Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm William Shull
  • Patent number: 6769499
    Abstract: A drilling shaft deflection assembly for a drilling direction control device of the type comprising a rotatable drilling shaft and a housing for supporting a length of the drilling shaft for rotation therein. The deflection assembly is contained within the housing and is axially located between a first support location and a second support location for bending the drilling shaft between the first support location and the second support location. The deflection assembly includes a deflection mechanism for imparting lateral movement to the drilling shaft to bend the drilling shaft, a deflection actuator for actuating the deflection mechanism in response to longitudinal movement of the deflection actuator, and a deflection linkage mechanism between the deflection mechanism and the deflection actuator for converting longitudinal movement of the deflection actuator to lateral movement of the drilling shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward James Cargill, Evan L. Davies, Gary L. Donison, Gerald Edward Kent, Terrance Dean Maxwell, Boguslaw Wiecek
  • Patent number: 6712366
    Abstract: An improvement in a seal assembly of the type including a seal element retained by a seal housing, where one of the seal element and the seal housing is constructed from a compressible material, where the seal element includes a seal engagement surface and where the seal housing includes a housing engagement surface. The improvement includes at least one of the seal engagement surface and the housing engagement surface defining a depression for providing an isolated gap between the seal engagement surface and the housing engagement surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward James Cargill
  • Patent number: 6640909
    Abstract: A fulcrum bearing assembly for rotatably supporting a shaft within a housing, including at least one row of spherical thrust bearings positioned at a first axial position within the housing, at least one row of spherical thrust bearings positioned at a second axial position within the housing and at least one row of spherical radial bearings positioned at a third axial position within the housing. The third axial position is located between the first and second axial positions. Further, a bearing preload assembly for maintaining a bearing assembly in a preloaded condition, including a thrust bearing shoulder associated with a housing and a thrust bearing collar. The bearing assembly is axially maintained within the housing between the thrust bearing shoulder and the thrust bearing collar, wherein the thrust bearing collar is axially adjustable relative to the thrust bearing shoulder in order to preload the bearing assembly therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Elis Vandenberg, Edward James Cargill, John Ransford Hardin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6531871
    Abstract: An electromagnetic antenna extension assembly for connection downhole into a pipe string between a data transmission unit and an electromagnetic antenna. Further, a method for connecting the data transmission unit with the antenna utilizing the assembly. The antenna includes an outer antenna member and an inner antenna member having a lower electrical connector. The data transmission unit includes an outer transmission member and an inner data transmission tool having an upper electrical connector connectable with the lower connector of the inner antenna member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Thomas Hay, Byron John Sand
  • Patent number: 6487782
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in creating a magnetic declination profile for a borehole. The method includes the steps of making a magnetic directional measurement at a longitudinal location in the borehole and at a magnetic measurement orientation, making a reference directional measurement at a reference measurement orientation, wherein there is a known orientation relationship between the magnetic measurement orientation and the reference measurement orientation, and obtaining a value of magnetic declination at the longitudinal location in the borehole using the magnetic directional measurement, the reference directional measurement and the orientation relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce John Bond
  • Patent number: 6439321
    Abstract: An actuator for an orienting device for orienting a borehole apparatus in a borehole and an orienting device comprised of the actuator, wherein the orienting device is comprised of an orienting mechanism which is actuated by longitudinal movement. The actuator is comprised of a housing having a first end and a second end and a fluid passageway extending through the housing from the first end to the second end. Further, a longitudinally reciprocable piston, positioned within and providing a first partial obstruction of the fluid passageway, engages with the orienting mechanism such that longitudinal movement of the piston actuates the orienting mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Gillis, Daniel P. Lupien
  • Patent number: 6415878
    Abstract: In a drilling apparatus of the type comprising a housing, a proximal seal, a distal seal, a fluid chamber defined by an interior of the housing between the proximal seal and the distal seal, the fluid chamber containing a lubricating fluid having a fluid chamber pressure, a pressure compensation system for compensating for the effects of an ambient pressure exerted on an exterior of the apparatus. The pressure compensation system includes a pressure port in the housing so that the ambient pressure can be communicated to the fluid chamber and a supplementary pressure source for exerting a supplementary pressure on the lubricating fluid contained in the fluid chamber so that the fluid chamber pressure is maintained higher than the ambient pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward James Cargill, Elis Vandenberg
  • Patent number: 6392561
    Abstract: The invention relates to a data transmission or telemetry system and a method for communicating information axially along a drill string. The method includes the step of conducting an axial electrical signal embodying the information between a first axial position in the drill string and a second axial position in the drill string through an axial conducting loop formed by the drill string, which axial conducting loop extends between the first and second axial positions. The system includes the axial conducting loop for conducting the axial electrical signal embodying the information between the first and second axial positions and a transmitter for transmitting the information to the axial conducting loop. The system further preferably includes a receiver for receiving the information from the axial conducting loop. Finally, the portion of the drill string forming the axial conducting loop is preferably comprised of a downhole motor drilling assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Evan L. Davies, Gary L. Donison, Boguslaw Wiecek
  • Patent number: 6340063
    Abstract: A method for orienting a rotary drilling system comprised of a rotatable drilling string, a drilling string communication system and a drilling direction control device, the drilling direction control device comprising a deflectable drilling shaft connected with the drilling string. The method for orienting the rotary drilling system may involve the steps of orienting the drilling string at a desired orientation and sensing the desired orientation of the drilling string with the drilling string communication system. Further, the method involves the steps of communicating a desired orientation of the drilling string to a drilling direction control device and then actuating the drilling direction control device to deflect the drilling shaft to reflect the desired orientation of the drilling shaft. The desired orientation of the drilling shaft may be communicated directly to the drilling direction control device or to the drilling direction control device through a drilling string communication system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Laurier E. Comeau, Elis Vandenberg, Edward James Cargill, John Ransford Hardin, Jr., Terrance Dean Maxwell, Bryan James Restau, Frank Seadio Ramirez, Colin Walker, Rick Hay
  • Patent number: 6328119
    Abstract: A downhole drilling assembly including a housing having an upper end for connection to a drill string and a lower end, a fluid passage extending through the housing from the upper end to the lower end, a power unit contained within the housing, a drive assembly extending within the housing between the power unit and the lower end of the housing such that a mandrel chamber is defined between the drive assembly and the housing, a radially movable first stabilizer associated with the housing and located between the power unit and the lower end of the housing, an axially movable mandrel contained within the mandrel chamber, the mandrel being associated with a stabilizer actuator for causing radial movement of the first stabilizer in response to axial movement of the mandrel, and a sensor apparatus located between the power unit and the lower end of the housing for sensing at least one drilling parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian Gillis, Gary M. Crase, Laurier E. Comeau, Charles M. Reid, Paul Roberts, Christopher W. Konschuh, Richard Thomas Hay, Colin Walker
  • Patent number: 6290002
    Abstract: A drilling assembly and a method for directional drilling using the drilling assembly. The drilling assembly comprises a drilling bit, a near bit stabilizer and an adjustable gauge stabilizer. The near bit stabilizer is located a first axial distance from a distal end of the drilling assembly and has a near bit stabilizer gauge which is greater than a nominal drilling assembly gauge. The adjustable gauge stabilizer is located a second axial distance from the distal end, which is greater than the first axial distance, and is adjustable between an extended and retracted gauge. The retracted gauge is less than the near bit stabilizer gauge. A bit drop angle is created between the drilling assembly and the drilling bit, while a stabilizer angle is created between the near bit stabilizer and the adjustable gauge stabilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Laurier E. Comeau, Ian Gillis, James Fehr, Christopher W. Konschuh
  • Patent number: 6244361
    Abstract: A drilling direction control device, improvements in drilling direction control devices, methods for orienting a rotary driling system, and methods for rotary drilling. The drilling direction control device includes a rotatable drilling shaft, a housing for rotatably supporting a length of the drilling shaft, and a deflection assembly contained within the housing for bending the drilling shaft between a first support location and a second support location. The deflection assembly includes an outer ring which is rotatably supported on a circular inner peripheral surface of the housing and which has a circular inner peripheral surface that is eccentric with respect to the housing. The deflection assembly also includes an inner ring which is rotatably supported on the circular inner peripheral surface of the outer ring and which has a circular inner peripheral surface which engages the drilling shaft and which is eccentric with respect to the circular inner peripheral surface of the outer ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Laurier E. Comeau, Elis Vandenberg, Edward James Cargill, John Ransford Hardin, Jr., Terrance Dean Maxwell, Bryan James Restau, Frank Seadio Ramirez, Colin Walker, Rick Hay
  • Patent number: 6206111
    Abstract: A joint of tubular casing with a pre-formed window in its sidewall, has a tubular sleeve fixedly attached to the interior of the tubular casing by a plurality of shearable fastners. The exterior surface of the sleeve is sealed to the interior surface of the tubular casing on opposing sides of the window using a pair of high pressure seal assemblies. The window cavity is filled with a fluid and then the window is covered with one or more layers of a composite material such as fiberglass. In use, the joint of tubular casing is run down to the depth of interest in an earth borehole, and then the window is oriented with respect to the formation of interest at the depth. The joint of tubular casing is then cemented in place, after which the tubular sleeve is retrieved by the use of a fishing tool causing the set screws to shear upon the upward movement of the fishing tool. After the interior sleeve is retrieved, a whipstock is lowered into the cased borehole, until it is oriented and anchored therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Radu Nicolae Nistor
  • Patent number: 6202762
    Abstract: An improved drilling assembly of the type comprising a fluid driven motor, a driveshaft operatively connected with the motor, a housing for enclosing the driveshaft and an annular flow passage defined between the driveshaft and the housing for circulating drive fluid therethrough. The improvement comprises a drive fluid flow restrictor device comprising a constricted section in the annular flow passage, an expanded section in the annular flow passage and a valve member positioned in the annular flow passage. The valve member is movable axially in the annular flow passage between the constricted section and the expanded section to define a flow restricting position and a normal flow position When the valve member is in the flow restricting position the circulation of drive fluid through the annular flow passage is restricted. When the valve member is in the normal flow position the circulation of drive fluid through the annular flow passage is relatively unrestricted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James Fehr, Steven Park
  • Patent number: 6158513
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for directing a first and a second object into a primary and a secondary borehole respectively from a main borehole communicating therewith at a borehole junction. The apparatus includes a deflector for positioning at the borehole junction to direct the first and second objects into the primary and secondary boreholes. A retainer holds the objects relative to each other such that when the first object is aligned to be directed into the primary borehole, the second object is aligned to be directed into the secondary borehole. A retainer orienting mechanism orients the retainer relative to the borehole junction so that the objects are aligned to be directed into the boreholes. The method includes positioning the deflector at the borehole junction and inserting the objects and the retainer into the main borehole. The retainer is oriented relative to the borehole junction so that the objects are aligned to be directed into their respective boreholes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Radu Nicolae Nistor, Laurier E. Comeau, Ian Gillis, Timothy Edward LaGrange, Benji Smith, James Fehr