Patents by Inventor Charles M. MacPhail

Charles M. MacPhail 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: 9291048
    Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore includes arranging an assembly within a lubricator coupled to a tree, the assembly including at least one downhole tool and a signal receiver subassembly. An acoustic signal is communicated to the signal receiver subassembly while the assembly is arranged within the lubricator. The acoustic signal is perceived with a transceiver communicably coupled to the signal receiver subassembly and thereby activates a timer communicably coupled to the signal receiver subassembly while the assembly is arranged within the lubricator. The assembly is introduced into the wellbore and advanced until reaching a target depth. A trigger signal is them transmitted with the signal receiver subassembly to the at least one downhole tool to actuate the at least one downhole tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. MacPhail, Paul Ringgenberg
  • Publication number: 20150322777
    Abstract: A method of servicing a wellbore includes arranging an assembly within a lubricator coupled to a tree, the assembly including at least one downhole tool and a signal receiver subassembly. An acoustic signal is communicated to the signal receiver subassembly while the assembly is arranged within the lubricator. The acoustic signal is perceived with a transceiver communicably coupled to the signal receiver subassembly and thereby activates a timer communicably coupled to the signal receiver subassembly while the assembly is arranged within the lubricator. The assembly is introduced into the wellbore and advanced until reaching a target depth. A trigger signal is them transmitted with the signal receiver subassembly to the at least one downhole tool to actuate the at least one downhole tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. MacPhail, Paul Ringgenberg
  • Patent number: 9121267
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and method for servicing a wellbore and otherwise triggering a downhole tool. One method includes arranging an assembly within a lubricator coupled to a tree, the assembly including at least one downhole tool and a signal receiver subassembly, communicating a signal to the signal receiver subassembly while the assembly is arranged within the lubricator, the signal being configured to activate a timer communicably coupled to the signal receiver subassembly, introducing the assembly into the wellbore and advancing the assembly until reaching a target depth, and transmitting a trigger signal with the signal receiver subassembly to the at least one downhole tool and thereby actuating the at least one downhole tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. MacPhail, Paul Ringgenberg
  • Patent number: 8701761
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and method for servicing a wellbore and otherwise triggering a downhole tool. One method includes arranging an assembly within a lubricator coupled to a tree. The assembly includes at least one downhole tool and a signal receiver subassembly. A signal is communicated to the signal receiver subassembly before the assembly is introduced into the wellbore, the signal being configured to activate a timer. The assembly is then introduced into the wellbore and advanced until reaching a target depth. At the target depth, a trigger signal is transmitted to the at least one downhole tool using the signal receiver subassembly, the trigger signal being configured to initiate actuation of the at least one downhole tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. MacPhail, Paul Ringgenberg
  • Publication number: 20130299163
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and method for servicing a wellbore and otherwise triggering a downhole tool. One method includes arranging an assembly within a lubricator coupled to a tree, the assembly including at least one downhole tool and a signal receiver subassembly, communicating a signal to the signal receiver subassembly while the assembly is arranged within the lubricator, the signal being configured to activate a timer communicably coupled to the signal receiver subassembly, introducing the assembly into the wellbore and advancing the assembly until reaching a target depth, and transmitting a trigger signal with the signal receiver subassembly to the at least one downhole tool and thereby actuating the at least one downhole tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. MacPhail, Paul Ringgenberg
  • Publication number: 20130284432
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and method for servicing a wellbore and otherwise triggering a downhole tool. One method includes arranging an assembly within a lubricator coupled to a tree. The assembly includes at least one downhole tool and a signal receiver subassembly. A signal is communicated to the signal receiver subassembly before the assembly is introduced into the wellbore, the signal being configured to activate a timer. The assembly is then introduced into the wellbore and advanced until reaching a target depth. At the target depth, a trigger signal is transmitted to the at least one downhole tool using the signal receiver subassembly, the trigger signal being configured to initiate actuation of the at least one downhole tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. MacPhail, Paul Ringgenberg
  • Patent number: 7966876
    Abstract: An apparatus (100) for obtaining a plurality of fluid samples in a subterranean well includes a carrier (104), a plurality of sampling chambers (102) and a pressure source (108) of the apparatus (100). The carrier (104) has a longitudinally extending internal fluid passageway (112) and a plurality of externally disposed chamber receiving slots (159). Each of sampling chamber (102) is positioned in one of the chamber receiving slots (159) of the carrier (104). The pressure source (108) is selectively in fluid communication with each of the sampling chambers (102) such that the pressure source (108) is operable to pressurize each of the sampling chambers (102) after the samples are obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Cyrus A. Irani, Vincent P. Zeller, Charles M. MacPhail, Scott Brown, Timothy R. Carlson
  • Patent number: 7950277
    Abstract: An apparatus for actuating a pressure delivery system of a fluid sampler. The apparatus includes a housing (302) having a longitudinal passageway and defining first and second chambers (338, 348). A piston (346) is disposed within the longitudinal passageway between the first and second chambers (338, 348). A valving assembly (356) is disposed within the longitudinal passageway. The valving assembly (356) is operable to selectively prevent communication of pressure from a pressure source of the fluid sampler to the second chamber (348). The valving assembly (356) is actuated responsive to an increase in pressure in the first chamber (338) which longitudinally displaces the piston (346) toward the valving assembly (356) until at least a portion of the piston (346) contacts the valving assembly (356), thereby releasing pressure from the pressure source into the second chamber (348) and longitudinally displacing the piston (346) away from the valving assembly (356).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Cyrus A. Irani, Vincent P. Zeller, Charles M. MacPhail, Don H. Perkins
  • Patent number: 7946166
    Abstract: An apparatus for actuating a pressure delivery system of a fluid sampler. The apparatus includes a housing (302) having a longitudinal passageway and defining first and second chambers (338, 348). A piston (346) is disposed within the longitudinal passageway between the first and second chambers (338, 348). A valving assembly (356) is disposed within the longitudinal passageway. The valving assembly (356) is operable to selectively prevent communication of pressure from a pressure source of the fluid sampler to the second chamber (348). The valving assembly (356) is actuated responsive to an increase in pressure in the first chamber (338) which longitudinally displaces the piston (346) toward the valving assembly (356) until at least a portion of the piston (346) contacts the valving assembly (356), thereby releasing pressure from the pressure source into the second chamber (348) and longitudinally displacing the piston (346) away from the valving assembly (356).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Cyrus A. Irani, Vincent P. Zeller, Charles M. MacPhail, Don H. Perkins
  • Patent number: 7926342
    Abstract: An apparatus for actuating a pressure delivery system of a fluid sampler. The apparatus includes a housing (302) having a longitudinal passageway and defining first and second chambers (338, 348). A piston (346) is disposed within the longitudinal passageway between the first and second chambers (338, 348). A valving assembly (356) is disposed within the longitudinal passageway. The valving assembly (356) is operable to selectively prevent communication of pressure from a pressure source of the fluid sampler to the second chamber (348). The valving assembly (356) is actuated responsive to an increase in pressure in the first chamber (338) which longitudinally displaces the piston (346) toward the valving assembly (356) until at least a portion of the piston (346) contacts the valving assembly (356), thereby releasing pressure from the pressure source into the second chamber (348) and longitudinally displacing the piston (346) away from the valving assembly (356).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Cyrus A. Irani, Vincent P. Zeller, Charles M. MacPhail, Don H. Perkins
  • Patent number: 7874206
    Abstract: A fluid sampler operable for taking at least one fluid sample in a subterranean well and associated methods. A fluid sampling method includes the steps of disposing a fluid sampler at a first target location in the well, receiving the fluid sample into at least a first sample chamber of the fluid sampler, pressurizing the fluid sample in the first sample chamber using a pressure source of the fluid sampler, retrieving the fluid sampler to a surface location, isolating the fluid sample in the first sample chamber from the pressure source of the fluid sampler and supercharging the fluid sample in the first sample chamber using a pressure source on the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Cyrus A. Irani, Adam D. Wright, Charles M. MacPhail, Vincent P. Zeller
  • Patent number: 7856872
    Abstract: An apparatus (100) for obtaining a plurality of fluid samples in a subterranean well includes a carrier (104), a plurality of sampling chambers (102) and a pressure source (108) of the apparatus (100). The carrier (104) has a longitudinally extending internal fluid passageway (112) providing a substantially smooth bore therethrough and a plurality of chamber receiving slots (159). Each of sampling chamber (102) is positioned in one of the chamber receiving slots (159) of the carrier (104). The pressure source (108) is selectively in fluid communication with each of the sampling chambers (102) such that the pressure source (108) is operable to pressurize each of the sampling chambers (102) after the samples are obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Cyrus A. Irani, Vincent P. Zeller, Charles M. MacPhail, Scott Brown, Timothy R. Carlson
  • Patent number: 7596995
    Abstract: An apparatus (100) for obtaining a plurality of fluid samples in a subterranean well includes a carrier (104), a plurality of sampling chambers (102) and a pressure source (108). The carrier (104) has a longitudinally extending internal fluid passageway (112) and a plurality of externally disposed chamber receiving slots (159). Each of sampling chamber (102) is positioned in one of the chamber receiving slots (159) of the carrier (104). The pressure source (108) is selectively in fluid communication with each of the sampling chambers (102) such that the pressure source (108) is operable to pressurize each of the sampling chambers (102). after the samples are obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Cyrus A. Irani, Vincent P. Zeller, Charles M. MacPhail, Scott Brown, Timothy R. Carlson
  • Publication number: 20090241658
    Abstract: An apparatus (100) for obtaining a plurality of fluid samples in a subterranean well includes a carrier (104), a plurality of sampling chambers (102) and a pressure source (108) of the apparatus (100). The carrier (104) has a longitudinally extending internal fluid passageway (112) providing a substantially smooth bore therethrough and a plurality of chamber receiving slots (159). Each of sampling chamber (102) is positioned in one of the chamber receiving slots (159) of the carrier (104). The pressure source (108) is selectively in fluid communication with each of the sampling chambers (102) such that the pressure source (108) is operable to pressurize each of the sampling chambers (102) after the samples are obtained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Cyrus A. Irani, Vincent P. Zeller, Charles M. MacPhail, Scott Brown, Timothy R. Carlson
  • Publication number: 20080148838
    Abstract: A fluid sampler operable for taking at least one fluid sample in a subterranean well and associated methods. A fluid sampling method includes the steps of disposing a fluid sampler at a first target location in the well, receiving the fluid sample into at least a first sample chamber of the fluid sampler, pressurizing the fluid sample in the first sample chamber using a pressure source of the fluid sampler, retrieving the fluid sampler to a surface location, isolating the fluid sample in the first sample chamber from the pressure source of the fluid sampler and supercharging the fluid sample in the first sample chamber using a pressure source on the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services Inc.
    Inventors: Cyrus A. Irani, Adam D. Wright, Charles M. MacPhail, Vincent P. Zeller
  • Publication number: 20040003657
    Abstract: Systems and methods particularly suitable for open hole formation testing are provided. In a described embodiment, a method of performing a test on a formation intersected by a wellbore includes the steps of flowing fluid into an apparatus from the formation, displacing a fluid barrier of the apparatus in one direction, flowing the formation fluid out of the apparatus and back into the formation by applying pressure to the apparatus, and displacing the fluid barrier in an opposite direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Manke, Harold Wayne Nivens, Samuel Bianco, Charles M. MacPhail, Ricardo Maldonado
  • Patent number: 6622554
    Abstract: Systems and methods particularly suitable for open hole formation testing are provided. In a described embodiment, a method of performing a test on a formation intersected by a wellbore includes the steps of flowing fluid into an apparatus from the formation, displacing a fluid barrier of the apparatus in one direction, flowing the formation fluid out of the apparatus and back into the formation by applying pressure to the apparatus, and displacing the fluid barrier in an opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Manke, Harold Wayne Nivens, Samuel Bianco, Charles M. MacPhail, Ricardo Maldonado
  • Publication number: 20020178804
    Abstract: Systems and methods particularly suitable for open hole formation testing are provided. In a described embodiment, a method of performing a test on a formation intersected by a wellbore includes the steps of flowing fluid into an apparatus from the formation, displacing a fluid barrier of the apparatus in one direction, flowing the formation fluid out of the apparatus and back into the formation by applying pressure to the apparatus, and displacing the fluid barrier in an opposite direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Kevin R. Manke, Harold Wayne Nivens, Samuel Bianco, Charles M. MacPhail, Ricardo Maldonado