Patents by Inventor Lev Ring

Lev Ring 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: 8443881
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an expandable liner hanger capable of being expanded into a surrounding casing. In one aspect, an expandable tubular system is provided. The system includes an expandable tubular. The system further includes an expansion swage for expanding the expandable tubular, wherein the expansion swage is deformable from a compliant configuration to a smaller substantially non-compliant configuration. Additionally, the system includes a restriction member disposed on an exterior surface of the expandable tubular, wherein expansion of the expandable tubular in the location of the restriction member deforms the expansion swage from the compliant configuration to the smaller substantially non-compliant configuration. In another aspect, a method of expanding a liner hanger using a cone is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon Thomson, Lev Ring, Varadaraju Gandikota, Paul Andrew Reinhardt, Mike A. Luke, David S. Li
  • Patent number: 8356663
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a swage assembly that is movable from a compliant configuration having a first shape to a substantially non-compliant configuration having a second shape. In one aspect, an expansion swage for expanding a wellbore tubular is provided. The expansion swage includes a body and a solid cone disposed on the body. The expansion swage further includes a deformable cone disposed on the body, wherein the solid cone is made from a first material and the deformable cone is made from a second material and wherein the deformable cone is movable relative to the body when the expansion swage is in a compliant configuration. In another aspect, a method of expanding a wellbore tubular is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Lev Ring, Varadaraju Gandikota, Mike A. Luke, David S. Li
  • Publication number: 20120273225
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for a pressure relief valve assembly. The valve assembly may be coupled to one or more casings and/or tubular members to control fluid communication therebetween. The valve assembly is a one-way valve assembly that relieves pressure within an annulus formed between adjacent casings and/or tubular members to prevent burst or collapse of the casings and/or tubular members. The valve assembly is resettable downhole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: MICHAEL LOGIUDICE, JOSHUA VERNON SYMMS, BRENT J. LIRETTE, THAD JOSEPH SCOTT, LEV RING
  • Publication number: 20120273237
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for expanding an expandable tubular assembly in a borehole. In one aspect, a system for expanding a tubular having an anchor portion in a borehole is provided. The system includes a running tool configured to position the tubular in the borehole. The running tool including a first expander configured to activate the anchor portion by expanding the tubular to a first diameter. The system further includes a second expander configured to expand the tubular to a second larger diameter, wherein the second expander is movable between a retracted position and an expanded position. In another aspect, a method of expanding a tubular having an anchor portion in a borehole is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: Richard Lee Giroux, Varadaraju Gandikota, Nader E. Abedrabbo, Larry A. Kendziora, Lev Ring
  • Publication number: 20120267123
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus include tubing expanded to create a seal in an annulus surrounding the tubing. The tubing includes a sealing material selected to cause forming of undulations in a diameter of the tubing upon expansion of the tubing. Various factors of the sealing material such as deviations in its thickness influence sealing performance of the tubing with the sealing material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: Varadaraju Gandikota, Lev Ring
  • Patent number: 8286717
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to tools and methods for hanging and/or expanding liner strings. In one embodiment, a method of hanging a liner assembly from a previously installed tubular in a wellbore includes running the liner assembly and a setting tool into the wellbore using a run-in string. The setting tool includes an isolation valve and the liner assembly includes a liner hanger and a liner string. The method further includes sending an instruction signal from the surface to the isolation valve, wherein the isolation valve closes in response to the instruction signal and isolates a setting pressure in the setting tool from the liner string; and increasing fluid pressure in the setting tool, thereby setting the liner hanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Giroux, Michael Lynch, Lev Ring
  • Publication number: 20120205124
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for expanding a tubular below a restriction in a wellbore. An expandable tubular may comprise a first end having a first wall thickness, a second end having a second wall thickness, and a middle section disposed between the first and second ends and having a third wall thickness that is less than the first and second wall thicknesses. The first and second ends may include grooves. A method for expanding a tubular below a restriction in a wellbore may comprise running the tubular past the restriction, wherein the tubular comprises a first end and a second end, each end having a wall thickness greater than a wall thickness of a middle section disposed between the ends. The method may include expanding the tubular, wherein the first and second ends of the expanded tubular have outer diameters greater than the outer diameter of the middle section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Lev Ring, Varadaraju Gandikota
  • Patent number: 8205680
    Abstract: An expandable tubular liner includes a first tube, a second tube, a mechanical coupling for coupling the first and second tubes, and an insert coupled to the mechanical coupling. The insert is capable of forming a metallurgical bond with at least one of the tubes when energy is injected into the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Enventure Global Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Lance Cook, David Paul Brisco, R. Bruce Stewart, Robert Donald Mack, Lev Ring, Alan Duell, Andrei Filippov, Richard Carl Haut, Mark Shuster
  • Patent number: 8201636
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus include tubing expanded to create a seal in an annulus surrounding the tubing. The tubing includes a sealing material selected to cause forming of undulations in a diameter of the tubing upon expansion of the tubing. Various factors of the sealing material such as deviations in its thickness influence sealing performance of the tubing with the sealing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Varadaraju Gandikota, Lev Ring
  • Patent number: 8181707
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for protecting tubular connections. In one aspect, an expandable tubular connection for use in a wellbore is provided. The tubular connection includes a tubular pin member. The tubular connection also includes a tubular box member having an end portion, wherein the tubular pin member is matable with the tubular box member to form the tubular connection. Additionally, the tubular connection includes a sleeve member disposed on the tubular pin member, wherein the sleeve member is configured to substantially protect the end portion of the tubular box member as the tubular connection is lowered into the wellbore. In yet a further aspect, a method for utilizing a tubular connection in a wellbore is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Merle E. Evans, John Richard Setterberg, Jr., Lev Ring, Ghazi J. Hashem, Richard W. DeLange
  • Patent number: 8162067
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for expanding a tubular below a restriction in a wellbore. An expandable tubular may comprise a first end having a first wall thickness, a second end having a second wall thickness, and a middle section disposed between the first and second ends and having a third wall thickness that is less than the first and second wall thicknesses. The first and second ends may include one or more grooves disposed along a length of the ends. A method for expanding a tubular below a restriction in a wellbore may comprise running the tubular past the restriction, wherein the tubular comprises a first end and a second end, each end having a wall thickness greater than a wall thickness of a middle section disposed between the ends. The method may include expanding the tubular, wherein the first and second ends of the expanded tubular have outer diameters greater than the outer diameter of the middle section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Lev Ring, Varadaraju Gandikota
  • Publication number: 20120037381
    Abstract: A method of lining a wellbore includes deploying a BHA into the wellbore using a conveyance. The BHA includes setting tool, an anchor, and an expandable tubular. The method further includes pressurizing a bore of the setting tool, thereby releasing the anchor from the setting tool. The method further includes pulling the conveyance, thereby: extending the anchor into engagement with a casing of the wellbore, pulling an expander of the setting tool through the expandable tubular, and expanding the tubular into engagement with an open and/or cased portion of the wellbore and retracting the anchor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Richard Lee Giroux, Larry A. Kendziora, Lev Ring
  • Patent number: 8047281
    Abstract: A tubular sleeve overlaps the threaded connection between a pair of adjacent tubular members that are to receive an expansion device for radial expansion and plastic deformation of the threaded tubular connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Enventure Global Technology, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Scott Costa, Joel Gray Hockaday, Kevin K. Waddell, Lev Ring, Michael Bullock, Robert Lance Cook, Larry Kendziora, David Paul Brisco
  • Publication number: 20110232900
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a swage assembly that is movable from a compliant configuration having a first shape to a substantially non-compliant configuration having a second shape. In one aspect, an expansion swage for expanding a wellbore tubular is provided. The expansion swage includes a body and a solid cone disposed on the body. The expansion swage further includes a deformable cone disposed on the body, wherein the solid cone is made from a first material and the deformable cone is made from a second material and wherein the deformable cone is movable relative to the body when the expansion swage is in a compliant configuration. In another aspect, a method of expanding a wellbore tubular is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: LEV RING, VARADARAJU GANDIKOTA, MIKE A. LUKE, DAVID S. LI
  • Patent number: 8020625
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of expanding tubing. The method may include expanding a first portion of an expandable tubing into contact with a surrounding tubing using an upper expander; expanding a second portion of the expandable tubing that extends beyond the surrounding tubing using a lower expander; and further expanding the first portion of the expandable tubing using the lower expander, thereby expanding the surrounding tubing. The apparatus may include a fluted expander coupled to a first end of the expandable tubing; and a collapsible cone disposed inside the expandable tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Lev Ring, Carel W. I. Hoyer
  • Patent number: 8006771
    Abstract: Methods relate to tubulars that may be part of a tubular string for isolating one or more zones within a wellbore. In one embodiment, the tubular string includes a first expandable zone isolation unit disposed on a first side of a zone to be isolated, a second expandable zone isolation unit disposed on a second side of the zone to be isolated, and a perforated tubular disposed in fluid communication with a producing zone. The tubular string may be expanded using an expansion assembly having a first expander for expanding the first and second expandable zone isolation units and a second expander for expanding the at least one perforated tubular. Tags or markers along the tubular string may indicate locations where expansion is desired such that connections or connectors between joints are not expanded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Annabel Green, Lev Ring, Colin McHardy, Simon Harrall, Gary Johnston, Neil A. A. Simpson
  • Patent number: 7980302
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a swage assembly that is movable from a compliant configuration having a first shape to a substantially non-compliant configuration having a second shape. In one aspect, an expansion swage for expanding a wellbore tubular is provided. The expansion swage includes a body and a solid cone disposed on the body. The expansion swage further includes a deformable cone disposed on the body, wherein the solid cone is made from a first material and the deformable cone is made from a second material and wherein the deformable cone is movable relative to the body when the expansion swage is in a compliant configuration. In another aspect, a method of expanding a wellbore tubular is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Lev Ring, Varadaraju Gandikota, Mike A. Luke, David S. Li
  • Publication number: 20110155379
    Abstract: A method for drilling a wellbore includes drilling the wellbore by advancing the tubular string longitudinally into the wellbore; stopping drilling by holding the tubular string longitudinally stationary; adding a tubular joint or stand of joints to the tubular string while injecting drilling fluid into a side port of the tubular string, rotating the tubular string, and holding the tubular string longitudinally stationary; and resuming drilling of the wellbore after adding the joint or stand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: THOMAS F. BAILEY, MARK A. MITCHELL, DAVID PAVEL, LEV RING, RAM K. BANSAL, DAVID IBLINGS
  • Patent number: 7967064
    Abstract: An apparatus for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member includes a support member with a fluid passage. A mandrel is movably coupled to the support member and includes an expansion cone operable to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member when moved relative to the tubular member. A pressure chamber is positioned between the support member and the mandrel, and the pressure chamber is fluidicly coupled to the fluid passage. A releasable support is coupled to the support member and operable to selectively couple the support member to the tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Enventure Global Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Lance Cook, David Paul Brisco, R. Bruce Stewart, Lev Ring, Richard Carl Haut, Robert Donald Mack, Alan B. Duell
  • Patent number: 7918284
    Abstract: A tubular sleeve is coupled to and overlaps the threaded connection between a pair of adjacent tubular members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Enventure Global Technology, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Scott Costa, Joel Hockaday, Kevin K. Waddell, Lev Ring, Michael Bullock, Robert Lance Cook, Larry Kendziora, David Paul Brisco, Tance Jackson