Patents by Inventor William Mark Richards

William Mark Richards 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: 11339641
    Abstract: A sensing assembly for use in a wellbore comprises a wellbore component disposed in a wellbore tubular string, at least one gauge configured to sense at least one parameter, and at least one sensing link coupled to the at least one gauge. The at least one gauge is disposed at a first location along the wellbore tubular string, and the sensing link is configured to provide communication of at least one parameter from a sensing point at a second location to the first location. The sensing point is radially adjacent the wellbore component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: William Mark Richards, Thomas Jules Frosell
  • Patent number: 10995580
    Abstract: A sensing system comprises at least one gauge disposed in a wellbore, a sensing link coupled to the at least one gauge, and a debris barrier coupled to the sensing link. The debris barrier comprises a housing coupled to the sensing link, and a barrier element configured to reduce the transport of particulates from the wellbore into the sensing link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: William Mark Richards, Thomas Jules Frosell
  • Patent number: 10683746
    Abstract: Assemblies and methods of use are disclosed for determining a position of a body within a tubing section. A signal generator coupled to the body is operable to generate a pressure wave in response to detecting a detectable portion of the tubing section when the body is moved relative to the tubing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph Harvey Echols, William Mark Richards, Joshua Max Hornsby, Gregory William Garrison, James Ho
  • Patent number: 10597983
    Abstract: An apparatus and method according to which a zone of a wellbore that traverses a subterranean formation is completed. The apparatus includes a flow joint including a first internal flow passage, and a plurality of openings formed radially therethrough, a plurality of plugs disposed within the plurality of openings to form a fluid and pressure tight seal with the flow joint, thus impeding fluid flow through the plurality of openings, and a screen disposed exteriorly about the flow joint and axially along the plurality of openings, and thus also along the plurality of plugs, wherein, when the plurality of plugs are exposed to a downhole fluid, the plurality of plugs are adapted to degrade so that fluid flow is permitted through the plurality of openings. The plurality of plugs may include protective layers adapted to be damaged or removed to expose the plurality of plugs to the downhole fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Fripp, William Mark Richards, Thomas J. Frosell, Stephen M. Greci
  • Publication number: 20200080413
    Abstract: A sensing assembly for use in a wellbore comprises a wellbore component disposed in a wellbore tubular string, at least one gauge configured to sense at least one parameter, and at least one sensing link coupled to the at least one gauge. The at least one gauge is disposed at a first location along the wellbore tubular string, and the sensing link is configured to provide communication of at least one parameter from a sensing point at a second location to the first location. The sensing point is radially adjacent the wellbore component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Inventors: William Mark Richards, Thomas Jules Frosell
  • Publication number: 20200003023
    Abstract: A sensing system comprises at least one gauge disposed in a wellbore, a sensing link coupled to the at least one gauge, and a debris barrier coupled to the sensing link. The debris barrier comprises a housing coupled to the sensing link, and a barrier element configured to reduce the transport of particulates from the wellbore into the sensing link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: William Mark Richards, Thomas Jules Frosell
  • Patent number: 10487630
    Abstract: An apparatus has been described, including a tubular housing including opposing first and second end portions and defining an interior surface, an exterior surface, and an internal flow passage; an open inflow area extending radially through the tubular housing and adapted to distribute the radial flow of a fluid from the internal flow passage to the wellbore; a closure member extending within the tubular housing and adapted to cover the open inflow area; and a filter defining a plurality of gaps, the filter concentrically disposed about the exterior surface of the tubular housing and extending axially along at least the open inflow area. In an exemplary embodiment, the open inflow area includes a plurality of openings formed radially through the tubular housing and defining a tubular injection interval extending axially along the tubular housing. A system and assembly have also been described, each incorporating elements of the above described apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Jason Earl Davis, William Mark Richards
  • Patent number: 10472945
    Abstract: A sensing assembly for use in a wellbore comprises a wellbore component disposed in a wellbore tubular string, at least one gauge configured to sense at least one parameter, and at least one sensing link coupled to the at least one gauge. The at least one gauge is disposed at a first location along the wellbore tubular string, and the sensing link is configured to provide communication of at least one parameter from a sensing point at a second location to the first location. The sensing point is radially adjacent the wellbore component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: William Mark Richards, Thomas Jules Frosell
  • Patent number: 10465479
    Abstract: An erosion protection system for closing sleeve assemblies is disclosed. A closing sleeve assembly including a housing; a port formed in the housing; a sealing surface formed in the housing adjacent to the port; a closing sleeve configured to move between an open position, in which a fluid flow through the port is permitted, and a closed position, in which the fluid flow through the port is prevented, the closing sleeve including a seal configured to engage with the sealing surface to form a fluid and pressure tight seal when the closing sleeve is in the closed position; and a protective sleeve configured to extend toward the port to substantially cover the sealing surface when the closing sleeve is moved to the open position and retract away from the port when the closing sleeve is moved to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Earl Davis, Phil Terry Thomas, William Mark Richards, Thomas Jules Frosell
  • Patent number: 10450826
    Abstract: A sensing system comprises at least one gauge disposed in a wellbore, a sensing link coupled to the at least one gauge, and a debris barrier coupled to the sensing link. The debris barrier comprises a housing coupled to the sensing link, and a barrier element configured to reduce the transport of particulates from the wellbore into the sensing link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: William Mark Richards, Thomas Jules Frosell
  • Patent number: 10443372
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that includes positioning a completion string that has an internal passageway and that has an external surface that at least partially defines an external region within a wellbore; isolating a zone of the external region from a wellbore hydrostatic pressure; measuring a pressure within the external region of the isolated zone; determining whether the pressure within the external region of the isolated zone is within a predetermined pressure range; and operating a valve that controls a flow of a fluid through a flow path from the internal region to the external region of the isolated zone when the pressure within the external region is outside of the predetermined pressure range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Tyson Harvey Eiman, Syed Hamid, Gregory William Garrison, Colby Munro Ross, William Mark Richards, Thomas Jules Frosell
  • Patent number: 10435968
    Abstract: A method and apparatus that includes an elongated base pipe having an external surface at least partially defining an external region and an internal surface at least partially defining an internal region; and a pressure maintenance device disposed in the base pipe and comprising: a flow path that extends between the internal region and the external region; and a valve having a gas charged chamber, the valve allowing the flow of a fluid from the internal region to the external region through the first flow path when a pressure differential between a pressure associated with the internal region and a pressure associated with the gas charged chamber is less than a maximum pressure threshold and when a pressure differential between the external region and the pressure associated with the gas charged chamber is greater than a minimum pressure threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: William Mark Richards, Thomas Jules Frosell, Gregory William Garrison, Tyson Harvey Eiman, Syed Hamid, Colby Munro Ross
  • Patent number: 10422191
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a travel joint includes a tube disposed at one end of the travel joint and a mandrel disposed at an opposite end of the travel joint. The mandrel is partially disposed in a hollow portion of the tube, and the tube and the mandrel are axially slidable relative to each other to extend or compress the travel joint. The travel joint also may include a housing coupled to the tube and disposed around the mandrel and a locking mechanism between the housing and the mandrel disposed in a position to selectively lock the mandrel and the tube in an axial position relative to each other to partially compress the travel joint. In some embodiments, the travel joint may include a fluid brake having a fluid chamber disposed between the mandrel and the tube to dampen axial movement between the mandrel and tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: William Mark Richards
  • Patent number: 10408005
    Abstract: A setting tool for setting a packer in a wellbore includes a housing defining a hydraulic chamber, a piston disposed in the chamber, a pump coupled to the chamber via a flowline, and a setting sleeve directly or indirectly coupled to the piston. The pump may be used to pump pressurized fluid into the hydraulic chamber for pushing the piston in a direction, and the setting sleeve may be used to apply a compressive force to a packer element of the packer in response to the piston being pushed in that direction. The setting tool may include a sensor used to collect a measurement relating to a force on the workstring, in addition to a controller designed to receive a signal from the sensor and to provide a control signal to the pump based on the sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: William Mark Richards, Colby Munro Ross, Thomas Owen Roane, William David Henderson
  • Publication number: 20190203558
    Abstract: A method of retaining a packing element including utilizing a back-up ring assembly in contact with at least one packing element, the assembly comprising: at least one wedge shaped spiral ring comprising: at least one outer circumferential face configured to contact a wellbore casing or liner; at least one conical, inner circumferential face configured to contact a portion of a retainer with a conical face; and an axial end face configured to contact the at least one packing element. A back-up ring assembly including at least one wedge shaped spiral ring comprising: at least one outer circumferential face configured to contact a wellbore casing or liner; at least one conical, inner circumferential face configured to contact a portion of a retainer with a conical face; and an axial end face configured to contact a packing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: William Mark Richards, William David Henderson
  • Patent number: 10323503
    Abstract: Video of an above ground effect of a subterranean event is received. The subterranean event is identified using Eulerian video magnification of the received video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Wendorf, William Mark Richards, Syed Hamid, Paul F. Rodney
  • Patent number: 10323488
    Abstract: A gravel pack system includes a service tool used to maintain a pressure of the wellbore below a hydraulic packer at the same pressure of workstring tubing above the hydraulic packer, prior to and during setting the hydraulic packer. The service tool includes a washpipe disposed at a lower portion of the service tool, a crossover port in a wall of the service tool that enables fluid to flow between workstring tubing and a space between the service tool and a completion string. The service tool also includes a valve disposed in the wall of the service tool that directs fluid from the space between the service tool and the completion string into the service tool and toward the washpipe when the valve is open, the valve being closeable in response to compression of the service tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: William Mark Richards
  • Patent number: 10301888
    Abstract: A travel joint comprises an outer housing, an inner mandrel, a first release device positioned between the outer housing and the inner mandrel, and a second release device positioned between the outer housing and the inner mandrel. The first release device is configured to actuate from the locked position to the unlocked position in response to a fluid pressure supplied to the first release device. The second release device is configured to selectively prevent and allow relative axial movement between the outer housing and the inner mandrel in response to an axial force applied to at least one of the outer housing or the inner mandrel, and the first release device is configured to prevent the application of the axial force to actuate the second release device in the locked position and allow the axial force to actuate the second release device in the unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: William Mark Richards, Timothy Edward Harms
  • Publication number: 20190120026
    Abstract: An apparatus and method according to which a zone of a wellbore that traverses a subterranean formation is completed. The apparatus includes a flow joint including a first internal flow passage, and a plurality of openings formed radially therethrough, a plurality of plugs disposed within the plurality of openings to form a fluid and pressure tight seal with the flow joint, thus impeding fluid flow through the plurality of openings, and a screen disposed exteriorly about the flow joint and axially along the plurality of openings, and thus also along the plurality of plugs, wherein, when the plurality of plugs are exposed to a downhole fluid, the plurality of plugs are adapted to degrade so that fluid flow is permitted through the plurality of openings. The plurality of plugs may include protective layers adapted to be damaged or removed to expose the plurality of plugs to the downhole fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Fripp, William Mark Richards, Thomas J. Frosell, Stephen M. Greci
  • Patent number: 10227859
    Abstract: Video of an effect on equipment of an event is received. The event is identified using Eulerian video magnification of the received video.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: William Mark Richards, Scott Wendorf, Syed Hamid, Paul F. Rodney