Patents Examined by Cathleen Hutchins
-
Patent number: 9341032Abstract: A centralizer for centralizing a pipe is provided which collaborates the spring force of its bow springs. The centralizer includes a pair of end collars, and at least one center collar. Each of the collars has a center hole for coaxially receiving a pipe. In addition, the centralizer includes a plurality of longitudinally extending and arcuate bow springs having ends which affix to the end collars. The centralizer includes linkage arms which connect the center collar to the bow springs. The linkage arms may provide additional outward spring force against the bow springs. Preferably, the centralizer includes a mechanism for forcing the bow springs radially inward from their at rest position.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2015Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: PORTABLE COMPOSITE STRUCTURES, INC.Inventor: Scott Jewett
-
Patent number: 9328562Abstract: A rolling cone drill bit for cutting a borehole comprises a rolling cone cutter mounted on a bit body and adapted for rotation about a cone axis. Further, the bit comprises a tooth extending from the cone cutter. The tooth includes a base at the cone cutter and an elongate chisel crest distal the cone cutter. The crest extends along a crest median line between a first crest end and a second crest end and includes an elongate crest apex. The tooth also includes a first flanking surface extending from the base to the crest, and a second flanking surface extending from the base to the crest. The first flanking surface and the second flanking surface taper towards one another to form the chisel crest. Moreover, the tooth includes a first raised rib extending continuously along the first flanking surfaces and across the chisel crest to the second flanking surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2013Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.Inventors: Thang Vo, Tom Scott Roberts, Adrian Reyes, Robert Morton
-
Patent number: 9328561Abstract: In one aspect, a method of making a drill bit is disclosed that includes selecting a drill bit configuration, obtaining a stress map for the drill bit configuration relating to a drilling operation, performing a mechanical test with an actual drill bit having the selected configuration, and selecting a location on a surface of the drill bit for installing a sensor thereat based on a location of low stress from the stress map and results of the mechanical test, and placing a sensor at the selected location.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2012Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Tu Tien Trinh, Eric Sullivan, Xiaomin C. Cheng, Gregory C. Prevost, Feyzi Inanc, Yi Liu, Jason R. Habernal
-
Patent number: 9322219Abstract: A drill bit has a bit body, a plurality of blades extending radially from the bit body, wherein each blade comprises a leading face and a trailing face, a plurality of cutter pockets disposed on the plurality of blades, at least one rolling cutter, wherein each rolling cutter is disposed in one of the cutter pockets, and wherein each rolling cutter comprises a cutting face, a cutting edge, an outer circumferential surface, and a back face. A back retainer is disposed adjacent to the back face, wherein the back retainer protrudes partially into the rolling cutter along a rotational axis of the rolling cutter, and a front retainer is disposed adjacent to the at least one rolling cutter on the leading face of the blade. Each front retainer has a retention end, wherein the retention end is positioned adjacent to a portion of the cutting face of each rolling cutter, and an attachment end, wherein the attachment end is attached to a portion of the blade.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2012Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Yuri Burhan, Youhe Zhang, Yuelin Shen
-
Patent number: 9322265Abstract: Provided is a coring apparatus for collecting marine sediments, and more particularly, to a coring apparatus having a core filled with marine sediments when the coring apparatus is inserted into a seabed.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2013Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral ResourcesInventor: Gee Soo Kong
-
Patent number: 9322266Abstract: A sampling apparatus, comprising a primary flowline, a secondary flowline, a dump flowline not provided downstream of the secondary flowline, and a relief valve provided in the dump flowline, may be disposed in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation. A method of use of the sampling apparatus may comprise flowing fluid from the subterranean formation and into the primary flowline; diverting fluid from the primary flowline to a sample chamber through the secondary flowline; diverting fluid from the primary flowline to the wellbore through the dump flowline; and controlling the pressure in the sample chamber using the relief valve. The sampling apparatus may be used to terminate storage of a fluid sample in a sample chamber while continuing to pump fluid from the formation.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2010Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Geir Thomas Glattetre, Jan Erik Tvedten
-
Patent number: 9316090Abstract: A wellbore isolation device comprises: a first layer, wherein the first layer: (A) comprises a first material; and (B) defines a cavity containing a dissolution medium, wherein a chemical reaction of at least the dissolution medium causes at least a portion of the first material to dissolve. A method of removing the wellbore isolation device comprises: introducing the wellbore isolation device containing the dissolution medium into the wellbore; and allowing the chemical reaction to occur.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2013Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Zachary W. Walton, Matthew T. Howell, Matt J. Merron
-
Patent number: 9316076Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed. The problems of damage and failure of solenoid valves in high pressure high temperature environments and the problem of difficult repair of solenoid valves are addressed through reduction of the possibility of damage to the ball seat and/or seals and through a modular design to increase the ease of repair and adjustment in the event repair is needed.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2011Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Colin Longfield, Wei Wang, David Merlau, Brad Bailey, Sebastien Ives
-
Patent number: 9316080Abstract: A shearing device that torsionally shears an oilfield tubular by gripping the tubular at vertically spaced apart locations and exerting a torsional force at the locations. Tong assemblies are provided for gripping the tubular, where the tong assemblies include a tong member pivotally mounted on a tong arm. The tong assemblies may be housed in a blowout preventer mounted on a wellhead assembly; projecting the tong assemblies radially inward engages the tong members with the tubular, and moving the arm further radially inward imparts the torsional force onto the tubular. In an alternate embodiment, the shearing device includes holding rams that project radially inward to engage the tubular and a torque rack that tangentially engages the tubular thereby torqueing the tubular.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2012Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: Hydril USA Distribution LLCInventor: Eric Dale Larson
-
Patent number: 9316059Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) including a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table having a structure for enhancing at least one of abrasion resistance, thermal stability, or impact resistance. In an embodiment, a PDC includes a PCD table. The PCD table includes a lower region including a plurality of diamond grains exhibiting a lower average grain size and at least an upper region adjacent to the lower region and including a plurality of diamond grains exhibiting an upper average grain size. The lower average grain size may be at least two times greater than that of the upper average grain size. The PDC includes a substrate having an interfacial surface that is bonded to the lower region of the PCD table. Other embodiments are directed methods of forming PDCs, and various applications for such PDCs in rotary drill bits, bearing apparatuses, and wire-drawing dies.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2012Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: US SYNTHETIC CORPORATIONInventors: Greg Carlos Topham, Renato Ventura
-
Patent number: 9309720Abstract: A drilling apparatus includes a housing that defines a longitudinal axis. A power section of the apparatus includes rotor adapted to move with eccentric rotary motion with respect to the longitudinal axis in response to the passage of drilling fluids through the power section. A power transmission shaft has an upper end coupled to the rotor and movable with the eccentric motion of the rotor, and a lower end constrained to rotate in a concentric manner with respect to the longitudinal axis. A generally rigid torsion rod has upper and lower ends constrained to rotate in a concentric manner, and the upper end of the torsion rod is coupled to the lower end of the power transmission shaft. A mandrel including a connection for a drill bit is interconnected with the lower end of the torsion rod such that a torque may be transmitted from the torsion rod to the mandrel to drive a drill bit.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2012Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: SCIENTIFIC DRILLING INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Douglas Baugher, Mark Chustz, Joe Rivas
-
Patent number: 9309733Abstract: A tool setting arrangement includes a mandrel, and a tool positionable at the mandrel. The tool includes, a cone, and at least one slip in operable communication with the cone configured to radially expand to set the tool when the slip is moved relative to the cone with at least a setting load. The at least one slip has a portion configured to engage with a feature of the mandrel such that movement of the mandrel relative to the cone causes the at least one slip to move relative to the cone, at least one of the portion and the feature is configured to release at a release load to disengage the mandrel from the tool. The release load is selected to be greater than the setting load.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2012Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: YingQing Xu, Levi B. Oberg, Gregory Lee Hern, Ellen E. Read
-
Patent number: 9303477Abstract: Return flow diverters are provided for which are adapted to allow return flow during cementing of a liner for a well. The return flow diverter comprises a cylindrical body adapted for installation in a well as part of the liner. The cylindrical body has a fluid port therein adapted to allow fluids displaced by a cementing operation to flow from an annulus between the liner and the well into the cylindrical body. The return flow diverter also comprises a cover supported on the cylindrical body for movement from an open position, in which the port is open, to a closed position, in which the port is closed by the cover, a transmission disposed within the cylindrical body and defining a cylindrical passageway adapted to accommodate a tubular conduit.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2012Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Inventors: Michael J. Harris, Martin Alfred Stulberg
-
Patent number: 9303458Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for radially expanding a tubular element (8). The method comprises the steps of bending the tubular element (8) radially outward and in axially reverse direction so as to form an expanded tubular section (10) extending around an unexpanded tubular section (8) wherein bending occurs in a bending zone (14); and increasing the length of the expanded tubular section (10) by inducing the bending zone (14) to move in axial direction relative to the unexpanded tubular section (8). The method includes the further step of heating the bending zone. Several embodiments to enable heating are described.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2011Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Leon Van Den Steen, Petrus Cornelis Kriesels
-
Patent number: 9303457Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for directionally drilling an earth formation where magnet arrays are utilized to provide net lateral force between a first member coupled to a drill bit and another member that either extends through or around the first member.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2012Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Jahir Pabon, Geoffrey Charles Downton
-
Patent number: 9297249Abstract: Methods for improving wellbore survey accuracy and placement are disclosed. The Earth's magnetic field may be measured at a magnetically clean surface location and correlated with a non-magnetic reference direction to obtain a direction of the Earth's field (e.g., a magnetic declination or a magnetic inclination). The direction of the Earth's magnetic field may in turn be processed in combination with magnetic measurements made in a subterranean borehole to obtain one or more survey parameters.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2012Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Inventors: Graham A. McElhinney, Leon Ceh, Euan Forbes, Kenneth Stenerson
-
Patent number: 9297212Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond compacts including a substrate having a convexly-curved interfacial surface bonded to a polycrystalline diamond table. In an embodiment, a polycrystalline diamond compact includes a substrate including at least one side surface and a convexly-curved interfacial surface that may, in some embodiments, extend inwardly directly from the at least one side surface to form at least one peripheral edge therebetween. The polycrystalline diamond compact further includes a polycrystalline diamond table bonded to the convexly-curved interfacial surface of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2013Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: US SYNTHETIC CORPORATIONInventors: Alberto Castillo, Jedediah Chad Clarke, Brandon Paul Linford
-
Patent number: 9297233Abstract: A well barrier for sealing a downhole conduit is described. The well barrier includes a housing defining a throughbore having a longitudinal axis, a valve actuator and a flapper valve. The flapper valve includes a flapper attached to the valve actuator. The flapper valve and the valve actuator are axially movable with respect to the housing in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. The flapper is adapted to move from one of a throughbore open and throughbore closed positions to the other of said open and closed positions when the actuator and flapper valve move a predetermined axial distance.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2011Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: Enovate Systems LimitedInventor: Jeffrey Edwards
-
Patent number: 9291011Abstract: An integral diverter system for diverting drilling fluid returns into flowlines connected to outlets for return to the drilling fluid reservoirs or other desirable locations is disclosed. The diverter assembly includes a lower tubular body that is coupled to a conductor and an upper tubular body having one or more diverter flow outlets, and one or more additional outlets. A connecting means secures the lower tubular body to the upper tubular body. One or more additional packer elements are disposed within the upper tubular body and locking means are provided for securing the one or more additional packer elements in position within the upper tubular body.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2012Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.Inventor: Blake T. DeBerry
-
Patent number: 9284818Abstract: The present invention relates to a downhole tool (1) for borehole cleaning or for moving fluid in a borehole. The tool comprises a tool housing (29), a chamber inlet (6) and a chamber outlet (36), and the tool housing comprises a pump (8) arranged in a pump housing (4) and a driving unit powered by an electrical conducting means for driving the pump.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2010Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: WELLTEC A/SInventors: Jørgen Hallundbæk, Peter Gråbæk