Patents by Inventor Gregory L. Ricks

Gregory L. Ricks 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: 12258815
    Abstract: A rotatable cutting element includes a stationary portion defining a cavity with an inner wall, the inner wall extending at an angle radially away from a longitudinal axis of the stationary portion and defining a retaining region. The rotatable cutting element further includes a rotatable portion having one end thereof disposed in the cavity of the stationary portion and structure for engaging a subterranean formation at an opposing end. The rotatable cutting element also includes a retaining element extending between the rotatable portion and the stationary portion, the retaining element extending into the retaining region defined by the inner wall of the stationary portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jon David Schroder, Gregory L. Ricks
  • Patent number: 12188300
    Abstract: An earth-boring rotary drill tool may comprise a body comprising a pin, a roller cone mounted on the pin, and a seal assembly disposed between the pin and the roller cone. The first ring may comprise longitudinally converging sidewall surfaces defining a minimum radial thickness of the first ring at points of tangential intersection with a convex curved surface spanning a radial thickness of the first ring. The second ring may comprise a concave surface located and configured to interface over an area of contact with the convex curved surface of the first ring. The third ring may be positioned adjacent to, and concentric with, the second ring. The second ring may be disposed radially inward from the third ring. The first ring may also contact a surface of the roller cone or an insert ring adjacent the roller cone to form a seal between the first ring and the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gregory L. Ricks, Jon David Schroder
  • Publication number: 20240318506
    Abstract: An earth-boring rotary drill tool may comprise a body comprising a pin, a roller cone mounted on the pin, and a seal assembly disposed between the pin and the roller cone. The first ring may comprise longitudinally converging sidewall surfaces defining a minimum radial thickness of the first ring at points of tangential intersection with a convex curved surface spanning a radial thickness of the first ring. The second ring may comprise a concave surface located and configured to interface over an area of contact with the convex curved surface of the first ring. The third ring may be positioned adjacent to, and concentric with, the second ring. The second ring may be disposed radially inward from the third ring. The first ring may also contact a surface of the roller cone or an insert ring adjacent the roller cone to form a seal between the first ring and the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2023
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Inventors: Gregory L. Ricks, Jon David Schroder
  • Publication number: 20240247547
    Abstract: A rotatable cutting element includes a stationary portion defining a cavity with an inner wall, the inner wall extending at an angle radially away from a longitudinal axis of the stationary portion and defining a retaining region. The rotatable cutting element further includes a rotatable portion having one end thereof disposed in the cavity of the stationary portion and structure for engaging a subterranean formation at an opposing end. The rotatable cutting element also includes a retaining element extending between the rotatable portion and the stationary portion, the retaining element extending into the retaining region defined by the inner wall of the stationary portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2023
    Publication date: July 25, 2024
    Inventors: Jon David Schroder, Gregory L. Ricks
  • Patent number: 11920409
    Abstract: A cutting element includes a substrate and a cutting table secure to the substrate. The cutting table includes a first surface, a cutting surface, a first transition surface, and a second transition surface. The cutting surface at least substantially surrounds an outer boundary of the first surface and is angled relative to a longitudinal centerline of the cutting table. The first and second transition surfaces are between the cutting surface and an outer lateral edge of the cutting table. The first and second transition surfaces are oriented at a first angle and a second different angle, respectively, relative to the longitudinal centerline of the cutting table. An earth-boring tool and method of forming an earth-boring tool are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Steven Craig Russell, Gregory L. Ricks, Stephen Duffy
  • Publication number: 20240011357
    Abstract: A cutting element includes a substrate and a cutting table secure to the substrate. The cutting table includes a first surface, a cutting surface, a first transition surface, and a second transition surface. The cutting surface at least substantially surrounds an outer boundary of the first surface and is angled relative to a longitudinal centerline of the cutting table. The first and second transition surfaces are between the cutting surface and an outer lateral edge of the cutting table. The first and second transition surfaces are oriented at a first angle and a second different angle, respectively, relative to the longitudinal centerline of the cutting table. An earth-boring tool and method of forming an earth-boring tool are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2022
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Steven Craig Russell, Gregory L. Ricks, Stephen Duffy
  • Patent number: 11131148
    Abstract: An earth-boring rotary tool includes a body comprising a pin, a roller cone mounted on the pin, and a seal assembly disposed between the pin and the roller cone. The seal assembly includes a seal ring to form a seal between the seal ring and the roller cone. The seal assembly includes a first polymer ring, while compressed, applies a first force on the seal ring that biases the seal ring towards the roller cone. The seal assembly includes a second polymer ring proximate the first polymer ring. The second polymer ring, while compressed, applies a second force on the seal ring to further bias the seal ring towards the roller cone. The second force is greater than the first force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventor: Gregory L. Ricks
  • Publication number: 20200408044
    Abstract: An earth-boring rotary tool includes a body comprising a pin, a roller cone mounted on the pin, and a seal assembly disposed between the pin and the roller cone. The seal assembly includes a seal ring to form a seal between the seal ring and the roller cone. The seal assembly includes a first polymer ring, while compressed, applies a first force on the seal ring that biases the seal ring towards the roller cone. The seal assembly includes a second polymer ring proximate the first polymer ring. The second polymer ring, while compressed, applies a second force on the seal ring to further bias the seal ring towards the roller cone. The second force is greater than the first force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventor: Gregory L. Ricks
  • Patent number: 10801266
    Abstract: An earth-boring tool includes a body, at least one blade, and at least one rotatable cutting structure. The blade extends axially from the body and extends radially outward from a center longitudinal axis of the earth-boring tool to less than an outer diameter of the earth-boring tool. The blade defines a first cutting profile. The at least one rotatable cutting structure assembly is coupled to the body and includes a leg extending axially from the body and a rotatable cutting structure rotatably coupled to the leg. The rotatable cutting structure defines a second cutting profile extending to the outer diameter of the earth-boring tool. The first cutting profile overlaps with the second cutting profile in a radial direction in an amount that is less than 20% of the outer diameter of the earth-boring tool. A method of making an earth-boring tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory L. Ricks, Mitchell A. Rothe, Floyd C. Felderhoff
  • Patent number: 10633929
    Abstract: An earth-boring tool includes a movable component and an additive manufacturing formed flow control device in fluid communication with the movable component and configured to control a flowrate of the hydraulic fluid through the additive manufacturing formed flow control device, wherein the additive manufacturing formed flow control device is configured to control a movement of the movable component via the flowrate of hydraulic fluid through the additive manufacturing formed flow control device. An earth-boring tool includes an additive manufacturing formed flow control device in fluid communication with one or more components of the earth-boring tool and configured to provide a cooling fluid to the one or more components of the earth-boring tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Evans, Gregory L. Ricks
  • Publication number: 20190352970
    Abstract: An earth-boring tool includes a body, at least one blade, and at least one rotatable cutting structure. The blade extends axially from the body and extends radially outward from a center longitudinal axis of the earth-boring tool to less than an outer diameter of the earth-boring tool. The blade defines a first cutting profile. The at least one rotatable cutting structure assembly is coupled to the body and includes a leg extending axially from the body and a rotatable cutting structure rotatably coupled to the leg. The rotatable cutting structure defines a second cutting profile extending to the outer diameter of the earth-boring tool. The first cutting profile overlaps with the second cutting profile in a radial direction in an amount that is less than 20% of the outer diameter of the earth-boring tool. A method of making an earth-boring tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Gregory L. Ricks, Mitchell A. Rothe, Floyd C. Felderhoff
  • Patent number: 10273759
    Abstract: A self-adjusting earth-boring tool includes a body carrying cutting elements and an actuation device disposed at least partially within the body. The actuation device may include a first fluid chamber, a second fluid chamber, a first reciprocating member, and a second reciprocating member. The first and second reciprocating members may divide portions of the first fluid chamber from portions of the second fluid chamber. A connection member may be attached to both of the first and second reciprocating members and may have a drilling element removably coupled thereto. A first fluid flow path may extend from the second fluid chamber to the first fluid chamber. A second fluid flow path may extend from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory L. Ricks, Chaitanya K. Vempati, Jayesh Rameshlal Jain, Juan Miguel Bilen, Anthony Phillips
  • Publication number: 20190032416
    Abstract: An earth-boring tool includes a movable component and an additive manufacturing formed flow control device in fluid communication with the movable component and configured to control a flowrate of the hydraulic fluid through the additive manufacturing formed flow control device, wherein the additive manufacturing formed flow control device is configured to control a movement of the movable component via the flowrate of hydraulic fluid through the additive manufacturing formed flow control device. An earth-boring tool includes an additive manufacturing formed flow control device in fluid communication with one or more components of the earth-boring tool and configured to provide a cooling fluid to the one or more components of the earth-boring tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Evans, Gregory L. Ricks
  • Patent number: 10132122
    Abstract: An earth-boring rotary tool includes a tool body, at least one fixed blade associated with the tool body and configured to carry a fixed cutting element, and at least one leg configured to carry a rolling cutter. The tool body has a slot extending longitudinally generally parallel to a longitudinal axis defining an axial center of the tool body. The slot is at least partially defined by a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposing the first sidewall, a third sidewall extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, and an axial end wall of the tool body. A portion of the leg is disposed within the slot of the tool body and abuts the first sidewall of the tool body. A wedge is disposed within the slot and pins the leg to the tool body within the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory L. Ricks, Floyd C. Felderhoff, Rudolf Carl Pessier
  • Patent number: 10094174
    Abstract: Earth-boring tools may include a body and a passively adjustable, aggressiveness-modifying member secured to the body. The passively adjustable, aggressiveness-modifying member may be movable between a first position in which the earth-boring tool exhibits a first aggressiveness and a second position in which the earth-boring tool exhibits a second, different aggressiveness responsive to forces acting on the passively adjustable, aggressiveness-modifying member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Jayesh Rameshlal Jain, Chaitanya K. Vempati, Gregory L. Ricks, Juan Miguel Bilen
  • Publication number: 20180266184
    Abstract: An earth-boring rotary tool includes a tool body, at least one fixed blade associated with the tool body and configured to carry a fixed cutting element, and at least one leg configured to carry a rolling cutter. The tool body has a slot extending longitudinally generally parallel to a longitudinal axis defining an axial center of the tool body. The slot is at least partially defined by a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposing the first sidewall, a third sidewall extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, and an axial end wall of the tool body. A portion of the leg is disposed within the slot of the tool body and abuts the first sidewall of the tool body. A wedge is disposed within the slot and pins the leg to the tool body within the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Gregory L. Ricks, Floyd C. Felderhoff, Rudolf Carl Pessier
  • Publication number: 20180179826
    Abstract: Earth-boring tools may include a body and a passively adjustable, aggressiveness-modifying member secured to the body. The passively adjustable, aggressiveness-modifying member may be movable between a first position in which the earth-boring tool exhibits a first aggressiveness and a second position in which the earth-boring tool exhibits a second, different aggressiveness responsive to forces acting on the passively adjustable, aggressiveness-modifying member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Jayesh Rameshlal Jain, Chaitanya K. Vempati, Gregory L. Ricks, Juan Miguel Bilen
  • Patent number: 10000977
    Abstract: A drill bit includes a bit body; a pad associated with the bit body; and a rate control device coupled to the pad that extends from a bit surface at a first rate and retracts from an extended position to a retracted position at a second rate in response to external force applied onto the pad. The rate control device includes a piston for applying a force on the pad; a biasing member that applies a force on the piston to extend the pad at the first rate; a fluid chamber associated with the piston; and a pressure management device for controlling a fluid pressure within the fluid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC
    Inventors: Jayesh R. Jain, Benjamin Baxter, Chaitanya K. Vempati, Steven R. Radford, Volker Peters, Gregory L. Ricks, Miguel Bilen, Holger Stibbe, David A. Curry
  • Patent number: 9782857
    Abstract: A method of improving the service life of a drill bit comprises creating a weldment between load bearing portions of the drill bit where the weldment has a preselected root gap greater than about 25 mils and a preselected root face greater than about 25 mils, and where the weldment has a material property greater than the materials being joined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Don Q. Nguyen, Carl E. Poteet, Eric C. Sullivan, John F. Bradford, Mark P. Blackman, Alan J. Massey, Gregory L. Ricks
  • Patent number: 9708859
    Abstract: A drill bit includes a bit body; a pad associated with the bit body; a rate control device coupled to the pad that extends from a bit surface at a first rate and retracts from an extended position to a retracted position at a second rate in response to external force applied onto the pad. The rate control device includes a piston for applying a force on the pad; a biasing member that applies a force on the piston to extend the pad at the first rate; a fluid chamber associated with the piston; and a pressure management device for controlling a fluid pressure within the fluid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jayesh R. Jain, Benjamin Baxter, Chaitanya Vempati, Steven Radford, Gregory L. Ricks, Miguel Bilen, Holger Stibbe, Volker Peters