Patents by Inventor James Allen Jefferies
James Allen Jefferies 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: 11287049Abstract: A high-pressure valve assembly includes a valve body, a unibody choke valve stem, and a unibody choke valve seat having surface hardened wear surfaces formed thereon. The wear surfaces formed are interacting wear surfaces, as with tribological applications. The wear surfaces are hardened using a boronization process or a thermal spray application process. The boronization process is performed using discrete parameters to obtain one of a minimum depth of deposited boronization elements and a desired measured surface hardness value.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2020Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: IMS Machine, LLCInventor: James Allen Jefferies
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Patent number: 9932805Abstract: A downhole tool, e.g., a plunger, and a method for manufacturing a plunger. The downhole tool includes a mandrel including a flow-restriction recess, and a plurality of sealing pads configured to be disposed around the mandrel, biased radially-outward therefrom, and interlocked with one another. Each of the plurality of sealing pads includes a flow-restriction tab having an axial thickness that varies as proceeding circumferentially around the mandrel. The flow-restriction tab of each of the plurality of sealing pads is configured to be disposed in the flow-restriction recess when the plurality of sealing pads are disposed on the mandrel.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2015Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: EPIC LIFT SYSTEMS LLCInventors: Schuyler Kuykendall, James Allen Jefferies
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Patent number: 9790772Abstract: An improved bypass valve assembly for a plunger lift apparatus comprises a bypass valve cage having improved flow characteristics and a simplified clutch assembly having enhanced durability and low cost.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2015Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: EPIC LIFT SYSTEMS LLCInventors: James Allen Jefferies, Schuyler Kuykendall
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Patent number: 9689242Abstract: A gas-lift plunger includes a body having an upper end, a lower end, a bore extending axially from the upper end to the lower end, and a port therein that is in communication with bore, and an obstructing member positioned in the bore. The obstructing member includes a valve stem and is movable between a closed position, in which the obstructing member substantially prevents fluid flow through the bore from the port to the upper end, and an open position, in which fluid flow through the bore from the port to the upper end is permitted. The plunger includes an end nut connected to the lower end of the body, and a clutch assembly including arcuate members that are positioned at least partially around and configured to engage the valve stem to impede movement thereof. The clutch assembly is positioned at least partially within the end nut.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2016Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Epic Lift Systems LLCInventors: Schuyler Kuykendall, James Allen Jefferies
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Publication number: 20170107802Abstract: A gas-lift plunger includes a body having an upper end, a lower end, a bore extending axially from the upper end to the lower end, and a port therein that is in communication with bore, and an obstructing member positioned in the bore. The obstructing member includes a valve stem and is movable between a closed position, in which the obstructing member substantially prevents fluid flow through the bore from the port to the upper end, and an open position, in which fluid flow through the bore from the port to the upper end is permitted. The plunger includes an end nut connected to the lower end of the body, and a clutch assembly including arcuate members that are positioned at least partially around and configured to engage the valve stem to impede movement thereof. The clutch assembly is positioned at least partially within the end nut.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2016Publication date: April 20, 2017Inventors: Schuyler Kuykendall, James Allen Jefferies
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Publication number: 20160115769Abstract: A downhole tool, e.g., a plunger, and a method for manufacturing a plunger. The downhole tool includes a mandrel including a flow-restriction recess, and a plurality of sealing pads configured to be disposed around the mandrel, biased radially-outward therefrom, and interlocked with one another. Each of the plurality of sealing pads includes a flow-restriction tab having an axial thickness that varies as proceeding circumferentially around the mandrel. The flow-restriction tab of each of the plurality of sealing pads is configured to be disposed in the flow-restriction recess when the plurality of sealing pads are disposed on the mandrel.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2015Publication date: April 28, 2016Inventors: Schuyler Kuykendall, James Allen Jefferies
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Publication number: 20150300136Abstract: An improved bypass valve assembly for a plunger lift apparatus comprises a bypass valve cage having improved flow characteristics and a simplified clutch assembly having enhanced durability and low cost.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2015Publication date: October 22, 2015Inventors: James Allen Jefferies, Schuyler Kuykendall
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Patent number: 9109424Abstract: Gas lift plungers and methods are provided. The gas lift plunger includes a body including a first end, a second end, a valve seat extending from the first end, and a bore extending between the valve seat and the second end. The gas lift plunger also includes a valve element configured to be received through the bore. The valve element includes a first end, a second end, and a valve-engaging portion extending radially outward from a main portion of the valve element. The valve element is movable in the bore between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the valve-engaging portion engages the valve seat, and the valve element extends through the second end of the. Further, in the open position, the valve-engaging portion is separated from the valve seat, allowing fluid communication through the bore.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2014Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: Epic Lift Systems LLCInventors: James Allen Jefferies, Schuyler Kuykendall
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Patent number: 9068443Abstract: An improved bypass valve assembly for a plunger lift apparatus comprises a bypass valve cage having improved flow characteristics and a simplified clutch assembly having enhanced durability and low cost.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2013Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: EPIC LIFT SYSTEMS LLCInventors: James Allen Jefferies, Schuyler Kuykendall
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Publication number: 20150000761Abstract: Gas lift plungers and methods are provided. The gas lift plunger includes a body including a first end, a second end, a valve seat extending from the first end, and a bore extending between the valve seat and the second end. The gas lift plunger also includes a valve element configured to be received through the bore. The valve element includes a first end, a second end, and a valve-engaging portion extending radially outward from a main portion of the valve element. The valve element is movable in the bore between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the valve-engaging portion engages the valve seat, and the valve element extends through the second end of the. Further, in the open position, the valve-engaging portion is separated from the valve seat, allowing fluid communication through the bore.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2014Publication date: January 1, 2015Applicant: EPIC LIFT SYSTEMS LLCInventors: JAMES ALLEN JEFFERIES, SCHUYLER KUYKENDALL
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Publication number: 20140116714Abstract: An improved bypass valve assembly for a plunger lift apparatus comprises a bypass valve cage having improved flow characteristics and a simplified clutch assembly having enhanced durability and low cost.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2013Publication date: May 1, 2014Inventors: James Allen Jefferies, Schuyler Kuykendall