Patents by Inventor Joshua C. Little

Joshua C. Little 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: 7588086
    Abstract: A gas lift apparatus for use with a well bore sealing device includes a tubing string coupled to the well bore sealing device, a gas inlet port in the tubing string extending between the well bore above the sealing device and a flow bore in the tubing string to provide a first flow path, and a second flow path in the tubing string wherein the first flow bore extends the first fluid path to a location in the well bore below the sealing device and the second flow path. A method for producing a fluid from a well bore zone below a set sealing device disposed in a production tubing includes providing a gas to a well bore annulus formed by the production tubing, flowing the gas downwardly into the production tubing and then through the sealing device, flowing the gas through the well bore zone and then into the well bore zone and flowing the fluid upwardly through the well bore zone, then into the production tubing and through the sealing device to the surface of the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles I. Moffett, Thomas S. Kirkpatrick, Dallis A. Smith, Joshua C. Little
  • Publication number: 20080173455
    Abstract: A gas lift apparatus for use with a well bore sealing device includes a tubing string coupled to the well bore sealing device, a gas inlet port in the tubing string extending between the well bore above the sealing device and a flow bore in the tubing string to provide a first flow path, and a second flow path in the tubing string wherein the first flow bore extends the first fluid path to a location in the well bore below the sealing device and the second flow path. A method for producing a fluid from a well bore zone below a set sealing device disposed in a production tubing includes providing a gas to a well bore annulus formed by the production tubing, flowing the gas downwardly into the production tubing and then through the sealing device, flowing the gas through the well bore zone and then into the well bore zone and flowing the fluid upwardly through the well bore zone, then into the production tubing and through the sealing device to the surface of the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Charles I. Moffett, Thomas S. Kirkpatrick, Dallis A. Smith, Joshua C. Little
  • Patent number: 7367401
    Abstract: An apparatus for use with a packer set within a well bore comprises a first flow path providing fluid communication between the well bore above the packer and the well bore below the packer, and a second flow path. A system for gas lifting fluids from a well bore with a packer set therein defining an upper portion and a lower portion of the well bore comprises production tubing, the packer, and a ported velocity tube. A method for producing a fluid from a well bore zone below a set packer disposed in a production tubing comprises injecting a gas into a well bore annulus formed by the production tubing, flowing the gas downwardly through the packer, jetting the gas into the well bore zone, and flowing the fluid upwardly through the packer into the production tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles I. Moffett, Thomas S. Kirkpatrick, Dallis A. Smith, Joshua C. Little