Patents by Inventor James H. Kritzler

James H. Kritzler 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: 20120312554
    Abstract: An insert device can straddle an existing production string port into the annulus such as through an open sliding sleeve so that annulus access into the production string is available. An injection string is associated with the insert to allow placement of the injection fluid at the desired location even if that location is below an isolation packer. The port can be part of an existing ported sub such as a sliding sleeve. Alternatively, the port can be created at a desired location and the insert supported with an anchor so that spaced seals straddle the port that is created to allow injection access from the annulus into the production tubing. The produced fluids pass around the injection tubing and through the insert body to get to the surface. The insert can be removed if needed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Hai H. Nguyen, James H. Holt, James H. Kritzler
  • Publication number: 20120211239
    Abstract: A production fluid control apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a gas lift assembly in fluid communication with a borehole production conduit, the gas lift assembly configured to control a flow of pressurized gas between an annular region of a borehole and the production conduit; and at least one plug disposed in operable communication with the gas lift assembly, the at least one plug configured to prevent fluid flow through the gas lift assembly and configured to be actuated to allow fluid flow through the gas lift assembly in response to exposure to a downhole fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: James H. Kritzler, Christopher K. Clopper, Zhiyue Xu, Peter J. Fay
  • Publication number: 20110203805
    Abstract: A valving device includes a tubular having a wall including a passageway therethrough fluidically connecting an outside of the tubular with an inside of the tubular, a plug movable relative to the wall between a first position wherein the plug substantially prevents fluid flow through the passageway and a second position wherein the plug permits fluid flow through the passageway. At least one force failing member configured to maintain the plug in the first position until attainment of a selected force acts upon the plug, and movement of the plug is in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tubular yet non-coaxial with the tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: James H. Kritzler, Donald F. Ingvardsen
  • Publication number: 20110180267
    Abstract: A flow control device is provided that in one embodiment includes a flow-through region configured to receive formation fluid at an inflow region and discharge the received fluid at an outflow region and a setting device configured to adjust the flow of the fluid through the flow-through region to a selected level. The setting device includes a coupling member configured to be coupled to an external latching device adapted to move the coupling member to cause the setting device to alter the flow of the fluid from the flow-through region to the selected level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Samuel L. Wildman, James H. Kritzler, Paul W. Atkins, Raymond D. Chavers, Stephen Bisset
  • Publication number: 20100122819
    Abstract: Improved inserts for use in side pocket mandrels which include one or more annular sealing elements that are formed of an elastomeric material that swell in response to heat or fluid saturation. When the insert is emplaced within a side pocket mandrel, the swellable elastomer can then be swelled, using either heat or fluid saturation, to cause the sealing element(s) to expand and seal against the seal bore of the side pocket mandrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Samuel L. Wildman, James H. Kritzler, Walt R. Chapman, Paul W. Atkins
  • Patent number: 7360602
    Abstract: Gas lift valve designs and gas lift systems are described that feature a positive closure mechanism that is highly resistant to significant wear or damage that would result in fluid leakage. A pivotable flapper member is incorporated into a gas lift valve and used as a flow control mechanism. The flapper member provides a positive barrier to fluid flow from the production tubing to the annulus, even after substantial wear or damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: James H. Kritzler, James H. Holt, Vic Randazzo, Walt R. Chapman
  • Patent number: 7228897
    Abstract: Well completion cement may be pumped through a side pocket mandrel that includes parallel rows of filler sections to exclude cement from void space within the side pocket tube. The filler sections are drilled with cross-flow jet channels and surface upsets to stimulate scrubbing turbulence by well working fluid behind a cement wiper plug. The wiper plug includes leading and trailing groups of wiper discs secured to an elongated shaft. The two wiper groups are separated by a distance that permits the leading seal group to gain traction seal before the push seal on the trailing wiper group is lost. A spring centralizer spans a center section of the shaft between the two wiper groups to maintain axial alignment of the shaft as the plug traverses the length of a mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: James H. Holt, Jr., Walter R. Chapman, James H. Kritzler, Jeffrey L. Osselburn, Keith E. Lewis
  • Patent number: 6810955
    Abstract: A side-pocket gas lift mandrel having tapered end caps threaded onto the ends of the mandrel with metal-to-metal sealing threads. The thickness of each made up thread set is the same as the thickness of the small end of each end cap, resulting in a mandrel having the same outside diameter as if the end caps were welded on, without sacrificing any inside diameter in the small ends of the end caps, compared to a welded mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Brian A. Roth, Roger D. Hegdahl, James H. Kritzler
  • Publication number: 20040112599
    Abstract: Well completion cement may be pumped through a side pocket mandrel that includes parallel rows of filler sections to exclude cement from void space within the side pocket tube. The filler sections are drilled with cross-flow jet channels and surface upsets to stimulate scrubbing turbulence by well working fluid behind a cement wiper plug. The wiper plug includes leading and trailing groups of wiper discs secured to an elongated shaft. The two wiper groups are separated by a distance that permits the leading seal group to gain traction seal before the push seal on the trailing wiper group is lost. A spring centralizer spans a center section of the shaft between the two wiper groups to maintain axial alignment of the shaft as the plug traverses the length of a mandrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: James H. Holt, Walter R. Chapman, James H. Kritzler, Jeffrey L. Osselburn, Keith E. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20040035575
    Abstract: A side-pocket gas lift mandrel having tapered end caps threaded onto the ends of the mandrel with metal-to-metal sealing threads. The thickness of each made up thread set is the same as the thickness of the small end of each end cap, resulting in a mandrel having the same outside diameter as if the end caps were welded on, without sacrificing any inside diameter in the small ends of the end caps, compared to a welded mandrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Brian A. Roth, Roger D. Hegdahl, James H. Kritzler
  • Patent number: 5896924
    Abstract: Computer control and sensory information are combined with gas lift valve having a plurality of individual openings which are openable or closeable individually to provide varying flow rates of the lift gas. Each of the openings is controlled and is sensitive to downhole sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael A. Carmody, Robert Coon, James H. Kritzler, Brian A. Roth, Terry R. Bussear, Bruce E. Weightman