Patents Examined by Nikhil Menon
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Patent number: 9957757Abstract: A cutting element for use in a drill bit for drilling subterranean formations includes a cutting body having a substrate, and a superabrasive layer overlying an upper surface of the substrate. The cutting element further includes a sleeve including another superabrasive layer and surrounding the peripheral side surface of the cutting body.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2015Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Chaitanya K. Vempati, Suresh G. Patel, Jack T. Oldham, Danielle M. Fuselier, Jim R. Powers, Nicholas J. Lyons
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Patent number: 9945190Abstract: This invention relates to an articulating component (16) of a downhole assembly, and to a downhole steering assembly. There is provided an articulating component (16) having a first end (40) and a second end (42), the articulating component being adapted to transmit torque between the first end and the second end. The articulating component has a pivotable coupling (46) between its first and second ends and at least one control element for the pivotable coupling, the control element(s) having an active condition in which the pivotable coupling is substantially locked against pivoting movement, and an inactive condition in which the pivotable coupling is unlocked. In a downhole steering assembly the articulating component is located downhole of the steering component whereby to protect the steering component from unwanted vibrations generated downhole, or uphole of the steering component whereby to protect the steering component from unwanted vibrations generated uphole, or both.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2013Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Smart Stabilizer Systems LimitedInventors: Daniel Brendan Crowley, Colin Walker
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Patent number: 9890611Abstract: A well intervention tool for shifting a door structure within a well casing. The well intervention tool has independently shiftable keys which releasably engage with portions of the door structure. When the keys are engaged with the door structure, the well intervention tool can be used to move the door structure uphole and downhole. The well intervention tool can include a vibration motor to cause the keys to vibrate in order to displace debris within the door structure. The well intervention tool can include a rotational motor to cause the keys to rotate in order to displace debris within the door structure. The keys can have teeth which are shaped and spaced to shift debris while minimizing damage to the well casing.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2015Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.Inventors: Shao Hwa Lee, Mark S. Holly
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Patent number: 9850739Abstract: A stabber for assisting in the lifting and installation of a cement head assembly onto a bore hole casing includes a support member comprising a first end opposite a second end. A first connection element is disposed proximate the first end of the support member and a second connection element is disposed proximate the second end of the support member. A first weight is mounted to the support member in closer proximity to the second end of the support member than to the first end of the support member. A second weight is connected to the support member between the first and second ends of the support member.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2014Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Inventors: George Pat Ferguson, Warren J. Diamond
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Patent number: 9840871Abstract: A disclosed mud motor includes a rotor head, a motor block, a hollow rotor, an inlet shaft, and an outlet shaft. In the operation of one embodiment, a pressurized drilling mud enters the rotor head through the inlet shaft. Some or all of the drilling mud is directed through an included inlet passage onto pistons which are included in the motor block and disposed concentrically around the outlet shaft. A downward action of the pistons resulting from the drilling mud causes an included power plate to rotate. Rotation of the power plate causes the hollow rotor and the rotor head to also rotate. The hollow rotor may be attached to a drilling implement. Rotation of the power plate also causes some or all of the drilling mud directed onto the pistons to be discharged into the outlet shaft through an included discharge passage. During the operation of one embodiment of the mud motor, the pistons do not rotate around the outlet shaft, but instead remain substantially in their original concentric alignment.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2015Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: Rubber Specialists Land Acquisition, LLCInventors: John Steele Breckenridge, Thomas Franklin Akers, II
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Patent number: 9828816Abstract: A flexible collet on a subterranean tool has sacrificial soft components to protect seal bores through which the collets have to compress to get through. The sacrificial components can be replaced when the tool is removed to the surface. In one embodiment, threaded fasteners are used alone or with washers for height adjustment such that the heads of the fasteners which are softer than the seal bore material ride on the seal bore and take the wear. The tool can ultimately be used to latch into shifting sleeves to move such sleeves to open or close wall ports. Alternatively axial ridges with beveled profile ends can be used or rolling members such as wheels or balls can be used to keep sharp edges off the seal bore. EDM method can be used to create multiple fingers with an axial ridge profile and rounded end transitions.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2014Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, LLCInventor: Steven R. Hayter
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Patent number: 9816367Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus, a system, and a method are provided for deliquification of a production well. The apparatus can be a production tube that receives produced fluid from a subterranean reservoir and provides a pathway for transmission of the produced fluid to a surface location. The production tube includes a nozzle disposed therewithin and an opening positioned proximate to the nozzle through which a foaming agent is introduced into the production tube. The nozzle has a first end that defines an inlet, a second end distal to the first end that defines an outlet, and a passageway extending between the first end and the second end such that the produced fluid received by the inlet is delivered to the outlet. The passageway defines a region of decreased cross-sectional area that agitates the produced fluid passing through the nozzle thereby increasing mixing of the foaming agent.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2014Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.Inventors: Jose Luis Arellano, Emee Ermel
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Patent number: 9816342Abstract: This invention relates to a junk catcher (2, 2?) releasably connected to a retrievable bridge plug (4, 4?) connectable to a setting tool (6) for joint deployment of bridge plug (4, 4?) and junk catcher (2, 2?) in a borehole (9) or a tubular in the borehole (9). Setting tool (6) extends through a fishing neck (12), a catcher tube (14), a flanged section (16), a valve chamber (18), a closable opening (20) and a portion of a setting sleeve (22, 22?) of junk catcher (2, 2?). Valve chamber (18) comprises a valve (50) arranged to close closable opening (20) after retrieval of setting tool (6) from junk catcher (2, 2?). The junk catcher (2, 2?) is connected to bridge plug (4, 4?) by at least one shear bolt (27, 38). Bridge plug (4, 4?) comprises a plug fishing neck (32, 32?) facing junk catcher (2, 2?), and bridge plug (4, 4?) comprises an equalizing channel (71) in a mandrel (7).Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2014Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: Altus Intervention ASInventors: Dag Ravn Pedersen, Robin Lovslett, Hassan Zakaria, Bard Martin Tinnen
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Patent number: 9702214Abstract: A cap for sealing a wellhead assembly of a subterranean well and suspending well assets (e.g., tubing, rods, etc.) therefrom within the well to facilitate production at the well after a period of abandonment. For instance, a decompletion process may be performed on a particular well to be temporarily abandoned which may include disconnecting a pumpjack (e.g., horsehead unit, pumping unit, etc.) from a wellhead of the well, breaking (e.g., disconnecting) the wellhead at the first flange (e.g., closest to ground level) to leave a casing head of the wellhead exposed, and/or the like. Ends of a tubing string and a rod string disposed within the subterranean well may be respectively secured within portions of the disclosed cap. The cap may then be placed and secured over the exposed casing head to limit entry of foreign objects and debris into the well.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2014Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: Bulldog Services, LLPInventor: Herbert D. Turner