Patents by Inventor Alan Howell
Alan Howell 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).
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Patent number: 10228062Abstract: A modular seal section for use within a downhole pumping system includes an upper fluid compensation section, a lower fluid compensation section and a guide body connected between the upper fluid compensation section and lower fluid compensation section. The guide body includes a configuration selection mechanism that can be externally manipulated to selectively place the upper fluid compensation section in either a series or parallel configuration with the lower fluid compensation section.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2016Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: GE Oil & Gas ESP, Inc.Inventors: Alan Howell, Charles Collins, Aaron Noakes
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Publication number: 20170074406Abstract: A modular seal section for use within a downhole pumping system includes an upper fluid compensation section, a lower fluid compensation section and a guide body connected between the upper fluid compensation section and lower fluid compensation section. The guide body includes a configuration selection mechanism that can be externally manipulated to selectively place the upper fluid compensation section in either a series or parallel configuration with the lower fluid compensation section.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2016Publication date: March 16, 2017Applicant: GE Oil & Gas ESP, Inc.Inventors: Alan Howell, Charles Collins, Aaron Noakes
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Patent number: 9593693Abstract: A downhole pumping system includes a motor, a pump driven by the motor and a seal section positioned between the pump and the motor. The seal section preferably includes a first seal bag assembly, a second seal bag assembly and an interconnect module connected between the first seal bag assembly and the second seal bag assembly. The interconnect module includes a plenum, at least one fluid exchange passage connected to the plenum, and a shaft seal assembly. The shaft seal assembly is configured to divert fluid from the plenum into the at least one fluid exchange passage. In another aspect, a first group of interconnect modules within the seal section each includes a shaft seal assembly oriented in a first direction and a second group of the interconnect modules each includes a shaft seal assembly oriented in a second direction to selectively apply an axial force on the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2012Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: GE Oil & Gas ESP, Inc.Inventors: Alan Howell, Chengbao Wang, Brian Reeves
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Patent number: 8690551Abstract: A seal section for use in a downhole submersible pumping system includes a modular seal bag assembly having a first end cap, a second end cap and a plurality of seal bags connected between the first and second end caps. Each of the first and second end caps includes a plurality of nozzles and each of the plurality of seal bags is connected to a unique pair of nozzles on the first and second end caps. The modular seal bag assembly further includes a shaft tube connected between the first and second end caps. In a second preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a seal section that includes a single seal bag connected between two opposing end caps. The seal bag is preferably seamless and fabricated from a fluoropolymer, such as perfluoroalkoxy (PFA).Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2008Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Inventors: Arcady Royzen, Alan Howell, Joseph W. Elder
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Publication number: 20130240199Abstract: A downhole pumping system includes a motor, a pump driven by the motor and a seal section positioned between the pump and the motor. The seal section preferably includes a first seal bag assembly, a second seal bag assembly and an interconnect module connected between the first seal bag assembly and the second seal bag assembly. The interconnect module includes a plenum, at least one fluid exchange passage connected to the plenum, and a shaft seal assembly. The shaft seal assembly is configured to divert fluid from the plenum into the at least one fluid exchange passage. In another aspect, a first group of interconnect modules within the seal section each includes a shaft seal assembly oriented in a first direction and a second group of the interconnect modules each includes a shaft seal assembly oriented in a second direction to selectively apply an axial force on the shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2012Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: GE OIL & GAS ESP, INC.Inventors: Alan Howell, Chengbao Wang, Brian Reeves
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Patent number: 8419387Abstract: A submersible pumping system includes a pump assembly, a motor and a seal section positioned between the pump assembly and the motor. The seal section includes a clean fluid circulation system, a contaminated fluid circulation system and at least one bag seal assembly. The bag seal assembly includes an upper mounting block, a lower mounting block and a bag seal extending over the upper mounting block and lower mounting block and providing a path for the clean fluid circulation system. The bag seal assembly further includes a mounting plate connected to the upper mounting block that limits the axial travel of the bag seal on the upper mounting block. The bag seal assembly optionally includes a breather tube connected to the mounting plate and extending along the exterior of the bag seal.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2009Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Inventors: Randy Karbs, Michael Barnes, Alan Howell, Arcady Royzen
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Patent number: 8246328Abstract: A seal section for use with a downhole pumping system includes a rotatable shaft, a seal section head and a mechanical seal chamber inside the seal section head. The mechanical seal chamber is bounded by a floor and a wall. The mechanical seal chamber includes a trench disposed in the floor that is configured to entrap solid particles in the mechanical seal chamber at a distance spaced apart from the mechanical seal.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2009Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: GE Oil & Gas ESP, Inc.Inventors: Alan Howell, Michael Barnes, Randy Karbs, Arcady Royzen
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Patent number: 7624795Abstract: Disclosed is a submersible pumping system that includes a motor, a production pump and a seal section disposed between the motor and the production pump. The pumping system further comprises an auxiliary pump disposed below the motor and an auxiliary adapter connected between the motor and the auxiliary pump.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2006Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignee: Wood Group ESP, Inc.Inventors: Yasser Khan Bangash, Alan Howell
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Patent number: 7367400Abstract: A chamber for use in a submersible pump assembly. The submersible pump assembly has a submersible motor which is connected to a power source and which will drive a submersible pump in the submersible pump assembly. A motor protector with expansion chamber is connected to the submersible motor. The expansion chamber and submersible motor are filled with motor oil. The expansion chamber has a housing and a reactant disposed in the housing interior for reacting with and reducing the concentration of contaminants present in the well fluid that are harmful to components of the motor protector.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2004Date of Patent: May 6, 2008Assignee: Wood Group ESP, Inc.Inventor: Alan Howell
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Patent number: 7066248Abstract: Disclosed is an electric submersible pumping system for use in wellbore. The electric submersible pumping system includes a motor assembly, a pump assembly and a seal section disposed in the wellbore. The pump assembly is below the motor and is driven by the motor. The seal section is between the motor assembly and the pump assembly, and protects the motor assembly from thrust generated in the pump assembly. The seal section includes a shaft that transmits torque from the motor assembly to the pump assembly. A labyrinth chamber in the seal section restricts the flow of wellbore fluids. The seal section can also include a mechanical seal, a thrust bearing, a bag type chamber, an abrasion resistant bearing, and a motor electrical termination.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2003Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: Wood Group ESP, Inc.Inventor: Alan Howell
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Publication number: 20040251019Abstract: Disclosed is an electric submersible pumping system for use in wellbore. The electric submersible pumping system includes a motor assembly, a pump assembly and a seal section disposed in the wellbore. The pump assembly is below the motor and is driven by the motor. The seal section is between the motor assembly and the pump assembly, and protects the motor assembly from thrust generated in the pump assembly. The seal section includes a shaft that transmits torque from the motor assembly to the pump assembly. A labyrinth chamber in the seal section restricts the flow of wellbore fluids. The seal section can also include a mechanical seal, a thrust bearing, a bag type chamber, an abrasion resistant bearing, and a motor electrical termination.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2003Publication date: December 16, 2004Applicant: Wood Group ESP, Inc.Inventor: Alan Howell
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Patent number: 6602059Abstract: The present invention provides an electrical submersible pump assembly having a submersible pump, a submersible electrical motor drivingly connected to the pump, and a seal assembly disposed between the submersible pump and the motor. The seal assembly is generally of tubular construction and provides fluid communication between the seal assembly cavity and the motor, such fluid communication being in a circuitous path effecting gravity segregation of contaminants including particulate solids in wellbore fluids. The seal assembly thereby controls and minimizes migration of the contaminants into the body of the seal section and on into the motor.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2001Date of Patent: August 5, 2003Assignee: Wood Group Esp, Inc.Inventors: Alan Howell, Greg Wilson