Patents Assigned to TIW Corporation
  • Patent number: 11454096
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to downhole tubulars, and more particularly, to tubular expanders for downhole tubulars that have a detachable expansion ring, which can be detached from the tubular expander in the event that full expansion cannot be achieved or the tubular expander should get stuck in the downhole tubular being expanded. The detachable expansion ring may be attached to an end of an expansion cone that is disposed within a main body of the tubular expander. Tubing hangers are one exemplary downhole tubular device which can be expanded using the tubular expander in accordance with the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventors: Peter T. Bogardus, Carmine Righter
  • Patent number: 10337298
    Abstract: A liner hanger seals with casing string 8 having mill scale and supports a liner 98 within a well. The liner hanger includes a tubular anchor 48 and a tubular expander 40. The tubular anchor 48 may be positioned in the casing string 8 using an inner mandrel 10. An actuator assembly 6 forcibly moves the tubular expander 40 into the tubular anchor 48, expanding the tubular anchor 48 to grippingly engage the expanded tubular anchor 48 against the casing string 8 and to form a circumferential seal between metal sealing elements 52 on the tubular anchor 48 and the interior wall of the casing string 8. The metal sealing element 52 is oversized to provide rigidity, heat shrunk onto the tubular anchor 48, and abrasively dressed to remove excess material prior to installation of the liner hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventor: Britt O. Braddick
  • Patent number: 10214984
    Abstract: A system including a gripping tool and a rotary cutting tool may be used to grip a section of casing while cutting through a lower portion of the casing in a single trip. The gripping tool includes a mandrel with a flow bore extending therethrough, a slip actuator received on the mandrel, at least one slip corresponding to the slip actuator, a housing disposed around at least a proximal end of the mandrel, and a collet assembly disposed proximate the at least one slip. The rotary cutting tool is coupled to the mandrel. The gripping tool also includes a bearing assembly that enables the mandrel and the rotary cutting tool to rotate while the at least one slip is remains stationary engaging an interior wall of a casing. The system may include a hydraulic power section to help with setting the slips and removing the cut casing from the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventor: Britt O. Braddick
  • Patent number: 10184307
    Abstract: A ball seat is expanded and held in place within a casing using an expander. The ball seat includes one or more gripping elements and one or more sealing elements. An apparatus for expandably installing a ball seat in a casing includes a ball seat having one or more gripping elements and one or more elastomeric sealing elements disposed on an exterior of an expandable sleeve portion of the ball seat that is expanded by pulling an expander into the bore of the expandable sleeve portion of the ball seat. A mechanical fuse is predisposed to fail at a level of force sufficient to move the expander to the installed position. Failure of the fuse and further movement of a pulling mandrel positions a channel on the mandrel into alignment with a distal end of the collet, enabling the collet to collapse and pass through the expander for removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventors: Ahmad Warid Abdel Bar, Britt O. Braddick
  • Patent number: 10100620
    Abstract: An expansion tool includes a housing and a hydraulic power section for stroking a first expander on a pulling mandrel through a bore of an expandable outer clad, the expansion tool including a ratcheting reaction assembly, having a ratchet rack and a ratcheting component thereon, that engages a proximal end of the outer clad to prevent axial movement of the outer clad as the first expander is drawn through a portion of the bore of the outer clad to expand the outer clad. The ratcheting reaction assembly remains engaged with the proximal end of the outer clad as the housing is repositioned uphole to permit staged expansion of the outer clad using the first expander.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventor: Britt O. Braddick
  • Patent number: 10041322
    Abstract: A gripping tool having a mandrel reciprocatable within a slide member, the mandrel having a top connector for connecting to a tubular string and a bottom connector for connecting to a cutting tool, the slide member having at least one radially outwardly biased friction member and a slip cage with at least one window through which a slip is deployable, by movement of the mandrel within the slide member, to engage and grip a section of casing to be removed from a well, the mandrel being rotatable by rotation of the tubular string to operate the cutting tool with the gripping tool in the gripping mode. After detachment of the section of casing by the cutting tool, the gripping tool and the gripped section of casing are pulled from the well. The gripping mode is restorable to a running position to reset the tool in the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventor: Britt O. Braddick
  • Patent number: 9896914
    Abstract: An expansion tool includes a housing and a hydraulic power section for stroking an expander on a pulling mandrel through a bore of an expandable liner, the expansion tool including a ratcheting reaction assembly, having a ratchet rack and a ratcheting component thereon, that engages a proximal end of the liner to prevent axial movement of the liner as the expander is drawn through a portion of the bore of the liner to expand the liner. The ratcheting reaction assembly remains engaged with the proximal end of the liner as the housing is repositioned uphole to permit staged expansion of the liner using the expander. The expansion tool improves sealing and structure integrity of the expanded liner within the casing by maintaining the liner in a position throughout the staged expansion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventor: Britt O. Braddick
  • Patent number: 8672042
    Abstract: Fluid circulation valve is provided for use with a well drilling operation, so that a drill joint may be added to or removed from the drill string while continuously circulating fluid into the well. Valve housing has a central flow path therein, a housing side port, and upper and lower threaded connectors for engagement with the drill joint and the drill string, respectively. A rotatable ball is positioned within the flow path in the valve housing and a port in the ball is in fluid communication with the housing side port when the ball is closed. A coupling is provided for engaging the valve housing and sealing between an interior of the valve housing and the radially external flow line, which passes fluid into the well when a drill joint is being connecting to the upper end of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventor: Britt O. Braddick
  • Patent number: 8408317
    Abstract: A downhole hydraulically powered tool (10) moves an expander (36) in a well to radially expand a downhole tubular. The tool includes a plurality of fluid-powered pistons (16, 20) for axially stroking the expander relative to a tool mandrel (12), and one or more slips (52) for axially securing the tool in the well. The tool mandrel is rotatably secured to the tubular to rotate with the tubular, thereby rotating a bit (60) at the lower end of the tubular. The expander is moved axially downward in response to axial movement of the pistons to radially expand the tubular after at least a portion of the well is drilled with the bit and while the slips secure the tool in the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventor: Britt O. Braddick
  • Patent number: 8365826
    Abstract: A hydraulically powered fishing tool is provided for retrieving another tool or tubular stuck in a well. A tool housing is supported in a well on a work string, and the housing encloses a plurality of pistons (16, 28, 34) each movable in response to pressurized fluid transmitted through the work string. An anchor (52) axially fixes the position of the tool in the well, and a tool mandrel (40) is axially movable relative to tool housing when the anchor is set. A fishing device (82) engages the another tool or tubular, so that axial movement of the mandrel in response to the plurality of pistons dislodges the stuck tool or tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventor: Britt O. Braddick
  • Patent number: 8286718
    Abstract: A liner hanger (10) is provided for supporting a liner in a well. An expandable tubular hanger (90) is positioned within the well and a running tool with a tool mandrel (34) passes fluid through the running tool. An actuator (12) forcibly moves the tubular expander to an expanded position. Release of the running tool from the liner may be accomplished with a retainer (84) and downward movement of the mandrel, with fluid pressure acting on a hydraulic piston (28) coupled with rotation of the mandrel, or by safety joint (68) along the tubular mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventor: Britt O. Braddick
  • Patent number: 8132627
    Abstract: A tool 10 is provided for radially expanding a downhole tubular C, and includes a central tool mandrel 12 which functionally is part of a drill string or work string, a tubular expander 48 at the lower end of the tubular, and a downhole actuator 15 for forcibly moving the expander axially within the downhole tubular. Slips 20 are positioned for securing the tool within the tubular, so that the slips may be set, and the tool subsequently stroked to move the expander 48 and radially expand a length of the tubular. Upward pull on the work string may expand long portions of the downhole tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventor: Britt O. Braddick
  • Patent number: 8100199
    Abstract: Fluid circulation valve (10) is provided for use with a well drilling operation, so that a drill joint may be added to or removed from the drill string while continuously circulating fluid into the well. Valve housing (12, 18) has a central flow path therein, a housing side port (87), and upper and lower threaded connectors for engagement with the drill joint and the drill string, respectively. A rotatable ball (30) is positioned within the flow path in the valve housing and a port (87) in the ball is in fluid communication with the housing side port (15) when the ball is closed. A coupling (60) is provided for engaging the valve housing and sealing between an interior of the valve housing and the radially external flow line, which passes fluid into the well when a drill joint is being connecting to the upper end of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventor: Britt O. Braddick
  • Patent number: 8066078
    Abstract: An overshot tool is provided for interconnecting and sealing between a lower tubular (C) in a well and an upper tubular (30). A tubular expander sleeve (36) and an overshot sleeve (26) are supported in a well on an upper tubular. The tool housing (60) encloses a plurality of axially stacked pistons (58, 68, 74), which generate an axial force to move the expander sleeve downward and radially expand a portion of a lower tubular to seal between an outer diameter of the lower tubular and an inner diameter of the overshot sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventor: Britt O. Braddick
  • Patent number: 7845421
    Abstract: A tool 10 is provided for radially expanding a downhole tubular C, and includes a central tool mandrel 12, a tubular expander 48 at the lower end of the tubular, and a downhole actuator 15 for forcibly moving the expander axially within the downhole tubular. Slips 20 are positioned for securing the tool within a well, so that the slips may be set, and the tool subsequently stroked to move the expander 48 and radially expand a length of the tubular. Upward pull on the work string may expand long portions of the downhole tubular. Buttress threads 43 preferably support the tubular expander on the downhole tubular when run in the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventor: Britt O. Braddick
  • Patent number: 7758019
    Abstract: The safety valve includes a first generally tubular body 12 and a second generally tubular body 14 each having flow paths therein when the bodies are mated. A ball 20 rotates between open and closed position in a first seat 30 and a ball centering member 32 provided for engaging the ball. An outer actuator sleeve 40 is rotatable with respect to the first and second bodies, and a connecting member 50 acts between the actuator sleeve and the ball to rotate the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventor: Britt O. Braddick
  • Patent number: 7591315
    Abstract: A subsea riser disconnect assembly 10 may be actuated from a drilling rig DR by axial movement of an upper riser 35 relative to a lower riser 28, for disconnecting the upper riser 35 from the lower riser 28. A subsea riser valve assembly 20 may be actuated from the drilling rig DR by axial movement of the upper riser 35 relative to the lower riser 28, for sealing an interior portion of the lower riser 28 and well bore WB below the subsea riser valve assembly 20. A drill pipe disconnect 30 may be actuated from a drilling rig DR, either onshore or offshore, for disconnecting an upper portion of drill pipe 236 from a lower portion of drill pipe 240. The drill pipe disconnect 30 may be actuatable by hydraulic and/or mechanical forces applied to the drill pipe disconnect 30 from the drilling rig DR. The drill pipe disconnect 30 may be compatible for use with or without the subsea riser disconnect assembly 10 and/or the subsea riser valve assembly 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventors: Eddie E. Dore, Britt O. Braddick
  • Patent number: 7434625
    Abstract: The circulation tool 10 for use downhole in a well includes a housing 22 having one or more bypass ports 52 for circulation between a bore 33 in the housing and an annulus surrounding the housing. Sleeve 50 is axially movable within the housing, and axially spaced seals 36, 56 seal between the sleeve and the housing when the sleeve is in the closed position. A flapper 84 is pivotally mounted to the sleeve, and includes a seat about a central bore 85 in the flapper for engagement with the plug. A stop 40 prevents pivoting of the flapper to an open position until the sleeve has moved axially and the seals seal between the sleeve and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: TIW Corporation
    Inventor: Richard Wayne Adams
  • 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
  • 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