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).

  • 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: 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Patent number: 9194181
    Abstract: A motor and rotor catch assembly for preventing loss of broken motor parts downhole. The assembly comprises a motor including a rotor supported inside a stator housing. A rotor bolt is connected to the upper end of the rotor, and is supported for axial movement within a rotor bolt housing from a running position to a deployed position. If the stator housing breaks or backs off, the attached rotor bolt shifts to the deployed position. In the deployed position, the bolt substantially reduces flow to the stator housing and simultaneously opens bypass ports to vent fluid to the annulus instead. In this way, the rotor is prevented from spinning rapidly, the diverted fluid creates a pressure change that alerts the operator to the motor failure, and the diverted fluid allows continued removal of debris and cuttings from the well bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Connell, Andrew M. Ferguson, Roger L. Schultz, Brett A. Fears, Robert J. Farkas
  • Publication number: 20150060087
    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: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Schultz, Brett Fears
  • Patent number: 8695715
    Abstract: A method of assembling a wellbore servicing tool, comprising placing a first module adjacent to a second module along an axis, engaging a bridge with each of the first module and the second module by, while the bridge radially overlaps one of the first module and second module, substantially restricting movement of the bridge to movement radially toward the first module and the second module and toward the axis. A method of assembling a wellbore servicing tool, comprising angularly aligning a first module with a second module, joining the first module to the second module while maintaining the angular alignment between first module and the second module. A method of assembling a wellbore servicing tool, comprising assembling a cement head without using torque to join components of the cement head, and passing a fluid through the cement head into a wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry E. Rogers, Phillip Standifer, Brett A. Fears, John T. Deville, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140060936
    Abstract: A motor and rotor catch assembly for preventing loss of broken motor parts downhole. The assembly comprises a motor including a rotor supported inside a stator housing. A rotor bolt is connected to the upper end of the rotor, and is supported for axial movement within a rotor bolt housing from a running position to a deployed position. If the stator housing breaks or backs off, the attached rotor bolt shifts to the deployed position. In the deployed position, the bolt substantially reduces flow to the stator housing and simultaneously opens bypass ports to vent fluid to the annulus instead. In this way, the rotor is prevented from spinning rapidly, the diverted fluid creates a pressure change that alerts the operator to the motor failure, and the diverted fluid allows continued removal of debris and cuttings from the well bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: THRU TUBING SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael L. Connell, Andrew M. Ferguson, Roger L. Schultz, Brett A. Fears, Robert J. Farkas