Patents by Inventor Ira Eugene Hining

Ira Eugene Hining 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: 10294734
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a wear band comprises a rotating element having a bore receivable on a tubular, the bore comprising first and second bore portions slidably receiving first and second sleeve bearings. Outer surfaces of the sleeve bearings slidably engage the bore portions and the bores of the sleeve bearings slidably engage the tubular. A first and a second stop collars may be received on the tubular to together straddle the rotating element and sleeve bearings to longitudinally secure the rotating element in a position on the tubular. The tubular may be included within a tubular string run into a borehole or into the bore of an installed casing, such as in casing while drilling. The rotating element provides stand-off between a tubular and the wall of a bore, reduces frictional resistance to longitudinal sliding and also to rotation of the tubular string within the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: INNOVEX DOWNHOLE SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jean Buytaert, Eugene Edward Miller, Ira Eugene Hining
  • Publication number: 20180135364
    Abstract: A bow-spring centralizer (6) includes bow springs (5), moving collars (11) secured to each end of each bow spring, and interlocked stop collars (10). Extendable collars (8) may each be formed of a moving collar (11) movably interlocked with a stop collar (10). The centralizer (6) may optionally be formed from a tube cut using a laser to create two extendable collars coupled by bow springs. Each extendable collar may include heads integrally formed on extensions protruding from a collar (stop collar or moving collar). The heads may be generally rectangular, arrow, or teardrop-shaped head or some other shape. Each head may be slidably captured within a chamber on the interlocked collar (moving collar or stop collar). The extensions of each interlocked tubular member define the outer walls of the chamber in which a head of the interlocked tubular member is slidably captured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Jean Buytaert, Eugene Edward Miller, Ira Eugene Hining
  • Patent number: 9765576
    Abstract: A stop collar for a tubular and method for installing a stop collar on a tubular. The stop collar includes a flexible member extending circumferentially around the tubular more than once. A tension force on the flexible member causes the flexible member to apply a radially-inward gripping force on the tubular. The stop collar may also include a shield disposed around at least a portion of the flexible member, to protect the flexible member in a downhole environment. The stop collar may also or instead include an adhesive disposed radially between the flexible member and the tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: ANTELOPE OIL TOOL & MFG. CO.
    Inventors: Jean Buytaert, Clayton Plucheck, Ira Eugene Hining
  • Patent number: 9759023
    Abstract: An apparatus for securing to a tubular includes a tubular base configured to be disposed around the tubular, the base defining a longitudinal central axis therethrough and including axial ends. The apparatus includes fingers extending from at least one of the axial ends of the base and substantially parallel to the longitudinal central axis. The fingers are separated circumferentially apart by slots, at least one of which does not extend across the base. The apparatus includes a sleeve configured to be disposed around the tubular and slid straight axially over the fingers, such that an elasticity of the sleeve provides a radially-inward gripping force on the fingers. The gripping force prevents the base, the plurality of fingers, and the sleeve from rotating relative to the tubular and from moving axially relative to the tubular. The sleeve may abut a stop wall of the base when slid onto the fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: ANTELOPE OIL TOOL & MFG. CO.
    Inventors: Jean Buytaert, Eugene Edward Miller, Ira Eugene Hining
  • Publication number: 20170254158
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a wear band comprises a rotating element having a bore receivable on a tubular, the bore comprising first and second bore portions slidably receiving first and second sleeve bearings. Outer surfaces of the sleeve bearings slidably engage the bore portions and the bores of the sleeve bearings slidably engage the tubular. A first and a second stop collars may be received on the tubular to together straddle the rotating element and sleeve bearings to longitudinally secure the rotating element in a position on the tubular. The tubular may be included within a tubular string run into a borehole or into the bore of an installed casing, such as in casing while drilling. The rotating element provides stand-off between a tubular and the wall of a bore, reduces frictional resistance to longitudinal sliding and also to rotation of the tubular string within the bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Jean Buytaert, Eugene Edward Miller, Ira Eugene Hining
  • Patent number: 9745803
    Abstract: A centralizer, method, and centralizer assembly. For example, the centralizer assembly includes a first stop collar fixed in place on a tubular, and a first end collar that is sized to slide axially over the first stop collar. The centralizer assembly also includes a first retainer coupled with the first end collar. The first retainer prevents the first stop collar from sliding past the first stop collar in at least one axial direction. The assembly also includes a plurality of ribs coupled with the first end collar and configured to engage a surrounding tubular in which the tubular is disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: ANTELOPE OIL TOOL & MFG. CO.
    Inventors: Jean Buytaert, Ira Eugene Hining, Eugene Edward Miller, David E. Y. Levie, Richard Ronald Baynham
  • Publication number: 20170183925
    Abstract: A bow-spring centralizer (6) includes bow springs (5), moving collars (11) secured to each end of each bow spring, and interlocked stop collars (10). Extendable collars (8) may each be formed of a moving collar (11) movably interlocked with a stop collar (10). The centralizer (6) may optionally be formed from a tube cut using a laser to create two extendable collars coupled by bow springs. Each extendable collar may include heads integrally formed on extensions protruding from a collar (stop collar or moving collar). The heads may be generally rectangular, arrow, or teardrop-shaped head or some other shape. Each head may be slidably captured within a chamber on the interlocked collar (moving collar or stop collar). The extensions of each interlocked tubular member define the outer walls of the chamber in which a head of the interlocked tubular member is slidably captured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Inventors: Jean Buytaert, Eugene Edward Miller, Ira Eugene Hining
  • Patent number: 9598913
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a wear band comprises a rotating element having a bore receivable on a tubular, the bore comprising first and second bore portions slidably receiving first and second sleeve bearings. Outer surfaces of the sleeve bearings slidably engage the bore portions and the bores of the sleeve bearings slidably engage the tubular. A first stop collar and a second stop collar may be received on the tubular to together straddle the rotating element and sleeve bearings to longitudinally secure the rotating element in a position on the tubular. The tubular may be included within a tubular string run into a borehole or into the bore of an installed casing, such as in casing while drilling. The rotating element provides stand-off between a tubular and the wall of a bore, reduces frictional resistance to longitudinal sliding and also to rotation of the tubular string within the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: ANTELOPE OIL TOOL & MFG. CO.
    Inventors: Jean Buytaert, Eugene Edward Miller, Ira Eugene Hining
  • Patent number: 9556994
    Abstract: An attachment apparatus for attaching to a tubular. The apparatus may include a flexible member extending circumferentially around the tubular more than once. A tension force on the flexible member may cause the flexible member to apply a first radially-inward gripping force on the tubular. An annular sleeve may be positioned radially-outward from the flexible member. The sleeve may apply a second radially-inward gripping force on the flexible member and the tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: ANTELOPE OIL TOOL & MFG. CO.
    Inventors: Brent James Lirette, Michael Lynn Betik, Jean Buytaert, Clayton Plucheck, Ira Eugene Hining
  • Patent number: 9556687
    Abstract: A centralizer for centralizing a tubular in a wellbore, and a method of manufacturing a centralizer. The centralizer may include a plurality of ribs spaced circumferentially apart from one another around the tubular. Each of the ribs may include a first end section, a second end section, and a middle section extending between the first and second end sections. A first plurality of spacers may be spaced circumferentially apart from one another around the tubular. Each of the first plurality of spacers may be positioned circumferentially between two of the plurality of ribs. The first plurality of spacers and the first end sections of the plurality of ribs may be axially aligned and together at least partially define a first end collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: ANTELOPE OIL TOOL & MFG. CO.
    Inventors: Jean Buytaert, Clayton Plucheck, Ira Eugene Hining
  • Patent number: 9273525
    Abstract: A stop collar is assembled using a method including the steps of receiving a bore of a base having a set of fingers extending along an exterior of a tubular, receiving a bore of a sleeve onto the tubular adjacent the set of fingers, and receiving the sleeve onto the set of fingers in an interference-fit. In alternate embodiments, the base comprises a plurality of angularly distributed fingers and/or the base comprises a gap to permit conformance of the base to the tubular. A fingerless base may cooperate with one or more separate fingers to form a base. In an embodiment of the method, the sleeve may be thermally expanded prior to the step of receiving the sleeve onto the set of fingers. The sleeve may be heated to expand the bore prior to being received onto the set of fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: ANTELOPE OIL TOOL & MFG. CO.
    Inventors: Ira Eugene Hining, Jean Buytaert, Eugene Edward Miller
  • Publication number: 20150047856
    Abstract: A stop collar for a tubular and method for installing a stop collar on a tubular. The stop collar includes a flexible member extending circumferentially around the tubular more than once. A tension force on the flexible member causes the flexible member to apply a radially-inward gripping force on the tubular. The stop collar may also include a shield disposed around at least a portion of the flexible member, to protect the flexible member in a downhole environment. The stop collar may also or instead include an adhesive disposed radially between the flexible member and the tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Jean Buytaert, Clayton Plucheck, Ira Eugene Hining
  • Publication number: 20150047855
    Abstract: A centralizer for centralizing a tubular in a wellbore, and a method of manufacturing a centralizer. The centralizer may include a plurality of ribs spaced circumferentially apart from one another around the tubular. Each of the ribs may include a first end section, a second end section, and a middle section extending between the first and second end sections. A first plurality of spacers may be spaced circumferentially apart from one another around the tubular. Each of the first plurality of spacers may be positioned circumferentially between two of the plurality of ribs. The first plurality of spacers and the first end sections of the plurality of ribs may be axially aligned and together at least partially define a first end collar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Jean Buytaert, Clayton Plucheck, Ira Eugene Hining
  • Publication number: 20150047907
    Abstract: A downhole tool including a body configured to be positioned on an outer surface of a tubular. A flexible member may extend circumferentially around the body more than once. The body may be positioned radially-between the outer surface of the tubular and the flexible member, and a tension force on the flexible member may cause the flexible member to apply a radially-inward gripping force on the body and the tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Jean Buytaert, Clayton Plucheck, Ira Eugene Hining
  • Publication number: 20150021047
    Abstract: A centralizer, method, and centralizer assembly. For example, the centralizer assembly includes a first stop collar fixed in place on a tubular, and a first end collar that is sized to slide axially over the first stop collar. The centralizer assembly also includes a first retainer coupled with the first end collar. The first retainer prevents the first stop collar from sliding past the first stop collar in at least one axial direction. The assembly also includes a plurality of ribs coupled with the first end collar and configured to engage a surrounding tubular in which the tubular is disposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Jean Buytaert, Ira Eugene Hining, Eugene Edward Miller, David E. Y. Levie, Richard Ronald Baynham
  • Publication number: 20150008042
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a wear band comprises a rotating element having a bore receivable on a tubular, the bore comprising first and second bore portions slidably receiving first and second sleeve bearings. Outer surfaces of the sleeve bearings slidably engage the bore portions and the bores of the sleeve bearings slidably engage the tubular. A first stop collar and a second stop collar may be received on the tubular to together straddle the rotating element and sleeve bearings to longitudinally secure the rotating element in a position on the tubular. The tubular may be included within a tubular string run into a borehole or into the bore of an installed casing, such as in casing while drilling. The rotating element provides stand-off between a tubular and the wall of a bore, reduces frictional resistance to longitudinal sliding and also to rotation of the tubular string within the bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Jean Buytaert, Eugene Edward Miller, Ira Eugene Hining
  • Publication number: 20140352980
    Abstract: An attachment apparatus for attaching to a tubular. The apparatus may include a flexible member extending circumferentially around the tubular more than once. A tension force on the flexible member may cause the flexible member to apply a first radially-inward gripping force on the tubular. An annular sleeve may be positioned radially-outward from the flexible member. The sleeve may apply a second radially-inward gripping force on the flexible member and the tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Brent James Lirette, Michael Lynn Betik, Jean Buytaert, Clayton Plucheck, Ira Eugene Hining
  • Publication number: 20140310935
    Abstract: A bow-spring centralizer (6) includes bow springs (5), moving collars (11) secured to each end of each bow spring, and interlocked stop collars (10). Extendable collars (8) may each be formed of a moving collar (11) movably interlocked with a stop collar (10). The centralizer (6) may optionally be formed from a tube cut using a laser to create two extendable collars coupled by bow springs. Each extendable collar may include heads integrally formed on extensions protruding from a collar (stop collar or moving collar). The heads may be generally rectangular, arrow, or teardrop-shaped head or some other shape. Each head may be slidably captured within a chamber on the interlocked collar (moving collar or stop collar). The extensions of each interlocked tubular member define the outer walls of the chamber in which a head of the interlocked tubular member is slidably captured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Jean Buytaert, Eugene Edward Miller, Ira Eugene Hining
  • Patent number: 8863834
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a wear band comprises a rotating element having a bore receivable on a tubular, the bore comprising first and second bore portions slidably receiving first and second sleeve bearings. Outer surfaces of the sleeve bearings slidably engage the bore portions and the bores of the sleeve bearings slidably engage the tubular. A first stop collar and a second stop collar may be received on the tubular to together straddle the rotating element and sleeve bearings to longitudinally secure the rotating element in a position on the tubular. The tubular may be included within a tubular string run into a borehole or into the bore of an installed casing, such as in casing while drilling. The rotating element provides stand-off between a tubular and the wall of a bore, reduces frictional resistance to longitudinal sliding and also to rotation of the tubular string within the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Antelope Oil Tool & Mfg. Co., LLC
    Inventors: Jean Buytaert, Eugene Edward Miller, Ira Eugene Hining
  • Patent number: 8851168
    Abstract: A centralizer having a plurality of collapsible bows interconnecting a first collar and a second collar, with the centralizer disposed on a tubular with a stop collar, and an attachable retainer(s) of the centralizer blocking passage of the stop collar therethrough. The bows may have a yield strength of at least about 200,000 psi. Outer surface of the bows may have a coefficient of friction equal or less than about 0.02. Maximum radial thickness of centralizer when the plurality of collapsible bows is fully collapsed may be equal to or less than 3/16?. Centralizer may be rotatable relative to tubular. Centralizer having a split tubular body forming first and second collars connected by collapsible bows and a retainer to retain the split tubular body on the tubular, and the retainer, the first collar and/or the second collar providing a recess therein to receive a stop collar of the tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Antelope Oil Tool & Mfg. Co., LLC
    Inventors: Jean Buytaert, Ira Eugene Hining