another aspect of the invention, a method for steering a downhole tool string has the following steps: providing a drill bit assembly attached to an end of the tool string disposed within a bore hole; providing a shaft extending beyond a working portion of the assembly; engaging a subterranean formation with a distal end of the shaft; and angling the drill bit assembly with the shaft along a desired drilling trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Francis E. Leany, Scott Dahlgren, David Lundgreen, Daryl N. Wise
  • Retaining element for a jack element
    Patent number: 7506706
    Abstract: A drill bit having a bit body intermediate a shank and a working face having at least one cutting insert. A bore is formed in the working face co-axial within an axis of rotation of the drill bit. A jack element is retained within the bore by a retaining element that intrudes a diameter of the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Francis Leany, Joe Fox, Tyson J. Wilde, Boyd Black
  • Rotary valve for steering a drill string
    Patent number: 7503405
    Abstract: In one aspect of the invention a drill string has a rotary valve disposed within its bore. The valve has a first disc attached to a driving mechanism and a second disc axially aligned with and contacting the first disc along a flat surface. Each disc has a port adapted to align with each other periodically when the discs rotate relative to one another. The aligned ports are adapted to direct fluid to at least one nozzle disposed in a working face of a drill bit of the drill string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Tyson J. Wilde, Carla Hedengren
  • Single line control module for well tool actuation
    Patent number: 7503385
    Abstract: A single line control module for well tool actuation. A well tool control system includes an actuator, a control module for controlling pressure applied to the actuator, and a single line extending between the control module and a remote location, elevated pressure being applied to the line and exhausted from the line at the remote location to operate the actuator. Another well tool control system includes an actuator having first and second chambers, a line for applying elevated pressure to the actuator to operate the actuator, and a control module including an accumulator, and a valve. The valve has a first position in which the line is connected to the first chamber and the accumulator is connected to the second chamber, and a second position in which the line is connected to the second chamber and the accumulator is connected to the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Welldynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy R. Tips, Robert Gissler
  • Well operations systems
    Patent number: 7500524
    Abstract: A wellhead has, instead of a conventional Christmas tree, a spool tree (34) in which a tubing hanger (54) is landed at a predetermined angular orientation. As the tubing string can be pulled without disturbing the tree, many advantages follow, including access to the production casing hanger (21) for monitoring production casing annulus pressure, and the introduction of larger tools into the well hole without breaching the integrity of the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Hans Paul Hopper, Thomas G. Cassity
  • Jack element adapted to rotate independent of a drill bit
    Patent number: 7497279
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention a downhole tool string has a rotor secured within a bore and connected to a jack element that is substantially coaxial with the rotor. A portion of the jack element extends out of an opening formed in a working face of a drill bit located at the bottom of the drill string. The jack element is adapted to rotate independent of the drill bit when the rotor and drill bit are in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Jim Shumway