Patents by Inventor Arlen R. Schmalz

Arlen R. Schmalz 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: 6176307
    Abstract: After installing an inventive tool attached to production tubing in a well, the well can be gravel packed without the use of a well intervention unit. The tool isolates a productive interval and diverts tubing-conveyed sand slurry towards an annular location by means of a port and an openable passageway restrictor. The entraining fluid component of the diverted sand slurry in the annular location is allowed to re-enter the production tubing through a first screen while the separated sand drops to the annular location to be packed in an axial direction. Rupture of a plug then allows the separated sand to be packed in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2001
    Assignee: Union Oil Company of California
    Inventors: Joe C. Danos, Arlen R. Schmalz