Patents by Inventor Brett A. Fears

Brett A. Fears 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).

  • Publication number: 20250027369
    Abstract: A positive displacement fluid motor can include a stator and a rotor. The stator can include a housing with opposite end connections that are the same. A method can include deploying a fluid motor into a well, operating the fluid motor by flowing fluid between a rotor and a stator of the fluid motor, retrieving the fluid motor from the well, and then reversing the stator on the rotor. Another positive displacement fluid motor can include a stator housing configured to receive a rotor into one end connection, and configured to receive the rotor into an opposite end connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2024
    Publication date: January 23, 2025
    Inventors: Roger L. SCHUTLZ, Brett A. FEARS
  • Publication number: 20250020025
    Abstract: A positive displacement fluid motor can include a stator and a rotor. The stator can include a housing with opposite end connections that are the same. A method can include deploying a fluid motor into a well, operating the fluid motor by flowing fluid between a rotor and a stator of the fluid motor, retrieving the fluid motor from the well, and then reversing the stator on the rotor. Another positive displacement fluid motor can include a stator housing configured to receive a rotor into one end connection, and configured to receive the rotor into an opposite end connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2023
    Publication date: January 16, 2025
    Inventors: Roger L. SCHULTZ, Brett A. FEARS
  • Patent number: 12146378
    Abstract: A method of dispensing a plug can include deploying the plug into a tubular string including a plug dispenser tool, and applying a pressure differential across the plug, thereby discharging the plug into an annulus surrounding the plug dispenser tool. A plug dispenser tool can include an outer housing having a plug discharge port that provides fluid communication between an exterior of the outer housing and a flow passage extending longitudinally through the plug dispenser tool, and a piston slidably disposed in the outer housing between a closed position in which the piston blocks fluid flow through the plug discharge port, and an open position in which fluid flow through the plug discharge port is permitted. A system can include a plug dispenser tool configured to discharge the plug into an annulus surrounding the plug dispenser tool in response to a predetermined pressure differential applied across the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: THRU TUBING SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: James C. Tucker, Roger L. Schultz, Brett A. Fears, Gary P. Funkhouser
  • Publication number: 20240337167
    Abstract: A method of dispensing a plug can include deploying the plug into a tubular string including a plug dispenser tool, and applying a pressure differential across the plug, thereby discharging the plug into an annulus surrounding the plug dispenser tool. A plug dispenser tool can include an outer housing having a plug discharge port that provides fluid communication between an exterior of the outer housing and a flow passage extending longitudinally through the plug dispenser tool, and a piston slidably disposed in the outer housing between a closed position in which the piston blocks fluid flow through the plug discharge port, and an open position in which fluid flow through the plug discharge port is permitted. A system can include a plug dispenser tool configured to discharge the plug into an annulus surrounding the plug dispenser tool in response to a predetermined pressure differential applied across the plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2023
    Publication date: October 10, 2024
    Inventors: James C. TUCKER, Roger L. SCHULTZ, Brett A. FEARS, Gary P. FUNKHOUSER
  • Patent number: 11753901
    Abstract: A fluid pulse generator can include a fluid motor including a rotor that rotates in response to fluid flow, a variable flow restrictor positioned upstream of the fluid motor and including a restrictor member rotatable relative to a ported member and longitudinally displaceable relative to the rotor. Another fluid pulse generator can include a flex joint or a constant velocity joint connected between the restrictor member and the rotor. In another fluid pulse generator, the variable flow restrictor can include a valve and a fluidic restrictor element, the valve being operable in response to rotation of the rotor, the fluidic restrictor element being configured to generate fluid pulses in response to the fluid flow through a flow path, and the valve being configured to control the fluid flow through another flow path connected in parallel with the first flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: THRU TUBING SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Roger L. Schultz, Andrew M. Ferguson, Timothy Manke, Brett A. Fears
  • Publication number: 20230101951
    Abstract: A rotary actuator assembly can include a fluid motor with a rotor that displaces with hypocyclic precessional motion within a stator in response to fluid flow through the fluid motor, and a gear reducer section including an input gear that is fixed relative to the rotor and displaces with the hypocyclic precessional motion relative to an output gear. Another rotary actuator assembly can include a fluid motor with a rotor having a central longitudinal axis that rotates about a central longitudinal axis of a stator, and a gear reducer section including an input gear that rotates with the rotor and displaces relative to an output gear, and the input gear having the same central longitudinal axis as the rotor. A well system can include at least two fluid motors, and fluid flow through one fluid motor causes rotation of the other fluid motor in the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Roger L. SCHULTZ, Brock W. WATSON, Brett FEARS
  • Patent number: 11560756
    Abstract: A rotary actuator assembly can include a fluid motor with a rotor that displaces with hypocyclic precessional motion within a stator in response to fluid flow through the fluid motor, and a gear reducer section including an input gear that is fixed relative to the rotor and displaces with the hypocyclic precessional motion relative to an output gear. Another rotary actuator assembly can include a fluid motor with a rotor having a central longitudinal axis that rotates about a central longitudinal axis of a stator, and a gear reducer section including an input gear that rotates with the rotor and displaces relative to an output gear, and the input gear having the same central longitudinal axis as the rotor. A well system can include at least two fluid motors, and fluid flow through one fluid motor causes rotation of the other fluid motor in the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: THRU TUBING SOLUTIONS, INC
    Inventors: Roger L. Schultz, Brock W. Watson, Brett Fears
  • Patent number: 11434693
    Abstract: A rotary actuator assembly can include a fluid motor with a rotor that displaces with hypocyclic precessional motion within a stator in response to fluid flow through the fluid motor, and a gear reducer section including an input gear that is fixed relative to the rotor and displaces with the hypocyclic precessional motion relative to an output gear. Another rotary actuator assembly can include a fluid motor with a rotor having a central longitudinal axis that rotates about a central longitudinal axis of a stator, and a gear reducer section including an input gear that rotates with the rotor and displaces relative to an output gear, and the input gear having the same central longitudinal axis as the rotor. A well system can include at least two fluid motors, and fluid flow through one fluid motor causes rotation of the other fluid motor in the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger L. Schultz, Brock W. Watson, Brett Fears
  • Publication number: 20220220842
    Abstract: A compression indication tool can include a flow passage and a valve that in a closed configuration prevents fluid communication between the flow passage and an exterior of the tool, and in an open configuration permits fluid communication between the flow passage and the exterior of the tool. The valve is opened in response to application of a predetermined longitudinal compressive load to the compression indication tool. A method can include connecting a compression indication tool in a tool string, the tool including a valve that prevents fluid communication between an interior flow passage and an exterior of the tool, deploying the tool string into the well, and applying a predetermined longitudinal compressive load to the tool string, thereby opening the valve to permit fluid communication between the interior flow passage and the exterior of the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Brock W. WATSON, Roger L. SCHULTZ, Brett A. FEARS, Timothy MANKE
  • Patent number: 11332983
    Abstract: A downhole disconnect tool can include outer housing sections connected to each other with threads, and an inner sleeve received in at least one of the outer housing sections, whereby the inner sleeve limits relative rotation between the outer housing sections in a connect position, and permits relative rotation between the outer housing sections in a disconnect position. A method of disconnecting portions of a tubular string can include connecting a downhole disconnect tool between the tubular string portions, deploying a plug into the tubular string, thereby engaging the plug with an inner sleeve in the downhole disconnect tool, applying a differential pressure across the plug, thereby displacing the inner sleeve relative to outer housing sections of the downhole disconnect tool, and then unthreading the outer housing sections from each other in the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger L. Schultz, Timothy Manke, Brett A. Fears
  • Patent number: 11125052
    Abstract: A frac valve can include an outer housing with at least one port which provides for fluid communication between an interior and an exterior of the outer housing, and a sleeve releasably secured against displacement between a closed position in which the sleeve blocks flow through the port and an open position in which flow through the port is permitted. The sleeve may be press-fit in the outer housing as a result of the displacement. A method of operating a frac valve can include connecting the frac valve in a tubular string, and displacing a sleeve of the frac valve between closed and open positions. The displacing step can include deforming the sleeve and/or an outer housing of the frac valve, thereby preventing relative rotation between the sleeve and the outer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Brock W. Watson, Gregory A. Kliewer, Brett A. Fears
  • Publication number: 20210277743
    Abstract: A fluid pulse generator can include a fluid motor including a rotor that rotates in response to fluid flow, a variable flow restrictor positioned upstream of the fluid motor and including a restrictor member rotatable relative to a ported member and longitudinally displaceable relative to the rotor. Another fluid pulse generator can include a flex joint or a constant velocity joint connected between the restrictor member and the rotor. In another fluid pulse generator, the variable flow restrictor can include a valve and a fluidic restrictor element, the valve being operable in response to rotation of the rotor, the fluidic restrictor element being configured to generate fluid pulses in response to the fluid flow through a flow path, and the valve being configured to control the fluid flow through another flow path connected in parallel with the first flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Roger L. SCHULTZ, Andrew M. FERGUSON, Timothy MANKE, Brett A. FEARS
  • Publication number: 20200291730
    Abstract: A downhole disconnect tool can include outer housing sections connected to each other with threads, and an inner sleeve received in at least one of the outer housing sections, whereby the inner sleeve limits relative rotation between the outer housing sections in a connect position, and permits relative rotation between the outer housing sections in a disconnect position. A method of disconnecting portions of a tubular string can include connecting a downhole disconnect tool between the tubular string portions, deploying a plug into the tubular string, thereby engaging the plug with an inner sleeve in the downhole disconnect tool, applying a differential pressure across the plug, thereby displacing the inner sleeve relative to outer housing sections of the downhole disconnect tool, and then unthreading the outer housing sections from each other in the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: Roger L. SCHULTZ, Timothy MANKE, Brett A. FEARS
  • Patent number: 10648290
    Abstract: A sleeve shifting tool for shifting a slidable sleeve positioned inside of another downhole tool is described herein. The tool has a housing and a collet apparatus for engaging a slidable sleeve disposed within a downhole tool positioned in a wellbore. The collet apparatus includes at least one collet arm and at least one collet key disposed thereon for engaging the slidable sleeve. The tool also includes a collet activation apparatus for initiating the collet apparatus and force the at least one collet key of the collet apparatus to engage the slidable sleeve. A method of shifting a sleeve positioned in a downhole tool with the sleeve shifting tool described herein is also provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Fears, Brock Watson
  • Publication number: 20190353002
    Abstract: A frac valve can include an outer housing with at least one port which provides for fluid communication between an interior and an exterior of the outer housing, and a sleeve releasably secured against displacement between a closed position in which the sleeve blocks flow through the port and an open position in which flow through the port is permitted. The sleeve may be press-fit in the outer housing as a result of the displacement. A method of operating a frac valve can include connecting the frac valve in a tubular string, and displacing a sleeve of the frac valve between closed and open positions. The displacing step can include deforming the sleeve and/or an outer housing of the frac valve, thereby preventing relative rotation between the sleeve and the outer housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Brock W. WATSON, Gregory A. KLIEWER, Brett A. FEARS
  • Publication number: 20190345769
    Abstract: A rotary actuator assembly can include a fluid motor with a rotor that displaces with hypocyclic precessional motion within a stator in response to fluid flow through the fluid motor, and a gear reducer section including an input gear that is fixed relative to the rotor and displaces with the hypocyclic precessional motion relative to an output gear. Another rotary actuator assembly can include a fluid motor with a rotor having a central longitudinal axis that rotates about a central longitudinal axis of a stator, and a gear reducer section including an input gear that rotates with the rotor and displaces relative to an output gear, and the input gear having the same central longitudinal axis as the rotor. A well system can include at least two fluid motors, and fluid flow through one fluid motor causes rotation of the other fluid motor in the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Roger L. SCHULTZ, Brock W. WATSON, Brett FEARS
  • Publication number: 20190345770
    Abstract: A rotary actuator assembly can include a fluid motor with a rotor that displaces with hypocyclic precessional motion within a stator in response to fluid flow through the fluid motor, and a gear reducer section including an input gear that is fixed relative to the rotor and displaces with the hypocyclic precessional motion relative to an output gear. Another rotary actuator assembly can include a fluid motor with a rotor having a central longitudinal axis that rotates about a central longitudinal axis of a stator, and a gear reducer section including an input gear that rotates with the rotor and displaces relative to an output gear, and the input gear having the same central longitudinal axis as the rotor. A well system can include at least two fluid motors, and fluid flow through one fluid motor causes rotation of the other fluid motor in the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Roger L. SCHULTZ, Brock W. WATSON, Brett FEARS
  • Patent number: 10012033
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a connector apparatus for a semi-flexible tubing. The connector apparatus includes an inner sub having a first end disposable within a semi-flexible tubing and a second end connectable to various other downhole tools. The first end of the inner sub includes at least one depression disposed thereon that is generally alignable with at least one depression disposed on the semi-flexible tubing. The connector apparatus also includes an external sleeve disposable outside of the semi-flexible tubing. The external sleeve having at least one opening disposed therein generally aligned with the at least one depression in the first end of the inner sub. This disclosure is also directed to a method of installing the connector apparatus on a semi-flexible tubing and a method of running the semi-flexible tubing and a downhole tool into a wellbore via the connector apparatus disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Schultz, Brett Fears
  • Patent number: 9593535
    Abstract: This disclosure is related to a perforator tool and a method of using the perforator tool to perforate a formation. The perforator tool can include a first and second sleeve and optionally a third sleeve. The perforator tool can also include at least one perforation opening and at least one circulation port. The sleeves are slidably disposed within the perforator tool and can be displaced to permit perforation of the formation, block the perforation openings and open circulation ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Brett Fears, Jason Burke, Roger Schultz
  • Publication number: 20160208581
    Abstract: A sleeve shifting tool for shifting a slidable sleeve positioned inside of another downhole tool is described herein. The tool has a housing and a collet apparatus for engaging a slidable sleeve disposed within a downhole tool positioned in a wellbore. The collet apparatus includes at least one collet arm and at least one collet key disposed thereon for engaging the slidable sleeve. The tool also includes a collet activation apparatus for initiating the collet apparatus and force the at least one collet key of the collet apparatus to engage the slidable sleeve. A method of shifting a sleeve positioned in a downhole tool with the sleeve shifting tool described herein is also provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Brett Fears, Brock Watson