Patents by Inventor Donn J. Brown

Donn J. Brown 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).

  • Publication number: 20210079921
    Abstract: A fluid pump test system. The fluid pump test system comprises a plurality of fluid tanks, each different fluid tank holding a different test fluid, a fluid plumbing, a plurality of valves coupling the fluid tanks to the fluid plumbing, and a compressed air source coupled to the fluid plumbing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: Vance Lee FIELDER, Bryan Don MULLINS, Trevor Alan KOPECKY, Donn J. BROWN
  • Publication number: 20210071508
    Abstract: A motor of an ESP is positioned in a wellbore. Measured data is received from one or more sensors. A first deep learning model miming on a motor controller of the ESP determines first operating parameters or first operating conditions for the ESP based on the measured data. The motor controller sends the first operating parameters or first operating conditions to a centralized computer system. A second deep learning model miming on the centralized computer system determines second operating parameters or second operating conditions associated with the ESP based on the first operating parameters or first operating conditions. The centralized computer system sends the second operating parameters or second operating conditions to the motor controller. The motor controller adjusts operation of the motor of the ESP based on the second operating parameters or second operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: David C. Beck, Luke Golden Janger, Donn J. Brown
  • Publication number: 20210071509
    Abstract: A motor associated with an electric submersible pump (ESP) is positioned in a wellbore. Measurement data is received from one or more sensors. A deep learning model running on a motor controller associated with the ESP determines operating parameters or operating conditions of the ESP based on the measurement data. The motor controller adjusts operation of the motor of the ESP based on the determined operating parameters or operating conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: David C. Beck, Luke Golden Janger, Donn J. Brown
  • Patent number: 10927653
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for flow rate harmonization in electric submersible pump (ESP) gas separators. A method for flow rate harmonization in ESP gas separators includes modifying flow of multi-phase well fluid through vent passages of a crossover when a flow rate of a centrifugal pump differs from a flow rate of a gas separator including the crossover, the gas separator serving as the fluid intake into the centrifugal pump. Flow of fluid through vent passages is modified by one of attaching flow sizing inserts into vent passages or production passages of the crossover, or by attaching a funnel to a crossover inlet. A gas separator system includes a series of interchangeable funnels attachable to a fluid entrance of a crossover of the gas separator, wherein interchanging the particular funnel attached to the crossover modifies flow rate output of the gas separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Donn J. Brown, Thomas John Gottschalk
  • Patent number: 10858925
    Abstract: A crossover system, method and apparatus for an electric submersible pump (ESP) gas separators. A crossover of an ESP gas separator includes a first helical pathway for higher density fluid that extends at an angle of 10° to 40° from a horizontal plane through the crossover, the first helical pathway fluidly coupled to a spider bearing including crescent shaped vanes that remove rotational momentum from the higher density fluid, a second helical pathway for lower density fluid that tangentially intersects a crossover jacket, the first helical pathway and the second helical pathway defined by a channel having teardrop shaped openings in the crossover jacket that define channel exit ports venting to a casing annulus, and teardrop shaped openings in a crossover skirt that define a channel entrance, where the first helical pathway is around the channel and the second helical pathway is through an inside of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Donn J. Brown, Thomas John Gottschalk, Walter Russell Dinkins, Jimmie Allen Buckallew
  • Publication number: 20200362649
    Abstract: Pumping of wellbore fluid to a surface may have a detrimental effect on the pump performance due to high gas concentrations in the fluid. A pump system that utilizes a helix gas separator provides greater pump efficiency by effectively removing the gas phase of the fluid. The wellbore fluid received at a pump system is directed from an intake to a gas separator that utilizes a stationary auger. The stationary auger induces rotational motion of the wellbore fluid causing the wellbore fluid to separate into a gas phase and a liquid phase. The gas phase is directed to the annulus while the liquid phase is directed to the pump for pumping to the surface. As the stationary auger remains stationary during production or separation of the wellbore fluid into a plurality of phase, fewer moving components are required which decreases overall production time while decreasing maintenance or operational costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Donn J. Brown, David C. Beck
  • Publication number: 20200362684
    Abstract: A system for protecting an Electrical Submersible Pump (ESP) string from gas slugs in a downhole well environment. The system comprises an intake tube having a first and second end and one of a packer having a bypass channel and an inverted shroud coupled to the intake tube and the ESP string. The intake tube is independent of a pump and a motor of the ESP string. The system can comprise a bypass tube for channeling the gas slug downstream of the pump. The bypass tube is integrated with the packer. The inverted shroud is coupled with the first end of the intake tube and a section of production tubing downstream from the pump and the motor. The inverted shroud forms a bypass path channel within a casing annulus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Donn J. Brown, David C. Beck, Trevor A. Kopecky
  • Patent number: 10808516
    Abstract: A crossover of an electric submersible pump (ESP) gas separator. The crossover comprises a skirt defining a plurality of exits, passageways, and entrances, each exit associated with one of the passageways and one of the entrances, wherein each entrance is proximate to an inner chamber of the gas separator and a jacket circumferentially surrounding the skirt and defining a plurality of exits, wherein the rotational position of the jacket relative to the skirt is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Donn J. Brown, Wesley John Nowitzki, Joshua Wayne Webster
  • Patent number: 10794163
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for flow rate harmonization in electric submersible pump (ESP) gas separators. A method for flow rate harmonization in ESP gas separators includes modifying flow of multi-phase well fluid through vent passages of a crossover when a flow rate of a centrifugal pump differs from a flow rate of a gas separator including the crossover, the gas separator serving as the fluid intake into the centrifugal pump. Flow of fluid through vent passages is modified by one of attaching flow sizing inserts into vent passages or production passages of the crossover, or by attaching a funnel to a crossover inlet. A gas separator system includes a series of interchangeable funnels attachable to a fluid entrance of a crossover of the gas separator, wherein interchanging the particular funnel attached to the crossover modifies flow rate output of the gas separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Donn J. Brown, Thomas John Gottschalk
  • Publication number: 20200308940
    Abstract: A self-orienting gas evading intake for a submersible pump provides an efficient, reliable and inexpensive system for pumping a downhole fluid to a surface. An intake section of a submersible pumping system may comprise a blocker sleeve disposed between an external housing and an eccentric intake. The intake section may be self-orienting such that a gas component of the fluid ascends the borehole to separate from a liquid component of the fluid. Actuation of a blocker sleeve exposes one or more ports of the external housing while blocking one or more other ports. The liquid component is drawn into the intake section through an exposed port and through one or more openings of the eccentric intake. The liquid component may then be drawn into the pump. As the liquid component comprises non-detrimental amounts, if any, of a gas component, the pump operates efficiently and effectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Jason Eugene Hill, Donn J. Brown, Joshua Wayne Webster
  • Patent number: 10683876
    Abstract: A fluid moving system and apparatus for an electric submersible pump (ESP) is described. A fluid moving system includes a gas separator between an electric submersible pump and an ESP motor, the gas separator including a separation chamber including an impeller and a diffuser, the impeller including a plurality of regressively pitched main vanes interspersed between a plurality of mixer vanes, each of the plurality of main and mixer vanes extending along the hub with a positive slope and a concave top face, and a diffuser, the diffuser including blades extending along a diffuser body in a sloped direction substantially opposite the slope of the impeller main vanes, the blades having a concave top face and a regressive pitch that mirrors the pitch of the impeller main vanes, wherein the impeller vanes and diffuser blades serve to homogenize the well fluid while facilitating downstream movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Donn J. Brown, Trevor A. Kopecky, Thomas John Gottschalk
  • Publication number: 20200141223
    Abstract: A crossover of an electric submersible pump (ESP) gas separator. The crossover comprises a skirt defining a plurality of exits, passageways, and entrances, each exit associated with one of the passageways and one of the entrances, wherein each entrance is proximate to an inner chamber of the gas separator and a jacket circumferentially surrounding the skirt and defining a plurality of exits, wherein the rotational position of the jacket relative to the skirt is adjustable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2019
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Donn J. BROWN, Wesley John NOWITZKI, Joshua Wayne WEBSTER
  • Publication number: 20190316452
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for flow rate harmonization in electric submersible pump (ESP) gas separators. A method for flow rate harmonization in ESP gas separators includes modifying flow of multi-phase well fluid through vent passages of a crossover when a flow rate of a centrifugal pump differs from a flow rate of a gas separator including the crossover, the gas separator serving as the fluid intake into the centrifugal pump. Flow of fluid through vent passages is modified by one of attaching flow sizing inserts into vent passages or production passages of the crossover, or by attaching a funnel to a crossover inlet. A gas separator system includes a series of interchangeable funnels attachable to a fluid entrance of a crossover of the gas separator, wherein interchanging the particular funnel attached to the crossover modifies flow rate output of the gas separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Donn J BROWN, Thomas John GOTTSCHALK
  • Publication number: 20190264551
    Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for flow rate harmonization in electric submersible pump (ESP) gas separators. A method for flow rate harmonization in ESP gas separators includes modifying flow of multi-phase well fluid through vent passages of a crossover when a flow rate of a centrifugal pump differs from a flow rate of a gas separator including the crossover, the gas separator serving as the fluid intake into the centrifugal pump. Flow of fluid through vent passages is modified by one of attaching flow sizing inserts into vent passages or production passages of the crossover, or by attaching a funnel to a crossover inlet. A gas separator system includes a series of interchangeable funnels attachable to a fluid entrance of a crossover of the gas separator, wherein interchanging the particular funnel attached to the crossover modifies flow rate output of the gas separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Donn J. BROWN, Thomas John GOTTSCHALK
  • Publication number: 20190249537
    Abstract: A crossover system, method and apparatus for an electric submersible pump (ESP) gas separators. A crossover of an ESP gas separator includes a first helical pathway for higher density fluid that extends at an angle of 10° to 40° from a horizontal plane through the crossover, the first helical pathway fluidly coupled to a spider bearing including crescent shaped vanes that remove rotational momentum from the higher density fluid, a second helical pathway for lower density fluid that tangentially intersects a crossover jacket, the first helical pathway and the second helical pathway defined by a channel having teardrop shaped openings in the crossover jacket that define channel exit ports venting to a casing annulus, and teardrop shaped openings in a crossover skirt that define a channel entrance, where the first helical pathway is around the channel and the second helical pathway is through an inside of the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Donn J. Brown, Thomas John GOTTSCHALK, Walter Russell DINKINS, Jimmie Allen BUCKALLEW
  • Patent number: 10378532
    Abstract: A well pump assembly has a barrel, a standing valve at an upper end of a standing valve chamber, and a plunger. A travelling valve admits well fluid into the barrel during a fill stroke. The travelling valve closes during a power stroke so that the plunger pushes well fluid from the barrel into the standing valve chamber. A gas release port extends from the standing valve chamber to the exterior of the pump assembly. A check valve in the gas release port has an outward flow blocking position for blocking liquid well fluid in the standing valve chamber from exiting through the gas release port while the plunger is in the power stroke. The cheek valve has a gas release position that enables gas present in the standing valve chamber to flow out the gas release port while the plunger is in the power stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Baker Huges, a GE Company, LLC
    Inventors: Donn J. Brown, Trevor A. Kopecky, Brown Lyle Wilson
  • Publication number: 20190162063
    Abstract: An electric submersible pump (ESP) gas separator is described. An ESP gas separator includes a propeller upstream of a fluid entrance to a crossover, the crossover including a production pathway and a vent pathway, and the propeller including a plurality of blades comprising washout twist, wherein gas rich fluid of multi-phase fluid traveling through the gas separator flows through the propeller and into the vent pathway, and gas poor fluid of the multi-phase fluid flows around the propeller and then through the production pathway. An ESP assembly includes a gas separator between a centrifugal pump and an induction motor, the gas separator serving as an intake for fluid into the centrifugal pump and including a propeller in a separation chamber, the propeller comprising a plurality of blades, each blade having a pitch that increases in coarseness from a hub towards a shroud of the propeller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventors: Donn J. Brown, Randy S. ROBERTS, Thomas John GOTTSCHALK
  • Publication number: 20190017518
    Abstract: A fluid moving system and apparatus for an electric submersible pump (ESP) is described. A fluid moving system includes a gas separator between an electric submersible pump and an ESP motor, the gas separator including a separation chamber including an impeller and a diffuser, the impeller including a plurality of regressively pitched main vanes interspersed between a plurality of mixer vanes, each of the plurality of main and mixer vanes extending along the hub with a positive slope and a concave top face, and a diffuser, the diffuser including blades extending along a diffuser body in a sloped direction substantially opposite the slope of the impeller main vanes, the blades having a concave top face and a regressive pitch that mirrors the pitch of the impeller main vanes, wherein the impeller vanes and diffuser blades serve to homogenize the well fluid while facilitating downstream movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Donn J. Brown, Trevor A. Kopecky, Thomas John Gottschalk
  • Patent number: 9920773
    Abstract: An electrical submersible pump assembly has pump, motor and pressure equalizer modules. A first adapter, which secures to the first module, has an external set of first adapter threads. A second adapter, which secures to the second module, has an external set of second adapter threads. A collar has an internal set of collar first threads that engage the first adapter threads, and an internal set of collar second threads that engage the second adapter threads. The collar first and second threads differ from each other, such that rotation of the collar relative to the first and second modules pulls the first and second modules toward each other. The pitches of the collar first and second threads may differ. Or, the collar first and second threads may turn in opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE Company, LLC
    Inventors: Brown Lyle Wilson, Donn J. Brown
  • Patent number: 9670758
    Abstract: A centrifugal well fluid pump has a pump intake and a pump discharge conduit extending upward from the pump. A barrier between the motor and the pump intake seals to casing in a well. A bypass tube extends from below the barrier, alongside the pump and has an outlet at an upper end of the pump. A riser surrounds the pump discharge conduit, the riser having a riser inlet in fluid communication with the bypass tube outlet. Liquid portions of the well fluid flow upward through the riser to discharge from the riser outlet and flow down to the pump intake. Gaseous portions of the well fluid flow upward through the riser and continue flowing upward into the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Brown Lyle Wilson, Donn J. Brown