Patents Represented by Attorney Marcus L. Bates
  • Patent number: 4377365
    Abstract: A padding machine for transporting padding material from a dump truck into a pipeline ditch. The padding machine is supported forwardly of a vehicle. A bumper attached to the forward portion of the padding machine engages and pushes the rear end of a dump truck, while padding material is transferred from the dump truck into a upwardly opening trough which forms part of the padding machine. The floor of the trough is comprised of an upper run of a conveyor means, and continuously transports the padding material into the pipeline ditch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1983
    Inventor: Ricky L. Layh
  • Patent number: 4373410
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for manufacturing polycrystalline diamond stud assemblies for a drill bit. The stud assembly is cylindrical in form and has a truncation at one marginal end thereof. The truncated end includes a shelf which forms a land positioned perpendicular to a back to provide a seat for the polycrystalline diamond cutter element. The land and back lie in perpendicular planes which intersect the longitudinal axial centerline of the stud. The cutter element is semicircular in form and represents a cylinder or wafer which has been bisected by cutting so that the diameter of the cylinder is received against the land while the rear face of the cutter element is received against the back. The cutter element is fabricated in a fixture having a cavity therein which receives the stud and element therewithin, and spaced abutment means so that one abutment means can be moved towards the other to place the elements of the stud assembly in compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1983
    Inventor: Kenneth Davis
  • Patent number: 4372403
    Abstract: A rotary drill bit has an upper rotatable main body member which rotates respective to a lower stationary bit member. The lower stationary bit member has an axial centerline arranged at an angle respective to the axial centerline of the upper body member. The lower face of the lower bit member terminates in a formation engaging surface which is in the form of a cone so that as the drill string imparts rotation into the main body member, the face of the lower member engages the formation and is wobbled by the action of the rotating main body. This action forces a limited area along one side of the conical face to bear against the formation. The formation engaging portion of the bit face travels circumferentially about the bit due to the eccentricity or misalignment of the two bit members. The wobble action imparts great pressure on the bottom of the borehole, increases penetration of the bit, and reduces wear on the cutting elements of the bit face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1983
    Inventor: Archie W. Beeman
  • Patent number: 4369022
    Abstract: A check valve assembly for use as intake and discharge valves for pumps. The assembly includes a valve element made into a square configuration, the corners of which are slidably received in indexed relationship within radially spaced, longitudinally extending grooves formed into opposed, interior, peripheral wall surfaces of the pump housing and made complementary respective to the marginal area represented by the corners of the valve element. This configuration of the valve components prevents axial rotation of the valve element, and forms four radially spaced crescent shaped inlet and outlet passageways between each of the valve elements and the pump housing. An intake cage is axially spaced in opposed relationship respective to an exhaust cage by a valve plate, with the intake cage, exhaust cage, valve plate, intake and exhaust valve elements being concentrically arranged respective to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1983
    Inventor: George K. Roeder
  • Patent number: 4367795
    Abstract: A rotating blowout preventor having a rotating head to which a stripper assembly is attached. The stripper rubber of the stripper assembly has an axial passageway through which a rotating member is telescopingly received. The stripper rubber has an upper, conical face which downwardly slopes inwardly towards the axial passageway. The stripper assembly is mounted to an annular metal doughnut member having an axial passageway formed therethrough which is slightly larger in inside diameter as compared to the outside diameter of the rotating member extending along the axial centerline of the RBOP. The doughnut has a lower conical face which downwardly slopes inwardly towards the axial centerline of the RBOP, and which is placed closely adjacent to the upper conical face of the stripper rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1983
    Inventor: Morris S. Biffle
  • Patent number: 4363605
    Abstract: Apparatus for generating an electrical signal which is proportional to the tension in a bridle which supports a string of sucker rod associated with a pumpjack unit. The apparatus includes a main frame having a load cell mounted thereto, and opposed cable engaging arms, one of which extends from the load cell to a cable of the bridle. The two arms place the load cell in compression thereby generating an electrical signal in proportion to the magnitude of the force exerted to spring the spaced parallel cables apart from one another. The signal is utilized to obtain an indirect measurement which is proportional to the tension in the sucker rod. This signal can be combined with another signal related to the position of the walking beam of the pumpjack unit to thereby provide a dynamometer card. The signal is also used as a pump off control which discontinues current flow to the pumpjack motor when the signal assumes a predetermined electrical configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1982
    Inventor: Manuel D. Mills
  • Patent number: 4362049
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for internally applying fluid pressure in order to determine the leak resisting characteristics of pipe, by gravitating a pipe into an elongated upwardly opening trough filled with a noncompressible fluid, such as water. The pipe is supported submerged within the trough and below the liquid level thereof such that opposed seals can be lowered into the trough, reciprocated towards one another and into engagement with the opposed ends of the filled pipe. Hence, the seals isolate the pipe interior after the pipe has been filled with the non-compressible fluid. The internal pressure of the pipe is increased and held for a finite period of time, thereby determining the rate at which the noncompressible fluid escapes from the pipe interior. The seals are released from the pipe ends, the fluid drained from the pipe and back into the trough, and the tested pipe is then removed from the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1982
    Inventor: Mark D. Horton
  • Patent number: 4362446
    Abstract: A torch tip rebuilding tool which can be held in one's hand and used to reface the seat located on one end of a used torch tip, and to reface the opposed outlet end of the tip. The tool has opposed cavities formed at each end which are aligned along the longitudinal axial centerline thereof. Within one of the cavities there is mounted a milling tool which receives the outlet end of the torch tip thereagainst so that relative rotation between the torch tip and the tool removes material from the outlet end. The other cavity has a plurality of blades pivotally captured therewithin in such a manner that the blades are radially spaced about the axial centerline of the tool with the cutting edges thereof disposed at an appropriate angle so that when the inlet end of a torch tip is placed within the cavity and relative rotation effected between the torch tip and the tool, material is simultaneously removed from both the seats located at the inlet end of the torch tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1982
    Assignee: Thomas Lee Taylor
    Inventor: Roland G. Bell
  • Patent number: 4361185
    Abstract: An improved stripper rubber for a rotating blowout preventor. The stripper rubber has an upper annular area attached to the lower end of a metal support member. The support member extends upwardly into fixed relationship respective to part of the rotating head of a rotating blowout preventor. The stripper rubber downwardly depends into concentrically arranged, spaced annular body members. The inner annular body has an axial passageway formed therethrough for telescopingly receiving a rotating member in sealed relationship therewith. The outer annular member has an outer circumferentially extending wall surface which rotatably engages the lower marginal end of a washpipe. The inner and outer annular members are made integral respective to the stripper rubber, and are separated from one another by a downwardly opening annular recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1982
    Inventor: John M. Biffle
  • Patent number: 4360011
    Abstract: A walking iron for attachment to the lower extremity of a foot or leg cast which bottom supports the limb and enables mobility of an injured person. The walking iron has a fixed, cast-engaging member adjustably connected to a ground-engaging member in such a manner that pivotal and longitudinal movement may be effected therebetween, thereby enabling lateral as well as fore and aft movement of one member respective to the other to be achieved. This expedient provides for center of gravity adjustment between the two members so that the walking iron can be specially fitted to each individual cast in the most optimum manner for each patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1982
    Inventor: Royce C. Lewis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4360069
    Abstract: A drill bit having a lower formation engaging face thereon and a plurality of radially spaced apart slots which communicate the face with an upper reduced part of the bit body so that drilling fluid can be returned to the surface of the earth. The bit has an internal counterbore which terminates short of the face and forms a passageway through which drilling fluid can flow. A plurality of radially spaced apart lateral passageways communicate the axial counterbore with the slots. A nozzle passageway communicates the face of the bit with the outer marginal end of the lateral passageways, and the lateral passageways are plugged adjacent to the slots. A nozzle is placed within the outer marginal end of the nozzle passageways. Drilling fluid is forced to flow down through the axial counterbore, and through the nozzles which are affixed to the face of the bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1982
    Inventor: Kenneth Davis
  • Patent number: 4356636
    Abstract: A thread gauge for determining the proper length, taper, and diameter of a threaded member located on the marginal box and pin end portions of joints of casing or tubing. The threaded member of a joint usually has a thread length which can be defined by the distance the threads extend respective to a vanish point located near the end of the joint. The pin gauge of this disclosure is a conical body which has a smooth internal surface formed between a large and small diameter shoulder. The smooth surface defines a frustum of a cone. The box gauge is a second component of this invention, and has an external tapered surface formed between spaced shoulders which defines a frustum of another cone. Visual observable measuring means on the gauges determine that each of the opposed threaded surface of the joint is of proper length and nominal diameter, and is properly positioned respective to the vanish point of the threads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1982
    Inventor: Royce G. Roberts
  • Patent number: 4354553
    Abstract: Well treatment method and apparatus for chemically inhibiting downhole production equipment with corrosion inhibitors. Water is separated from the produced well fluid, and the flow rate and corrosive properties of the separated water is measured. Inhibitor solution is then injected into the stream of water in an amount which is proportional to the corrosive measurement of the water, thereby providing the exact amount of chemical treatment required to avoid downhole corrosion. The inhibitor and the water are intimately mixed, and the mixture is flowed into the casing annulus. The conductivity of the produced fluid is measured, and the measurement is used to adjust the rate of flow of the separated water to a value which assures that the mixture of water and inhibitor flow down through the hydrocarbons contained in the casing annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1982
    Inventor: Clifford J. Hensley
  • Patent number: 4354397
    Abstract: A shock absorber apparatus connected in series relationship respective to the polished rod and bridle of a pumpjack unit. The shock absorber includes a housing within which there is supported a plurality of resilient packer members stacked in sandwiched relationship. The packer members have an axial passageway formed therethrough, with the passageway of each packer member being aligned with one another, so that the polished rod is telescopingly received therethrough. The bottom of the housing is supported by the bridle, while the polished rod is supported by a plate member which bears against the uppermost packer member. This places all of the resilient packer members in compression, with the force of the compression being proportional to the weight of the sucker rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1982
    Inventor: Paul W. Fix
  • Patent number: 4352399
    Abstract: A bit breaker and handle for use in conjunction with a drill bit. The bit breaker is in the form of a plate member which is provided with an outside edge having a configuration to be drivingly received within the kelly drive of a drilling rig turntable. The plate is apertured to telescopingly receive a marginal length of the main body of the bit therethrough. A plurality of lugs are circumferentially placed about the aperture. The lugs are slidably received within an enlarged marginal length of the external bit passageways, and abuttingly engage a shoulder formed at the outlet end of the passageway. The drill tubing is held while the turntable is rotated in the appropriate direction to "make up" or "break out" the tubing threads respective to the threads of the bit. The external passageways are further provided with radially extending counterbores which receive the marginal end of a handle therewithin so that the bit can be easily lifted respective to the plate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1982
    Inventor: Kenneth Davis
  • Patent number: 4351783
    Abstract: A housing has a fuel chamber formed therewithin. A fuel flow path is formed to and from the chamber. A plurality of air passageways are formed through the housing. A movable plate member has a plurality of spaced ports formed therein, and is movable from an open to a closed position. In the closed position, the holes in the plate are misaligned with the outlet end of the flow passageways, thereby precluding air flow therethrough; and, when the plate is moved to the open position, the holes in the plate are brought into registry with the passageways, thereby permitting flow of air to occur therethrough. A cam is formed on the plate and reciprocates a valve element respective to a valve seat. The valve is located to control flow from the fuel chamber, through the valve, and through the plate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1982
    Inventor: Donald G. Bennett
  • Patent number: 4334580
    Abstract: A borehole is formed down into the ground and extends towards an underlying pay zone, and then is turned horizontally through the pay zone, and then continues back up towards the surface of the earth; so that the resultant borehole is continuous from an inlet to an outlet, with the inlet and outlet being spaced from one another. When the free end of the drill string arrives at the outlet, one end of a casing string is attached thereto, and the casing string is pulled back through the entire borehole so that the borehole is cased from the outlet to the inlet, or vice versa. The casing is perforated adjacent to the pay zone so that the hydrocarbons may flow from the pay zone into the interior of the casing. Production is achieved through either of the spaced inlet or outlet; or, by using one vertical length of the borehole to force fluid to flow through the entire borehole, thereby forcing the production to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1982
    Assignee: Geo Vann, Inc.
    Inventor: Roy R. Vann
  • Patent number: 4330039
    Abstract: A pressure actuated vent assembly for completing a slanted wellbore. The assembly is connected in series relationship within a tubing string at a location below a packer, and the packer elements are located between the casing and the tubing string, thereby dividing the casing annulus into an upper and lower annular area. The vent assembly includes a ported sliding sleeve which is slidably received about a ported main body member. The sleeve is held into position by a shear pin. Guide pins maintain the ports of the sleeve and main body member aligned with one another. When pressure is applied to the inside of the tubing, the sliding sleeve is forced to slide from an upper closed position, in a downward direction, where the sleeve locks into the opened position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1982
    Assignee: Geo Vann, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy R. Vann, George W. Ribble, Flint R. George
  • Patent number: 4329916
    Abstract: A packer nose assembly for pumping downhole equipment of the free type into and out of a tubing string located within a borehole. The assembly includes a mandrel having a lower end portion attachable to the downhole equipment and an upper end portion terminating in the form of a fishing neck. One or more packers are slidably received in a telescoping manner upon the mandrel and fixed in spaced-apart relationship respective to one another by spaced sleeves which are likewise slidably received upon the mandrel. Each packer is cylindrical in form and includes a resilient cup member which is affixed to the mandrel by a mount member. A marginal end of the cup is in the form of a lip which circumferentially extends about the mandrel and is biased into sealed engagement with the tubing wall. A marginal end of the mount member is in the form of a skirt which protects the cup member from damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1982
    Inventor: George K. Roeder
  • Patent number: 4328983
    Abstract: Method and apparatus by which joints of seamless pipe are rapidly and economically fabricated into a fluid conveying pipeline. Steel tubular fluid conducting members in the form of pipe joints are joined together by a steel coupler sleeve. The sleeve has opposed cavities which receive adjacent marginal ends of the members. Each marginal end of the pipe is forced into one cavity of the sleeve with great force such that the sleeve cavity holds the pipe ends together with a strong friction fit. A sealing substance is applied to the marginal ends of the pipe. A special hydraulic machine engages and forces the marginal ends of the pipe into the sleeve cavities with a twisting motion, which enhances the connection effected between the sleeve and the marginal end of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1982
    Inventor: Jack E. Gibson