Patents by Inventor Thomas C. Burroughs

Thomas C. Burroughs 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: 5887925
    Abstract: A combined washover and retrieval device (30, 30A) for connection to the lower end of a tubular string (14, 14A) including an outer washover pipe (22, 22A) and an inner retrieval tool (36, 36A). Retrieval tool (36, 36A) includes an upper sub (30, 30A) secured at its upper end to a tubular support (23, 23A). In a preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1-3, the sub (30) has a plurality of ports (35) to permit the upward flow of fluid with entrained soil and debris through the inner annulus (38) and ports (35) at the upper end of the annulus (38) to bypass the retrieval tool (36). Another embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4-7 has a plurality of shear pins (31A) connecting the washover pipe (22A) to the sub (30A). Pins (31A) are sheared upon washover pipe (22A) abutting the packer (16A) under a predetermined weight from the tubing string (14A) to permit downward relative movement of retrieval tool (36A) for connection to the fish (18A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: The Cavins Corporation
    Inventors: Roy S. Arterbury, Thomas C. Burroughs
  • Patent number: 5810410
    Abstract: A combined washover and retrieval device (30, 30A) for connection to the lower end of a tubular string (14, 14A) including an outer washover pipe (22, 22A) and an inner retrieval tool (36, 36A). Retrieval tool (36, 36A) includes an upper sub (30, 30A) secured at its upper end to a tubular support (23, 23A). In a preferred embodiment of FIG. 1-3, the sub (30) has a plurality of ports (35) to permit the upward flow of fluid with entrained soil and debris through the inner annulus (38) and ports (35) at the upper end of the annulus (38) to bypass the retrieval tool (36). Another embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4-7 has a plurality of shear pins (31A) connecting the washover pipe (22A) to the sub (30A). Pins (31A) are sheared upon washover pipe (22A) abutting the packer (16A) under a predetermined weight from the tubing string (14A) to permit downward relative movement of retrieval tool (36A) for connection to the fish (18A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: The Cavins Corporation
    Inventors: Roy S. Arterbury, Thomas C. Burroughs
  • Patent number: 5443407
    Abstract: A marine steering system for an outboard motor (M) has generally parallel cable devices (13, 13A) extending between a steering wheel (8) and outboard Motor (M) of a marine craft. The cable devices (13, 13A) include a pair of fixed control cable housings (14, 14A) and a pair of control cables (16) secured to slidable tubes (28) received within the housings (14, 14A) for sliding movement for steering the outboard motor. An inner control cable housing (14) is externally threaded and the outer control cable housing (14A) has a smooth outer peripheral surface. An internally threaded lubricating nut (52) is threaded on the inner control cable housing (14) for lubricating the telescoping tube or tubular member (28) secured to the control cable (16). A second lubricating nut (60) has a smooth inner bore defining a large diameter bore portion (62) to receive the outer control cable housing (14A) and a smooth small diameter bore portion (64) to receive the sliding tube (28) secured to the control cable (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Inventor: Thomas C. Burroughs
  • Patent number: 5061213
    Abstract: A lubricant and seal arrangement for the control cable and control cable housing of a marine steering system wherein the control cable is connected at one end to move the control cable longitudinally and at its other end to a tubular member that is telescopically movable in the control cable housing in response to movement of the control cable upon rotation of the steering wheel of the marine system which arrangment includes the tubular control cable housing with a longitudinal bore therethrough to receive the control cable through and into the bore and an open end at the other end of the bore. An inner tubular member extends from said one end of the control cable housing in spaced radial relation thereto to form an annular extending void and a tubular member is connected to the other end of the axial control cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Inventor: Thomas C. Burroughs
  • Patent number: 4924940
    Abstract: A downhole tool for removing sand from a well bore has an elongated tubular member with four sections. A one-way valve is located between the upper first and second sections. A second one-way valve is located between the third and fourth sections, while a third one-way valve is in the fourth lower section. The second and third sections are formed into a piston assembly which when reciprocated moves fluid in the well bore from the fourth section to the first section in an incremental fashion. Each piston stroke traps portions of fluid at different locations along the tubular member because of the one-way construction of the valves, and moves that trapped portion incrementally upwardly within the device. Sand is accumulated in the second and fourth sections of the member, and the sand in the fourth section is prevented from backflowing into the piston section to foul the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: The Cavins Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas C. Burroughs, Roy S. Arterbury
  • Patent number: 4815538
    Abstract: A washing tool (24) attached to the lower end of a pipe string (18) includes a mandrel (28) between upper and lower subs (30, 32). The mandrel (28) has opposed spaced end sections (54 56) connected with an intermediate section (58). Each end section (54, 56) has a fluid inflatable elastomeric packer (64) thereon inflatable at a relatively low fluid pressure, and intermediate section (58) has a leaf spring (86) over a port (84) which is opened by outward movement of the leaf spring (86) at a second higher predetermined fluid pressure within the pipe string (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: The Cavins Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas C. Burroughs
  • Patent number: 4635725
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for gravel packing a perforate liner (12) in a well including a wash pipe (34) carried by a cross-over tool (30) which has a pair of fluid passages (38-40) through which the flow of fluid may be reversed. The wash pipe (34) is mounted in a floating relation within the liner (12) for vertical relative movement and a double acting piston (62) mounted between the liner (12) and wash pipe (34) is responsive to fluid pressure within the liner (12) for moving the wash pipe (34) vertically relative to the liner (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Inventor: Thomas C. Burroughs
  • Patent number: RE34852
    Abstract: A lubricant and seal arrangement for the control cable and control cable housing of a marine steering system wherein the control cable is connected at one end to move the control cable longitudinally and at its other end to a tubular member that is telescopically movable in the control cable housing in response to movement of the control cable upon rotation of the steering wheel of the marine system which arrangement includes the tubular control cable housing with a longitudinal bore therethrough to receive the control cable through and into the bore and an open end at the other end of the bore. An inner tubular member extends from said one end of the control cable housing in spaced radial relation thereto to form an annular extending void and a tubular member is connected to the other end of the axial control cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: Worldwide Marine Distribution Company
    Inventor: Thomas C. Burroughs