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).

  • Patent number: 11105184
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan R. Bacsik, Cesar G. Garcia, Matthew Priesmeyer, Dick S. Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 10392899
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Dick S. Gonzalez, Cesar G. Garcia
  • Publication number: 20190218888
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Ryan R. Bacsik, Cesar G. Garcia, Matthew Priesmeyer, Dick S. Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 10337288
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Dick S. Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 10280712
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Ryan R. Bacsik, Cesar G. Garcia, Matthew Priesmeyer, Dick S. Gonzalez
  • Publication number: 20170241238
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Ryan R. Bacsik, Cesar G. Garcia, Matthew Priesmeyer, Dick S. Gonzalez
  • Publication number: 20160362962
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventor: Dick S. Gonzalez
  • Publication number: 20160130910
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Dick S. Gonzalez, Cesar G. Garcia