Patents by Inventor Graeme D. McKay

Graeme D. McKay 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).

  • Spiral whipstock for low-side casing exits
    Patent number: 8607858
    Abstract: A whipstock features a spiral ramp so that, in a horizontal run, access to a milled window with other tools is not impeded because such tools can traverse onto the ramp and still be directed to the window. Angular rotation of the ramp can be at 180° or more and the pitch is selected to avoid getting the equipment being advanced into a bind. Optionally, a guide track can be configured into the whipstock ramp to help the mill follow the spiral path until the proper orientation is obtained and the track ends to allow separation of the mill from the track. A slot can be provided near the ramp upper end to aid in retrieval operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Graeme D. McKay, Christopher W. Guidry, Paul L. Connell, David B. Haughton
  • Spiral Whipstock for Low-Side Casing Exits
    Publication number: 20130112397
    Abstract: A whipstock features a spiral ramp so that, in a horizontal run, access to a milled window with other tools is not impeded because such tools can traverse onto the ramp and still be directed to the window. Angular rotation of the ramp can be at 180° or more and the pitch is selected to avoid getting the equipment being advanced into a bind. Optionally, a guide track can be configured into the whipstock ramp to help the mill follow the spiral path until the proper orientation is obtained and the track ends to allow separation of the mill from the track. A slot can be provided near the ramp upper end to aid in retrieval operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Graeme D. McKay, Christopher W. Guidry, Paul L. Connell, David B. Haughton