Patents by Inventor Christopher M. Vreeland

Christopher M. Vreeland 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: 10145196
    Abstract: A mud motor for use in a wellbore includes: a stator; a rotor, the stator and rotor operable to rotate the rotor in response to fluid pumped between the rotor and the stator; and a lock. The lock is operable to: rotationally couple the rotor to the stator in a locked position, receive an instruction signal from the surface, release the rotor in an unlocked position, and actuate from the locked position to the unlocked position in response to receiving the instruction signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Redlinger, Thomas Koithan, Christopher M. Vreeland, Wesley Don Heiskell, Andrew Antoine, Scott McIntire
  • Publication number: 20150211318
    Abstract: A mud motor for use in a wellbore includes: a stator; a rotor, the stator and rotor operable to rotate the rotor in response to fluid pumped between the rotor and the stator; and a lock. The lock is operable to: rotationally couple the rotor to the stator in a locked position, receive an instruction signal from the surface, release the rotor in an unlocked position, and actuate from the locked position to the unlocked position in response to receiving the instruction signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas M. REDLINGER, Thomas KOITHAN, Christopher M. VREELAND, Wesley Don HEISKELL, Andrew ANTOINE, Scott MCINTIRE
  • Patent number: 8991489
    Abstract: A mud motor for use in a wellbore includes: a stator; a rotor, the stator and rotor operable to rotate the rotor in response to fluid pumped between the rotor and the stator; and a lock. The lock is operable to: rotationally couple the rotor to the stator in a locked position, receive an instruction signal from the surface, release the rotor in an unlocked position, and actuate from the locked position to the unlocked position in response to receiving the instruction signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Redlinger, Thomas Koithan, Christopher M. Vreeland, Wesley Don Heiskell, Andrew Antoine, Scott McIntire
  • Publication number: 20140338976
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to extendable cutting tools for use in a wellbore. In one embodiment, a tool for use in a wellbore includes a tubular body having a bore therethrough, an opening through a wall thereof, and a connector at each longitudinal end thereof; and an arm. The arm is pivotally connected to a first piston and rotationally coupled to the body, is disposed in the opening in a retracted position, and is movable to an extended position where an outer surface of the arm extends outward past an outer surface of the body. The tool further includes the first piston. The first piston is disposed in the body bore, has a bore therethrough, and is operable to move the arm from the retracted position to the extended position in response to fluid pressure in the piston bore exceeding fluid pressure in the opening. The tool further includes a lock operable to retain the first piston in the retracted position; and a second piston operably coupled to the lock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Wei Jake XU, Albert C. ODELL, II, Simon J. HARRALL, Thomas M. REDLINGER, Christopher M. VREELAND, Andrew ANTOINE, David J. BRUNNERT, Tommy L. LAIRD, Michael J. MOODY, Frederick T. TILTON
  • Patent number: 8794354
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to extendable cutting tools for use in a wellbore. In one embodiment, a tool for use in a wellbore includes a tubular body having a bore therethrough, an opening through a wall thereof, and a connector at each longitudinal end thereof; and an arm. The arm is pivotally connected to a first piston and rotationally coupled to the body, is disposed in the opening in a retracted position, and is movable to an extended position where an outer surface of the arm extends outward past an outer surface of the body. The tool further includes the first piston. The first piston is disposed in the body bore, has a bore therethrough, and is operable to move the arm from the retracted position to the extended position in response to fluid pressure in the piston bore exceeding fluid pressure in the opening. The tool further includes a lock operable to retain the first piston in the retracted position; and a second piston operably coupled to the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Jake Xu, Albert C. Odell, II, Simon J. Harrall, Thomas M. Redlinger, Christopher M. Vreeland, Andrew Antoine, David J. Brunnert, Tommy L. Laird, Michael J. Moody, Frederick T. Tilton
  • Patent number: 8540035
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to extendable cutting tools for use in a wellbore. In one embodiment, a tool for use in a wellbore includes a tubular body having a bore therethrough, an opening through a wall thereof, and a connector at each longitudinal end thereof; and an arm. The arm is pivotally connected to a first piston and rotationally coupled to the body, is disposed in the opening in a retracted position, and is movable to an extended position where an outer surface of the arm extends outward past an outer surface of the body. The tool further includes the first piston. The first piston is disposed in the body bore, has a bore therethrough, and is operable to move the arm from the retracted position to the extended position in response to fluid pressure in the piston bore exceeding fluid pressure in the opening. The tool further includes a lock operable to retain the first piston in the retracted position; and a second piston operably coupled to the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Jake Xu, Albert C. Odell, II, Simon J. Harrall, Thomas M. Redlinger, Christopher M. Vreeland, Andrew Antoine, David J. Brunnert, Tommy L. Laird, Michael J. Moody, Frederick T. Tilton
  • Patent number: 8082988
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for stabilizing a downhole tool during a downhole operation. The method and apparatus include a stabilizer having a stabilization member adapted to move between a retracted position and an extended position in order to engage a surface in a wellbore. The stabilizer also includes a plurality of actuators adapted to move the stabilization members from the retracted position to the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Redlinger, Christopher M. Vreeland, Jerry W. Fisher, Thurman B. Carter, Thomas F. Bailey
  • Patent number: 7874364
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method of jarring with an overpull generator. In one aspect, a method of dislodging an object stuck in a wellbore is provided. The method includes the step of running an assembly into the wellbore on a conveyance member and attaching the assembly to the object, wherein the assembly comprises an overpull generator and a delay force release device. The method also includes the step of generating an overpull force in the wellbore by selectively activating the overpull generator. Additionally, the method includes the step of applying an impact force to the object by activating the delay force release device and releasing the generated overpull force, thereby dislodging the object stuck in the wellbore. In a further aspect, an assembly for dislodging an object stuck in a wellbore is provided. In yet a further aspect, an overpull generator for use in generating an overpull force in a wellbore is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Redlinger, Christopher M. Vreeland
  • Publication number: 20100089583
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to extendable cutting tools for use in a wellbore. In one embodiment, a tool for use in a wellbore includes a tubular body having a bore therethrough, an opening through a wall thereof, and a connector at each longitudinal end thereof; and an arm. The arm is pivotally connected to a first piston and rotationally coupled to the body, is disposed in the opening in a retracted position, and is movable to an extended position where an outer surface of the arm extends outward past an outer surface of the body. The tool further includes the first piston. The first piston is disposed in the body bore, has a bore therethrough, and is operable to move the arm from the retracted position to the extended position in response to fluid pressure in the piston bore exceeding fluid pressure in the opening. The tool further includes a lock operable to retain the first piston in the retracted position; and a second piston operably coupled to the lock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: WEI JAKE XU, Albert C. Odell, II, Simon J. Harrall, Thomas M. Redlinger, Christopher M. Vreeland, Andrew Antoine, David J. Brunnert, Tommy L. Laird, Michael J. Moody, Frederick T. Tilton
  • Publication number: 20090266544
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to signal operated tools for milling, drilling, and/or fishing operations. In one embodiment, a mud motor for use in a wellbore includes: a stator; a rotor, the stator and rotor operable to rotate the rotor in response to fluid pumped between the rotor and the stator; and a lock. The lock is operable to: rotationally couple the rotor to the stator in a locked position, receive an instruction signal from the surface, release the rotor in an unlocked position, and actuate from the locked position to the unlocked position in response to receiving the instruction signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas M. Redlinger, Thomas Koithan, Christopher M. Vreeland, Wesley Don Heiskell, Andrew Antoine, Scott McIntire
  • Publication number: 20090194285
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method of jarring with an overpull generator. In one aspect, a method of dislodging an object stuck in a wellbore is provided. The method includes the step of running an assembly into the wellbore on a conveyance member and attaching the assembly to the object, wherein the assembly comprises an overpull generator and a delay force release device. The method also includes the step of generating an overpull force in the wellbore by selectively activating the overpull generator. Additionally, the method includes the step of applying an impact force to the object by activating the delay force release device and releasing the generated overpull force, thereby dislodging the object stuck in the wellbore. In a further aspect, an assembly for dislodging an object stuck in a wellbore is provided. In yet a further aspect, an overpull generator for use in generating an overpull force in a wellbore is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas M. Redlinger, Christopher M. Vreeland
  • Publication number: 20080169107
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for stabilizing a downhole tool during a downhole operation is described herein. The method and apparatus include a stabilizer having a stabilization member adapted to move between a retracted position and an extended position in order to engage a surface in a wellbore. The stabilizer also includes a plurality of actuators adapted to move the stabilization members from the retracted position to the extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas M. Redlinger, Christopher M. Vreeland, Jerry W. Fisher, Thurman B. Carter, Thomas F. Bailey