Patents by Inventor James A. Simson
James A. Simson 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).
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Patent number: 9194201Abstract: A casing patch and methods for using same are provided. The patch can include a hollow, substantially tubular body. An opening can be formed in the body. A tapered slot can be formed in the body below the opening. A width of the tapered slot proximate the opening can be greater than the width of the tapered slot distal the opening. The tapered slot can be adapted to receive a tapered wedge and expand radially outward as the tapered wedge slides within the tapered slot and away from the opening.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2012Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventors: James A. Simson, Ronald G. Schmidt
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Publication number: 20150053391Abstract: A downhole tool includes a radial expansion assembly deployed about, and configured to rotate substantially freely with respect to, a tool mandrel. The expansion assembly includes at least one stabilizer block configured to extend radially outward from the mandrel into contact with a wellbore casing string. When deployed between uphole and downhole cones, the stabilizer block includes a plurality of angled splines configured to engage corresponding splines on the cones. Relative axial motion between the stabilizer block and the cones causes a corresponding radial extension or retraction of the stabilizer block.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2014Publication date: February 26, 2015Inventors: James A. Simson, Ronald G. Schmidt, Charles H. Dewey
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Patent number: 8887798Abstract: A downhole stabilizer includes a radial expansion assembly deployed about, and configured to rotate substantially freely with respect to, a tool mandrel. The expansion assembly preferably includes at least one stabilizer block configured to extend radially outward from the mandrel into contact with a wellbore casing string. When deployed between uphole and downhole cones, the stabilizer block preferably includes a plurality of angled splines configured to engage corresponding splines disposed on the cones. Relative axial motion between the stabilizer block and the cones causes a corresponding radial extension or retraction of the block.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2011Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventors: James A. Simson, Ronald G. Schmidt, Charles H. Dewey
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Patent number: 8657040Abstract: A percussion drilling assembly includes an outer tubular, an inner tubular coupled within the outer tubular at a threaded region, a drill bit slideably disposed within the inner tubular, and a locking system located proximate the threaded region. The locking system is actuatable by translation of the drill bit relative to the locking system, whereby the locking system is configured to prevent rotation of the inner tubular relative to the outer tubular in at least a first direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2009Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventors: Alan Jackson Marshall, Shantanu Swadi, James A. Simson
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Publication number: 20130048287Abstract: A downhole stabilizer includes a radial expansion assembly deployed about, and configured to rotate substantially freely with respect to, a tool mandrel. The expansion assembly preferably includes at least one stabilizer block configured to extend radially outward from the mandrel into contact with a wellbore casing string. When deployed between uphole and downhole cones, the stabilizer block preferably includes a plurality of angled splines configured to engage corresponding splines disposed on the cones. Relative axial motion between the stabilizer block and the cones causes a corresponding radial extension or retraction of the block.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2011Publication date: February 28, 2013Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: James A. Simson, Ronald G. Schmidt, Charles H. Dewey
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Publication number: 20120267099Abstract: A casing patch and methods for using same are provided. The patch can include a hollow, substantially tubular body. An opening can be formed in the body. A tapered slot can be formed in the body below the opening. A width of the tapered slot proximate the opening can be greater than the width of the tapered slot distal the opening. The tapered slot can be adapted to receive a tapered wedge and expand radially outward as the tapered wedge slides within the tapered slot and away from the opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2012Publication date: October 25, 2012Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: James A. Simson, Ronald G. Schmidt
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Patent number: 7980300Abstract: A drillable bridge plug comprising a mandrel, a sealing element disposed around the mandrel, a plurality of backup rings adjacent the sealing element, a lower slip assembly disposed around the mandrel, an upper slip assembly disposed around the mandrel, an upper cone adjacent the upper slip assembly and engaged with the mandrel with at least one axial locking apparatus and at least one rotational locking apparatus, and a lower cone adjacent the lower slip assembly and engaged with the mandrel with at least one axial locking apparatus and at least one rotational locking apparatus. A drillable bridge plug comprising a mandrel and at least one slip assembly at least partially made of a material having less than 10% elongation.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2008Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventors: William M. Roberts, James A. Simson, George J. Melenyzer
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Publication number: 20100236835Abstract: A percussion drilling assembly includes an outer tubular, an inner tubular coupled within the outer tubular, a drill bit slideably disposed within the inner tubular, and a locking system that is actuatable by translation of the drill bit relative to the locking system, whereby the locking system is configured to prevent rotation of the inner tubular relative to the outer tubular in at least a first direction. In some embodiments, the locking system includes a plurality of locking members, each rotatable between an engaged position, wherein the inner tubular is prevented from rotating relative to the outer tubular in the first direction, and a disengaged position, wherein the inner tubular is rotatable relative to the outer tubular in a second direction opposite the first direction. In other embodiments, the locking system includes a locking member which is extendable to prevent rotation of the inner tubular relative to the outer tubular in at least the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2009Publication date: September 23, 2010Applicant: Smith International, Inc.Inventors: Alan Jackson Marshall, Shantanu Swadi, James A. Simson
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Publication number: 20080308266Abstract: A drillable bridge plug comprising a mandrel, a sealing element disposed around the mandrel, a plurality of backup rings adjacent the sealing element, a lower slip assembly disposed around the mandrel, an upper slip assembly disposed around the mandrel, an upper cone adjacent the upper slip assembly and engaged with the mandrel with at least one axial locking apparatus and at least one rotational locking apparatus, and a lower cone adjacent the lower slip assembly and engaged with the mandrel with at least one axial locking apparatus and at least one rotational locking apparatus. A drillable bridge plug comprising a mandrel and at least one slip assembly at least partially made of a material having less than 10% elongation.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2008Publication date: December 18, 2008Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: William M. Roberts, James A. Simson, George J. Melenyzer
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Patent number: 7424909Abstract: A drillable bridge plug comprising a mandrel, a sealing element disposed around the mandrel, a plurality of backup rings adjacent the sealing element, a lower slip assembly disposed around the mandrel, an upper slip assembly disposed around the mandrel, an upper cone adjacent the upper slip assembly and engaged with the mandrel with at least one axial locking apparatus and at least one rotational locking apparatus, and a lower cone adjacent the lower slip assembly and engaged with the mandrel with at least one axial locking apparatus and at least one rotational locking apparatus. A drillable bridge plug comprising a mandrel and at least one slip assembly at least partially made of a material having less than 10% elongation.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2005Date of Patent: September 16, 2008Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventors: William M. Roberts, James A. Simson, George J. Melenyzer
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Patent number: 7066249Abstract: Apparatus for cementing a string of tubulars in a borehole comprises an enclosure having a bore therethrough, an axially fixed sphere canister having a sphere aperture therethrough, a sphere valve member having a valve body disposed internally of said bore, and a sphere disposed in said sphere aperture, wherein said sphere valve member has a hold position closing said sphere aperture and a drop position opening said sphere aperture to release said sphere.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2005Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventor: James A. Simson
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Publication number: 20050211431Abstract: Apparatus for cementing a string of tubulars in a borehole comprises an enclosure having a bore therethrough, an axially fixed sphere canister having a sphere aperture therethrough, a sphere valve member having a valve body disposed internally of said bore, and a sphere disposed in said sphere aperture, wherein said sphere valve member has a hold position closing said sphere aperture and a drop position opening said sphere aperture to release said sphere.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2005Publication date: September 29, 2005Applicant: Smith International, Inc.Inventor: James Simson
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Publication number: 20050189103Abstract: A drillable bridge plug comprising a mandrel, a sealing element disposed around the mandrel, a plurality of backup rings adjacent the sealing element, a lower slip assembly disposed around the mandrel, an upper slip assembly disposed around the mandrel, an upper cone adjacent the upper slip assembly and engaged with the mandrel with at least one axial locking apparatus and at least one rotational locking apparatus, and a lower cone adjacent the lower slip assembly and engaged with the mandrel with at least one axial locking apparatus and at least one rotational locking apparatus. A drillable bridge plug comprising a mandrel and at least one slip assembly at least partially made of a material having less than 10% elongation.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2005Publication date: September 1, 2005Applicant: Smith International, Inc.Inventors: William Roberts, James Simson, George Melenyzer
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Patent number: 6904970Abstract: A cementing manifold is disclosed that preferably includes: modular housings that can be stacked together and interconnected to add multi-dart or multi-sphere capability; identical, interchangeable valves; internal bypass capability; a minimum number of protrusions into the pressure containing components; and no externally mounted welded or threaded components. A cementing swivel is also disclosed that preferably includes connections that are formed integrally to the housing, redundant cement connections, angled cement ports, and seal assemblies that do not require individual placement of each seal.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2002Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventor: James A. Simson
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Patent number: 6772844Abstract: A sealing apparatus for sealing an annulus between a mandrel and an outer tubular. The apparatus comprises a top seal ring and a bottom seal ring separated by a double-ramped cylinder, all mounted on the mandrel and fit within the inner diameter of the outer tubular. The sealing apparatus is placed on the mandrel in running in position. The mandrel and sealing apparatus are then placed downhole in the outer tubular. Once at the desired location, a load is applied to the top seal ring. Once the load reaches a predetermined magnitude, the ramp slides under and expands the bottom seal ring to form a pressure-tight seal with the outer tubular. Additional load placed on the top seal ring causes the top seal ring to slide over the ramp and expand. As the top seal ring expands, the top seal ring forms a pressure-tight seal with the outer tubular.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2002Date of Patent: August 10, 2004Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventors: Sam Sun Lloyd, James A. Simson, George Melenyzer
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Publication number: 20030024701Abstract: A cementing manifold is disclosed that preferably includes: modular housings that can be stacked together and interconnected to add multi-dart or multi-sphere capability; identical, interchangeable valves; internal bypass capability; a minimum number of protrusions into the pressure containing components; and no externally mounted welded or threaded components.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2002Publication date: February 6, 2003Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventor: James A. Simson
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Patent number: 6009943Abstract: The liner assembly and method includes lowering a liner, liner hanger, liner hanger setting tool, liner packer, and liner packer setting tool into the borehole on a work string. The liner hanger is set either hydraulically or mechanically using the liner hanger setting tool at the option of the operator. The liner is then cemented within the borehole and the liner packer setting tool is used to set the liner packer either hydraulically or mechanically at the option of the operator. The liner packer setting tool includes an actuator assembly mounted on the exterior of a tubular body. The actuator assembly includes an actuator member having a contact member which engages the packing element on the liner packer such that upon movement of the contact member with respect to the liner packer, the packing element on the liner packer is compressed to sealingly engage the cased borehole. The actuator member is sealed from the fluid pressure within the borehole until the liner packer is to be set.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1998Date of Patent: January 4, 2000Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventors: John M. Yokley, James A. Simson, Mark J. Murray, Robert R. Olman
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Patent number: 5884702Abstract: The liner assembly and method includes lowering a liner, liner hanger, liner hanger setting tool, liner packer, and liner packer setting tool into the borehole on a work string. The liner hanger is set either hydraulically or mechanically using the liner hanger setting tool at the option of the operator. The liner is then cemented within the borehole and the liner packer setting tool is used to set the liner packer either hydraulically or mechanically at the option of the operator. The liner packer setting tool includes an actuator assembly mounted on the exterior of a tubular body. The actuator assembly includes an actuator member having a contact member which engages the packing element on the liner packer such that upon movement of the contact member with respect to the liner packer, the packing element on the liner packer is compressed to sealingly engage the cased borehole. The actuator member is sealed from the fluid pressure within the borehole until the liner packer is to be set.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 1997Date of Patent: March 23, 1999Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventors: John M. Yokley, James A. Simson, Mark J. Murray, Robert R. Olman
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Patent number: 5472055Abstract: A self-contained, telescoping liner hanger setting tool is adapted to set a hanger and attached liner within a wellbore; release the liner hanger by unthreading a running nut securing the tool to the hanger and rotating the liner, after the tool is released from the hanger, during a cementing process, the liner is rotated through a clutch means adjacent the lower end of the tool and the upper end of the hanger, the liner hanger setting tool being fully retrievable from the borehole after the cementing process is ended.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 1994Date of Patent: December 5, 1995Assignee: Smith International, Inc.Inventors: James A. Simson, John M. Yokley