Patents by Inventor John M. Corben

John M. Corben 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).

  • Expandable elements
    Patent number: 7455104
    Abstract: A method and apparatus includes providing an element formed of a superplastic material to perform a predetermined downhole task. In another arrangement, a method and apparatus includes a flowable element and a deformable element that can be expanded by flowing the flowable element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Mark C. Duhon, Simon L. Farrant, Manish Kothari, John M. Corben
  • Method and apparatus to reduce trapped pressure in a downhole tool
    Patent number: 6588508
    Abstract: A tool string for use in a well includes a filter sub (or trapped pressure regulator sub) that is used with other components to reduce trapped pressure. The filter sub filters out debris that may occur from various types of downhole operations, such as perforating operations. By filtering out larger debris, only gases, liquids, and smaller particles are allowed to enter various components of the tool string. Without the presence of larger solid debris inside certain components of the tool string, the likelihood of plugs being formed is reduced so that gases and liquids can more readily pass out of the tool string as the tool string is retrieved to the surface of the well and the well hydrostatic pressure decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Parrott, Haoming Li, Anthony P. Vovers, Cynthia L. Hickson, Harry B. Anderson, John M. Corben
  • Expandable elements
    Publication number: 20020056553
    Abstract: A method and apparatus includes providing an element formed of a superplastic material to perform a predetermined downhole task. In another arrangement, a method and apparatus includes a flowable element and a deformable element that can be expanded by flowing the flowable element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Publication date: May 16, 2002
    Inventors: Mark C. Duhon, Simon L. Farrant, Manish Kothari, John M. Corben
  • Method and apparatus to reduce trapped pressure in a downhole tool
    Publication number: 20020033264
    Abstract: A tool string for use in a well includes a filter sub (or trapped pressure regulator sub) that is used with other components to reduce trapped pressure. The filter sub filters out debris that may occur from various types of downhole operations, such as perforating operations. By filtering out larger debris, only gases, liquids, and smaller particles are allowed to enter various components of the tool string. Without the presence of larger solid debris inside certain components of the tool string, the likelihood of plugs being formed is reduced so that gases and liquids can more readily pass out of the tool string as the tool string is retrieved to the surface of the well and the well hydrostatic pressure decreases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventors: Robert A. Parrott, Haoming Li, Anthony P. Vovers, Cynthia L. Hickson, Harry B. Anderson, John M. Corben