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).

  • Patent number: 9194201
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Simson, Ronald G. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20150053391
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: James A. Simson, Ronald G. Schmidt, Charles H. Dewey
  • Patent number: 8887798
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Simson, Ronald G. Schmidt, Charles H. Dewey
  • Patent number: 8657040
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Jackson Marshall, Shantanu Swadi, James A. Simson
  • Publication number: 20130048287
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: James A. Simson, Ronald G. Schmidt, Charles H. Dewey
  • Publication number: 20120267099
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: James A. Simson, Ronald G. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7980300
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Roberts, James A. Simson, George J. Melenyzer
  • Publication number: 20100236835
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Jackson Marshall, Shantanu Swadi, James A. Simson
  • Publication number: 20080308266
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: William M. Roberts, James A. Simson, George J. Melenyzer
  • Patent number: 7424909
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Roberts, James A. Simson, George J. Melenyzer
  • Patent number: 7066249
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Simson
  • Publication number: 20050211431
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Publication date: September 29, 2005
    Applicant: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventor: James Simson
  • Publication number: 20050189103
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Publication date: September 1, 2005
    Applicant: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: William Roberts, James Simson, George Melenyzer
  • Patent number: 6904970
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventor: James A. Simson
  • Patent number: 6772844
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Sam Sun Lloyd, James A. Simson, George Melenyzer
  • Publication number: 20030024701
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: James A. Simson
  • Patent number: 6009943
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Yokley, James A. Simson, Mark J. Murray, Robert R. Olman
  • Patent number: 5884702
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Yokley, James A. Simson, Mark J. Murray, Robert R. Olman
  • Patent number: 5472055
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Simson, John M. Yokley