Patents by Inventor Thomas Earl Burky

Thomas Earl Burky 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: 20180363425
    Abstract: A thermal battery positioned in a wellbore can be force activated by a device. The device can include a body coupled to a thermal battery positioned in a wellbore. The body can include a piston retained at a first position in an inner area of the body. The piston can move from the first position to a second position in response to a force applied to the body. The thermal battery can be activated by moving the piston to the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas Earl Burky, Ozegbe James Chukwuma, Thomas Jeffrey Wuensche
  • Patent number: 10126103
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to perforating systems for perforating the casing of a wellbore. The perforating systems contain insensitive high explosives. The disclosure also relates to shaped charges containing insensitive high explosives for use in such perforating systems. The disclosure further relates to methods of using such perforating systems to perforate the casing of a wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: James Marshall Barker, Thomas Earl Burky
  • Publication number: 20180291688
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, systems and methods for establishing hydraulic communication between a relief wellbore and a target wellbore during relief well applications are provided. Present embodiments include a perforating gun that uses an explosively formed penetrator (EFP) to establish hydraulic communication between a relief well and the target well for well kill operations. The EFP may be detonated downhole according to the Misznay-Schardin effect, thereby releasing a projectile toward the target well to form a relatively large hole through the casing/cement between the wellbores. The EFP may be positioned in a desired orientation with respect to the target well, in order that the projectile may be directed from the relief well directly into the target well. In some embodiments, the disclosed perforating gun may include several EFP charges positioned along one side of the gun at approximately 0 to 10 degree phasing from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Joseph Eli Hess, Thomas Earl Burky, Andrew John Cuthbert
  • Publication number: 20180231360
    Abstract: An assembly can include solid-state overvoltage firing switch operable to control an explosive device. The solid-state overvoltage firing switch can include a substrate layer. The solid-state overvoltage firing switch can also include a conductive anode and a conductive cathode positioned on the substrate layer. A gap can physically separate the conductive anode from the conductive cathode. The conductive anode can be operable to receive a voltage from a power source. The solid-state overvoltage firing switch can further include an insulator layer adjacent to the conductive anode and the conductive cathode. At least part of the insulator layer can fill the gap. The insulator layer can cover a first portion of the conductive anode and a second portion of the conductive cathode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas Earl Burky, Thomas Jeffrey Wuensche
  • Publication number: 20180148995
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for controlling wellbore pressure within a wellbore during a perforation event by changing a state of a valve system multiple times. Information generated about the wellbore pressure within the wellbore may be received. A state of the valve system, which is positioned relative to a chamber within the wellbore, may be changed multiple times based on the information received to create a plurality of pressure conditions that substantially match a reference pressure profile. Each of the plurality of pressure conditions is selected from one of an underbalance condition and an overbalance condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas Earl Burky, Dennis J. Haggerty, James Marshall Barker
  • Publication number: 20170241245
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to perforating systems for perforating the casing of a wellbore. The perforating systems contain insensitive high explosives. The disclosure also relates to shaped charges containing insensitive high explosives for use in such perforating systems. The disclosure further relates to methods of using such perforating systems to perforate the casing of a wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: James Marshall Barker, Thomas Earl Burky
  • Publication number: 20170241244
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to perforating systems for perforating the casing of a wellbore. The perforating systems contain insensitive high explosives. The disclosure also relates to shaped charges containing insensitive high explosives for use in such perforating systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: James Marshall Barker, Thomas Earl Burky
  • Publication number: 20170198562
    Abstract: A system and a method for underground gasification comprising a downhole ignition device. The downhole ignition device may comprise a connection housing at a first end of the downhole ignition device. The connection housing may comprise an igniter and a first fire mix. The downhole ignition device may further comprise a body coupled to the connection housing. The body may comprise pyrotechnic modules arranged in series and additional first fire mix. A cap may be disposed at a second end of the connection housing. Additionally, the downhole ignition device may comprise a supply line and a recovery system. A method for igniting an underground energy source may comprise positioning a downhole ignition device adjacent an underground energy source in a wellbore, igniting a first fire mix in the downhole ignition device, and igniting a series of pyrotechnic modules arranged in the downhole ignition device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Darren Phillip Walters, Kevin Scott Harive, Thomas Earl Burky, Christopher Thaddeous Linsky, Iosif Hriscu