Patents by Inventor Dick S. Gonzalez
Dick S. Gonzalez 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).
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Patent number: 11105184Abstract: A completion apparatus for a wellbore includes several flow tools and an actuation mechanism. The flow tools have a piston defining first and second chambers with a housing. The chambers communicate with hydraulics so the piston are movable in response to the communicated hydraulics. A sleeve disposed in the housing is movable with the piston between first, second, and third positions. The sleeve can have a seat movable between two conditions for passing/engaging plugs. The sleeve in the first position closes off communication through the first and second ports, and the sleeve in the second position permits communication through the first port and closes off communication through the second port. The sleeve in the third position closes off communication through the first port and permits communication through the second port. The actuation mechanism is operable to communicate the hydraulics respectively with the chambers of the flow tools.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2019Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Ryan R. Bacsik, Cesar G. Garcia, Matthew Priesmeyer, Dick S. Gonzalez
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Patent number: 10392899Abstract: A downhole tool is responsive to passing objects and applied fluid pressure. A plugless valve in the tool is operable from an unobstructed condition to an obstructed condition unobstructing the tool's bore to an obstructed condition obstructing the tool's bore to the applied fluid pressure. An indexer counts the objects passing through the tool's bore and permits operation of the plugless valve from the unobstructed to the obstructed condition in response to the counted number. The applied fluid pressure in the bore obstructed by the plugless valve can then communicate outside the tool via at least one port. The plugless valve can have a movable insert that moves relative to a flapper. The indexer can use ratcheting dogs, collet, J-slot, electronic sensor, and other components to count the passing objects.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2015Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Dick S. Gonzalez, Cesar G. Garcia
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Publication number: 20190218888Abstract: A completion apparatus for a wellbore includes several flow tools and an actuation mechanism. The flow tools have a piston defining first and second chambers with a housing. The chambers communicate with hydraulics so the piston are movable in response to the communicated hydraulics. A sleeve disposed in the housing is movable with the piston between first, second, and third positions. The sleeve can have a seat movable between two conditions for passing/engaging plugs. The sleeve in the first position closes off communication through the first and second ports, and the sleeve in the second position permits communication through the first port and closes off communication through the second port. The sleeve in the third position closes off communication through the first port and permits communication through the second port. The actuation mechanism is operable to communicate the hydraulics respectively with the chambers of the flow tools.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2019Publication date: July 18, 2019Inventors: Ryan R. Bacsik, Cesar G. Garcia, Matthew Priesmeyer, Dick S. Gonzalez
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Patent number: 10337288Abstract: A downhole tool, such as a sliding sleeve, is operable with pressure applied against one of a plurality of plugs deployed in the tool. A sleeve can engage the deployed plugs and can move with the engagement. The sleeve extends in an absence of external support and releases the engaged plug. An indexing mechanism operable between the sleeve and an insert in the tool moves with the sleeve in response to the engagement with the deployed plugs and counts those engagements. In response to a predetermined count, the indexing mechanism forms the external support of the one deployed plug engaged in the sleeve and moves the insert with the pressure applied against the one deployed plug, which is engaged in the sleeve and supported by the indexing mechanism. For example, the insert can move open in the tool relative to a flow port communicating outside the tool.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2016Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventor: Dick S. Gonzalez
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Patent number: 10280712Abstract: A completion apparatus for a wellbore includes several flow tools and an actuation mechanism. The flow tools have a piston defining first and second chambers with a housing. The chambers communicates with hydraulics so the piston are movable in response to the communicated hydraulics. A sleeve disposed in the housing is movable with the piston between first, second, and third positions. The sleeve can have a seat movable between two conditions for passing/engaging plugs. The sleeve in the first position closes off communication through the first and second ports, and the sleeve in the second position permits communication through the first port and closes off communication through the second port. The sleeve in the third position closes off communication through the first port and permits communication through the second port. The actuation mechanism is operable to communicate the hydraulics respectively with the chambers of the flow tools.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2017Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Ryan R. Bacsik, Cesar G. Garcia, Matthew Priesmeyer, Dick S. Gonzalez
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Publication number: 20170241238Abstract: A completion apparatus for a wellbore includes several flow tools and an actuation mechanism. The flow tools have a piston defining first and second chambers with a housing. The chambers communicates with hydraulics so the piston are movable in response to the communicated hydraulics. A sleeve disposed in the housing is movable with the piston between first, second, and third positions. The sleeve can have a seat movable between two conditions for passing/engaging plugs. The sleeve in the first position closes off communication through the first and second ports, and the sleeve in the second position permits communication through the first port and closes off communication through the second port. The sleeve in the third position closes off communication through the first port and permits communication through the second port. The actuation mechanism is operable to communicate the hydraulics respectively with the chambers of the flow tools.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2017Publication date: August 24, 2017Inventors: Ryan R. Bacsik, Cesar G. Garcia, Matthew Priesmeyer, Dick S. Gonzalez
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Publication number: 20160362962Abstract: A downhole tool, such as a sliding sleeve, is operable with pressure applied against one of a plurality of plugs deployed in the tool. A sleeve can engage the deployed plugs and can move with the engagement. The sleeve extends in an absence of external support and releases the engaged plug. However, an indexing mechanism is operable between the sleeve and an insert in the tool. The indexing mechanism moves with the sleeve in response to the engagement with the deployed plugs and counts those engagements. In response to a predetermined count, the indexing mechanism forms the external support of the one deployed plug engaged in the sleeve and moves the insert with the pressure applied against the one deployed plug, which is engaged in the sleeve and supported by the indexing mechanism. For example, the insert can move open in the tool relative to a flow port communicating outside the tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2016Publication date: December 15, 2016Inventor: Dick S. Gonzalez
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Publication number: 20160130910Abstract: A downhole tool is responsive to passing objects and applied fluid pressure. A plugless valve in the tool is operable from an unobstructed condition to an obstructed condition unobstructing the tool's bore to an obstructed condition obstructing the tool's bore to the applied fluid pressure. An indexer counts the objects passing through the tool's bore and permits operation of the plugless valve from the unobstructed to the obstructed condition in response to the counted number. The applied fluid pressure in the bore obstructed by the plugless valve can then communicate outside the tool via at least one port. The plugless valve can have a movable insert that moves relative to a flapper. The indexer can use ratcheting dogs, collet, J-slot, electronic sensor, and other components to count the passing objects.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2015Publication date: May 12, 2016Inventors: Dick S. Gonzalez, Cesar G. Garcia