Patents by Inventor Donald R. Greenlee

Donald R. Greenlee 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).

  • Publication number: 20200048983
    Abstract: A downhole tool is configured on a wireline adapter kit in the run-in position is disclosed. The downhole tool comprises a large open bore when the downhole tool is set and the wireline adapter kit is removed, thereby allowing production to commence without removal of the downhole tool. The large bore diameter may be greater than 2 inches for a 4.5 inch casing, or greater than 2.5 inches for a 5.5 inch casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Donald R. Greenlee, Donald J. Greenlee
  • Patent number: 9915114
    Abstract: A retrievable downhole tool has a mandrel, an upper radially expandable slip carried by the mandrel, a lower radially expandable slip carried by the mandrel, a rubber element disposed between the upper radially expandable slip and the lower radially expandable slip, an upper backup disposed between the upper radially expandable slip and the rubber element, and a lower backup disposed between the rubber element and the lower radially expandable slip. At least one of the upper radially expandable slip, the lower radially expandable slip, the upper backup, and the lower backup comprises a soluble material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Inventor: Donald R. Greenlee
  • Patent number: 9551197
    Abstract: A setting tool for use inside a well bore casing having an upper portion, a lower portion, and a wrap spring. The upper portion includes a mandrel coupled to a connecting line. The upper portion is configured to receive an input. The lower portion includes a first sleeve configured translate along an axis of the setting tool. The lower portion is selectively coupled to the upper portion. The wrap spring has a torsional preload and is coupled to the upper portion and the lower portion. The wrap spring is configured to selectively release the lower portion and upon reception of the input, such that the first sleeve is permitted to translate along the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Inventors: Donald R. Greenlee, Donald Jonathan Greenlee
  • Publication number: 20160281458
    Abstract: A retrievable downhole tool has a mandrel, an upper radially expandable slip carried by the mandrel, a lower radially expandable slip carried by the mandrel, a rubber element disposed between the upper radially expandable slip and the lower radially expandable slip, an upper backup disposed between the upper radially expandable slip and the rubber element, and a lower backup disposed between the rubber element and the lower radially expandable slip. At least one of the upper radially expandable slip, the lower radially expandable slip, the upper backup, and the lower backup comprises a soluble material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventor: Donald R. Greenlee
  • Publication number: 20150368995
    Abstract: A setting tool for use inside a well bore casing having an upper portion, a lower portion, and a wrap spring. The upper portion includes a mandrel coupled to a connecting line. The upper portion is configured to receive an input. The lower portion includes a first sleeve configured translate along an axis of the setting tool. The lower portion is selectively coupled to the upper portion. The wrap spring has a torsional preload and is coupled to the upper portion and the lower portion. The wrap spring is configured to selectively release the lower portion and upon reception of the input, such that the first sleeve is permitted to translate along the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Donald R. Greenlee, Donald Jonathan Greenlee
  • Patent number: 9121240
    Abstract: A setting tool for use inside a well bore casing having an upper portion, a lower portion, and a wrap spring. The upper portion includes a mandrel coupled to a connecting line. The upper portion is configured to receive an input. The lower portion includes a first sleeve configured translate along an axis of the setting tool. The lower portion is selectively coupled to the upper portion. The wrap spring has a torsional preload and is coupled to the upper portion and the lower portion. The wrap spring is configured to selectively release the lower portion and upon reception of the input, such that the first sleeve is permitted to translate along the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Inventors: Donald R. Greenlee, Donald Jonathan Greenlee
  • Patent number: 9004160
    Abstract: A downhole tool that is used to seal a well bore. The downhole tool has at least one of a nose cap coupled to a slip means for converting shear forces into compression forces, a pultrusion rod, and a butterfly ring. The pultrusion rod extends the full length of the center mandrel. The butterfly ring includes a plurality of wedges configured to remove the extrusion gap when the tool is expanded to prevent failure of a sealing member over increased well bore diameters. The downhole tool includes a pressure equalization port to equalize pressure between a first and a second fluid volume during removal of the tool from the well bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventors: Donald J. Greenlee, Donald R. Greenlee
  • Publication number: 20140190682
    Abstract: A downhole tool that is used to seal a well bore. The downhole tool has at least one of a nose cap coupled to a slip means for converting shear forces into compression forces, a pultrusion rod, and a butterfly ring. The pultrusion rod extends the full length of the center mandrel. The butterfly ring includes a plurality of wedges configured to remove the extrusion gap when the tool is expanded to prevent failure of a sealing member over increased well bore diameters. The downhole tool includes a pressure equalization port to equalize pressure between a first and a second fluid volume during removal of the tool from the well bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Inventors: Donald J. Greenlee, Donald R. Greenlee
  • Publication number: 20130220638
    Abstract: A setting tool for use inside a well bore casing having an upper portion, a lower portion, and a wrap spring. The upper portion includes a mandrel coupled to a connecting line. The upper portion is configured to receive an input. The lower portion includes a first sleeve configured translate along an axis of the setting tool. The lower portion is selectively coupled to the upper portion. The wrap spring has a torsional preload and is coupled to the upper portion and the lower portion. The wrap spring is configured to selectively release the lower portion and upon reception of the input, such that the first sleeve is permitted to translate along the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventors: Donald R. Greenlee, Donald Jonathan Greenlee
  • Patent number: 5148866
    Abstract: A releasable boring mechanism for releasably securing a tool downhole in a well includes upper and lower sets of slip expandable radially outward from retracted positions into extended positions for engagement with the inside wall of a well casing when a mandrel attached to a tubing string casing, the anchoring mechanism is lifted to wedge upper and lower frustoconical heads between the mandrel and the slips. In releasing the slips from the well casing, the lower edge of a window in an upper slip cage first engages a primary release shoulder on the bottom of a first to release one of the slips to lift such slip through the application of compression forces from the casing well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald R. Greenlee
  • Patent number: 5129453
    Abstract: An improved well packer for removeable installation in a well casing. A mandrel is associated with the packer for latching engagement with the well packer which can be released from the well packer by a simple rotation of the mandrel by no more than one-quarter turn. Arcuate 60.degree. segments of teeth are formed on opposing sides of the mandrel and contact ratchetable arcuate 60.degree. segments of teeth on opposing sides of the packer such that when the mandrel is moved longitudinally in relation to the packer, the ratchetable teeth can engage the fixed teeth on the mandrel. When it is desired to release the mandrel from the packer assembly, the mandrel is rotated no more than one-quarter turn and the mandrel teeth move out of engagement with the 60.degree. segment of the ratchetable teeth, thus disengaging the mandrel from the packer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald R. Greenlee
  • Patent number: 5103901
    Abstract: A hydraulic well packer having upper and lower slip assemblies with pivotable teeth therein for engaging the well casing to lock the packer in the casing and having elastomer seals between the upper and lower slip assemblies. A hydraulic assembly is coupled to the lower slip assembly for forcing it upwardly towards the upper slip assembly thereby compressing the elastomer seals outwardly against the well casing to form a liquid-tight seal and forcing the slip teeth outwardly to lock the well packer in place in the well casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc
    Inventor: Donald R. Greenlee
  • Patent number: 4856583
    Abstract: Treating apparatus arranged to be positioned in well bores that includes a packer that is retrievable and resettable and that provides a spaced pair of sealing elements to isolate a zone in the well bore. A valve operable within the packer is moveable among positions wherein fluid can be circulated through the operations, an open position wherein the treating fluids can be injected into the zone to be treated, and a closed position wherein the selected zone can be sealed off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Greenlee, Willie C. Skinner, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4791992
    Abstract: Disclosed is a packer (32) responsive to a first hydraulic pressure for setting the packer (32) within a casing (16), and responsive to a second higher pressure for releasing the packer (32) from the casing (16). The first pressure moves an inner piston (94) which shears a screw (96) to thereby apply a compressive force to elastomeric bands (66, 68). The elastomeric bands (66, 68) bow outwardly and seal the packer (32) to the casing (16). A toothed ratchet ring (135) engages with respective teeth (114,122) of the inner piston (94) and an outer cylinder piston (90) to permit one-way movement of the inner piston (94). The packer (32) is thereby set and the hydraulic pressure can be reduced. The packer (32) is released from its sealing engagement with the casing (16) by applying a second greater hydraulic pressure which shears a screw (92), thereby allowing the outer cylindrical piston (90) to move downwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1988
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Greenlee, Michael W. Pitts
  • Patent number: 4750559
    Abstract: A retrievable anchor assembly for use in well bores and the like includes a unitary mandrel arranged to be directly attached to the tubing, and at its lower end to additional tubing or to well apparatus such as a well pump. An upper expander is threaded onto the mandrel and a lower expander is attached to the mandrel by shear pins. A plurality of slips are disposed in curcumferentially spaced relationship about the mandrel and held in place thereon by a plurality of garter springs which extend through the slips. A cage encircles the upper and lower expanders and the slips and includes openings through which the slips project for engagement with the well bore wall. The cage also includes slots through which drag springs that are attached to the upper expander extend for engagement with the well bore wall whereby relative rotation can be accomplished between the mandrel and upper expander to move the slips between set and retracted positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1988
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Greenlee, Lee M. Lustig
  • Patent number: 4702313
    Abstract: An improved slip and slip assembly for use with well tools such as anchors. The slip assemblies include a plurality of slips having ends formed by segments of circles, having a concave outer surface including teeth arranged to hold in both the upwardly and outwardly directions, and concave expander surfaces arranged to mate with the tapered surfaces of expanders on a well tool to move the slips into engagement with the well bore wall. The slips are held in the assembled relationship by a plurality of garter springs that extend through arcuate holes that extend through the sidewalls of the slips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1987
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Greenlee, Lee M. Lustig
  • Patent number: 4593765
    Abstract: A tubing string resettable bridge plug is conditioned for initial wireline installation in a well utilizing an adapter within a mandrel carrying the slip assembly of the bridge plug and frangible connecting means between the sealing assembly and mandrel to place the sealing assembly in an alternate transport condition for first being set by means of a wireline device. Thereafter, the tubing string may be connected to the bridge plug downhole to release the bridge plug for resetting in a different position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1986
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald R. Greenlee
  • Patent number: 4583590
    Abstract: The slip releasing apparatus described herein includes a unitary slip member having wall engaging teeth located in diagonally opposite upper and lower ends and carries a pair of releasing pins mounted therein that project inwardly therefrom. The pins are disposed in recesses or holes formed in a slip carrier member that extends through the slip member. The recesses are configured in the carrier member so that an upward pull on the carrier member moves a release surface onto the carrier member into engagement with the pins in the slip member to cause pivotal or rotational movement of the slip member about a fulcrum formed by the engagement between the teeth on the lower end of this slip member and the pipe in which the slip member is run.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1986
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Greenlee, David G. Dearing, Andrew J. Tucker
  • Patent number: 4530398
    Abstract: A retrievable seal bore packer adapted to be lowered into a casing on a wireline and set by a wireline gun. The packer is retrieved by a retrieving tool lowered into the casing on a wireline by a downward force followed by an upward force on the wireline. The packer has a cylindrical mandrel, selectively engageable slips, a lower cylindrical element encircling the mandrel and bearing against the bottom of the slip and an upper cylindrical element encircling the mandrel and bearing against the top of the slip. The wireline gun is interconnected with the cylindrical mandrel and the upper cylindrical element to selectively cause relative movement therebetween and to thereby engage the slips with the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1985
    Assignee: Arrow Oil Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Greenlee, Albert E. Kline
  • Patent number: 4391326
    Abstract: A stinger assembly for use in releasably connecting an upper section of a tubing string to a tool in a well includes a mandrel with a master cam slot formed therein to define upper and lower support shoulders. An indexable collar telescoped on the mandrel includes a follower which fits within the slot so that as the mandrel is moved vertically, the follower rides within the slot indexing the collar between upper and lower positions relative to the mandrel. A collet is journaled on and carried by the collar and includes a plurality of radially flexible spring-fingers which in the lower position are blocked against deflecting radially inwardly and in the upper position are free to deflect inwardly into an annular recess on the mandrel. The upper shoulder in the master cam slot supports the follower so that the spring-fingers are in registry with the recess to allow the collet to be disconnected from the well tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1983
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald R. Greenlee