Patents by Inventor Alan Sallwasser

Alan Sallwasser 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: 10301927
    Abstract: A technique includes deploying an untethered object through a passageway of a string in a well to cause the untethered object to travel along the passageway. The technique includes operating the untethered object as the object travels in the passageway to expand a metal sealing device of the untethered object to cause the object to become caught at a downhole location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Alan Sallwasser
  • Publication number: 20160333661
    Abstract: A technique includes deploying an untethered object through a passageway of a string in a well to cause the untethered object to travel along the passageway. The technique includes operating the untethered object as the object travels in the passageway to expand a metal sealing device of the untethered object to cause the object to become caught at a downhole location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventor: Alan Sallwasser
  • Publication number: 20050011199
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for controlling the temperature within a remotely located enclosure that contains temperature sensitive equipment is provided. For some embodiments, the system includes an array of thermoelectric cooling (TEC) devices that act as an active cooling device and an active heating device. The system may also include a temperature controller that receives signals from a temperature sensor located at or near the temperature sensitive equipment. The controller may be configured to supply DC power to the thermoelectric coupling devices based on the output signal of the temperature sensor. The polarity of the DC power can be reversed by the controller in order to cause the thermoelectric device to heat or to cool the enclosure. The system also contains a passive cooling device. The system includes an independent electrical power source with a battery and solar cell to supply power to the temperature control devices and the equipment contained in the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Publication date: January 20, 2005
    Inventors: John Grisham, Michael Meadows, Leslie Perry, Alan Sallwasser
  • Patent number: 5746279
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for the removal and replacement of the used drill bit after each perforation through casing, cement, and into rock while using a flexible drive shaft. This apparatus involves both a bayonet-style "quick connector" between the flexible shaft and the drill bit and a cartridge that holds the drill bits while they await their turn to be used. The apparatus also has a means for indexing the cartridge so that the flexible shaft can have access to each of the drill bits in the cartridge. The method disclosed involves the process of connecting the flexible shaft to the drill bit at the start of the perforating process, the disconnecting of the used bit at the end of the perforation, and the indexing of the cartridge so that the next drill bit is in line with the flexible shaft for the next perforation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventors: Kenneth Havlinek, Thomas D. MacDougall, Alan Sallwasser, Miles Jaroska, Duane LaDue, Wayne A. Tyler, Mario Flores, Mark L. Hinton, Thomas D. Svoboda, Michele Tesciuba
  • Patent number: 5687806
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for applying thrust (weight on bit) to a drill bit when drilling with a flexible drilling shaft while creating perforations in a cased well. The thrust is applied directly to the drill bit instead of applying it to the drill bit through the flexible drilling shaft. A support bracket is also in contact with a piston and is in slidable contact with the tool housing. A portion of the piston is positioned inside a chamber in the housing and is slidably attached to the chamber walls. As hydraulic fluid flows into the chamber opposite the piston, the piston is forced toward the drill bit. As the piston moves toward the drill bit, force is exerted on the support bracket which causes the bracket to move toward the drill bit. This force is transferred to the drill bit during the drilling process, thereby supplying the force (weight on bit) needed by the drill bit to effectively drill through a desired material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventors: Alan Sallwasser, Kenneth Havlinek, Thomas D. MacDougall, Miles Jaroska, Duane LaDue, Wayne A. Tyler, Mario Flores, Mark L. Hinton, Thomas D. Svoboda, Michele Tesciuba
  • Patent number: 5198770
    Abstract: The apparatus includes a pad (20) pressed against the wall of a borehole (12), the pad comprising a plurality of detecting devices (42, 43, 44, 45) disposed in alignment along the longitudinal direction of the borehole. Each detecting device includes a housing (112, 113) having complementary ends fitted with electrical connectors. The end of one housing (112) is extended by first skirts (117, 118) suitable for interfitting between second skirts (121) of the complementary end of the housing (113) of an adjacent detecting device. An annular element (111) and screws (120, 122) fixed to complementary ends together thus constituting a rigid pad (20) which can be disassembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1993
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Decorps, Alain Dumont, Alan Sallwasser