Patents by Inventor Lee Mercer
Lee Mercer 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: 9915120Abstract: A seal element for sealing a conduit is described. The seal element comprises a frusto conical portion and a first lip extending from an external edge of the frusto conical portion, the lip being adapted to be pivoted into engagement with a conduit surface. In a described embodiment, two seal elements are provided on a plug for sealing a conduit, the seal elements facing in opposite directions to seal from above and below.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2014Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Lee Mercer, Stewart Christie
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Patent number: 9562411Abstract: A packer for a well comprises a seal element and seal setting apparatus. The seal setting apparatus is moveable with respect to the seal element in a setting direction to apply a setting force to the seal element to move the seal element from a run-in configuration to a set configuration in which the seal element forms a contact seal with a conduit wall. The packer is arranged such that, in the set configuration, a pressure differential across the packer, which creates a force in the setting direction, will increase the setting force applied by the seal setting apparatus to the seal element to maintain the seal.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2014Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: Petrowell LimitedInventors: Lee Mercer, Iain MacLeod
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Patent number: 9404348Abstract: Apparatus and method for completing a wellbore including providing a packer having an inner mandrel, alternate flow channels along the inner mandrel, and a sealing element external to the inner mandrel, including connecting packer to tubular body, then running the packer and connected tubular body into the wellbore. In one aspect, the packer and connected tubular body may be placed along an open-hole portion of the wellbore. Tubular body may be a sand screen, with the sand screen comprising a base pipe, a surrounding filter medium, and alternate flow channels. The method includes setting a packer and injecting a gravel slurry into an annular region formed between the tubular body and the surrounding wellbore, and then further injecting the gravel slurry through the alternate flow channels to allow the gravel slurry to at least partially bypass sealing element of the packer.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2011Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Charles S. Yeh, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, Tracy J. Moffett, Jon Blacklock, David C. Haeberle, Patrick C. Hyde, Iain M. Macleod, Lee Mercer, Stephen Reid, Andrew J. Elrick
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Patent number: 9322248Abstract: Completing a wellbore in a subsurface formation with packer assembly having first mechanically-set packer as first zonal isolation tool, and second zonal isolation tool comprises internal bore for receiving production fluids, and alternate flow channels. First packer has alternate flow channels around inner mandrel, and sealing element external to inner mandrel and includes operatively connecting packer assembly to a sand screen, and running into wellbore. First packer set by actuating sealing element into engagement with surrounding open-hole portion of the wellbore. Thereafter, injecting a gravel slurry and further injecting the gravel slurry through the alternate flow channels to allow it to bypass the sealing element, resulting in a gravel packed wellbore within an annular region between sand screen and surrounding formation below packer assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2011Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Charles S. Yeh, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, Tracy J. Moffett, Jon Blacklock, David C. Haeberle, Patrick C. Hyde, Iain M. Macleod, Lee Mercer, Stephen Reid, Andrew J. Elrick
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Patent number: 9303485Abstract: Method for completing a wellbore in a subsurface formation includes providing a sand control device representing one or more joints of sand screens, and a packer assembly along the joints with at least one mechanically-set packer with at least one alternate flow channel therein. Running the packer assembly and connected sand screen into the wellbore, setting a mechanically-set packer into engagement with the surrounding wellbore, injecting gravel slurry into the wellbore to form a gravel pack. An elongated isolation string is run into the sand control device across the packer assembly with valves that serve as an inflow control device. Thereafter, seals are activated around the isolation string and adjacent the packer assembly. A zonal isolation apparatus allows flow control to be provided above and below packer assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2011Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Michael T. Hecker, Michael D. Barry, Petrus A. J. Stevens, David A. Howell, Charles S. Yeh, Iain M. Macleod, Lee Mercer, Stephen Reid, Andrew J. Elrick
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Publication number: 20150053395Abstract: A seal element for sealing a conduit is described. The seal element comprises a frusto conical portion and a first lip extending from an external edge of the frusto conical portion, the lip being adapted to be pivoted into engagement with a conduit surface. In a described embodiment, two seal elements are provided on a plug for sealing a conduit, the seal elements facing in opposite directions to seal from above and below.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2014Publication date: February 26, 2015Inventors: Lee Mercer, Stewart Christie
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Publication number: 20140116680Abstract: A packer for a well is described. The packer comprises a seal element and seal setting apparatus. The seal setting apparatus is moveable with respect to the seal element in a setting direction to apply a setting force to the seal element to move the seal element from a run-in configuration to a set configuration in which, in use, the seal element forms a contact seal with a conduit wall. In use, the packer is arranged such that, in the set configuration, a pressure differential across the packer, which creates a force in the setting direction, will increase the setting force applied by the seal setting apparatus to the seal element to maintain the seal.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2014Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: PETROWELL LIMITEDInventors: Lee Mercer, Iain MacLeod
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Patent number: 8678099Abstract: A sealing system and method for sealing a tubular conduit, the sealing system includes a housing, at least one annular seal surrounding the outer surface of the housing, at least one seal back-up mounted on the housing outer surface, and seal and anchor energising means for urging the annular seal and the anchor surface into contact with the tubular conduit in response to an actuation force.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2005Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: Petrowell LimitedInventors: Iain McLeod, Lee Mercer
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Patent number: 8651178Abstract: A packer for a well. The packer comprises a seal element and seal setting apparatus. The seal setting apparatus is moveable with respect to the seal element in a setting direction to apply a setting force to the seal element to move the seal element from a run-in configuration to a set configuration in which, in use, the seal element forms a contact seal with a conduit wall. In use, the packer is arranged such that, in the set configuration, a pressure differential across the packer, which creates a force in the setting direction, will increase the setting force applied by the seal setting apparatus to the seal element to maintain the seal.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2007Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Petrowell LimitedInventors: Lee Mercer, Iain Macleod
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Publication number: 20130277053Abstract: Completing a wellbore in a subsurface formation with packer assembly having first mechanically-set packer as first zonal isolation tool, and second zonal isolation tool comprises internal bore for receiving production fluids, and alternate flow channels. First packer has alternate flow channels around inner mandrel, and sealing element external to inner mandrel and includes operatively connecting packer assembly to a sand screen, and running into wellbore. First packer set by actuating sealing element into engagement with surrounding open-hole portion of the wellbore. Thereafter, injecting a gravel slurry and further injecting the gravel slurry through the alternate flow channels to allow it to bypass the sealing element, resulting in a gravel packed wellbore within an annular region between sand screen and surrounding formation below packer assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2011Publication date: October 24, 2013Inventors: Charles S. Yeh, MIchael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, Tracy J. Moffett, Jon Blacklock, David C. Haeberle, Patrick C. Hyde, Iain M. Macleod, Lee Mercer, Stephen Reid, Andrew J. Elrick
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Publication number: 20130248178Abstract: Method for completing a wellbore in a subsurface formation includes providing a sand control device representing one or more joints of sand screens, and a packer assembly along the joints with at least one mechanically-set packer with at least one alternate flow channel therein. Running the packer assembly and connected sand screen into the wellbore, setting a mechanically-set packer into engagement with the surrounding wellbore, injecting gravel slurry into the wellbore to form a gravel pack. An elongated isolation string is run into the sand control device across the packer assembly with valves that serve as an inflow control device. Thereafter, seals are activated around the isolation string and adjacent the packer assembly. A zonal isolation apparatus allows flow control to be provided above and below packer assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2011Publication date: September 26, 2013Inventors: Michael T. Hecker, Michael D. Barry, Petrus A. J. Stevens, David A. Howell, Charles S. Yeh, Iain M. Macleod, Lee Mercer, Stephen Reid, Andew J. Elrick
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Publication number: 20130248179Abstract: Apparatus and method for completing a wellbore including providing a packer having an inner mandrel, alternate flow channels along the inner mandrel, and a sealing element external to the inner mandrel, including connecting packer to tubular body, then running the packer and connected tubular body into the wellbore. In one aspect, the packer and connected tubular body may be placed along an open-hole portion of the wellbore. Tubular body may be a sand screen, with the sand screen comprising a base pipe, a surrounding filter medium, and alternate flow channels. The method includes setting a packer and injecting a gravel slurry into an annular region formed between the tubular body and the surrounding wellbore, and then further injecting the gravel slurry through the alternate flow channels to allow the gravel slurry to at least partially bypass sealing element of the packer.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2011Publication date: September 26, 2013Inventors: Charles S. Yeh, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, Tracy J. Moffett, Jon Blacklock, David C. Haeberle, Patrick C. Hyde, Iain M. Macleod, Lee Mercer, Stephen Reid, Andrew J. Elrick
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Publication number: 20110057395Abstract: A seal element (120, 126) for sealing a conduit is described. The seal element comprises a frusto conical portion (28) and a first lip (30) extending from an external edge of the frusto conical portion, the lip being adapted to be pivoted into engagement with a conduit surface. In a described embodiment, two seal elements are provided on a plug (10) for sealing a conduit (16), the seal elements facing in opposite directions to seal from above and below.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2008Publication date: March 10, 2011Applicant: PETROWELL LTD.Inventors: Lee Mercer, Stewart Christie
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Publication number: 20090308592Abstract: A packer for a well is described. The packer comprises a seal element and seal setting apparatus. The seal setting apparatus is moveable with respect to the seal element in a setting direction to apply a setting force to the seal element to move the seal element from a run-in configuration to a set configuration in which, in use, the seal element forms a contact seal with a conduit wall. In use, the packer is arranged such that, in the set configuration, a pressure differential across the packer, which creates a force in the setting direction, will increase the setting force applied by the seal setting apparatus to the seal element to maintain the seal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2007Publication date: December 17, 2009Inventors: Lee Mercer, Iain Macleod
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Publication number: 20070261863Abstract: A sealing system for sealing a tubular conduit is described. The sealing system includes a housing, with at least one annular seal surrounding the outer surface of the housing. The sealing system further includes at least one seal back-up mounted on the housing outer surface, adjacent the at least one annular seal. The at least one seal back-up has an anchor surface for engaging with the tubular conduit. Seal and anchor energising means are also provided for urging the annular seal and the anchor surface into contact with the tubular conduit in response to an actuation force. Once energised, a first portion of the annular seal forms a contact seal with the tubular conduit and a second portion of the annular seal presses the anchor surface to maintain contact between the anchor surface and the tubular conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2005Publication date: November 15, 2007Inventors: IAIN MACLEOD, LEE MERCER
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Patent number: 5858215Abstract: The combination of a water filter and a display for indication of the water filter condition includes an electrical circuit connected to the display and responsive to use of the water filter. The circuit includes a microcontroller, a timer connected to the microcontroller and providing timing signals thereto, and a switch connected to the microcontroller and responsive to the flow of water from the filter to cause the microcontroller to process the timing signals. The microcontroller is programmed to utilize the timing signals to provide an electrical signal to the display indicative of filter condition.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 1996Date of Patent: January 12, 1999Assignee: Moen IncorporatedInventors: Thomas H. Burchard, Gregory Hunter, Kevin M. Johnson, John Lofgren, Henry N. Wagner, Lee A. Mercer
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Patent number: 5823229Abstract: A faucet having multiple water discharges includes a housing, an input water connection for the housing, a stream discharge on the housing, a spray discharge on the housing, a filtered water discharge on the housing, a water filter within the housing, and a control valve in the housing connected to each of the water discharges. There is an unfiltered water flow path from the input water connection to the control valve. A manual actuator accessible from the exterior of the housing operates the control valve to direct water from the unfiltered water flow path to either the stream discharge or the spray discharge. There is a filtered water flow path from the input water connection, through the filter, to the control valve. A filtered water manual actuator accessible from the exterior of the housing operates the control valve to direct filtered water to the filtered water discharge.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 1996Date of Patent: October 20, 1998Assignee: Moen IncorporatedInventors: John E. Bertrand, Lee A. Mercer, Thomas H. Burchard, Gregory Hunter, John Lofgren, Henry N. Wagner, Kevin M. Johnson, Jeffery Karg
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Patent number: 5031877Abstract: A fabricated housing assembly for a faucet valve is made from multiple economically manufactured components which can be permanently attached by soldering or by an adhesively secured threaded connection.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 1990Date of Patent: July 16, 1991Assignee: Moen IncorporatedInventor: Lee A. Mercer