Patents by Inventor Ian Alastair Kirk

Ian Alastair Kirk 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: 8561729
    Abstract: A casing end tool has a bowl-like (or cup-like) body defined by a wall having an outer convex surface and an inner concave surface opposite of the outer convex surface. The bowl-like body has a center axis. The inner concave surface is non-axisymmetric with respect to the center axis, while the outer convex surface is axisymmetric with respect to the center axis. The non-axisymmetric configuration is provided in one implementation through the presence of a set of raised boss or land structures formed on the inner concave surface. In another implementation, the non-axisymmetric configuration is provided by channels formed in the inner concave surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Varel International, Ind., L.P.
    Inventors: William W. King, Michael Reese, Steven W. Drews, Ian Alastair Kirk
  • Publication number: 20110209922
    Abstract: A casing end tool has a mandrel and a body that is defined by a wall having an outer surface and an inner surface opposite of the outer surface. The body is fabricated from crystalline tungsten powder and a binder material. The inner surface includes a set of raised bosses or land structures. The body includes a plurality of blades on the outer surface. Each blade has a plurality of cutters. Blade channels and cutter channels on the blades enhance fragmentation of the body during drill out of the casing end tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: Varel International
    Inventors: William W. King, Michael Reese, Steven W. Drews, Ian Alastair Kirk, Scott Buteaud
  • Publication number: 20100307837
    Abstract: A casing end tool has a bowl-like (or cup-like) body defined by a wall having an outer convex surface and an inner concave surface opposite of the outer convex surface. The bowl-like body has a center axis. The inner concave surface is non-axisymmetric with respect to the center axis, while the outer convex surface is axisymmetric with respect to the center axis. The non-axisymmetric configuration is provided in one implementation through the presence of a set of raised boss or land structures formed on the inner concave surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: Varel International, Ind., L.P.
    Inventors: William W. King, Michael Reese, Steven W. Drews, Ian Alastair Kirk
  • Patent number: 7743829
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid into a borehole through a conduit has a decelerating means adapted to be positioned within the conduit. The fluid could typically comprise drilling mud and/or cement, and in some embodiments, some of the cement can exit through apertures in a shroud of the apparatus to cement the decelerating means inside the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Downhole Products plc
    Inventors: Ian Alastair Kirk, William Barron, Alistair Bertram Clark
  • Patent number: 7694733
    Abstract: A centralizer having a body with an inner surface provided with a friction-reducing slider, typically located in an annular recess on the inner surface of the body of the slider, spaced from the ends of the body. The slider can be formed separately from a body of the centralizer and subsequently attached thereto on the inner surface so that it is adapted to bear between the outer surface of the tubing to be centralized and the inner surface of the centralizer. This reduces rotational torque transmitted between the centralizer and the tubing, and assists in maneuvering of the tubular string into the desired position in the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Downhole Products PLC
    Inventors: Alistair Bertram Clark, Ian Alastair Kirk, William Barron
  • Publication number: 20080210419
    Abstract: A centraliser having a body with an inner surface provided with a friction-reducing slider, typically located in an annular recess on the inner surface of the body of the slider, spaced from the ends of the body. The slider can be formed separately from a body of the centraliser and subsequently attached thereto on the inner surface so that it is adapted to bear between the outer surface of the tubing to be centralised and the inner surface of the centraliser. This reduces rotational torque transmitted between the centraliser and the tubing, and assists in maneuvering of the tubular string into the desired position in the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Alistair Bertram Clark, Ian Alastair Kirk, William Barron
  • Patent number: 7096939
    Abstract: This invention relates to a slotted expandable centraliser. In preferred embodiments, the centraliser is adapted to be used in conjunction with slotted casing, and can expand with the casing when an expander cone is propelled through the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Downhole Products plc
    Inventors: Ian Alastair Kirk, William Barron, Alistair Bertram Clark
  • Patent number: 6845816
    Abstract: A centralizer for use in centralizing casing or other tubulars such as tubulars in an oil or gas well comprising an annular body with a bore extending through the body and one or more blades, the centralizer being adapted to fit around a tubular to be centralized, and comprising a tempered metal such as austemperized ductile iron (ADI).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Downhole Products, PLC
    Inventors: Ian Alastair Kirk, William Barron, Allstair Bertram Clark, Arron Rimmer, Barry Newton
  • Patent number: 6830102
    Abstract: A centraliser primarily for use when casing an oil or gas well, the centraliser having low frictions coatings or sliders on the outer surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Downhole Products PLC
    Inventors: Ian Alastair Kirk, William Barron, Alistair Bertram Clark
  • Patent number: 6659173
    Abstract: A tubing shoe (30) comprising: a body (32) for mounting on the end of a tubing string; and reaming members (36) extending longitudinally and helically around the body, the reaming members providing substantially complete circumferential coverage of the body whereby, in use, when the tubing shoe is advanced axially into a bore, the reaming members (36) provide reaming around the shoe circumference. A rotatable torque reducing sleeve or centraliser (38) may also be mounted on the body, rearwardly of the reaming members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Downhole Products PLC
    Inventors: Ian Alastair Kirk, William Barron, Alistair Bertrum Clark
  • Publication number: 20030159834
    Abstract: A centraliser (1) has a substantially annular body (6), a substantially cylindrical bore extending longitudinally through the body (6), and at least one roller ball (29). The roller ball (29) is preferably secured to the centraliser (1) in a manner which enables the roller ball (29) to rotate in all directions with respect to the centraliser (1), and one roller ball (29) is secured within at least one aperture (9; 109) provided in the sidewall of the body (6). Preferably, an assembly (27, 28, 39; 127, 128, 139) is provided to house the rollerball (29) within the at least one aperture (9; 109), and the roller ball (29) may be arranged to project either outwardly or inwardly from the sidewall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Ian Alastair Kirk, William Barron, Alistair Bertram Clark
  • Publication number: 20030010540
    Abstract: A centraliser primarily for use when casing an oil or gas well, the centraliser having low frictions coatings (19) or sliders (129) on the outer surface thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: Ian Alastair Kirk, William Barron, Alistair Bertram Clark
  • Patent number: 6435275
    Abstract: A casing centraliser and assembly comprising a tubular and a centraliser, the centraliser comprising a plastics material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Downhole Products plc
    Inventors: Ian Alastair Kirk, William Barron, Alistair Bertram Clark
  • Patent number: 6401820
    Abstract: A tubing shoe (30) comprising: a body (32) for mounting on the end of a tubing string; and reaming members (36) extending longitudinally and helically around the body, the reaming members providing substantially complete circumferential coverage of the body whereby, in use, when the tubing shoe is advanced axially into a bore, the reaming members (36) provide reaming around the shoe circumference. A rotatable torque reducing sleeve or centraliser (38) may also be mounted on the body, rearwardly of the reaming members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Downhole Products PLC
    Inventors: Ian Alastair Kirk, William Barron, Alistair Bertrum Clark
  • Publication number: 20020023749
    Abstract: A casing centralizer and assembly comprising a tubular and a centralizer, the centralizer comprising a plastics material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventors: IAN ALASTAIR KIRK, WILLIAM BARRON, ALISTAIR BERTRAM CLARK
  • Publication number: 20010035291
    Abstract: A centralizer for use in centralizing casing or other tubulars such as tubulars in an oil or gas well comprising an annular body with a bore extending through the body and one or more blades, the centralizer being adapted to fit around a tubular to be centralized, and comprising a tempered metal such as austemperized ductile iron (ADI).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Applicant: Downhole Products PLC
    Inventors: Ian Alastair Kirk, William Barron, Alistair Bertram Clark, Arron Rimmer, Barry Newton
  • Patent number: 5860760
    Abstract: A gripping device (10) is described which has an inner member (14) and an outer member (12). The inner member has a split (20) which define a first end (6) and a second end (8). A selectively operable device (18) is also included to keep the first and second ends (6, 8) apart to permit the device (10) to be placed around an object (30) and to permit the first and second ends (6, 8) to move towards each other so that the inner member (14) grips the object (30). At least part of an outer face (26) of the inner member (14) interfits with at least a part of an inner face (22) of the outer member (12) in a manner such that when a load is applied to the outer member (12), the inner face (22) of the outer member (12) acts upon the inner member (14) to cause compression of the inner member (14) thereby increasing the grip of the inner member (14) on the object (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Downhole Products plc
    Inventor: Ian Alastair Kirk
  • Patent number: D662952
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Downhole Products Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Keith Kirk, Ian Alastair Kirk
  • Patent number: D671960
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Downhole Products Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Keith Kirk, Ian Alastair Kirk