Patents by Inventor Brad R. Bull

Brad R. Bull 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: 11255475
    Abstract: A connector can include multiple circumferentially distributed engagement structures which clamp two hubs together, and a biasing device which biases the engagement structures toward an open configuration thereof, in which the hubs are separable from each other. Another connector can include multiple circumferentially distributed engagement structures, each having a recess which receives hubs therein, and a sleeve which encircles the engagement structures and prevents the engagement structures from displacing radially outward from an open configuration thereof, in which the hubs are separable from each other. A method of making a connection to a wellhead can include applying pressure to a connector, thereby allowing multiple circumferentially distributed engagement structures to displace outward to an open configuration thereof, and displacing one hub of the connector into contact with another hub secured to the wellhead, the engagement structures axially aligning the hubs during the displacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad R. Bull, William D. Kendrick
  • Publication number: 20180372254
    Abstract: A connector can include multiple circumferentially distributed engagement structures which clamp two hubs together, and a biasing device which biases the engagement structures toward an open configuration thereof, in which the hubs are separable from each other. Another connector can include multiple circumferentially distributed engagement structures, each having a recess which receives hubs therein, and a sleeve which encircles the engagement structures and prevents the engagement structures from displacing radially outward from an open configuration thereof, in which the hubs are separable from each other. A method of making a connection to a wellhead can include applying pressure to a connector, thereby allowing multiple circumferentially distributed engagement structures to displace outward to an open configuration thereof, and displacing one hub of the connector into contact with another hub secured to the wellhead, the engagement structures axially aligning the hubs during the displacing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Brad R. Bull, William D. Kendrick
  • Publication number: 20180298713
    Abstract: A connector adapter for use with a subterranean well includes a generally cylindrical body defining a coaxial passage therethrough, a connector end at one end of the cylindrical body, the connector end having external threads and configured to connect the cylindrical body to a remote connector, and an equipment end at another end of the cylindrical body, the equipment end having external threads and configured to connect the cylindrical body to well equipment. The remote connector comprises multiple circumferentially distributed engagement structures which clamp directly together first and second radially enlarged hubs and a biasing device which biases the engagement structures toward an open configuration thereof in which the second hub is separable from the first hub. This allows the well equipment to be connected to the wellhead without worker intervention and while a second well operation is being performed near the wellhead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Brad R. Bull, William D. Kendrick, Richard D. Housden
  • Patent number: 10094501
    Abstract: A connector can include multiple circumferentially distributed engagement structures which clamp two hubs together, and a biasing device which biases the engagement structures toward an open configuration thereof, in which the hubs are separable from each other. Another connector can include multiple circumferentially distributed engagement structures, each having a recess which receives hubs therein, and a sleeve which encircles the engagement structures and prevents the engagement structures from displacing radially outward from an open configuration thereof, in which the hubs are separable from each other. A method of making a connection to a wellhead can include applying pressure to a connector, thereby allowing multiple circumferentially distributed engagement structures to displace outward to an open configuration thereof, and displacing one hub of the connector into contact with another hub secured to the wellhead, the engagement structures axially aligning the hubs during the displacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad R. Bull, William D. Kendrick
  • Publication number: 20150069755
    Abstract: A connector can include multiple circumferentially distributed engagement structures which clamp two hubs together, and a biasing device which biases the engagement structures toward an open configuration thereof, in which the hubs are separable from each other. Another connector can include multiple circumferentially distributed engagement structures, each having a recess which receives hubs therein, and a sleeve which encircles the engagement structures and prevents the engagement structures from displacing radially outward from an open configuration thereof, in which the hubs are separable from each other. A method of making a connection to a wellhead can include applying pressure to a connector, thereby allowing multiple circumferentially distributed engagement structures to displace outward to an open configuration thereof, and displacing one hub of the connector into contact with another hub secured to the wellhead, the engagement structures axially aligning the hubs during the displacing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Brad R. BULL, William D. KENDRICK
  • Patent number: 8727004
    Abstract: Methods relating to servicing fluids that comprise gelled liquefied petroleum gas or servicing fluids that comprise a conventional gelled hydrocarbon fluid with liquefied petroleum gas are provided. In one embodiment, the methods of the present invention comprise providing a LPG servicing fluid comprising LPG and a gelling agent; pressurizing the LPG servicing fluid with one or more high-pressure pumps; introducing proppant particulates into at least a portion of the LPG servicing fluid using one or more high pressure pumps; and introducing the LPG servicing fluid comprising proppant particulates into at least a portion of a subterranean formation at a rate and pressure sufficient to create or enhance at least one or more fractures therein. In one embodiment, a gelling agent may be metered into the LPG on-the-fly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad R. Bull, David M. Stribling, Calvin L. Stegemoeller, Leonard R. Case, Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Gary P. Funkhouser
  • Patent number: 8151885
    Abstract: A wellbore servicing apparatus, comprising an inlet space, a central space adjacent and in fluid communication with the inlet space along a central axis, a dome space adjacent and in fluid communication with the central space along the central axis, and a plurality of channels adjacent to and in fluid communication with the dome space, wherein the plurality of channels are radially spaced about the central axis, and wherein a channel axis of the at least one of the plurality of channels is incident the central axis by less than ninety degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Inc.
    Inventors: Brad R. Bull, Ivan L. Blanco, Kenneth G. Neal
  • Publication number: 20100263872
    Abstract: A wellbore servicing apparatus, comprising an inlet space, a central space adjacent and in fluid communication with the inlet space along a central axis, a dome space adjacent and in fluid communication with the central space along the central axis, and a plurality of channels adjacent to and in fluid communication with the dome space, wherein the plurality of channels are radially spaced about the central axis, and wherein a channel axis of the at least one of the plurality of channels is incident the central axis by less than ninety degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad R. Bull, Ivan L. Blanco, Kenneth G. Neal
  • Publication number: 20090301719
    Abstract: Methods relating to servicing fluids that comprise gelled liquefied petroleum gas or servicing fluids that comprise a conventional gelled hydrocarbon fluid with liquefied petroleum gas are provided. In one embodiment, the methods of the present invention comprise providing a LPG servicing fluid comprising LPG and a gelling agent; pressurizing the LPG servicing fluid with one or more high-pressure pumps; introducing proppant particulates into at least a portion of the LPG servicing fluid using one or more high pressure pumps; and introducing the LPG servicing fluid comprising proppant particulates into at least a portion of a subterranean formation at a rate and pressure sufficient to create or enhance at least one or more fractures therein. In one embodiment, a gelling agent may be metered into the LPG on-the-fly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Brad R. Bull, David M. Stribling, Calvin L. Stegemoeller, Leonard R. Case, Ronald G. Dusterhoft, Gary P. Funkhouser
  • Publication number: 20090301725
    Abstract: A method of injecting a fracturing fluid may include pressurizing a first fluid with clean high-pressure pumps, joining proppant with the pressurized first fluid to form a fracturing fluid, and moving the fracturing fluid to a wellhead and downhole into a formation for fracturing. A pump may pressurize the proppant without the proppant passing therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Leonard Case, Roy D. Daussin, Calvin L. Stegemoeller, David M. Stribling, Brad R. Bull, Matthew W. Oehler
  • Patent number: 7059424
    Abstract: An apparatus for rotating a threaded tightening device includes a guide and an anvil utilized to impact a lug on the threaded tightening device to rotate the tightening device onto or off of a threaded member. The guide has a frame with a support sleeve attached thereto. A reciprocating device is received in and is supported by the support sleeve. The anvil is attached to the reciprocating device. When the reciprocating device is received in and is supported by the support sleeve, actuation of the reciprocating device will cause the anvil to repeatedly impact a lug to rotate the threaded tightening device in the desired direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Halliuburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth G. Neal, Paul A. Brown, William D. Kendrick, Todd J. Dean, Brad R. Bull