Patents by Inventor David H. Neuroth

David H. Neuroth 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: 6769805
    Abstract: A heater cable is deployed in a well bore to elevate the temperature of the wellbore above the temperature of the surrounding fluid and the formation. One or more fiber optic strings are included in or carried by the heater cable which is placed along a desired length of the wellbore. At least one fiber optic string measures temperature of the heater cable at a plurality of spaced apart locations. Another string is utilized to determine the temperature of the wellbore. The heater cable is heated above the temperature of the well bore. The fluid flowing from the formation to the wellbore lowers the temperature of the cable at the inflow locations. The fiber optic string provides measurements of the temperature along the heater cable. The fluid flow is determined from the temperature profile of the heater cable provided by the fiber optic sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Sensor Highway Limited
    Inventors: Glynn R Williams, David H Neuroth, Larry V Dalrymple
  • Patent number: 6695062
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electrical cable provides an electrical cable suitable for use in heating wells. An elastomeric jacket is extruded over insulated conductors. A stainless steel plate is rolled around the jacket to form a cylindrical coiled tubing having a seam. The seam is welded, then the tubing is swaged down to a lesser diameter to cause the tubing to frictionally grip the jacket. A recess may be formed in the jacket adjacent the seam to avoid heat damage from the welding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry V. Dalrymple, David H. Neuroth, Phillip R. Wilbourn, Don C. Cox, Thomson H. Wallace
  • Publication number: 20030122535
    Abstract: A heater cable is deployed in a well bore to elevate the temperature of the wellbore above the temperature of the surrounding fluid and the formation. One or more fiber optic strings are included in or carried by the heater cable which is placed along a desired length of the wellbore. At least one fiber optic string measures temperature of the heater cable at a plurality of spaced apart locations. Another string is utilized to determine the temperature of the wellbore. The heater cable is heated above the temperature of the well bore. The fluid flowing from the formation to the wellbore lowers the temperature of the cable at the inflow locations. The fiber optic string provides measurements of the temperature along the heater cable. The fluid flow is determined from the temperature profile of the heater cable provided by the fiber optic sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Glynn R. Williams, David H. Neuroth, Larry V. Dalrymple
  • Patent number: 6585046
    Abstract: A method of heating gas being produced in a well reduces condensate occurring in the well. A cable assembly having at least one insulated conductor is deployed into the well while the well is still live. Electrical power is applied to the conductor to cause heat to be generated. Gas is allowed up past the cable assembly and out the wellhead. The heat retards condensation, which creates frictional losses in the gas flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: David H. Neuroth, Phillip R. Wilbourn, Larry V. Dalrymple, Don C. Cox
  • Publication number: 20030037927
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electrical cable provides an electrical cable suitable for use in heating wells. An elastomeric jacket is extruded over insulated conductors. A stainless steel plate is rolled around the jacket to form a cylindrical coiled tubing having a seam. The seam is welded, then the tubing is swaged down to a lesser diameter to cause the tubing to frictionally grip the jacket. A recess may be formed in the jacket adjacent the seam to avoid heat damage from the welding process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: Larry V. Dalrymple, David H. Neuroth, Phillip R. Wilbourn, Don C. Cox, Thomson H. Wallace
  • Patent number: 6497279
    Abstract: The present invention provides a heater cable (10) that may be deployed in a wellbore to elevate the temperature of the wellbore above the temperature of the surrounding fluid and the formation. One or more fiber optic strings are included in or are carried by the heater cable. The heater cable carrying the fiber optics is placed along the desired length of the wellbore. At least one fiber optic string measures temperature of the heater cable at a plurality of spaced apart locations. Another string may be utilized to determine the temperature of the wellbore. In one aspect of this invention, the heater cable is heated above the temperature of the wellbore. The fluid flowing from the formation to the wellbore lowers the temperature of the cable at the inflow locations. The fiber optic string provides measurements of the temperature along the heater cable. The fluid flow is determined from the temperature profile of the heater cable provided by the fiber optic sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Sensor Highway Limited
    Inventors: Glynn R Williams, David H Neuroth, Larry V Dalrymple
  • Patent number: 6479752
    Abstract: Helically wound coil springs are wrapped around and attached at regular intervals to a cable, which is positioned within tubing. The support springs are attached to the cable to provide support to the cable. The upper section of each support spring is affixed to the cable. A remainder of each spring is formed in a long open helix facing downward when the tubing is installed in a well. The open helix portion of the spring is larger than the inside diameter of the coiled tubing. During placement into the coiled tubing, the springs elongate and decrease in diameter. When the coiled tubing is installed vertically within a well, the springs compress due to the weight of the cable and engage the inside surface of the coiled tubing with a substantial portion of their length, thereby supporting the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: David H. Neuroth, Charles C. Collie, Timothy W. Pinkston
  • Publication number: 20020050361
    Abstract: A submersible-pump assembly has an electric motor and pump adapted to be lowered into a string of production tubing. A permanently-deployed power cable is located in the annulus located between an outer surface of the production tubing and an inner surface of a string of casing. A set of wet-mateable power connectors provide electricity to the motor through hydraulically-actuated pins carried in hydraulic cylinders mounted to the outer surface of the production tubing. The power cable is connected to each pin for carrying electricity from the surface of the well to the pins. The pins are moved inward toward the motor to engage receptacles located in the outer surface of the motor. Alternatively, the power connectors may be a receptacle that receives a stab mounted to the tubing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventors: Christopher K. Shaw, Earl B. Brookbank, David H. Neuroth
  • Patent number: 6352113
    Abstract: An electrical submersible pump assembly supported on coiled or continuous tubing. A power cable extends through the coiled tubing for supplying electrical power to the pump assembly. The cable has an outer diameter that is less than the inner diameter of the tubing, resulting in a cable annulus surrounding the cable. Supports attached to the cable frictionally or mechanically engage the cable with the coiled tubing to support the weight of the cable with the tubing. The supports define passages that allow fluid to flow by within the cable annulus from the surface. A port is provided in the coiled tubing at the electrical submersible pump assembly for discharging fluid pumped from the surface down the cable annulus. A tube may be provided to extend downward from the port alongside of the electrical submersible pump. Fluid may be pumped from an upper end of the well down the cable annulus and out of the port to free up sand accumulation on the packer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: David H. Neuroth
  • Publication number: 20020023751
    Abstract: A method of heating gas being produced in a well reduces condensate occurring in the well. A cable assembly having at least one insulated conductor is deployed into the well while the well is still live. Electrical power is applied to the conductor to cause heat to be generated. Gas is allowed up past the cable assembly and out the wellhead. The heat retards condensation, which creates frictional losses in the gas flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventors: David H. Neuroth, Phillip R. Wilborn, Larry V. Dalrymple, Don C. Cox
  • Publication number: 20010050111
    Abstract: Armored control cables are described. The control cables include fluid communication tubes and a metal armor layer that surrounds each of the fluid communication tubes. In one described embodiment, there are three fluid communication tubes that are disposed in a parallel relation and maintained in contact with one another. The metal armor layer is in contact with the outer surface of each of the three tubes and is preferable formed of spirally wound metal tape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Inventors: David H. Neuroth, Thomson Hall Wallace
  • Patent number: 6328111
    Abstract: A method for installing a submersible pump assembly that allows deployment in a live well under pressure. In some of the embodiments, a pressure barrier is installed in the well lower than a length of the submersible pump assembly. The submersible pump assembly is lowered on a line into the chamber, then a lubricator at the surface seals around the line by allowing the pressure barrier to be released and the submersible pump assembly to be lowered into the well to a desired depth. Preferably, there is a lower pressure barrier in the well. The upper pressure barrier may be a packer that may be collapsed and retrieved alongside the submersible pump assembly. The pressure barrier also may be a packer that is temporarily set in the well, then engaged by the submersible pump assembly, with the pump assembly and packer then being lowered as a unit to a further depth in the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: John L. Bearden, Kenneth T. Bebak, Earl B. Brookbank, Don C. Cox, Ronald S. Fordyce, David H. Neuroth, Steven K. Tetzlaff
  • Patent number: 6192983
    Abstract: This invention provides oilfield spooled coiled tubing production and completion strings assembled at the surface to include sensors and one or more controlled devices which can be tested from a remote location. The devices may have upsets in the coiled tubing. The strings preferably include conductors and hydraulic lines in the coiled tubing. The conductors provide power and data communication between the sensors, devices and surface instrumentation. The coiled tubing strings are preferably tested at the assembly site and transported to the well site one reels. The coiled tubing strings are inserted and retrieved from the wellbores utilizing an adjustable opening injector head system. This invention also provides method of making electro-coiled-tubing wherein upper and lower adapters are connected to the coiled tubing and tested prior to transporting the string to the wellbore. The string preferably includes pressure barriers at both ends of the string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: David H. Neuroth, Earl B. Brookbank, Eugene D. Bespalov, Tim Jackson, Paulo S. Tubel
  • Patent number: 6143988
    Abstract: An electrical line for installation in a well for transmitting power to a well pump includes a string of coiled tubing. An electrical cable having insulated electrical conductors embedded within an elastomeric jacket extends longitudinally through the interior passage of the tubing. Retainers are mounted to the electrical cable and spaced longitudinally apart from each other. An indentation is integrally formed in the tubing adjacent each of the retainers. Each indentation protrudes into the interior passage of the tubing and creates a ledge which is contacted by one of the retainers when the electrical line is installed in the well. The indentations and retainers transfer weight of the electrical cable to the tubing. Weld material is filled into the depression on the surface created by each indentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: David H. Neuroth, Larry Dalrymple, Earl B. Brookbank, Tim W. Pinkston, Don C. Cox
  • Patent number: 5821452
    Abstract: An electrical line for a well pump has elastomeric supports clamped to the exterior of electrical cable for supporting the cable within coiled tubing. The cable supports have an elastomeric member that swells when contacted with a hydrocarbon liquid. Each expansion member is clamped to the cable exterior by retainers located at the ends. The expansion members are spaced apart longitudinally along the cable, and then the cable is inserted into the coiled tubing. Hydrocarbon liquid is pumped through the coiled tubing to cause the expansion members to swell into frictional engagement with the coiled tubing. The retainers direct the swelling laterally into tight contact with the coiled tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: David H. Neuroth, Don C. Cox, Earl B. Brookbank
  • Patent number: 5782301
    Abstract: A heater cable is strapped alongside tubing in a well to heat the production fluids flowing through the tubing. The heater cable has three copper conductors surrounded by a thin electrical insulation layer. An extrusion of lead forms a protective layer over the insulation layers. The lead sheaths have flat sides which abut each other to increase heat transfer. A metal armor is wrapped around the lead sheaths of the three conductors in metal-to-metal contact. Three phase power is supplied to the conductors, causing heat to be generated which transmits through the lead sheaths and armor to the tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: David H. Neuroth, Larry V. Dalrymple, Robert Bailey
  • Patent number: 5528824
    Abstract: A cable for a submersible pump has three insulated power conductors assembled in a flat configuration. The power conductors are wrapped with an inner armor such as a metal strip. An auxiliary line is placed alongside the inner armor and wrapped in an outer armor. The outer armor is also a metal strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Roger B. Anthony, David H. Neuroth
  • Patent number: 5431759
    Abstract: An electrical cable and a method for manufacturing the electrical cable are provided in which a plurality of insulated conductors have a protective jacket extruded thereabout, the protective jacket having an exterior ribbed surface which includes a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs between which extend a plurality of thermal expansion voids. The protective jacket is formed from a thermally set elastomeric material which is partially cured, and then a protective exterior armor is helically wrapped around the exteriorly ribbed surface of the elastomeric, protective jacket. Then, the electric cable is heated to an elevated temperature for a period of time which is sufficient for fully curing the elastomeric protective jacket formed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Inc.
    Inventor: David H. Neuroth
  • Patent number: 5426264
    Abstract: An electrical cable for use in submersible well pumps in oil and gas well environments is provided having an electrical conductor core which is surrounded by an insulating layer of cross-linked polyethylene. A barrier layer surrounds the cross-linked polyethylene insulating layer. The barrier layer is impermeable to oil and other liquid hydrocarbons, but is permeable to low molecular gases. The barrier layer is preferably formed from a fluoropolymer and is surrounded by a polymeric protective layer. An adhesive layer attaches the barrier layer to the insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1995
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: David W. Livingston, David H. Neuroth, David G. Korte
  • Patent number: 5414217
    Abstract: An electrical cable for a submersible well pump is provided which is resistant to attack by hydrogen sulfide and which is less susceptible to damage from expanding gases during decompression. The electrical cable has a central copper conductor core. The conductor core is surrounded by a layer of electrical insulation material of either thermosetting or thermoplastic material. Surrounding the insulation material is a polymeric, low permeable layer having a hydrogen sulfide permeability rate which is substantially lower than the insulation material. A metal tape layer, such as lead tape, surrounds the low permeable layer. One or more conductor cores together with the insulation, low permeable layer and metal tape layer can be embedded in an elastomeric jacket and provided with an outer metal armor to provide a single electrical cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: David H. Neuroth, Thomson H. Wallace