Patents by Inventor Brian Grayson
Brian Grayson 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).
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Patent number: 8544549Abstract: Methods and apparatus enable reliable and improved isolation between two portions of a bore extending through a casing string disposed in a borehole. A downhole deployment valve (DDV) may provide the isolation utilizing a valve member such as a flapper that is disposed in a housing of the DDV and is designed to close against a seat within the housing. The DDV includes an operating mechanism for opening/closing the DDV. In use, pressure in one portion of a well that is in fluid communication with a well surface may be bled off and open at well surface while maintaining pressure in another portion of the casing string beyond the DDV.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2012Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Joe Noske, David Iblings, David Pavel, David J. Brunnert, Paul Smith, Michael Brian Grayson
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Patent number: 8534362Abstract: Methods and apparatus enable reliable and improved isolation between two portions of a bore extending through a casing string disposed in a borehole. A downhole deployment valve (DDV) may provide the isolation utilizing a valve member such as a flapper that is disposed in a housing of the DDV and is designed to close against a seat within the housing. The DDV includes an operating mechanism for opening/closing the DDV. In use, pressure in one portion of a well that is in fluid communication with a well surface may be bled off and open at well surface while maintaining pressure in another portion of the casing string beyond the DDV.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2012Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Joe Noske, David Iblings, David Pavel, David J. Brunnert, Paul Smith, Michael Brian Grayson
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Patent number: 8522878Abstract: Methods and apparatus enable reliable and improved isolation between two portions of a bore extending through a casing string disposed in a borehole. A downhole deployment valve (DDV) may provide the isolation utilizing a valve member such as a flapper that is disposed in a housing of the DDV and is designed to close against a seat within the housing. The DDV includes an operating mechanism for opening/closing the DDV. In use, pressure in one portion of a well that is in fluid communication with a well surface may be bled off and open at well surface while maintaining pressure in another portion of the casing string beyond the DDV.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2012Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Joe Noske, David Iblings, David Pavel, David J. Brunnert, Paul Smith, Michael Brian Grayson
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Publication number: 20130008667Abstract: Methods and apparatus enable reliable and improved isolation between two portions of a bore extending through a casing string disposed in a borehole. A downhole deployment valve (DDV) may provide the isolation utilizing a valve member such as a flapper that is disposed in a housing of the DDV and is designed to close against a seat within the housing. The DDV includes an operating mechanism for opening/closing the DDV. In use, pressure in one portion of a well that is in fluid communication with a well surface may be bled off and open at well surface while maintaining pressure in another portion of the casing string beyond the DDV.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Inventors: Joe Noske, David Iblings, David Pavel, David J. Brunnert, Paul Smith, Michael Brian Grayson
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Publication number: 20120325495Abstract: Methods and apparatus enable reliable and improved isolation between two portions of a bore extending through a casing string disposed in a borehole. A downhole deployment valve (DDV) may provide the isolation utilizing a valve member such as a flapper that is disposed in a housing of the DDV and is designed to close against a seat within the housing. The DDV includes an operating mechanism for opening/closing the DDV. In use, pressure in one portion of a well that is in fluid communication with a well surface may be bled off and open at well surface while maintaining pressure in another portion of the casing string beyond the DDV.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2012Publication date: December 27, 2012Inventors: Joe Noske, David Iblings, David Pavel, David J. Brunnert, Paul Smith, Michael Brian Grayson
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Publication number: 20120325494Abstract: Methods and apparatus enable reliable and improved isolation between two portions of a bore extending through a casing string disposed in a borehole. A downhole deployment valve (DDV) may provide the isolation utilizing a valve member such as a flapper that is disposed in a housing of the DDV and is designed to close against a seat within the housing. The DDV includes an operating mechanism for opening/closing the DDV. In use, pressure in one portion of a well that is in fluid communication with a well surface may be bled off and open at well surface while maintaining pressure in another portion of the casing string beyond the DDV.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2012Publication date: December 27, 2012Inventors: Joe Noske, David Iblings, David Pavel, David J. Brunnert, Paul Smith, Michael Brian Grayson
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Patent number: 8261836Abstract: Methods and apparatus enable reliable and improved isolation between two portions of a bore extending through a casing string disposed in a borehole. A downhole deployment valve (DDV) may provide the isolation utilizing a valve member such as a flapper that is disposed in a housing of the DDV and is designed to close against a seat within the housing. The DDV includes an operating mechanism for opening/closing the DDV. In use, pressure in one portion of a well that is in fluid communication with a well surface may be bled off and open at well surface while maintaining pressure in another portion of the casing string beyond the DDV.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2008Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Joe Noske, David Iblings, David Pavel, David J. Brunnert, Paul Smith, Michael Brian Grayson
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Patent number: 7997340Abstract: The present invention involves methods and apparatus for permanent downhole deployment of optical sensors. Specifically, optical sensors may be permanently deployed within a wellbore using a casing string. In one aspect, one or more optical sensors are disposed on, in, or within the casing string. The optical sensors may be attached to an outer surface of the casing string or to an inner surface of the casing string, as well as embedded within a wall of the casing string. The optical sensors are capable of measuring wellbore parameters during wellbore operations, including completion, production, and intervention operations.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2009Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: Weatherford/LAMB, Inc.Inventors: Francis X. Bostick, III, David G. Hosie, Michael Brian Grayson, Ram K. Bansal
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Publication number: 20110139464Abstract: A system and method have a choke in fluid communication with a rotating control device. The choke controls flow of drilling mud from the rotating control device to a gas separator during a controlled pressure drilling operation, such as managed pressure drilling (MPD) or underbalanced drilling (UBD). A probe is in fluid communication with the drilling mud between the choke and the gas separator. During operations, the probe evaluates gas in the drilling mud from the well passing from the choke to the gas separator.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2010Publication date: June 16, 2011Inventors: Anthony Bruce Henderson, Douglas Law, Michael Brian Grayson, James R. Chopty, David Tonner
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Publication number: 20100078164Abstract: The present invention involves methods and apparatus for permanent downhole deployment of optical sensors. Specifically, optical sensors may be permanently deployed within a wellbore using a casing string. In one aspect, one or more optical sensors are disposed on, in, or within the casing string. The optical sensors may be attached to an outer surface of the casing string or to an inner surface of the casing string, as well as embedded within a wall of the casing string. The optical sensors are capable of measuring wellbore parameters during wellbore operations, including completion, production, and intervention operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2009Publication date: April 1, 2010Inventors: FRANCIS X. BOSTICK, III, David G. Hosie, Michael Brian Grayson, Ram K. Bansal
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Patent number: 7665543Abstract: The present invention involves methods and apparatus for permanent downhole deployment of optical sensors. Specifically, optical sensors may be permanently deployed within a wellbore using a casing string. In one aspect, one or more optical sensors are disposed on, in, or within the casing string. The optical sensors may be attached to an outer surface of the casing string or to an inner surface of the casing string, as well as embedded within a wall of the casing string. The optical sensors are capable of measuring wellbore parameters during wellbore operations, including completion, production, and intervention operations.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2007Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Francis X. Bostick, III, David G. Hosie, Michael Brian Grayson, Ram K. Bansal
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Patent number: 7475732Abstract: The present generally relates to apparatus and methods for instrumentation associated with a downhole deployment valve or a separate instrumentation sub. In one aspect, a DDV in a casing string is closed in order to isolate an upper section of a wellbore from a lower section. Thereafter, a pressure differential above and below the closed valve is measured by downhole instrumentation to facilitate the opening of the valve. In another aspect, the instrumentation in the DDV includes sensors placed above and below a flapper portion of the valve. The pressure differential is communicated to the surface of the well for use in determining what amount of pressurization is needed in the upper portion to safely and effectively open the valve. Additionally, instrumentation associated with the DDV can include pressure, temperature, seismic, acoustic, and proximity sensors to facilitate the use of not only the DDV but also telemetry tools.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2007Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: David G. Hosie, Michael Brian Grayson, Ramkumar K. Bansal, Francis X. Bostick, III
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Publication number: 20080245531Abstract: Methods and apparatus enable reliable and improved isolation between two portions of a bore extending through a casing string disposed in a borehole. A downhole deployment valve (DDV) may provide the isolation utilizing a valve member such as a flapper that is disposed in a housing of the DDV and is designed to close against a seat within the housing. The DDV includes an operating mechanism for opening/closing the DDV. In use, pressure in one portion of a well that is in fluid communication with a well surface may be bled off and open at well surface while maintaining pressure in another portion of the casing string beyond the DDV.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2008Publication date: October 9, 2008Inventors: Joe Noske, David Iblings, David Pavel, David J. Brunnert, Paul Smith, Michael Brian Grayson
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Patent number: 7350590Abstract: The present generally relates to apparatus and methods for instrumentation associated with a downhole deployment valve or a separate instrumentation sub. In one aspect, a DDV in a casing string is closed in order to isolate an upper section of a wellbore from a lower section. Thereafter, a pressure differential above and below the closed valve is measured by downhole instrumentation to facilitate the opening of the valve. In another aspect, the instrumentation in the DDV includes sensors placed above and below a flapper portion of the valve. The pressure differential is communicated to the surface of the well for use in determining what amount of pressurization is needed in the upper portion to safely and effectively open the valve. Additionally, instrumentation associated with the DDV can include pressure, temperature, and proximity sensors to facilitate the use of not only the DDV but also telemetry tools.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2002Date of Patent: April 1, 2008Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: David G. Hosie, Michael Brian Grayson, R. K. Bansal
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Patent number: 7306042Abstract: Methods for forming a portion of a wellbore are provided. The well is drilled from a first selected depth to a second selected depth to form a bore through a surrounding earth formation. A fluid heating apparatus is disposed within the bore on a working string. Fluid is then heated by moving the fluid through the fluid heating apparatus in the wellbore. The process of circulating fluid adjacent the earth formation serves to also heat the surrounding formation so as to increase the fracture gradient. The fluid heating process may be conducted during a drilling procedure. Alternatively, the fluid heating process may be conducted in connection with a liner hanging and cementing process. A fluid flow restrictor is provided along a run-in assembly that serves to warm the fluids as they are circulated. The warm fluids provide convective heat to the surrounding earth formation, thereby reducing the formation's fracture gradient.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2004Date of Patent: December 11, 2007Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: R. K. Bansal, David J. Brunnert, Michael Brian Grayson, James Ken Whanger, Evan Lowe, Abdolreza Gharesi, Tim Hanberry
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Patent number: 7255173Abstract: The present generally relates to apparatus and methods for instrumentation associated with a downhole deployment valve or a separate instrumentation sub. In one aspect, a DDV in a casing string is closed in order to isolate an upper section of a wellbore from a lower section. Thereafter, a pressure differential above and below the closed valve is measured by downhole instrumentation to facilitate the opening of the valve. In another aspect, the instrumentation in the DDV includes sensors placed above and below a flapper portion of the valve. The pressure differential is communicated to the surface of the well for use in determining what amount of pressurization is needed in the upper portion to safely and effectively open the valve. Additionally, instrumentation associated with the DDV can include pressure, temperature, seismic, acoustic, and proximity sensors to facilitate the use of not only the DDV but also telemetry tools.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2003Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: David G. Hosie, Michael Brian Grayson, Ramkumar K. Bansal, Francis X. Bostick, III
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Patent number: 7219729Abstract: The present invention involves methods and apparatus for permanent downhole deployment of optical sensors. Specifically, optical sensors may be permanently deployed within a wellbore using a casing string. In one aspect, one or more optical sensors are disposed on, in, or within the casing string. The optical sensors may be attached to an outer surface of the casing string or to an inner surface of the casing string, as well as embedded within a wall of the casing string. The optical sensors are capable of measuring wellbore parameters during wellbore operations, including completion, production, and intervention operations.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2003Date of Patent: May 22, 2007Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: F. X. Bostick, III, David G. Hosie, Michael Brian Grayson, R. K. Bansal
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Patent number: 7178600Abstract: Methods and apparatus for utilizing a downhole deployment valve (DDV) to isolate a pressure in a portion of a bore are disclosed. Any combination of fail safe features may be used with or incorporated into the DDV such as redundant valve members, an upward opening flapper valve or a metering flapper below a sealing valve. In one aspect, a barrier or diverter located in the bore above a valve member of the DDV permits passage through the bore when the valve member is open and actuates when the valve member is closed. Once actuated, the barrier or diverter either stops or diverts any dropped objects prior to the dropped object reaching and potentially damaging the valve member. In another aspect, the tool string tripped in above the DDV includes an acceleration actuated brake that anchors the tool string to a surrounding tubular if the tool string is dropped.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2004Date of Patent: February 20, 2007Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Mike A. Luke, Tom Fuller, Darrell Johnson, David Brunnert, Brian Grayson, David Pavel, R. K. Bansal
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Publication number: 20060248279Abstract: Prefetching across a page boundary in a data processing system. The system determines whether a prefetch will cross a page boundary of memory, and if so, it determines whether a translation source has an entry corresponding to the virtual address of the prefetch. If the translation source has an entry corresponding the virtual address, a physical address of the virtual address is used to prefetch the information.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2005Publication date: November 2, 2006Inventors: Hassan Al-Sukhni, Brian Grayson, James Holt, Matt Smittle, Michael Snyder
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Publication number: 20060248281Abstract: Generating a hashed value of the program counter in a data processing system. The hashed value can be used for prefetching in the data processing system. In some examples, the hashed value is used to identify whether a load instruction associated with the hashed value has an address that is part of a strided stream in an address stream. In some examples, the hashed value is a subset of bits of the bits of the program counter. In other examples, the hashed value may be derived in other ways from the program counter.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2005Publication date: November 2, 2006Inventors: Hassan Al-Sukhni, James Holt, Matt Smittle, Michael Snyder, Brian Grayson