Patents by Inventor Aaron C. Hammer

Aaron C. Hammer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9745827
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in a wellbore includes an outer assembly and inner assembly. The outer assembly includes a set down profile, a first flow device for supplying a fluid to a zone in the wellbore and a second flow device for providing a flow path from the formation to inside of the outer assembly. The inner assembly includes a frac port for supplying a fluid from the inner assembly to the first flow device, a valve below the frac port that remains closed when a fluid at a selected flow rate flows downward from above the valve, and a bypass device uphole of the valve. The bypass device opens when the inner assembly is set down in the set down profile and provides a flow path from below the frac port to an annulus between the inner assembly and the outer assembly above the frac port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jason A. Allen, Robert S. O'Brien, Aaron C. Hammer, Andrew James Cayson
  • Publication number: 20170183919
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in a wellbore includes a string for deployment into the wellbore, the string including at least one packer and an expansion tool downhole of the packer, wherein the expansion tool further includes: a release device and a lock device inside a movable housing; wherein the lock device prevents shifting of the release device until the lock device is moved to an unlock position by application of a first force to the lock device; and wherein the release device is movable to a release position by application of a second force after the lock device has been moved to the unlock position; and wherein the movable housing is capable of moving over the release device after the release device has been moved to the release position to absorb at least one of contraction and expansion of the expansion tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Travis E. Cochran, Aaron C. Hammer, Jason A. Allen, Robert S. O'Brien, Jai K. Koli
  • Patent number: 9574408
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in a wellbore is disclosed. The apparatus includes a string for deployment into the wellbore, the string including at least one packer and an expansion tool downhole of the packer. The expansion tool further includes: a release device and a lock device inside a movable housing; wherein the lock device prevents shifting of the release device until the lock device is moved to an unlock position by application of a first force to the lock device. The release device is movable to a release position by application of a second force after the lock device has been moved to the unlock position. The movable housing is capable of moving over the release device after the release device has been moved to the release position to absorb at least one of contraction and expansion of the expansion tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Travis E. Cochran, Aaron C. Hammer, Jason A. Allen, Robert S. O'Brien, Jai K. Koli
  • Publication number: 20160348481
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in a wellbore for performing a treatment operation is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment may include an inner string that further includes a first tubular having a first communication link, and a service tool including a cross-over tool having a fluid flow passage therein for supplying a treatment fluid under pressure from an inside of the service tool to an outside of the service tool, and wherein the service tool includes a second communication link operatively coupled to the first communication link and wherein the second communication link runs across or through the fluid flow passage in the cross-over tool that is protected from direct flow of the fluid under pressure from the inside of the service tool to the outside of the service tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Aaron C. Hammer, Robert S. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 9494018
    Abstract: A completion tool for gravel packing screens incorporates an added position to allow redirection of flow to a signal transmission tool at the needed flow rates to optimize signal to noise ratios by creation of a discrete flow path that channels the desired flow directly to the device and using the production tubing and upper annulus as the balance of the flow circuit. The Smart Collet® has a landing location for this position which is preferably between the circulation and reverse positions of the crossover tool. The wash pipe assembly can have a shifting tool that closes the sleeve over the gravel exit ports for the information transmittal such ports can thereafter remain closed because the gravel packing is complete but for the reversing out of excess gravel which happens above the gravel exit ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Aaron C. Hammer, Marc N. Samuelson
  • Patent number: 9416653
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in a wellbore for performing a treatment operation is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment may include an inner string that further includes a first tubular having a first communication link, and a service tool including a cross-over tool having a fluid flow passage therein for supplying a treatment fluid under pressure from an inside of the service tool to an outside of the service tool, and wherein the service tool includes a second communication link operatively coupled to the first communication link and wherein the second communication link runs across or through the fluid flow passage in the cross-over tool that is protected from direct flow of the fluid under pressure from the inside of the service tool to the outside of the service tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Aaron C. Hammer, Robert S. O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20160201800
    Abstract: A seal assembly includes a first tubular having a sealing surface, and a seal element run with the first tubular and displaced from the surface. The seal element initially having a radial dimension that forms a radially innermost or outermost sealing dimension of the first tubular for enabling the first tubular to be sealed with a second tubular radially disposed with the first tubular. A mechanism is triggerable by axial movement for reconfiguring the radial dimension of the seal element. The sealing surface of the first tubular operatively forming the radially innermost or outermost sealing dimension of the first tubular when the radial dimension of the seal element has been reconfigured for enabling the sealing surface of the first tubular to receive a second seal element. The seal element is axially compressed and released to change the radial dimension of the seal element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Jason A. Allen, Nicholas J. Clem, Robert S. O'Brien, Aaron C. Hammer
  • Publication number: 20160194936
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in a wellbore is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment includes an outer assembly for placement in a wellbore, the outer assembly including a set down profile, a first flow device for supplying a fluid to a zone in the wellbore and a second flow device for providing a flow path from the formation to inside of the outer assembly, and an inner assembly for placement inside the outer assembly, wherein the inner assembly further includes a frac port for supplying a fluid from the inner assembly to the first flow device, a valve below the frac port that remains closed when a fluid at a selected flow rate flows downward from above the valve, and a bypass device uphole of the valve, wherein the bypass device opens when the inner assembly is set down in the set down profile and provides a flow path from below the frac port to an annulus between the inner assembly and the outer assembly above the frac port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jason A. Allen, Robert S. O'Brien, Aaron C. Hammer, Andrew James Cayson
  • Patent number: 9334702
    Abstract: A seal assembly including a first tubular having a sealing surface and a seal element run with the first tubular and displaced from the surface. The seal element initially has a radial dimension that forms a radially innermost or outermost sealing dimension of the first tubular for enabling the first tubular to be sealed with a second tubular radially disposed with the first tubular. A mechanism is included that is triggerable for reconfiguring the radial dimension of the seal element. The sealing surface of the first tubular operative forms the radially innermost or outermost sealing dimension of the first tubular when the radial dimension of the seal element has been reconfigured for enabling the sealing surface of the first tubular to receive a second seal element. A method of sealing tubulars is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jason A. Allen, Nicholas J. Clem, Robert S. O'Brien, Aaron C. Hammer
  • Publication number: 20160097267
    Abstract: A method of deploying a multi-zone completion assembly in a wellbore is disclosed. In one non-limiting embodiment, the method includes: placing an outer assembly below a surface location, wherein the outer assembly includes an activation device; placing an inner assembly in the outer assembly, the inner assembly including a lower opening tool spaced from an upper opening tool; activating the lower opening tool using the activation device; and activating the upper opening tool independent of the lower opening tool using the activation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jason A. Allen, Aaron C. Hammer, Robert S. O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20150252628
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in a wellbore is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment includes a string for deployment into the wellbore, the string including at least one packer and an expansion tool downhole of the packer, wherein the expansion tool further includes: a release device and a lock device inside a movable housing; wherein the lock device prevents shifting of the release device until the lock device is moved to an unlock position by application of a first force to the lock device; and wherein the release device is movable to a release position by application of a second force after the lock device has been moved to the unlock position; and wherein the movable housing is capable of moving over the release device after the release device has been moved to the release position to absorb at least one of contraction and expansion of the expansion tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Travis E. Cochran, Aaron C. Hammer, Jason A. Allen, Robert S. O'Brien, Jai K. Koli
  • Publication number: 20150252645
    Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for use in a wellbore is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment contains an outer assembly that includes an isolation packer corresponding to each of a plurality of zones along the wellbore, wherein each isolation packer is configured to be set in the wellbore, a release module associated with each isolation packer to release its associated isolation packer after such isolation packer has been set in the wellbore, and a disconnect module below each isolation packer that is armed using a first force and activated using a second force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Aaron C. Hammer, Jason A. Allen, Robert S. O'Brien, Travis E. Cochran, Jai K. Koli
  • Publication number: 20150167425
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in a wellbore for performing a treatment operation is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment may include an inner string that further includes a first tubular having a first communication link, and a service tool including a cross-over tool having a fluid flow passage therein for supplying a treatment fluid under pressure from an inside of the service tool to an outside of the service tool, and wherein the service tool includes a second communication link operatively coupled to the first communication link and wherein the second communication link runs across or through the fluid flow passage in the cross-over tool that is protected from direct flow of the fluid under pressure from the inside of the service tool to the outside of the service tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Aaron C. Hammer, Robert S. O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20150075807
    Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for selectively treating a plurality of zones around wellbore is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment includes an outer string for placement in the wellbore, the outer string including a packer above a flow port corresponding to each zone, wherein each packer is configured to be set independently and the flow port is configured to supply a treatment fluid to its corresponding zone when such flow port is open, an activation device coupled to each packer, wherein each such activation device is configured to be independently activated to set its corresponding isolation packer, and an inner string for placement in the outer string, the inner string including a frac port for supplying a fluid under pressure to each flow port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jason A. Allen, Aaron C. Hammer, Robert S. O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20150075767
    Abstract: A completion tool for gravel packing screens incorporates an added position to allow redirection of flow to a signal transmission tool at the needed flow rates to optimize signal to noise ratios by creation of a discrete flow path that channels the desired flow directly to the device and using the production tubing and upper annulus as the balance of the flow circuit. The Smart Collet® has a landing location for this position which is preferably between the circulation and reverse positions of the crossover tool. The wash pipe assembly can have a shifting tool that closes the sleeve over the gravel exit ports for the information transmittal such ports can thereafter remain closed because the gravel packing is complete but for the reversing out of excess gravel which happens above the gravel exit ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Aaron C. Hammer, Marc N. Samuelson
  • Patent number: 8627902
    Abstract: A method for estimating a depth from which cuttings have been recovered from a well may include varying a parameter of one or more marking agents added into a drilling fluid circulated into the well and recovering the cuttings from the well. The depth may be estimated by estimating a value associated with the marking agent that marks the cuttings. A system for estimating a depth from which cuttings have been recovered from a well includes at least one marking agent configured to mark the cuttings and a marking agent dispensing device configured to add the at least one marking agent into a drilling fluid circulated into the well. The marking agent dispensing device may be further configured to vary a parameter of the at least one marking agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Aaron C. Hammer, Dennis K. Clapper
  • Publication number: 20130140041
    Abstract: A seal assembly including a first tubular having a sealing surface and a seal element run with the first tubular and displaced from the surface. The seal element initially has a radial dimension that forms a radially innermost or outermost sealing dimension of the first tubular for enabling the first tubular to be sealed with a second tubular radially disposed with the first tubular. A mechanism is included that is triggerable for reconfiguring the radial dimension of the seal element. The sealing surface of the first tubular operative forms the radially innermost or outermost sealing dimension of the first tubular when the radial dimension of the seal element has been reconfigured for enabling the sealing surface of the first tubular to receive a second seal element. A method of sealing tubulars is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jason A. Allen, Nicholas J. Clem, Robert S. O'Brien, Aaron C. Hammer
  • Patent number: 8376038
    Abstract: An outlet member is preferably made from a hardened material and is cut from a tubular shape at an angle of preferably 5 degrees. At its upper end it is cut away so that slurry flow can exit ports in a hardened sleeve and impinge directly onto the upstream portion of the insert. The impingement changes the flow stream angle as the flow continues through a fully tubular middle segment of the insert that leads out to an elongated exit ramp whose downstream end sits preferably flush with the outer housing wall so as to protect the insert from mechanical shocks and retain the insert axially when slurry flows through it. Other external details aid in fixation when in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Aaron C. Hammer
  • Publication number: 20120325465
    Abstract: A method for estimating a depth from which cuttings have been recovered from a well may include varying a parameter of one or more marking agents added into a drilling fluid circulated into the well and recovering the cuttings from the well. The depth may be estimated by estimating a value associated with the marking agent that marks the cuttings. A system for estimating a depth from which cuttings have been recovered from a well includes at least one marking agent configured to mark the cuttings and a marking agent dispensing device configured to add the at least one marking agent into a drilling fluid circulated into the well. The marking agent dispensing device may be further configured to vary a parameter of the at least one marking agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Aaron C. Hammer, Dennis K. Clapper
  • Patent number: 8225863
    Abstract: A modular screen system allows connection of screens using couplings that connect the annular space in each module between the screen material and the base pipe. A series of connected screens and couplings feed into a single valve to control the flow through many screens. The valve is preferably located in a coupling and the passages through the coupling or the screen can also accommodate instrumentation to detect, store or transmit well data or flows through the various screen modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Aaron C. Hammer, Nicholas J. Clem, Edward J. O'Malley