Patents by Inventor Austin C. Johnson

Austin C. Johnson 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: 11788376
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus according to which a first valve is opened, or kept open, the first valve being part of a wellhead including a flow component above the first valve. The method may further include detecting a state of the first valve and, in response to detecting the state of the first valve, metering an amount of grease to the first valve. In addition, or instead, the method may further include opening, or keeping open, a second valve, the second valve being operably coupled to the wellhead and positioned above the flow component, and, after opening, or keeping open, each of the first and second valves, detecting whether the second valve is open or closed, in response to detecting that the second valve is open, preventing the first valve from being closed, and in response to detecting that the second valve is closed, allowing the first valve to be closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: DOWNING WELLHEAD EQUIPMENT, LLC
    Inventors: Ronnie B. Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon, Joel H. Young, Brian A. Baker, Austin C. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20230288010
    Abstract: A system that permits fracturing pumps such as, for example, at least first and second fracturing pumps, each carried on a truck, to be connected to, and disconnected from, respective connection points on a fracturing manifold while fracturing fluid in the fracturing manifold is at pressure, in certain instances at or near fracturing pressure, and/or while other(s) of the fracturing pumps are being operated to pump fracturing fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Austin C. Johnson, Tim Marvel, Kyle Schultz
  • Publication number: 20230243249
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system according to which a discharge manifold is pressurized by at least a first fracturing pump, said discharge manifold being adapted to communicate pressurized fluid to an oil and gas wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Austin C. Johnson, Kyle Schultz, Ronnie Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon, Justin Robinson, Barton Hickie
  • Patent number: 11655926
    Abstract: A system that permits fracturing pumps such as, for example, at least first and second fracturing pumps, each carried on a truck, to be connected to, and disconnected from, respective connection points on a fracturing manifold while fracturing fluid in the fracturing manifold is at pressure, in certain instances at or near fracturing pressure, and/or while other(s) of the fracturing pumps are being operated to pump fracturing fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: DOWNING WELLHEAD EQUIPMENT, LLC
    Inventors: Austin C. Johnson, Tim Marvel, Kyle Schultz
  • Publication number: 20230065605
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus according to which a first valve is opened, or kept open, the first valve being part of a wellhead including a flow component above the first valve. The method may further include detecting a state of the first valve and, in response to detecting the state of the first valve, metering an amount of grease to the first valve. In addition, or instead, the method may further include opening, or keeping open, a second valve, the second valve being operably coupled to the wellhead and positioned above the flow component, and, after opening, or keeping open, each of the first and second valves, detecting whether the second valve is open or closed, in response to detecting that the second valve is open, preventing the first valve from being closed, and in response to detecting that the second valve is closed, allowing the first valve to be closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Ronnie B. Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon, Joel H. Young, Brian A. Baker, Austin C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11591889
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system according to which a discharge manifold is pressurized by at least a first fracturing pump, said discharge manifold being adapted to communicate pressurized fluid to an oil and gas wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: DOWNING WELLHEAD EQUIPMENT, LLC
    Inventors: Austin C. Johnson, Kyle Schultz, Ronnie Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon, Justin Robinson, Barton Hickie
  • Publication number: 20220356794
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system according to which a discharge manifold is pressurized by at least a first fracturing pump, said discharge manifold being adapted to communicate pressurized fluid to an oil and gas wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Austin C. Johnson, Kyle Schultz, Ronnie Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon, Justin Robinson, Barton Hickie
  • Patent number: 11396799
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system according to which a swap adapter is connected to a swap station while a discharge manifold is pressurized by at least a first fracturing pump, said discharge manifold being adapted to communicate pressurized fluid to an oil and gas wellbore. The swap adapter is connected to a second fracturing pump via a first suction conduit and a first discharge conduit. The swap station is connected to a suction manifold via a second suction conduit. The swap station is connected to the discharge manifold via a second discharge conduit. After connecting the swap adapter to the swap station, and while the discharge manifold remains pressurized by at least the first fracturing pump: fluid is drawn from the suction manifold using the second fracturing pump; and pressurized fluid is discharged into the discharge manifold using the second fracturing pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: DOWNING WELLHEAD EQUIPMENT, LLC
    Inventors: Austin C. Johnson, Kyle Schultz, Ronnie Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon, Justin Robinson, Barton Hickie
  • Publication number: 20220154866
    Abstract: A pump connection point to a fracturing manifold includes a valve configured to isolate the fracturing manifold from an outside fluid source. A connector is attached to the valve opposite the well fracturing manifold. A guide is attached to the connector. The guide configured to align a fluid line to mate with the connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Austin C. Johnson, Tim Marvel, Kyle Schultz
  • Publication number: 20220098964
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system according to which a swap adapter is connected to a swap station while a discharge manifold is pressurized by at least a first fracturing pump, said discharge manifold being adapted to communicate pressurized fluid to an oil and gas wellbore. The swap adapter is connected to a second fracturing pump via a first suction conduit and a first discharge conduit. The swap station is connected to a suction manifold via a second suction conduit. The swap station is connected to the discharge manifold via a second discharge conduit. After connecting the swap adapter to the swap station, and while the discharge manifold remains pressurized by at least the first fracturing pump: fluid is drawn from the suction manifold using the second fracturing pump; and pressurized fluid is discharged into the discharge manifold using the second fracturing pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Inventors: Austin C. Johnson, Kyle Schultz, Ronnie Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon, Justin Robinson, Barton Hickie
  • Patent number: 11242950
    Abstract: A pump connection point to a fracturing manifold includes a valve configured to isolate the fracturing manifold from an outside fluid source. A connector is attached to the valve opposite the well fracturing manifold. A guide is attached to the connector. The guide configured to align a fluid line to mate with the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Downing Wellhead Equipment, LLC
    Inventors: Austin C. Johnson, Tim Marvel, Kyle Schultz
  • Publication number: 20200386359
    Abstract: A pump connection point to a fracturing manifold includes a valve configured to isolate the fracturing manifold from an outside fluid source. A connector is attached to the valve opposite the well fracturing manifold. A guide is attached to the connector. The guide configured to align a fluid line to mate with the connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Applicant: Downing Wellhead Equipment, LLC
    Inventors: Austin C. Johnson, Tim Marvel, Kyle Schultz
  • Patent number: 10689938
    Abstract: While a fracturing stack on a well is at fracturing pressure, receiving a perforating string in a section of the center bore of the fracturing stack. The section is a section above a fracturing head of the fracturing stack. While the fracturing stack is at fracturing pressure, sealing the section of the center bore to maintain a fracturing pressure in and below the fracturing head. Equalizing pressure in the section to atmospheric pressure. Receiving, at atmospheric pressure, a well drop in the section. Equalizing pressure in the section to pressure in the fracturing stack below the section. Releasing the well drop into the center bore of the fracturing head and to the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Downing Wellhead Equipment, LLC
    Inventors: Ronnie B. Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon, Joel H. Young, Brian A. Baker, Austin C. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20190186226
    Abstract: While a fracturing stack on a well is at fracturing pressure, receiving a perforating string in a section of the center bore of the fracturing stack. The section is a section above a fracturing head of the fracturing stack. While the fracturing stack is at fracturing pressure, sealing the section of the center bore to maintain a fracturing pressure in and below the fracturing head. Equalizing pressure in the section to atmospheric pressure. Receiving, at atmospheric pressure, a well drop in the section. Equalizing pressure in the section to pressure in the fracturing stack below the section. Releasing the well drop into the center bore of the fracturing head and to the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Ronnie B. Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon, Joel H. Young, Brian A. Baker, Austin C. Johnson