Patents Examined by William P. Neuder
  • Patent number: 9187967
    Abstract: A bi-directional fluid safety valve for preventing spillage when filling tanks, vessels, fill lines, and or hoses for transportation of fluids in pipelines or tubulars with a tubular body with an external body and an internal bore having a fluid flow path from a first end to a second end, the first and second members concentrically disposed and moveable along a longitudinal axis within the tubular body; with means such as springs to longitudinally bias the first member toward the second member and means to longitudinally bias said second member toward said first member. Also provided are embodiments for connection of the tubular body to alternative connection systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: 2M-TEK, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard McIntosh, Toby Scott Baudoin
  • Patent number: 9187956
    Abstract: A method, device, and system is described herein for pointing a rotary drill bit. A rotary bit pointing device is positioned between a proximal end of a control shaft and a universal joint. As the bottom hole assembly rotates, various portions of the rotary bit pointing device are enabled and subsequently disabled to apply a substantially constant force in a substantially constant direction to the control shaft. Such a force causes the distal end of the control shaft to point the rotary drill bit in a target direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Inventors: Richard Hutton, Jeff Rutland
  • Patent number: 9181996
    Abstract: A backspin reducing device for reducing an amount or a rate of backspin of a rod string when lifting the rotor apart from the stator of an oil or gas downhole progressive cavity pump. The backspin reducing device includes a substantially cylindrical housing having one or more threaded pin receptacles holding respective threaded pins in threaded engagement around a polished rod portion of the rod string of the progressive cavity pump. Turning threaded pins in their respective threaded pin receptacles causes the interior ends of the threaded pins to move towards or away from the polished rod in the center of the housing. Attached to the interior end of each threaded pin is a friction roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Titus Tools Inc.
    Inventors: Tracy Earl Klotz, Dwayne Darryl Commandeur, Frank Jesse Lay
  • Patent number: 9181763
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating running or pulling tubulars from a well bore whereby the functions of a surface mounted traditional spider/elevator are replaced by an FMS which may also be remotely controlled. The FMS comprises a main body consisting of upper and lower plates assembled in a bolted and welded configuration, a slip assembly each said slip assembly comprising a slip back, a slip, one or more die inserts, a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder and multiple sized die blocks to conform to the tubular OCTG diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: 2M TEK, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard McIntosh, Toby Scott Baudoin
  • Patent number: 9175519
    Abstract: A method for coupling an earth pipe into the ground when utilizing an apparatus that has a drilling device including a casing part and a drilling unit inside thereof. The drilling unit includes a first drilling member for drilling a center hole and a second drilling member for reaming the center hole for the casing part. The casing part is arranged to be drawn into the hole by the first and/or second drilling member. After drilling a hole for the earth pipe and lifting up the first drilling member, a solidifying mass is led to the bottom of the hole to couple the earth pipe to the surrounding ground. The solidifying mass is brought in the casing part utilizing a flow-through assembly at a lower end of the casing part into a space between an outer surface of the casing part and the hole. Also an apparatus operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Oy Atlas Copco Rotex Ab
    Inventor: Kai Gylling
  • Patent number: 9175536
    Abstract: An open-ended pipe engagement device with a saddle portion that attaches around an open pipe, a structural platform comprising a tapering plug, support bars to prevent dislodgement of the device and threaded rods to winch the platform and plug onto the pipe end to be sealed. The device provides a means to safely cap and plug a leaking pipe end and allow the pipe to resume normal activity thereafter. The saddle portion provides a structural a base from which the plug and associated platform are positioned and winched into place, counteracting any fluid pressure exiting the leaking pipe. The plug comprises a tapering and conforming structure with a centrally located through hole for which to direct fluid as the platform is lowered and once the plug is engaged. Above the plug and through the platform is a section of pipe for which to direct the leaking fluid after the apparatus has been secured to the end of the pipe, effectively controlling the leak and allowing normal operation of the well to resume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Inventor: Francis Walls
  • Patent number: 9175556
    Abstract: Fracturing headers and connected conduits are fit with one or more fluid screening and wear minimizing inserts. Tubular screen inserts are provided to screen a flow of fracturing fluid through manifolds prior to, or at, the fracturing header. Each tubular screen insert has a tubular wall having an insert bore, an endwall and an open inlet. A plurality of openings, about the tubular wall, provide fluid communication between the bore and an annular area outside the wall. Oriented in a flow conduit with the closed endwall upstream, the insert excludes and sheds debris therefrom. Oriented with the closed endwall downstream, the insert receives and stores debris. Pairs of inserts, retained in opposing inlet ports, serve to screen fluid and deflect erosive flow from tools such as coil tubing extending therethrough. A fracturing block fit with opposing inlet ports can also be fit with an outlet port for flowback operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: ISOLATION EQUIPMENT SERVICES INC
    Inventors: Boris (Bruce) P. Cherewyk, Edward Gerald St. George
  • Patent number: 9169718
    Abstract: A nozzle assembly including a nozzle. The nozzle has an elongated body. The elongated body has a nozzle end at one end and a connection portion at another end. A joint section is connected with the connection portion. The joint section allows the nozzle to move axially and radially when an axial force is applied to the nozzle end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Jensen
  • Patent number: 9169706
    Abstract: A proppant collection system for a hydraulic fracturing well site, the well site having one or more proppant handling apparatuses and a closed proppant storage device. The system includes a dust capture system having a hatch in the one or more proppant storage devices, a dust collection cap on the hatch, and a conduit attached to each dust collection cap for receiving dust that enters the dust collection cap from the proppant storage device through the hatch. A central vacuum unit is attached to the conduits of the dust capture system, the central vacuum unit including a slurry tank for receiving dust that is collected by the dust capture system. The slurry tank is adapted to aggregate the dust collected from the proppant storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Inventor: Belo Kellam, III
  • Patent number: 9169702
    Abstract: Certain embodiments include a system having a first grip configured to couple to a first tubular, a second grip configured to couple to a second tubular, where the first and second tubulars are connected by a threaded connection, and a gear assembly coupling the first and second grips, wherein the gear assembly has a speed ratio greater than 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: TESCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryan Thomas Bowley, Edgar Fernando Yajure
  • Patent number: 9157561
    Abstract: A wet connection system including a first connector configured to connect to a first control line. The first connector including at least one first pathway arranged to fluidly communicate with the first control line, and a biased movable plug movable within the first connector; and, a second connector configured to connect to a second control line. The second connector including a second pathway in fluid communication with the second control line and a biased sleeve movable within the second connector; wherein the first and second connectors are each pressure balanced to prevent internal control line pressure. External borehole pressures from moving the plug and sleeve from their biased positions blocking the respective first and second pathways in the disconnected condition of the wet connection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Carl S. Martin, Marc N. Samuelson, Michael Werries
  • Patent number: 9157287
    Abstract: A technique facilitates conveyance of equipment along a wellbore or other tubular structure. A tractor is provided with a plurality of wheels oriented to engage a surrounding wall. Rotation of the wheels drives the tractor and causes longitudinal movement of the tractor with respect to the surrounding wall via a tangential force created between each wheel and the surrounding wall. Each wheel comprises teeth having a wheel tooth geometry which enhances cooperation with the surrounding wall. For example, the wheel tooth geometry may be designed to cooperate with the tangential force to push debris out of the teeth of each wheel during rotation of the wheel along the surrounding wall. In some applications, the wheel tooth geometry is designed to present a plurality of raised, rounded surfaces which engage the surrounding wall with a low stress impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Slocum, Keith Nelson, Irene Gabler, James Bayless
  • Patent number: 9157718
    Abstract: An interruption sub for a downhole tool the downhole tool activatable by detonation. The interruption sub includes a barrier movable between a biased closed position and an open position. Preventing ballistic transfer to the downhole tool in the closed position and allowing ballistic transfer to the downhole tool in the open position. A detonation path within the interruption sub, wherein the barrier is hydraulically or electronically movable from the closed position to the open position in response to at least one condition acceptable for ballistic transfer. Also included is a downhole tool activatable by detonation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Colby Ross
  • Patent number: 9157289
    Abstract: A hydraulic tubing anchor used in hydrocarbon producing wells has structure which positively contains a live slip within the mandrel of the anchor, thereby preventing the live slip from separating from the tubing anchor and dropping deeper into the well. Structure at the ends of the live slip engage within corresponding grooves of the slip recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: BLACK GOLD PUMP AND SUPPLY, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Bair, Andrew Tillison
  • Patent number: 9151117
    Abstract: A drilling apparatus has a chassis and a feed beam. The feed beam includes a rock drill hammer, a moveable drill string, a rock drill system coupled to the feed beam, a media pressure system coupled to the rock drill system, and a sensor system. The media pressure system includes a high pressure supply path, a low pressure return path, a control valve coupled to the high pressure supply path, at least one accumulator, and a sensor system. The sensor system includes a pressure transducer coupled to the high pressure supply path, the low pressure return path, or the accumulator to supply pressure data, a control unit configured to monitor and compare the pressure data to an acceptable pressure range stored in memory, and a warning apparatus configured to alert the operator of a pressure outside of the predetermined acceptable pressure range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventor: Stuart A. Connell
  • Patent number: 9151122
    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: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: David W. McCulloch, Timothy S. Steffenhagen, William B. White, William G. Stewart
  • Patent number: 9145768
    Abstract: A method for drilling a wellbore includes operating at least one motor coupled within a drill string to turn a drill bit at an end thereof. An automatic drill string rotation controller causes rotation of the drill string in a first direction until a measured parameter related to torque on the drill string reaches a first selected value. The automatic drill string rotation controller causes rotation of the drill string in a second direction until the measured parameter related to torque is reduced to a second selected value. The drill string is axially advanced to cause the drill bit to extend the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Derek Normore, Eric E. Maidla
  • Patent number: 9145764
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and apparatus for reliably communicating a detonation signal and perforating oil and/or gas well casings. Particularly, at least one embodiment includes a pass-through bulkhead connection switch that can reliably withstand high operating temperatures and pressures. Such pass-through bulkhead connection switch can be used in perforating gun assemblies and can eliminate or reduce incidents of failed detonations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: International Strategic Alliance, LC
    Inventors: Robert Lane Burton, Brandon Lane Burton, Thomas Robert Wilenski
  • Patent number: 9138872
    Abstract: A cutting element and a method of making the superabrasive cutter are disclosed. The cutting element has a substrate and a superabrasive layer. The substrate has an inner face and an annular face. The inner face may have a center. The annular face may have a periphery. A superabrasive layer attaches to the substrate along the inner face and the annular face, wherein the inner face slopes outwardly and upwardly from the center at an angle ranging from between about 1° and about 7° from horizontal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Diamond Innovations, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Martin Flood, Joel Vaughn
  • Patent number: 9140086
    Abstract: A downhole apparatus for depositing a tool in a side pocket mandrel is described. The apparatus comprises an apparatus body, a tool holder and a displacement mechanism for connecting the tool holder to the apparatus body. The tool holder is movable between a run-in position, in which the tool holder is adjacent the body, to a displaced position, in which the tool holder is spaced away from the body. As a tool is moved between the run-in position and the displaced position, a tool longitudinal axis remains substantially parallel to an apparatus body longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Wireline Engineering Limited
    Inventor: Robert Neil Hall