Patents by Inventor John Key

John Key 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: 10053945
    Abstract: An obturator for actuating a downhole tool having a central bore. The obturator comprising a body of a size and shape to pass through the central bore of the tool and an engagement member releasably attached to the exterior of the tool body, the engagement member being of a size and shape to engage and actuate the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Acosta, Nicholas Frederick Budler, John Key, Lonnie Helms
  • Patent number: 9476273
    Abstract: Systems and methods for activating a down hole tool in a wellbore. A trigger is moveably positioned in the interior of a base pipe and includes a first end and a second, smaller end. The trigger is moveable between an unactivated position where a port in the base pipe is blocked and an activated position where the port is open. At least one latch member prevents movement of the trigger from the unactivated position to the activated position until a predetermined force is applied to the trigger. Increasing pressure in the interior increases a force differential between the first end and the second end. When the force differential is substantially equal to the predetermined force, the latch releases and allows the trigger to move from the unactivated position to the activated position, thereby opening the port to permit activation of the down hole tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Acosta, Lonnie Carl Helms, John Key, Nicholas Budler
  • Publication number: 20160265302
    Abstract: An obturator for actuating a downhole tool having a central bore. The obturator comprising a body of a size and shape to pass through the central bore of the tool and an engagement member releasably attached to the exterior of the tool body, the engagement member being of a size and shape to engage and actuate the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Frank ACOSTA, Nicholas Frederick BUDLER, John KEY, Lonnie HELMS
  • Patent number: 9376886
    Abstract: Systems and methods for remotely setting a downhole device. The system includes a base pipe having inner and outer radial surfaces and defining one or more pressure ports extending between the inner and outer radial surfaces. An internal sleeve is arranged against the inner radial surface and slidable between a closed position, where the internal sleeve covers the one or more pressure ports, and an open position, where the one or more pressure ports are exposed to an interior of the base pipe. A trigger housing is disposed about the base pipe and defines an atmospheric chamber in fluid communication with the one or more pressure ports. A piston port cover is disposed within the atmospheric chamber and moveable between blocking and exposed positions. A wellbore device is used to engage and move the internal sleeve into the open position by applying predetermined axial force to the internal sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank V. Acosta, Wesley G. Duke, Stoney M. Yates, John Key, Nicholas Budler
  • Publication number: 20150292295
    Abstract: Systems and methods for remotely setting a downhole device. The system includes a base pipe having inner and outer radial surfaces and defining one or more pressure ports extending between the inner and outer radial surfaces. An internal sleeve is arranged against the inner radial surface and slidable between a closed position, where the internal sleeve covers the one or more pressure ports, and an open position, where the one or more pressure ports are exposed to an interior of the base pipe. A trigger housing is disposed about the base pipe and defines an atmospheric chamber in fluid communication with the one or more pressure ports. A piston port cover is disposed within the atmospheric chamber and moveable between blocking and exposed positions. A wellbore device is used to engage and move the internal sleeve into the open position by applying predetermined axial force to the internal sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank V. Acosta, Wesley G. Duke, Stoney M. Yates, John Key, Nicholas Budler
  • Patent number: 8708056
    Abstract: A packer that includes a mandrel, primary and secondary opening seats attached to an interior of the mandrel, a landing seat attached to the interior of the mandrel, a packer element attached to an exterior of the mandrel, and a closing seat attached to the interior of the mandrel. The secondary opening seat may be between the primary opening seat and the landing seat, and the primary opening seat may be between the closing seat and the secondary opening seat. The primary opening seat engages an opening plug and moves from a first position covering an opening to a second position not covering the opening, and the secondary opening seat engages the primary opening seat and moves from a first position covering a port to a second position not covering the port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Lonnie Helms, Frank Acosta, Nicholas Frederick Budler, John Key
  • Patent number: 8646537
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an impervious body, a sealing element; an energy source, and a trigger. The impervious body is configured to prevent passage of fluid therethrough. The sealing element is disposed about the impervious body. The energy source is operationally connected to the sealing element. The trigger is configured to transfer energy from the energy source to the sealing element. The trigger is activated, at least in part, by receiving a signal from a pump tool passing through an interior of the impervious body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Rather Tips, James R. Longbottom, Ricky Layne Covington, Michael Fripp, Lonnie Helms, Frank Acosta, Nicholas Budler, John Key
  • Patent number: 8616276
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an impervious body, a sealing element, an energy source, and a trigger. The impervious body is configured to prevent passage of fluid therethrough. The sealing element is disposed about the impervious body. The energy source is operationally connected to the sealing element. The trigger is configured to transfer energy from the energy source to the sealing element. The trigger is activated, at least in part, by receiving a signal transmitted through the impervious body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Rather Tips, James R. Longbottom, Ricky Layne Covington, Michael Fripp, Lonnie Helms, Frank Acosta, Nicholas Budler, John Key
  • Publication number: 20130233572
    Abstract: A packer that includes a mandrel, primary and secondary opening seats attached to an interior of the mandrel, a landing seat attached to the interior of the mandrel, a packer element attached to an exterior of the mandrel, and a closing seat attached to the interior of the mandrel. The secondary opening seat may be between the primary opening seat and the landing seat, and the primary opening seat may be between the closing seat and the secondary opening seat. The primary opening seat engages an opening plug and moves from a first position covering an opening to a second position not covering the opening, and the secondary opening seat engages the primary opening seat and moves from a first position covering a port to a second position not covering the port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Lonnie Helms, Frank Acosta, Nicholas Frederick Budler, John Key
  • Publication number: 20130180732
    Abstract: Systems and methods for remotely setting a downhole device. The system includes a base pipe having inner and outer radial surfaces and defining one or more pressure ports extending between the inner and outer radial surfaces. An internal sleeve is arranged against the inner radial surface and slidable between a closed position, where the internal sleeve covers the one or more pressure ports, and an open position, where the one or more pressure ports are exposed to an interior of the base pipe. A trigger housing is disposed about the base pipe and defines an atmospheric chamber in fluid communication with the one or more pressure ports. A piston port cover is disposed within the atmospheric chamber and moveable between blocking and exposed positions. A wellbore device is used to engage and move the internal sleeve into the open position by applying predetermined axial force to the internal sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventors: Frank V. Acosta, Wesley G. Duke, Stoney M. Yates, John Key, Nicholas Budler
  • Publication number: 20130014959
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an impervious body, a sealing element, an energy source, and a trigger. The impervious body is configured to prevent passage of fluid therethrough. The sealing element is disposed about the impervious body. The energy source is operationally connected to the sealing element. The trigger is configured to transfer energy from the energy source to the sealing element. The trigger is activated, at least in part, by receiving a signal transmitted through the impervious body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventors: Timothy Rather Tips, James R. Longbottom, Ricky Layne Covington, Michael Fripp, Lonnie Helms, Frank Acosta, Nicholas Budler, John Key
  • Publication number: 20130014941
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an impervious body, a sealing element; an energy source, and a trigger. The impervious body is configured to prevent passage of fluid therethrough. The sealing element is disposed about the impervious body. The energy source is operationally connected to the sealing element. The trigger is configured to transfer energy from the energy source to the sealing element. The trigger is activated, at least in part, by receiving a signal from a pump tool passing through an interior of the impervious body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventors: Timothy Rather Tips, James R. Longbottom, Ricky Layne Covington, Michael Fripp, Lonnie Helms, Frank Acosta, Nicholas Budler, John Key