Patents by Inventor James G. Rairigh

James G. Rairigh 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).

  • Publication number: 20240018838
    Abstract: An explosive downhole tool includes a housing having an upper housing part on one side of a window section and a lower housing part on an opposite side of the window section. An explosive charge is provided within the housing for at least one of cutting and expanding the wall of the tubular. The outer surface of at least one of the upper and lower housing part is rounded so as to be devoid of corners. The rounded surface eliminates the presence of sharp corners that may catch on restrictions or protrusions in a wellbore so that the downhole tool is more easily conveyable within a wellbore. Another explosive downhole tool includes fins extending from the housing. The fins have a height that decreases in a direction away from the housing. The shape of the fins enables the downhole tool to be more easily conveyable within the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventors: James G. Rairigh, Walter Stam
  • Patent number: 11781394
    Abstract: A shaped charge assembly for selectively expanding a wall of a tubular includes a housing comprising an outer surface facing away from the housing and an opposing inner surface facing an interior of the housing. First and second explosive units each includes a predetermined amount of explosive sufficient to expand, without puncturing, at least a portion of the wall of the tubular to form a protrusion extending outward into an annulus adjacent the wall of the tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Inventor: James G. Rairigh
  • Patent number: 11781393
    Abstract: An explosive downhole tool includes a housing having an upper housing part on one side of a window section and a lower housing part on an opposite side of the window section. An explosive charge is provided within the housing for at least one of cutting and expanding the wall of the tubular. The outer surface of at least one of the upper and lower housing part is rounded so as to be devoid of corners. The rounded surface eliminates the presence of sharp corners that may catch on restrictions or protrusions in a wellbore so that the downhole tool is more easily conveyable within a wellbore. Another explosive downhole tool includes fins extending from the housing. The fins have a height that decreases in a direction away from the housing. The shape of the fins enables the downhole tool to be more easily conveyable within the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Inventors: James G. Rairigh, Walter Stam
  • Patent number: 11713637
    Abstract: A method of selectively expanding a wall of a tubular includes assembling an expansion tool comprising a plurality of bi-directional boosters, arranging a predetermined number of explosive pellets a serially-arranged column between the bi-directional boosters, positioning a duel end firing explosive column tool within the tubular, and detonating the bi-directional boosters to simultaneously ignite opposing ends of the serially-arranged column to form two shock waves. The shock waves collide to create an amplified shock wave that travels radially outward to impact the tubular and expand a portion of the tubular wall radially outward, without perforating or cutting through the portion of the wall, to form a protrusion of the tubular at the portion of the wall. The protrusion extends into an annulus adjacent an outer surface of the wall of the tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Inventor: James G. Rairigh
  • Patent number: 11629568
    Abstract: A shaped charge assembly for selectively expanding a wall of a tubular includes first and second explosive units that are each symmetrical about an axis of revolution. Each explosive unit includes an explosive material that is liner-less. The first and second explosive units comprise a predetermined amount of explosive sufficient to expand, without puncturing, at least a portion of the wall of the tubular into a protrusion extending outward into an annulus adjacent the wall of the tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Inventor: James G. Rairigh
  • Publication number: 20230113807
    Abstract: A method involves determining an expansion charge able to selectively expand, without perforating or cutting through, a wall of a tubular in a wellbore. The method includes determining conditions in the wellbore, including hydrostatic pressure bearing on the tubular in the wellbore, and a physical characteristic of the tubular. At a second location other than the wellbore, at least one of the conditions determined in the wellbore is reproduced, and a test tubular is provided at the second location. A test expansion charge able to expand, without perforating or cutting through, the wall of the test tubular, is determined based on the determined conditions. The determined test expansion charge is positioned within the test tubular, and is then actuated to expand the wall of the test tubular radially outward, without perforating or cutting through the wall, to form a test protrusion in the wall of the test tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventor: James G. Rairigh
  • Publication number: 20230060155
    Abstract: A shaped charge assembly for selectively expanding a wall of a tubular includes a housing comprising an outer surface facing away from the housing and an opposing inner surface facing an interior of the housing. First and second explosive units each includes a predetermined amount of explosive sufficient to expand, without puncturing, at least a portion of the wall of the tubular to form a protrusion extending outward into an annulus adjacent the wall of the tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventor: James G. Rairigh
  • Publication number: 20230050277
    Abstract: A method of selectively expanding a wall of a tubular includes assembling an expansion tool comprising a plurality of bi-directional boosters, arranging a predetermined number of explosive pellets a serially-arranged column between the bi-directional boosters, positioning a duel end firing explosive column tool within the tubular, and detonating the bi-directional boosters to simultaneously ignite opposing ends of the serially-arranged column to form two shock waves. The shock waves collide to create an amplified shock wave that travels radially outward to impact the tubular and expand a portion of the tubular wall radially outward, without perforating or cutting through the portion of the wall, to form a protrusion of the tubular at the portion of the wall. The protrusion extends into an annulus adjacent an outer surface of the wall of the tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventor: James G. Rairigh
  • Patent number: 11536104
    Abstract: A method involves determining an expansion charge able to selectively expand, without perforating or cutting through, a wall of a tubular in a wellbore. The method includes determining conditions in the wellbore, including hydrostatic pressure bearing on the tubular in the wellbore, and a physical characteristic of the tubular. At a second location other than the wellbore, at least one of the conditions determined in the wellbore is reproduced, and a test tubular is provided at the second location. A test expansion charge able to expand, without perforating or cutting through, the wall of the test tubular, is determined based on the determined conditions. The determined test expansion charge is positioned within the test tubular, and is then actuated to expand the wall of the test tubular radially outward, without perforating or cutting through the wall, to form a test protrusion in the wall of the test tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Inventor: James G. Rairigh
  • Patent number: 11480021
    Abstract: A shaped charge assembly for selectively expanding a wall of a tubular includes a housing comprising an outer surface facing away from the housing and an opposing inner surface facing an interior of the housing. First and second explosive units each includes a predetermined amount of explosive sufficient to expand, without puncturing, at least a portion of the wall of the tubular to form a protrusion extending outward into an annulus adjacent the wall of the tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Inventor: James G. Rairigh
  • Patent number: 11473383
    Abstract: A method of selectively expanding a wall of a tubular includes assembling an expansion tool comprising a plurality of bi-directional boosters, arranging a predetermined number of explosive pellets a serially-arranged column between the bi-directional boosters, positioning a duel end firing explosive column tool within the tubular, and detonating the bi-directional boosters to simultaneously ignite opposing ends of the serially-arranged column to form two shock waves. The shock waves collide to create an amplified shock wave that travels radially outward to impact the tubular and expand a portion of the tubular wall radially outward, without perforating or cutting through the portion of the wall, to form a protrusion of the tubular at the portion of the wall. The protrusion extends into an annulus adjacent an outer surface of the wall of the tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Inventor: James G. Rairigh
  • Publication number: 20220049566
    Abstract: An explosive downhole tool includes a housing having an upper housing part on one side of a window section and a lower housing part on an opposite side of the window section. An explosive charge is provided within the housing for at least one of cutting and expanding the wall of the tubular. The outer surface of at least one of the upper and lower housing part is rounded so as to be devoid of corners. The rounded surface eliminates the presence of sharp corners that may catch on restrictions or protrusions in a wellbore so that the downhole tool is more easily conveyable within a wellbore. Another explosive downhole tool includes fins extending from the housing. The fins have a height that decreases in a direction away from the housing. The shape of the fins enables the downhole tool to be more easily conveyable within the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventor: James G. Rairigh
  • Publication number: 20210262305
    Abstract: A method of selectively expanding a wall of a tubular includes assembling an expansion tool comprising a plurality of bi-directional boosters, arranging a predetermined number of explosive pellets a serially-arranged column between the bi-directional boosters, positioning a duel end firing explosive column tool within the tubular, and detonating the bi-directional boosters to simultaneously ignite opposing ends of the serially-arranged column to form two shock waves. The shock waves collide to create an amplified shock wave that travels radially outward to impact the tubular and expand a portion of the tubular wall radially outward, without perforating or cutting through the portion of the wall, to form a protrusion of the tubular at the portion of the wall. The protrusion extends into an annulus adjacent an outer surface of the wall of the tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventor: James G. Rairigh
  • Publication number: 20210262304
    Abstract: A shaped charge assembly for selectively expanding a wall of a tubular includes first and second explosive units that are each symmetrical about an axis of revolution. Each explosive unit includes an explosive material that is liner-less. The first and second explosive units comprise a predetermined amount of explosive sufficient to expand, without puncturing, at least a portion of the wall of the tubular into a protrusion extending outward into an annulus adjacent the wall of the tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventor: James G. Rairigh
  • Publication number: 20210254423
    Abstract: A method involves determining an expansion charge able to selectively expand, without perforating or cutting through, a wall of a tubular in a wellbore. The method includes determining conditions in the wellbore, including hydrostatic pressure bearing on the tubular in the wellbore, and a physical characteristic of the tubular. At a second location other than the wellbore, at least one of the conditions determined in the wellbore is reproduced, and a test tubular is provided at the second location. A test expansion charge able to expand, without perforating or cutting through, the wall of the test tubular, is determined based on the determined conditions. The determined test expansion charge is positioned within the test tubular, and is then actuated to expand the wall of the test tubular radially outward, without perforating or cutting through the wall, to form a test protrusion in the wall of the test tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventor: James G. Rairigh
  • Patent number: 11015410
    Abstract: A method of selectively expanding a wall of a tubular includes assembling an expansion tool comprising a plurality of bi-directional boosters, arranging a predetermined number of explosive pellets on the guide tube to be in a serially-arranged column between the bi-directional boosters, positioning a duel end firing explosive column tool within the tubular, and detonating the bi-directional boosters to simultaneously ignite opposing ends of the serially-arranged column to form two shock waves. The shock waves collide to create an amplified shock wave that travels radially outward to impact the tubular and expand a portion of the tubular wall radially outward, without perforating or cutting through the portion of the wall, to form a protrusion of the tubular at the portion of the wall. The protrusion extends into an annulus between an outer surface of the wall of the tubular and an inner surface of a wall of another tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Inventor: James G. Rairigh
  • Patent number: 11002097
    Abstract: A shaped charge assembly for selectively expanding a wall of a tubular includes a housing comprising an outer surface facing away from the housing and an opposing inner surface facing an interior of the housing. First and second explosive units are each symmetrical about an axis of revolution. Each explosive unit includes an explosive material formed adjacent to a backing plate and includes an exterior surface facing and being exposed to the inner surface of the housing. An aperture extends along the axis from one backing plate to the other backing plate. An explosive detonator is positioned along the axis adjacent to, and externally of, the one backing plate. The first and second explosive units comprise a predetermined amount of explosive sufficient to expand, without puncturing, at least a portion of the wall of the tubular into a protrusion extending outward into an annulus adjacent the wall of the tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Inventor: James G. Rairigh
  • Publication number: 20210102434
    Abstract: A shaped charge assembly for selectively expanding a wall of a tubular includes a housing comprising an outer surface facing away from the housing and an opposing inner surface facing an interior of the housing. First and second explosive units each includes a predetermined amount of explosive sufficient to expand, without puncturing, at least a portion of the wall of the tubular to form a protrusion extending outward into an annulus adjacent the wall of the tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Inventor: James G. Rairigh
  • Publication number: 20210032950
    Abstract: A shaped charge assembly for selectively expanding a wall of a tubular includes a housing comprising an outer surface facing away from the housing and an opposing inner surface facing an interior of the housing. First and second explosive units are each symmetrical about an axis of revolution. Each explosive unit includes an explosive material formed adjacent to a backing plate and includes an exterior surface facing and being exposed to the inner surface of the housing. An aperture extends along the axis from one backing plate to the other backing plate. An explosive detonator is positioned along the axis adjacent to, and externally of, the one backing plate. The first and second explosive units comprise a predetermined amount of explosive sufficient to expand, without puncturing, at least a portion of the wall of the tubular into a protrusion extending outward into an annulus adjacent the wall of the tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventor: James G. Rairigh
  • Publication number: 20210010341
    Abstract: A method of selectively expanding a wall of a tubular includes assembling an expansion tool comprising a plurality of bi-directional boosters, arranging a predetermined number of explosive pellets on the guide tube to be in a serially-arranged column between the bi-directional boosters, positioning a duel end firing explosive column tool within the tubular, and detonating the bi-directional boosters to simultaneously ignite opposing ends of the serially-arranged column to form two shock waves. The shock waves collide to create an amplified shock wave that travels radially outward to impact the tubular and expand a portion of the tubular wall radially outward, without perforating or cutting through the portion of the wall, to form a protrusion of the tubular at the portion of the wall. The protrusion extends into an annulus between an outer surface of the wall of the tubular and an inner surface of a wall of another tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventor: James G. Rairigh