Patents by Inventor James G. King

James G. King 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: 20160076337
    Abstract: A tubular assembly includes a turbular member having at least one opening, and a sleeve slidingly mounted relative to the tubular member. The sleeve is shiftable between an open configuration in which the at least one opening is exposed and a closed configuration in which the at least one opening is covered by the sleeve. A degradable locking member is mounted relative to one of the turbular and the sleeve. The degradable locking member selectively retains the sleeve in the open configuration. The degradable locking member is configured to degrade when exposed to a downhole fluid allowing the sleeve to be shifted to the closed configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jason M. Harper, James G. King, James Scott Sanchez
  • Patent number: 9279312
    Abstract: A downhole tool includes a tubular including a port. A first ball mechanism including a first shuttle axially movable within the tubular from a first position covering the port to a second position exposing the port. A first ball seat movable with the first shuttle and a second ball mechanism including a second shuttle axially movable within the tubular from a first position exposing the port to a second position covering the port. A second ball seat movable with the second shuttle, wherein an opening of the first ball seat is smaller than an opening of the second ball seat. Also includes a method of opening and closing a port in a downhole tubular and a method of completing downhole operations in a non-sequential order using a sleeve system having a plurality of downhole tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: James G. King
  • Patent number: 9255461
    Abstract: The removable plug features a solid material that is housed in a porous container that has its shape changed to transition from the run in shape to the set shape. A swage is moved through a passage in the container to enlarge the passage and move the container to a borehole wall. The passage is then closed such as with a flapper valve or by moving in a mandrel into the expanded passage and lodging the mandrel in the expanded passage. Various release techniques are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: James G. King, Edward J. O'Malley, Charles C. Johnson, James C. Doane, Steve Rosenblatt
  • Publication number: 20150345244
    Abstract: A fully disintegrating plug has a passage therethrough and a ball seat at an upper end. The seal material that comprises plastic nuggets, sand and a grease binder is initially disposed behind a protective sleeve. A wireline setting tool creates relative movement between a plunger and a mandrel body that has a ramp surface adjacent the outlet of the protective sleeve. The sleeve outlet is closed for running in but plunger movement pushes the seal material so as to displace the closure at the sleeve outlet with the seal material that is forced up the mandrel ramp surface and against the surrounding tubular. After an object is landed on the mandrel seat and the treating is concluded, the plug components are caused to disintegrate or otherwise fail for complete removal. Multiple plugs are contemplated for fracturing or other treating applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: James C. Doane, James G. King, Jason M. Harper, Robert J. Taylor, Bennett M. Richard
  • Patent number: 9145758
    Abstract: Apparatuses for restricting fluid flow through a conduit comprise a seat sleeve disposed in a housing, the housing being disposed in a tubular member. The seat sleeve comprises a seat and one or more ports in fluid communication with a seat sleeve bore. One or more seat bypass fluid flow channels are disposed in the housing and are initially placed in fluid communication with at least one of the seat sleeve ports. Landing a plug element on the seat blocks fluid flow through the seat, but fluid flow is permitted to flow through the seat bypass fluid flow channels, through the seat sleeve ports, and into the seat sleeve bore. Movement of the seat sleeve downward closes the seat sleeve ports. Thus, a plug element can restrict fluid flowing through an area of the apparatus that is larger than the plug element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: James G. King
  • Patent number: 9109425
    Abstract: The removable plug features a solid material that is housed in a porous container that has its shape changed to transition from the run in shape to the set shape. A running string and setting tool that creates relative movement deliver the plug and pull on its lower end while holding the top stationary against a backing plate. The container is pulled into itself as the radial dimension grows for the set. There can be a mandrel that remains in position and can lock to the backing plate or alternatively there can be no mandrel or a removable mandrel. The porous container can be removed in a variety of ways to let the solid material escape to be removed with fluid circulating in the wellbore. Alternatively the mandrel can be undermined to let the solid material escape for recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: James G. King, Edward J. O'Malley, Charles C. Johnson, James C. Doane, Steve Rosenblatt
  • Publication number: 20150211324
    Abstract: The frack plug has a sealing element that reforms when set to hold differential pressure. The element is granular with adhesive to hold the granular particles together but allow the shape to reform under setting force. The adhesive can be broken down with a chemical agent or in other ways to allow the seal to reform to the sealing position at the desired depth. As a result the structural components can disintegrate and the seal assembly can fragment into small pieces that can be circulated out of the well or allowed to drop to the hole bottom. The seal can have particles of controlled electrolytic materials (CEM), natural or synthetic sand, swelling or non-swelling rubber. The assembly can contain pellets that selectively release to initiate the breakdown of the structural components of the frack plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: James G. King, James C. Doane, Jason M. Harper, Robert J. Taylor, Erwin D. Hernaez
  • Patent number: 9080439
    Abstract: A deformation system, including a deformable member and a tool operatively arranged to deform the member due to actuation of the tool from a first set of dimensions at which the deformable member is positionable with respect to a structure to a second set of dimensions at which the deformable member engages with the structure. The tool at least partially comprises a disintegrable material responsive to a selected fluid. A method of operating a deformation system is also included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Edward J. O'Malley, Graeme M. Kelbie, YingQing Xu, James G. King, Jimmie J. Holland
  • Patent number: 9033055
    Abstract: An actuation system and method includes a tubular defining a passage, and an assembly disposed with the tubular. The assembly includes a restriction operatively arranged to receive a restrictor for enabling actuation of the assembly. The restriction includes a degradable material with a protective layer thereon, the degradable material degrading upon exposure to a fluid in the passage and the protective layer isolating the degradable material from the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Matthew T. Mccoy, Matthew D. Solfronk, Jack D. Farmer, William A. Burton, James G. King, Jason J. Barnard, Edward J. O'Malley
  • Publication number: 20150090449
    Abstract: A cement masking system including a tubular having a wall with at least one radial port. At least one swellable member arranged to cover the at least one port. The at least one swellable member configured to at least partially displace cement radially of the tubular during radial expansion of the at least one swellable member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Edward J. O'Malley, Charles C. Johnson, James G. King
  • Publication number: 20150090448
    Abstract: A downhole system including a tubular having a wall with at least one port there through. At least one member arranged to cover the at least one port in a compressed condition thereof. Configured to at least partially displace cement pumped on an exterior of the tubular in a radially expanded condition of the at least one member. Also included is a method of non-ballistically opening ports in a tubular of a downhole system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Edward J. O'Malley, James G. King, Charles C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8985216
    Abstract: A sliding sleeve has an associated shock absorber to limit shock loading to the shifting apparatus when the end of travel is reached. An adjacent sleeve defined an annular cavity in a manner that does not reduce the drift dimension of the shifting sleeve. The cavity has a fluid in it and the movement of the shifted sleeve causes the movement of the shock absorber sleeve to reduce the fluid volume in the annular cavity. The volume reduction forces fluid through a restriction to regulate the speed of the sliding sleeve as a travel stop is reached. The fluid can be a gas, an incompressible fluid or grease. The restriction can be temporarily covered such as with a rupture disc. Room to compensate for thermal expansion can be provided in the annular space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: James G. King
  • Publication number: 20140345877
    Abstract: An actuation system and method, the system including a tubular having a passage, and an assembly disposed with the tubular. The assembly includes a degradable restriction, the restriction only partially blocking the passage prior to being degraded. The assembly is configured to receive and prevent further movement of a restrictor through the tubular prior to the restriction being degraded. The assembly is further configured to release the restrictor when the restriction is degraded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Matthew T. McCoy, Matthew D. Solfronk, Jack D. Farmer, William A. Burton, James G. King, Jason J. Barnard, Edward J. O'Malley
  • Patent number: 8807209
    Abstract: A swellable material seal includes a quantity of swellable material disposed in a geometric configuration; and a plurality of openings in the material to enhance wettability thereof by a swelling fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: James G. King
  • Patent number: 8800661
    Abstract: A sliding sleeve device features a first sleeve that can be shifted with a dropped object on a seat and applied pressure to open a housing port. A second sleeve is in line with the first sleeve and be shifted to straddle the housing ports that we exposed when the opening sleeve was shifted initially. Snap rings or other locking devices can be used to hold the closing sleeve in the shifted position with the housing ports closed. The closing sleeve can also be shifted with a shifting tool that is run for example on coiled tubing. The opening sleeve can also optionally be shifted with a tool in an uphole direction to open the housing ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul Madero, James G. King, Jack D. Farmer
  • Patent number: 8770299
    Abstract: A tubular actuating system includes a plurality of series of actuators disposed within a tubular with at least one of the series having a plurality of actuators. Each of the plurality of actuators in the at least one of the series is alterable from a first position allowing passage of plugs below a selected size to a second position allowing actuation by plugs of selected sizes. The plurality of actuators of the series are distributed within the tubular such that the more upstream of any two of the plurality of actuators is actuatingly engagable with a larger one of the plugs than the more downstream of the two of the plurality of actuators when in the second position, and the plurality of series is distributed such that for any two of the series the more upstream of the two series requires a larger plug to alter the actuators therewithin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: James G. King
  • Patent number: 8739879
    Abstract: A series of sliding sleeves is actuated by a single ball that lands on a first ball seat and shifts the ball seat. The shifting of the ball seat also allows tubing pressure to communicate to a formerly atmospheric chamber on one side of a piston integrated into the back side of the sliding sleeve. The other side of the piston remains at atmospheric pressure so that the shifting of the ball seat not only releases the ball to go to the next ball seat but also puts a net force on the sliding sleeve to shift it against a travel stop to open a port to allow fracturing, even if there is cement in the annulus around the opened port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: James G. King
  • Publication number: 20140048251
    Abstract: The removable plug features a solid material that is housed in a porous container that has its shape changed to transition from the run in shape to the set shape. A swage is moved through a passage in the container to enlarge the passage and move the container to a borehole wall. The passage is then closed such as with a flapper valve or by moving in a mandrel into the expanded passage and lodging the mandrel in the expanded passage. Various release techniques are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: James G. King, Edward J. O'Malley, Charles C. Johnson, James C. Doane, Steve Rosenblatt
  • Publication number: 20140048252
    Abstract: The removable plug features a solid material that is housed in a porous container that has its shape changed to transition from the run in shape to the set shape. A running string and setting tool that creates relative movement deliver the plug and pull on its lower end while holding the top stationary against a backing plate. The container is pulled into itself as the radial dimension grows for the set. There can be a mandrel that remains in position and can lock to the backing plate or alternatively there can be no mandrel or a removable mandrel. The porous container can be removed in a variety of ways to let the solid material escape to be removed with fluid circulating in the wellbore. Alternatively the mandrel can be undermined to let the solid material escape for recovery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: James G. King, Edward J. O'Malley, Charles C. Johnson, James C. Doane, Steve Rosenblatt
  • Patent number: 8646531
    Abstract: A tubular actuating system includes a tubular, a plurality of same plugs runnable within the tubular, an actuator disposed within the tubular, and a seatable member disposed at the actuator configured to be respositionable relative to the actuator between an unseated position and a seated position upon passage of at least one of the plurality of same plugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: James G. King, Yang Xu