Patents by Inventor Bruce D. Houtchens

Bruce D. Houtchens 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).

  • Patent number: 7108080
    Abstract: A method for drilling a borehole includes; providing a drill string of drill pipe including a center bore, a distal end, a bit assembly at the distal end; hanging a liner from the drill string, thereby forming an annular space between the drill string and the liner and with the bit assembly extending from a lower end of the liner; positioning the drill string with the liner attached thereto in a borehole such that a second annular space is formed between the liner and the borehole wall; operating the bit assembly to proceed with drilling the borehole; and circulating drilling fluid down through the center bore of the drill string out through the bit assembly and down through the second annular space between the liner and the borehole wall, the drilling fluid returning up through the annular space between the drill string and the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Tesco Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Tessari, Bruce D. Houtchens
  • Publication number: 20040256157
    Abstract: A method for drilling a borehole includes; providing a drill string of drill pipe including a center bore, a distal end, a bit assembly at the distal end; hanging a liner from the drill string, thereby forming an annular space between the drill string and the liner and with the bit assembly extending from a lower end of the liner; positioning the drill string with the liner attached thereto in a borehole such that a second annular space is formed between the liner and the borehole wall; operating the bit assembly to proceed with drilling the borehole; and circulating drilling fluid down through the center bore of the drill string out through the bit assembly and down through the second annular space between the liner and the borehole wall, the drilling fluid returning up through the annular space between the drill string and the liner. An apparatus for use in this method is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: TESCO Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Tessari, Bruce D. Houtchens