Patents Examined by Stephen J. Novosad
  • Patent number: 5560440
    Abstract: A rotary bit for drilling subterranean formations. The bit includes a separately-fabricated bit body and cutter support structures, the latter of which may be designed as blades, ribs, pads or otherwise, depending upon the bit style. The body and one or more cutter support structures are assembled and secured together after fabrication. Separate fabrication of the cutter support structures permits more precise cutter positioning, as well as orientation, and promotes the use of stronger and more diverse cutter affixation means. The cutter support structures may be adjustably radially movable with respect to the bit body, so as to provide the ability to fabricate bits of various gage sizes within a range using a single bit body and single size of cutter support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Gordon A. Tibbitts
  • Patent number: 5560435
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for drilling multiple offshore wells from a single conductor casing string. A guide member is provided for securing to a standard casing string, and running downhole and setting within a lower section of the conductor string. The guide member includes multiple guide bores through which standard casing strings are run. A first one of the standard casing strings i secured into one of the multiple guide bores for lowering the guide member into the lower section of the conductor string. A multibore low pressure wellhead housing is mounted to the conductor string as the guide member is being lowered downhole within the conductor string. Once the guide member is set, the first one of the standard casing strings is released from the guide member and passed downward through the guide member for receiving a drill string and guiding the drill string in drilling a first one of the multiple offshore wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: ABB Vecto Gray Inc.
    Inventor: Allan C. Sharp
  • Patent number: 5558162
    Abstract: An improved mechanical system selectively locks the tester valve of an annulus pressure responsive tester valve in position for an indeterminate number of well annulus pressure cycles. The tester valve can be closed upon demand. The forces which accomplish opening of the ball valve act across a power piston, but the forces which close the valve act across an actuating piston. The tester valve can be run into a well with an operating element of the tester valve, in a first position such as a closed position. Upon reaching the desired depth within the well and setting of an associated packer system, well annul us pressure is then increased to a first level above hydrostatic pressure to move the power piston and thus move the tester valve to an open position. During a normal mode of operation, well annulus pressure can be cycled between hydrostatic pressure and the first level to open and close the tester valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Kevin R. Manke, Paul Ringgenberg
  • Patent number: 5555937
    Abstract: A method and combination of materials for freeing stuck pipe involves first the spotting of a clear brine, preferably calcium chloride, calcium bromide or zinc bromide, or mixtures thereof, for a given period of time, preferably at least about 8 hours, in the stuck region of the pipe, followed by the spotting of a spotting agent selected from wetting agents, surfactants, lubricants, or mixtures thereof, in the region of the stuck pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Baroid Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James V. Fisk, Jr., Jeffrey P. Kirsner
  • Patent number: 5556234
    Abstract: A mine roof bolt assembly and a method for installing the bolt assembly. The bolt assembly includes a tensionable roof bolt, a bearing plate with an annular embossment, and a deformable annular washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Jennmar Corporation
    Inventors: John G. Oldsen, John C. Stankus
  • Patent number: 5555946
    Abstract: A method and a tool for use in commencing the drilling of a deviated well from a gap in the casing of a cased wellbore using a non-rotary drill string while maintaining the desired orientation of the drill bit by minimizing the effects of reactive torque and axial loading on the drill string. The tool comprises a drill bit, a downhole motor, a tubular member connected between the downhole motor and the drill string, and an anchor assembly slidably mounted on the tubular member which is actuated by the tubular member to engage the casing during drilling of the well. The tubular member includes a setting section for actuating the anchor assembly, a freewheel section to facilitate orientation of the drill bit prior to drilling, and a working section for maintaining the orientation of the drill bit during drilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Inventor: Darrell Klatt
  • Patent number: 5553975
    Abstract: A method of installing sewer pipes for a new sewer line for achieving proper gradient, utilizes a plurality of two-piece pipe bracket-mounts. Typically, each length of sewer pipe is supported by two such bracket-mounts. Each two-piece bracket-mount consists of a lower, or bottom, semicircular half-section having a downwardly-projecting sleeve with a through-opening therethrough. The through-opening allows for the passage of an elongated, pointed-tip spike, which spike is driven into the bottom of the ditch by a hammer, or the like, to an amount that will achieve the proper gradient for the pipe to be associated therewith. After all of the spike have been driven in, the pipes are then laid on the lower semicircular half-sections and snapped in place therein. Then, the installer attaches the upper semicircular half-sections to the bottom semicircular half-sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Inventor: Michael L. Elkins
  • Patent number: 5553973
    Abstract: Flumes for manhole inverts are described and formed of integrally molded segments which interfit with each other so as to connect inlets to an outlet of a manhole independent of the shape and size of the manhole. The flumes are made in a set and in one set the flumes are formed of a pipe segment which either is integrally connected to an open channel segment or connected thereto with suitable fasteners and with the overall length of the flume being substantially less than the distance between the inlet and an outlet of the manhole. Another set of flumes has only open channel segments which are generally substantially smaller in length than the flumes which have both a pipe and an open channel segment. The open channel segments are provided with end flanges to enable their connection to similarly shaped channel segments to form inverts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Inventor: Lee Duran
  • Patent number: 5553679
    Abstract: A modulated bias unit, for controlling the direction of drilling of a rotary drill bit when drilling boreholes in subsurface formations, comprises a number of hydraulic actuators spaced apart around the periphery of the unit. Each actuator comprises a movable thrust member which is hydraulically displaceable outwardly and a pivotally mounted formation-engaging pad which overlies the thrust member. An inlet passage supplies fluid under pressure to the chamber, and an outlet passage delivers fluid from the chamber to a lower pressure zone. A selector control valve modulates the fluid pressure supplied to each actuator in synchronism with rotation of the drill bit so that, as the drill bit rotates, each pad is displaced outwardly at the same selected rotational position so as to bias the drill bit laterally and thus control the direction of drilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1996
    Assignee: Camco Drilling Group Limited
    Inventor: Richard E. Thorp
  • Patent number: 5551520
    Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for initiating a wellbore perforator comprising a first firing head for generating a first explosive signal when a first actuation signal is applied to the first firing head, a second firing head for generating a second explosive signal when a second actuation signal is applied to the second firing head, a first means for transferring the first explosive signal to shaped charges in the perforator including a first bulkhead interposed between the shaped charges and the first means for preventing transfer of low order initiation of the first means to the shaped charges, and a second means for transferring the second explosive signal to the shaped charges including a second bulkhead interposed between the shaped charges and the second means for preventing transfer of low order initiation of the second means to the shaped charges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Western Atlas International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert K. Bethel, Michael B. Grayson, James Ellis
  • Patent number: 5549161
    Abstract: A shifting tool is disclosed which allows movement of a shifting sleeve, to be followed by an additional force applied to ensure complete stroking of the shifting sleeve. This is accomplished by a shifting key to normally shift the shifting sleeve, followed by an overpull key which engages while the shifting key is still engaged. Once a predetermined force has been applied to the overpull key, the force applied from the surface is removed so that the tool may disengage from the sleeve. Subsequent manipulation, without necessarily any removal from the wellbore, if it does not result in a reengagement, provides feedback that the shifting sleeve has, in fact, shifted its full stroke. An emergency release is available which actuated by an overpull force beyond a predetermined level, applied while the overpull key is engaged for an emergency release from the shifting sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Alfredo Gomez, William M. Richards, Douglas J. Murray
  • Patent number: 5549420
    Abstract: A retaining wall functioning both as a gravity-type retaining wall and as a leaning-type retaining wall is constructed on a sloped cut earth surface for the prevention of landslide. The retaining wall includes a bottom surface defined by a horizontal portion of the cut earth surface and having a transverse length of L.sub.2, a top surface opposite the bottom surface and having a transverse length of L.sub.1 which is greater than L.sub.2, an outside surface extending generally vertically between the top and bottom surfaces, and an inclined surface opposite the outside surface and defined by the cut earth surface. The retaining wall has the center of gravity at a position so that part of the weight of the wall is imposed upon the sloped portion of the cut earth surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Inventor: Norio Nakayama
  • Patent number: 5547023
    Abstract: Methods of completing poorly consolidated, weak, or otherwise unstable subterranean formations bounded by one or more consolidated formations to prevent well bore stability problems and/or sand production from the poorly consolidated or unstable formations are provided. The methods basically comprise the steps of drilling a well bore into the consolidated boundary formation adjacent to the poorly consolidated or unstable formation, creating at least one flow channel communicating with the well bore in the consolidated boundary formation which extends into the poorly consolidated or unstable formation and producing fluids from the poorly consolidated or unstable formation into the well bore by way of the flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Billy W. McDaniel, Hazim H. Abass
  • Patent number: 5547314
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for storing a continuous length of an assembled jointed tubular conduit on an offshore vessel and for conveying the tubular conduit between the deck of the vessel and a subsurface wellhead on the floor of the body of water. The system includes a carousel positioned around the perimeter of the vessel defining a continuous close-curved carousel pathway in parallel or coplanar alignment with the horizontal deck. The assembled tubular conduit is maintained in coiled storage along the carousel pathway until it is desired to convey the tubular conduit into or out of the carousel. Horizontal and vertical directing means are provided that, in cooperation with rotation of the carousel, enable uncoiling of the tubular conduit from the carousel into the water or recoiling of the tubular conduit into the carousel from the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Marathon Oil Company
    Inventor: Thomas J. Ames
  • Patent number: 5544705
    Abstract: A method for injecting fluid, such as an accelerator, into a wellbore comprises storing the fluid in a reservoir, locating the reservoir downhole in the wellbore, and then transferring the fluid from the reservoir into the wellbore. More particularly, one embodiment of the method comprises storing the fluid in a reservoir in a plug, pumping the plug down casing in a wellbore, and transferring the fluid at the bottom of the wellbore via a venturi effect. Another embodiment of the method comprises storing the fluid in a reservoir integrated into the wall of a portion of casing, setting the casing in the wellbore, and then transferring the fluid via a venturi effect from the reservoir into the annulus defined between the casing and the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventors: Richard R. Jones, William N. Wilson
  • Patent number: 5544979
    Abstract: A clamp assembly for attaching a pile to a device for inserting and/or extracting the pile. The clamp assembly has a fixed gripping assembly and a movable gripping assembly. The fixed gripping assembly is rigidly attached to a housing. The movable gripping assembly is rotatably attached to a pivot arm that is pivotably attached to the housing. The pile is placed between the gripping assemblies and a piston causes the pivot arm to rotate such that the pile is gripped between the gripping assemblies. The movable gripping assembly rotates relative to the pivot arm into a desirable position relative to the pile as it engages the pile to increase the ability of the clamp assembly to grip the pile. An anvil formed on the top of the clamp assembly facilitates attachment of the clamp assembly to the pile driving and/or extracting device and alleviates damage to the bolts used to attach the clamp assembly to the pile driving and/or extracting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: American Piledriving Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: John L. White
  • Patent number: 5544713
    Abstract: A cutting element which has a metal carbide stud having a conic tip formed with a reduced diameter hemispherical outer tip end portion of said metal carbide stud. A layer of polycrystalline material, resistant to corrosive and abrasive materials, is disposed over the outer end portion of the metal carbide stud to form a cap. An alternate conic form has a flat tip face. A chisel insert has a transecting edge and opposing flat faces. It is also covered with a PDC layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Dennis Tool Company
    Inventor: Mahlon D. Dennis
  • Patent number: 5540279
    Abstract: An improved downhole tool apparatus including, but not limited to, packers and bridge plugs which more fully utilize highly stressed non-metallic components, including slips, slip wedges, and packer element retaining shoes than prior tools. The non-metallic packer element retaining shoes of the present invention are preferably made of separate shoe segments initially held in place by at least one retaining band. Such non-metallic packer element shoes do away with troublesome prior art metallic shoes and backups which tended to spin upon each other or about the mandrel while milling or drilling the tool out of a wellbore. Therefore, the subject invention increases the ability to drill or mill downhole tools out of a well bore in less time than it would take with using conventional or non-conventional drilling or milling techniques or equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Alton L. Branch, Donald R. Smith, Kevin T. Berscheidt
  • Patent number: 5538093
    Abstract: A nozzle sleeve for the retention of replaceable fluid nozzles for rock bits is disclosed. The sleeve is secured within the body of the rock bit. A first upstream end of the sleeve communicates with a fluid plenum formed by the bit body. A second downstream end of this sleeve is adapted to receive the fluid nozzles. An elliptical fluid entrance is formed at the first upstream end of the nozzle sleeve. The elliptical fluid inlet formed by the sleeve serves to increase the flow of fluid to the nozzles, reduce turbulence of the fluid and substantially reduce the erosive effects associated with high fluid velocities and turbulent flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Siracki, James L. Larsen
  • Patent number: 5538090
    Abstract: A ground probe apparatus includes a rod portion which includes a rod outer diameter. A handle portion is connected to a proximal end of the rod portion. A ground-penetrating tip portion is connected to a distal end of the rod portion. The ground,penetrating tip portion includes a tip end, and a wide-diameter portion is connected to the rod portion a predetermined distance from the tip end of the ground-penetrating tip portion. The wide-diameter portion has a wide-portion outer diameter which is greater than the rod outer diameter. The wide-diameter portion and the ground-penetrating tip portion may be combined into an integrated, unitary wide-diameter, tip assembly which can be selectively removed from and replaced on the rod portion. The wide-diameter portion includes a first tapered portion tapering toward the tip end and a second tapered portion tapering away from the tip end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Inventor: Gary W. Siler