Patents by Inventor Mark Schnitker

Mark Schnitker 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: 7308940
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for milling and/or broaching within a wellbore. A flexible broach runs into the wellbore and is located adjacent a portion of the wellbore to be broached. The broach reciprocates axially within the wellbore and removes at least part of the portion to be broached. Weight may be coupled to the broach, thereby applying a resultant side load for broaching an offset portion of the wellbore. The broach comprises a flexible member that may be a bare cable. When an abrasive material is disposed on an outer surface of the flexible member, the flexible member may be a cable, a continuous rod, or pressurized coiled tubing. Alternatively, sleeves positioned on the flexible member may have an abrasive material on their outer surface. A rotational mill that is either coupled to the broach or run in separately from the broach can further mill the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Adrian Vuyk, Michael Sullivan, Gene Halford, Robert Finch, Mark Schnitker, Jerry Fisher, Ken Winterrowd
  • Publication number: 20050155766
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for milling and/or broaching within a wellbore are disclosed. A flexible broach runs into the wellbore and is located adjacent a portion of the wellbore to be broached. The broach reciprocates axially within the wellbore and removes at least part of the portion to be broached. Weight may be coupled to the broach, thereby applying a resultant side load for broaching an offset portion of the wellbore. The broach comprises a flexible member that may be a bare cable. When an abrasive material is disposed on an outer surface of the flexible member, the flexible member may be a cable, a continuous rod, or pressurized coiled tubing. Alternatively, sleeves positioned on the flexible member may have an abrasive material on their outer surface. A rotational mill that is either coupled to the broach or run in separately from the broach can further mill the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Publication date: July 21, 2005
    Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Adrian Vuyk, Michael Sullivan, Gene Halford, Robert Finch, Mark Schnitker, Jerry Fisher, Ken Winterrowd
  • Publication number: 20050136171
    Abstract: Our invention concerns spreadable and/or spoonable water continuous, gelatin free cream alternatives comprising 10 to 50 wt % of a fat blend and up to 5 wt % of a biopolymer other than gelatin as a thickener, in addition to water as continuous phase, which creams display a Stevens value at 5° C. (S5) of more than 100 gram, while the fat blend comprises vegetable fat(s) and 5 to 75 wt % of dairy fat and which fat blend displays a solid fat index (NMR-Pulse on stabilised fat) at 5° C. (N5) and at 15° C. (N15) such that the ratio between N15 and N5 (i.e. N15/N5) is less than 0.60.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventors: Arjen Bot, Jochen Effey, Gina Koch, Mark Schnitker
  • Patent number: 6719045
    Abstract: The apparatus is a whipstock assembly for use in a wellbore to form a lateral wellbore therefrom. In one aspect, a whipstock is attached to a cutting tool by a shearable connection whereby the whipstock and cutting tool assembly may be run into the wellbore simultaneously. The shearable connection is designed to fail in compression while being able to withstand forces in tension brought about by the whipstock, accessories and extensions required to properly place the whipstock above a preset packer in the wellbore. The shearable connection means consists of two sets of shearable members, one set provides equal shear resistance in tension and in compression, another set provides shear resistance in tension, but not in compression. The resulting connection is stronger in tension than in compression and failure of the connection due to the weight of the whipstock assembly is less likely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Shane Hart, Mark Schnitker
  • Publication number: 20020195243
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a whipstock assembly for use in a wellbore to form a lateral wellbore therefrom. In one aspect, a whipstock is attached to a cutting tool by a shearable connection whereby the whipstock and cutting tool assembly may be run into the wellbore simultaneously. Upon compressive force from above, the shearable connection fails and the cutting action can begin. The shearable connection is designed to fail in compression but to withstand forces in tension brought about by the whipstock, accessories and extensions required to properly place the whipstock above a preset packer in the wellbore. In one aspect, the shearable connection means provides a first set of shearable members with equal shear resistance in tension and in compression. Another set of shearable members provide shear resistance against tensile forces but do not provide shear resistance against compressive forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Shane Hart, Mark Schnitker
  • Patent number: 6464002
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a whipstock assembly for use in a wellbore to form a lateral wellbore therefrom. In one aspect, a whipstock is attached to a cutting tool by a shearable connection whereby the whipstock and cutting tool assembly may be run into the wellbore simultaneously. Upon compressive force from above, the shearable connection fails and the cutting action can begin. The shearable connection is designed to fail in compression but to withstand forces in tension brought about by the whipstock, accessories and extensions required to properly place the whipstock above a preset packer in the wellbore. In one aspect, the shearable connection provides a first set of shearable members with equal shear resistance in tension and in compression. Another set of shearable members provides shear resistance against tensile forces but do not provide shear resistance against compressive forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Shane Hart, Mark Schnitker