Patents by Inventor Dwayne E. May

Dwayne E. May 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: 7360600
    Abstract: A subsurface safety valve comprises a tubular body adapted for placement within a wellbore and defining a fluid passageway. A valve closure member, such as a flapper valve, is carried by the tubular body and movable through a closure path between positions opening and closing the fluid passageway. An actuator, such as a biasing spring, urges the valve closure member to its closing position. A flow tube is axially-movable within the tubular body between a first position preventing the actuator from urging the valve closure member to its closing position and a second position permitting the actuator to urge the valve closure member to its closing position. A latch assembly is provided for preventing movement of the valve closure member from its opening position to its closing position until the flow tube has been urged clear of the closure path. Aspects of the safety valve are employed by a related method and system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas D. MacDougall, Dwayne E. May
  • Patent number: 7347270
    Abstract: A subsurface safety valve for controlling a fluid flow through a well conduit includes a housing having a bore and disposed within an annulus defined by the space between the well conduit and the housing, a valve closure member movable between an open position and a closed position, and adapted to restrict the fluid flow through the bore when in the closed position, a flow tube moveably disposed within the housing and adapted to shift the valve closure member between its open and closed positions, a primary piston member in operative communication with the flow tube and a secondary piston member in operative communication with the flow tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy J. McMillan, Dwayne E. May
  • Patent number: 5947206
    Abstract: An annulus vent valve is provided to vent gas or other production fluids from below a packer set within a well in deep-set applications. The valve may broadly include: a body member having a first end, a second end, an outer surface, a longitudinal bore adjacent the second end, and at least one flow port extending from the longitudinal bore to the outer surface; a closure member mounted within the longitudinal bore to control fluid flow therethrough; a mechanism for biasing the closure member to a normally closed position to prevent fluid flow through the longitudinal bore; a closure member actuator disposed for movement within the longitudinal bore to open and close the closure member; a mechanism for biasing the closure member actuator away from the closure member; a piston connected to the closure member actuator and having a first end and a second end; and a gas chamber disposed within the body member and in communication with the second end of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Camco International Inc.
    Inventors: David E. McCalvin, Gregory B. Stephenson, Dwayne E. May
  • Patent number: 4651822
    Abstract: A dump and kill valve for use in a sidepocket having a main bore, a sidepocket in communication with the main bore with ports between the sidepocket and the outside of the mandrel and a shoulder above the pocket. The valve includes a body having a no-go shoulder with an upper first and a lower second seal spaced apart and positioned on the body sealing in the pocket on opposite sides of the port for initially blocking fluid flow. One of the seals is releasably connected to the body and is movable relative to the body upwardly in response to fluid pressure for opening communication between the ports and the main bore. Latch means may be provided between the movable seal and the body for latching the movable seal after opening and the setting tool may include a releasable seal holding shoulder for preventing premature movement of the movable seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1987
    Assignee: Camco, Incorporated
    Inventors: Russell A. Johnston, Dwayne E. May