Patents by Inventor James R. Wetzel

James R. Wetzel 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: 11634976
    Abstract: A deployment system as a rig less docking station with an inline male wet mate-able connectors and power cable and a motor connector with inline female wet mate-able connectors coupled to an electric submersible pump (ESP), the docking station is at the bottom of a string of production tubing and remains in the well for the life of the system while the motor connector is mated to an ESP and lowered into the well by wireline or other suitable deployment method. The rig less deployment system has a lower initial cost, larger through-bore, improved debris tolerance, and the ability for pump-assisted installation and retrieval techniques. Both the moveable female and the static male connector are pressure balanced for temperature and volume variation and the male connector utilizes a heavy dielectric fluid in a reverse labyrinth design to isolate borehole fluid from the electrical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Inventor: James R Wetzel
  • Patent number: 11585161
    Abstract: A method for making a wet mate electrical connection in an underground borehole with a static downhole conductor pin that is protected from the borehole environment by a non-sealed shuttle and a moveable mating receptacle/conductor which presses on the outer body of the shuttle thus causing it to move along the conductor pin tube. The conductor pin inserts into the receptacle connector and connects to the contacts. Both connectors are filled with a dielectric fluid for isolation and are pressure balanced to counteract volume variation due to temperature changes. The moveable receptacle connector uses a non-conductive pin which is replaced by the conductor pin and provides a surface for wiper seals. As mating occurs, the conductor pin replaces the non-conductive pin, so no volume change occurs, and pressure change is eliminated. A reverse labyrinth isolates the heavy dielectric of the static connector from borehole fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Inventor: James R Wetzel
  • Patent number: 11486238
    Abstract: A deployment method and set of alternative tools for deploying, exchanging, and repairing an Electric Submersible Pump (ESP) and pipe strings utilizing a lubricator and standard pressure control equipment (valves, Blow Out Preventers); this method permits a rig less deployment of an ESP with well control maintained using a short length lubricator and standard pressure containment tools. This method defines a specific set of tools to be incorporated in the method to achieve the assembly of the ESP at surface and deployment in a single run to set the ESP at the pumping depth. This method facilitates the orientation and alignment of the terminals of the ESP motor and gauge and creates a pressure barrier through the ESP string during makeup and break out of the ESP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Inventor: James R Wetzel
  • Publication number: 20220186593
    Abstract: A deployment method and set of alternative tools for deploying, exchanging, and repairing an Electric Submersible Pump (ESP) and pipe strings utilizing a lubricator and standard pressure control equipment (valves, Blow Out Preventers); this method permits a rig less deployment of an ESP with well control maintained using a short length lubricator and standard pressure containment tools. This method defines a specific set of tools to be incorporated in the method to achieve the assembly of the ESP at surface and deployment in a single run to set the ESP at the pumping depth. This method facilitates the orientation and alignment of the terminals of the ESP motor and gauge and creates a pressure barrier through the ESP string during makeup and break out of the ESP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventor: James R. Wetzel
  • Publication number: 20220178212
    Abstract: A method for making a wet mate electrical connection in an underground borehole with a static downhole conductor pin that is protected from the borehole environment by a non-sealed shuttle and a moveable mating receptacle/conductor which presses on the outer body of the shuttle thus causing it to move along the conductor pin tube. The conductor pin inserts into the receptacle connector and connects to the contacts. Both connectors are filled with a dielectric fluid for isolation and are pressure balanced to counteract volume variation due to temperature changes. The moveable receptacle connector uses a non-conductive pin which is replaced by the conductor pin and provides a surface for wiper seals. As mating occurs, the conductor pin replaces the non-conductive pin, so no volume change occurs, and pressure change is eliminated. A reverse labyrinth isolates the heavy dielectric of the static connector from borehole fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventor: James R. Wetzel
  • Publication number: 20220178232
    Abstract: A deployment system as a rig less docking station with an inline male wet mate-able connectors and power cable and a motor connector with inline female wet mate-able connectors coupled to an electric submersible pump (ESP), the docking station is at the bottom of a string of production tubing and remains in the well for the life of the system while the motor connector is mated to an ESP and lowered into the well by wireline or other suitable deployment method. The rig less deployment system has a lower initial cost, larger through-bore, improved debris tolerance, and the ability for pump-assisted installation and retrieval techniques. Both the moveable female and the static male connector are pressure balanced for temperature and volume variation and the male connector utilizes a heavy dielectric fluid in a reverse labyrinth design to isolate borehole fluid from the electrical connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventor: James R. Wetzel
  • Publication number: 20110114305
    Abstract: An Improved Fluid well pumping system and method to produce the system. According to the system, it relates to ones that provide improved, low cost, efficient and low maintenance pumping systems for obtaining fluid from a source. It is envisioned that the systems will be used for removing oil, water, sludge, gaseous fluids, or leachates from shallow to medium depth wells (0 to 4000 feet depths). However, the invention has application for raising any fluids as needed above ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventors: Daniel C. Roberts, G Ronald Stoughton, James R. Wetzel
  • Patent number: 5201404
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for evenly distributing coated cereal pieces across the width of a conveyer is disclosed including a steep angled, V-shaped plow (24) supported in varying angular positions by saddles (38) above the conveyer. Specifically, three saddles (38) slideably support a semicircular shaped carrier (12) secured to and between the first and second legs (26, 28) of the plow (24). A connector arm (66) is connected to a leg (28) of the plow (24) for moving the carrier (12) and the plow (24) secured thereto along an arc having a center downstream of the interconnection of the legs (26, 28) of the plow (24) and in the preferred form at the center of the semicircular shape of the carrier (12). The saddles (38) are vertically, adjustably secured to a support arm (46) which in turn can be raised or lowered relative to the conveyer. The plow (24) is positioned to engage the product pile on the conveyer and due to the steep angle of the legs (26, 28) of the plow (24) and the Teflon.RTM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald D. Hurd, James R. Wetzel