Patents by Inventor David Eugene Hirth

David Eugene Hirth 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: 7165622
    Abstract: A packer, and operation of the same, which forms elastomeric seals and non-elastomeric seals. The packer may be constructed from a non-elastomeric tubular core having a frustoconical shaped inner diameter. The outer diameter of the core may be substantially smooth and carry one or more elastomeric sealing elements. The packer is set by causing the diametrical expansion of the tubular core. The construction of the tubular core is preferably such that its diametrical expansion causes the formation of radial raised portions (upsets) on the outer surface. These raised portions form the non-elastomeric seals and also prevent extrusion of the elastomeric sealing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: David Eugene Hirth, Tarald Gudmestad
  • Patent number: 6962206
    Abstract: A packer, and operation of the same, which forms elastomeric seals and non-elastomeric seals. The packer may be constructed from a non-elastomeric tubular core having a frustoconical shaped inner diameter. The outer diameter of the core may be substantially smooth and carry one or more elastomeric sealing elements. The packer is set by causing the diametrical expansion of the tubular core. The construction of the tubular core is preferably such that its diametrical expansion causes the formation of radial raised portions (upsets) on the outer surface. These raised portions form the non-elastomeric seals and also prevent extrusion of the elastomeric sealing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: David Eugene Hirth, Tarald Gudmestad
  • Patent number: 6908121
    Abstract: A connector arrangement used for connecting and locking tubular members. The connector consists of two tubular members and a coupling member. The tubular members are threaded together to create a threaded connection. The locking arrangement is provided by a pathway formed on the tubular member whereby a locking member can be inserted in to the pathway to lock the threaded connection. The locking arrangement is also provided by a plurality of castellation members disposed on each tubular member. The connector also has a separate coupling member which has opposite right-hand and left-hand threaded ends to threadedly mate with the threads of the two tubular members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: David Eugene Hirth, Tarald Gudmestad, Mark J. Murray, Gerald Dean Pedersen
  • Publication number: 20040226724
    Abstract: A packer, and operation of the same, which forms elastomeric seals and non-elastomeric seals. The packer may be constructed from a non-elastomeric tubular core having a frustoconical shaped inner diameter. The outer diameter of the core may be substantially smooth and carry one or more elastomeric sealing elements. The packer is set by causing the diametrical expansion of the tubular core. The construction of the tubular core is preferably such that its diametrical expansion causes the formation of radial raised portions (upsets) on the outer surface. These raised portions form the non-elastomeric seals and also prevent extrusion of the elastomeric sealing elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventors: David Eugene Hirth, Tarald Gudmestad
  • Patent number: 6715541
    Abstract: A ball dropping assembly for dropping an object such as a spherical ball into a wellbore. The assembly comprises a seat for retaining a ball before it is released, a ball retaining lever, and a shaft for turning the lever. In one embodiment, the assembly is attached to a side bore in fluid communication with a main bore in a cementing head. The ball-retaining lever has at least one finger which is rotated between a ball-retained position and a ball-released position. In the ball-retained position, the first finger is disposed in the entrance from the side bore to the main bore, thereby preventing the ball from entering the main bore of the cementing head. When the ball is ready for release, the lever is rotated in the direction of the main bore, thereby causing the second finger to urge the ball into the bore of the cementing head, and causing the first finger to protrude into the main bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald Dean Pedersen, David Eugene Hirth
  • Patent number: 6672384
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a plug-dropping container for releasing plugs or other objects into a wellbore during fluid circulation procedures. In one aspect, the plug-dropping container is used as part of a cementing head. The plug-dropping container comprises an elongated housing, and a canister disposed co-axially within the housing. The canister is movable from a lower position to an upper position. In its lower position, a fluid bypass area is defined above the canister. When a dart is retained within the canister, fluid is diverted through the bypass and around the canister within an annular area defined between the canister and the housing. In one aspect, the canister is moved by rotation of a plug-retaining device below the canister. In its plug-retained position, the plug-retaining device is oriented so that the wall of the plug-retaining device is blocking the downward path of the dart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald Dean Pedersen, David Eugene Hirth
  • Publication number: 20030155115
    Abstract: A ball dropping assembly for dropping an object such as a spherical ball into a wellbore. The assembly comprises a seat for retaining a ball before it is released, a ball retaining lever, and a shaft for turning the lever. In one embodiment, the assembly is attached to a side bore in fluid communication with a main bore in a cementing head. The ball-retaining lever has at least one finger which is rotated between a ball-retained position and a ball-released position. In the ball-retained position, the first finger is disposed in the entrance from the side bore to the main bore, thereby preventing the ball from entering the main bore of the cementing head. When the ball is ready for release, the lever is rotated in the direction of the main bore, thereby causing the second finger to urge the ball into the bore of the cementing head, and causing the first finger to protrude into the main bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Publication date: August 21, 2003
    Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald Dean Pedersen, David Eugene Hirth
  • Publication number: 20030141052
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a plug-dropping container for releasing plugs or other objects into a wellbore during fluid circulation procedures. In one aspect, the plug-dropping container is used as part of a cementing head. The plug-dropping container comprises an elongated housing, and a canister disposed co-axially within the housing. The canister is movable from a lower position to an upper position. In its lower position, a fluid bypass area is defined above the canister. When a dart is retained within the canister, fluid is diverted through the bypass and around the canister within an annular area defined between the canister and the housing. In one aspect, the canister is moved by rotation of a plug-retaining device below the canister. In its plug-retained position, the plug-retaining device is oriented so that the wall of the plug-retaining device is blocking the downward path of the dart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald Dean Pedersen, David Eugene Hirth
  • Publication number: 20030122373
    Abstract: The present invention provides a connector arrangement for connecting and locking tubular members. The connector consists of two tubular members and a coupling member. The tubular members are threaded together to create a threaded connection. The locking arrangement is provided by a pathway formed on the tubular member whereby a locking member can be inserted in to the pathway to lock the threaded connection. The locking arrangement is also provided by a plurality of castellation members disposed on each tubular member. The connector also has a separate coupling member which has opposite right-hand and left-hand threaded ends to threadedly mate with the threads of the two tubular members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: David Eugene Hirth, Tarald Gudmestad, Mark J. Murray, Gerald Dean Pedersen
  • Patent number: 6079496
    Abstract: A landing collar is disclosed which defines a sealed cavity around its periphery. The landing collar has a seat to accept a sphere. Upon application of pressure on the sphere, the pressure rises on fluid in the chamber which surrounds the landing collar. At a predetermined pressure in the chamber, a rupture disc breaks which allows the fluid in the chamber to escape through a restrictor, thus regulating the rate of movement of the landing collar to expose gradually a bypass opening around the landing collar. Because the movement of the landing collar is regulated by the orifice adjacent the rupture disc, shock to the formation below is eliminated. In the event of sticking of the landing collar, an emergency release is possible since the landing collar is configured in two parts which can be pinned together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: David Eugene Hirth