Patents Examined by Blake E Michener
  • Patent number: 10883351
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for transferring a reciprocating movement from a machinery arranged at a surface to a device located downhole in a subterranean well, the apparatus comprising: a longitudinal hollow body an upper rod connected to the machinery in one end thereof and to an upper displacement body in another end thereof, a lower displacement body adapted to operate the device, the upper displacement body and the lower displacement body are in communication via a liquid in the longitudinal hollow body, and are movable within the longitudinal hollow body, and wherein the upper displacement body, the lower displacement body and the liquid are configured to reciprocate synchronously relative to the longitudinal hollow body. The invention further relates to a method of producing a wellbore fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Norali AS
    Inventor: Gunnar Andersen
  • Patent number: 10876383
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for maximizing production of a well with a gas assisted plunger lift. The method comprises obtaining a plurality of measurements associated with operation of the well from sensors associated with various components of the well. The method further comprises determining set points for operation of the production valve and the injection valve based on one or more of the plurality of measurements. The set points may be determined by the controller or by a SCADA system. Optionally, one or more of the set points may be modified according to a comparison of current and optimal values of plunger velocity and gas and liquid production. In addition, the method comprises coordinating the operation of the production valve and the injection valve is coordinated based on the set points and the stage in operation cycle by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Nareshkumar Nandola, Niket Kaisare, Arun Gupta
  • Patent number: 10876363
    Abstract: A mast assembly for a mobile drilling machine may comprise: a mast frame including a back, a first side, and a second side, the first side and the second side diverging from the back to form an open front along substantially an entire length of the mast frame; a drill motor assembly movably attached to the mast frame, wherein the drill motor assembly is configured to rotate a drill pipe; and a drill drive assembly configured to drive the motor assembly up and down along a length of the mast frame, the drill drive assembly including: a sheave assembly comprising a plurality of sheaves, wherein the plurality of sheaves include a first sheave aligned generally parallel to the first side of the mast frame and a second sheave aligned generally parallel to the second side of the mast frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLC
    Inventor: Fernando Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 10871053
    Abstract: Downhole assemblies and methods for isolating a wellbore. A downhole tool can include a body having a bore or flowpath formed therethrough, and one or more sealing members disposed therein. The one or more sealing members can include an annular base and a curved surface having an upper face and a lower face, wherein one or more first radii define the upper face, and one or more second radii define the lower face, and wherein, at any point on the curved surface, the first radius is greater than the second radius. The sealing members can be disposed within the bore of the tool using one or more annular sealing devices disposed about the one or more sealing members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Magnum Oil Tools International, Ltd.
    Inventor: W. Lynn Frazier
  • Patent number: 10865625
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of completing a wellbore (10) includes positioning an expandable tubular having a support layer (121) disposed on an exterior of the expandable tubular inside a casing (15); mechanically expanding the tubular and the support layer, wherein a distance between an outer diameter of the support layer and the inner diameter of the casing is sufficient to prevent burst of the tubular; and hydraulically expanding the support layer into contact with the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Richard W. Delange, John Richard Setterberg, Jr., Scott H. Osburn, Michael B. Capehart, Feng Gao
  • Patent number: 10858908
    Abstract: The present invention corresponds to a check valve with an inertial mass that is installed in the bottom of the production tubing and above the progressive cavity pump (PCP) of an oil well, which prevents that the hydrostatic column that is inside of the production tubing go down in the moment where the artificial lift of the column stops for the detention of the PCP pump. If we prevent that this phenomenon to happen, the PCP pump will not rotate in the opposite direction of its normal operation and it will not be clogged by any particulate material that is contained in it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Inventor: Alejandro LadrĂ³n de Guevara
  • Patent number: 10858890
    Abstract: A hydraulic jetting assembly is provided herein. The jetting assembly includes a jetting hose, with a jetting nozzle at its distal end. The jetting nozzle comprises a tubular stator body having a fluid discharge slot, and a tubular rotor body residing within a bore of the stator body. The jetting nozzle has one or more bearings residing between the stator body and the surrounding rotor body to accommodate relative rotational movement. The jetting nozzle includes a proximal end configured to sealingly connect to an end of a jetting hose, and to receive a high pressure jetting fluid. Preferably, the nozzle has an outer diameter that is equivalent to or slightly larger than an outer diameter of the jetting hose. Preferably, the jetting assembly has at least three actuator wires configured to induce a controlled bending moment at its distal end, thereby providing for a steerable downhole tool. Jetting collars may be placed along the jetting hose to overcome drag force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: COILED TUBING SPECIALTIES, LLC
    Inventor: Bruce L. Randall
  • Patent number: 10858906
    Abstract: A temporary seal within a wellbore. More specifically, a temporary seal within casing that limits the flow of fluid through the casing until the temporary seal is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Vertice Oil Tools
    Inventor: Mohamed Ibrahim Saraya
  • Patent number: 10837254
    Abstract: A downhole tool assembly including a bridge plug and a cement retainer in tandem to be deployed into a wellbore on the same run or trip for remedial cementing of the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ahmed Al-Mousa, Marius Neacsu, Ahmed A. Al-Ramadhan
  • Patent number: 10837256
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in a well borehole packing operation takes the form of a downhole packer and comprises a body and a seal member. In use, the apparatus is run into a borehole as part of a downhole completion assembly. On reaching the desired location, the apparatus is activated to urge the seal member into sealing engagement with the borehole, and thereby isolate an annular region between the apparatus and the borehole. A conduit is disposed within the body and is offset from a central longitudinal axis of the apparatus, the conduit configured to transport a borehole packing material, such as gravel slurry, through the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD U.K. LIMITED
    Inventor: Stephen Reid
  • Patent number: 10822884
    Abstract: A gap sub uses a plurality of insulating members in conjunction with at least two metallic members to effect a mechanically and electrically robust configuration. The gap sub includes an upper end portion, a lower end portion, an outer sleeve, an inner sleeve, an insulating outer washer, an insulating inner washer, and an insulating spider. The insulating outer washer is configured to transfer a first axial load between the upper end portion and the outer sleeve. The insulating inner washer is configured to transfer a second axial load between the inner sleeve and the lower end portion. The insulating spider is configured to transfer a torsional load between outer sleeve and the inner sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Isodrill, Inc.
    Inventors: Saad Bargach, Stephen D. Bonner, Madhusudhan Nagula
  • Patent number: 10801275
    Abstract: An elevator system that supports a tubular member includes an elevator movable between a first elevator position and a second elevator position. A mechanical signal mechanism is coupled to the elevator. A valve is coupled to the mechanical signal mechanism. The mechanical signal mechanism is configured to transmit a mechanical signal by a mechanical control cable to move the valve into a valve position to send a valve signal that the elevator is in the second elevator position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: FORUM US, INC.
    Inventors: Arno Gruess, Frederik Stoldt
  • Patent number: 10801282
    Abstract: A screw drill bypass valve comprising a valve body, the valve body is internally provided with a first-level valve core and a second-level valve core, a first-level spring is arranged between the first-level valve core and the second-level valve core, a second-level spring is arranged between the second-level valve core and a valve seat, and a rigidity of the second-level spring is greater than that of the first-level spring; the first-level valve core is provided with an inner bypass hole, the valve body is provided with an outer bypass hole, and the inner bypass hole is conducted with the outer bypass hole when a flowing pressure within a fluid channel of drilling fluid disappears; the second-level valve core is provided with an inner diversion hole, the valve body is provided with an outer diversion hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: CHINA UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM (EAST CHINA)
    Inventors: Yucai Shi, Zhibin Fan, Zhichuan Guan, Yongwang Liu, Weixing Yang, Zhixiang Teng, Chenglin Fu, Zaiqiang Miao
  • Patent number: 10794146
    Abstract: A valve assembly including a tubular having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween. The second end includes one or more openings. A pin member extends radially outwardly of the intermediate portion of the tubular. A valve member is arranged about the tubular. The valve member includes a first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate section extending therebetween. The second end portion includes a valve element that registers with the one or more openings. An actuator sleeve is mounted to the first end of the valve member and extends about the tubular. The actuator sleeve includes a first end section, a second end section, and an inner surface extending therebetween. The inner surface includes a plurality of J-slots that are selectively receptive of the pin member to establish a position of the valve element relative to the one or more openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: Nicholas Joseph Nudo
  • Patent number: 10787862
    Abstract: Drill bits for use in drilling well bores in subterranean formations, and associated systems and methods of making and using such drill bits, are provided. In certain embodiments, the drill bits comprise: a body; a plurality of blades on the body; a plurality of cutting elements on at least one of the plurality of blades; a reinforcement material forming portions of the body and the plurality of blades; a binder material infiltrated through the reinforcement material to form a composite material and forming portions of the body and the plurality of blades; and at least one interior displacement element located in an interior region of the body that is surrounded by the composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew S. Farny, Garrett T. Olsen, Grant O. Cook, III
  • Patent number: 10787876
    Abstract: A latching assembly to couple a first mandrel to a second mandrel is disclosed. The latching assembly includes a plurality of wedge members disposed circumferentially and a guide plate. Each wedge member may include a semi-annular wedge body, an upper engagement lip, a lower engagement lip, and a guide pin. The guide plate may include a plurality of guide slots to translate and rotate the plurality of wedge members via the respective guide pins. Because the plurality of wedge members can be translated and rotated to lock and release the first mandrel to and from the second mandrel, the latching assembly can simplify the connection and disconnection of a first mandrel with the second mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Oil States Energy Services, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jimmy Livingston, Bob McGuire
  • Patent number: 10781652
    Abstract: A cutting device using an ultrahigh pressure (UHP) hose carrying UHP fluid is designed to be inserted into a pipe or tube and cut the same from the inside out. In one example, the cutting device is for insertion into a wellbore for cutting the casing of the wellbore from within the wellbore with a revolvable UHP hose. The cutting head which effectuates the cut may be centered by a centering device that is generally conical in shape such that a portion of the centering device remains exterior to the pipe or tube as the UHP revolves during the cutting action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Terydon, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry D. Gromes, Sr.
  • Patent number: 10774618
    Abstract: A downhole power generator module having a body with one or more couplings that are configured to connect the body to a downhole tool string positioned downhole in a wellbore. An axial passageway is formed through the outer housing and couplings. The power generator module has a pressure-driven electric generator such as a triboelectric or piezoelectric generator positioned within the body. A port in the body enables communication of well fluids from the wellbore to the generator. Pressure changes in the well fluids are communicated to the pressure-driven electric generator, causing it to autonomously generate electric power downhole. The generated power is provided directly to other downhole tools without intervention from the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Yuh Loh, Zhi Yong He, Lily Truong, Felipe Rivero, Zhiyue Xu
  • Patent number: 10774606
    Abstract: A cutting device using an ultrahigh pressure (UHP) hose carrying UHP fluid is designed to be inserted into a pipe or tube and cut the same from the inside out. In one example, the cutting device is for insertion into a wellbore for cutting the casing of the wellbore from within the wellbore with a revolvable UHP hose. The cutting head which effectuates the cut may be centered by a centering device that is generally conical in shape such that a portion of the centering device remains exterior to the pipe or tube as the UHP revolves during the cutting action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Terydon, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry D. Gromes, Sr.
  • Patent number: 10767469
    Abstract: A method of forming a short-hop communications transceiver includes creating, in a conductive tool body, an annular cavity that is electromagnetically coupled to an external tool surface by a surface gap that encircles the tool body. The method further includes positioning material having high magnetic permeability in the annular cavity. The method further includes coupling electrical leads from an electronics module to opposite sides of the surface gap. The method further includes operating the electronics module to perform short-hop telemetry by driving or sensing a voltage signal across the surface gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Ma, Glenn Andrew Wilson