Patents by Inventor Albert Augustus Mullins

Albert Augustus Mullins 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).

  • Publication number: 20030217843
    Abstract: Multiple embodiments of a system for capturing displaced fluid or adding fluid to tubulars being run into or out of the wellbore are described. Several embodiments are supported by a top drive with telescoping features to rapidly seal over a tubular to connect the tubular to a mudline. A flapper valve in one embodiment is described to keep fluid from spilling when the apparatus is removed from the tubular. In the event of a well kick, the valve can be shattered with pressure from the mudline. In another embodiment, the apparatus can be placed in sealing contact with the tubular and can incorporate a valve which can be manually closed in the event of a well kick. In yet another alternative, the incorporated valve can be automatically actuated to open as the apparatus sits on the tubular and closed as the apparatus lifts from the tubular. In yet another embodiment, sealing contact with the tubular can be obtained by simply advancing the apparatus into the tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventor: Albert Augustus Mullins
  • Publication number: 20030178192
    Abstract: A apparatus is disclosed for attaching and sealing to the upper end of the casing allowing the inner string to be run through the apparatus. The apparatus provides a latch for anchoring the inner string and a seal for sealing on the inner string. Also disclosed is a flow path for providing for circulation of fluid between the inner string and casing annulus. Also disclosed is an inner string sub that provides a profile anchoring and sealing the inner string by the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Publication date: September 25, 2003
    Inventor: Albert Augustus Mullins
  • Patent number: 6604578
    Abstract: Multiple embodiments of a system for capturing displaced fluid or adding fluid to tubulars being run into or out of the wellbore are described. Several embodiments are supported by a top drive with telescoping features to rapidly seal over a tubular to connect the tubular to a mudline. A flapper valve in one embodiment is described to keep fluid from spilling when the apparatus is removed from the tubular. In the event of a well kick, the valve can be shattered with pressure from the mudline. In another embodiment, the apparatus can be placed in sealing contact with the tubular and can incorporate a valve which can be manually closed in the event of a well kick. In yet another alternative, the incorporated valve can be automatically actuated to open as the apparatus sits on the tubular and closed as the apparatus lifts from the tubular. In yet another embodiment, sealing contact with the tubular can be obtained by simply advancing the apparatus into the tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventor: Albert Augustus Mullins
  • Publication number: 20020129934
    Abstract: A system for capturing displaced fluid or pumping fluid through tubulars being run into or out of the wellbore is described. Embodiments are supported by a traveling block and top drive unit with telescoping features to rapidly seal over a tubular to connect the tubular to a mud system. Alternative sealing arrangements for sealing inside the tubular connection are also disclosed. These alternate sealing arrangements also provide flow areas larger than the tubular body since no portion of these arrangements enter the tubular body. All of the sealing arrangements provide a biased area whereby any internal pressure in the invention forces the seals into more intimate contact with their mating seal surfaces. A mudsaver valve having a large flow capacity is described to keep fluid from spilling when the apparatus is removed from the tubular. This mudsaver valve also provides for pumping of fluid into the tubular or flow of fluid from the tubular to the mud system prior to removing the apparatus from the tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: Albert Augustus Mullins, Raul Daniel Vega
  • Patent number: 6415862
    Abstract: Multiple embodiments of a system for capturing displaced fluid or adding fluid to tubulars being run into or out of the wellbore are described. Several embodiments are supported by a top drive with telescoping features to rapidly seal over a tubular to connect the tubular to a mudline. A flapper valve in one embodiment is described to keep fluid from spilling when the apparatus is removed from the tubular. In the event of a well kick, the valve can be shattered with pressure from the mudline. In another embodiment, the apparatus can be placed in sealing contact with the tubular and can incorporate a valve which can be manually closed in the event of a well kick. In yet another alternative, the incorporated valve can be automatically actuated to open as the apparatus sits on the tubular and closed as the apparatus lifts from the tubular. In yet another embodiment, sealing contact with the tubular can be obtained by simply advancing the apparatus into the tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Inventor: Albert Augustus Mullins
  • Publication number: 20020066558
    Abstract: Multiple embodiments of a system for capturing displaced fluid or adding fluid to tubulars being run into or out of the wellbore are described. Several embodiments are supported by a top drive with telescoping features to rapidly seal over a tubular to connect the tubular to a mudline. A flapper valve in one embodiment is described to keep fluid from spilling when the apparatus is removed from the tubular. In the event of a well kick, the valve can be shattered with pressure from the mudline. In another embodiment, the apparatus can be placed in sealing contact with the tubular and can incorporate a valve which can be manually closed in the event of a well kick. In yet another alternative, the incorporated valve can be automatically actuated to open as the apparatus sits on the tubular and closed as the apparatus lifts from the tubular. In yet another embodiment, sealing contact with the tubular can be obtained by simply advancing the apparatus into the tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventor: Albert Augustus Mullins
  • Patent number: 6390190
    Abstract: Multiple embodiments of a system for capturing displaced fluid or adding fluid to tubulars being run into or out of the wellbore are described. Several embodiments are supported by a top drive with telescoping features to rapidly seal over a tubular to connect the tubular to a mudline. A flapper valve in one embodiment is described to keep fluid from spilling when the apparatus is removed from the tubular. In the event of a well kick, the valve can be shattered with pressure from the mudline. In another embodiment, the apparatus can be placed in sealing contact with the tubular and can incorporate a valve which can be manually closed in the event of a well kick. In yet another alternative, the incorporated valve can be automatically actuated to open as the apparatus sits on the tubular and closed as the apparatus lifts from the tubular. In yet another embodiment, sealing contact with the tubular can be obtained by simply advancing the apparatus into the tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Offshore Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Albert Augustus Mullins
  • Publication number: 20020053427
    Abstract: Multiple embodiments of a system for capturing displaced fluid or adding fluid to tubulars being run into or out of the wellbore are described. Several embodiments are supported by a top drive with telescoping features to rapidly seal over a tubular to connect the tubular to a mudline. A flapper valve in one embodiment is described to keep fluid from spilling when the apparatus is removed from the tubular. In the event of a well kick, the valve can be shattered with pressure from the mudline. In another embodiment, the apparatus can be placed in sealing contact with the tubular and can incorporate a valve which can be manually closed in the event of a well kick. In yet another alternative, the incorporated valve can be automatically actuated to open as the apparatus sits on the tubular and closed as the apparatus lifts from the tubular. In yet another embodiment, sealing contact with the tubular can be obtained by simply advancing the apparatus into the tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Publication date: May 9, 2002
    Inventor: Albert Augustus Mullins
  • Publication number: 20010011589
    Abstract: Multiple embodiments of a system for capturing displaced fluid or adding fluid to tubulars being run into or out of the wellbore are described. Several embodiments are supported by a top drive with telescoping features to rapidly seal over a tubular to connect the tubular to a mudline. A flapper valve in one embodiment is described to keep fluid from spilling when the apparatus is removed from the tubular. In the event of a well kick, the valve can be shattered with pressure from the mudline. In another embodiment, the apparatus can be placed in sealing contact with the tubular and can incorporate a valve which can be manually closed in the event of a well kick. In yet another alternative, the incorporated valve can be automatically actuated to open as the apparatus sits on the tubular and closed as the apparatus lifts from the tubular. In yet another embodiment, sealing contact with the tubular can be obtained by simply advancing the apparatus into the tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Publication date: August 9, 2001
    Inventor: ALBERT AUGUSTUS MULLINS
  • Patent number: 6176318
    Abstract: An actuator apparatus for actuating a downhole well tool according to which a housing extends in the well and a tool to be actuated is disposed in the housing. A drive member is connected to the tool for operating the tool, and an actuator system is disposed in the housing and is normally connected to the drive member for driving the drive member and operating the tool. In the event the actuator system fails, an additional actuator system is disposed in the housing and is adapted to be connected to the drive member for also driving the drive member and operating the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Keith Drakeley, Albert Augustus Mullins, II, Richard M. Wilde
  • Patent number: 6173777
    Abstract: A casing or tubular fill and circulator assembly is indicated, wherein a singular valve is used for filling and circulating the casing as well as providing for pressure equalization when the singular valve is in the open position. The valve is constructed so that it is opened upon being inserted into the upper end of the casing. For filling the casing, only the valve is inserted into the upper end of the casing whereupon the valve is fully opened so that fluid can be pumped into the casing without a pressure drop or erosion of any of the valve members. For circulation, the apparatus is advanced further into the casing until a cup seal closes off the top of the casing. Once flow is initiated in that condition, internal pressure in the casing, at very low applied pressures, will begin the circulation through the casing. With the valve in the fully open position, erosive effects from flow are eliminated during filling and circulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: Albert Augustus Mullins
  • Patent number: 5971079
    Abstract: A casing fill and circulator assembly is disclosed. The fill valve is constructed so that the valve member moves out of the main flowpath when the valve is in the open position. The valve is constructed so that flow opens it and the majority of the pressure drop is taken in an area other than the interface between the valve member and the seat. For circulation, the apparatus is advanced further into the casing until a cup seal closes off the top of the casing. Once flow is initiated in that condition, internal pressure in the casing, at very low applied pressures, opens a circulation valve and closes the fill valve so that circulation through the casing is accomplished through the circulation valve while bypassing the fill valve. Erosive effects from flow on the fill valve are thus eliminated during circulation. An alternative dual-function valve in a circulator/filling apparatus is also disclosed where a control system senses applied pressure in the apparatus and opens the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventor: Albert Augustus Mullins
  • Patent number: 5831156
    Abstract: A downhole, modular, well-monitoring and control system is disclosed for use as a stand alone system capable of being left unconnected to the surface in a cased and completed well borehole. Annular shaped interchangeably connected modules, each having a centrally located fluid flow pathway through them, are connected in end to end relationship to each other. Seating modules, sensor and flow control modules, power supply modules and other modules form the functional basis for a complete stand alone downhole system to monitor and control production in multiple zone completed wells. The system may be interrogated and reprogrammed from the surface without removing modules from the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Inventor: Albert Augustus Mullins