Patents Represented by Attorney Thomas R. Weaver
  • Patent number: 4575313
    Abstract: A pressure controller includes a set point switch mechanism by which a selectable pressure to be maintained in a pressure vessel can be set. The actual pressure in the pressure vessel is detected and converted into a corresponding electrical signal by a suitable pressure transducer. Electrical signals from the set point switch mechanism and the transducer are utilized by a computer to generate control signals for controlling a volume adjustment mechanism which adjusts the effective volume of the pressure vessel and adjusts the quantity of pressurizing fluid disposed in the vessel. The volume adjustment mechanism includes a piston disposed in a cavity which is connectable with the chamber of the pressure vessel. The volume adjustment mechanism also includes a stepper motor which can be moved in precise increments to adjust the position of the piston in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1986
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Prabhakar P. Rao, Jim B. Surjaatmadja, Jack C. Penn
  • Patent number: 4573535
    Abstract: An annulus pressure responsive tester valve which includes a pressure-assisted isolation valve including a pressure differential metering cartridge utilizes a sleeve-type valve section having a ported sleeve mandrel and a ported outer valve sleeve member and also having a choke associated therewith for controlling the flow of fluids through the sleeve-type valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventor: Kevin R. Manke
  • Patent number: 4570673
    Abstract: A fluid flow system comprises a plurality of operational elements which are interconnected by rigid conduits. One type of rigid interconnecting conduit includes a statically adjustable assembly including two telescopically associated members having a combined length which is variable to accommodate objects spaced at different distances. The assembly also includes a member for clamping the relatively movable elements to provide a rigid linkage once the interconnection of the objects is made. Another type of rigid interconnecting conduit automatically compensates for distance variations under dynamic operating conditions. This dynamic coupling assembly includes two ball joints and a telescoping assembly which provide for transverse and longitudinal distance adjustments, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: William D. Kendrick, Terry D. Mayfield
  • Patent number: 4569396
    Abstract: A selective injection packer apparatus includes a housing having a longitudinal housing bore therethrough. A mandrel has a longitudinal mandrel bore therethrough and is slidably disposed in the housing bore. Upper and lower longitudinally spaced compressible packers are disposed about the housing. Upper and lower power pistons are operably associated with the housing and the upper and lower packers, respectively, for longitudinally compressing and radially expanding the upper and lower packers in response to an increase in fluid pressure within the mandrel bore. A power passage is operatively associated with the power pistons for selectively communicating the mandrel bore with the power pistons. An injection passage is operatively associated with the housing and the mandrel for selectively communicating the mandrel bore with an exterior of the housing between the upper and lower packers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1986
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventor: David P. Brisco
  • Patent number: 4567765
    Abstract: A fluid chamber assembly having an improved shape to enhance the reception of the first arrival of the signal from the transmitter transducer which has passed through the cement or fluid sample within the fluid chamber assembly and an improved sealing arrangement for the fluid chamber assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1986
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Prabhakar P. Rao, John J. Moon, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4567944
    Abstract: An improved retrievable compression set straddle packer assembly for use in oil and gas wells. The straddle packer assembly comprises an upper hydraulic slip assembly, an upper packer assembly, a bypass assembly, a lower packer assembly, a lower mechanical slip assembly and lower drag block assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1986
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Gary D. Zunkel, Samuel W. Cantrell
  • Patent number: 4566701
    Abstract: Improved piston shaft seals for end-of-car hydraulic cushioning devices. Comprising an improved combination of annular oil scraper seals, and improved annular reinforced oil scraper seal, for use in an end-of-car hydraulic cushioning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1986
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventor: Charles T. Bomgardner
  • Patent number: 4566168
    Abstract: A coupling apparatus for connection to a cylindrical member having a radially outward extending shoulder includes a body member. A collet assembly including a plurality of collet fingers is disposed around the body member and each of the collet fingers includes a radially inward extending flange adapted to engage a lower surface of the shoulder of the cylindrical member. An actuating sleeve operably associated with the collet assembly moves the flanges of the collet fingers between a radially expanded open position and a radially contracted closed position. An annular seal is provided between the body member and the cylindrical member. An adjustable collet positioning apparatus is operably associated with the body member and the collet assembly for adjusting a longitudinal position of the flanges of the collet fingers relative to the body member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1986
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventor: James L. Stromberg
  • Patent number: 4565639
    Abstract: Methods of increasing hydrocarbon production from subterranean hydrocarbon-containing formations having impaired permeability are provided wherein the formations are contacted with a penetrating solvent and cationic perfluoro compounds represented by the following formula: ##STR1## Such perfluoro compounds are adsorbed onto surfaces of the formation and prevent or substantially reduce wetting of the surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1986
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Glenn S. Penny, James E. Briscoe
  • Patent number: 4565578
    Abstract: An essentially dry gas generation retarded aluminum powder for oil field cements is provided. The retarded aluminum powder is formed by dissolving an effective amount of an aluminum reaction rate retarder in an organic solvent, the retarder being selected from fatty acid esters of sorbitan, glycerol and pentaerythritol. Aluminum powder is mixed with the retarder-solvent solution whereby the aluminum powder is wetted with the solution followed by drying the aluminum powder by vacuum evaporating and removing the organic solvent therefrom. Methods of forming gas generation retarded oil field cements and using such cements are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1986
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: David L. Sutton, John F. Burkhalter
  • Patent number: 4563292
    Abstract: A method of preventing or reducing the migration of fines in a permeable structure comprising contacting the fines with organic copolymers which can be either nonionic in a neutral media or can contain up to 95% by weight of a quaternary ammonium salt monomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1986
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventor: John K. Borchardt
  • Patent number: 4563291
    Abstract: A method of manufacture of a substituted amino-alkyl sulfonic acid zwitterion is presented. The compound is prepared by the reaction of an epoxide with bisulfite which then is reacted with a secondary amine to form the amino-alkyl sulfonic acid or a salt thereof. Selected compounds can be utilized as a buffer composition to form viscosified fluids for use in the treatment of subterranean formations. The remaining amino-alkyl sulfonic acids or salts can be used as surfactants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1986
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventor: Glenn S. Penny
  • Patent number: 4560004
    Abstract: A spherical valve member type having a drill pipe tester valve and a moving apparatus to provide for moving the spherical valve member axially relative to the housing between its said open and closed positions, thereby permitting downward forces exerted upon the spherical valve member in its said closed position due to fluid pressure in the well test string above the spherical valve member, to be transmitted substantially entirely to the housing through the engagement of the downward facing surface of the lower valve seat structure and the upward facing surface of the housing. A latch device is provided for latching the spherical valve member in its closed position as the well test string is lowered into the well and for subsequently releasing the spherical valve member and allowing it to move to its open position when the well test string is finally positioned within the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Donald W. Winslow, Gary Q. Wray
  • Patent number: 4559890
    Abstract: An apparatus and method having particular utility in quickly releasing the moorings of large vessels and offshore platforms. The preferred embodiment of the apparatus comprises a pair of pyrotechnic cutting torches disposed in a housing included as a structural member in a submerged mooring, such as an anchor chain. The housing divides at one end into a shackle comprising substantially parallel laterally spaced walls, each having an aperture therethrough. A common anchor chain link is inserted between the walls of the shackle and a shackle pin is inserted through the wall apertures and the link to secure the link to the housing. The cutting torches are disposed in the same plane as the link, and the torch nozzles oriented so as to sever the link on both sides of the pin when the torches are ignited, in order to release the chain therefrom. The other end of the housing comprises a clevis, secured to the anchor chain by a Kenter shackle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Assignee: Jet Research Center, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Regalbuto, Glenn B. Christopher
  • Patent number: 4561057
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the motion of a railroad train includes an on-board unit which computes the speed, acceleration/deceleration, and distance traveled events of the train and stores such computed data for retention by a non-volatile memory after a power interruption or outage occurs. The apparatus also includes a portable unit to which the on-board unit, or the data retaining memory thereof, can be connected for conducting data transfers from the on-board unit memory to the portable unit. Once stored in the portable unit, the information can be formated and displayed as a history of the train operation for management and maintenance personnel, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: John E. Haley, Jr., Michael J. Lynch, Jeffrey S. Rosenberg
  • Patent number: 4558741
    Abstract: A method of stabilizing fines within a permeable earthen formation comprising contacting the fines with an effective amount of an organic copolymer. The organic polymer has a noncationic character in a liquid media having a pH of 7 or above and therefore can be utilized with other cationic or anionic chemicals without forming damaging percipitates or decomposing during its use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 17, 1985
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: John K. Borchardt, Bill M. Young
  • Patent number: 4557333
    Abstract: An annulus pressure responsive downhole tool includes a housing having a power piston slidably disposed therein. First and second pressure conducting passages communicate a well annulus with first and second sides of the power piston. A retarding device is disposed in the second pressure conducting passage for delaying communication of a sufficient portion of an increase in well annulus pressure to the second side of the power piston for a sufficient time to allow a pressure differential across the power piston to move the power piston from a first position to a second position relative to the housing. A pressure relief valve is communicated with the second pressure conducting passage between the power piston and the retarding device for relieving from the second pressure conducting passage a volume of fluid sufficient to permit the power piston to travel to its second position. The pressure relief valve is opened by mechanical action when the power piston starts to move toward its second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventor: Harold K. Beck
  • Patent number: 4557763
    Abstract: Dispersants and fluid loss additives for inclusion in oil field cements and methods of using the resultant compositions in oil, gas and water well cementing operations are disclosed. Such compositions incorporate a polymeric additive prepared by caustic-catalyzed condensation for formaldehyde with acetone, or a substance derived from acetone, wherein said polymer includes sodium sulfonate groups in an amount sufficient to render such polymer water soluble. A second fluid loss additive such as hydroxyethyl cellulose, carboxymethylhydroxyethyl cellulose, copolymers of N,N-dimethylacrylamide and 2-acrylamido, 2-methyl propane sulfonic acid or copolymers of acrylamide and 2-acrylamido, 2-methyl propane sulfonic acid may optionally be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Charles George, Richard R. Gerke
  • Patent number: 4555269
    Abstract: Cementing compositions and methods of using such compositions in oil, gas and water well cementing operations to reduce fluid loss from the composition to the formation are disclosed. Such compositions incorporate certain copolymers and copolymer salts of N,N dimethylacrylamide and 2-acrylamido, 2-methyl propane sulfonic acid having mole ratios of between 1:4 and 4:1 respectively and average molecular weights of between about 75,000 and about 300,000.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1985
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: S. Prabhakara Rao, John F. Burkhalter
  • Patent number: 4554082
    Abstract: A method of fracturing a subterranean formation with a stabilized foamed fracturing fluid comprising from about 30 percent to in excess of about 95 percent by volume of carbon dioxide with the remainder comprising a substantially anhydrous liquid and a selected surfactant. The foam is formed in situ by injection of a stabilized liquid-liquid emulsion containing liquid carbon dioxide into a well bore penetrating the formation. The temperature and pressure of the emulsion is controlled to maintain the carbon dioxide in the liquid phase during injection into the well bore. Thereafter, the carbon dioxide is heated by the subterranean formation to a temperature above about 88.degree. F. at which time the stabilized emulsion spontaneously forms a high quality stabilized foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1985
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Marlin D. Holtmyer, Phillip C. Harris, Charles V. Hunt