Patents by Inventor Marcus A. Avant

Marcus A. Avant 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: 7913770
    Abstract: Methods and devices for equalizing an atmospheric chamber within a well tool in a controlled manner following the operation of setting the well tool. A packer setting tool has a setting mechanism with an atmospheric chamber and an equalization assembly to permit the pressure differential between the atmospheric chamber and the surrounding annulus to be substantially equalized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert D. Schramm, Marcus A. Avant
  • Patent number: 7644772
    Abstract: Apparatuses for restricting fluid flow through a well conduit comprise a housing having a longitudinal bore and a seat disposed within the bore. The seat has a first position when the apparatus is in the run-in position and a second position when the apparatus is in the set position. The seat comprises an arcuate member comprising a plurality of slits defining a plurality of segment members having a gap there-between. Each of the gaps are variable such that movement of segment members inwardly causes the gaps to be narrowed or closed off completely when a plug element is disposed into the bore and landed on the arcuate member to move the arcuate member from the first position to the second position, causing restriction of fluid flow through the bore and the well conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Marcus A. Avant, Charles C. Johnson, James G. King, David B. Ruddock, Matthew D. Solfronk, Justin Kellner
  • Publication number: 20090321081
    Abstract: Methods and devices for equalizing an atmospheric chamber within a well tool in a controlled manner following the operation of setting the well tool. A packer setting tool is described having a setting mechanism with an atmospheric chamber and an equalization assembly to permit the pressure differential between the atmospheric chamber and the surrounding annulus to be substantially equalized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert D. Schramm, Marcus A. Avant
  • Patent number: 7628210
    Abstract: Apparatuses for restricting fluid flow through a well conduit comprise a housing having a longitudinal bore and a seat disposed within the bore. The seat has a first position when the apparatus is in the run-in position and a second position when the apparatus is in the set position. A plug element support member has a retracted position when the apparatus is in the run-in position and an extended position when the apparatus is in the set position. A plug element adapted to be disposed into the bore and landed on the seat to restrict fluid flow through the bore and the well conduit is used to move the plug element support member from the retracted position to the extended position, thereby providing support to the plug member landed on the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Marcus A. Avant, Charles C Johnson, James G. King, David B. Ruddock
  • Publication number: 20090159289
    Abstract: Apparatuses for restricting fluid flow through a well conduit comprise a housing having a longitudinal bore and a seat disposed within the bore. The seat has a first position when the apparatus is in the run-in position and a second position when the apparatus is in the set position. The seat comprises an arcuate member comprising a plurality of slits defining a plurality of segment members having a gap there-between. Each of the gaps are variable such that movement of segment members inwardly causes the gaps to be narrowed or closed off completely when a plug element is disposed into the bore and landed on the arcuate member to move the arcuate member from the first position to the second position, causing restriction of fluid flow through the bore and the well conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Marcus A. Avant, Charles C. Johnson, James G. King, David B. Ruddock, Matthew D. Solfronk, Justin Kellner
  • Publication number: 20090066030
    Abstract: An annular seal device includes a mandrel, at least one cone axially moveable on the mandrel, at least one sealing element having a frustoconical outer surface and a frustoconical inner surface, at least one contact feature at the at least one cone and operably engageable with the at least one sealing element, and at least one of a blocking element and a resilient member at the mandrel, the at least one of a blocking element and a resilient member supporting a blocking surface in opposition to the at least one contact feature. The resilient member itself includes a tubular body having spring rings at axial ends thereof, and a plurality of beams extending spirally from one axial end to the other axial end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: MARCUS A. AVANT, RAFAEL RAMIREZ
  • Publication number: 20090044948
    Abstract: Apparatuses for restricting fluid flow through a well conduit comprise a housing having a longitudinal bore and a seat disposed within the bore. The seat has a first position when the apparatus is in the run-in position and a second position when the apparatus is in the set position. A plug element support member has a retracted position when the apparatus is in the run-in position and an extended position when the apparatus is in the set position. A plug element adapted to be disposed into the bore and landed on the seat to restrict fluid flow through the bore and the well conduit is used to move the plug element support member from the retracted position to the extended position, thereby providing support to the plug member landed on the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Marcus A. Avant, Charles C. Johnson, James G. King, David B. Ruddock
  • Publication number: 20080296028
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an atmospheric chamber. The atmospheric chamber includes, a first opposing wall of the chamber and a second opposing wall of the chamber, end members sealingly joining the first and second opposing walls of the chamber to create a fluid tight volumetric space, and at least one support substantially bridging between the first opposing wall and the second opposing wall positioned between respective end members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Marcus A. Avant
  • Publication number: 20080211196
    Abstract: An annular seal device includes a mandrel, at least one cone axially moveable on the mandrel, at least one sealing element having a frustoconical outer surface and a frustoconical inner surface, at least one contact feature at the at least one cone and operably engageable with the at least one sealing element, and at least one of a blocking element and a resilient member at the mandrel, the at least one of a blocking element and a resilient member supporting a blocking surface in opposition to the at least one contact feature. The resilient member itself includes a tubular body having spring rings at axial ends thereof, and a plurality of beams extending spirally from one axial end to the other axial end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Marcus A. Avant, Rafael Ramirez