Patents by Inventor Brent Ford

Brent Ford has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230121397
    Abstract: A catheter includes an elongate shaft, an electrode assembly, a connective stem, a coupler, a first magnetic position sensor, and a second magnetic position sensor. The electrode assembly includes microelectrodes. The connective stem includes a first connective stem member and a second connective stem member. The connective stem defines a first sensor receptacle and a second sensor receptacle in an exterior surface of the connective stem. The coupler is configured for coupling with the connective stem. The first magnetic position sensor is disposed in the first sensor receptacle and elongated along a first sensor longitudinal axis. The second magnetic position sensor disposed in the second sensor receptacle and elongated along a second sensor longitudinal axis that is not parallel to the first sensor longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Applicant: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew R. Oliverius, Ryan Kenneth Buesseler, John Hong, Jodee Wakefield, Brent Ford
  • Patent number: 11565080
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a catheter tip sized and configured to fit onto a distal end of a catheter shaft, the catheter shaft having a shaft outer diameter. The catheter tip includes a base, a tip having an arcuate shape, an outer surface extending from the base to the tip along a longitudinal axis, the outer surface having a diameter at the base that is substantially equal to the shaft outer diameter, and an inner surface extending from the base, wherein the inner surface defines a first region having a first diameter and a second region having a second diameter, wherein the second diameter is less than the first diameter, and wherein the second region is distal of the first region and configured to receive at least one component extending beyond the distal end of the catheter shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Varun Bansal, Jodee M. Wakefield, Brent Ford, Ryan D. Hendrickson, David J. Kim, Zachary L. Helgeson
  • Patent number: 11540876
    Abstract: An irrigated high density electrode catheter can comprise a catheter shaft. The catheter shaft can include a proximal end and a distal end and can define a catheter shaft longitudinal axis. A flexible tip portion can be located adjacent to the distal end of the catheter shaft. An irrigated coupler can be disposed on the distal end of the catheter shaft and can be configured to discharge fluid over the flexible tip portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical Cardiology Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew R. Oliverius, Ryan Kenneth Buesseler, John Hong, Jodee Wakefield, Brent Ford
  • Patent number: 11187341
    Abstract: A drop-in insert for a valve cage is adapted for use with a subsurface pump. The insert can be positioned in a valve cage housing. The insert includes a cradle, a base, a plurality of angled ribs, and an upper ring. In one embodiment, the insert may also include an extended nose region. Upper ring can abut an interior diameter of the housing, providing a smooth transition for pumped fluid, thereby decreasing turbulent fluid flow and promoting improved fluid flow during pumping operations. The insert can be dropped into position in the housing. Alternatively, the insert can be positioned in the housing by an interference fit or the like. The housing and insert can be part of a valve cage assembly that includes a ball, seat, seat plug, and end cap. The assembly may include an O-ring component which can cushion the insert, thereby prolonging the life of the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Inventor: Michael Brent Ford
  • Publication number: 20210246992
    Abstract: A drop-in insert for a valve cage is adapted for use with a subsurface pump. The insert can be positioned in a valve cage housing. The insert includes a cradle, a base, a plurality of angled ribs, and an upper ring. In one embodiment, the insert may also include an extended nose region. Upper ring can abut an interior diameter of the housing, providing a smooth transition for pumped fluid, thereby decreasing turbulent fluid flow and promoting improved fluid flow during pumping operations. The insert can be dropped into position in the housing. Alternatively, the insert can be positioned in the housing by an interference fit or the like. The housing and insert can be part of a valve cage assembly that includes a ball, seat, seat plug, and end cap. The assembly may include an O-ring component which can cushion the insert, thereby prolonging the life of the insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventor: MICHAEL BRENT FORD
  • Patent number: 11047637
    Abstract: An intrinsically safe firearm may include a handle and a frame connected by a pivot pin. One or more latches of the firearm can temporarily fix the firearm in a stowed orientation or a deployed orientation. In the deployed orientation, a magazine of the firearm can be removed from the handle; a slide of the firearm can be removed from the frame; a magazine safety allows a firing pin to strike a primer of a round in the firearm; and a trigger of the firearm is accessible to discharge the round in the firearm. In the stowed orientation, the magazine is not removable from the handle; the slide is not removable from the frame; the magazine safety prevents the firing pin from striking the primer; and the trigger of the firearm is not accessible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Inventor: Brent Ford Regan
  • Patent number: 11028654
    Abstract: A roller coupling apparatus for securing rods and other threaded components together in a pumping system. The roller coupling apparatus can include a body with a plurality of radially-positioned wheels rotatably coupled to the body. The arrangement of the wheels can uniformly spread the rod load within the interior diameter of the tubing. The body can include flat outer surfaces to facilitate increased fluid flow capacity around the apparatus. In operation, the wheels contact and roll along the interior diameter of the tubing, preventing surface-to-surface wear of the coupling body exterior and tubing interior, thereby prolonging coupling and tubing life. In one embodiment, the wheels can include wear grooves that can indicate wear areas in the wellbore. In one embodiment, the body can include grooves to permit retrieval of the apparatus when needed. Multiple apparatuses can be utilized to form rod strings of various lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Inventor: Michael Brent Ford
  • Patent number: 10988990
    Abstract: A rod centralizer and solids control assembly can be mounted on a rod string. The assembly allows well fluid containing high solids to pass through the pump while eliminating the solids from being swept back into the pump barrel or accumulating in the tubing. The assembly can include a body portion coupled to a bristle positioned helically around the body portion. The bristle can be coupled to a piston, allowing the bristle to extend during upward fluid movement and retract when rod rotation stops. The bristle can trap solids, leaving the solids higher and away from a pump intake. This can allow the solids to be lifted out of the pump, preventing solids from collecting on a bottom portion of the pump or tubing. The assembly can include centralizer components that center the rod, preventing it from rubbing against the tubing. Multiple assemblies can be incorporated into the rod string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Inventor: Michael Brent Ford
  • Patent number: 10935133
    Abstract: A jointed plunger assembly has a north end cap, a south end cap, and a body therebetween. The body includes at least one joint segment. In one embodiment, multiple joint segments are provided. Joints are formed throughout the body. In one embodiment, a flex rod is positioned in the north end cap, south end cap, and body. The flex rod is configured to flex and also seal fluid within the assembly, thereby preventing fluid leakage and helping to ensure that pumped fluid is moved upward and away from the pump. The assembly is configured to flex at each joint and is capable of flexing in various directions to follow the contours of the wellbore and the pump barrel. This configuration provides increased efficiency for deviated and horizontal pumping operations and helps the assembly components to wear more evenly, extending plunger life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Inventor: Michael Brent Ford
  • Publication number: 20210033363
    Abstract: An intrinsically safe firearm may include a handle and a frame connected by a pivot pin. One or more latches of the firearm can temporarily fix the firearm in a stowed orientation or a deployed orientation. In the deployed orientation, a magazine of the firearm can be removed from the handle; a slide of the firearm can be removed from the frame; a magazine safety allows a firing pin to strike a primer of a round in the firearm; and a trigger of the firearm is accessible to discharge the round in the firearm. In the stowed orientation, the magazine is not removable from the handle; the slide is not removable from the frame; the magazine safety prevents the firing pin from striking the primer; and the trigger of the firearm is not accessible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventor: Brent Ford Regan
  • Patent number: 10907420
    Abstract: A roller coupling apparatus for securing rods and other threaded components together in a pumping system. The roller coupling apparatus can include a body with a plurality of radially-positioned wheels rotatably coupled to the body. The arrangement of the wheels can uniformly spread the rod load within the interior diameter of the tubing. In operation, the wheels contact and roll along the interior diameter of the tubing, preventing surface-to-surface wear of the coupling body exterior and tubing interior, thereby prolonging coupling and tubing life. In one embodiment, the wheels can include wear grooves that can indicate wear areas in the wellbore. Multiple apparatuses can be utilized to form rod strings of various lengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Inventor: Michael Brent Ford
  • Publication number: 20210025247
    Abstract: A roller coupling apparatus for securing rods and other threaded components together in a pumping system. The roller coupling apparatus can include a body with a plurality of radially-positioned wheels rotatably coupled to the body. The arrangement of the wheels can uniformly spread the rod load within the interior diameter of the tubing. The body can include flat outer surfaces to facilitate increased fluid flow capacity around the apparatus. In operation, the wheels contact and roll along the interior diameter of the tubing, preventing surface-to-surface wear of the coupling body exterior and tubing interior, thereby prolonging coupling and tubing life. In one embodiment, the wheels can include wear grooves that can indicate wear areas in the wellbore. In one embodiment, the body can include grooves to permit retrieval of the apparatus when needed. Multiple apparatuses can be utilized to form rod strings of various lengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventor: MICHAEL BRENT FORD
  • Publication number: 20210025246
    Abstract: A roller coupling apparatus for securing rods and other threaded components together in a pumping system. The roller coupling apparatus can include a body with a plurality of radially-positioned wheels rotatably coupled to the body. The arrangement of the wheels can uniformly spread the rod load within the interior diameter of the tubing. In operation, the wheels contact and roll along the interior diameter of the tubing, preventing surface-to-surface wear of the coupling body exterior and tubing interior, thereby prolonging coupling and tubing life. In one embodiment, the wheels can include wear grooves that can indicate wear areas in the wellbore. Multiple apparatuses can be utilized to form rod strings of various lengths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventor: MICHAEL BRENT FORD
  • Publication number: 20200347681
    Abstract: A rod centralizer and solids control assembly can be mounted on a rod string. The assembly allows well fluid containing high solids to pass through the pump while eliminating the solids from being swept back into the pump barrel or accumulating in the tubing. The assembly can include a body portion coupled to a bristle positioned helically around the body portion. The bristle can be coupled to a piston, allowing the bristle to extend during upward fluid movement and retract when rod rotation stops. The bristle can trap solids, leaving the solids higher and away from a pump intake. This can allow the solids to be lifted out of the pump, preventing solids from collecting on a bottom portion of the pump or tubing. The assembly can include centralizer components that center the rod, preventing it from rubbing against the tubing. Multiple assemblies can be incorporated into the rod string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventor: MICHAEL BRENT FORD
  • Patent number: 10746488
    Abstract: An intrinsically safe firearm may include a handle and a frame connected by a pivot pin. One or more latches of the firearm can temporarily fix the firearm in a stowed orientation or a deployed orientation. In the deployed orientation, a magazine of the firearm can be removed from the handle; a slide of the firearm can be removed from the frame; a magazine safety allows a firing pin to strike a primer of a round in the firearm; and a trigger of the firearm is accessible to discharge the round in the firearm. In the stowed orientation, the magazine is not removable from the handle; the slide is not removable from the frame; the magazine safety prevents the firing pin from striking the primer; and the trigger of the firearm is not accessible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Inventor: Brent Ford Regan
  • Publication number: 20200254216
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a catheter tip sized and configured to fit onto a distal end of a catheter shaft, the catheter shaft having a shaft outer diameter. The catheter tip includes a base, a tip having an arcuate shape, an outer surface extending from the base to the tip along a longitudinal axis, the outer surface having a diameter at the base that is substantially equal to the shaft outer diameter, and an inner surface extending from the base, wherein the inner surface defines a first region having a first diameter and a second region having a second diameter, wherein the second diameter is less than the first diameter, and wherein the second region is distal of the first region and configured to receive at least one component extending beyond the distal end of the catheter shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Bansal Varun, Jodee Wakefield, Brent Ford, Ryan Hendrickson, David Kim, Zach Helgeson
  • Patent number: 10584546
    Abstract: A rotator apparatus for rotating a plunger, traveling barrel, valve rod, or sucker rod of a pumping system. The apparatus is adapted to be coupled to various downhole pump components and positioned within the wellbore. In one embodiment, the rotator apparatus includes a north coupling component, a piston, a cage, and a south coupling component. In an embodiment, the piston may include a plurality of flutes, which are formed so as to impart cyclonic rotation on fluids passing into the interior of the piston. On each downstroke and upstroke, the piston rotates an increment, causing the south coupling component and plunger, traveling barrel, valve rod, or sucker rod to rotate an increment. The rotation imparted on the plunger, traveling barrel, valve rod, or sucker rod redistributes the solids present in the fluid, preventing accumulation of the solids and constant wear in one particular area of the plunger and/or barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Inventor: Michael Brent Ford
  • Publication number: 20190376600
    Abstract: A jointed plunger assembly has a north end cap, a south end cap, and a body therebetween. The body includes at least one joint segment. In one embodiment, multiple joint segments are provided. Joints are formed throughout the body. In one embodiment, a flex rod is positioned in the north end cap, south end cap, and body. The flex rod is configured to flex and also seal fluid within the assembly, thereby preventing fluid leakage and helping to ensure that pumped fluid is moved upward and away from the pump. The assembly is configured to flex at each joint and is capable of flexing in various directions to follow the contours of the wellbore and the pump barrel. This configuration provides increased efficiency for deviated and horizontal pumping operations and helps the assembly components to wear more evenly, extending plunger life.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventor: MICHAEL BRENT FORD
  • Patent number: 10458211
    Abstract: A screen filter assembly and method for filtering solids within a pump barrel of a pump system. The screen filter assembly is incorporated into a full-length plunger, which contains a screen to filter solids from dirty production fluid. By filtering dirty production fluid, the screen filter assembly keeps the solids off of the plunger and away from the pump barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Inventor: Michael Brent Ford
  • Patent number: 10441088
    Abstract: Embodiments of a mattress and methods of manufacturing the same, wherein the mattress includes a body having one or more openings for removable inserts that a user can position within the openings to adjust the mechanical characteristics of the mattress, including the amount and location of support provided by the mattress to the user. Some embodiments of the mattress include one or more covers, such as a fire-retardant cover, that can encompass the mattress body while still allowing a user to access the openings of mattress body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Brobard, LLC
    Inventors: John A. Robins, Brent Ford, Rosa Ortiz