Patents by Inventor Erwin D. Hernaez

Erwin D. Hernaez 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: 10246971
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a plug to close off a zone in the well for further treatment above the plug features a valve member initially pinned in an open position where flow up to a predetermined level can move through without dislodging the valve plug to move to its associated seat. If the perforating gun misfires a replacement gun can be run in with flow as the plug is still retained in the position for flow through the plug. On the other hand flow around the plug above a predetermined level will shear retainers for the plug and let the plug land on its seat closing flow in a downhole direction for treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: James C. Doane, Ronnie D. Russell, Barbara A. Pratt, Erwin D. Hernaez, Juan C. Flores Perez, Elias Pena, Tristan R. Wise, Steven R. Merrill
  • Patent number: 10018010
    Abstract: The frack plug has a sealing element that reforms when set to hold differential pressure. The element is granular with adhesive to hold the granular particles together but allow the shape to reform under setting force. The adhesive can be broken down with a chemical agent or in other ways to allow the seal to reform to the sealing position at the desired depth. As a result the structural components can disintegrate and the seal assembly can fragment into small pieces that can be circulated out of the well or allowed to drop to the hole bottom. The seal can have particles of controlled electrolytic materials (CEM), natural or synthetic sand, swelling or non-swelling rubber. The assembly can contain pellets that selectively release to initiate the breakdown of the structural components of the frack plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC
    Inventors: James G. King, James C. Doane, Jason M. Harper, Robert J. Taylor, Erwin D. Hernaez
  • Publication number: 20170089175
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a plug to close off a zone in the well for further treatment above the plug features a valve member initially pinned in an open position where flow up to a predetermined level can move through without dislodging the valve plug to move to its associated seat. If the perforating gun misfires a replacement gun can be run in with flow as the plug is still retained in the position for flow through the plug. On the other hand flow around the plug above a predetermined level will shear retainers for the plug and let the plug land on its seat closing flow in a downhole direction for treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: James C. Doane, Ronnie D. Russell, Barbara A. Pratt, Erwin D. Hernaez, Juan C. Flores Perez, Elias Pena, Tristan R. Wise, Steven R. Merrill
  • Publication number: 20150211324
    Abstract: The frack plug has a sealing element that reforms when set to hold differential pressure. The element is granular with adhesive to hold the granular particles together but allow the shape to reform under setting force. The adhesive can be broken down with a chemical agent or in other ways to allow the seal to reform to the sealing position at the desired depth. As a result the structural components can disintegrate and the seal assembly can fragment into small pieces that can be circulated out of the well or allowed to drop to the hole bottom. The seal can have particles of controlled electrolytic materials (CEM), natural or synthetic sand, swelling or non-swelling rubber. The assembly can contain pellets that selectively release to initiate the breakdown of the structural components of the frack plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: James G. King, James C. Doane, Jason M. Harper, Robert J. Taylor, Erwin D. Hernaez