Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm E. Harrison Gilbert, III
  • Patent number: 4932471
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, an eletronic temperature gauge is carried into a well bore within a pressure-sealed housing which can free fall through a drill string to impact upon a drill bit connected at the bottom of the drill string. A shock absorber is connected at the bottom of the housing to absorb the shock upon impact of the apparatus on the drill bit. The shock absorber has a relatively linearized shock absorbing response in the preferred embodiment. Additional structural features provide further cushioning of the gauge during transit and upon impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Assignee: Hilliburton Company
    Inventors: James C. Tucker, Stephen E. Tilghman
  • Patent number: 4928785
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a solenoid valve for an air gun which substantially increases the rate at which maximum air flow is achieved. The new valve structure includes a coil actuated plunger, which is preferably solid and formed of a magnetically permeable material and closes an annular 360 degree port opening between the valve inlet and valve outlet when in the unactuated state. This plunger position is maintained by a biasing spring which forces the forward annular sharp plunger edge against a face seal in the nose of the valve, thereby sealing the valve input port from its output port. Upon actuation of the solenoid valve coil, the plunger is moved against the bias of the spring very rapidly, thereby speedily uncovering the channel between inlet and outlet and permitting rapid 360 degree communication between the inlet and outlet to permit maximum air flow therebetween and out of the outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Assignee: Halliburton Geophysical Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Earnest R. Harrison
  • Patent number: 4918659
    Abstract: A complete additive transport and mixing system is carried on a single vehicle. A collection of liquid additive containers, a collection of metering devices, and a mixing system are all mounted on the vehicle, as is a dry additive metering device. A selected liquid additive container can be selectively and changeably connected to a selected liquid additive metering device, and a selected liquid additive metering device can be selectably and changeably connected to a selected input into the mixing system. The metering of the liquid additives is monitored and a concentration display given so that the metering devices can be manually controlled to obtain an actual concentration equal to a desired concentration. A display indicating a desired setting for the dry additive metering device is also given so that the dry additive metering device can be manually controlled to allow a suitable amount of the dry additive to be added into the mixing system to obtain a desired concentration of the dry additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Dale E. Bragg, Mark A. Clark, Randy G. Fleming
  • Patent number: 4917349
    Abstract: A set point pressure control circuit is disclosed for controlling pressure in a high pressure environment. The circuit includes a high pressure communicating, low pressure actuated valve. The valve includes a housing in which a valve member is disposed. The valve member has an axial passageway defined therethrough for communicating a high pressure port across a piston of the valve member to an opposite high pressure chamber which is placed in communication with a low pressure port when the valve member is in an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Jim B. Surjaatmadja, Mark C. Ehlert
  • Patent number: 4916631
    Abstract: A process control system for mixing a proppant with a fluid includes a remote control computer located remotely from where the process is to be performed, and a monitor computer and a local control computer both located where the process is to be performed. An LAN cable connects the remote control computer to the monitor and local control computers. The desired concentration value of the proppant in the fluid is entered into the remote control computer. The monitor computer sends measured values to the local control computer which generates a control signal to a sand screw to provide the desired concentration value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Stephen F. Crain, Mark A. Clark, Edward L. Woodall
  • Patent number: 4905281
    Abstract: A security apparatus for interfacing a computer system with a telephone circuit includes a modem and a controller interfacing between the telephone circuit and a modem of the computer system. The first-mentioned modem and the controller operate to answer incoming calls in a manner to disguise that the telephone circuit is connected to a computer system, thereby masking or hiding the computer system from unauthorized users such as "hackers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Jim B. Surjaatmadja, Jack C. Penn
  • Patent number: 4903765
    Abstract: A delayed opening fluid sampling tool comprises a body having three chambers and a port defined therein. The tool also comprises a metering device which is disposed in the body between two of the chambers, one of which chambers is for holding a metering fluid and the other of which is for receiving fluid which is transferred through the metering device. The tool further comprises a valve which is disposed in the body between the port and the remaining chamber, which remaining chamber is for receiving a well fluid sample. The valve is moved relative to the body in response to pressure acting on the valve through the port. Only after a predetermined time delay after the pressure begins moving the valve is the valve positioned to communicate the port with the sample-receiving chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventor: Gary D. Zunkel
  • Patent number: 4886367
    Abstract: A complete additive transport and mixing system is carried on a single vehicle. A collection of liquid additive containers, a collection of metering devices, and a mixing system are all mounted on the vehicle, as is a dry additive metering device. A selected liquid additive container can be selectably and changeably connected to a selected liquid additive metering device, and a selected liquid additive metering device can be selectably and changeably connected to a selected input into the mixing system. The metering of the liquid additives is monitored and a concentration display given so that the metering devices can be manually controlled to obtain an actual concentration equal to a desired concentration. A display indicating a desired setting for the dry additive metering device is also given so that the dry additive metering device can be manually controlled to allow a suitable amount of the dry additive to be added into the mixing system to obtain a desired concentration of the dry additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1989
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Dale E. Bragg, Mark A. Clark, Randy G. Fleming
  • Patent number: 4873648
    Abstract: A watercut monitor device has an oscillator circuit which generates an analog input signal in response to the capacitance of a capacitance probe through which an oil and water emulsion flows. The frequency of the analog input signal is non-linearly related to the watercut of the emulsion. The analog input signal is effectively gated through a digital gating circuit, and a count related to the frequency of the gated signal is digitally made. The digital count addresses a digital memory having digital values, which are linearly related to the watercut of the emulsion, stored therein. Upon being addressed, the digital memory outputs the digital value stored in the addressed location. The digital value is optically coupled to a digital-to-analog converter which converts the digital value into an analog output signal linearly related to the watercut of the emulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1989
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Charles L. Mouser, Joseph A. Stewart
  • Patent number: 4869299
    Abstract: A method of transferring radioactive substance wherein a radioactivity shielding assembly, suitable for transferring a radioactive substance with a reduced risk of human exposure and environmental contamination, includes a protective shield casing having a reservoir disposed in the casing for receiving the radioactive substance. Associated with the casing is a coupling structure for coupling the reservoir and casing directly to a receiver into which the radioactive substance is to be transferred. The casing includes a side shielding structure in which the reservoir is retained and two end shield structures which are removably attached to the side shield structure. The two end shield structures are removed from the side shield structure at the location at which the radioactive substance is to be discharged, but such removal leaves the reservoir protectively received in the side structure to maintain continued protection against radioactive exposure or contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1989
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventor: Wayne A. Handke
  • Patent number: 4866607
    Abstract: In an oil well instrumentation system, the downhole sensor system is controlled by a computer which is powered-on only during sampling movement. An independent circuit, continuously powered, detects significant sensor rate-of-change values whereby the computer-sampling equipment is powered-on. A self-contained memory gauge includes either semiconductor or magnetic core memory for retaining downhole information related to sampled parameters, such as borehole temperature and pressure. A microprocessor-based computer manages the power utilization by independently and selectably energizing and deenergizing different sections of the gauge. The magnetic core memory is tested for operability, and the addressing of the magnetic core memory is adjusted in accordance with any inoperable memory locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Terry O. Anderson, J. M. Richardson, Jack C. Penn, Michael J. Lynch, Billy W. White, Gilbert H. Forehand, Richard L. Duncan, Charles F. VanBerg, Jr., Stephen E. Tilghman, Ronald E. Dant, Charles D. Donaghe
  • Patent number: 4850750
    Abstract: An integrated control system, specifically transportable on water between offshore wells, includes mixing and blending subsystems, a pumping subsystem, a proppant subsystem and a control subsystem for controlling the other subsystems in a unified manner from a common control location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Randall B. Cogbill, Timothy J. Dodd, Paul W. Heilman, Daryl L. Heronemus, Leslie R. Sears, Leslie N. Berryman, Robert L. Baker, Larry E. Guffee, David A. Prucha, Don M. Roberts, Elbert L. Shackelford, Calvin L. Stegemoeller, Lonnie R. Walker
  • Patent number: 4846235
    Abstract: A radioactivity shielding assembly, suitable for transferring a radioactive substance with a reduced risk of human exposure and environmental contamination, includes a protective shield casing having a reservoir disposed in the casing for receiving the radioactive substance. Associated with the casing is a coupling structure for coupling the reservoir and casing directly to a receiver into which the radioactive substance is to be transferred. The casing includes a side shielding structure in which the reservoir is retained and two end shield structures which are removably attached to the side shield structure. The two end shield structures are removed from the side shield structure at the location at which the radioactive substance is to be discharged, but such removal leaves the reservoir protectively received in the side structure to maintain continued protection against radioactive exposure or contamination. A related method of transferring the radioactive substance is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventor: Wayne A. Handke
  • Patent number: 4829811
    Abstract: A fluid testing apparatus comprises a container for holding a fluid to be tested and a member disposed within the container so that the member is rotatable within a fluid to be tested within the container. The container has a wall defining a cavity into which the member extends. A magnetically responsive rotor is mounted on this end of the member. Immediately adjacent the outside surface of this wall, a plurality of stator poles are secured so that a field generated in the stator poles directly interacts with the rotor across the wall to rotate the member. The rotor and stator poles are preferably of a stepper motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Mark C. Ehlert, James W. Mueller
  • Patent number: 4827438
    Abstract: A system includes an interface through which actual train operating data can be transferred from a recording medium, such as a magnetic tape, into a train simulator. The date contents of the magnetic tape are generated from real-time data obtained on-board an operating locomotive. For entering additional data, the interface switches a manual data entry terminal to the train simulator in response to a control signal provided by the train simulator. A method incorporating this system simulates train responses to the actual train operating data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Stephen K. Nickles, Lynn K. Wienck, John E. Haley
  • Patent number: 4817437
    Abstract: A housing which is connectible to a pressure sensitive tool has a filter cartridge mounted within it to communicate a pressure from an external fluid to a clean fluid contained within the filter cartridge and the tool. The filter cartridge includes one or more filters having a plurality of passageways small enough to hold the clean fluid under pressure equilibrium conditions, but large enough to communicate pressure from the external fluid to the clean fluid. There are enough of such passageways so that it is unlikely that all will become clogged by any contaminants within the external fluid should a portion of the external fluid be sucked in through the filter in response to expansion and contraction phenomena of the clean fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: John R. Dennis, Billy W. White
  • Patent number: 4805407
    Abstract: A downhole tool for an oil or gas well includes a self-contained power supply having a housing in which a primary fuel source, a Stirling cycle engine, and a linear alternator are disposed. The primary fuel source includes a radioisotope which, by its radioactive decay, provides heat to operate the Stirling engine which in turn drives the liner alternator to provide a suitable electrical output for use by the circuit of the downhole tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventor: Ronnie J. Buchanan
  • Patent number: 4802370
    Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a pressure sensor, a reference device and a temperature sensor collocated within a common environment. The reference device and the temperature sensor are constructed to have temperature response times matched to the temperature response time of the pressure sensor to compensate for temperature gradients produced either by external heating or by pressure-volume heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1989
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Errol P. EerNisse, Roger W. Ward
  • Patent number: 4800958
    Abstract: A vent subassembly includes a vent body having an opening which is covered or uncovered dependent upon the location of a vent sleeve relative to the vent body. The vent subassembly can be connected below a packer, and the vent sleeve can be connected to a perforator so that movement of the vent sleeve is concurrently communicated to the perforator, such as for initiating the firing of the perforator. The vent sleeve is moved by an actuator subassembly, which is to be connected above the packer if the vent and actuator subassemblies are used with a packer. The actuator subassembly has a piston housing, a piston slidably disposed in the piston housing, and a connector string extending from the piston to the vent sleeve. The piston is responsive to a differential pressure existing between the annulus outside the actuator subassembly and an interior pressure within the actuator subassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: David M. Haugen, David S. Wesson, Robert R. Luke, Kevin R. George
  • Patent number: 4802141
    Abstract: A self-leveling mixer apparatus includes a base and a generally downwardly tapered movable mixing tub supported from the base in a manner such that the tub is movable between first and second positions relative to the base. A leveling valve is provided for controlling a level of fluid in the movable mixing tub. A connector linkage is operably associated with the mixing tub and the leveling valve for adjusting the leveling valve in response to movement of the mixing tube relative to the base. A rotating mechanical agitator is disposed within the tub for inducing a generally vortex type of fluid flow pattern within the generally downward tapered tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Calvin L. Stegemoeller, Gail F. Davis