Patents by Inventor Wesley John Nowitzki
Wesley John Nowitzki 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).
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Patent number: 11795808Abstract: A method comprises operating an electric submersible pump (ESP) motor downhole in a well. The ESP motor is electrically connected to a variable speed drive (VSD) proximate to the well. The operating comprises measuring a revolution rate and a motor current of the ESP motor for a first period of time and performing a first adjustment of a voltage output of the VSD. The method comprises measuring, after the first adjustment, the revolution rate and the motor current of the ESP motor for a second period of time determining a difference between the motor current measured for the first period of time and the motor current measured for the second period of time; and performing a second adjustment of the voltage output of the VSD based on a change in the revolution rate and the motor current between the first period of time and the second period of time.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2023Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Luke Golden Janger, Ryan Bridwell Ashbaugh, David Linn Self, Wesley John Nowitzki, David C. Beck
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Publication number: 20230184071Abstract: A method comprises operating an electric submersible pump (ESP) motor downhole in a well. The ESP motor is electrically connected to a variable speed drive (VSD) proximate to the well. The operating comprises measuring a revolution rate and a motor current of the ESP motor for a first period of time and performing a first adjustment of a voltage output of the VSD. The method comprises measuring, after the first adjustment, the revolution rate and the motor current of the ESP motor for a second period of time determining a difference between the motor current measured for the first period of time and the motor current measured for the second period of time; and performing a second adjustment of the voltage output of the VSD based on a change in the revolution rate and the motor current between the first period of time and the second period of time.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2023Publication date: June 15, 2023Inventors: Luke Golden Janger, Ryan Bridwell Ashbaugh, David Linn Self, Wesley John Nowitzki, David C. Beck
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Patent number: 11613974Abstract: A system comprises an electric submersible pump (ESP) motor electrically coupled to a variable speed drive (VSD) that outputs voltage to the ESP motor. The system comprises a magnet on a shaft of the ESP motor and a downhole sensor coupled to the magnet, wherein the downhole sensor is to measure a magnetic flux of the magnet. The system comprises a VSD controller to control the VSD, wherein the VSD controller comprises a processor and a non-transitory memory storage having instructions stored thereon that are executable by the processor to perform operations comprising: obtaining a measurement of at least one pump performance variable and a motor current for a first period of time to establish a first data set and making a first adjustment to a voltage output from the VSD to the ESP motor, the first adjustment having a first adjustment type.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2022Date of Patent: March 28, 2023Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Luke Golden Janger, Ryan Bridwell Ashbaugh, David Linn Self, Wesley John Nowitzki, David C. Beck
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Publication number: 20220341300Abstract: A system comprises an electric submersible pump (ESP) motor electrically coupled to a variable speed drive (VSD) that outputs voltage to the ESP motor. The system comprises a magnet on a shaft of the ESP motor and a downhole sensor coupled to the magnet, wherein the downhole sensor is to measure a magnetic flux of the magnet. The system comprises a VSD controller to control the VSD, wherein the VSD controller comprises a processor and a non-transitory memory storage having instructions stored thereon that are executable by the processor to perform operations comprising: obtaining a measurement of at least one pump performance variable and a motor current for a first period of time to establish a first data set and making a first adjustment to a voltage output from the VSD to the ESP motor, the first adjustment having a first adjustment type.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2022Publication date: October 27, 2022Inventors: Luke Golden Janger, Ryan Bridwell Ashbaugh, David Linn Self, Wesley John Nowitzki, David C. Beck
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Patent number: 11414967Abstract: A dynamic power optimization system and method for electric submersible motors. A system to optimize operation of an electric submersible motor electrically coupled to a variable speed drive controlled by a computer performing dynamically in a loop the steps of obtaining measurement of a pump performance variable and motor current to establish a first data set, making a motor voltage adjustment of a first type including either an increase or a decrease, establishing a second data set after the adjustment, differencing the first data set with the second data set, and making a second adjustment to the motor voltage of the first adjustment type if the current drops and the pump performance variable is maintained within thresholds, or opposite the first adjustment type if the current rises and the pump performance variable is maintained, or if the current drops and the pump performance variable deviates outside the thresholds.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2018Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Luke Golden Janger, Ryan Bridwell Ashbaugh, David Linn Self, Wesley John Nowitzki, David C. Beck
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Patent number: 11408427Abstract: An electric submersible pump (ESP) assembly. The ESP assembly comprises an inverted shroud separating a centrifugal ESP pump from a well casing, the ESP pump rotatably coupled to an ESP motor, the inverted shroud having an opening on an upstream terminal side, the upstream terminal side terminating at a head of the ESP motor, at least a portion of the ESP motor extending through the opening, the portion of the ESP motor extending through the opening exposed to formation fluid, and the opening sealed to the formation fluid at the head of the ESP motor tapered and wedged to the inverted shroud, wherein a centerline of the inverted shroud is offset from a centerline of the ESP motor.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2019Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Joshua Wayne Webster, Wesley John Nowitzki, Jason Eugene Hill, Steven Andrew Lovell, Casey Laine Newport, Donn J. Brown
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Patent number: 11339789Abstract: A diffuser anti-rotation system and apparatus is described. A diffuser anti-rotation system includes a circumferential coupling ring interlocked between a top of a first diffuser and a bottom of an adjacent diffuser. One end of the first diffuser includes at least one male register tab, the opposing end of the adjacent diffuser has at least one female register slot, and the coupling ring interlocks with the male register tab and the female register slot. One of the male register tabs and one of the female register slots are aligned axially and a single projection from the coupling ring interlocks with both the male register tab and the axially aligned female register slot. Impellers are mated with and rotating within each of the first diffuser and the adjacent diffuser, and the interlocked coupling ring prevents rotation of the first diffuser with respect to the adjacent diffuser.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2018Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Joshua Wayne Webster, Wesley John Nowitzki, Randy S. Roberts
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Patent number: 11293455Abstract: A diffuser subassembly for use in downhole submersible pump assemblies includes a bearing set for supporting a drive shaft of the pump assemblies. The bearing set includes a sleeve for supporting the drive shaft in upward, downward and radial directions. The sleeve includes a central flange captured axially between a pair of bushings fixed to a diffuser body. Axial loads from the drive shaft may be transferred through the central flange of the sleeve to one or the other of the bushings into the diffuser body to accommodate upward and downward thrust forces. The bushings may be keyed to discourage rotational motion with respect to the diffuser body.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2018Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Wesley John Nowitzki, Joshua W. Webster
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Patent number: 11280346Abstract: A method and apparatus for a centrifugal pump according to which an annular retainer is positioned around a first end portion of a pump shaft, an open end portion of a compression cylinder is positioned around the first end portion of the pump shaft so that the pump shaft extends within an internal cavity of the compression cylinder, the compression cylinder is moved towards an annular groove formed in the first end portion of the pump shaft, and the annular retainer is sprung into the annular groove. In some embodiments, springing the annular retainer into the annular groove constrains one or more impellers and one or more annular spacers between the annular retainer and another annular retainer connected to the pump shaft.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2018Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Wesley John Nowitzki, Joshua W. Webster, Jason Hill, Joe D. Butler, Justin Shrum, Bryan Mullins
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Publication number: 20220025738Abstract: A fallback prevention valve apparatus, system and method is described. An electric submersible pump (ESP) fallback prevention system includes an ESP assembly positioned in a downhole well, the ESP assembly including production tubing extending between a centrifugal pump and a surface of the downhole well such that during operation of the ESP assembly production fluid flows upward from the centrifugal pump through the production tubing to the surface, the production tubing including a fallback valve actuatable by the flow of production fluid, the fallback valve actuatable between an open position, wherein production fluid flowing upward through the fallback valve actuates the fallback valve into the open position, and a closed position, wherein production fluid flowing downward through the fallback valve actuates the fallback valve into the closed position, the closed position blocking sand carried by the production fluid from falling into the centrifugal pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2021Publication date: January 27, 2022Inventors: Wesley John NOWITZKI, Walter Russell DINKINS
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Patent number: 11220885Abstract: A fallback prevention valve apparatus, system and method is described. An electric submersible pump (ESP) fallback prevention system includes an ESP assembly positioned in a downhole well, the ESP assembly including production tubing extending between a centrifugal pump and a surface of the downhole well such that during operation of the ESP assembly production fluid flows upward from the centrifugal pump through the production tubing to the surface, the production tubing including a fallback valve actuatable by the flow of production fluid, the fallback valve actuatable between an open position, wherein production fluid flowing upward through the fallback valve actuates the fallback valve into the open position, and a closed position, wherein production fluid flowing downward through the fallback valve actuates the fallback valve into the closed position, the closed position blocking sand carried by the production fluid from falling into the centrifugal pump.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2018Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Wesley John Nowitzki, Walter Russell Dinkins
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Publication number: 20210404474Abstract: A system includes a drive shaft and a diffuser positioned around the drive shaft to transmit a flow of fluid. The system also includes an impeller that is rotatable with the drive shaft to induce the flow of fluid through the diffuser. Additionally, the system includes a tapered thrust bearing positionable to receive a downhole force from a pumping stage. The tapered thrust bearing includes a flange sleeve positioned around the drive shaft. The flange sleeve includes a tapered mating surface. The tapered thrust bearing also includes a stationary bushing positioned around the flange sleeve. The stationary bushing includes a tapered receiving surface to receive the tapered mating surface of the flange sleeve.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 26, 2018Publication date: December 30, 2021Inventors: Thomas John Gottschalk, Jason Eugene Hill, Wesley John Nowitzki
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Publication number: 20210332827Abstract: A method and apparatus for a centrifugal pump according to which an annular retainer is positioned around a first end portion of a pump shaft, an open end portion of a compression cylinder is positioned around the first end portion of the pump shaft so that the pump shaft extends within an internal cavity of the compression cylinder, the compression cylinder is moved towards an annular groove formed in the first end portion of the pump shaft, and the annular retainer is sprung into the annular groove. In some embodiments, springing the annular retainer into the annular groove constrains one or more impellers and one or more annular spacers between the annular retainer and another annular retainer connected to the pump shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2018Publication date: October 28, 2021Inventors: Wesley John Nowitzki, Joshua W. Webster, Jason Hill, Joe D. Butler, Justin Shrum, Bryan Mullins
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Publication number: 20210164475Abstract: An electric submersible pump (ESP) assembly. The ESP assembly comprises an inverted shroud separating a centrifugal ESP pump from a well casing, the ESP pump rotatably coupled to an ESP motor, the inverted shroud having an opening on an upstream terminal side, the upstream terminal side terminating at a head of the ESP motor, at least a portion of the ESP motor extending through the opening, the portion of the ESP motor extending through the opening exposed to formation fluid, and the opening sealed to the formation fluid at the head of the ESP motor tapered and wedged to the inverted shroud, wherein a centerline of the inverted shroud is offset from a centerline of the ESP motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2019Publication date: June 3, 2021Inventors: Joshua Wayne WEBSTER, Wesley John NOWITZKI, Jason Eugene HILL, Steven Andrew LOVELL, Casey Laine NEWPORT, Donn J. BROWN
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Patent number: 10975871Abstract: A retaining ring anti-migration system and method. A retaining ring anti-migration system for a centrifugal pump shaft includes a pair of trap sleeves that enclose a pair of retaining rings, one retaining ring around each end of the shaft enclosed by one trap sleeve, the pair of retaining rings configured to bound axial migration of the shaft both upwards and downwards. A retaining ring anti-migration system includes a retaining ring seated in a shaft groove extending circumferentially around an electric submersible pump (ESP) shaft, a trap sleeve extending around the ESP shaft adjacent to the retaining ring, the trap sleeve including a sleeve body secured to the ESP shaft such that the trap sleeve rotates with the ESP shaft, and a jacket extending axially from the sleeve body over an outer diameter of the retaining ring with a clearance between the shaft and the jacket.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2018Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.Inventors: Jason Eugene Hill, Joshua Wayne Webster, Wesley John Nowitzki
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Patent number: 10961829Abstract: An electrical submersible pump comprising a fallback bearing protection system, the system comprising: locking member; boot pivotally connected to shaft of electrical submersible pump adjacent to locking member, wherein the boot comprises a sloped outer wall capable of forming a fluid boundary thereby diverting fallback fluid away from uppermost bearing of electrical submersible pump; ridge disposed on the sloped outer wall of the boot.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2019Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Wesley John Nowitzki, Jason Eugene Hill, Thomas Gottschalk
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Publication number: 20210071511Abstract: A downhole centrifugal pump includes a motor, and impeller, and a shaft having a longitudinal axis and a non-circular cross section in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The shaft is connected to the motor and the impeller such that rotational power provided by the motor to the shaft is provided to the impeller.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2019Publication date: March 11, 2021Inventors: Joshua Wayne WEBSTER, Wesley John NOWITZKI, Steven Andrew LOVELL, Matthew Thomas KING
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Publication number: 20210071683Abstract: A diffuser subassembly for use in downhole submersible pump assemblies includes a bearing set for supporting a drive shaft of the pump assemblies. The bearing set includes a sleeve for supporting the drive shaft in upward, downward and radial directions. The sleeve includes a central flange captured axially between a pair of bushings fixed to a diffuser body. Axial loads from the drive shaft may be transferred through the central flange of the sleeve to one or the other of the bushings into the diffuser body to accommodate upward and downward thrust forces. The bushings may be keyed to discourage rotational motion with respect to the diffuser body.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2018Publication date: March 11, 2021Inventors: Wesley John Nowitzki, Joshua W. Webster
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Patent number: 10907643Abstract: A press-fit thrust bearing system and apparatus. A press-fit thrust bearing for an electric submersible pump includes a protruding band extending around a midsection of a bushing, the protruding band extending inward towards a drive shaft, outward towards a diffuser, or both. When extending outwardly, the band is press-fit into the diffuser to prevent dislodgment of the bushing. A non-rotating guide sleeve extends around the bushing above the protruding band, the guide sleeve interlocking with the protruding band to prevent rotation of the bushing. The guide sleeve includes a projection, the protruding band has a channel and the projection mates with the channel to form the interlock. A pair of flanged, rotatable bearing sleeves extend inwards of the single bushing and are keyed to the drive shaft. The top and bottom faces of the bushing serve as thrust handling surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2019Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Joshua Wayne Webster, Wesley John Nowitzki, Jason Eugene Hill
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Patent number: 10808516Abstract: A crossover of an electric submersible pump (ESP) gas separator. The crossover comprises a skirt defining a plurality of exits, passageways, and entrances, each exit associated with one of the passageways and one of the entrances, wherein each entrance is proximate to an inner chamber of the gas separator and a jacket circumferentially surrounding the skirt and defining a plurality of exits, wherein the rotational position of the jacket relative to the skirt is adjustable.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2019Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Donn J. Brown, Wesley John Nowitzki, Joshua Wayne Webster