Patents by Inventor Kenneth J. Carstensen
Kenneth J. Carstensen 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: 9982814Abstract: A seal ring and coupling sleeve assembly usable to join tubing and casing sections includes a rigid coupling sleeve and a resilient seal ring assembly positionable within the coupling sleeve. The seal ring assembly includes a seal ring body and an interior reinforcing ring. The coupling sleeve inner circumference has a plurality of sealing ridge receiving grooves. The outer peripheral surface of the sealing ring body has a plurality of cooperatively shaped and positioned seal ring body sealing ridges. Outer and inner gas grooves extend circumferentially around the outer and inner peripheral surfaces of the seal ring body and are concentric with each other. A plurality of gas ports extend radially between the outer and inner gas grooves of the seal ring body.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2017Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Inventor: Kenneth J. Carstensen
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Patent number: 8496273Abstract: An improved reemployable tubular connection system and method for oil field application disposes an axially asymmetric seal in a coupling sleeve interconnecting the oppositely entered pin ends of two tubing sections. The sleeve includes an approximately central interior surface for seating a deformable seal having oppositely directed tapered edges with different angles of convergence. The pin ends enter into and resiliently displace the edges of the seal, which may be made differentially adhesive so that a tubing connection may be broken and remade a number of times.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2009Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Inventor: Kenneth J. Carstensen
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Patent number: 8251139Abstract: For oil production systems, an interior two-part seal ring of resilient material is disposed within a coupling sleeve which receives threaded tubing ends in its opposite ends. The seal is asymmetric, with tapered ends of different lengths and taper angles. A length for mill end engagement is shorter than the length for field end engagement which may be made up and disconnected repeatedly. The seal configuration includes a principal body with a inwardly directed ridge between its tapered ends and a reinforcing ring of different, less permeable material, abutting the ridge and closing off one or more radial ports in the wall of the body. The central body also includes a circumferential gas groove about is periphery, which together with the radial ports, facilitates collection and release of gases permeating the seal body under high down-hole pressures.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2010Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Inventor: Kenneth J. Carstensen
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Publication number: 20110203790Abstract: For oil production systems, an interior two-part seal ring of resilient material is disposed within a coupling sleeve which receives threaded tubing ends in its opposite ends. The seal is asymmetric, with tapered ends of different lengths and taper angles. A length for mill end engagement is shorter than the length for field end engagement which may be made up and disconnected repeatedly. The seal configuration includes a principal body with a inwardly directed ridge between its tapered ends and a reinforcing ring of different, less permeable material, abutting the ridge and closing off one or more radial ports in the wall of the body. The central body also includes a circumferential gas groove about is periphery, which together with the radial ports, facilitates collection and release of gases permeating the seal body under high down-hole pressures.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2010Publication date: August 25, 2011Inventor: Kenneth J. Carstensen
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Patent number: 7717014Abstract: A power tong system for precisely making up a connection between two elongated elements, such as sucker rods, into an operative string for petroleum well installations. High precision is attainable to secure the full advantages of prestressing the coupling by combinatorial use of both a rotary drive to achieve a first contact position and a linear drive to secure a precise final torsioning. The mechanism for achieving this may employ a peripherally driven drive ring coupling gears engaged to the drive ring periphery, a rotatably driven drive and a linear gear rack which are both engageable to the coupling gear.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2007Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Inventor: Kenneth J. Carstensen
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Patent number: 7669651Abstract: The level of petroleum accumulating from a production zone as it is pumped from a lower elevation in a wellbore is remotely monitored by using the energy of a sucker rod driven pump. One or more sensors are interposed between sections of the sucker rod between the production zone and the pump level. The sensors include trigger mechanisms moving with the sucker rod string within spring loaded and slidable pistons. Over a short span the reciprocating triggers engage deformable sleeve actuators which slide and spring load the pistons. When the triggers pass through the sleeve actuators, they release the piston which impacts against a pressure wave or sonic signal generator. The impacted elements transmit a signal up to the wellhead indicative of the presence or absence of petroleum at that elevation. One or two sensors, and optionally other inputs as well, can be used in adjusting the pumping rate to maximize production.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2008Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Inventor: Kenneth J. Carstensen
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Patent number: 7647963Abstract: A device for coupling a driver system to a downhole string of sucker rods in a petroleum well employs a polish rod construction in which the polish rod is strengthened by an attached sleeve providing a transverse should in a predetermined plane. The sleeve is shrink fit in place and mechanically adhered to withstand the stresses and shocks encountered in long-term cyclic operation. The device provides specific benefits for an improved sucker rod connection which prestresses the sucker rod pin ends and the coupling in a fashion to resist the development of microcracks and fatigue failures.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2007Date of Patent: January 19, 2010Inventor: Kenneth J. Carstensen
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Patent number: 7596847Abstract: Improved sucker rod joints for down hole petroleum pumping applications are provided within the form factor of standard API sucker rods, such that existing inventory in suitable condition is fully usable in more demanding applications. The pin ends are selected or processed such as to provide preselected axial distance between a flat pin end and at least one reference surface, such as a threaded region or reference shoulder or both. The coupler is dimensioned such that the pin ends are in abutment either with each other or with opposite sides of an intervening torque washer in the central region, when the connection is made to a selected level of thread engagement. Furthermore, the engagement is such as to put the pin ends in compression and the coextensive length of coupler in tension. This increases frictional restraints and locks the elements together to resist fatigue failure upon cycling and to insure together with an anaerobic adhesive sealant, against back threading.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2006Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Inventor: Kenneth J. Carstensen
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Publication number: 20090038789Abstract: A power tong system for precisely making up a connection between two elongated elements, such as sucker rods, into an operative string for petroleum well installations. High precision is attainable to secure the full advantages of prestressing the coupling by combinatorial use of both a rotary drive to achieve a first contact position and a linear drive to secure a precise final torsioning. The mechanism for achieving this may employ a peripherally driven drive ring coupling gears engaged to the drive ring periphery, a rotatably driven drive and a linear gear rack which are both engageable to the coupling gear.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2007Publication date: February 12, 2009Inventor: Kenneth J. Carstensen
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Patent number: 7295491Abstract: A system and method in accordance with the invention communicator remotely with remotely controllable down hole tools in a well bore at a drilling installation. At the surface, high energy pressure impulses directed into the tubing or the annulus, or both, being at a level to propagate through an interface between very different impedances zones, such as an upper level gas zone and a lower level of mobile fluid media extending down into the desired downhole location. The pressure impulses, provided by directionally gating along the longitudinal confining path a pressure impulse initially having sharp leading and trailing edges, reach the downhole location as physical perturbations forming a discernible pattern that can be detected by one or more energy responsive transducers. With combinations of these signals, one of a number of separate control devices can be remotely actuated.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2004Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Inventor: Kenneth J. Carstensen
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Patent number: 7108063Abstract: Improved sucker rod joints for down hole petroleum pumping applications are provided within the form factor of standard API sucker rods, such that existing inventory in suitable condition is fully usable in more demanding applications. The pin ends are selected or processed such as to provide preselected axial distance between a flat pin end and at least one reference surface, such as a threaded region or reference shoulder or both. The coupler is dimensioned such that the pin ends are in abutment either with each other or with opposite sides of an intervening torque washer in the central region, when the connection is made to a selected level of thread engagement. Furthermore, the engagement is such as to put the pin ends in compression and the coextensive length of coupler in tension. This increases frictional restraints and locks the elements together to resist fatigue failure upon cycling and to insure together with an anaerobic adhesive sealant, against back threading.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2001Date of Patent: September 19, 2006Inventor: Kenneth J. Carstensen
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Publication number: 20040238184Abstract: A system and method in accordance with the invention communicator remotely with remotely controllable down hole tools in a well bore at a drilling installation. At the surface, high energy pressure impulses directed into the tubing or the annulus, or both, being at a level to propagate through an interface between very different impedances zones, such as an upper level gas zone and a lower level of mobile fluid media extending down into the desired downhole location. The pressure impulses, provided by directionally gating along the longitudinal confining path a pressure impulse initially having sharp leading and trailing edges, reach the downhole location as physical perturbations forming a discernible pattern that can be detected by one or more energy responsive transducers. With combinations of these signals, one of a number of separate control devices can be remotely actuated.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2004Publication date: December 2, 2004Inventor: Kenneth J. Carstensen
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Patent number: 6760275Abstract: A system and method in accordance with the invention communicator remotely with remotely controllable down hole tools in a well bore at a drilling installation. At the surface, high energy pressure impulses directed into the tubing or the annulus, or both, being at a level to propagate through an interface between very different impedances zones, such as an upper level gas zone and a lower level of mobile fluid media extending down into the desired downhole location. The pressure impulses, provided by directionally gating along the longitudinal confining path a pressure impulse initially having sharp leading and trailing edges, reach the downhole location as physical perturbations forming a discernible pattern that can be detected by one or more energy responsive transducers. With combinations of these signals, one of a number of separate control devices can be remotely actuated.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Inventor: Kenneth J. Carstensen
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Patent number: 6710720Abstract: An apparatus and method of communicating in a tubular system (20) through a media (65) disposed therein and actuating a controllable device (58) are disclosed. The apparatus and method utilize a transmission apparatus (16) at a transmission node that is in communication with the media (65). The transmission apparatus (16) generates pressure impulses that are propagated through the media (65). The pressure impulses may be either positive or negative pressure impulses depending upon the selected transmission apparatus. The pressure impulses are detected by a reception apparatus (77) at a reception node. The detection apparatus may detect the pressure impulses as variation in the media (65) or as variation in the tubular system (20) caused by the pressure impulses. Once the detection apparatus (77) has detected the appropriate pressure impulse or pattern of pressure impulses, a signal may be generated to actuate the controllable device (58).Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2002Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth J. Carstensen, Neal G. Skinner, Charles M. Pool
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Publication number: 20030000706Abstract: A system and method in accordance with the invention communicator remotely with remotely controllable down hole tools in a well bore at a drilling installation. At the surface, high energy pressure impulses directed into the tubing or the annulus, or both, being at a level to propagate through an interface between very different impedances zones, such as an upper level gas zone and a lower level of mobile fluid media extending down into the desired downhole location. The pressure impulses, provided by directionally gating along the longitudinal confining path a pressure impulse initially having sharp leading and trailing edges, reach the downhole location as physical perturbations forming a discernible pattern that can be detected by one or more energy responsive transducers. With combinations of these signals, one of a number of separate control devices can be remotely actuated.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2002Publication date: January 2, 2003Inventor: Kenneth J. Carstensen
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Publication number: 20020140573Abstract: An apparatus and method of communicating in a tubular system (20) through a media (65) disposed therein and actuating a controllable device (58)are disclosed. The apparatus and method utilize a transmission apparatus (16) at a transmission node that is in communication with the media (65). The transmission apparatus (16) generates pressure impulses that are propagated through the media (65). The pressure impulses may be either positive or negative pressure impulses depending upon the selected transmission apparatus. The pressure impulses are detected by a reception apparatus (77) at a reception node. The detection apparatus may detect the pressure impulses as variation in the media (65) or as variation in the tubular system (20) caused by the pressure impulses. Once the detection apparatus (77) has detected the appropriate pressure impulse or pattern of pressure impulses, a signal may be generated to actuate the controllable device (58).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2002Publication date: October 3, 2002Inventors: Kenneth J. Carstensen, Neal G. Skinner, Charles M. Pool
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Publication number: 20020076273Abstract: Improved sucker rod joints for down hole petroleum pumping applications are provided within the form factor of standard API sucker rods, such that existing inventory in suitable condition is fully usable in more demanding applications. The pin ends are selected or processed such as to provide preselected axial distance between a flat pin end and at least one reference surface, such as a threaded region or reference shoulder or both. The coupler is dimensioned such that the pin ends are in abutment either with each other or with opposite sides of an intervening torque washer in the central region, when the connection is made to a selected level of thread engagement. Furthermore, the engagement is such as to put the pin ends in compression and the coextensive length of coupler in tension. This increases frictional restraints and locks the elements together to resist fatigue failure upon cycling and to insure together with an anaerobic adhesive sealant, against back threading.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2001Publication date: June 20, 2002Inventor: Kenneth J. Carstensen
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Patent number: 6388577Abstract: A system and method in accordance with the invention communicator remotely with remotely controllable down hole tools in a well bore at a drilling installation. At the surface, high energy pressure impulses directed into the tubing or the annulus, or both, being at a level to propagate through an interface between very different impedances zones, such as an upper level gas zone and a lower level of mobile fluid media extending down into the desired downhole location. The pressure impulses, provided by directionally gating along the longitudinal confining path a pressure impulse initially having sharp leading and trailing edges, reach the downhole location as physical perturbations forming a discernible pattern that can be detected by one or more energy responsive transducers. With combinations of these signals, one of a number of separate control devices can be remotely actuated.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 1998Date of Patent: May 14, 2002Inventor: Kenneth J. Carstensen
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Patent number: 6384738Abstract: An apparatus and method of communicating in a tubular system (20) through a media (65) disposed therein and actuating a controllable device (58) are disclosed. The apparatus and method utilize a transmission apparatus (16) at a transmission node that is in communication with the media (65). The transmission apparatus (16) generates pressure impulses that are propagated through the media (65). The pressure impulses may be either positive or negative pressure impulses depending upon the selected transmission apparatus. The pressure impulses are detected by a reception apparatus (77) at a reception node. The detection apparatus may detect the pressure impulses as variation in the media (65) or as variation in the tubular system (20) caused by the pressure impulses. Once the detection apparatus (77) has detected the appropriate pressure impulse or pattern of pressure impulses, a signal may be generated to actuate the controllable device (58).Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 1998Date of Patent: May 7, 2002Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth J. Carstensen, Neal G. Skinner, Charles M. Pool
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Patent number: 5895079Abstract: For threaded connections for oil and gas applications using tubular goods of composite materials, substantially greater make up torque can be applied, with significantly improved tensile and sealing properties, by incorporating stress-relieving conical gradient sections adjacent each end of the threaded section of the composite member. Joining each of two composite tubular members to a single double ended male member having complementary surfaces, circumferential distortion is not concentrated at the end regions of the threaded sections but is distributed, relieving stresses and allowing increased makeup torque to be applied, greatly expanding the useful parameters of fiber reinforced tubular products.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 1996Date of Patent: April 20, 1999Assignees: Kenneth J. Carstensen, Lawrence P. Moore, John M. HooksInventors: Kenneth J. Carstensen, Lawrence P. Moore, John P. Biro