Patents by Inventor Leland B. Traylor

Leland B. Traylor 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: 8021129
    Abstract: A submersible pumping system comprises a piston that is axially moveable relative to a body between an extended position and a retracted position. A pump valve is coupled to the body and in fluid communication with a supply of operating fluid. The pump valve has a first position, where the pump valve supplies operating fluid so as to move the piston to the extended position, and a second position, where the pump valve supplies operating fluid so as to move the piston to the retracted position. The pumping system also comprises an upper stop that is coupled to the pump valve so that the pump valve is moved to the first position when the upper stop is engaged by the piston in the retracted position. The pumping system also comprises a lower stop that is coupled to the pump valve so that the pump valve is moved to the second position when the lower stop is engaged by the piston in the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Smith Lift, Inc.
    Inventors: Leland B. Traylor, Jared Mangum, Paul A. Treaster
  • Patent number: 7938200
    Abstract: A downhole motor to drill a wellbore including a pumping apparatus having a first chamber configured to receive a first fluid and a second fluid, and a first flexible diaphragm disposed with the first chamber configured to separate the first and second fluid, wherein the first flexible diaphragm is configured to transfer a hydraulic energy between the first fluid and the second fluid. In addition, the downhole motor includes a motor portion coupled to the pumping apparatus and configured to receive the second fluid and convert the hydraulic energy of the second fluid into a mechanical energy, thereby creating a torque. Further, the downhole motor includes a bit shaft coupled to the motor portion, configured to receive the torque from the motor portion and the first fluid from the pumping apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventor: Leland B. Traylor
  • Publication number: 20090139769
    Abstract: A downhole motor to drill a wellbore including a pumping apparatus having a first chamber configured to receive a first fluid and a second fluid, and a first flexible diaphragm disposed with the first chamber configured to separate the first and second fluid, wherein the first flexible diaphragm is configured to transfer a hydraulic energy between the first fluid and the second fluid. In addition, the downhole motor includes a motor portion coupled to the pumping apparatus and configured to receive the second fluid and convert the hydraulic energy of the second fluid into a mechanical energy, thereby creating a torque. Further, the downhole motor includes a bit shaft coupled to the motor portion, configured to receive the torque from the motor portion and the first fluid from the pumping apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Leland B. Traylor
  • Publication number: 20080003118
    Abstract: A submersible pumping system comprises a piston that is axially moveable relative to a body between an extended position and a retracted position. A pump valve is coupled to the body and in fluid communication with a supply of operating fluid. The pump valve has a first position, where the pump valve supplies operating fluid so as to move the piston to the extended position, and a second position, where the pinup valve supplies operating fluid so as to move the piston to the retracted position. The pumping system also comprises an upper stop that is coupled to the pump valve so that the pump valve is moved to the first position when the upper stop is engaged by the piston in the retracted position. The pumping system also comprises a lower stop that is coupled to the pump valve so that the pump valve is moved to the second position when the lower stop is engaged by the piston in the extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: SMITH LIFT, INC.
    Inventors: Leland B. Traylor, Jared Mangum, Paul A. Treaster
  • Patent number: 7252148
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for pumping fluids from a well utilizing a submersible pumping system. In one embodiment, the pump comprises a pump body operable to be disposed within tubing within a well. The pump body encloses a pump chamber having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is in fluid communication with the well. A diaphragm is disposed within the pump chamber and forms a boundary between the pump chamber and a diaphragm chamber. A piston is moveably disposed within the diaphragm chamber. The piston may be moved within the diaphragm chamber by a pressure intensifier supplied with a pressure differential from the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventor: Leland B. Traylor
  • Patent number: 6889765
    Abstract: The invention generally concerns a submersible well pumping system comprising an axially elongated housing and a multi-chamber hydraulically driven diaphragm pump suspended in a well. The pump is driven by a self-contained, closed hydraulic system, activated by an electric, pneumatic or hydraulic motor. Several embodiments are used to reverse the flow of working fluid into and out of the working fluid sub-chambers of a two chambered diaphragm pump to operate the diaphragm pump over all operating conditions including starts and stops, and low speed. Generally, the embodiments sense the end of the pumping stroke, either directly or by time. When the end of the pumping stroke is sensed, the direction of flow is reversed by changing the state of a directional valve, operating a reversing clutch, or by deactivating one prime mover-auxiliary pump and activating a second that operates in the reverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Smith Lift, Inc.
    Inventor: Leland B. Traylor
  • Publication number: 20040188096
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for deployment and retrieval of a submersible pump in a well. The submersible pump is deployed and retrieved by using a power conduit that conveys power to the submersible pump. More specifically, the power conduit has a substantially neutral buoyancy when submersed in the well fluid. The buoyancy reduces the mechanical loading of the power conduit when submerged in the well fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventor: Leland B. Traylor
  • Patent number: 6017198
    Abstract: The invention generally concerns a submersible well pumping system comprising an axially elongated housing having a diameter less than the bore hole of the well, a multi-chamber hydraulically driven diaphragm pump, suspended in the well using coiled tubing, in which the coiled tubing contains one or more electrical cables to provide power to the pump from the surface. The pump is driven by a self-contained, closed loop hydraulic system, activated by an electric or hydraulic motor. The flow of working fluid into and out of the pumping chambers is controlled by a two state snap-acting valve, in turn controlled by a sensor which senses the proximity of the working diaphragm and generates an electrical signal to change the state of the valve, typically when either diaphragm reaches the bottom of the pumping stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Inventors: Leland B Traylor, John R Nelson