Patents by Inventor James T. Sloan
James T. Sloan 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: 9151139Abstract: An actuation assembly including a sleeve member having a radially outwardly extending projection and a piston having an axis, the piston operatively coupled to the projection of the sleeve member and arranged to exert an actuation force on the projection of the sleeve member for actuating the sleeve member, the actuation force positioned about radially aligned with the axis or radially outwardly from the axis.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2011Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: John E. Burris, Grant R. Thompson, David Z. Anderson, James T. Sloan, Brock Alan Peoples, Doug A. Lowry, Anthony S. Coghill
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Patent number: 9133687Abstract: A tubing pressure insensitive, pressure compensated actuator system includes a housing having a bore therein. A force transmitter sealingly moveable within the bore. The force transmitter defining with the bore two fluid chambers. The two fluid chambers being in fluid communication with each other, one at each longitudinal end of the force transmitter. An activator in one or both of the two fluid chambers and operatively connected to the force transmitter. At least two seals sealingly positioned between the housing and the force transmitter. One of the seals disposed near one end of the force transmitter and another of the seals disposed near another end of the force transmitter. A separate compensation piston disposed in the housing so as to expose one end of the compensation piston to tubing pressure and to expose the other end of the compensation piston to a fluid volume including the fluid chambers. Also included is a method for reducing force requirements of an actuator.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2011Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: James T. Sloan, Ronald J. Garr, Robert McDaniel, Don A. Hopmann, David E. Schneider
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Patent number: 8820402Abstract: A shock absorbing system has a nose assembly that is formed to inwardly collapse on impact and is guided by a sleeve that can slide with the nose as the nose collapses or can extend for a portion of the length of the nose while being held fixed. In the latter instance the nose can have a leading end that has a biasing member in a resilient material so that on impact some of the shock is taken up by compression of the biasing member with subsequent extension of the biasing member retracting the resilient covering so that it is less likely to bind in the surrounding tubular. The leading end of the sleeve or the resilient material encasing the biasing member also soften the blow to a closed ball when the tool is dropped so that the ball surface is less likely to mar.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2012Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Troy L. Smith, II, Anthony S. Coghill, Thomas S. Myerley, Douglas A. G. Lowery, James T. Sloan
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Publication number: 20130175028Abstract: A shock absorbing system has a nose assembly that is formed to inwardly collapse on impact and is guided by a sleeve that can slide with the nose as the nose collapses or can extend for a portion of the length of the nose while being held fixed. In the latter instance the nose can have a leading end that has a biasing member in a resilient material so that on impact some of the shock is taken up by compression of the biasing member with subsequent extension of the biasing member retracting the resilient covering so that it is less likely to bind in the surrounding tubular. The leading end of the sleeve or the resilient material encasing the biasing member also soften the blow to a closed ball when the tool is dropped so that the ball surface is less likely to mar.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2012Publication date: July 11, 2013Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Troy L. Smith, II, Anthony S. Coghill, Thomas S. Myerley, Douglas A.G. Lowry, James T. Sloan
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Patent number: 8471551Abstract: A position monitoring system includes a tubular with a cavity formed therein, a magnet movable relative to the tubular, and a sensor sensible of a magnetic field of the magnet. A housing positioned within the cavity sealably isolates the sensor from environmental properties while permitting the sensor to sense the magnetic field of the magnet.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2010Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Gary B. Lake, Brock Alan Peoples, John E. Burris, David Zach Anderson, James T. Sloan, Tyler C. Roberts, Grant R. Thompson, Anthony S. Coghill, Jeremy R. Johnson
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Publication number: 20130043039Abstract: A tubing pressure insensitive, pressure compensated actuator system includes a housing having a bore therein. A force transmitter sealingly moveable within the bore. The force transmitter defining with the bore two fluid chambers. The two fluid chambers being in fluid communication with each other, one at each longitudinal end of the force transmitter. An activator in one or both of the two fluid chambers and operatively connected to the force transmitter. At least two seals sealingly positioned between the housing and the force transmitter. One of the seals disposed near one end of the force transmitter and another of the seals disposed near another end of the force transmitter. A separate compensation piston disposed in the housing so as to expose one end of the compensation piston to tubing pressure and to expose the other end of the compensation piston to a fluid volume including the fluid chambers. Also included is a method for reducing force requirements of an actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2011Publication date: February 21, 2013Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: James T. Sloan, Ronald J. Garr, Robert McDaniel, Don A. Hopmann, David E. Schneider
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Publication number: 20120304853Abstract: An actuation assembly including a sleeve member having a radially outwardly extending projection and a piston having an axis, the piston operatively coupled to the projection of the sleeve member and arranged to exert an actuation force on the projection of the sleeve member for actuating the sleeve member, the actuation force positioned about radially aligned with the axis or radially outwardly from the axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2011Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: John E. Burris, Grant R. Thompson, David Z. Anderson, James T. Sloan, Brock Alan Peoples, Doug A. Lowry, Anthony S. Coghill
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Publication number: 20120186084Abstract: A flapper base provides a flapper base body with a hinge portion unitarily formed thereupon and a flapper seat surface formed within the flowbore of the body. The flapper base may be formed from a single section of tubular metallic stock. In a method of forming a base, the stock is gripped by a rotary clamp, and a five-axis milling machine is used to cut away portions of the stock section and to form the seat surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2012Publication date: July 26, 2012Applicant: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Tyler C. Roberts, Barry Lee Brown, John E. Gunnells, James T. Sloan
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Patent number: 8225871Abstract: A downhole ball valve is mounted n a string and features a rotating ball that turns on its axis as it is held against an upstream and a downstream seal by a cage. The cage accepts a slide that engages the ball off-center to rotate it between the open and closed positions. The slide is operated by a sleeve attached to a piston assembly. The sleeve is mechanically operated in opposed directions such as by a wireline shifting tool. Differential pressure on a closed ball does not affect the actuation piston because pressure across the actuating piston is balanced while holding pressure differential across the closed ball. A check valve allows the actuation piston to be in pressure balance as the ball stays closed.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2009Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Clifford H. Beall, James T. Sloan, Richard Patterson
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Publication number: 20120049841Abstract: A position monitoring system includes a tubular with a cavity formed therein, a magnet movable relative to the tubular, and a sensor sensible of a magnetic field of the magnet. A housing positioned within the cavity sealably isolates the sensor from environmental properties while permitting the sensor to sense the magnetic field of the magnet.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2010Publication date: March 1, 2012Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Gary B. Lake, Brock Alan Peoples, John E. Burris, David Zach Anderson, James T. Sloan, Tyler C. Roberts, Grant R. Thompson, Anthony S. Coghill, Jeremy R. Johnson
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Patent number: 8113286Abstract: A ball type downhole barrier valve capable of bidirectional sealing features a ball rotating on its axis to open or close with control line pressure to an actuating rod piston assembly. The ball is also shiftable to a locked open position. A cage surrounds the ball and retains opposed seats to it. The cage is made from one piece and tangential holes are drilled and tapped before the piece is longitudinally split with a wire EDM cutting technique. Fasteners to rejoin the cut halves properly space them to the original one piece internal dimension. Auxiliary tools allow determination of spacing of internal components so that a desired spring preload on the seats against the ball can be achieved. Seals on the sleeves that form ball seats help prevent leakage due to ball distortion at high differential pressures when the valve is closed.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2008Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Clifford H. Beall, Michael J. May, James T. Sloan, Andrew Haynes, Thad D. Andrews
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Patent number: 7905292Abstract: A pressure equalizing tool can be run into a downhole tool on wireline or coiled tubing preferably and temporarily secured before being actuated to separate two components in a downhole tool that are in a sealing relation but are configured to be temporarily movable so as to allow pressure equalization before the downhole component is actuated. Once pressure is equalized the equalizing tool is released, usually with an applied pick up force and the downhole tool being equalized as to differential pressure can be operated with the preexisting actuation parts that are on the downhole tool. In a preferred embodiment the downhole tool is a ball valve and the equalizing tool is temporarily secured to the ball valve housing to temporarily part the ball from the uphole seat to equalize an annular space around the ball with tubing pressure. The ball is allowed to go back to contact with the seat when the equalizing tool is released and removed from the tubing.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2009Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Clifford H. Beall, Darren E. Bane, Michael J. May, James T. Sloan
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Publication number: 20100314571Abstract: A flapper base provides a flapper base body with a hinge portion unitarily formed thereupon and a flapper seat surface formed within the flowbore of the body. The flapper base may be formed from a single section of tubular metallic stock. In a method of forming a base, the stock is gripped by a rotary clamp, and a five-axis milling machine is used to cut away portions of the stock section and to form the seat surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2009Publication date: December 16, 2010Applicant: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Tyler C. Roberts, Barry Lee Brown, John E. Gunnells, James T. Sloan
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Publication number: 20100200220Abstract: A pressure equalizing tool can be run into a downhole tool on wireline or coiled tubing preferably and temporarily secured before being actuated to separate two components in a downhole tool that are in a sealing relation but are configured to be temporarily movable so as to allow pressure equalization before the downhole component is actuated. Once pressure is equalized the equalizing tool is released, usually with an applied pick up force and the downhole tool being equalized as to differential pressure can be operated with the preexisting actuation parts that are on the downhole tool. In a preferred embodiment the downhole tool is a ball valve and the equalizing tool is temporarily secured to the ball valve housing to temporarily part the ball from the uphole seat to equalize an annular space around the ball with tubing pressure. The ball is allowed to go back to contact with the seat when the equalizing tool is released and removed from the tubing.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2009Publication date: August 12, 2010Inventors: Clifford H. Beall, Darren E. Bane, Michael J. May, James T. Sloan
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Publication number: 20090184278Abstract: A downhole ball valve is mounted n a string and features a rotating ball that turns on its axis as it is held against an upstream and a downstream seal by a cage. The cage accepts a slide that engages the ball off-center to rotate it between the open and closed positions. The slide is operated by a sleeve attached to a piston assembly. The sleeve is mechanically operated in opposed directions such as by a wireline shifting tool. Differential pressure on a closed ball does not affect the actuation piston because pressure across the actuating piston is balanced while holding pressure differential across the closed ball. A check valve allows the actuation piston to be in pressure balance as the ball stays closed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2009Publication date: July 23, 2009Inventors: Clifford H. Beall, James T. Sloan, Richard Patterson
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Publication number: 20080223581Abstract: A ball type downhole barrier valve capable of bidirectional sealing features a ball rotating on its axis to open or close with control line pressure to an actuating rod piston assembly. The ball is also shiftable to a locked open position. A cage surrounds the ball and retains opposed seats to it. The cage is made from one piece and tangential holes are drilled and tapped before the piece is longitudinally split with a wire EDM cutting technique. Fasteners to rejoin the cut halves properly space them to the original one piece internal dimension. Auxiliary tools allow determination of spacing of internal components so that a desired spring preload on the seats against the ball can be achieved. Seals on the sleeves that form ball seats help prevent leakage due to ball distortion at high differential pressures when the valve is closed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2008Publication date: September 18, 2008Inventors: Clifford H. Beall, Michael J. May, James T. Sloan, Andrew Haynes, Thad D. Andrews
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Patent number: 6866101Abstract: An improved control system, particularly useful for SSVs, is disclosed. It is responsive to a rupture of the tubing and control line to equalize pressure on an operating piston to allow the SSV to go to its failsafe position. The annulus pressure-sensing feature can be employed with a variety of control systems, a particular one is used as an example.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2003Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventor: James T. Sloan
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Patent number: 6684958Abstract: Various techniques for holding open an SSSV using expansion technology are disclosed. A sleeve is delivered to the SSSV and expanded mechanically or hydraulically to deposit the deformed sleeve in position over a flapper or against a flow tube holding the flapper in the open position.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2002Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Ronald D. Williams, Grant R. Thompson, James T. Sloan, Brian S. Shaw, John L. McCoy, Jr., Barry L. Brown
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Publication number: 20030192703Abstract: Various techniques for holding open an SSSV using expansion technology are disclosed. A sleeve is delivered to the SSSV and expanded mechanically or hydraulically to deposit the deformed sleeve in position over a flapper or against a flow tube holding the flapper in the open position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2002Publication date: October 16, 2003Inventors: Ronald D. Williams, Grant R. Thompson, James T. Sloan, Brian S. Shaw, John L. McCoy, Barry L. Brown
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Publication number: 20030168219Abstract: An improved control system, particularly useful for SSVs, is disclosed. It is responsive to a rupture of the tubing and control line to equalize pressure on an operating piston to allow the SSV to go to its failsafe position. The annulus pressure-sensing feature can be employed with a variety of control systems, a particular one is used as an example.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2003Publication date: September 11, 2003Inventor: James T. Sloan