Patents by Inventor Greg Giem

Greg Giem 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: 9163470
    Abstract: A multiple activation-device launching system for a cementing head comprises a launcher body comprising at least one launching chamber and a device chamber, the launching chamber sized to receive one or more activation devices therein, the launching chamber in fluid communication with a power source for launching the activation device into the device chamber. The launching system may further comprise a pressure sensor, a pressure-relief device or a flow-measurement device, or combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Philippe Gambier, Greg Giem, Joel Rondeau, Chris Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 8960283
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in launching cement plugs in a well cementing operation comprises a cylinder, a piston slideably received in the bore of the cylinder and an actuator extending from the piston through the cylinder. The actuator is operable by the piston for launching plugs from the apparatus into the well. A resilient damper cartridge is slideably mounted on the actuator in the cylinder so as to be contactable by the piston. A series of frangible pins is located in the cylinder wall so as to provide temporary limits to the movement of the cartridge in the cylinder as the piston slides along the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Joel Rondeau, Philippe Gambier, André Salvaire, Greg Giem
  • Patent number: 8770293
    Abstract: A multiple activation-device launching system for a cementing head comprises a launcher body and at least one launching chamber that are sized to receive one or more activation devices therein. The activation devices are launched into the principal process-fluid stream inside the cementing head, and may be darts, balls, bombs, canisters and combinations thereof. The launching chambers are in fluid communication with an external power source for launching the activation device into the principal process-fluid stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Greg Giem, Philippe Gambier, Joel Rondeau, Chris Fitzgerald
  • Publication number: 20140008084
    Abstract: A multiple activation-device launching system for a cementing head comprises a launcher body and at least one launching chamber that are sized to receive one or more activation devices therein. The activation devices are launched into the principal process-fluid stream inside the cementing head, and may be darts, balls, bombs, canisters and combinations thereof. The launching chambers are in fluid communication with an external power source for launching the activation device into the principal process-fluid stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Greg Giem, Philippe Gambier, Joel Rondeau, Chris Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 8622131
    Abstract: An apparatus for remotely launching cementing plugs is configured such that the length of a dart is not necessarily the same as the corresponding plug to be launched. A hydraulic-liquid reservoir and a piston are incorporated into a plug-launching system. The size of the reservoir may be adjusted such that the axial displacement of the piston after the dart lands is sufficient to cause the expulsion of a plug from the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Greg Giem, Philippe Gambier, Chris Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 8567488
    Abstract: The present invention relates in general to equipment for servicing subterranean wells and in particular to a cementing head that is intended to drop a combination of darts, balls, bombs and canisters in order to activate downhole equipment, launch cementing plugs, deliver chemical products, or the like. A cementing head comprises a modular valve apparatus, comprising at least two detatchable parts. This arrangement allows the operator to remove and disassemble the valve apparatus at the wellsite. Thus, repairs and maintenance may be performed at the wellsite and the valve apparatus may be reassembled and reinstalled, obviating the need to transport the equipment to a central facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Philippe Gambier, Andre Salvaire, Greg Giem, Joel Rondeau
  • Patent number: 8555972
    Abstract: A multiple activation-device launching system for a cementing head comprises a launcher body and at least one launching chamber that are sized to receive one or more activation devices therein. The activation devices are launched into the principal process-fluid stream inside the cementing head, and may be darts, balls, bombs, canisters and combinations thereof. The launching chambers are in fluid communication with an external power source for launching the activation device into the principal process-fluid stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Greg Giem, Philippe Gambier, Joel Rondeau, Chris Fitzgerald
  • Publication number: 20130037258
    Abstract: An activation-device launching system, mounted on a cementing head, allows the deployment of a combination of darts, balls, bombs, canisters in order to activate downhole equipment, launch cementing plugs, deliver chemical products, or the like. A valve controls the flow of process fluid, and holds an activation device in place until it is time for launching. The valve also has a hollow axle through which balls may be launched into the process-fluid stream at any time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventor: Greg Giem
  • Patent number: 8327937
    Abstract: An apparatus for remotely launching cementing plugs is configured such that the length of a dart need not necessarily be the same as the corresponding plug to be launched. A hydraulic-liquid reservoir and a piston are incorporated into a plug-launching system. The size of the reservoir may be adjusted such that the axial displacement of the piston after the dart lands is sufficient to cause the expulsion of a plug from the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Greg Giem, Philippe Gambier, Chris Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 8302698
    Abstract: An activation-device launching system, mounted on a cementing head, allows the deployment of a combination of darts, balls, bombs, canisters in order to activate downhole equipment, launch cementing plugs, deliver chemical products, or the like. A valve controls the flow of process fluid, and holds an activation device in place until it is time for launching. The valve also has a hollow axle through which balls may be launched into the process-fluid stream at any time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Greg Giem
  • Publication number: 20120160482
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in launching cement plugs in a well cementing operation, comprising: a cylinder (108); a piston (118) slideably received in the bore of the cylinder; and an actuator (120) extending from the piston through the cylinder and operable by the piston for launching a plug (114,116) from the apparatus into the well; wherein a resilient damper cartridge (124) is slideably mounted on the actuator in the cylinder so as to be contactable by the piston, and a series of frangible pins (122) is located in the cylinder wall so as to provide temporary limits to the movement of the cartridge in the cylinder as the piston slides along the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Joel Rondeau, Philippe Gambier, André Salvaire, Greg Giem
  • Publication number: 20120097394
    Abstract: The present invention relates in general to equipment for servicing subterranean wells and in particular to a cementing head that is intended to drop a combination of darts, balls, bombs and canisters in order to activate downhole equipment, launch cementing plugs, deliver chemical products, or the like. A cementing head comprises a modular valve apparatus, comprising at least two detatchable parts. This arrangement allows the operator to remove and disassemble the valve apparatus at the wellsite. Thus, repairs and maintenance may be performed at the wellsite and the valve apparatus may be reassembled and reinstalled, obviating the need to transport the equipment to a central facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: Philippe Gambier, Andre Salvaire, Greg Giem, Joel Rondeau
  • Publication number: 20120000675
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multiple activation-device launching system for a cementing head, comprising a launcher body comprising at least one launching chamber and a device chamber, the launching chamber sized to receive one or more activation devices therein, the launching chamber in fluid communication with a power source for launching the activation device into the device chamber. Then the invention relates to various methods involving such system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: GREG GIEM, PHILIPPE GAMBIER, JOEL RONDEAU, CHRIS FITZGERALD
  • Patent number: 8069922
    Abstract: A multiple activation-device launching system for a cementing head comprises a launcher body and at least one launching chamber that are sized to receive one or more activation devices therein. The activation devices are launched into the principal process-fluid stream inside the cementing head, and may be darts, balls, bombs, canisters and combinations thereof. The launching chambers are in fluid communication with an external power source for launching the activation device into the principal process-fluid stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Greg Giem, Philippe Gambier, Joel Rondeau, Chris Fitzgerald
  • Publication number: 20110247834
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multiple activation-device launching system for a cementing head, comprising a launcher body comprising at least one launching chamber and a device chamber, the launching chamber sized to receive one or more activation devices therein, the launching chamber in fluid communication with a power source for launching the activation device into the device chamber. Then the invention relates to various methods involving such system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Philippe Gambier, Greg Giem, Joel Rondeau, Chris Fitzgerald
  • Publication number: 20110146986
    Abstract: An apparatus for remotely launching cementing plugs is configured such that the length of a dart is not necessarily the same as the corresponding plug to be launched. Such a design presents operational and ergonomic advantages, particularly in an offshore environment. Methods for launching cementing plugs and cementing a subterranean well are also presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Greg Giem, Philippe Gambier, Chris Fitzgerald
  • Publication number: 20100282478
    Abstract: The present invention relates in general to equipment for servicing subterranean wells and in particular to a cementing head that is intended to drop a combination of darts, balls, bombs and canisters in order to activate downhole equipment, launch cementing plugs, deliver chemical products, or the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventor: Greg Giem
  • Publication number: 20100175891
    Abstract: Modular apparatus for remotely activating a wiper plug launching tool or other down-hole equipment by launching a dart or other projectile along tubing to the subsea equipment. A dart is loaded into a basket prior to launch and subsequently loaded into a modular tool piece. The pre-loaded tool pieces are configurable prior to use dependent on operational requirement and furthermore may be independently removable from the remaining equipment facilitating maintenance and serving of individual tool pieces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventors: Joel Rondeau, Philippe Gambier, Andre Salvaire, Greg Giem
  • Publication number: 20100084145
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multiple activation-device launching system for a cementing head, comprising a launcher body comprising at least one launching chamber and a device chamber, the launching chamber sized to receive one or more activation devices therein, the launching chamber in fluid communication with a power source for launching the activation device into the device chamber. Then the invention relates to various methods involving such system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Inventors: Greg Giem, Phillippe Gambier, Joel Rondeau, Chris Fitzgerald