Patents Examined by William P. Neuder
  • Patent number: 9476268
    Abstract: A pipe handler for assembling and deploying a string of threaded tubulars into a wellbore includes a pair of compensating bails and an elevator pivotally connected to the compensating bails. Each compensating bail includes: a first bail segment; a second bail segment; and a compensator connecting the respective first and second bail segments. Each compensator includes a load cylinder connected to the respective first bail segment and a linear actuator disposed in the respective load cylinder and operable to retract the respective second bail segment from a hoisting position to a ready position. Each second bail segment is engaged with the respective load cylinder in the hoisting position. The compensating bails are capable of supporting string weight in the hoisting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Brittan S. Pratt, Karsten Heidecke
  • Patent number: 9476285
    Abstract: A downhole tool for use in a multilateral wellbore includes a guide member on one end that selectively projects into a designated wellbore, where the designated wellbore can be a motherbore or a lateral wellbore. Pistons are set radially in a body of the tool that selectively push against an end of the guide member to pivot it into a designated orientation to guide the tool into the designated wellbore. The pistons are hydraulically actuated when probes that are on sides of the tool body extend outward into contact with a lateral wellbore. The probes block hydraulic flow when retracted, but when deployed outward they allow fluid communication to push the pistons against the guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Shaohua Zhou
  • Patent number: 9470061
    Abstract: Device, system, and method to adhesively bond a sleeve to a mandrel are disclosed. The sleeve and the mandrel may be used as part of frac plug or a bridge plug in oil and gas applications. The bonded adhesive connection with grooves is strengthened to reliably achieve higher levels of lap shear strengths than attainable by conventional means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: CCDI Composites Inc.
    Inventor: Rob Sjostedt
  • Patent number: 9470055
    Abstract: A technique employs the use of oscillations downhole to facilitate a desired functionality of a downhole tool. According to this technique, a tool is initially conveyed downhole and operated to perform a function that relates to a downhole application. The operational efficiency of the tool is improved by creating oscillating forces which vibrate the tool to achieve a desired result, e.g. freeing the tool from a stuck position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Edward Harrigan, Jahir Pabon, K. N. Satish Kumar, Sashank Vasireddy, Murat Ocalan, Shunfeng Zheng
  • Patent number: 9464496
    Abstract: A packoff device is disclosed for sealing an annulus within a wellbore, and for bypassing the sealed annulus. The packoff device may include a mandrel having a bore formed axially therethrough and first and second ports extending radially from the bore. A sealing element that extends radially-outwardly from the mandrel may be positioned axially between the first and second ports, and may create a seal within an annulus between the mandrel and a casing, to isolate a portion of the annulus above the sealing element from a portion below the sealing element. A sleeve within the bore may, with the mandrel, form a channel providing fluid communication between the first and second ports. The sleeve may be movable between open and closed states. The first and second ports may be unobstructed by the sleeve in the open state, one or more may be obstructed in the closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy M. O'Rourke, Jonathan Park
  • Patent number: 9464480
    Abstract: A motor includes: a rotor including an undulated surface; a rod disposed about the rotor; and a coil disposed about the rod to induce shape changes in the rod, which in turn impart forces to the undulated surface to rotate the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Thomas Hay
  • Patent number: 9458682
    Abstract: A coiled tubing injector comprises a drive system for independently driving a plurality of chains independently but otherwise retarding relative motion between the driven chains when a chain begins to slip uncontrollably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: David W. McCulloch, Timothy S. Steffenhagen, William B. White, William G. Stewart
  • Patent number: 9458684
    Abstract: A petroleum well injection system is provided for an intervention cable with a well tool ran into or out of a well during a well operation. The system includes a blow out valve BOP connected to a well head at a well, a lock chamber at the BOP arranged to contain the well tool before and after the well operation, an injector for the intervention cable, with drive belts driven by an electric motor, and a sensor for measuring the injector force or the tension that the drive belts applies to the intervention cable, a guide arch at the injector, wherein the intervention cable runs taut over the guide arch to a first end of the closed bending restrictor channels, a guide arch load cell arranged to measure the backward tension between an intervention cable the first end of the bending restrictor channel, and wherein the other end of the bending restrictor channel is connected to a drum frame with a motor running a drum for the intervention cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: C6 TECHNOLOGIES AS
    Inventors: Kenny Armstrong, Tore Aarsland
  • Patent number: 9453403
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method to establish communication between the inner cavity of a drill string and the surrounding material down in a drill hole (60) during the use of a down-the-hole drill unit with a drill string (10), a down-the-hole hammer drill (1), and a source of pressurized medium (11) that delivers a medium under pressure to the down-the-hole hammer drill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: LKAB WASSARA AB
    Inventor: Magnus Hörman
  • Patent number: 9453405
    Abstract: Generally, the present disclosure is directed to noise isolation tools that may be used to minimize or even eliminate the detrimental effects that rogue noise events may have on the noise data acquired by a noise logging tool during a noise logging operation. In one illustrative embodiment, a noise isolation tool that is adapted to be used in a noise logging operation is disclosed, the noise isolation tool including, among other things, a body and at least one noise suppression element mounted on the body, the at least one noise suppression element having a substantially circular disc shaped configuration that is adapted to extend radially across at least a portion of a width of an annular space between the body and an inside surface of a wellbore casing during the noise logging operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Jude Reid
  • Patent number: 9453397
    Abstract: A dual barrier side pocket mandrel with gauge includes a gas lift barrier valve mandrel with permanent sensors and at least two pockets for accepting gas lift barrier valves, wherein the pockets are connected via a port. The mandrel also includes a production conduit along a central longitudinal axis. The mandrel is encompassed by a casing on the inside of a well. The permanent sensors can monitor a pressure or a temperature in the casing, production conduit, and port to determine the status of the individual gas lift barrier valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Dowling, Niek Dijkstra
  • Patent number: 9453372
    Abstract: A fluid-actuated directional percussive impact tool includes a back head for connection to a pressurized fluid source and a tool casing housing a drill bit longitudinally movable with respect thereto. The drill bit has a central axis extending longitudinally therethrough. A sonde housing is coupled between the back head and the tool casing and has a sonde disposed therein. The sonde housing has a central axis extending longitudinally therethrough. A bent sub is integrally formed with the sonde housing and connects the sonde housing to the tool casing such that the central axis of the drill bit intersects the central axis of the sonde housing at a non-zero angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: EASTERN DRILLER MANUFACTURING CO., INC.
    Inventors: Timothy Stump, Antonio Castrero, William Michael Mulligan
  • Patent number: 9441441
    Abstract: A wellsite connector apparatus and related method. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes connecting a base plate to a first member via a first weld-less connection, the first member defining a first fluid passageway and being adapted to be connected to a first wellsite component; connecting a flange to a second member via a second weld-less connection, the second member defining a second fluid passageway and being adapted to be connected to a second wellsite component; and connecting the flange to the base plate via a third weld-less connection; wherein the first, second, and third weld-less connections are configured so that: the first and second fluid passageways are co-axial; and the first and second wellsite components are in fluid communication with each other, via at least the first and second fluid passageways, when the first and second members are connected to the first and second wellsite components, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: TECH ENERGY PRODUCTS, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Barton Hickie
  • Patent number: 9441439
    Abstract: A technique facilitates cutting of a conveyance or other member passing through a tubular system, such as a landing string and/or a subsea test tree. The technique utilizes a pair of cutter blades pivotably coupled together at a pivot which may be located adjacent a pair of cutting edges. The pair of cutter blades is located in a body which has a passage sized to enable movement of certain tools and conveyances therethrough. The pair of cutter blades is connected to a piston actuated mechanism which may be selectively actuated to move the cutting edges toward each other and across the passage extending through the body. When the cutter blades are in an open position, the tools and/or conveyance may be moved through the cutter body along the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: David Carter Allensworth
  • Patent number: 9441468
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for a hydraulic jet pump housing system for selective positioning of a slidable, ported inner sleeve using wireline shifting tools in a downhole condition which allows flow between the annulus and tubing string through the ported outer sleeve housing and ported inner sleeve when in the open position. When the ported inner sleeve is in the closed position, the annulus and tubing string are isolated from each other. The open position permits normal functioning of a hydraulic jet pump when seated in a standing valve in the same manner as a conventional hydraulic jet pump cavity assembly. The hydraulic jet pump can be extracted and inner sleeve shifted closed without using a blanking tool so that annular fluids are prevented from flowing into the production formation through the tubing string when the standing valve is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Inventor: Barry E Pryor
  • Patent number: 9435168
    Abstract: A downhole activation assembly for activating a downhole component of a downhole tool positionable in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation. The activation assembly includes a housing operatively connectable to the downhole tool, a spring-loaded sleeve, and a ball catcher. The sleeve slidably positionable in the housing, and having a flow channel therethrough and an outer surface defining a chamber between the sleeve and the housing. The sleeve having inlets therethrough about a sleeve end thereof to permit fluid from the flow channel to pass therethrough. The ball catcher slidably positionable in the housing, and having a catcher end engageable with the sleeve end to selectively divert the fluid thereabout and a ball seat therein to receivingly engage a ball passing through the sleeve whereby the ball catcher selectively moves the downhole component between activation positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: National Oilwell DHT, L.P.
    Inventor: Khoi Trinh
  • Patent number: 9435171
    Abstract: A remediation packer assembly including an inlet pipe defining a plurality of radially-oriented inlets and attached at opposing ends to stinger pipes with wrap sleeves positioned thereon. The assembly may be inserted into a monitoring pipe and inserted into a substrate, for example a well, for the collection of free product in a fluid or unsaturated environment. For example, the remediation assembly is inserted into the well until the collection zone as defined by the wrap sleeves is in planar orientation with the free product, and in the case of vacuum remediation, the free product is removed from the fluid column and brought to the surface where it may be processed and removed. A method of remediating the substrate is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Inventor: Jason B. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9435193
    Abstract: Generally, a sonde, associated components and methods are described which can be used in conjunction with an inground tool having an inground tool housing that defines an inground tool cavity such that the inground tool cavity is exposed to an ambient pressure environment which surrounds the inground tool during an inground operation. A sonde housing assembly includes an exterior configuration that is receivable within the inground tool cavity. The sonde housing assembly at least partially defines a sonde interior and is further configured for receiving the pressure sensor body of a pressure sensor in a pressure sealed engagement. A sonde electronics package is supported within the sonde interior and is at least configured to receive the pressure signal and transfer a corresponding pressure signal from the sonde.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Merlin Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert W. Chau, Dmitry Feldman, Benjamin John Medeiros
  • Patent number: 9428822
    Abstract: Binder compositions for use in forming a bit body of an earth-boring bit include at least one of cobalt, nickel, and iron, and at least one melting point-reducing constituent selected from at least one of a transition metal carbide up to 60 weight percent, a transition metal boride up to 60 weight percent, and a transition metal silicide up to 60 weight percent, wherein the weight percentages are based on the total weight of the binder. Earth-boring bit bodies include a cemented tungsten carbide material comprising tungsten carbide and a metallic binder, wherein the tungsten carbide comprises greater than 75 volume percent of the cemented tungsten carbide material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignees: Baker Hughes Incorporated, TDY Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Prakash K. Mirchandani, Jimmy W. Eason, James J. Oakes, James C. Westhoff, Gabriel B. Collins
  • Patent number: 9428992
    Abstract: A ball seat valve employed in a downhole tool string includes a split-ring baffle that is configured to radially expand and to radially contract to catch a dropped ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew James Merron