Patents by Inventor Christopher A. Ditzler

Christopher A. Ditzler 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: 9745847
    Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for use in a wellbore is disclosed, including an occlusion retaining mechanism; an integrated controller configured to compare a plurality of downhole conditions to a plurality of predetermined release conditions and release an occlusion from the occlusion retaining mechanism in response to the plurality of downhole conditions satisfying the plurality of predetermined release conditions. In another aspect, a method for isolating a portion of a wellbore is disclosed, including deploying a frac plug in the wellbore; setting the frac plug in the wellbore; deploying a frac ball release tool in the wellbore; selectively retaining a frac ball within the frac ball release tool; releasing the frac ball in response to a plurality of downhole conditions satisfying a plurality of predetermined release conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Christopher A. Ditzler
  • Patent number: 9708894
    Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for use in a wellbore is disclosed, including an occlusion retaining mechanism; a rupture member associated with the occlusion retaining mechanism; an inertial member configured to puncture the rupture member in response an inertial event to release an occlusion from the occlusion retaining mechanism. In another aspect, a method for isolating a portion of a wellbore is disclosed, including providing a tubular in the wellbore; deploying a perforation gun in the tubular; deploying a frac plug in the wellbore; setting the frac plug in the wellbore; deploying a frac ball release tool associated with the perforation gun; selectively retaining a frac ball within the frac ball release tool; releasing the frac ball in response to an inertial event via an inertial member associated with the frac ball release tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Christopher A. Ditzler
  • Publication number: 20160061009
    Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for use in a wellbore is disclosed, including an occlusion retaining mechanism; a rupture member associated with the occlusion retaining mechanism; an inertial member configured to puncture the rupture member in response an inertial event to release an occlusion from the occlusion retaining mechanism. In another aspect, a method for isolating a portion of a wellbore is disclosed, including providing a tubular in the wellbore; deploying a perforation gun in the tubular; deploying a frac plug in the wellbore; setting the frac plug in the wellbore; deploying a frac ball release tool associated with the perforation gun; selectively retaining a frac ball within the frac ball release tool; releasing the frac ball in response to an inertial event via an inertial member associated with the frac ball release tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Christopher A. Ditzler
  • Publication number: 20160061018
    Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for use in a wellbore is disclosed, including an occlusion retaining mechanism; an integrated controller configured to compare a plurality of downhole conditions to a plurality of predetermined release conditions and release an occlusion from the occlusion retaining mechanism in response to the plurality of downhole conditions satisfying the plurality of predetermined release conditions. In another aspect, a method for isolating a portion of a wellbore is disclosed, including deploying a frac plug in the wellbore; setting the frac plug in the wellbore; deploying a frac ball release tool in the wellbore; selectively retaining a frac ball within the frac ball release tool; releasing the frac ball in response to a plurality of downhole conditions satisfying a plurality of predetermined release conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Christopher A. Ditzler