Patents Examined by Oleg V Merkoulov
  • Patent number: 8122978
    Abstract: The invention is a drilling device for providing a conically shaped cavity in materials primarily used for anchoring systems. The drilling device is comprised of a solid shank for attachment to a drill, a reverse thread section, and a cutting head. The cutting head includes a cutting tip, clean out flutes, extendable cutting blades mounted within an internal chamber of cutting head body, and means for extending the cutting blades. The extendable cutting blades project from the cutting head body radially when the reverse thread section is driven into the internal chamber of the cutting head. The reverse thread section interacts with the means for extending the cutting blades. This may include a pair of cams that are spring biased outwardly. The cams push against the backsides of the extendable cutting blades for driving them from the cutting head body when the drill device is counter rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Inventor: John Clifford
  • Patent number: 8100199
    Abstract: Fluid circulation valve (10) is provided for use with a well drilling operation, so that a drill joint may be added to or removed from the drill string while continuously circulating fluid into the well. Valve housing (12, 18) has a central flow path therein, a housing side port (87), and upper and lower threaded connectors for engagement with the drill joint and the drill string, respectively. A rotatable ball (30) is positioned within the flow path in the valve housing and a port (87) in the ball is in fluid communication with the housing side port (15) when the ball is closed. A coupling (60) is provided for engaging the valve housing and sealing between an interior of the valve housing and the radially external flow line, which passes fluid into the well when a drill joint is being connecting to the upper end of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventor: Britt O. Braddick
  • Patent number: 8061430
    Abstract: A downhole contraction joint. The downhole contraction joint can include at least one anti-rotation assembly. The anti-rotation assembly can include a first tubular member at least partially disposed within a second tubular member. An axial slot can be formed through at least a portion of the first tubular member, and at least one key can be at least partially disposed within the second tubular member and the axial slot. The downhole contraction joint can also have at least one resetting assembly disposed at a first end of the anti-rotation assembly. The resetting assembly can include a c-ring secured to the second tubular member. The first tubular member can be secured to the lock ring, and the lock ring can be aligned with the c-ring. The downhole contraction joint can also include at least one control line assembly disposed about a portion of the anti-rotation assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Michael H. Du, Claus Endruhn, David Verzwyvelt