Patents by Inventor Bruce Stauffer

Bruce Stauffer 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: 10472908
    Abstract: An apparatus for use downhole is disclosed that, in one configuration includes a downhole tool configured to operate in an active position and an inactive position and an actuation device, which may include a control unit. The apparatus includes a telemetry unit that sends a first pattern recognition signal to the control unit to move the tool into the active position and a second pattern recognition signal to move the tool into the inactive position. The apparatus may be used for drilling a subterranean formation and include a tubular body and one or more extendable features, each positionally coupled to a track of the tubular body, and a drilling fluid flow path extending through a bore of the tubular body for conducting drilling fluid therethrough. A push sleeve is disposed within the tubular body and coupled to the one or more features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Steven R. Radford, Khoi Q. Trinh, Jason R. Habernal, R. Keith Glasgow, John G. Evans, Bruce Stauffer, Johannes Witte
  • Patent number: 10053917
    Abstract: Earth-boring tools may comprise rotatable cutting elements rotatably connected to protruding journals, which may be at least partially located within inner bores extending through the rotatable cutting elements. A rotationally leading end of one of the protruding journals may not extend beyond a cutting face of its associated rotatable cutting element. Alternatively, a protruding journal may comprise a chip breaker protruding from a cutting face of a rotatable cutting element. Methods of removing an earth formation may include directing cuttings forward, away from a cutting face of a rotatable cutting element when the cuttings reach an inner bore of the rotatable cutting element, and rotating the rotatable cutting element around a protruding journal at least partially located in the inner bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Suresh G. Patel, Bruce Stauffer
  • Patent number: 10024111
    Abstract: Downhole tools with a topographical pattern, and anti-balling material over the topographical pattern. The topographical pattern may be defined by at least one of a plurality of recesses extending into a surface of a body of the tool and a plurality of protrusions protruding from the surface. Downhole tools include an insert disposed within a recess in a body, and the insert comprises an anti-balling material having a composition selected to reduce accumulation of formation cuttings on the tools when the tools are used to form or service a wellbore. Downhole tools include anti-balling material disposed over a porous mass provided over the surfaces of the tools. Methods of forming downhole tools include providing anti-balling material over features on and/or in a surface of a body of a tool. Methods of repairing downhole tools include removing an insert therefrom and disposing a replacement insert therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Suresh G. Patel, Chaitanya K. Vempati, Steven R. Radford, Timothy K. Marvel, Bruce Stauffer, George I. Butler
  • Publication number: 20180058149
    Abstract: Earth-boring tools may comprise rotatable cutting elements rotatably connected to protruding journals, which may be at least partially located within inner bores extending through the rotatable cutting elements. A rotationally leading end of one of the protruding journals may not extend beyond a cutting face of its associated rotatable cutting element. Alternatively, a protruding journal may comprise a chip breaker protruding from a cutting face of a rotatable cutting element. Methods of removing an earth formation may include directing cuttings forward, away from a cutting face of a rotatable cutting element when the cuttings reach an inner bore of the rotatable cutting element, and rotating the rotatable cutting element around a protruding journal at least partially located in the inner bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Suresh G. Patel, Bruce Stauffer
  • Patent number: 9828811
    Abstract: Earth-boring tools may comprise rotatable cutting elements rotatably connected to protruding journals, which may be at least partially located within inner bores extending through the rotatable cutting elements. A rotationally leading end of one of the protruding journals may not extend beyond a cutting face of its associated rotatable cutting element. Alternatively, a protruding journal may comprise a chip breaker protruding from a cutting face of a rotatable cutting element. Methods of removing an earth formation may include directing cuttings forward, away from a cutting face of a rotatable cutting element when the cuttings reach an inner bore of the rotatable cutting element, and rotating the rotatable cutting element around a protruding journal at least partially located in the inner bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE Company, LLC
    Inventors: Suresh G. Patel, Bruce Stauffer
  • Publication number: 20170335629
    Abstract: An apparatus for use downhole is disclosed that, in one configuration includes a downhole tool configured to operate in an active position and an inactive position and an actuation device, which may include a control unit. The apparatus includes a telemetry unit that sends a first pattern recognition signal to the control unit to move the tool into the active position and a second pattern recognition signal to move the tool into the inactive position. The apparatus may be used for drilling a subterranean formation and include a tubular body and one or more extendable features, each positionally coupled to a track of the tubular body, and a drilling fluid flow path extending through a bore of the tubular body for conducting drilling fluid therethrough. A push sleeve is disposed within the tubular body and coupled to the one or more features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Steven R. Radford, Khoi Q. Trinh, Jason R. Habernal, R. Keith Glasgow, John G. Evans, Bruce Stauffer, Johannes Witte
  • Patent number: 9719304
    Abstract: An apparatus for use downhole is disclosed that, in one configuration includes a downhole tool configured to operate in an active position and an inactive position and an actuation device, which may include a control unit. The apparatus includes a telemetry unit that sends a first pattern recognition signal to the control unit to move the tool into the active position and a second pattern recognition signal to move the tool into the inactive position. The apparatus may be used for drilling a subterranean formation and include a tubular body and one or more extendable features, each positionally coupled to a track of the tubular body, and a drilling fluid flow path extending through a bore of the tubular body for conducting drilling fluid therethrough. A push sleeve is disposed within the tubular body and coupled to the one or more features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Steven R. Radford, Khoi Q. Trinh, Jason R. Habernal, R. Keith Glasgow, John G. Evans, Bruce Stauffer, Johannes Witte
  • Publication number: 20170107767
    Abstract: Downhole tools with a topographical pattern, and anti-balling material over the topographical pattern. The topographical pattern may be defined by at least one of a plurality of recesses extending into a surface of a body of the tool and a plurality of protrusions protruding from the surface. Downhole tools include an insert disposed within a recess in a body, and the insert comprises an anti-balling material having a composition selected to reduce accumulation of formation cuttings on the tools when the tools are used to form or service a wellbore. Downhole tools include anti-balling material disposed over a porous mass provided over the surfaces of the tools. Methods of forming downhole tools include providing anti-balling material over features on and/or in a surface of a body of a tool. Methods of repairing downhole tools include removing an insert therefrom and disposing a replacement insert therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: Suresh G. Patel, Chaitanya K. Vempati, Steven R. Radford, Timothy K. Marvel, Bruce Stauffer, George I. Butler
  • Patent number: 9593539
    Abstract: Downhole tools are provided with a topographical pattern, and anti-balling material is provided over the topographical pattern. The topographical pattern may be defined by at least one of a plurality of recesses extending into a surface of a body of the tool and a plurality of protrusions protruding from the surface. Downhole tools include an insert disposed within a recess in a body, and the insert comprises an anti-balling material having a composition selected to reduce accumulation of formation cuttings on the tools when the tools are used to form or service a wellbore. Downhole tools include anti-balling material disposed over a porous mass provided over the surfaces of the tools. Methods of forming downhole tools include providing anti-balling material over features on and/or in a surface of a body of a tool. Methods of repairing downhole tools include removing an insert therefrom and disposing a replacement insert therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Suresh G. Patel, Chaitanya K. Vempati, Steven R. Radford, Timothy K. Marvel, Bruce Stauffer, George I. Butler
  • Patent number: 9551191
    Abstract: Downhole tools with a topographical pattern, and anti-balling material over the topographical pattern. The topographical pattern may be defined by at least one of a plurality of recesses extending into a surface of a body of the tool and a plurality of protrusions protruding from the surface. Downhole tools include an insert disposed within a recess in a body, and the insert comprises an anti-balling material having a composition selected to reduce accumulation of formation cuttings on the tools when the tools are used to form or service a wellbore. Downhole tools include anti-balling material disposed over a porous mass provided over the surfaces of the tools. Methods of forming downhole tools include providing anti-balling material over features on and/or in a surface of a body of a tool. Methods of repairing downhole tools include removing an insert therefrom and disposing a replacement insert therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Suresh G. Patel, Chaitanya K. Vempati, Steven R. Radford, Timothy K. Marvel, Bruce Stauffer, George I. Butler
  • Publication number: 20160290058
    Abstract: Earth-boring tools may comprise rotatable cutting elements rotatably connected to protruding journals, which may be at least partially located within inner bores extending through the rotatable cutting elements. A rotationally leading end of one of the protruding journals may not extend beyond a cutting face of its associated rotatable cutting element. Alternatively, a protruding journal may comprise a chip breaker protruding from a cutting face of a rotatable cutting element. Methods of removing an earth formation may include directing cuttings forward, away from a cutting face of a rotatable cutting element then the cuttings reach an inner bore of the rotatable cutting element, and rotating the rotatable cutting element around a protruding journal at least partially located in the inner bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Suresh G. Patel, Bruce Stauffer
  • Patent number: 9388639
    Abstract: Earth-boring tools may comprise rotatable cutting elements rotatably connected to protruding journals, which may be at least partially located within inner bores extending through the rotatable cutting elements. A rotationally leading end of one of the protruding journals may not extend beyond a cutting face of its associated rotatable cutting element. Alternatively, a protruding journal may comprise a chip breaker protruding from a cutting face of a rotatable cutting element. Methods of removing an earth formation may include directing cuttings forward, away from a cutting face of a rotatable cutting element then the cuttings reach an inner bore of the rotatable cutting element, and rotating the rotatable cutting element around a protruding journal at least partially located in the inner bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Suresh G. Patel, Bruce Stauffer
  • Publication number: 20150376954
    Abstract: Downhole tools are provided with a topographical pattern, and anti-balling material is provided over the topographical pattern. The topographical pattern may be defined by at least one of a plurality of recesses extending into a surface of a body of the tool and a plurality of protrusions protruding from the surface. Downhole tools include an insert disposed within a recess in a body, and the insert comprises an anti-balling material having a composition selected to reduce accumulation of formation cuttings on the tools when the tools are used to form or service a wellbore. Downhole tools include anti-balling material disposed over a porous mass provided over the surfaces of the tools. Methods of forming downhole tools include providing anti-balling material over features on and/or in a surface of a body of a tool. Methods of repairing downhole tools include removing an insert therefrom and disposing a replacement insert therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Suresh G. Patel, Chaitanya K. Vempati, Steven R. Radford, Timothy K. Marvel, Bruce Stauffer, George I. Butler
  • Patent number: 9157283
    Abstract: Downhole tools are provided with a topographical pattern, and anti-balling material is provided over the topographical pattern. The topographical pattern may be defined by at least one of a plurality of recesses extending into a surface of a body of the tool and a plurality of protrusions protruding from the surface. Downhole tools include an insert disposed within a recess in a body, and the insert comprises an anti-balling material having a composition selected to reduce accumulation of formation cuttings on the tools when the tools are used to form or service a wellbore. Downhole tools include anti-balling material disposed over a porous mass provided over the surfaces of the tools. Methods of forming downhole tools include providing anti-balling material over features on and/or in a surface of a body of a tool. Methods of repairing downhole tools include removing an insert therefrom and disposing a replacement insert therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Suresh G. Patel, Chaitanya K. Vempati, Steven R. Radford, Timothy K. Marvel, Bruce Stauffer, George I. Butler
  • Publication number: 20150184463
    Abstract: Downhole tools are provided with a topographical pattern, and anti-balling material is provided over the topographical pattern. The topographical pattern may be defined by at least one of a plurality of recesses extending into a surface of a body of the tool and a plurality of protrusions protruding from the surface. Downhole tools include an insert disposed within a recess in a body, and the insert comprises an anti-balling material having a composition selected to reduce accumulation of formation cuttings on the tools when the tools are used to form or service a wellbore. Downhole tools include anti-balling material disposed over a porous mass provided over the surfaces of the tools. Methods of forming downhole tools include providing anti-balling material over features on and/or in a surface of a body of a tool. Methods of repairing downhole tools include removing an insert therefrom and disposing a replacement insert therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Inventors: Suresh G. Patel, Chaitanya K. Vempati, Steven R. Radford, Timothy K. Marvel, Bruce Stauffer, George I. Butler
  • Patent number: 9027650
    Abstract: An apparatus for use downhole is disclosed. The apparatus includes a downhole device and an actuation device that includes: a housing including an annular chamber configured to house a first fluid therein and a piston in the annular chamber that divides the annular chamber into a first section and a second section. The piston is to a biasing member. A control unit enables movement of the first fluid from the first section to the second section to supply a second fluid under pressure to the tool to move the tool into an active position and from the second section to the first section to stop the supply of the second fluid to the tool to cause the tool to move into an inactive position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven R. Radford, John G. Evans, Bruce Stauffer, Johannes Witte
  • Patent number: 8985244
    Abstract: Downhole tools are provided with a topographical pattern, and anti-balling material is provided over the topographical pattern. The topographical pattern may be defined by at least one of a plurality of recesses extending into a surface of a body of the tool and a plurality of protrusions protruding from the surface. Downhole tools include an insert disposed within a recess in a body, and the insert comprises an anti-balling material having a composition selected to reduce accumulation of formation cuttings on the tools when the tools are used to form or service a wellbore. Downhole tools include anti-balling material disposed over a porous mass provided over the surfaces of the tools. Methods of forming downhole tools include providing anti-balling material over features on and/or in a surface of a body of a tool. Methods of repairing downhole tools include removing an insert therefrom and disposing a replacement insert therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Suresh G. Patel, Chaitanya K. Vempati, Steven R. Redford, Timothy K. Marvel, Bruce Stauffer, George I. Butler
  • Publication number: 20150060143
    Abstract: An apparatus for use downhole is disclosed that, in one configuration includes a downhole tool configured to operate in an active position and an inactive position and an actuation device, which may include a control unit. The apparatus includes a telemetry unit that sends a first pattern recognition signal to the control unit to move the tool into the active position and a second pattern recognition signal to move the tool into the inactive position. The apparatus may be used for drilling a subterranean formation and include a tubular body and one or more extendable features, each positionally coupled to a track of the tubular body, and a drilling fluid flow path extending through a bore of the tubular body for conducting drilling fluid therethrough. A push sleeve is disposed within the tubular body and coupled to the one or more features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Steven R. Radford, Khoi Q. Trinh, Jason R. Habernal, R. Keith Glasgow, John G. Evans, Bruce Stauffer, Johannes Witte
  • Patent number: 8881833
    Abstract: An apparatus for use downhole is disclosed that, in one configuration includes a downhole tool configured to operate in an active position and an inactive position and an actuation device, which may include a control unit. The apparatus includes a telemetry unit that sends a first pattern recognition signal to the control unit to move the tool into the active position and a second pattern recognition signal to move the tool into the inactive position. The apparatus may be used for drilling a subterranean formation and include a tubular body and one or more extendable features, each positionally coupled to a track of the tubular body, and a drilling fluid flow path extending through a bore of the tubular body for conducting drilling fluid therethrough. A push sleeve is disposed within the tubular body and coupled to the one or more features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven R. Radford, Khoi Q. Trinh, Jason R. Habernal, R. Keith Glasgow, Jr., John G. Evans, Bruce Stauffer, Johannes Witte
  • Publication number: 20140318873
    Abstract: Earth-boring tools may comprise rotatable cutting elements rotatably connected to protruding journals, which may be at least partially located within inner bores extending through the rotatable cutting elements. A rotationally leading end of one of the protruding journals may not extend beyond a cutting face of its associated rotatable cutting element. Alternatively, a protruding journal may comprise a chip breaker protruding from a cutting face of a rotatable cutting element. Methods of removing an earth formation may include directing cuttings forward, away from a cutting face of a rotatable cutting element then the cuttings reach an inner bore of the rotatable cutting element, and rotating the rotatable cutting element around a protruding journal at least partially located in the inner bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Suresh G. Patel, Bruce Stauffer