Patents by Inventor Rocky A. Turley

Rocky A. Turley 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).

  • Publication number: 20040177952
    Abstract: A non-metallic element system is provided which can effectively seal or pack-off an annulus under elevated temperatures. The element system can also resist high differential pressures without sacrificing performance or suffering mechanical degradation, and is considerably faster to drill-up than a conventional element system. In one aspect, the composite material comprises an epoxy blend reinforced with glass fibers stacked layer upon layer at about 30 to about 70 degrees. A downhole tool, such as a bridge plug, frac-plug, or packer, is also provided. The tool comprises a first and second support ring having one or more tapered wedges, a first and second expansion ring, and a sealing member disposed between the expansion rings and the support rings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Rocky A. Turley, Craig Fishbeck, Rami Al Oudat, Patrick J. Zimmerman, Charles D. Parker, Michael R. Niklasch, William J. Eldridge, Roland Freihet, William F. Hines, Bill Murray
  • Patent number: 6769491
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for sealing an annulus in a wellbore. In one aspect, the apparatus is an anchoring and sealing system for a downhole tool such as a bridge plug, packer, or frac-plug. The sealing system comprises of a sealing member disposed between a set of energizing rings, a set of expansion rings adjacent each cone, a set of support rings, and a set of slips. The components of the sealing system are arranged such that, when compressed, the sealing member may expand radially into contact with a casing. In another aspect, the apparatus the invention provides for an apparatus that is a downhole sealing tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick J. Zimmerman, Rocky A. Turley, Rami Al Oudat
  • Patent number: 6712153
    Abstract: A non-metallic element system is provided which can effectively seal or pack-off an annulus under elevated temperatures. The element system can also resist high differential pressures without sacrificing performance or suffering mechanical degradation, and is considerably faster to drill-up than a conventional element system. In one aspect, the composite material comprises an epoxy blend reinforced with glass fibers stacked layer upon layer at about 30 to about 70 degrees. A downhole tool, such as a bridge plug, frac-plug, or packer, is also provided. The tool comprises a first and second support ring having one or more tapered wedges, a first and second expansion ring, and a sealing member disposed between the expansion rings and the support rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Rocky A. Turley, Craig Fishbeck, Rami Al Oudat, Patrick J. Zimmerman, Charles D. Parker, Michael R. Niklasch, William J. Eldridge, Roland Freihet, William F. Hines, III, Bill Murray
  • Publication number: 20030226668
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for sealing an annulus in a wellbore. In one aspect, the apparatus is an anchoring and sealing system for a downhole tool such as a bridge plug, packer, or frac-plug. The sealing system comprises of a sealing member disposed between a set of energizing rings, a set of expansion rings adjacent each cone, a set of support rings, and a set of slips. The components of the sealing system are arranged such that, when compressed, the sealing member may expand radially into contact with a casing. In another aspect, the apparatus the invention provides for an apparatus that is a downhole sealing tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventors: Patrick J. Zimmerman, Rocky A. Turley, Rami Al Oudat
  • Publication number: 20030188860
    Abstract: A releasing mechanism for releasing a hydraulically actuated setting tool from a downhole tool is provided. Preferably, the downhole tool to be released is a wellbore sealing tool such as a bridge plug, packer or inflatable packer. The releasing mechanism comprises an adapter having a body, a connector above the body connected to the setting tool, and a lower portion. The releasing mechanism further comprises a releasable connection which releasably connects the lower portion of the adapter to a mandrel within the bridge plug or other sealing tool. In one embodiment, the releasable connection defines a frangible body disposed within the plane of the circumferential bore of the bridge plug mandrel. In another arrangement, the releasable connection defines both a frangible body and threaded collet fingers which releasably engage matching threads on the outer surface of the mandrel of the bridge plug or other wellbore sealing tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick J. Zimmerman, Rocky A. Turley, William J. Eldridge, Michael G. Ritter, Gary D. Ingram, Thomas Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6595283
    Abstract: Extrusion resistant inflatable tool having a biaxially oriented woven material disposed about at least one elastomeric element of the inflatable tool and radially inwardly of a rib structure of the inflatable tool. The woven material prevents extrusion of the elastomeric element between individual ribs of the ribs structure during the inflation of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Rocky A. Turley, Yusheng Yuan
  • Publication number: 20030000710
    Abstract: A non-metallic element system is provided which can effectively seal or pack-off an annulus under elevated temperatures. The element system can also resist high differential pressures without sacrificing performance or suffering mechanical degradation, and is considerably faster to drill-up than a conventional element system. In one aspect, the composite material comprises an epoxy blend reinforced with glass fibers stacked layer upon layer at about 30 to about 70 degrees. A downhole tool, such as a bridge plug, frac-plug, or packer, is also provided. The tool comprises a first and second support ring having one or more tapered wedges, a first and second expansion ring, and a sealing member disposed between the expansion rings and the support rings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventors: Rocky A. Turley, Craig Fishbeck, Rami Al Oudat, Patrick J. Zimmerman, Charles D. Parker, Michael R. Niklasch, William J. Eldridge, Roland Freihet, William F. Hines, Bill Murray
  • Publication number: 20020157827
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for the completion of wells through a production tube includes a tool body having cement flow ports and pressure displaced port closure elements. A perforated mandrel tube concentrically aligned within the production tube is secured to said tool body at its upper end. Concentrically within the mandrel tube is a dart transport tube. The dart transport tube is releasably secured to the tool body by a set of locking dogs. A first dart plug is placed in the production tubing bore at the well surface to be pumped or allowed to gravitate onto a closure seat in the lower end of the of the transport tube. This seat closure allows the production tubing to be pressurized for setting well annulus packers and opening of a cement port closure sleeve. After the production tube has been set by cement pumped down the production tubing bore and through the cement flow port, a second dart plug is positioned atop the cement column in the production tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Jim Roddy, Ray Vincent, Martin P. Coronado, Rocky Turley
  • Patent number: 6464008
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for the completion of wells through a production tube includes a tool body having cement flow ports and pressure displaced port closure elements. A perforated mandrel tube concentrically aligned within the production tube is secured to said tool body at its upper end. Concentrically within the mandrel tube is a dart transport tube. The dart transport tube is releasably secured to the tool body by a set of locking dogs. A first dart plug is placed in the production tubing bore at the well surface to be pumped or allowed to gravitate onto a closure seat in the lower end of the of the transport tube. This seat closure allows the production tubing to be pressurized for setting well annulus packers and opening of a cement port closure sleeve. After the production tube has been set by cement pumped down the production tubing bore and through the cement flow port, a second dart plug is positioned atop the cement column in the production tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Jim Roddy, Ray Vincent, Martin P. Coronado, Rocky Turley
  • Patent number: 6431275
    Abstract: Inflation control arrangement including a non-oriented continuous strand material bound between concentric layers of elastomeric material in an inflatable tool. Where the continuous strand material is located, inflation will be delayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Rocky A. Turley
  • Patent number: 6325144
    Abstract: An expandible packer provides a crescent-shaped cross-sectional area for more and larger diameter data cable and fluid control conduits by eccentrically offsetting the packer mandrel relative to the expandable element. The expandible element of the packer eccentrically surrounds the mandrel to provide an eccentric volume zone between the packer collars. One or more data cable or fluid carrier conduits may be laid between the collars within this eccentric zone, all of greater diameter than would be possible within an annulus between two concentric mandrels. The eccentric zone conduits are secured and protected by a compliant filler material such as rubber or other elastomer that is applied around and between the control conduits within the eccentric zone. This filler material is trimmed or cast to a substantially cylindrical surface about an axis that is substantially coextensive with the expandable element axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, Inc.
    Inventors: Rocky A. Turley, Greg C. Badke, John A. Edwards
  • Patent number: 6325151
    Abstract: The invention is a well fluid production valve that is positioned downhole in a closed condition below an upper formation packer. The valve comprises a cylindrical mandrel having central bore flow connection with the upper bore of well fluid production tubing and coaxially aligned within the lower bore of the production tubing string. Flow port apertures through the mandrel wall provide well fluid flow paths between the mandrel O.D. and the bore I.D. of the lower production tubing. These flow ports are covered to close the valve by a sliding sleeve around the mandrel O.D. The sliding sleeve is spring biased to the open position but also secured at the closed valve position by an annular piston actuated sear mechanism. Actuation pressure for opening the valve to admit a flow of well fluids from the production zone is a predetermined differential between the well pressure above the packer, usually a function of the well depth, and the operator controlled pressure within attached production tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Ray Vincent, Rocky A. Turley