Patents by Inventor Christopher L. McDowell

Christopher L. McDowell 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: 11773691
    Abstract: A shifting tool for use in a wellbore includes a tubular housing having a bore formed therethrough; a tubular mandrel disposed in the housing and longitudinally movable relative thereto; and an engagement member moveable relative to the housing between an extended position, a released position, and a retracted position, wherein: the engagement member is movable from the retracted position to the extended position in response to movement of the mandrel relative to the housing, and the engagement member is further movable from the extended position to the released position in response to movement of the mandrel relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Joe Noske, Roddie R. Smith, Paul L. Smith, Thomas F. Bailey, Christopher L. McDowell
  • Publication number: 20210131233
    Abstract: A shifting tool for use in a wellbore includes a tubular housing having a bore formed therethrough; a tubular mandrel disposed in the housing and longitudinally movable relative thereto; and an engagement member moveable relative to the housing between an extended position, a released position, and a retracted position, wherein: the engagement member is movable from the retracted position to the extended position in response to movement of the mandrel relative to the housing, and the engagement member is further movable from the extended position to the released position in response to movement of the mandrel relative to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Joe Noske, Roddie R. Smith, Paul L. Smith, Thomas F. Bailey, Christopher L. McDowell
  • Patent number: 10895130
    Abstract: A shifting tool for use in a wellbore includes a tubular housing having a bore formed therethrough; a tubular mandrel disposed in the housing and longitudinally movable relative thereto; and an engagement member moveable relative to the housing between an extended position, a released position, and a retracted position, wherein: the engagement member is movable from the retracted position to the extended position in response to movement of the mandrel relative to the housing, and the engagement member is further movable from the extended position to the released position in response to movement of the mandrel relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Joe Noske, Roddie R. Smith, Paul L. Smith, Thomas F. Bailey, Christopher L. McDowell
  • Patent number: 10890048
    Abstract: A method of drilling a wellbore includes drilling the wellbore through a formation by injecting drilling fluid through a drill string and rotating a drill bit. The drill string includes a shifting tool, a receiver in communication with the shifting tool, and the drill bit. The method further includes retrieving the drill string from the wellbore through a casing string until the shifting tool reaches an actuator. The casing string includes an isolation valve in an open position and the actuator. The method further includes sending a wireless instruction signal to the receiver. The shifting tool engages the actuator in response to the receiver receiving the instruction signal. The method further includes operating the actuator using the engaged shifting tool, thereby closing the isolation valve and isolating the formation from an upper portion of the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Joe Noske, Roddie R. Smith, Paul L. Smith, Thomas F. Bailey, Christopher L. Mcdowell, Frederick T. Tilton
  • Patent number: 10787900
    Abstract: A differential pressure indicator (DPI) for use with a downhole isolation valve includes a tubular mandrel for assembly as part of a casing string and for receiving a tubular string. The mandrel has a stop shoulder and a piston shoulder. The DPI further includes a tubular housing for assembly as part of the casing string and for receiving the tubular string. The housing is movable relative to the mandrel between an extended position and a retracted position and has a stop shoulder and a piston shoulder. The DPI further includes a hydraulic chamber formed between the piston shoulders and a coupling in communication with the hydraulic chamber and for connection to a sensing line. The housing is movable relative to the mandrel and to the extended position in response to tension exerted on the DPI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Kyle Allen King, Joe Noske, Christopher L. McDowell, Brian A. Mickens
  • Patent number: 10619440
    Abstract: A system for communicating through a hanger can include an alignment manifold having upper and lower terminals positioned on opposite respective sides of the alignment manifold, each of the upper terminals being in communication with a respective one of the lower terminals. A downhole line connector can be configured to connect to downhole lines, the downhole line connector including terminals aligned with the lower terminals of the alignment manifold. A method of communicating through a hanger can include connecting an alignment manifold to the hanger, the hanger being configured to suspend a tubular from a wellhead assembly, and connecting a downhole line connector to the alignment manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Joe Noske, Jr., Christopher L. McDowell
  • Patent number: 10344562
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an annular isolation device for a riser includes a tubular body connectable to the riser. A closure member is rotatable between a closed position isolating fluid communication in the tubular body and an open position permitting fluid communication through the tubular body. The annular isolation device further includes an actuator disposed outside the tubular body and operable to rotate the closure member between the open position and the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Joe Noske, Christopher L. McDowell
  • Patent number: 10214999
    Abstract: A shifting tool for use in a wellbore includes a tubular housing having a bore formed therethrough; a tubular mandrel disposed in the housing and longitudinally movable relative thereto; and an engagement member moveable relative to the housing between an extended position, a released position, and a retracted position, wherein: the engagement member is movable from the retracted position to the extended position in response to movement of the mandrel relative to the housing, and the engagement member is further movable from the extended position to the released position in response to movement of the mandrel relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Joe Noske, Roddie R. Smith, Paul L. Smith, Thomas F. Bailey, Christopher L. McDowell
  • Patent number: 10180041
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an isolation valve with debris control. In one aspect, an isolation valve for use as part of a casing string is provided. The isolation valve includes a housing having a bore and a valve cavity. The isolation valve further includes a valve member movable between a first position in which the valve member obstructs the bore of the housing and a second position in which the valve member is disposed in the valve cavity. Further, the isolation valve includes a flow tube configured to allow movement of the valve member between the first and second positions. Additionally, the isolation valve includes an engagement assembly adapted to engage the flow tube to substantially prevent debris from entering the valve cavity when the valve member is in the second position. In another aspect, a method of operating an isolation valve in a wellbore is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher L. McDowell, Joe Noske, Paul L. Smith
  • Patent number: 10151171
    Abstract: A method of drilling a wellbore includes drilling the wellbore through a formation by injecting drilling fluid through a drill string and rotating a drill bit. The drill string includes a shifting tool, a receiver in communication with the shifting tool, and the drill bit. The method further includes retrieving the drill string from the wellbore through a casing string until the shifting tool reaches an actuator. The casing string includes an isolation valve in an open position and the actuator. The method further includes sending a wireless instruction signal to the receiver. The shifting tool engages the actuator in response to the receiver receiving the instruction signal. The method further includes operating the actuator using the engaged shifting tool, thereby closing the isolation valve and isolating the formation from an upper portion of the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Joe Noske, Roddie R. Smith, Paul L. Smith, Thomas F. Bailey, Christopher L. McDowell, Frederick T. Tilton
  • Patent number: 10132137
    Abstract: An isolation valve for use in a wellbore includes: a tubular housing; an upper flapper disposed in the housing and pivotable relative thereto between an open position and a closed position; an upper piston operable to open or close the upper flapper; a lower flapper disposed in the housing and pivotable relative thereto between an open position and a closed position; a lower piston operable to open the lower flapper; an opener passage in fluid communication with the pistons and an opener hydraulic coupling; and a closer passage in fluid communication with the pistons and a closer hydraulic coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher L. McDowell, Joe Noske, Kyle Allen King, Simon J. Harrall
  • Patent number: 10107075
    Abstract: An isolation valve for use with a tubular string includes a tubular housing for connection with the tubular string. A closure member is disposed in the housing and movable between an open position and a closed position. A flow tube is longitudinally movable relative to the housing for opening the closure member. A piston is coupled to the flow tube for moving the flow tube, and a fluid chamber is formed between the flow tube and the housing and receiving the piston. The isolation valve having a first fluid passage for fluid communication between a first portion of the chamber and a control line for moving the piston in a first direction, and a second fluid passage for fluid communication between a second portion of the chamber and a bore of the tubular string for moving the piston in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Brian Grayson, Julmar Shaun Sadicon Toralde, Joe Noske, Christopher L. McDowell
  • Patent number: 9394762
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an isolation valve with debris control. In one aspect, an isolation valve for use as part of a casing string is provided. The isolation valve includes a housing having a bore and a valve cavity. The isolation valve further includes a valve member movable between a first position in which the valve member obstructs the bore of the housing and a second position in which the valve member is disposed in the valve cavity. Further, the isolation valve includes a flow tube configured to allow movement of the valve member between the first and second positions. Additionally, the isolation valve includes an engagement assembly adapted to engage the flow tube to substantially prevent debris from entering the valve cavity when the valve member is in the second position. In another aspect, a method of operating an isolation valve in a wellbore is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher L. McDowell, Joe Noske, Paul L. Smith
  • Patent number: 9163481
    Abstract: A method of operating an isolation valve in a wellbore includes: deploying a work string into the wellbore through a tubular string disposed in the wellbore. The work string comprises a deployment string, a shifting tool, and a bottomhole assembly (BHA). The tubular string comprises the isolation valve and an actuator. The method further includes rotating the actuator using the shifting tool, thereby opening or closing the isolation valve. The isolation valve isolates a formation from an upper portion of the wellbore in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Joe Noske, Roddie R. Smith, Paul L. Smith, Thomas F. Bailey, Christopher L. McDowell
  • Patent number: 8978750
    Abstract: A method of drilling a wellbore includes drilling the wellbore through a formation by injecting drilling fluid through a drill string and rotating a drill bit. The drill string includes a shifting tool, a receiver in communication with the shifting tool, and the drill bit. The method further includes retrieving the drill string from the wellbore through a casing string until the shifting tool reaches an actuator. The casing string includes an isolation valve in an open position and the actuator. The method further includes sending a wireless instruction signal to the receiver. The shifting tool engages the actuator in response to the receiver receiving the instruction signal. The method further includes operating the actuator using the engaged shifting tool, thereby closing the isolation valve and isolating the formation from an upper portion of the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Joe Noske, Roddie R. Smith, Paul L. Smith, Thomas F. Bailey, Christopher L. McDowell, Frederick T. Tilton
  • Patent number: 8708051
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an isolation valve with debris control. In one aspect, an isolation valve for use as part of a casing string is provided. The isolation valve includes a housing having a bore and a valve cavity. The isolation valve further includes a valve member movable between a first position in which the valve member obstructs the bore of the housing and a second position in which the valve member is disposed in the valve cavity. Further, the isolation valve includes a flow tube configured to allow movement of the valve member between the first and second positions. Additionally, the isolation valve includes an engagement assembly adapted to engage the flow tube to substantially prevent debris from entering the valve cavity when the valve member is in the second position. In another aspect, a method of operating an isolation valve in a wellbore is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher L. McDowell, Joe Noske, Paul L. Smith
  • Publication number: 20120067595
    Abstract: A method of operating an isolation valve in a wellbore includes: deploying a work string into the wellbore through a tubular string disposed in the wellbore. The work string comprises a deployment string, a shifting tool, and a bottomhole assembly (BHA). The tubular string comprises the isolation valve and an actuator. The method further includes rotating the actuator using the shifting tool, thereby opening or closing the isolation valve. The isolation valve isolates a formation from an upper portion of the wellbore in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Joe Noske, Roddie R. Smith, Paul L. Smith, Thomas F. Bailey, Christopher L. McDowell
  • Publication number: 20120067594
    Abstract: A method of drilling a wellbore includes drilling the wellbore through a formation by injecting drilling fluid through a drill string and rotating a drill bit. The drill string includes a shifting tool, a receiver in communication with the shifting tool, and the drill bit. The method further includes retrieving the drill string from the wellbore through a casing string until the shifting tool reaches an actuator. The casing string includes an isolation valve in an open position and the actuator. The method further includes sending a wireless instruction signal to the receiver. The shifting tool engages the actuator in response to the receiver receiving the instruction signal. The method further includes operating the actuator using the engaged shifting tool, thereby closing the isolation valve and isolating the formation from an upper portion of the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Joe Noske, Roddie R. Smith, Paul L. Smith, Thomas F. Bailey, Christopher L. McDowell, Frederick T. Tilton
  • Publication number: 20120024537
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an isolation valve with debris control. In one aspect, an isolation valve for use as part of a casing string is provided. The isolation valve includes a housing having a bore and a valve cavity. The isolation valve further includes a valve member movable between a first position in which the valve member obstructs the bore of the housing and a second position in which the valve member is disposed in the valve cavity. Further, the isolation valve includes a flow tube configured to allow movement of the valve member between the first and second positions. Additionally, the isolation valve includes an engagement assembly adapted to engage the flow tube to substantially prevent debris from entering the valve cavity when the valve member is in the second position. In another aspect, a method of operating an isolation valve in a wellbore is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Christopher L. McDowell, Joe Noske, Paul L. Smith