Patents by Inventor Douglas J. Murray

Douglas J. Murray 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: 9045956
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method of method of performing a wellbore operation is disclosed that in one embodiment may include: providing a device that includes a non-explosive energetic material configured to disintegrate when subjected to a selected energy; placing the device at a selected location in the wellbore to perform a selected function; and subjecting the device to the selected energy to disintegrate the device in the wellbore after the device has performed the selected function. In another aspect an apparatus for use in a wellbore is disclosed that in one embodiment may include a device placed in the wellbore at a selected location, wherein the device includes a non-explosive energetic material configured to disintegrate when subjected to a selected energy, and a source of the selected energy configured to subject the device to the selected energy in the wellbore to disintegrate the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Gerald D. Lynde, Yang Xu, Bennett M. Richard, Douglas J. Murray, Edward J. O'Malley
  • Publication number: 20150125117
    Abstract: A method of coupling optical fiber to a tubular includes positioning at least one optical fiber at least partially within an annular cavity defined between a tubular and an elongated member and radially compressing the elongated member against the tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Carl W. Stoesz, Douglas J. Murray, David O. Craig
  • Patent number: 8939221
    Abstract: A lock assembly including a mandrel having one or more windows arranged alternatingly with one or more struts. One or more dogs are included corresponding to the one or more windows and are radially extendable therethrough. A member is operatively arranged for radially extending each of the one or more dogs. Each of the one or more dogs is operatively coupled between the member and the mandrel when fully radially extended by the member for bypassing loading in the one or more struts during loading of the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Douglas J. Murray
  • Patent number: 8733450
    Abstract: A tubular seating system includes a seat disposed at a deformable first tubular which is sealable with a plug such that pressure is buildable thereagainst. A second tubular in operable communication with the deformable first tubular defining a support cavity therebetween is configured such that pressure within the support cavity provides support to the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Douglas J. Murray, James C. Doane
  • Patent number: 8607860
    Abstract: A collet assembly has a housing and the collets disposed on flexible fingers connected to the housing at their opposed ends. A surrounding landing sleeve stops the assembly so that collets are aligned with a recess in a landing collar that is part of a surrounding tubing string. Once set the landing sleeve transmits compressive loads so that compressive stress essentially bypasses the finger structure supporting the collets. The fingers are initially tapered toward a longitudinal axis so that when internally supported they assume an aligned orientation to the housing axis to allow greater tensile loading and to provide a retraction force when the housing is to be removed after the collet support is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Marcus A. Avant, Douglas J. Murray
  • Publication number: 20130175027
    Abstract: A lock assembly including a mandrel having one or more windows arranged alternatingly with one or more struts. One or more dogs are included corresponding to the one or more windows and are radially extendable therethrough. A member is operatively arranged for radially extending each of the one or more dogs. Each of the one or more dogs is operatively coupled between the member and the mandrel when fully radially extended by the member for bypassing loading in the one or more struts during loading of the assembly. A method of locking an assembly is also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Douglas J. Murray
  • Publication number: 20130175051
    Abstract: A lock assembly including a mandrel having at least one window therein. At least one dog corresponds to the at least one window and is radially extendable therethrough. The at least one dog is operatively arranged for engaging at least one feature of a tubular radially disposed with the mandrel. At least one seal element is arranged for sealing the mandrel with respect to the tubular and operatively positioned with respect to the at least one dog for maintaining the mandrel solely in compression against the at least one dog during fluid pressure loading on the mandrel in either longitudinal direction with respect to the lock assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Douglas J. Murray, Alfredo Gomez
  • Publication number: 20130081825
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method of method of performing a wellbore operation is disclosed that in one embodiment may include: providing a device that includes a non-explosive energetic material configured to disintegrate when subjected to a selected energy; placing the device at a selected location in the wellbore to perform a selected function; and subjecting the device to the selected energy to disintegrate the device in the wellbore after the device has performed the selected function. In another aspect an apparatus for use in a wellbore is disclosed that in one embodiment may include a device placed in the wellbore at a selected location, wherein the device includes a non-explosive energetic material configured to disintegrate when subjected to a selected energy, and a source of the selected energy configured to subject the device to the selected energy in the wellbore to disintegrate the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Gerald D. Lynde, Yang Xu, Bennett M. Richard, Douglas J. Murray, Edward J. O'Malley
  • Patent number: 8327933
    Abstract: An apparatus for verifying cement arrival at a target location includes a liner. A sensory structure radially outwardly disposed of the liner at a target arrival location of cement from a cementing operation. The sensory structure configured to sense arrival of cement. A seal configuration automatically responsive to the sensed arrival of cement. Also included is a method for addressing micro annulus formation in a down hole cementing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Gerald D. Lynde, Douglas J. Murray
  • Publication number: 20120279722
    Abstract: A tubular seating system includes a seat disposed at a deformable first tubular which is sealable with a plug such that pressure is buildable thereagainst. A second tubular in operable communication with the deformable first tubular defining a support cavity therebetween is configured such that pressure within the support cavity provides support to the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Douglas J. Murray, James C. Doane
  • Patent number: 8291982
    Abstract: A completion tubular is placed in position adjacent the zone or zones to be fractured and produced. It features preferably sliding sleeve valves that can assume at least two configurations: wide open and open with a screen material juxtaposed in the flow passage. In a preferred embodiment the valve assembly has three positions, adding a fully closed position to the other two mentioned. After run in, the valves can be put in the wide open position in any order desired to fracture. After fracturing, the valves can be closed or selectively be put in filtration position for production from the fractured zones in any desired order. Various ways are described to actuate the valves. The tubular can have telescoping pistons through which the fracturing can take place if the application calls for a cemented tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Douglas J. Murray, Robert S. O'Brien, Peter J. Fay, Sean L. Gaudette
  • Publication number: 20120168148
    Abstract: A collet assembly has a housing and the collets disposed on flexible fingers connected to the housing at their opposed ends. A surrounding landing sleeve stops the assembly so that collets are aligned with a recess in a landing collar that is part of a surrounding tubing string. Once set the landing sleeve transmits compressive loads so that compressive stress essentially bypasses the finger structure supporting the collets. The fingers are initially tapered toward a longitudinal axis so that when internally supported they assume an aligned orientation to the housing axis to allow greater tensile loading and to provide a retraction force when the housing is to be removed after the collet support is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Marcus A. Avant, Douglas J. Murray
  • Publication number: 20120118579
    Abstract: A completion tubular is placed in position adjacent the zone or zones to be fractured and produced. It features preferably sliding sleeve valves that can assume at least two configurations: wide open and open with a screen material juxtaposed in the flow passage. In a preferred embodiment the valve assembly has three positions, adding a fully closed position to the other two mentioned. After run in, the valves can be put in the wide open position in any order desired to fracture. After fracturing, the valves can be closed or selectively be put in filtration position for production from the fractured zones in any desired order. Various ways are described to actuate the valves. The tubular can have telescoping pistons through which the fracturing can take place if the application calls for a cemented tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Douglas J. Murray, Robert S. O'Brien, Peter J. Fay, Sean L. Gaudette
  • Patent number: 8171994
    Abstract: A completion tubular is placed in position adjacent the zone or zones to be fractured and produced. It features preferably sliding sleeve valves that can assume at least two configurations: wide open and open with a screen material juxtaposed in the flow passage. In a preferred embodiment the valve assembly has three positions, adding a fully closed position to the other two mentioned. After run in, the valves can be put in the wide open position in any order desired to fracture. After fracturing, the valves can be closed or selectively be put in filtration position for production from the fractured zones in any desired order. Various ways are described to actuate the valves. The tubular can have telescoping pistons through which the fracturing can take place if the application calls for a cemented tubular. Alternatively, the tubular can be in open hole and simply have openings for passage of fracture fluid and external isolators to allow fracturing in any desired order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Douglas J. Murray, Robert S. O'Brien, Peter J. Fay, Sean L. Gaudette
  • Publication number: 20120090836
    Abstract: An apparatus for verifying cement arrival at a target location includes a liner. A sensory structure radially outwardly disposed of the liner at a target arrival location of cement from a cementing operation. The sensory structure configured to sense arrival of cement. A seal configuration automatically responsive to the sensed arrival of cement. Also included is a method for addressing micro annulus formation in a downhole cementing operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: GERALD D. LYNDE, DOUGLAS J. MURRAY
  • Patent number: 7971646
    Abstract: A completion tubular is placed in position adjacent the zone or zones to be fractured and produced. It features preferably sliding sleeve valves that can assume at least two configurations: wide open and open with a screen material juxtaposed in the flow passage. In a preferred embodiment the valve assembly has three positions, adding a fully closed position to the other two mentioned. After run in, the valves can be put in the wide open position in any order desired to fracture. After fracturing, the valves can be closed or selectively be put in filtration position for production from the fractured zones in any desired order. Various ways are described to actuate the valves. The tubular can have telescoping pistons through which the fracturing can take place if the application calls for a cemented tubular. Alternatively, the tubular can be in open hole and simply have openings for passage of fracture fluid and external isolators to allow fracturing in any desired order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Douglas J. Murray, Robert S. O'Brien, Peter J. Fay, Sean L. Gaudette
  • Publication number: 20110120726
    Abstract: A completion tubular is placed in position adjacent the zone or zones to be fractured and produced. It features preferably sliding sleeve valves that can assume at least two configurations: wide open and open with a screen material juxtaposed in the flow passage. In a preferred embodiment the valve assembly has three positions, adding a fully closed position to the other two mentioned. After run in, the valves can be put in the wide open position in any order desired to fracture. After fracturing, the valves can be closed or selectively be put in filtration position for production from the fractured zones in any desired order. Various ways are described to actuate the valves. The tubular can have telescoping pistons through which the fracturing can take place if the application calls for a cemented tubular. Alternatively, the tubular can be in open hole and simply have openings for passage of fracture fluid and external isolators to allow fracturing in any desired order.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Douglas J. Murray, Robert S. O'Brien, Peter J. Fay, Sean L. Gaudette
  • Publication number: 20100307770
    Abstract: A junction selective contaminant exclusion tool includes a tubular positionable within the junction and having an opening through a wall thereof, a material disposed on an outside surface of the tubular, the material being capable of increasing a radial dimension between a surface of the material in contact with the tubular and an opposite surface of the material upon exposure to a selected species. A method for excluding selected contaminants from a wellbore junction is also disclosed. The method includes: disposing a junction at a wellbore casing window; disposing a tubular member having at least one opening through a wall thereof at the junction, the tubular member including an exclusion material thereon capable of existing in a first configuration and a second configuration, the second configuration obtainable upon exposure to a selected species; and exposing the material to the selected species.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: BARTON F. SPONCHIA, AMY L. FARRAR, AUBREY C. MILLS, DOUGLAS J. MURRAY, JOHN J. JOHNSON, JAMES L. MCGOWIN
  • Patent number: 7806193
    Abstract: A packer assembly which incorporates a swellable elastomeric packer element and one or more swellable thermoplastic components. The swellable thermoplastic components are support rings that are located at each axial end of the elastomeric element and provide positive mechanical backups for the elastomeric element to limit extrusion of the packer element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Vel Berzin, Douglas J. Murray, Edward T. Wood, Steven N. Bailey, Robert O. Castillo, Darwin D. Arline
  • Patent number: 7766089
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a packer system. The packer system includes, a first packing element settable to create a seal against a downhole structure, and a contingency packing element in operable communication with the first packing element, maintainable in reserve and settable at a time after which the first packing element is set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Douglas J. Murray