Patents Represented by Attorney Browning Bushman, P.C.

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  • Expandable bridge plug and setting assembly
    Patent number: 7341111
    Abstract: Bridge plug and setting assembly may be used in a well with a tubular therein to control flow through the tubular. A plurality of fluid powered units 16, 24 are suspended in a well from a work string 14 for exerting a driving force. A plug member 50 is suspended below the plurality of fluid powered units. The plug member 50 is axially movable relative to an expansion sleeve 40 in response to the driving force to radially expand the sleeve 40 into sealing engagement with both the plug member 50 and the tubular 12. A release mechanism 68 is provided for releasing the one or more fluid powered units from the plug member and the expansion sleeve once set in the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventors: Tommy Wayne Van, Britt O. Braddick
  • Drilling with casing
    Patent number: 7334649
    Abstract: A borehole may be drilled utilizing the bottom hole assembly 10, 50 with a downhole motor 14, 110, which may offset at a selected bend angle. A bend for directional drilling may be provided by a PDM, or by a RSD. A gauge section 36 secured to the pilot bit 18 has a uniform diameter bearing surface along an axial length of at least 60% of the pilot bit diameter. The bit or reamer 16 has a bit face defining the cutting diameter of the drilled hole. The axial spacing between the bend and the bit face is controlled to less than fifteen times the bit diameter. The downhole motor, pilot bit and bit may be retrieved from the well while leaving the casing string in the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Chen-Kang D. Chen, M. Vikram Rao
  • Stabberless pipe handling system
    Patent number: 7331384
    Abstract: A pipe handling apparatuses is suspended between the bails of a rig to raise, lower and laterally move a single joint of pipe that is being added to a string of pipe extending into a well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Inventor: Ronald James Scrantz
  • Method and apparatus for locating hydrocarbon deposits
    Patent number: 7325971
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating hydrocarbon deposits includes temperature 16 sensor for measuring earth surface temperature at each of a plurality of locations, and a solar absorption sensor 14 for measuring the absorption coefficient of the earth's surface at each of those plurality of locations. A sky temperature sensor 18 may also be provided. A computer 30 records measurements as a function of location, and outputs a plot of corrected surface temperatures as a function of the geographic location of the measurements. By comparing corrected surface temperature measurements at the plurality of locations, a hydrocarbon deposit may be located and its boundaries determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Inventor: Lloyd C. Fons
  • Downhole ball circulation tool
    Patent number: 7318478
    Abstract: A circulation tool 10 for use downhole in a well includes a housing 12 having one or more bypass ports 16 for circulation between a bore in the housing and an annulus surrounding the housing. A sleeve 68 is axially movable within the housing, and axially spaced seals 70, 74 seal between the sleeve and the housing when the sleeve is in the closed position. A ball 52 is rotatably mounted to the sleeve, and includes a seat 54 about a central bore 55 in the ball for engagement with a plug. When the sleeve closes off the circulation ports 16, the ball is rotated to the open position with a substantially full bore diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventor: Edward Shannon Royer
  • Fluid level control system
    Patent number: 7316542
    Abstract: A control system governs fluid level in a well system including a pump positioned downhole for pumping fluid upward through a tubular, a rod positioned within the tubular for driving the pump, a prime mover, and a pumpjack to transmit power from the prime mover to the rod to reciprocate the rod. A sensor senses a position of the rod or a member of the pumpjack and outputting signals in response thereto. A controller receives the signals and computes a plurality of time intervals, each time interval being between signals and occurring during at least a portion of an upstroke of the rod. The controller selectively decreases power output from the prime mover in response to an increase in the computed time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: DJAX Corporation
    Inventor: Manuel D. Mills
  • Disinfectant system and method for the chemical treatment of wastewater
    Patent number: 7314546
    Abstract: A system for the chemical treatment of wastewater may be discharged in a night spray system, an on demand system or a dosing system. Tank 12 receives wastewater, and a discharge pump 16 pumps wastewater from the tank in the night spray system. A sensor 24 deactivates the discharge pump when the wastewater level reaches a predetermined low level, and in some applications activates the discharge pump when the wastewater level reaches a predetermined high level. A liquid disinfectant pump 38 pumps liquid disinfectant to the tank, and a controller 30 activates a liquid disinfectant pump for a selected time interval as a function of the discharge system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Jerry L. McKinney 2002 Trust
    Inventor: Jerry L. McKinney
  • Fluid level control system for progressive cavity pump
    Patent number: 7314349
    Abstract: A control system controls a progressive cavity pump driven by a rod. The rod is powered by a prime mover, such as a variable speed drive. A proximity sensor outputs signals responsive to rotational positioning of the rod. A controller receives the signals and computes a time interval between selected signals corresponding to a selected number of rod rotations. The controller references a data set, compares the computed time interval with the data set, and selectively increases, decreases, or cycles power to the prime mover in response thereto, thereby controlling the fluid level within the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Djax Corporation
    Inventor: Manuel D. Mills
  • Gardening tool
    Patent number: 7314095
    Abstract: A gardening tool extracts a weed along with a plug of soil. A plurality of blades are circumferentially spaced about an axis of a shaft and extend downwardly beyond the lower end of the shaft for insertion into soil about the roots. Each blade includes a trailing edge and a leading edge that leads the trailing edge during rotation in a selected rotational direction about the axis. An ejector body is positioned between the blades and is axially movable from an upper position to a lower position to eject soil from between the blades. An ejector control member at least substantially surrounding the shaft is axially movable by hand. A plurality of connecting members are circumferentially spaced about the shaft and connect the ejector control member to the ejector body, such that axial movement of the ejector control member causes axial movement of the ejector body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Inventor: Delwin E. Cobb
  • Integrated drilling dynamics system
    Patent number: 7313480
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a drilling operation involving the rotation of a bottom-hole assembly carried by a drillstring. In one embodiment, an integrated, closed-loop rigsite analysis system is provided for acquiring and analyzing real-time mud logging and downhole data, and displaying in real-time values of one or more operator-controllable parameters, along with dynamic critical values of at least one controllable operating parameter, thereby enabling an operator to modulate such parameter on a real-time basis to optimize operation. The integrated information is derived by intelligent combination of data into meaningful and useable information that can be displayed in an informative manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Chenkang David Chen, Mark Smith, Scott LaPierre
  • Vessel assembly for use in a wastewater treatment system
    Patent number: 7294261
    Abstract: A vessel assembly for use in a wastewater treatment system having a first vessel, a second vessel, a first gusset assembly attached to and connecting the first and second vessels and a second gusset assembly attached to and connecting the vessels, at least one of the gusset assemblies provides an upwardly facing surface or pocket for holding fill materials such as dirt or gravel to counter buoyancy acting on the vessel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Jerry L. McKinney 2002 Trust
    Inventor: Jerry L. McKinney
  • Aerobic wastewater treatment plant having 3-compartment vessel
    Patent number: 7294260
    Abstract: An aerobic wastewater treatment plant having a peripheral wall, at least three compartments being formed within the peripheral wall in conjunction with bottom wall, the peripheral wall having first and second end walls which are radiused and having at least portions thereof which have the same radius and the first and second side wall, the side wall and end walls being shaped and adjoined to each other so as to form a smooth contour on the outer surface of the peripheral wall, the peripheral wall preferably having an oval-like configuration when viewed in top plan view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Jerry L. McKinney 202 Trust
    Inventor: Jerry L. McKinney
  • Multiple impact jar assembly and method
    Patent number: 7293614
    Abstract: A hydraulic jarring tool may be suspended in a well from a wireline, tubular string or drill string, and may be activated to release a tool stuck in the well, or to release the drill string. Each of an upper and lower jarring section include a housing, a piston, a piston biasing member, a fluid metering device and a release mechanism for holding an hammer in a downward position and releasing the hammer to strike an anvil in response to movement of the piston. A timing mechanism results in a timed delay between the impact of one hammer striking the anvil and the other hammer striking the anvil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence C. Rose
  • Packer with positionable collar
    Patent number: 7284619
    Abstract: A fluid actuated packer 10 and collar 36 assembly is provided for positioning on a tubular member 12. The collar 36 is moveable by a running tool 110 positioned within the tubular member and has a closed position and a packer activate position, fluidly connects the collar 36 to the packer element 14 when in the packer activate position, and closes off the flow path 26 when in the closed position. According to a method of the invention, the flow path 26 extends from the collar to the expandable packer element 14 and is open to activate the packer element 14 and closes off the flow path 26 when in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Tam International, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles O. Stokley, Paul A. Reinhardt, Doyle R. Warren, Jackie D. Newberry
  • Trash bag support
    Patent number: 7281690
    Abstract: A support 10 for a flexible trash bag 16 comprises a housing 12 having an open end 11, substantially planar first side 18 and second and third sides 20, 24. A pair of brackets 50, 94 on circumferentially opposing sides of the housing each have a cavity 51, 96 therein. A leg assembly for supporting the housing with the open end of the housing facing generally upward and the bag supported on the housing including at least one leg 52 selectively positionable within the receiving cavity in each of the pair of brackets 50, 94.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Inventor: Timothy W. Kelley
  • Expandable liner hanger system and method
    Patent number: 7278492
    Abstract: A liner hanger assembly seals with casing 22 and supports a liner 90 within a well. The tubular liner hanger body 50 and a tubular expander 40 may be positioned downhole at a desired depth on a running tool. An actuator assembly 12, 24 may forcibly move the tubular expander 40 into the liner hanger body 50, expanding the liner hanger body to seal and secure the hanger body to the casing string 22. The running tool may be released from the set liner hanger by an axially movable collet mechanism, such as ratchet ring 92 and a catch mechanism, such as threads 94. The running string thus need not be rotated to release from the set liner hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventor: Britt O. Braddick
  • 5 valve small bore dual flange manifold
    Patent number: D549732
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: PGI International, Ltd.
    Inventor: Spencer M. Nimberger
  • High efficiency drill pipe
    Patent number: RE39869
    Abstract: A drill pipe 10 comprises an elongate pipe section 12 having a substantially uniform pipe outer diameter 18 and a substantially uniform pipe inner diameter 20. A pin tool joint 14 is welded at one end to the pipe section, and a box tool joint 16 is welded to the other end of the pipe section. Each of the pin and box tool joints includes a thread for mating engagement and preferably first and second shoulders. The drill pipe has a ratio, R, which takes into consideration the pipe inner diameter, PID, the pipe outer diameter, POD, the tool joint inner diameter, TJID, and the tool joint outer diameter, TJOD. This ratio may be expressed as: R = ( P ID + TJ ID ) ( TJ OD - P OD ) . According to the present invention, this ratio is greater than 8.0, and is preferably from 8.1 to 8.5, thereby providing a drill pipe with desired strength and fluid flow capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Grant Prideco, L.P.
    Inventors: Michael Payne, Jackie E. Smith, Edmond I. Bailey
  • 5 valve port manifold
    Patent number: D553156
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: PGI International, Ltd.
    Inventor: Spencer M. Nimberger
  • Bracket
    Patent number: D561563
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Inventor: Brian D. Hoffner