Patents by Inventor Larry T. Palmer

Larry T. Palmer 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: 7562703
    Abstract: A wellbore cleanup tool collects debris when moved in one direction downhole. A flow diverter is extended for such flow diversion when debris is collected. When running the tool in the opposite direction in the wellbore, the flow diverter is in whole or in part articulated to retract so as to reduce resistance to fluid that passes around the outside of the tool. A segmented diverter can have fixed and movable components that are guided. The movable components can become longitudinally offset from the fixed components for movement in the direction where maximum flow bypass around the outside of the tool is desired. In an alternative embodiment, the diverter segments can all be movable on an inclined track to retract against a bias force for fluid bias with movement of the tool in the opposite direction allowing the bias to push the segments on the inclined track for diversion of debris laden fluid into a capture volume in the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry T. Palmer, Gregory L. Hern, Steve Rosenblatt
  • Publication number: 20080190602
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for centralizing a downhole component. The method includes, delivering a tubular member with a plurality of lines of weakness therein to a site requiring a centralizer, and actuating the tubular member by causing a portion of the tubular member to deform radially from an unactuated position. The actuated portion contacting a downhole tubular structure, while maintaining at least two separate fluid passages. A first fluid passage between the portion of the tubular member and an outside surface of the tubular member in the unactuated position and a second fluid passage at a dimension smaller than that of the outside surface of the tubular member in the unactuated position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Larry T. Palmer
  • Publication number: 20080185137
    Abstract: Disclosed herein relates to a single piece tubular member. The tubular member having a non-radially displaceable portion and a radially displaceable portion, the radially displaceable portion being movable to a position of similar radial displacement as that of the non-radially displaceable portion and a position of relatively large radial displacement in comparison to the non-radially displaceable portion. The tubular member also having at least one cutting arrangement disposed at the radially displaceable portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Larry T. Palmer
  • Publication number: 20080093080
    Abstract: A downhole tool can perform a series of operations with balls of the same size where movement caused by pressuring up on the first ball positions the next seat to accept another ball just like it. In a preferred embodiment a circulation sub is run in with a port closed and a first seat comprising of collets pushed together and preferably lined with a sleeve are in position to accept a first ball to perform a downhole operation and thereafter pass the ball and open the port. The act of opening the port gives support, by reducing their dimension, to the next assembly of collets also preferably lined with a sleeve so that they are energized to accept the same size ball. Pressuring up on the second ball can shift another sleeve to close the circulation port. The tool is modular and more than one module can be deployed in a given bottom hole assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Inventors: Larry T. Palmer, John M. Sprott
  • Publication number: 20080029263
    Abstract: A wellbore cleanup tool collects debris when moved in one direction downhole. A flow diverter is extended for such flow diversion when debris is collected. When running the tool in the opposite direction in the wellbore, the flow diverter is in whole or in part articulated to retract so as to reduce resistance to fluid that passes around the outside of the tool. A segmented diverter can have fixed and movable components that are guided. The movable components can become longitudinally offset from the fixed components for movement in the direction where maximum flow bypass around the outside of the tool is desired. In an alternative embodiment, the diverter segments can all be movable on an inclined track to retract against a bias force for fluid bias with movement of the tool in the opposite direction allowing the bias to push the segments on the inclined track for diversion of debris laden fluid into a capture volume in the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventors: Larry T. Palmer, Gregory L. Hern, Steve Rosenblatt
  • Publication number: 20070272414
    Abstract: The riser assembly is plugged adjacent its bottom end either as it is made up or after full makeup or anywhere in between. A heavy fluid is either added to the riser string as it is made up or delivered into the string after makeup to displace seawater or other fluids that may have been in the riser as it is assembled. The floating rig can be secured over the subsea well head and the riser now full of heavy fluid is less prone to be displaced by wave action and preferably simply dangles straight down so that the connection to the subsea wellhead can be simply accomplished. The effect of wave action is minimized or eliminated when deciding placement of the floating rig with respect to the wellhead. Repositioning of the rig takes less effort and is needed less frequently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventors: Larry T. Palmer, David Dolyniuk
  • Patent number: 6997262
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting one or more longitudinal members, external to a downhole tubular conduit, by pulling upward on a cutter body attached to the tubular conduit, where the longitudinal members are run between cutter knives within the cutter body. The cutter knives are attached to one external longitudinal member. After the main tubular conduit is cut below the cutter body, the tubular conduit is pulled, lifting the cutter body, thereby engaging the cutter knives with sloping surfaces on the cutter body to force the knives together, severing the external longitudinal members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry T. Palmer, James S. Trahan
  • Publication number: 20040089451
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting one or more longitudinal members, external to a downhole tubular conduit, by pulling upward on a cutter body attached to the tubular conduit, where the longitudinal members are run between cutter knives within the cutter body. The cutter knives are attached to one external longitudinal member. After the main tubular conduit is cut below the cutter body, the tubular conduit is pulled, lifting the cutter body, thereby engaging the cutter knives with sloping surfaces on the cutter body to force the knives together, severing the external longitudinal members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Larry T. Palmer, James S. Trahan
  • Patent number: 5580114
    Abstract: A fishing tool is disclosed which is responsive to hydraulic pressure to move away support for collets to allow the collects to deflect and make contact with the stuck object. Upon removal of the hydraulic force, the support for the collets is returned, preferably by a biasing spring, to its original position to lend support for the collets while the collets have engaged the stuck object. The object can then be retrieved to the surface. Application of further hydraulic force while the object engaged releases the support for the collects which allows the collets to disengage from the object. The process can be repeated to obtain successive releases and engagements with the stuck object without taking the fishing tool out of the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Larry T. Palmer