Patents by Inventor David Wesley Ritter

David Wesley Ritter 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).

  • Low cost method and apparatus for fracturing a subterranean formation with a sand suspension
    Patent number: 7090017
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a low cost method and apparatus for fracturing a subterranean formation. The invention involves using a centrifugal pump to combine a fracture fluid, a sand suspension and liquid additive and discharge a mixture of these components into a high pressure pump that injects the mixture into the subterranean formation. The apparatus employs a control pinch valve to precisely control the amount of sand suspension being added to the mixture. The apparatus eliminates the need for expensive blenders, other equipment and associated personnel and provides a low cost means of fracturing the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald M. Justus, David Wesley Ritter, Sanjay Vitthal