Patents by Inventor Darrin L. Willauer

Darrin L. Willauer 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: 10233726
    Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for use in a wellbore is disclosed, including: an inlet; an outlet; and a variable flow restriction configured to provide a predetermined constant pressure drop between the inlet and the outlet in response to a range of inlet flow rates. In another aspect, a method for providing a fluid flow within a wellbore is disclosed, including: providing the fluid flow to an inlet; restricting the fluid flow to provide a predetermined constant pressure drop between the inlet and an outlet in response to a range of fluid flow rates; and providing the fluid flow to the wellbore from the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Zhi Y. He, Madhawa Ratnayake, Kun Yuan, Carlos P. Izaguirre, David Teale, Darrin L. Willauer
  • Publication number: 20160053577
    Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for use in a wellbore is disclosed, including: an inlet; an outlet; and a variable flow restriction configured to provide a predetermined constant pressure drop between the inlet and the outlet in response to a range of inlet flow rates. In another aspect, a method for providing a fluid flow within a wellbore is disclosed, including: providing the fluid flow to an inlet; restricting the fluid flow to provide a predetermined constant pressure drop between the inlet and an outlet in response to a range of fluid flow rates; and providing the fluid flow to the wellbore from the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Zhi Yong He, Madhawa Ratnayake, Kun Yuan, Carlos P. Izaguirre, David Teale, Darrin L. Willauer
  • Patent number: 8857454
    Abstract: A valving system includes, a plurality of flow control valves, and a plurality of chemical control valves in operable communication with a plurality of the plurality of flow control valves such that each of the plurality of chemical control valves is actuated between closed and open positions when the flow control valve it is in operable communication with is actuated between closed or open positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Darrin L. Willauer, Jesse J. Constantine, Walter S. Going
  • Publication number: 20140096956
    Abstract: A method of monitoring axial or radial displacement of a member during a downhole completion operation includes, sensing axial or radial displacement of the member during the downhole completion operation with the at least one transducer, and communicating the sensing of the axial or the radial displacement to surface via the wired pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Darrin L. Willauer
  • Patent number: 8505294
    Abstract: A hydraulic actuation system includes a metering valve; and a piston arrangement hydraulically in parallel with the metering valve, the system configured to preferentially move the piston to precharge an end device with hydraulic fluid prior to supplying an actuation fluid volume to the end device and method for actuating a hydraulic end device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Darrin L. Willauer, Conrad G. Weinig, Walter S. Going
  • Publication number: 20120154168
    Abstract: A downhole component includes a body portion and a photonic crystal waveguide coupled to the body portion that is configured to receive a signal from a device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Roger G. Duncan, Darrin L. Willauer, Alexander M. Barry, Robert M. Harman
  • Publication number: 20110192480
    Abstract: A valving system includes, a plurality of flow control valves, and a plurality of chemical control valves in operable communication with a plurality of the plurality of flow control valves such that each of the plurality of chemical control valves is actuated between closed and open positions when the flow control valve it is in operable communication with is actuated between closed or open positions
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Darrin L. Willauer, Jesse J. Constantine, Walter S. Going
  • Patent number: 7891430
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a flow of fluid in a well includes a flow control device and a generator that generates electrical energy in response to a flow of an electrically conductive fluid. The flow control device may include an actuator receiving electrical energy from the generator, and a valve operably coupled to the actuator. The actuator may be configured to operate after a preset value for induced voltage is generated by the generator. The generator may use a pair of electrodes positioned along a flow path of the electrically conductive fluid to generate electrical energy. In one arrangement, one or more elements positioned proximate to the electrodes generate a magnetic field along the flow path of the electrically conductive fluid that causes the electrodes to generate a voltage. In another arrangement, the electrodes create an electrochemical potential in response to contact with the electrically conductive fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Darrin L. Willauer
  • Patent number: 7832490
    Abstract: A composition, apparatus and method of use of the composition and apparatus are described. In one aspect, a composition may include a shape-conforming material and nanoparticles sufficient to provide an elastic modulus of the composition that is greater than the elastic modulus of the shape-conforming material. A method of deploying an apparatus using such a composition may include placing the apparatus at a suitable location in a wellbore and activating the composition to deploy the apparatus in the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Darrin L. Willauer
  • Patent number: 7828055
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for filling a defined space, such as an annulus around a production tubular within a wellbore, includes a compliant porous material. The compliant porous material can be compressed and maintained in a compressed state by incorporation of a deployment modifier which may be a water-soluble or oil-soluble adhesive or biopolymer, used as an impregnant, a coating, or a casing. The production tubular can be positioned at a desired location and the compliant porous material exposed to a deployment modifier neutralizing agent, which then dissolves or otherwise prevents the deployment modifier from continuing to inhibit the deployment. Thus, deployment can be delayed to an optimum time by controlling exposure of the deployment modifier to the deployment modifier neutralizing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Darrin L. Willauer, Ping Duan
  • Publication number: 20100242718
    Abstract: A hydraulic actuation system includes a metering valve; and a piston arrangement hydraulically in parallel with the metering valve, the system configured to preferentially move the piston to precharge an end device with hydraulic fluid prior to supplying an actuation fluid volume to the end device and method for actuating a hydraulic end device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORTATED
    Inventors: Darrin L. Willauer, Conrad G. Weinig, Walter S. Going
  • Patent number: 7743835
    Abstract: A composition, apparatus and method for use in a wellbore is described. In one aspect, a composition may include a shape-conforming material and nanoparticles sufficient to absorb a selected form of energy to heat the shape-conforming material to near or above a glass transition temperature. A method of deploying an apparatus using such a composition may include placing the apparatus at a suitable location in a wellbore and exposing the composition to the selected energy to deploy the apparatus in the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Darrin L. Willauer
  • Publication number: 20100108308
    Abstract: A downhole well tool having a component with a metal surface to which a sealing material is adhered is disclosed. The sealing material is bonded to the metal surface through the use of an energetic material disposed between the sealing material and the metal surface. Upon activation or initiation of the energetic material, the sealing material becomes bonded to the metal surface. A plastic layer may be disposed between the sealing material and the metal surface to facilitate bonding sealing material to the metal surface. The energetic material is used to bond the plastic layer to the metal surface and may be used to bond the plastic layer to the sealing material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: James C. Doane, Darrin L. Willauer, James E. Goodson
  • Publication number: 20100108253
    Abstract: A downhole well tool having a component with a metal surface to which a sealing material is adhered is disclosed. The sealing material is bonded to the metal surface through the use of an energetic material disposed between the sealing material and the metal surface. Upon activation or initiation of the energetic material, the sealing material becomes bonded to the metal surface. A plastic layer may be disposed between the sealing material and the metal surface to facilitate bonding sealing material to the metal surface. The energetic material is used to bond the plastic layer to the metal surface and may be used to bond the plastic layer to the sealing material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: James C. Doane, Darrin L. Willauer, James E. Goodson
  • Publication number: 20100051264
    Abstract: A method of sensing matter introduced to a well in a completion operation. The method includes, sensing the introduced matter with at least one transducer, and communicating the sensing of the introduced matter to surface via a wired pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Darrin L. Willauer
  • Publication number: 20090191247
    Abstract: This invention generally relates to use of novel nanomaterials comprised of metals in anti-viral applications. Such nanomaterials, for example, can be produced using a high power, pulsed plasma process, which plasma process, optionally, can be performed on the metal with a precursor (i.e., a gaseous precursor, such as acetylene or methane) when forming the unagglomerated nanomaterials. In embodiments of the invention, the metal is nanosilver. Optionally, the nanomaterials may also comprise carbon, including in the form of carbyne.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: Nanotechnologies, INC
    Inventors: Miguel Jose-Yacaman, Kurt A Schroder, Karl M. Martin, Darrin L. Willauer
  • Patent number: 7565928
    Abstract: A downhole abrading tools has a body with a first end for connection with a rotating component of a drill string and a cutting end for rotation in unison with the body. The downhole abrading tool also includes a passage through the tool for circulating a drilling fluid. Disposed within the drilling fluid passageway is a taggant injection assembly having one or more taggants disposed therein that facilitates injection of taggants into the drilling fluid upon the cutting end experience excessive wear. The taggants are then transported to the surface location along with the drilling fluid for detection by the operator of the downhole abrading tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Gerald Lynde, Darrin L. Willauer
  • Publication number: 20090101341
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a flow of fluid in a well includes a flow control device and a generator that generates electrical energy in response to a flow of an electrically conductive fluid. The flow control device may include an actuator receiving electrical energy from the generator, and a valve operably coupled to the actuator. The actuator may be configured to operate after a preset value for induced voltage is generated by the generator. The generator may use a pair of electrodes positioned along a flow path of the electrically conductive fluid to generate electrical energy. In one arrangement, one or more elements positioned proximate to the electrodes generate a magnetic field along the flow path of the electrically conductive fluid that causes the electrodes to generate a voltage. In another arrangement, the electrodes create an electrochemical potential in response to contact with the electrically conductive fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Darrin L. Willauer
  • Publication number: 20080296023
    Abstract: A composition, apparatus and method for use in a wellbore is described. In one aspect, a composition may include a shape-conforming material and nanoparticles sufficient to absorb a selected form of energy to heat the shape-conforming material to near or above a glass transition temperature. A method of deploying an apparatus using such a composition may include placing the apparatus at a suitable location in a wellbore and exposing the composition to the selected energy to deploy the apparatus in the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Darrin L. Willauer
  • Publication number: 20080296020
    Abstract: A composition, apparatus and method of use of the composition and apparatus are described. In one aspect, a composition may include a shape-conforming material and nanoparticles sufficient to provide an elastic modulus of the composition that is greater than the elastic modulus of the shape-conforming material. A method of deploying an apparatus using such a composition may include placing the apparatus at a suitable location in a wellbore and activating the composition to deploy the apparatus in the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Darrin L. Willauer