Patents by Inventor Andrew Leitch
Andrew Leitch 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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Publication number: 20200173267Abstract: A downhole apparatus comprising a body configured to be coupled to a production tubular and an upper opening and a lower opening. First and second flow paths are provided between the upper opening and the lower opening in the body, and a flow diverter is arranged to direct downward flow through the body towards the second flow path and away from the first flow path. A filter device in the second flow path filters or collects solid particles in the second flow path from passing out of the lower opening of the apparatus. The apparatus has particular application to artificial lift hydrocarbon production systems, and may be installed above a downhole pump in a production tubing to prevent solids from settling on the pump during pump shutdown. Embodiments for use with ESPs and PCPs are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2020Publication date: June 4, 2020Inventor: ANDREW LEITCH
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Patent number: 10584571Abstract: A downhole apparatus comprising a body configured to be coupled to a production tubular and an upper opening and a lower opening. First and second flow paths are provided between the upper opening and the lower opening in the body, and a flow diverter is arranged to direct downward flow through the body towards the second flow path and away from the first flow path. A filter device in the second flow path filters or collects solid particles in the second flow path from passing out of the lower opening of the apparatus. The apparatus has particular application to artificial lift hydrocarbon production systems, and may be installed above a downhole pump in a production tubing to prevent solids from settling on the pump during pump shutdown. Embodiments for use with ESPs and PCPs are described.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2018Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: Forum US, Inc.Inventor: Andrew Leitch
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Publication number: 20190029687Abstract: A downhole apparatus comprising a body configured to be coupled to a production tubular and an upper opening and a lower opening. First and second flow paths are provided between the upper opening and the lower opening in the body, and a flow diverter is arranged to direct downward flow through the body towards the second flow path and away from the first flow path. A filter device in the second flow path filters or collects solid particles in the second flow path from passing out of the lower opening of the apparatus. The apparatus has particular application to artificial lift hydrocarbon production systems, and may be installed above a downhole pump in a production tubing to prevent solids from settling on the pump during pump shutdown. Embodiments for use with ESPs and PCPs are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2018Publication date: January 31, 2019Inventor: Andrew LEITCH
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Patent number: 10132151Abstract: A downhole apparatus comprising a body configured to be coupled to a production tubular and an upper opening and a lower opening. First and second flow paths are provided between the upper opening and the lower opening in the body, and a flow diverter is arranged to direct downward flow through the body towards the second flow path and away from the first flow path. A filter device in the second flow path filters or collects solid particles in the second flow path from passing out of the lower opening of the apparatus. The apparatus has particular application to artificial lift hydrocarbon production systems, and may be installed above a downhole pump in a production tubing to prevent solids from settling on the pump during pump shutdown. Embodiments for use with ESPs and PCPs are described.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2016Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: FORUM US, INC.Inventor: Andrew Leitch
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Patent number: 10132152Abstract: A downhole apparatus comprising a body configured to be coupled to a production tubular and an upper opening and a lower opening. First and second flow paths are provided between the upper opening and the lower opening in the body, and a flow diverter is arranged to direct downward flow through the body towards the second flow path and away from the first flow path. A filter device in the second flow path filters or collects solid particles in the second flow path from passing out of the lower opening of the apparatus. The apparatus has particular application to artificial lift hydrocarbon production systems, and may be installed above a downhole pump in a production tubing to prevent solids from settling on the pump during pump shutdown. Embodiments for use with ESPs and PCPs are described.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2018Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: FORUM US, INC.Inventor: Andrew Leitch
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Publication number: 20180266232Abstract: A downhole apparatus comprising a body configured to be coupled to a production tubular and an upper opening and a lower opening. First and second flow paths are provided between the upper opening and the lower opening in the body, and a flow diverter is arranged to direct downward flow through the body towards the second flow path and away from the first flow path. A filter device in the second flow path filters or collects solid particles in the second flow path from passing out of the lower opening of the apparatus. The apparatus has particular application to artificial lift hydrocarbon production systems, and may be installed above a downhole pump in a production tubing to prevent solids from settling on the pump during pump shutdown. Embodiments for use with ESPs and PCPs are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2018Publication date: September 20, 2018Inventor: ANDREW LEITCH
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Publication number: 20160341026Abstract: A downhole apparatus comprising a body configured to be coupled to a production tubular and an upper opening and a lower opening. First and second flow paths are provided between the upper opening and the lower opening in the body, and a flow diverter is arranged to direct downward flow through the body towards the second flow path and away from the first flow path. A filter device in the second flow path filters or collects solid particles in the second flow path from passing out of the lower opening of the apparatus. The apparatus has particular application to artificial lift hydrocarbon production systems, and may be installed above a downhole pump in a production tubing to prevent solids from settling on the pump during pump shutdown. Embodiments for use with ESPs and PCPs are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2016Publication date: November 24, 2016Inventor: ANDREW LEITCH
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Patent number: 9441435Abstract: A downhole apparatus comprising a body (12) configured to be coupled to a production tubular and an upper opening and a lower opening. First (28a) and second (28b) flow paths are provided between the upper opening (22) and the lower opening (24) in the body, and a flow diverter (34) is arranged to direct downward flow through the body towards the second flow path and away from the first flow path. A filter device (31) in the second flow path filters or collects solid particles in the second flow path from passing out of the lower opening of the apparatus. The apparatus has particular application to artificial lift hydrocarbon production systems, and may be installed above a down-hole pump in a production tubing to prevent solids from settling on the pump during pump shutdown. Embodiments for use with ESPs and PCPs are described.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2011Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: MULTILIFT WELLBORE TECHNOLOGY LIMITEDInventor: Andrew Leitch
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Publication number: 20140014358Abstract: A downhole apparatus comprising a body (12) configured to be coupled to a production tubular and an upper opening and a lower opening. First (28a) and second (28b) flow paths are provided between the upper opening (22) and the lower opening (24) in the body, and a flow diverter (34) is arranged to direct downward flow through the body towards the second flow path and away from the first flow path. A filter device (31) in the second flow path filters or collects solid particles in the second flow path from passing out of the lower opening of the apparatus. The apparatus has particular application to artificial lift hydrocarbon production systems, and may be installed above a down-hole pump in a production tubing to prevent solids from settling on the pump during pump shutdown. Embodiments for use with ESPs and PCPs are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2011Publication date: January 16, 2014Applicant: ENIGMA OILFIELD PRODUCTS LIMITEDInventor: Andrew Leitch
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Patent number: 8353352Abstract: A switch mechanism is provided for inclusion in a downhole production string located in a wellbore. The switch mechanism includes an electrical power input and at least two electrical power outputs. In addition, the switch mechanism includes an actuator mechanism which is capable of being actuated from a position remote from the wellbore to selectively move between at least two positions. The movement thereby provides a selective electrical connection between the input and one of the outputs when the actuator is in one of the at least two positions.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2009Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: RMSpumptools LimitedInventor: Andrew Leitch
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Patent number: 8104540Abstract: A differential pressure operated blanking tool includes a Y-tool having first and second limbs connected together via a throat. A ball valve is selectively positionable to close one or other limb of the Y-tube against fluid flow. A housing has an opening in one side thereof of a size sufficient to allow the hall to pass through, and an actuator mounted on the second limb and in the housing wherein fluid flow within the tool carries the ball valve through the opening in the housing to a position where the second limb is closed against bias of the actuator. When the fluid flow is removed, the actuator operates to force the ball valve out of engagement with the second limb whereupon the ball passes through the opening in the housing towards the first limb.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2009Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Pump Tools LimitedInventor: Andrew Leitch
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Patent number: 7900707Abstract: An apparatus and a method for selectively controlling fluid flow. The apparatus includes a body member having a throughbore formed therein. The apparatus also includes at least one bypass port formed in the body member and a rotatable member arranged for insertion and rotation within the throughbore of the body member. The rotatable member in the throughbore creates first and second annular portions. The apparatus further comprises a moveable member, wherein the moveable member is moveable between a first configuration which defines a first fluid flow path between the first and second annular portions and a second configuration which defines a second fluid flow path between the first annular portion and the at least one bypass port. The moveable member is typically moveable between the first and second configurations in response to fluid flow along the first fluid flow path.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2007Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Rmspumptools LimitedInventors: Paul Shotter, Andrew Leitch
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Publication number: 20090200034Abstract: A differential pressure operated blanking tool comprises a Y-tool (2) having first and second limbs (4, 5) connected together via a throat (6) and a ball valve (9) selectively positionable to close one or other limb of the Y-tube against fluid flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2009Publication date: August 13, 2009Applicant: Pump Tools LimitedInventor: Andrew Leitch
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Publication number: 20090183870Abstract: A switch mechanism is provided for inclusion in a downhole production string located in a wellbore. The switch mechanism includes an electrical power input and at least two electrical power outputs. In addition, the switch mechanism includes an actuator mechanism which is capable of being actuated from a position remote from the wellbore to selectively move between at least two positions. The movement thereby provides a selective electrical connection between the input and one of the outputs when the actuator is in one of the at least two positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2009Publication date: July 23, 2009Applicant: Pump Tools LimitedInventor: Andrew Leitch
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Publication number: 20080041477Abstract: An apparatus for selectively controlling fluid flow. The apparatus includes a body member having a throughbore formed therein. The apparatus also includes at least one bypass port formed in the body member and a rotatable member arranged for insertion and rotation within the throughbore of the body member. The rotatable member in the throughbore creates first and second annular portions. The apparatus further comprises a moveable member, wherein the moveable member is moveable between a first configuration which defines a first fluid flow path between the first and second annular portions and a second configuration which defines a second fluid flow path between the first annular portion and the at least one bypass port. The moveable member is typically moveable between the first and second configurations in response to fluid flow along the first fluid flow path.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2007Publication date: February 21, 2008Applicant: PUMP TOOLS LIMITEDInventors: Paul Shotter, Andrew Leitch
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Patent number: 6931503Abstract: The invention is a storage device (1) for a host computer system. The device (1) incorporates a Supervisor function for controlling access to information stored in a storage medium (2) of the device. The main embodiment described is a hard disk drive (1) comprising: one or more disk platters (2) for storing information; a ROM (4) for storing firmware for controlling operation of the drive; a volatile RAM (5); a micro-controller (7) for controlling the transfer of information to and from the disk platter(s) (2); and an interface (6) for interfacing the drive (1) with the host computer system and via which information is transferred to and from the disk platter(s) (2) under the control of the micro-controller (7). A Supervisor is provided in the form of firmware which is preferably stored in the ROM (4), the Supervisor operating the micro-controller (7) so as to protect information stored on the disk platter(s).Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 1999Date of Patent: August 16, 2005Assignee: Sirkon LimitedInventors: David Shepherd Stewart Robb, Victor Andrew Leitch, Richard Samuel Bailie