Patents Assigned to Weatherford Technologies Holdings, LLC
  • Patent number: 11970915
    Abstract: A tubular gripping assembly for handling a tubular includes a housing; a plurality of gripping members for gripping the tubular; a first fluid line for opening the gripping members, the first fluid line having a one-way valve; and second fluid line for closing the gripping members. The tubular gripping assembly also includes an indicator assembly attached to the housing. The indicator assembly has an indicator movable relative to the housing. The indicator assembly also includes a sensor valve configured to open the check valve for fluid communication through the first fluid line in response to relative axial movement between the indicator and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Martin Liess, Georg Zimbelmann
  • Patent number: 11959352
    Abstract: A packer assembly includes a packer mandrel and a packing element disposed about the packer mandrel. An upper recovery sleeve is disposed about the packer mandrel and extending between the packer mandrel and an upper end of the packing element, and a lower recovery sleeve is disposed about the packer mandrel and extending between the packer mandrel and a lower end of the packing element. An upper backup assembly is movably disposed about the upper recovery sleeve and adjacent to the upper end of the packing element. A lower backup assembly is movably disposed about the lower recovery sleeve. The lower backup assembly has a lower backup ring assembly configured to enclose an outer surface of the lower end of the packing element. A retrieval sleeve is selectively movable relative to the lower backup ring assembly and configured to at least partially retract the lower backup ring assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Wilbert Mitchell
  • Patent number: 11939824
    Abstract: A tong for handling a tubular includes a jaw carrier having an active jaw movable from a retracted position to an extended position relative to the jaw carrier; a cam body disposed about the jaw carrier and rotatable relative to the cam body; and a brake assembly including an first brake member for engaging an upper surface coupled to the jaw carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Wood, Arne Tjark Becker
  • Patent number: 11933117
    Abstract: A tubular handling assembly includes an elevator and a tubular compensator assembly. The tubular compensator assembly includes a housing; a lift member coupled to the housing; a support member; and an actuator for moving the housing and the lift member relative to the support member and the elevator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Troy F. Hill, Jimmy L. Hollingsworth
  • Patent number: 11933415
    Abstract: A valve assembly can include a housing having multiple longitudinally spaced apart ports, a sleeve longitudinally displaceable in the housing, and at least one deflector ring configured to block flow through an annular space formed between the housing and an outer surface of the sleeve. The deflector ring is positioned longitudinally between an adjacent pair of the ports. Another valve assembly can include a housing having a port, a sleeve longitudinally displaceable in the housing, and a nozzle having an orifice in communication with the port. The nozzle is secured to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Nauman H. Mhaskar, Don A. Hopmann, Sebastiaan J. Wolters
  • Patent number: 11920411
    Abstract: A drive unit of a top drive system includes a drive stem having a plurality of ports from an exterior thereof to an interior thereof. A plurality of sliding coupling members is disposed in the ports. A coupling collar encircles the drive stem and has actuation surfaces and recessed surfaces on an interior thereof, wherein the recessed surfaces align with the ports when the coupling collar is in a first position, and the actuation surfaces align with the ports when the coupling collar is in a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Henke, Michael Kratzert, Thomas Veit, Kevin Wood
  • Patent number: 11905825
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for hydrocarbon monitoring are provided. An example method (e.g., performed by a monitoring system) includes receiving one or more first downhole measurements including a first speed of sound (SoS) measurement of a flowing fluid at a first location, wherein a pressure of the flowing fluid at the first location is greater than a bubble-point pressure of the flowing fluid; receiving one or more second downhole measurements including a second SoS measurement of the flowing fluid at a second location, wherein a pressure of the flowing fluid at the second location is less than the bubble-point pressure of the flowing fluid and wherein the flowing fluid is a 3-phase fluid mixture at the second location; and calculating one or more phase flow rates of the 3-phase fluid mixture, based on the first SoS measurement, the second SoS measurement, and a measurement of a bulk velocity of the flowing fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Omer Haldun Unalmis
  • Patent number: 11886024
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a monolithic multi-optical-waveguide penetrator or connector. One example apparatus generally includes a plurality of large diameter optical waveguides, each having a core and a cladding, and a body having a plurality of bores with the optical waveguides disposed therein, wherein at least a portion of the cladding of each of the optical waveguides is fused with the body, such that the apparatus is a monolithic structure. Such an apparatus provides for a cost- and space-efficient technique for feedthrough of multiple optical waveguides. Also, the body may have a large outer diameter which can be shaped into features of interest, such as connection alignment or feedthrough sealing features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas W. F. Engel
  • Patent number: 11880084
    Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for making armored cables. An example method for making an armored cable includes forming a strip stock into an armor tubing; welding a seam of the armor tubing in a welding zone; inserting at least one of a first optical fiber or a first wire into a first end of a first guide tube, wherein: the first guide tube extends through the welding zone; the first guide tube protects the at least one of the first optical fiber or the first wire during the welding of the seam; and the first guide tube is not part of the armored cable after the making of the armored cable; and supporting the first guide tube within the armor tubing by a plurality of support legs such that the first guide tube does not contact the armor tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Edward M. Dowd, Domino Taverner, John J. Grunbeck
  • Patent number: 11867019
    Abstract: When cementing tubing in a borehole, a wet shoe track is created, and pressure testing of the tubing is performed. To do this, a wiper plug seats in a seat of an insert disposed in a first position in a flow bore of a tool. The insert is released and moved toward a second position in the flow bore in response to the first pressure applied against the seated wiper plug. A collar disposed on the wiper plug seats on a second seat disposed uphole of the first seat. The tubing is pressure tested by applying pressure down the tubing against the wiper plug with the collar seated in the second seat. Fluid communication is then established through the flow bore downhole of the wiper plug, the first seat, and the second seat by removing the collar from the wiper plug. This can create the wet shoe track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Craig A. Wright, Zachary S. Trine
  • Patent number: 11846277
    Abstract: A system for supplementing the electric power needed by a pump jack electric motor, thereby reducing the electric power purchased from the local utility or power supplier. The system comprises a solar photovoltaic system, or other forms of renewable energy, and regenerated power from the electric motor or drive. The system can be both “on-grid” and “off-grid.” Battery banks and capacitor banks may be used to store energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Kavan Graybill
  • Patent number: 11840905
    Abstract: A method of closing a stage tool in a wellbore includes releasing a closing tube into the wellbore; attaching the closing tube to the stage tool; and expanding the closing tube, thereby closing a port of the stage tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Stephanie Dianne Wind, James Frederick Wilkin, Douglas Brian Farley
  • Patent number: 11834917
    Abstract: A sleeve can be used as a stop collar on tubing. A fusible element disposed about the inside or outside surface of the collar can be accessed by electrodes via the at least one access point in the collar. An insulator insulates the fusible element from the collar, while the electrodes apply electric current to the fusible element. A fusible material of the fusible element is heated to melting in response to the applied electric current and affixes the collar to the tubing with a metallurgical bond formed from the melting and re-solidifying of the fusible material inside a space between the first circumferential surface of the collar and the opposing circumferential surface of the tubing. The fusible material can be heated to melting directly with the electric current, or an ignitable material activated with the electric current can melt the fusible material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: David W. Teale
  • Publication number: 20230367093
    Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for making armored cables. An example method for making an armored cable includes forming a strip stock into an armor tubing; welding a seam of the armor tubing in a welding zone; inserting at least one of a first optical fiber or a first wire into a first end of a first guide tube, wherein: the first guide tube extends through the welding zone; the first guide tube protects the at least one of the first optical fiber or the first wire during the welding of the seam; and the first guide tube is not part of the armored cable after the making of the armored cable; and supporting the first guide tube within the armor tubing by a plurality of support legs such that the first guide tube does not contact the armor tubing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Edward M. DOWD, Domino TAVERNER, John J. GRUNBECK
  • Patent number: 11815380
    Abstract: Near-Infrared (NIR) filter photometry is used to calculate component concentrations in multiphase flows. The disclosed methodology adapts the Beer-Lambert law for nonhomogeneous immiscible mixtures (such as oil and water) by modeling the fluid layer as a nonhomogeneous distribution of its components and deriving a mathematical relationship between measured absorbances, component path lengths, and non-homogeneity factors. The methodology is integrated into a multi-channel filter photometer to measure phase concentrations in oil-and-gas pipelines. The system is proven more accurate than current state of the art based on data from simulations, multiphase flow laboratories and field trials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Vijay Ramakrishnan, John Lievois
  • Patent number: 11808111
    Abstract: A pressure control device can include an outer housing, a bearing assembly with bearings to rotatably support an inner barrel in the outer housing, a heat exchanger, and fluid passages that communicate between the bearings and the heat exchanger, and a latch assembly configured to releasably secure the bearing assembly in the outer housing. The latch assembly can include a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat with the bearing assembly heat exchanger. Another pressure control device can include a bearing assembly with bearings to rotatably support an inner barrel in the outer housing, fluid passages that communicate with space adjacent the bearings, a pump in communication with the fluid passages, and a gear train connected between the pump and a ring gear secured to the inner barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: James W. Chambers
  • Patent number: 11808108
    Abstract: A wellbore isolation assembly includes an outer component and an inner component. The outer component is disposed at a first location in a wellbore. The inner component is disposed at a second location in the wellbore. The inner component is moved from the second location into engagement with the outer component at the first location to form a barrier within the wellbore. When deployed in the wellbore, the barrier inhibits passage of fluids. The wellbore isolation assembly is then retrieved from the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Herndon
  • Patent number: 11799410
    Abstract: An electrical ride-through (ERT) unit is configured to apply a voltage to a drive circuit during disruptions of line voltage to the drive circuit. The ERT unit includes a capacitor on an ERT circuit that is prevented from applying the voltage to the drive circuit during normal operation of the drive circuit, and applies the voltage to the drive circuit during a voltage drop on the drive circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Mohammed S. Arefeen
  • Patent number: 11795773
    Abstract: A magnet assembly for a debris collection tool includes first and second annular end bands, between which is disposed an annular arrangement of magnets. The magnet assembly includes a plurality of bridges, each bridge disposed between the first and second annular end bands and between circumferentially adjacent magnets of the annular arrangement of magnets. The first and second annular end bands are substantially of a non-magnetic material, and the bridges are substantially of a magnetic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Matthew Daniel Garcia
  • Patent number: 11788366
    Abstract: A gravel pack system includes a liner assembly and a deployment assembly. The liner assembly includes a sand control screen. The deployment assembly facilitates rotation of the liner assembly and circulation through the liner assembly while running the liner assembly into a wellbore using a work string. The deployment assembly includes a crossover tool that is operated to facilitate gravel packing without manipulation of the work string. The deployment assembly also includes a setting tool for setting a packer and/or a sand barrier at the top of the liner assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Herndon