Patents by Inventor David J. Brunnert

David J. Brunnert 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: 11846150
    Abstract: A mill for use in a wellbore includes a tubular housing having a bore therethrough, a plurality of pockets formed in a wall thereof, and a blade disposed in each pocket. Each blade includes a body having a first side opposite a second side, wherein the first side faces in a direction of rotation of the mill. The blade also includes a blade portion disposed on the first side of the body, wherein the blade portion has a first cutting face stepped relative to a second cutting face. Each blade is movable between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein a portion of the first side and the second side protrude from the housing in the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Inventors: Richard J. Segura, Thomas F. Bailey, David J. Brunnert, Ram K. Bansal, Andrew Antoine
  • Publication number: 20220243547
    Abstract: A mill for use in a wellbore includes a tubular housing having a bore therethrough, a plurality of pockets formed in a wall thereof, and a blade disposed in each pocket. Each blade includes a body having a first side opposite a second side, wherein the first side faces in a direction of rotation of the mill. The blade also includes a blade portion disposed on the first side of the body, wherein the blade portion has a first cutting face stepped relative to a second cutting face. Each blade is movable between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein a portion of the first side and the second side protrude from the housing in the extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Richard J. SEGURA, Thomas F. BAILEY, David J. BRUNNERT, Ram K. BANSAL, Andrew ANTOINE
  • Patent number: 11274514
    Abstract: A mill for use in a wellbore includes a tubular housing having a bore therethrough, a plurality of pockets formed in a wall thereof, and a blade disposed in each pocket. Each blade includes a body having a first side opposite a second side, wherein the first side faces in a direction of rotation of the mill. The blade also includes a blade portion disposed on the first side of the body, wherein the blade portion has a first cutting face stepped relative to a second cutting face. Each blade is movable between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein a portion of the first side and the second side protrude from the housing in the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Richard J. Segura, Thomas F. Bailey, David J. Brunnert, Ram K. Bansal, Andrew Antoine
  • Publication number: 20210095538
    Abstract: A mill for use in a wellbore includes a tubular housing having a bore therethrough, a plurality of pockets formed in a wall thereof, and a blade disposed in each pocket. Each blade includes a body having a first side opposite a second side, wherein the first side faces in a direction of rotation of the mill. The blade also includes a blade portion disposed on the first side of the body, wherein the blade portion has a first cutting face stepped relative to a second cutting face. Each blade is movable between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein a portion of the first side and the second side protrude from the housing in the extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Richard J. SEGURA, Thomas F. BAILEY, David J. BRUNNERT, Ram K. BANSAL, Andrew ANTOINE
  • Patent number: 10890042
    Abstract: A mill for use in a wellbore includes a tubular housing having a bore therethrough, a plurality of pockets formed in a wall thereof, and a blade disposed in each pocket. Each blade includes a body having a first side opposite a second side, wherein the first side faces in a direction of rotation of the mill. The blade also includes a blade portion disposed on the first side of the body, wherein the blade portion has a first cutting face stepped relative to a second cutting face. Each blade is movable between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein a portion of the first side and the second side protrude from the housing in the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Richard J. Segura, Thomas F. Bailey, David J. Brunnert, Ram K. Bansal, Andrew Antoine
  • Publication number: 20180320467
    Abstract: A mill for use in a wellbore includes a tubular housing having a bore therethrough, a plurality of pockets formed in a wall thereof, and a blade disposed in each pocket. Each blade includes a body having a first side opposite a second side, wherein the first side faces in a direction of rotation of the mill. The blade also includes a blade portion disposed on the first side of the body, wherein the blade portion has a first cutting face stepped relative to a second cutting face. Each blade is movable between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein a portion of the first side and the second side protrude from the housing in the extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Richard J. SEGURA, Thomas F. BAILEY, David J. BRUNNERT, Ram K. BANSAL, Andrew ANTOINE
  • Patent number: 10012048
    Abstract: A method for milling a tubular cemented in a wellbore includes deploying a bottomhole assembly (BHA) into the wellbore through the tubular, the BHA comprising a window mill; and extending arms of the window mill and radially cutting through the tubular, thereby forming a window through the tubular, wherein a body portion of each window mill arm engages and stabilizes from an inner surface of the tubular after a blade portion of each window mill arm cuts through the tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Segura, Thomas Bailey, David J. Brunnert, Ram K. Bansal, Andrew Antoine
  • Patent number: 9637977
    Abstract: The present invention relates methods and apparatus for lining a wellbore. In one aspect, a drilling assembly having an earth removal member and a wellbore lining conduit is manipulated to advance into the earth. The drilling assembly includes a first fluid flow path and a second fluid flow path. Fluid is flowed through the first fluid flow path, and at least a portion of which may return through the second fluid flow path. In one embodiment, the drilling assembly is provided with a third fluid flow path. After drilling has been completed, wellbore lining conduit may be cemented in the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Richard L. Giroux, Gregory G. Galloway, Patrick G. Maguire, Tuong Thanh Le, Albert C. Odell, II, David M. Haugen, Frederick T. Tilton, Brent J. Lirette, David J. Brunnert
  • Publication number: 20160153238
    Abstract: A method of forming a supported subterranean well bore in which, in one disclosed embodiment, a first drill bit is mounted on a first string of casing tubulars via a steerable tool, and the drill bit is used to form a first bore. Upon reaching the required depth the casing string is cemented in place to support the formed bore and a second drill bit is mounted on a second casing string and is inserted into the first casing string. The second drill bit is used to drill through the wall of the first casing string and proceed to form a second, deeper bore. Once the second drill bit has reached the required depth, the second casing string is cemented in place to support the second bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: James A. Hewson, Philip M. Burge, Gregory G. Galloway, David J. Brunnert
  • Publication number: 20150275606
    Abstract: A method for milling a tubular cemented in a wellbore includes deploying a bottomhole assembly (BHA) into the wellbore through the tubular, the BHA comprising a window mill; and extending arms of the window mill and radially cutting through the tubular, thereby forming a window through the tubular, wherein a body portion of each window mill arm engages and stabilizes from an inner surface of the tubular after a blade portion of each window mill arm cuts through the tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Richard SEGURA, Thomas BAILEY, David J. BRUNNERT, Ram K. BANSAL, Andrew ANTOINE
  • Patent number: 9022117
    Abstract: A method for milling a tubular cemented in a wellbore includes deploying a bottomhole assembly (BHA) into the wellbore through the tubular, the BHA comprising a window mill; and extending arms of the window mill and radially cutting through the tubular, thereby forming a window through the tubular, wherein a body portion of each window mill arm engages and stabilizes from an inner surface of the tubular after a blade portion of each window mill arm cuts through the tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Segura, Thomas Bailey, David J. Brunnert, Ram K. Bansal, Andrew Antoine
  • Patent number: 8955619
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include methods and apparatus for dynamically controlling pressure within a wellbore while forming the wellbore. In one aspect, one or more pressure control apparatus are used to maintain desired pressure within the wellbore while drilling the wellbore. In another aspect, pressure is dynamically controlled while drilling using foam to maintain a substantially homogenous foam flow regime within the wellbore annulus for carrying cuttings from the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick T. Tilton, David M. Haugen, Kevin W. Smith, David J. Brunnert, Thomas F. Bailey, Tom Fuller, Roy W. Rooyakkers, Ram K. Bansal, Graham Skinner
  • Patent number: 8905140
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe Noske, David Iblings, David Pavel, David J. Brunnert, Paul L. Smith, Michael Brian Grayson
  • Publication number: 20140338976
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to extendable cutting tools for use in a wellbore. In one embodiment, a tool for use in a wellbore includes a tubular body having a bore therethrough, an opening through a wall thereof, and a connector at each longitudinal end thereof; and an arm. The arm is pivotally connected to a first piston and rotationally coupled to the body, is disposed in the opening in a retracted position, and is movable to an extended position where an outer surface of the arm extends outward past an outer surface of the body. The tool further includes the first piston. The first piston is disposed in the body bore, has a bore therethrough, and is operable to move the arm from the retracted position to the extended position in response to fluid pressure in the piston bore exceeding fluid pressure in the opening. The tool further includes a lock operable to retain the first piston in the retracted position; and a second piston operably coupled to the lock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Wei Jake XU, Albert C. ODELL, II, Simon J. HARRALL, Thomas M. REDLINGER, Christopher M. VREELAND, Andrew ANTOINE, David J. BRUNNERT, Tommy L. LAIRD, Michael J. MOODY, Frederick T. TILTON
  • Publication number: 20140326454
    Abstract: The present invention relates methods and apparatus for lining a wellbore. In one aspect, a drilling assembly having an earth removal member and a wellbore lining conduit is manipulated to advance into the earth. The drilling assembly includes a first fluid flow path and a second fluid flow path. Fluid is flowed through the first fluid flow path, and at least a portion of which may return through the second fluid flow path. In one embodiment, the drilling assembly is provided with a third fluid flow path. After drilling has been completed, wellbore lining conduit may be cemented in the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: WEATHERFORD/LAMB, INC.
    Inventors: Richard L. GIROUX, Gregory G. GALLOWAY, Patrick G. MAGUIRE, Tuong Thanh LE, Albert C. ODELL, II, David M. HAUGEN, Frederick T. TILTON, Brent J. LIRETTE, David J. BRUNNERT
  • Publication number: 20140318796
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Joe NOSKE, David IBLINGS, David PAVEL, David J. BRUNNERT, Paul L. SMITH, Michael Brian GRAYSON
  • Patent number: 8794354
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to extendable cutting tools for use in a wellbore. In one embodiment, a tool for use in a wellbore includes a tubular body having a bore therethrough, an opening through a wall thereof, and a connector at each longitudinal end thereof; and an arm. The arm is pivotally connected to a first piston and rotationally coupled to the body, is disposed in the opening in a retracted position, and is movable to an extended position where an outer surface of the arm extends outward past an outer surface of the body. The tool further includes the first piston. The first piston is disposed in the body bore, has a bore therethrough, and is operable to move the arm from the retracted position to the extended position in response to fluid pressure in the piston bore exceeding fluid pressure in the opening. The tool further includes a lock operable to retain the first piston in the retracted position; and a second piston operably coupled to the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Jake Xu, Albert C. Odell, II, Simon J. Harrall, Thomas M. Redlinger, Christopher M. Vreeland, Andrew Antoine, David J. Brunnert, Tommy L. Laird, Michael J. Moody, Frederick T. Tilton
  • Patent number: 8789603
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe Noske, David Iblings, David Pavel, David J. Brunnert, Paul L. Smith, Michael Brian Grayson
  • Publication number: 20140034311
    Abstract: The present invention relates methods and apparatus for lining a wellbore. In one aspect, a drilling assembly having an earth removal member and a wellbore lining conduit is manipulated to advance into the earth. The drilling assembly includes a first fluid flow path and a second fluid flow path. Fluid is flowed through the first fluid flow path, and at least a portion of which may return through the second fluid flow path. In one embodiment, the drilling assembly is provided with a third fluid flow path. After drilling has been completed, wellbore lining conduit may be cemented in the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: Brent J. Lirette, David J. Brunnert
  • Publication number: 20130319679
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: WEATHERFORD/LAMB, INC.
    Inventors: Joe NOSKE, David IBLINGS, David PAVEL, David J. BRUNNERT, Paul L. SMITH, Michael Brian GRAYSON