Patents by Inventor Lance Underwood

Lance Underwood 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).

  • Publication number: 20230287756
    Abstract: A plug with composite reinforced end(s) and a mostly-bismuth-alloy middle section. At least one end comprises a composite material. One end is a composite, with a bismuth alloy and a particulate material of greater strength than the bismuth material. A plug having both ends of the composite material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Paul Carragher, Andre Levchenko, Billy Clark, Lance Underwood
  • Patent number: 11536111
    Abstract: The present invention provides a downhole tool deployment assembly (1) for use in particular in oil/gas wells. The assembly comprises a heater (2) with a tubular heater body having an internal cavity configured to receive a heat source (6). The assembly also has a tubular heat conducting member (3) configured to surround the tubular heater body leaving an annular clearance, wherein the tubular heat conducting member does not extend along the entire length of the tubular heater body. In addition, a collar (4) is mounted adjacent to the region of the assembly where the tubular heat conducting member ends. The collar is configured to prevent access to the annular clearance between the tubular heat conducting member and the tubular heater body. A eutectic/bismuth based alloy (5) covers the collar and at least a portion of the tubular heater body and the tubular heat conducting member such that the alloy holds the heater and the tubular heat conducting member together until the alloy is melted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: BiSN Tec. Ltd.
    Inventors: Paul Carragher, Lance Underwood
  • Patent number: 11401776
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of sealing a region of a sand screen of an Open Hole Gravel Pack without the need to perforate the sand screen and a tool for use in such. The tool being a eutectic/bismuth based alloy well plugging/sealing tool (1) having a tubular heater body (2) with an internal cavity (4) capable of receiving a chemical heat source (105). The tool is provided with a quantity of eutectic/bismuth based alloy (3) around an outer surface of the heater body (2) such that it can be heated by the chemical heat source (105). In addition the tool (1) has an insulating sleeve (7) provided around an outer surface of the alloy (3), wherein the sleeve (7) is configured to provide a focused egress for the alloy (3) as it is melted by the chemical heat source (105).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: BiSN Tec Ltd.
    Inventors: Paul Carragher, Lance Underwood, Sylvain Bedouet
  • Publication number: 20210164321
    Abstract: The present invention provides a downhole tool deployment assembly (1) for use in particular in oil/gas wells. The assembly comprises a heater (2) with a tubular heater body having an internal cavity configured to receive a heat source (6). The assembly also has a tubular heat conducting member (3) configured to surround the tubular heater body leaving an annular clearance, wherein the tubular heat conducting member does not extend along the entire length of the tubular heater body. In addition, a collar (4) is mounted adjacent to the region of the assembly where the tubular heat conducting member ends. The collar is configured to prevent access to the annular clearance between the tubular heat conducting member and the tubular heater body. A eutectic/bismuth based alloy (5) covers the collar and at least a portion of the tubular heater body and the tubular heat conducting member such that the alloy holds the heater and the tubular heat conducting member together until the alloy is melted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Applicant: BiSN Tec Ltd
    Inventors: Paul Carragher, Lance Underwood
  • Publication number: 20200180018
    Abstract: Provided is a system and method for metering an amount of molten amorphous alloy into a mold cavity of an injection system. A melting chamber in the system is heated to or above a solidus temperature of the alloy to form a hot chamber. Both the chamber and mold are maintained in an inert atmosphere. The molten alloy is metered from the chamber using a valve system and injected into the mold cavity for molding into a part. A feed tube may extend from the hot chamber to the valve system. The valve system may use gravity or pressure from a pump to meter a volume of molten alloy. In another case, the valve system may include a plunger and a shot sleeve for injecting alloy into the mold. In one embodiment, the plunger itself meters a volume of the alloy. The shot sleeve and plunger may optionally be heated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Lance UNDERWOOD, John KANG, Choongnyun Paul KIM, Bryan P. REIMERS
  • Publication number: 20200173250
    Abstract: The present invention provides a downhole tool deployment assembly (1) for use in particular in oil/gas wells. The assembly comprises a heater (2) with a tubular heater body having an internal cavity configured to receive a heat source (6). The assembly also has a tubular heat conducting member (3) configured to surround the tubular heater body leaving an annular clearance, wherein the tubular heat conducting member does not extend along the entire length of the tubular heater body. In addition, a collar (4) is mounted adjacent to the region of the assembly where the tubular heat conducting member ends. The collar is configured to prevent access to the annular clearance between the tubular heat conducting member and the tubular heater body. A eutectic/bismuth based alloy (5) covers the collar and at least a portion of the tubular heater body and the tubular heat conducting member such that the alloy holds the heater and the tubular heat conducting member together until the alloy is melted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: BiSN Tec Ltd
    Inventors: Paul Carragher, Lance Underwood
  • Patent number: 10612542
    Abstract: Techniques involve a motor assembly including a rotor and a stator. The stator includes a contact surface for contacting an outer surface of the rotor. The contact surface includes a rigid material. The motor assembly also includes at least one constraint disposed along a length of the motor assembly, where the constraint constrains a radial and/or tangential movement of the rotor relative to the stator. The at least one constraint may be disposed at one or more proximate ends of the motor assembly, and/or along the length of the motor assembly. The contact surface of the stator may have a profile including peaks and valleys, and in some embodiments, the contact surface may be treated to reduce friction and/or wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Brian P. Jarvis, Nigel Wilcox, Brian Williams, Lance Underwood, William Murray, Peter Thomas Cariveau, Geoffrey Downton, Lawrence Lee, Shunetsu Onodera, Daniel Alvarado, Maxim Pushkarev, Gokturk Tunc, Andrei Plop, Warren Askew
  • Publication number: 20200056277
    Abstract: Provided is a method for increasing anti-galling of parts using a coating material comprising an amorphous alloy. The parts may be a vehicle or machine component, for example, that are subject to frictional and sliding forces. The disclosed coating reduces galling and friction between surfaces, and increases the lift of such parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Choongnyun Paul KIM, Lance UNDERWOOD, John KANG
  • Publication number: 20190186230
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of sealing a region of a sand screen of an Open Hole Gravel Pack without the need to perforate the sand screen and a tool for use in such. The tool being a eutectic/bismuth based alloy well plugging/sealing tool (1) having a tubular heater body (2) with an internal cavity (4) capable of receiving a chemical heat source (105). The tool is provided with a quantity of eutectic/bismuth based alloy (3) around an outer surface of the heater body (2) such that it can be heated by the chemical heat source (105). In addition the tool (1) has an insulating sleeve (7) provided around an outer surface of the alloy (3), wherein the sleeve (7) is configured to provide a focused egress for the alloy (3) as it is melted by the chemical heat source (105).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Applicant: BiSN Tec Ltd
    Inventors: Paul Carragher, Lance Underwood, Sylvain Bedouet
  • Publication number: 20170074100
    Abstract: Techniques involve a motor assembly including a rotor and a stator. The stator includes a contact surface for contacting an outer surface of the rotor. The contact surface includes a rigid material. The motor assembly also includes at least one constraint disposed along a length of the motor assembly, where the constraint constrains a radial and/or tangential movement of the rotor relative to the stator. The at least one constraint may be disposed at one or more proximate ends of the motor assembly, and/or along the length of the motor assembly. The contact surface of the stator may have a profile including peaks and valleys, and in some embodiments, the contact surface may be treated to reduce friction and/or wear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Brian P. Jarvis, Nigel Wilcox, Brian Williams, Lance Underwood, William Murray, Peter Thomas Cariveau, Geoffrey Downton, Lawrence Lee, Onodera Shun, Daniel Alvarado, Maxim Pushkarev, Gokturk Tunc, Andrei Plop, Warren Askew
  • Patent number: 9482223
    Abstract: A moving cavity motor or pump, such as a mud motor, comprising: a rotor, a stator, and one or more apparatus for constraining (i.e., controlling or limiting) the movement of the rotor relative to the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Brian P. Jarvis, Nigel Wilcox, Brian Williams, Lance Underwood, William Murray, Peter Thomas Cariveau, Geoffrey Downton, Lawrence Lee, Shunetsu Onodera, Daniel Alvarado, Maxim Pushkarev, Gokturk Tunc, Andrei Plop, Warren Askew
  • Patent number: 9334691
    Abstract: A moving cavity motor or pump, such as a mud motor, comprising: a rotor, a stator, and one or more apparatus for constraining (i.e., controlling or limiting) the movement of the rotor relative to the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Brian P. Jarvis, Nigel Wilcox, Brian Williams, Lance Underwood, William Murray, Peter Thomas Cariveau
  • Patent number: 8651202
    Abstract: A percussion drilling assembly for boring into the earth is disclosed. The percussion drilling assembly includes a top sub, a casing coupled to the top sub, and a feed tube assembly disposed within the top sub and the casing. The feed tube assembly includes a non-rigid coupling having a throughbore and a tubular body disposed therein. The tubular body is translatable in the radial position and/or rotatable relative to a longitudinal centerline extending through the non-rigid coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Shantanu Swadi, Lance Underwood, Jack Marshall, Charles Dewey, Kevin Harrington
  • Publication number: 20130048384
    Abstract: A moving cavity motor or pump, such as a mud motor, comprising: a rotor, a stator, and one or more apparatus for constraining (i.e., controlling or limiting) the movement of the rotor relative to the stator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Brian P. Jarvis, Nigel Wilcox, Brian Williams, Lance Underwood, William Murray, Peter Thomas Cariveau, Geoffrey Downton, Lawrence Lee, Shunetsu Onodera, Daniel Alvarado, Maxim Pushkarev, Gokturk Tunc, Andrei Plop, Warren Askew
  • Publication number: 20120132470
    Abstract: A moving cavity motor or pump, such as a mud motor, comprising: a rotor, a stator, and one or more apparatus for constraining (i.e., controlling or limiting) the movement of the rotor relative to the stator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Brian P. Jarvis, Nigel Wilcox, Brian Williams, Lance Underwood, William Murray, Peter Thomas Cariveau
  • Publication number: 20110192650
    Abstract: A percussion drilling assembly for boring into the earth is disclosed. The percussion drilling assembly includes a top sub, a casing coupled to the top sub, and a feed tube assembly disposed within the top sub and the casing. The feed tube assembly includes a non-rigid coupling having a throughbore and a tubular body disposed therein. The tubular body is translatable in the radial position and/or rotatable relative to a longitudinal centerline extending through the non-rigid coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Shantanu Swadi, Lance Underwood, Jack Marshall, Charles Dewey, Kevin Harrington
  • Patent number: 7950475
    Abstract: A percussion drilling assembly for boring into the earth is disclosed. The percussion drilling assembly includes a top sub, a casing coupled to the top sub, and a feed tube assembly disposed within the top sub and the casing. The feed tube assembly includes a non-rigid coupling having a throughbore and a tubular body disposed therein. The tubular body is translatable in the radial position and/or rotatable relative to a longitudinal centerline extending through the non-rigid coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Shantanu Swadi, Lance Underwood, Jack Marshall, Charles Dewey, Kevin Harrington
  • Publication number: 20090294180
    Abstract: A percussion drilling assembly for boring into the earth is disclosed. The percussion drilling assembly includes a top sub, a casing coupled to the top sub, and a feed tube assembly disposed within the top sub and the casing. The feed tube assembly includes a non-rigid coupling having a throughbore and a tubular body disposed therein. The tubular body is translatable in the radial position and/or rotatable relative to a longitudinal centerline extending through the non-rigid coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Shantanu Swadi, Lance Underwood, Jack Marshall, Charles Dewey, Kevin Harrington
  • Publication number: 20080185187
    Abstract: A bit retainer system includes a bit having a head and a shank, a driver sub disposed around the shank of the bit and adapted to engage a hammer case, a bit retainer disposed around the shank of the bit and abutting an upper end of the driver sub, wherein the bit retainer includes a split ring with a circumferential groove, and a secondary retainer disposed around the bit retainer, wherein the secondary retainer includes a snap ring configured to engage the circumferential groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Justin Scott, Shantanu Swadi, Lance Underwood
  • Publication number: 20070267226
    Abstract: A percussion drill bit includes a bit body having a central axis and a bit face. A plurality of inserts is disposed on the bit face. A plurality of gauge row inserts is disposed on a periphery of the bit face. At least some one of the plurality of gauge row inserts is enhanced with a super hard material and oriented on the periphery of the bit face at an angle between about 36 degrees and about 40 degrees relative to the central axis of the bit body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Lance Underwood, Ronald Schmidt