Patents by Inventor James Dan Vick, Jr.

James Dan Vick, Jr. 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: 11352846
    Abstract: Provided, in one embodiment, is a pulling prong. The pulling prong, in one example, includes an outer housing, and a nose assembly slidably located within the outer housing. In this example, the nose assembly and outer housing form an activation chamber. The pulling prong, in this example, may further include activation means located within the activation chamber, the activation means configured to move the nose assembly from a first running configuration to a second retrieving configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: James Dan Vick, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11299961
    Abstract: Provided is a safety valve. The safety valve, in one example, includes a piston located within a piston chamber, the piston separating the piston chamber into a first portion and a second portion and configured to slide to move a valve closure mechanism between a closed state and an open state. The safety valve, according to this example, includes a first control/balance line fluidically coupled to the first portion of the piston chamber, a second control/balance line fluidically coupled to the second portion of the piston chamber, and a chemical line fluidically coupled to the second control/balance line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: James Dan Vick, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11274523
    Abstract: A flapper valve assembly including a tubular forming an interior passageway; a valve seat forming a portion of the interior passageway; a flapper plate that is pivotably mounted to the tubular at a pivot point such that the flapper plate is pivotable between a valve closed and a valve open position; and a spring engaging the flapper plate such that the flapper plate is biased towards the valve closed position; wherein, when the flapper plate is in the valve open position, the spring engages a top of the flapper plate at a first distance from the pivot point; wherein, when the flapper plate is in the valve closed position, the spring engages the top of the flapper plate at a second distance from the pivot point; and wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Abram Serda Galindo, James Dan Vick, Jr., Leo Guadalupe Collins, Russell Irving Bayh, Jimmie Robert Williamson
  • Patent number: 11268335
    Abstract: Provided is a wellbore tractor and method for operating a well system. The wellbore tractor, in one aspect, includes a base member, a hydraulically powered drive section coupled to the base member, and one or more turbines coupled to the hydraulically powered drive section for powering the hydraulically powered drive section based upon fluid flow across the one or more turbines. The wellbore tractor, according to this aspect, further includes one or more wellbore engaging devices radially extending from the hydraulically powered drive section, the one or more wellbore engaging devices contactable with a surface of a wellbore for displacing the wellbore tractor axially downhole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James Dan Vick, Jr., Michael Linley Fripp, Xiaoguang Allan Zhong
  • Publication number: 20220050036
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining fluid density include receiving calibration data for a fluid density measurement tool. The fluid density measurement tool can include a cantilever beam and at least one strain sensor that is coupled to the cantilever beam. The cantilever beam can be housed in the fluid density measurement tool and is buoyed by a fluid that enters the fluid density measurement tool. The systems and methods measure strain values at the at least one strain sensor and determine a density of the fluid based on the calibration data, and the strain values measured at the at least one strain sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: James Dan Vick, JR., Michael Linley Fripp
  • Patent number: 11248437
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include a packer. The packer includes a fluid bypass positioned along a longitudinal axis of the packer. The fluid bypass provides a fluid flow path between a downhole location and an uphole location from the packer. Additionally, the packer includes a sealing element positioned around the fluid bypass that is elastically deformable to expand in a direction radially outward from the longitudinal axis when the sealing element experiences axial compression. The sealing element includes at least one elastomeric seal reinforcer molded into the elastomeric seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Decena Ornelaz, Stephen Michael Greci, Xiaoguang Allan Zhong, James Dan Vick, Jr., Peter C. Dagenais, Abdel Hamid R. Abeidoh
  • Patent number: 11248441
    Abstract: A safety valve may include: an outer housing comprising a central bore extending axially through the outer housing; a flow tube including: a translating sleeve; and a flow tube main body disposed within the translating sleeve, wherein the flow tube main body has an upper end and a lower end; a piston operable to transmit a force to the translating sleeve; a flapper valve disposed on a distal end of the outer housing; and an electromagnet assembly operable to maintain the safety valve in an open state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James Dan Vick, Jr., Jimmie Robert Williamson, Bruce Edward Scott, Michael Linley Fripp
  • Patent number: 11215027
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods incorporating design features that may be beneficial over current available well safety valves, such as a sleeved receptacle for a piston, a constrained piston rod, and a trapped flapper valve. A safety valve may comprise: an outer housing having a central bore extending axially through the outer housing, wherein the outer housing comprises an outer wall having a receptacle formed in the outer wall; a sleeve disposed in the receptacle; a piston disposed in the sleeve, wherein the piston is actuated to travel in the sleeve; a spring positioned to apply a biasing force to the piston; and a valve member disposed in the outer housing, wherein the valve member is operable to selectively restrict flow through the safety valve in response to movement of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James Dan Vick, Jr., Andrew James Kelbie
  • Patent number: 11208870
    Abstract: A flapper valve assembly that includes a tubular forming an interior passageway and comprising an internal shoulder; a valve seat forming a portion of the interior passageway and spaced from the internal shoulder to form a flapper chamber; a flapper plate that is pivotably mounted to the tubular at a pivot point and positioned within the flapper chamber; wherein the flapper plate is pivotable within the flapper chamber between a valve closed and valve open position; and a first spring extending within the flapper chamber and engaging the flapper plate such that the flapper plate is biased towards the valve closed position; wherein the first spring comprises spaced right and left arms that are in contact with the flapper plate; and wherein, when the flapper plate is in the valve closed position, each of the right and left arms extends away from the flapper plate and towards the internal shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Abram Serda Galindo, James Dan Vick, Jr., Leo Guadalupe Collins, Russell Irving Bayh, Jimmie Robert Williamson
  • Patent number: 11203917
    Abstract: A subsurface safety valve for controlling fluid flow in a well conduit incorporating a pressure equalizing feature. The safety valve includes a body member having a longitudinal bore, a valve actuator having axial movement within the longitudinal bore and a valve that restricts flow through the longitudinal bore. An equalization fluid flow passageway provides a fluid path between the longitudinal bore above the valve and the longitudinal bore below the valve. An equalizing device is located within the equalization fluid flow passageway and configured to resist sand and debris effects on its operation, the equalizing device regulating flow through the equalization fluid flow passageway and operated by the valve actuator prior to opening the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James Dan Vick, Jr., Cody Loy Campbell, Jimmie Robert Williamson, Bharat B. Pawar
  • Patent number: 11193353
    Abstract: A sliding sleeve well device has a first sliding sleeve received in a second sliding sleeve. A polymer seal having a polymer sealing surface is between and in sealing contact with the sliding sleeves. A metal-to-metal seal is between the sliding sleeves and actuable into sealing contact with the first and second sliding sleeves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James Dan Vick, Jr., Jimmie Robert Williamson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11180974
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a cylindrical housing having a hinge, a flapper attached to the hinge, and a slidable element is within the cylindrical housing, wherein the flapper can rotate from a first flapper position to a second flapper position. The slidable element is slidable from a first position to a second position and engages with the flapper at the first position to prevent the flapper from moving to the second flapper position. The flapper is movable to the second flapper position when the slidable element is disengaged from the flapper. The apparatus also includes a latching mechanism attached to the slidable element movable from a first latching mechanism position to a second latching mechanism position. The slidable element is at the first position when the latching mechanism is at the first latching mechanism position and at the second position when the latching mechanism is at the second latching mechanism position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James Dan Vick, Jr., Jimmie Robert Williamson
  • Publication number: 20210332693
    Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a patch with a wall configured to be seated in a well casing. A sensor is mounted to the wall of the patch. The wall of the patch can define a central passage therethrough configured to allow passage of downhole tools therethrough. The wall of the patch can be expandable from a first compressed diameter to a second expanded diameter. The wall of the patch can include at least one of a corrugated expandable structure, a stretchable structure, and/or an internally trussed expandable structure, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: James Dan VICK, Jr., Michael Linley FRIPP
  • Patent number: 11136861
    Abstract: Wellbore systems containing a hydraulically regulated primary safety valve may have their hydraulic regulation transferred to an insert safety valve disposed in a nipple. Transfer of the hydraulic regulation may take place mechanically, such as through axial displacement of a sliding sleeve or by replacement of a hydraulic spool. Wellbore systems configured for axial displacement of a switching mechanism may comprise: a tubing string comprising a nipple and a primary safety valve, the primary safety valve being disposed in the tubing string above or below the nipple; a control line and a balance line in hydraulic communication with the primary safety valve and in latent hydraulic communication with an internal flow pathway within the nipple; and a switching mechanism that is axially displaceable to establish hydraulic communication between an insert safety valve positioned in a bore of the nipple and both the control line and the balance line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jimmie Robert Williamson, Glenn Ray Davis, James Dan Vick, Jr., Robert Arthur Rademaker
  • Publication number: 20210222507
    Abstract: Soluble plugs are usable downhole to block fluid flow, but dissolve in response to contact with fluid to allow fluid flow. Some aspects can involve a plug assembly including a housing and a plug. The housing can be positioned in a flow path in a wellbore. The plug can be positioned in an inner area of the housing for preventing fluid flow between a first part of the flow path and a second part of the flow path. The plug can include a solid material for at least partially dissolving in response to contact with a fluid to allow fluid flow between the first part and the second part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventor: James Dan Vick, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20210215280
    Abstract: A threaded joint (200) provides for metal-to-metal sealing on the ends of concentrically positioned inner and outer tubes when joining the concentric tubes to a single tube (107). A threaded coupling (105) secures the inner and outer tubes and joins both tubes to a single tube. The threaded connection leverages metal-to-metal sealing on the ends of each tube. The inner tube (102) may differ in length from the outer tube (101) and contains a single thread (211) at its for receiving the threaded coupling. Threading the coupling onto the inner tube establishes four flexing metal-to-metal seals (209A-D) between the threaded joint components. The inner and outer tubes maintain contact at the internal shoulder (104) as a result of preloading. If the tubes are of varying thicknesses, a nut (307) is placed between the internal shoulder and the threaded coupling to preserve contact between the tubes at the internal shoulder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventor: James Dan Vick, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11041363
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for decreasing the cost and improving a suitable well safety valve. A well safety valve, comprising: an outer housing having a central bore extending axially through the outer housing, wherein the outer housing comprises an outer wall having a receptacle formed in the outer wall; an inner sleeve disposed in the central bore of the outer housing, wherein the inner sleeve comprises a lockout feature in an exterior surface of the inner sleeve; a sleeve disposed in the receptacle; a piston disposed in the sleeve, wherein the piston is actuated to travel longitudinally in the sleeve, wherein the inner sleeve is operable to move in response to movement of the piston; and a valve member disposed in the outer housing, wherein the valve member is operable to selectively restrict flow through the well safety valve in response to movement of the inner sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: James Dan Vick, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20210180431
    Abstract: A flapper valve assembly that includes a tubular forming an interior passageway and comprising an internal shoulder; a valve seat forming a portion of the interior passageway and spaced from the internal shoulder to form a flapper chamber; a flapper plate that is pivotably mounted to the tubular at a pivot point and positioned within the flapper chamber; wherein the flapper plate is pivotable within the flapper chamber between a valve closed and valve open position; and a first spring extending within the flapper chamber and engaging the flapper plate such that the flapper plate is biased towards the valve closed position; wherein the first spring comprises spaced right and left arms that are in contact with the flapper plate; and wherein, when the flapper plate is in the valve closed position, each of the right and left arms extends away from the flapper plate and towards the internal shoulder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Abram Serda Galindo, James Dan Vick, JR., Leo Guadalupe Collins, Russell Irving BAYH, Jimmie Robert Williamson
  • Patent number: 11035199
    Abstract: Provided are electric safety valves and methods of use. An electric safety valve comprises an electric actuator positioned in an interior chamber of the electric safety valve; the interior chamber comprising a dielectric fluid and being pressure and temperature compensated with a flow passage extending axially through the electric safety valve. The pressure and temperature compensation is performed via a compensating subassembly in pressure communication with the interior chamber thereby providing a section-balanced electric safety valve. The electric safety valve further comprises a protective sleeve separating the interior chamber from the flow passage. The electric safety valve further comprises at least one compression spring rod coupled to a closure member capable of restricting or preventing fluid flow through the flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James Dan Vick, Jr., Bruce Edward Scott
  • Publication number: 20210164319
    Abstract: A subsurface tool adapted to extend within a wellbore includes an integrally formed single-component body that defines an external surface and an internal chamber isolated from the external surface. When the tool is subjected to one or more stresses, a stress concentration is created within a stress zone of the single-component body, the stress zone being adjacent the internal chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2021
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: James Dan Vick, JR., Kevin Robin Passmore, Shaun Wen Jie NG, Robert Arthur Rademaker