Patents by Inventor W. James Hughes

W. James Hughes 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: 7137945
    Abstract: A method of disposal of biowaste material which comprises drilling a first section of an injection well from the ground into a porous layer, drilling a second section of the injection well from a lower terminus of the first section of the injection well into the porous layer while drilling the same using underbalanced drilling techniques, drilling a first section of a production well from the ground to and into the porous layer, drilling a second section of the production well from the lower end of the first section thereof into the porous layer using underbalanced drilling conditions, making a geological measurement of the pore throat size and/or fracture aperture in the porous layer and treating the biowaste material introduced into the second section of the injection well by comminuting the same in a device such as a shear pump to an average particle size of approximately one-tenth to one-half, preferably one-seventh, of the average pore throat size in the porous layer, the measurement of the pore throat s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Sunstone Corporation
    Inventor: W. James Hughes
  • Patent number: 6769498
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for under balanced drilling comprising a production casing extending vertically from the ground to the area where the drilling is taking place, a concentric casing mounted within the production casing and forming therewith an outer annulus, a concentric casing connecting at its lower end with an upper end of an injection tool, the injection tool having a lower end connecting with a packer assembly which includes a packer and slips, and a drill string having a drill bit at the lower end thereof extending downwardly through the concentric casing, the injection tool, and packer assembly to the area where the drilling is taking place, the injection tool having a generally cylindrical body and a plurality of spaced spiral flutes extending outwardly from the cylindrical body to the inner wall of the production casing and forming therebetween spiral openings through which fluid may be forced downwardly through the outer annulus and against the packer, each flute having an upwardly directed spi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Sunstone Corporation
    Inventor: W. James Hughes
  • Publication number: 20040011561
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for under balanced drilling comprising a production casing extending vertically from the ground to the area where the drilling is taking place, a concentric casing mounted within the production casing and forming therewith an outer annulus, a concentric casing connecting at its lower end with an upper end of an injection tool, the injection tool having a lower end connecting with a packer assembly which includes a packer and slips, and a drill string having a drill bit at the lower end thereof extending downwardly through the concentric casing, the injection tool, and packer assembly to the area where the drilling is taking place, the injection tool having a generally cylindrical body and a plurality of spaced spiral flutes extending outwardly from the cylindrical body to the inner wall of the production casing and forming therebetween spiral openings through which fluid may be forced downwardly through the outer annulus and against the packer, each flute having an upwardly directed spi
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventor: W. James Hughes
  • Patent number: 5950744
    Abstract: A pipe joint for self aligning a drill string, tubing string or casing string of the type comprising a plurality of drill pipe, tubing or casing sections arranged in end to end relation from a location above the ground to a lower location adjacent a tool connected to a bottom end of the string and wherein the adjacent ends of the sections are connected to each other to form a plurality of spaced joints extending downwardly from the ground to the tool, the improvement wherein each joint comprises an upper section having at least one downwardly projecting extension and a lower section having a corresponding recess for receiving the extension and wherein the extension and the recess can fit together in only one way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Inventor: W. James Hughes
  • Patent number: 5941321
    Abstract: A Method and Apparatus for drilling a curved planar borehole, wherein a drill bit is mounted at the lower end of a drill string which extends downwardly into the borehole, and wherein fluid under pressure is pumped through the drill string, a drilling motor for rotating the drill bit, a specialized drill sub mounted in the drill string above the drilling motor, an eccentric sleeve rotatably mounted over the drill sub, an alignment mechanism attached to the eccentric sleeve, a deflection device mounted in the sleeve for bearing against one side of the wellbore, whereby, when fluid under pressure is introduced into the drill sub, the deflection device will move outwardly against the side of the wellbore, the alignment mechanism being such that the drill sub can rotate independently of the eccentric sleeve to prevent reactive torque from the drilling motor from being exerted against the sleeve and the deflection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Inventor: W. James Hughes
  • Patent number: 5467834
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the drilling of the curved borehole portion of a horizontal or directional well. A tight radius of curvature is rotary drilled by use of flexible composite drilling pipe or other flexible pipe common to the industry which terminate within an eccentric collar on the final drill string section. The eccentric collar is equipped with a retractable and grooved compression pad which expands outwardly to hold the eccentric collar (which is also grooved on its opposite side) against the side of the well bore to prevent the eccentric collar from rotating during the rotary drilling process. The final drill string section connects to a lower drill bit collar and rotary drill bit through a driving ball and socket connection. The eccentric collar on the final drill string section that engages the well bore forces the deflection of the drill bit about the ball and socket connection and holds this orientation as the rotating drill proceeds forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Maverick Tool Company
    Inventors: W. James Hughes, James W. McCabe, Owen L. Marks, Jr.