Patents Examined by Richard Alker
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Patent number: 8424611Abstract: A downhole valve has a closure device (e.g., one or more flappers) for closing off the valve. A no-go actuation mechanism protects the flappers from damage. When the flappers are closed, the mechanism prevents a tool from passing into the valve and causing damage to the flappers. Yet, the mechanism may open the valve's flappers when the tool string is forced into the valve. When the valve has successfully opened, then the mechanism moves out of the way of the toolstring so it can pass through the valve. For the mechanically operated valves, operators use a shifting profile in the valve only in the upward direction to return the valve to the closed position. For hydraulic actuated valves, hydraulic pressure may be used or exhausted, depending on the design, to allow the flappers to go closed. Once the flappers have closed, the no-go mechanism is once again realized.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2009Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Roddie R. Smith, Michael J. Foster, Eric Johnson
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Patent number: 8408336Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a downhole drill string assembly comprises a bore there through to receive drilling fluid. A turbine may be disposed within the bore and exposed to the drilling fluid. At least one flow guide may be disposed within the bore and exposed to the drilling fluid wherein the flow guide acts to redirect the flow of the drilling fluid across the turbine. The flow guide may be adjusted by an actuator. Adjustments to the flow guide may be controlled by a downhole telemetry system, a processing unit, a control loop, or any combination thereof. In various embodiments the turbine may comprise rotatable turbine blades.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2009Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: David R. Hall, Scott Dahlgren, Paula Turner, Christopher Durrand, Jonathan Marshall
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Patent number: 8403039Abstract: A system and method for accessing an annulus within a wellhead assembly while the annulus is pressurized. The system includes a tubular body with an attached valve assembly and adapter. The adapter to the wellhead assembly with a sealed annular fitting. The body houses a selectively extendable plunger assembly rotatable by an attached motor. A bit or milling device is provided on the end of the plunger assembly, so that selectively extending the plunger assembly through the valve assembly and adapter contacts the bit against the wellhead assembly. An opening is formed through the wellhead assembly with the rotating bit allowing access to the annulus.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2010Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.Inventors: James J. Howell, David Daniel Comeaux, Richard Porteous, Mariusz Karp
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Patent number: 8397804Abstract: An expandable device comprising a plurality of expandable cells. The cells may be bistable cells or other types of cells that are expanded from a contracted position towards an expanded position. Additionally, the cells may be combined with locking mechanisms to hold the structure in an expanded position.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2012Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Barrie Hart, Craig D. Johnson, L. McD Schetky, Peter Besselink
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Patent number: 8397808Abstract: A jet pump body comprises nozzle and mixing chamber with diffuser, coaxially arranged, and a stepped through channel, tapers downward and provided with a seat between steps. The channel is made coaxially with a pipe string. Channels provided with return valve and restrictor for limiting locking member displacement of the return valve upward respective to the seat. A hollow stepped sealing unit with sealing element can be arranged in the through channel. An axial channel is made in the sealing element. A guiding separation bushing cantilever fitted by the top end thereof to the top part of the body of the pump mounts above the channel axially thereto in the pump body. Longitudinal slotted orifices are made in the separation bushing wall.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2008Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Inventor: Zinoviy Dmitrievich Khomynets
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Patent number: 8397838Abstract: A bore hole rotary reamer includes a body having cutters rotatably mounted by one or more respective spindles. A bearing region is formed on the spindle. At least one annular seal prevents ingress of contaminant to the bearing region. A circumferential void is formed adjacent the seal. At least one passageway extends in an axial direction of the spindle to the circumferential void and a piston movable in the passageway in response to supply of pressure to an outer side of the piston from the environment which surrounds the reamer. The piston transfers pressure to fluid in the cylindrical passage on an inner side of the piston to supply pressure to the circumferential void and thereby to the seal. The pressure is substantially determined by the pressure of the environment surrounding the reamer.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2010Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Gearhart United Pty LtdInventor: Terry Michael McManus
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Patent number: 8381809Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide a packer for use within a conduit, such as casing, having a non-extrusion ring. The non-extrusion ring is comprised of hard segments and an elastic matrix.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2012Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Inventor: Max White
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Patent number: 8381820Abstract: An in-well ESP string that can be installed or retrieved with a wireline instead of a rig. The ESP is combined with a motor and a hydraulic valve to pump formation fluid from a well to the surface. A wet connector is used to facilitate electrical and hydraulic connections. The ESP system is disposed within a tubing string located within the casing of a well. The hydraulic valve controls the flow of formation fluid to the ESP, opening to allow formation fluid to flow to the ESP, and closing to shut off production. When the valve is closed, the ESP may be cleaned with brine introduced via a flow port in the valve. This cleaning operation allows the ESP string to be to retrieved in an environmentally friendly manner. In addition, the wireline installation and retrieval is significantly less costly and less complicated than currently possible with a rig.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2010Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventor: Ignacio Martinez
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Patent number: 8376057Abstract: A wellhead assembly including a wellhead housing. The wellhead housing comprises a throughbore having a recessed sealing area and a tubing hanger positioned in the throughbore. A seal is positioned between the wellhead housing and the tubing hanger, the seal being positioned so as to form a gap between the seal and the wellhead housing. The wellhead assembly can further include a seal energizer capable of moving relative to the seal in a manner that forces the seal against the wellhead housing to bridge the gap. A method of installing a tubing hanger into a throughbore of a wellhead housing is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2009Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Aker Subsea Inc.Inventors: Andy Dyson, Charles Li, Oystein Mogedal, Paulo Cezar Silva Paulo, Nick Newlands
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Patent number: 8376040Abstract: A cutting device and a method for emergency cutting of a line in a well are disclosed. The cutting device includes a tapering guide including a narrow end portion and a wide end portion for feed-through of the line, the narrow end portion being placed, when in its position of use, at a lower position than that of the wide end portion; at least one sliding block arranged axially movable within the tapering guide; at least one cutting knife connected to the sliding block and directed inwards in the tapering guide; at least one releasable holding mechanism for standby holding of the at least one sliding block at the wide end portion of the guide, and for releasing the at least one sliding block in connection with emergency cutting of the line. Upon release, the at least one sliding block will move downward in the direction of the narrow end portion of the guide where it will force its at least one cutting knife with increasing force against the line until it is cut off.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2008Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Smart Installations ASInventors: Petter Birkeland, Oyvind Koldal
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Patent number: 8360148Abstract: Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to measure gas reservoir formation pressures are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes positioning a downhole bubble sensor in a wellbore formed in a geological gas reservoir formation, trapping a fluid in a portion of the wellbore including the bubble sensor, pressurizing the trapped fluid, reducing pressurization of the fluid until the bubble sensor detects one or more bubbles in the fluid, recording a pressure of the fluid when the bubble sensor detects the one or more bubbles, and determining a formation pressure of the gas reservoir from the recorded pressure.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2009Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Keith Atwood, Bobby Poe, Casey R. Chadwick, Rajgopal V. Malpani, Edward C. Boratko
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Patent number: 8360147Abstract: A location-and-rotation feedback tool that provides accurate feedback of the location and orientation of a well component during running operations in wells. The feedback tool device is adapted to be secured on a tool stem above a running tool and comprises a body, a circumferentially extending groove, and a hole in the groove that vents to the bore of a blowout preventer. The circumferential groove aligns with a fluid line port in the blowout preventer to provide location feedback via a fluid line pressure. The hole aligns with the fluid line port in the blowout preventer to provide rotation feedback via fluid line pressure.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2009Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Vetco Gray Inc.Inventors: David L. Ford, Johnny E. Jurena
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Patent number: 8347972Abstract: An improved multi-bolt and nut torque wrench for installing and removing bolts or nuts from flanged joints or the like which includes a plurality of torque stations having a plurality of high torque wrenches for engaging the heads of the bolts or nuts during a high torque phase of removal or installation; a plurality of low-torque motors operatively engaged with the wrenches for rotating the bolts or nuts during the low torque phase of removal or installation; a source of hydraulic fluid for driving the low-torque motors during the low-torque phase, and driving the high-torque wrenches during the high torque phase; and a mechanism for switching between the two phases depending on the torque needed.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2012Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Francis Services, Inc.Inventors: Dale Francis, Nicholas Francis, William P. Bernard, Oswald J. Bernard, Lan Hiscox, Brian Compton, Arthur Jones
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Patent number: 8342239Abstract: A swellable downhole packer (10) is provided for positioning downhole in a well to seal with the interior surface of a borehole or the interior surface of a downhole tubular. The packer includes a swellable elastomeric sleeve-shaped body (14) positioned over a mandrel (12) for swelling, and a rigid end ring (16,18). An elastomeric anti-extrusion member (20) is spaced axially between the sleeve-shaped body and the rigid end ring, and has a radial thickness adjacent the end ring greater than the radial thickness adjacent the sleeve-shaped body. A swellable elastomeric member (32) is spaced radially between the exterior surface of the mandrel and the elastomeric anti-extrusion member.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2012Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: TAM International, Inc.Inventor: Andrew Kutac
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Patent number: 8342263Abstract: A mobile drill rig has a drill mast, a carriage mounted to the drill mast for vertical movement, and a vibratory drill head having a sine generator and a rotation mechanism for imparting vibration and rotation to a drill rod string. An elastomeric torsion coupler couples the rotation mechanism to the sine generator to transmit rotational force to the drill rod string while isolating vibrations of the sine generator from the rotation mechanism. Another coupler connects the drill head to the carriage in a manner that allows floating vertical movement of the drill head relative to the carriage while isolating vibrations of the sine generator from the carriage. Elastomeric bumpers limit the vertical movement of the drill head relative to the carriage. Elastomeric spacers located between the rotation mechanism and the sine generator handle the vertical loading and maintain the proper spacing between the sine generator and the rotation mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2009Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Kejr, Inc.Inventors: Brent Kejr, Ryan Kejr
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Patent number: 8316942Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for cooling an electrical submersible pump. More specifically, the invention relates to blocking a portion of wellbore fluid from entering a sump, thereby causing the pump to draw fluid from below the pump motor past the exterior of the pump motor toward a pump inlet.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2009Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Donn J. Brown, B. L. Wilson
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Patent number: 8316965Abstract: Drilling tool (1) for drilling a well downhole where fluid is surrounding the tool and where the tool has a housing (15) and is connected to an electrical conducting means, such as a wireline. The drilling tool has a drilling head (2) and a fluid cleaner (3) for removal of elements, such as debris and formation pieces, from the fluid while drilling downhole. The fluid cleaner has a chamber (4) and a filter (5) within the chamber for separation of the elements from the fluid. The tool further comprises a pump (8) for pumping the fluid into the chamber through an inlet (11) in the drilling head (2) and through the filter before entering the well again. Furthermore, the tool comprises a driving unit for driving the pump and the drilling head.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2008Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Welltec A/SInventors: Jørgen Hallundbaek, Thomas Sune Andersen
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Patent number: 8312938Abstract: A method and device for installing a tube of a geothermal closed loop system in the ground. A drill rod includes a hook for removably mounting the heat exchange tube for positioning the tube in the hole bored in the ground by the drill bit. The tube may be inserted into the bored hole once the drill is removed therefrom, mounted to the tube and then reinserted into the hole. Alternatively, the tube is mounted to the drill rod as the hole is being bored.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2011Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Williams Comfort Air, Inc.Inventors: Terry R. Biggs, Joseph A. Huck
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Patent number: 8302687Abstract: Earth formations are characterized by using an array of electrodes which can measure streaming potentials in the formation, and by interpreting the data obtained by the electrodes. The electrodes are placed on a wireline tool, a LWD tool, or in a fixed manner about a completed wellbore. The measured streaming potentials are generated by drilling with an overbearing pressure, slitting the mudcake in a borehole, acid injection, or any of various other manners which causes fluid movement. The data obtained is interpreted to locate fractures, measure formation permeability, estimate formation pressure, monitor drilling fluid loss, detect abnormal pressure, etc. Particularly, a streaming potential voltage transient having a double peak profile signifies the presence of a formation fracture.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2009Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Min-Yi Chen, Bhavani Raghuraman, Ian Bryant, Michael G. Supp, Jose Navarro
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Patent number: 8297365Abstract: A back-off sub apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a connection connecting a rotational section and a non-rotational section. The rotational section is designed to be rotated via a ball dropped into the well under sufficient pressure to cause the rotational section to rotate relative to the non-rotational section supplying a controlled and sufficient torque to the connection to break the connection. The connection then is unthreaded by normal surface action. The disconnected or upper section of the apparatus and the drill string section associated with it can be withdrawn from the well leaving the lower portion and the drill string section associated with it in the well.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2007Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Vortexx Research, LtdInventor: Norval Roland Dove