Patents by Inventor Louis F. Lafleur

Louis F. Lafleur 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: 10443377
    Abstract: A pressure test system for use in downhole fluid injection includes a shear plug assembly disposed along a flow path defined in a sump housing. The sump housing also includes a sump cavity positioned downstream of the shear plug assembly. A shear element of the shear plug assembly secures the shear plug assembly in a first position within the flow path, so that the shear plug assembly blocks fluid flow through the sump housing. Following a pressure test, fluid pressure on the shear plug assembly may be increased until the shear element of the shear plug assembly shears, after which, the pressurized fluid drives the shear plug assembly into the sump cavity, permitting flow to bypass the sump cavity through bypass channels. The bypass channels and other flow paths may be arranged to function as a pressure wave muffler in order to protect pressure sensitive components after shear out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Louis F. Lafleur, Ralph J. Robert, Clint A. Brown, Paul A. Haines
  • Publication number: 20190010805
    Abstract: A pressure test system for use in downhole fluid injection includes a shear plug assembly disposed along a flow path defined in a sump housing. The sump housing also includes a sump cavity positioned downstream of the shear plug assembly. A shear element of the shear plug assembly secures the shear plug assembly in a first position within the flow path, so that the shear plug assembly blocks fluid flow through the sump housing. Following a pressure test, fluid pressure on the shear plug assembly may be increased until the shear element of the shear plug assembly shears, after which, the pressurized fluid drives the shear plug assembly into the sump cavity, permitting flow to bypass the sump cavity through bypass channels. The bypass channels and other flow paths may be arranged to function as a pressure wave muffler in order to protect pressure sensitive components after shear out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Louis F. Lafleur, Ralph J. Robert, Clint A. Brown, Paul A. Haines
  • Publication number: 20150008003
    Abstract: An assembly for assisting performance of an operation involving a hardenable fluid in an axial flowbore of a casing string including a carrier disposed at the casing string. An operative device is carried by the carrier. A channel connects between the operative device and the axial flowbore. A plugging element is positioned in the channel that protects the operative device by preventing the hardenable fluid from entering the channel, and the plugging element is reconfigurable to selectively permit communication between the operative device and the axial flowbore via the channel. A method of protecting and using an operative device disposed at a casing string is also included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Louis F. Lafleur
  • Patent number: 8863833
    Abstract: A system monitors and controls the injection of additives into formation fluids recovered through a well may include a plurality of nozzles that receive the injection fluid from an umbilical disposed in a well. Each nozzle may have an associated flow control element that is configured to affect a flow of the injection fluid ejected through the associated nozzle. The umbilical may include one or more filters positioned in a first of two parallel conduits formed along the umbilical. An occlusion member restricts in a second of the two conduits. The occlusion member permits flow in the second conduit after a predetermined pressure differential exists in the second conduit. The system may include a plurality of pressure sensors disposed along the umbilical, and an injector unit that dispenses fluid into the umbilical. A controller operatively coupled to the injector unit operates the injector in response to measurements from the pressure sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Stephen Mescall, Matthew C. Stone, Louis F. LaFleur, James Joseph Freeman
  • Publication number: 20120325468
    Abstract: A downhole assembly, including a line operatively arranged to carry a first fluid, and a trap arranged in fluid communication with the line, the trap operatively arranged to enable the first fluid to flow in a first direction, while capturing a second fluid in a compartment, thereby preventing migration of the second fluid through the line in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Robert S. Rees, Louis F. Lafleur
  • Patent number: 8225865
    Abstract: An apparatus for aligning a component includes: a downhole sub including a plurality of first axially extending tapered members, the plurality of first axially extending tapered members configured to engage a plurality of second axially extending tapered members of a downhole carrier in an interlocking engagement and prevent rotation of the downhole carrier relative to the downhole sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Ralph J. Robert, Armanto Kimiadi, Louis F. Lafleur
  • Patent number: 8186202
    Abstract: An apparatus for sealing tubing to a device, the apparatus including: a first seal configured to seal the tubing to the device, the first seal having a device side in contact with the device and an interior side opposite the device side; a test sleeve configured to surround the first seal and to seal to the device using a second seal; a third seal disposed at the test sleeve and configured to seal the tubing to the test sleeve wherein the test sleeve, the second seal, and the third seal form a pressure boundary about the first seal; a test port disposed at the test sleeve, the test port being in communication with seals, wherein the test port is configured to connect to a seal test device to test the integrity of the seals in communication with the test port; and a plug configured to seal the test port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Louis F. Lafleur, Ralph Joseph Robert, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20100289225
    Abstract: An apparatus for sealing tubing to a device, the apparatus including: a first seal configured to seal the tubing to the device, the first seal having a device side in contact with the device and an interior side opposite the device side; a test sleeve configured to surround the first seal and to seal to the device using a second seal; a third seal disposed at the test sleeve and configured to seal the tubing to the test sleeve wherein the test sleeve, the second seal, and the third seal form a pressure boundary about the first seal; a test port disposed at the test sleeve, the test port being in communication with seals, wherein the test port is configured to connect to a seal test device to test the integrity of the seals in communication with the test port; and a plug configured to seal the test port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Louis F. Lafleur, Ralph Joseph Robert, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100116509
    Abstract: An apparatus for aligning a component includes: a downhole sub including a plurality of first axially extending tapered members, the plurality of first axially extending tapered members configured to engage a plurality of second axially extending tapered members of a downhole carrier in an interlocking engagement and prevent rotation of the downhole carrier relative to the downhole sub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ralph J. Robert, Armanto Kimiadi, Louis F. Lafleur
  • Publication number: 20090294123
    Abstract: A system monitors and controls the injection of additives into formation fluids recovered through a well may include a plurality of nozzles that receive the injection fluid from an umbilical disposed in a well. Each nozzle may have an associated flow control element that is configured to affect a flow of the injection fluid ejected through the associated nozzle. The umbilical may include one or more filters positioned in a first of two parallel conduits formed along the umbilical. An occlusion member restricts in a second of the two conduits. The occlusion member permits flow in the second conduit after a predetermined pressure differential exists in the second conduit. The system may include a plurality of pressure sensors disposed along the umbilical, and an injector unit that dispenses fluid into the umbilical. A controller operatively coupled to the injector unit operates the injector in response to measurements from the pressure sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Stephen Mescall, Matthew C. Stone, Louis F. LaFleur, James Joseph Freeman