Patents by Inventor Robert James Costo, Jr.

Robert James Costo, Jr. 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: 10378295
    Abstract: A method of operating a gas extraction system includes receiving a drilling fluid sample at a flow meter via a flow meter inlet conduit and discharging the drilling fluid sample into a flow meter outlet conduit. A first inline mud valve positioned in the flow meter inlet conduit and a second inline mud valve positioned in the flow meter outlet conduit are each closed to transition the gas extraction system to a bypass flushing configuration. A bypass flow meter valve positioned in a flow meter bypass conduit is opened to divert the drilling fluid sample around the flow meter. The flow meter is then flushed with flushing fluid by opening first and second flow meter flushing valves and starting a pump to circulate the flushing fluid through the flow meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Prashant Shekhar, Gillies Alexander MacDonald, Robert James Costo, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20180016857
    Abstract: A method of operating a gas extraction system includes receiving a drilling fluid sample at a flow meter via a flow meter inlet conduit and discharging the drilling fluid sample into a flow meter outlet conduit. A first inline mud valve positioned in the flow meter inlet conduit and a second inline mud valve positioned in the flow meter outlet conduit are each closed to transition the gas extraction system to a bypass flushing configuration. A bypass flow meter valve positioned in a flow meter bypass conduit is opened to divert the drilling fluid sample around the flow meter. The flow meter is then flushed with flushing fluid by opening first and second flow meter flushing valves and starting a pump to circulate the flushing fluid through the flow meter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: Prashant Shekhar, Gillies Alexander MacDonald, Robert James Costo, JR.
  • Patent number: 9816335
    Abstract: A method of operating a gas extraction system includes receiving a drilling fluid sample at a flow meter via a flow meter inlet conduit and discharging the drilling fluid sample into a flow meter outlet conduit. A first inline mud valve positioned in the flow meter inlet conduit and a second inline mud valve positioned in the flow meter outlet conduit are each closed to transition the gas extraction system to a bypass flushing configuration. A bypass flow meter valve positioned in a flow meter bypass conduit is opened to divert the drilling fluid sample around the flow meter. The flow meter is then flushed with flushing fluid by opening first and second flow meter flushing valves and starting a pump to circulate the flushing fluid through the flow meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Prashant Shekhar, Gillies Alexander MacDonald, Robert James Costo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8820747
    Abstract: A seal assembly, method for sealing a seal assembly and a modular seal unit for a rotating control device for use in an offshore environment. The modular seal unit includes a first outer housing, a first seal housing lockable within the first outer housing, and a first sealing element disposed on a lower end of the first seal housing. The first sealing element includes a throughbore configured to receive a drill pipe, and a sealing surface configured to seal against the drill pipe. The modular seal unit also includes a first connector configured to couple the first seal housing to the first outer housing, and a second connector configured to couple the first seal housing to one selected from a second outer housing of a second modular seal unit or a running tool adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Alberto Zubia, Trung Leduc, Huward Paul Fontenot, Jr., Robert James Costo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8789602
    Abstract: A pressurizing device includes a main housing having a central bore therethrough and a ball drop module removably disposed within the main housing, the ball drop module including a ball seat hingedly attached within the ball drop module and configured to receive a dropped ball, wherein the ball seat is configured to rotate about a hinge from a closed position to an open position when a pressure above the ball seat exceeds a preset limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Gill, Michael J. Harris, Aju Abraham, Robert James Costo, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120043726
    Abstract: A seal assembly, method for sealing a seal assembly and a modular seal unit for a rotating control device for use in an offshore environment. The modular seal unit includes a first outer housing, a first seal housing lockable within the first outer housing, and a first sealing element disposed on a lower end of the first seal housing. The first sealing element includes a throughbore configured to receive a drill pipe, and a sealing surface configured to seal against the drill pipe. The modular seal unit also includes a first connector configured to couple the first seal housing to the first outer housing, and a second connector configured to couple the first seal housing to one selected from a second outer housing of a second modular seal unit or a running tool adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Alberto Zubia, Trung Leduc, Huward Paul Fontenot, JR., Robert James Costo, JR.
  • Patent number: 8118104
    Abstract: A downhole valve assembly is attached to a drillstring and includes an upper drillstring connection, a lower drillstring connection, and a tubular body comprising a through bore, and further includes a weight activated mechanism configured to close the through bore when the drillstring is lifted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Huward Paul Fontenot, Jr., Robert James Costo, Jr., Richard David Peer
  • Patent number: 8091628
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing fluid and projectiles to downhole tubulars includes a manifold. The manifold may include a housing, a cartridge disposed within the housing, and an actuator. The cartridge includes multiple throughbores for selectively allowing a fluid flow to pass through, and storing a projectile. The actuator is adapted to move the multiple throughbores of the cartridge out of and into the fluid flow to release the stored projectile into the fluid flow. The manifold may include multiple projectiles that are stored laterally relative to each other for radial translation and release into the fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard David Peer, Robert James Costo, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20110174505
    Abstract: A pressurizing device includes a main housing having a central bore therethrough and a ball drop module removably disposed within the main housing, the ball drop module including a ball seat hingedly attached within the ball drop module and configured to receive a dropped ball, wherein the ball seat is configured to rotate about a hinge from a closed position to an open position when a pressure above the ball seat exceeds a preset limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: William C. Gill, Michael J. Harris, Aju Abraham, Robert James Costo, JR.
  • Publication number: 20090183883
    Abstract: A downhole valve assembly is attached to a drillstring and includes an upper drillstring connection, a lower drillstring connection, and a tubular body comprising a through bore, and further includes a weight activated mechanism configured to close the through bore when the drillstring is lifted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Huward Paul Fontenot, JR., Robert James Costo, JR., Richard David Peer
  • Publication number: 20080296012
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for cementing tubulars in a borehole are disclosed In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a housing, a cartridge disposed within the housing, and an actuator. The housing includes a fluid entry port and a fluid exit port The cartridge includes a first chamber and is moveable between a first and a second position In the first position, the first chamber is out of fluid communication with the entry port and the exit port. In the second position, the first chamber is in fluid communication with the entry port and the exit port. The actuator is adapted to move the cartridge between the first and second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard David Peer, Robert James Costo, JR.