Patents by Inventor Bruce Cram

Bruce Cram 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: 8256517
    Abstract: A tubing assembly for entering multiple boreholes includes an outer shroud having an axial throughbore, and an inner tubular member disposed in the axial throughbore, wherein the tubular member is releasably coupled to the shroud, and wherein the outer diameter of the shroud is adjustable. A tubing assembly for entering multiple boreholes may also include a shroud having an axial throughbore, a movable tubular member disposed in the axial throughbore, and a releasable coupling between the shroud and the tubular member, wherein the releasable coupling includes a retracted position allowing entry of the tubing assembly into a junction between two boreholes, wherein the releasable coupling includes an expanded position allowing movement of the tubular member relative to the shroud and prevents re-entry of the tubing assembly into the junction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek Ingraham, Bruce Cram
  • Publication number: 20100252256
    Abstract: A downhole tool including an inner mandrel, a first sealing element disposed around the inner mandrel, a second sealing mandrel disposed around the inner mandrel and axially below the first sealing elements, and a monitoring device disposed on the downhole tool between the first and second sealing elements. Also, a method of monitoring a downhole formation, the method including disposing a downhole monitoring tool in a wellbore, isolating a first production zone from a second production zone, wherein the first production zone is axially above the second production zone, and monitoring a condition of the first production zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Plooy, Bruce Cram
  • Publication number: 20100163240
    Abstract: A tubing assembly for entering multiple boreholes includes an outer shroud having an axial throughbore, and an inner tubular member disposed in the axial throughbore, wherein the tubular member is releasably coupled to the shroud, and wherein the outer diameter of the shroud is adjustable. A tubing assembly for entering multiple boreholes may also include a shroud having an axial throughbore, a movable tubular member disposed in the axial throughbore, and a releasable coupling between the shroud and the tubular member, wherein the releasable coupling includes a retracted position allowing entry of the tubing assembly into a junction between two boreholes, wherein the releasable coupling includes an expanded position allowing movement of the tubular member relative to the shroud and prevents re-entry of the tubing assembly into the junction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Derek Ingraham, Bruce Cram
  • Publication number: 20050126775
    Abstract: A running tool for a liner hanger has a mandrel supported by latch segments housed in a latch cage, the latch segments being engaged in the tubular portion of the hanger. In one mode, the latch cage is supported on latch shoulders temporarily restrained to the mandrel by a locking cylinder. Support of the latch cage ensures the latch segments remain engaged. Hydraulic actuation of the locking cylinder releases the latch shoulders, releasing the latch cage to move axially and disengage the latch segments. The mandrel is also supported using a drive housing axially engaging the liner hanger. If the hydraulic actuation fails, an indexed and relative reverse rotation of the mandrel releases the mandrel to lower through the drive housing and through the latch cage housing to the disengaged position. A barrel ratchet enables transmission of driving torque in one direction and ratcheting in a reverse direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventors: Vi (Jim) Van Nguy, Bruce Cram, Kevin O'Dwyer
  • Publication number: 20040221984
    Abstract: A debris screen, sealingly and releasably latched to the top of a polished bore of a downhole tool for preventing the ingress of debris into the polished bore. Typically the debris screen is connected to a tieback receptacle of a liner hanger assembly. The debris screen is connected to a setting tool and is axially moveable on the setting tool permitting the setting tool to be stroked inside the liner hanger assembly during normal operations, such as cementing while retaining the debris screen at the top of the tieback receptacle at all times except during the final stages of retrieval. The debris screen has a tubular sleeve having a plurality of ports, covered by a wedge wire screen through which fluids can flow. Further, the latching mechanism has a plurality of ports to permit the flow of debris-free fluids from the wellbore into the annulus between the setting tool and the downhole tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventor: Bruce A. Cram
  • Publication number: 20040194954
    Abstract: A liner hanger, in either a non-rotating or rotating format, has a large hanging capacity due to a one or more axially spaced sets of circumferentially spaced slips housed in openings in a slip housing, the slip housing being moveable axially relative to a mandrel for actuating the slips over cams supported by the mandrel. One or more sets of sets of slips are spaced axially along the slip housing. An annular space is formed between the mandrel and slip housing for maximizing fluid bypass through the annular space. Bypass is further improved by profiling the slip housing. In the rotating version, a separate sleeve is positioned between the mandrel and the slip housing for supporting the cams and the mandrel is supported on the cam sleeve through an upper bearing which permits the mandrel to rotate on the cam sleeve when the slips are set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Bruce A. Cram, Vitold P. Serafin, Barry J. Tate