Patents by Inventor Lonnie C. Helms
Lonnie C. Helms 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).
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Patent number: 11603736Abstract: A downhole apparatus includes a casing string with a fluid barrier connected therein defining a lower end of a buoyancy chamber. A rupture disk is spaced from the fluid barrier and defines an upper end of the buoyancy chamber. A degradable plug is connected in the casing string above the rupture disk. The degradable plug defines a flow path to permit flow therethrough to the rupture disk, and is movable from a first to a second position in the casing string.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2019Date of Patent: March 14, 2023Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Lonnie C. Helms, Min Mark Yuan, Frank Vinicio Acosta
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Patent number: 11512545Abstract: Valve systems for inserting into casings used in downhole environments are provided. The valve system includes a mandrel, a check valve assembly, and a setting system. The setting system includes a sealing element, a pair of wedges, and a pair of slips, each located on an outer surface of the mandrel. The wedges are separated from each other by the sealing element. Each wedge includes an inner surface configured to slide along the outer surface of the mandrel and an angled surface having a first set of ratchet teeth. The slips are separated from each other by the pair of wedges. Each slip includes an inner surface having a second set of ratchet teeth configured to engage the first set of ratchet teeth. Also, each slip includes an outer surface having gripping elements configured to grip an inner surface of the casing.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2018Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Min M. Yuan, Stephen A. Yeldell, Lonnie C. Helms, Frank Acosta, Kevin W. Ardoin
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Patent number: 11492867Abstract: A downhole apparatus includes an outer case connectable at upper and lower ends thereof in a casing string. A degradable plug is fixed in an interior of the outer case. A rupture disc is mounted in a port in the wall of the outer case. The port is positioned to communicate a degrading fluid to an axial flow passage defined in a wall of the outer case and the axial flow passage is configured to communicate the degrading fluid back into the interior of the outer case and into the degradable plug.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2019Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Min Mark Yuan, Frank Vinicio Acosta, Lonnie C. Helms
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Patent number: 11473395Abstract: Valve systems and methods for inserting into a casing in a downhole environment are provided. A valve system includes a tool mandrel, a check valve assembly, and a setting system. The setting system includes a sealing element, wedges, slips, and a set nut. Each of the wedges and slips includes an inner surface slidable along the outer surface of the tool mandrel. Each wedge includes a primary angled surface and a secondary angled surface. The wedges are located between the slips and the secondary angled surface of one wedge is in contact to the secondary angled surface of the other wedge. Each of the slips includes an outer surface including gripping elements configured to grip an inner surface of the casing. Also, each of the slips includes an angled side surface configured to engage with the primary angled surface of the wedge.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2018Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Stephen A. Yeldell, Kevin W. Ardoin, Lonnie C. Helms, Min M. Yuan, Frank Acosta
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Patent number: 11313202Abstract: A system, method, and tool for controlling fluid in a wellbore. The system comprises a tubing string locatable in the wellbore and a crossover tool for enabling reverse circulation in the wellbore. The crossover tool comprises a tool body, a sleeve, a drag block assembly, and a packer assembly. The tool body comprises a bore in fluid communication with the tubing string and a valve in the bore. The sleeve is located in the tool body and controls the valve based on the axial position of the sleeve in the tool body. The drag block assembly is coupled to the sleeve through the tool body and engages the wellbore to resist axial movement of the sleeve relative to the tool body. The packer assembly is coupled to the tool body and creates a fluid barrier in the annulus formed between the tubing string and the wellbore.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2016Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Bo Gao, Lonnie C. Helms, Aniruddha Gadre, Yuzhu Hu, Gary Makowiecki
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Patent number: 11313189Abstract: Valve systems and methods for inserting into a casing used in a downhole environment are provided. The valve system includes a tool mandrel, a check valve assembly, and a setting system. The setting system includes inner and outer setting mandrels and a slip collar. The inner setting mandrel is located around at least a portion of the tool mandrel and includes a frustoconical outer surface. The outer setting mandrel is located around at least a portion of the inner setting mandrel and includes a frustoconical inner surface. The slip collar is located around at least a portion of the outer setting mandrel and includes a plurality of tabs and each tab includes gripping elements.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2018Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Benny E. Dawsey, Lonnie C. Helms, Stephen A. Yeldell, Min M. Yuan
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Publication number: 20210148184Abstract: A downhole apparatus comprises a casing string with a fluid barrier connected in the casing string. A degradable plug is positioned in the casing string above the fluid barrier. The degradable plug and fluid barrier define upper and lower ends of a buoyancy chamber in the casing string. The degradable plug may be degraded to leave an open bore through the casing string after the casing string is lowered into a wellbore.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2019Publication date: May 20, 2021Inventors: Lonnie C. Helms, Min Mark Yuan, Frank Vinicio Acosta, Michael Linley Fripp, Mayur Ahuja
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Publication number: 20210140262Abstract: A downhole apparatus includes an outer case connectable at upper and lower ends thereof in a casing string. A degradable plug is fixed in an interior of the outer case. A rupture disc is mounted in a port in the wall of the outer case. The port is positioned to communicate a degrading fluid to an axial flow passage defined in a wall of the outer case and the axial flow passage is configured to communicate the degrading fluid back into the interior of the outer case and into the degradable plug.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2019Publication date: May 13, 2021Inventors: Min Mark Yuan, Frank Vinicio Acosta, Lonnie C. Helms
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Publication number: 20210131221Abstract: A downhole apparatus includes a casing string with a fluid barrier connected therein defining a lower end of a buoyancy chamber. A rupture disk is spaced from the fluid barrier and defines an upper end of the buoyancy chamber. A degradable plug is connected in the casing string above the rupture disk. The degradable plug defines a flow path to permit flow therethrough to the rupture disk, and is movable from a first to a second position in the casing string.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2019Publication date: May 6, 2021Inventors: Lonnie C. Helms, Min Mark Yuan, Frank Vinicio Acosta
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Publication number: 20210062597Abstract: Valve systems for inserting into casings used in downhole environments are provided. The valve system includes a mandrel, a check valve assembly, and a setting system. The setting system includes a sealing element, a pair of wedges, and a pair of slips, each located on an outer surface of the mandrel. The wedges are separated from each other by the sealing element. Each wedge includes an inner surface configured to slide along the outer surface of the mandrel and an angled surface having a first set of ratchet teeth. The slips are separated from each other by the pair of wedges. Each slip includes an inner surface having a second set of ratchet teeth configured to engage the first set of ratchet teeth. Also, each slip includes an outer surface having gripping elements configured to grip an inner surface of the casing.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2018Publication date: March 4, 2021Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Min M. Yuan, Stephen A. Yeldell, Lonnie C. Helms, Frank Acosta, Kevin W. Ardoin
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Publication number: 20210062611Abstract: Valve systems and methods for inserting into a casing in a downhole environment are provided. A valve system includes a tool mandrel, a check valve assembly, and a setting system. The setting system includes a sealing element, wedges, slips, and a set nut. Each of the wedges and slips includes an inner surface slidable along the outer surface of the tool mandrel. Each wedge includes a primary angled surface and a secondary angled surface. The wedges are located between the slips and the secondary angled surface of one wedge is in contact to the secondary angled surface of the other wedge. Each of the slips includes an outer surface including gripping elements configured to grip an inner surface of the casing. Also, each of the slips includes an angled side surface configured to engage with the primary angled surface of the wedge.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2018Publication date: March 4, 2021Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Stephen A. Yeldell, Kevin W. Ardoin, Lonnie C. Helms, Min M. Yuan, Frank Acosta
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Patent number: 10883334Abstract: A plug for use in a cementing operation in a borehole includes a tail segment and a nose segment separate from the tail segment. The plug also includes a coupler configured to couple the tail segment to the nose segment, in which the tail segment is movable with respect to the nose segment.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2015Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Bo Gao, Lonnie C. Helms, David Li
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Publication number: 20200340315Abstract: Valve systems and methods for inserting into a casing used in a downhole environment are provided. The valve system includes a tool mandrel, a check valve assembly, and a setting system. The setting system includes inner and outer setting mandrels and a slip collar. The inner setting mandrel is located around at least a portion of the tool mandrel and includes a frustoconical outer surface. The outer setting mandrel is located around at least a portion of the inner setting mandrel and includes a frustoconical inner surface. The slip collar is located around at least a portion of the outer setting mandrel and includes a plurality of tabs and each tab includes gripping elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2018Publication date: October 29, 2020Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Benny E. Dawsey, Lonnie C. Helms, Stephen A. Yeldell, Min M. Yuan
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Publication number: 20200340314Abstract: Valve systems and methods for inserting the valve system into a casing for a downhole environment are provided. The valve system includes a mandrel, a check valve assembly, and a sealing element containing swellable polymeric material. The check valve assembly is coupled to the mandrel and operable to provide a fluid flow only in a primary direction through a passageway of the mandrel. The sealing element is located on an outer surface of the mandrel. In some examples, the sealing element includes slip buttons or other gripping elements located on the swellable polymeric material.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2018Publication date: October 29, 2020Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Stephen A. Yeldell, Lonnie C. Helms, Min M. Yuan, Frank Acosta, Shazad Nagori
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Patent number: 10378296Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing fluid flow and contamination to a cement body includes a resin cap covering an exposed end of the cement body. The cement body may attach an inner sleeve to an outer sleeve. The fluid flowing through the outer sleeve is prevented from contacting the exposed surface by the resin cap. Resin caps at both ends of the cement body along with resin layers along the side may be included. The resin prevents contamination and creation of micro-annuli in the cement body.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2014Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Luke Christopher Downey, Paul Joseph Jones, Nicholas Frederick Budler, Lonnie C. Helms, Todd Anthony Stair
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Publication number: 20190169958Abstract: A system, method, and tool for controlling fluid in a wellbore. The system comprises a tubing string locatable in the wellbore and a crossover tool for enabling reverse circulation in the wellbore. The crossover tool comprises a tool body, a sleeve, a drag block assembly, and a packer assembly. The tool body comprises a bore in fluid communication with the tubing string and a valve in the bore. The sleeve is located in the tool body and controls the valve based on the axial position of the sleeve in the tool body. The drag block assembly is coupled to the sleeve through the tool body and engages the wellbore to resist axial movement of the sleeve relative to the tool body. The packer assembly is coupled to the tool body and creates a fluid barrier in the annulus formed between the tubing string and the wellbore.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2016Publication date: June 6, 2019Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Bo Gao, Lonnie C. Helms, Aniruddha Gadre, Yuzhu Hu, Gary Makowiecki
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Publication number: 20180313185Abstract: A plug for use in a cementing operation in a borehole includes a tail segment and a nose segment separate from the tail segment. The plug also includes a coupler configured to couple the tail segment to the nose segment, in which the tail segment is movable with respect to the nose segment.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2015Publication date: November 1, 2018Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Bo Gao, Lonnie C. Helms, David Li
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Publication number: 20170292338Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing fluid flow and contamination to a cement body includes a resin cap covering an exposed end of the cement body. The cement body may attach an inner sleeve to an outer sleeve. The fluid flowing through the outer sleeve is prevented from contacting the exposed surface by the resin cap. Resin caps at both ends of the cement body along with resin layers along the side may be included. The resin prevents contamination and creation of micro-annuli in the cement body.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2014Publication date: October 12, 2017Inventors: Luke Christopher Downey, Paul Joseph Jones, Nicholas Frederick Budler, Lonnie C. Helms, Todd Anthony Stair
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Publication number: 20170254173Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing fluid flow and contamination to a cement body includes a resin cap covering an exposed end of the cement body. The cement body may attach an inner sleeve to an outer sleeve. The fluid flowing through the outer sleeve is prevented from contacting the exposed surface by the resin cap. Resin caps at both ends of the cement body along with resin layers along the side may be included. The resin prevents contamination and creation of micro-annuli in the cement body.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2014Publication date: September 7, 2017Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Luke Christopher Downey, Paul Joseph Jones, Nicholas Frederick Budler, Lonnie C. Helms, Todd Anthony Stair
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Patent number: 9291007Abstract: A floating apparatus for use in a casing string is provided. The apparatus includes an outer sleeve having a valve centrally positioned therein. A cement body is affixed to the check valve and the housing by use of a bonding material.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2013Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Halliburton Services, Inc.Inventors: Robert Phillip Darbe, Henry Eugene Rogers, Paul Joseph Jones, Misty Dawn Rowe, Jeffery Dwane Karcher, Lonnie C Helms