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).
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Patent number: 11788376Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 17, 2022Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: DOWNING WELLHEAD EQUIPMENT, LLCInventors: Ronnie B. Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon, Joel H. Young, Brian A. Baker, Austin C. Johnson
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Publication number: 20230288010Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2023Publication date: September 14, 2023Inventors: Austin C. Johnson, Tim Marvel, Kyle Schultz
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Publication number: 20230243249Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2023Publication date: August 3, 2023Inventors: Austin C. Johnson, Kyle Schultz, Ronnie Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon, Justin Robinson, Barton Hickie
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Patent number: 11655926Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 2, 2022Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: DOWNING WELLHEAD EQUIPMENT, LLCInventors: Austin C. Johnson, Tim Marvel, Kyle Schultz
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Publication number: 20230065605Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2022Publication date: March 2, 2023Inventors: Ronnie B. Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon, Joel H. Young, Brian A. Baker, Austin C. Johnson
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Patent number: 11591889Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 25, 2022Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: DOWNING WELLHEAD EQUIPMENT, LLCInventors: Austin C. Johnson, Kyle Schultz, Ronnie Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon, Justin Robinson, Barton Hickie
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Publication number: 20220356794Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2022Publication date: November 10, 2022Inventors: Austin C. Johnson, Kyle Schultz, Ronnie Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon, Justin Robinson, Barton Hickie
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Patent number: 11396799Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 10, 2021Date of Patent: July 26, 2022Assignee: DOWNING WELLHEAD EQUIPMENT, LLCInventors: Austin C. Johnson, Kyle Schultz, Ronnie Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon, Justin Robinson, Barton Hickie
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Publication number: 20220154866Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2022Publication date: May 19, 2022Inventors: Austin C. Johnson, Tim Marvel, Kyle Schultz
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Publication number: 20220098964Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2021Publication date: March 31, 2022Inventors: Austin C. Johnson, Kyle Schultz, Ronnie Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon, Justin Robinson, Barton Hickie
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Patent number: 11242950Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 10, 2019Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: Downing Wellhead Equipment, LLCInventors: Austin C. Johnson, Tim Marvel, Kyle Schultz
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Publication number: 20200386359Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2019Publication date: December 10, 2020Applicant: Downing Wellhead Equipment, LLCInventors: Austin C. Johnson, Tim Marvel, Kyle Schultz
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Patent number: 10689938Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 10, 2018Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: Downing Wellhead Equipment, LLCInventors: Ronnie B. Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon, Joel H. Young, Brian A. Baker, Austin C. Johnson
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Publication number: 20190186226Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2018Publication date: June 20, 2019Inventors: Ronnie B. Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon, Joel H. Young, Brian A. Baker, Austin C. Johnson