Patents by Inventor Bruce Edward Scott

Bruce Edward Scott 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: 11248441
    Abstract: A safety valve may include: an outer housing comprising a central bore extending axially through the outer housing; a flow tube including: a translating sleeve; and a flow tube main body disposed within the translating sleeve, wherein the flow tube main body has an upper end and a lower end; a piston operable to transmit a force to the translating sleeve; a flapper valve disposed on a distal end of the outer housing; and an electromagnet assembly operable to maintain the safety valve in an open state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James Dan Vick, Jr., Jimmie Robert Williamson, Bruce Edward Scott, Michael Linley Fripp
  • Patent number: 11168540
    Abstract: A well safety valve, comprising: a first sub assembly, wherein the first sub assembly comprises: an outer housing having a central bore extending axially through the outer housing, wherein the outer housing comprises an outer wall having a receptacle formed in the outer wall; a piston disposed in the receptacle; a rod, wherein the rod is disposed at an end of the piston, wherein a first magnetic sleeve is disposed around the rod; a flow tube disposed in the central bore of the outer housing, wherein the flow tube comprises a second magnetic sleeve on an exterior surface of the flow tube; and a valve member disposed in the outer housing; and one or more magnetic sensors disposed in the outer housing between the first magnetic sleeve and the second magnetic sleeve; and a second sub assembly, wherein the second sub assembly is coupled to the first sub assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Shaun Wen Jie Ng, Bruce Edward Scott
  • Patent number: 11035199
    Abstract: Provided are electric safety valves and methods of use. An electric safety valve comprises an electric actuator positioned in an interior chamber of the electric safety valve; the interior chamber comprising a dielectric fluid and being pressure and temperature compensated with a flow passage extending axially through the electric safety valve. The pressure and temperature compensation is performed via a compensating subassembly in pressure communication with the interior chamber thereby providing a section-balanced electric safety valve. The electric safety valve further comprises a protective sleeve separating the interior chamber from the flow passage. The electric safety valve further comprises at least one compression spring rod coupled to a closure member capable of restricting or preventing fluid flow through the flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James Dan Vick, Jr., Bruce Edward Scott
  • Publication number: 20210115759
    Abstract: A well safety valve, comprising: a first sub assembly, wherein the first sub assembly comprises: an outer housing having a central bore extending axially through the outer housing, wherein the outer housing comprises an outer wall having a receptacle formed in the outer wall; a piston disposed in the receptacle; a rod, wherein the rod is disposed at an end of the piston, wherein a first magnetic sleeve is disposed around the rod; a flow tube disposed in the central bore of the outer housing, wherein the flow tube comprises a second magnetic sleeve on an exterior surface of the flow tube; and a valve member disposed in the outer housing; and one or more magnetic sensors disposed in the outer housing between the first magnetic sleeve and the second magnetic sleeve; and a second sub assembly, wherein the second sub assembly is coupled to the first sub assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Publication date: April 22, 2021
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Shaun Wen Jie Ng, Bruce Edward Scott
  • Publication number: 20200392812
    Abstract: Provided is an electro/hydraulic valve for use in a hydrocarbon production well, an electrically surface-controlled subsurface safety valve, and a method of operating an electrically surface-controlled subsurface safety valve. The electro/hydraulic valve for use in a hydrocarbon production well, in one aspect, includes a fluid chamber and an electro/mechanical pump having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and further wherein an inlet check valve is positioned in fluid communication between the fluid chamber and the fluid inlet and an outlet check valve is positioned in fluid communication between the fluid outlet and a hydraulically controlled actuation member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: James Dan Vick, JR., Bruce Edward Scott
  • Publication number: 20200392811
    Abstract: Provided is an electro/hydraulic valve for use in a hydrocarbon production well, an electrically surface-controlled subsurface safety valve, and a method of operating an electrically surface-controlled subsurface safety valve. The electro/hydraulic valve for use in a hydrocarbon production well, in one aspect, includes a fluid chamber, and an electro/thermal expansion pump having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and further wherein an inlet check valve is positioned in fluid communication between the fluid chamber and the fluid inlet and an outlet check valve is positioned in fluid communication between the fluid outlet and a hydraulically controlled actuation member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: James Dan Vick, JR., Bruce Edward Scott
  • Publication number: 20200270965
    Abstract: Provided are electric safety valves and methods of use. An electric safety valve comprises an electric actuator positioned in an interior chamber of the electric safety valve; the interior chamber comprising a dielectric fluid and being pressure and temperature compensated with a flow passage extending axially through the electric safety valve. The pressure and temperature compensation is performed via a compensating subassembly in pressure communication with the interior chamber thereby providing a section-balanced electric safety valve. The electric safety valve further comprises a protective sleeve separating the interior chamber from the flow passage. The electric safety valve further comprises at least one compression spring rod coupled to a closure member capable of restricting or preventing fluid flow through the flow passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: James Dan Vick, Jr., Bruce Edward SCOTT
  • Publication number: 20200095843
    Abstract: Provided is an electrically surface-controlled subsurface safety valve (ESCSSV). The ESCSSV, in one example, includes an outer housing comprising a central bore extending axially through the housing that is configured to convey production fluids there through. The ESCSSV, in this embodiment, further includes a valve closure mechanism disposed proximate a downhole end of the central bore, and a bore flow management actuator disposed in the central bore and configured to move between a closed state and a flow state to engage or disengage the valve closure mechanism to determine a flow condition of the production fluids through the central bore. The ESCSSV, in this embodiment, additionally includes an electric valve assembly fluidically coupled to the bore flow management actuator and configured to select between a section pressure or the annulus pressure to control the bore flow management actuator and determine the flow condition of production fluids through the central bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: James Dan Vick, JR., Jimmie Robert Williamson, Bruce Edward Scott
  • Publication number: 20200032616
    Abstract: A safety valve may include: an outer housing comprising a central bore extending axially through the outer housing; a flow tube including: a translating sleeve; and a flow tube main body disposed within the translating sleeve, wherein the flow tube main body has an upper end and a lower end; a piston operable to transmit a force to the translating sleeve; a flapper valve disposed on a distal end of the outer housing; and an electromagnet assembly operable to maintain the safety valve in an open state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James Dan Vick, JR., Jimmie Robert Williamson, Bruce Edward Scott, Michael Linley Fripp
  • Patent number: 10513908
    Abstract: Wellbore systems containing a hydraulically regulated primary safety valve may have their hydraulic regulation transferred to an insert safety valve disposed in a nipple. Such wellbore systems may comprise: a tubing string comprising a nipple and a primary safety valve, the primary safety valve being disposed in the tubing string below the nipple; and a control line and a balance line in hydraulic communication with the primary safety valve and in latent hydraulic communication with one or more switching mechanisms in the nipple. The one or more switching mechanisms in the nipple are actuatable to shut off hydraulic communication of the control line and the balance line below the nipple and to redirect, via one or more latent hydraulic lines, the hydraulic communication of the control line and the balance line to an insert safety valve positioned in a bore of the nipple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Edward Scott, James Dan Vick, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10480283
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a fail-safe surface controlled electric subsurface safety valve for use in a well. For example, in one embodiment, an electric sub-surface safety valve (eSSSV) system is disclosed that includes a master control system; a subsea control module; and an electric sub-surface safety valve having dual, redundant electronic modules that are configured to control power to dual electromagnetic actuators that move a single valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Chakkungal Joseph, Bruce Edward Scott, Wesley Irvin Clow, Aswin Balasubramanian
  • Patent number: 10443332
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for a downhole tool apparatus, that may include at least one pocket disposed within the downhole tool, which may include a tool electronic connection point; a latching mechanism; and a retrievable module; wherein the retrievable module may include: a module electrical connection point, wherein the tool electrical connection point and the module electrical connection point are electrically connected; a retrieving and running feature, wherein the module electrical connection point and the retrieving and running feature are on substantially opposite ends of the retrievable module; and wherein the latching mechanism engages the retrievable module to hold the retrievable module in the at least one pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Edward Scott
  • Publication number: 20180347313
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a fail-safe surface controlled electric subsurface safety valve for use in a well. For example, in one embodiment, an electric sub-surface safety valve (eSSSV) system is disclosed that includes a master control system; a subsea control module; and an electric sub-surface safety valve having dual, redundant electronic modules that are configured to control power to dual electromagnetic actuators that move a single valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Joseph Chakkungal JOSEPH, Bruce Edward SCOTT, Wesley Irvin CLOW, Aswin BALASUBRAMANIAN
  • Publication number: 20180202261
    Abstract: Wellbore systems containing a hydraulically regulated primary safety valve may have their hydraulic regulation transferred to an insert safety valve disposed in a nipple. Such wellbore systems may comprise: a tubing string comprising a nipple and a primary safety valve, the primary safety valve being disposed in the tubing string below the nipple; and a control line and a balance line in hydraulic communication with the primary safety valve and in latent hydraulic communication with one or more switching mechanisms in the nipple. The one or more switching mechanisms in the nipple are actuatable to shut off hydraulic communication of the control line and the balance line below the nipple and to redirect, via one or more latent hydraulic lines, the hydraulic communication of the control line and the balance line to an insert safety valve positioned in a bore of the nipple.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: Bruce Edward SCOTT, James Dan VICK, JR.
  • Patent number: 9982510
    Abstract: Disclosed are subsurface safety valves having an expanding piston used to increase the opening force for the safety valve. One disclosed safety valve includes a housing having a piston bore defined therein and configured to receive hydraulic fluid pressure, the piston bore providing a tapered portion having a first end and a second end, wherein a cross-sectional diameter of the tapered portion progressively increases from the first end to the second end, and a piston assembly movably arranged within the piston bore and comprising a piston rod that extends longitudinally within at least a portion of the piston bore and an expanding piston coupled to the piston rod, wherein the expanding piston is configured to move between a contracted configuration and an expanded configuration to sealingly engage the tapered portion as the piston assembly moves between the first and second ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James Dan Vick, Jr., Bruce Edward Scott
  • Patent number: 9909387
    Abstract: Certain aspects and embodiments of the present invention are directed to a semi-autonomous insert valve. The semi-autonomous insert valve includes a body, a closure mechanism coupled to the body, an autonomous actuation mechanism coupled to the body, and a control system disposed in the body. The body engages an inner wall of a subsurface safety valve and causes a subsurface safety valve closure mechanism to open, allowing fluid to flow toward the surface of the wellbore. The closure mechanism selectively allows fluid to flow toward the surface of the wellbore. The autonomous actuation mechanism actuates the closure mechanism independently from a subsurface safety valve actuation mechanism that actuates the subsurface safety valve closure mechanism. The control sub-system includes one or more transceiving devices that can wirelessly communicate signals. The control sub-system closes the closure mechanism in response to losing signal communication between the transceiving devices and a signal source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Edward Scott, Joseph Steven Grieco, James Dan Vick, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9810039
    Abstract: Disclosed are subsurface safety valves having a reduced spread between opening and closing pressures. One safety valve includes a housing having a piston bore defined therein and configured to receive hydraulic fluid pressure, the piston bore providing an upper bore having a first diameter, a lower bore having a second diameter, and an intermediate bore interposing the upper and lower bores and having a third diameter, wherein the third diameter is greater than the second diameter and the second diameter is greater than the first diameter, and a piston assembly movably arranged within the piston bore and comprising an upper piston operatively coupled to a lower piston, wherein the upper piston sealingly engages the upper bore and the lower piston sealingly engages the lower bore, wherein, when the upper piston is arranged in the intermediate bore, the hydraulic fluid pressure acts on the lower piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James Dan Vick, Jr., Bruce Edward Scott
  • Patent number: 9695659
    Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure are directed to tools actuated by pipe swell. A downhole assembly for a wellbore may be provided. The downhole assembly can include a first sleeve and a second sleeve. The first sleeve can expand from a first position to a second position in response to a first pressure applied to the first sleeve. The first sleeve can contract to the first position in response to a cessation of the first pressure. The second sleeve can be positioned adjacent to the first sleeve to define a swell chamber. The swell chamber can actuate a downhole tool by a pressure stored in the swell chamber by the expansion of the first sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC
    Inventors: Glenn Ray Davis, Bruce Edward Scott, James Dan Vick, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9631456
    Abstract: A safety valve includes a housing defining first and secondary piston bores in fluid communication with each other via a port. A first piston is movably arranged within the first piston bore and has a first piston rod extending longitudinally from the first piston and coupled to a flow tube. A second piston is movably arranged within the secondary piston bore and has a secondary piston rod extending longitudinally from the second piston and axially engageable with the flow tube. Hydraulic fluid pressure acts on the first piston until the first piston axially moves and exposes the port, whereby the hydraulic fluid pressure is then able to enter the secondary piston bore and also act on the second piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James Dan Vick, Jr., Bruce Edward Scott
  • Patent number: 9556707
    Abstract: Certain aspects and features are directed to an electric subsurface safety valve including an integrated communications system that can be disposed in a wellbore. The electric subsurface safety valve can include a body adapted to be coupled to a cable, a communications system disposed in the body, and a closure mechanism. The body can be disposed within the wellbore. The communications system can include one or more transceiving devices and a processing device. The transceiving devices can communicate signals via the cable to a rig at the surface and can wirelessly communicate signals to target tool in the well system. The processing device can process signals received by the one or more transceiving devices for communication via the cable. The closure mechanism can be positioned in a passageway defined by the wellbore and can control a flow of fluid to through the passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: James Dan Vick, Jr., Bruce Edward Scott, Joseph Steven Grieco