Patents by Inventor M. Reading

M. Reading 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: 7438130
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for actuating a downhole tool is provided. The apparatus of the present invention includes a remotely energized actuator device that facilitates storage of energy needed to actuate a downhole tool after the device is placed downhole. By energizing the tool downhole, surface exposure to potential safety hazards is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis M. Read, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7404446
    Abstract: The system including a well tool having a housing forming a protection fluid chamber in fluid communication with a discharge port, a protection fluid disposed within the protection fluid chamber, and a moveable mechanism in functional connection with the protection fluid chamber in a manner to expel a portion of the protection fluid when the moveable mechanism moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Hui Du, Dennis M. Read, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7231986
    Abstract: The system including a well tool having a housing forming a protection fluid chamber in fluid communication with a discharge port, a protection fluid disposed within the protection fluid chamber, and a moveable mechanism in functional connection with the protection fluid chamber in a manner to expel a portion of the protection fluid when the moveable mechanism moves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis M. Read, Jr., Michael H. Du
  • Patent number: 7216713
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for actuating a downhole tool is provided. The apparatus of the present invention includes a remotely energized actuator device that facilitates storage of energy needed to actuate a downhole tool after the device is placed downhole. By energizing the tool downhole, surface exposure to potential safety hazards is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis M. Read, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7192554
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrogen peroxide indicator and a peracetic acid indicator that include a substrate on which is disposed an indicator composition that includes at least one of a select group of colorants and a transition metal salt. As a result of exposure to hydrogen peroxide and/or peracetic acid, the colorants change color, and even become colorless, thereby providing an indication of the presence of hydrogen peroxide and/or peracetic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: David M. Read
  • Patent number: 6978842
    Abstract: The present invention provides for an apparatus and method of use for a hydraulic shifting tool to be used in a sealed volume in a subsurface well completion to actuate a downhole device, without a fluid return to surface or the well annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis M. Read, Jr., Clay W. Milligan, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20040265170
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrogen peroxide indicator that includes a substrate on which is disposed an indicator composition that includes at least one of a select group of colorants. As a result of contact with hydrogen peroxide, the colorants change color, and even become colorless, thereby providing an indication of the presence of hydrogen peroxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: David M. Read
  • Patent number: 6790411
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrogen peroxide indicator that includes a substrate on which is disposed an indicator composition that includes at least one of a select group of colorants. As a result of contact with hydrogen peroxide, the colorants change color, and even become colorless, thereby providing an indication of the presence of hydrogen peroxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: David M. Read
  • Patent number: 6772842
    Abstract: A flapper valve having a curved flapper and a seat, the flapper and seat each having complementary undulating and tapered perimeters, with sealing surfaces designed to maintain seal integrity under higher pressure, for a given outer diameter to inner diameter ratio, compared to prior art flapper valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis M. Read, Alfred Hernandez, Juan A. Campos
  • Publication number: 20040144546
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for actuating a downhole tool is provided. The apparatus of the present invention includes a remotely energized actuator device that facilitates storage of energy needed to actuate a downhole tool after the device is placed downhole. By energizing the tool downhole, surface exposure to potential safety hazards is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventor: Dennis M. Read
  • Publication number: 20040094310
    Abstract: The present invention provides for an apparatus and method of use for a hydraulic shifting tool to be used in a sealed volume in a subsurface well completion to actuate a downhole device, without a fluid return to surface or the well annulus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Dennis M. Read, Clay W. Milligan
  • Patent number: 6715557
    Abstract: A tool string for deployment in a wellbore includes an upper string and a lower string. The upper string includes a valve actuator, and the lower string includes a valve. The lower string is adapted to receive the upper string, and the valve actuator controls the operation of the valve once the upper string is received by the lower string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Rodney J. Wetzel, Stephen Meschall, Dennis M. Read, Clay W. Milligan, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20030231335
    Abstract: A publication can be received in electronic form and then selected portions clipped with a software editing tool for pasting into a customer's web box. The customer may then view the clipped portion at their leisure. The electronic form of the publication may be created by scanning in the publication. Selected portion can be advertisements and thus provide to the customer as tear sheets. Selected portions can also be searched for using a query to provide an ability to quickly find news clippings desired by the customer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventors: Francis E Walsh, David M Read
  • Publication number: 20030194346
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hydrogen peroxide indicator and a peracetic acid indicator that include a substrate on which is disposed an indicator composition that includes at least one of a select group of colorants and a transition metal salt. As a result of exposure to hydrogen peroxide and/or peracetic acid, the colorants change color, and even become colorless, thereby providing an indication of the presence of hydrogen peroxide and/or peracetic acid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2001
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: David M. Read
  • Patent number: 6631768
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose apparatus and methods that can be used to mechanically actuate a downhole tool with an expandable shifting tool. One embodiment of the invention is an expandable shifting tool comprising a housing having an outer diameter and a plurality of radially extendable elements. The radially extendable elements are longitudinally separated from each other and each extendable element is at least partially contained within the housing. The extendable elements are capable of moving between an extended position and a retracted position and are biased towards the extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Dinesh R. Patel, Dennis M. Read, Jr., Ricardo Martinez
  • Publication number: 20020166667
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose apparatus and methods that can be used to mechanically actuate a downhole tool with an expandable shifting tool. One embodiment of the invention is an expandable shifting tool comprising a housing having an outer diameter and a plurality of radially extendable elements. The radially extendable elements are longitudinally separated from each other and each extendable element is at least partially contained within the housing. The extendable elements are capable of moving between an extended position and a retracted position and are biased towards the extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Publication date: November 14, 2002
    Inventors: Dinesh R. Patel, Dennis M. Read, Ricardo Martinez
  • Publication number: 20020129942
    Abstract: A tool string for use in a well to retrieve a completion string while maintaining control of a well without having to kill the well (i.e., without having to exceed formation pressure) each time the string is retrieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: Rodney J. Wetzel, Stephen Mescall, Dennis M. Read, Clay W. Milligan
  • Patent number: 6433991
    Abstract: An actuator assembly includes an operating actuator and a holding actuator that are engageable with an operator member of a device. The operating actuation is cycled between on and off states to move the operator member in incremental steps, and the holding actuator is maintained in an active state to maintain or latch the current position of the operator member. Each of the operating and holding actuators may include one of the following: a solenoid actuator; and an actuator including one or more expandable elements, such as a piezoelectric element, a magnetostrictive element, and a heat-expandable element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Deaton, Dwayne D. Leismer, Dennis M. Read
  • Patent number: 6328109
    Abstract: The invention is a downhole valve that includes a body, a flow tube assembly that includes an upper tube member and a lower tube member, and a flapper valve. The flapper valve is pivotally attached to the body and is positioned between the upper tube member and the lower tube member when the flapper valve is in a closed position that blocks fluid flow in an internal bore of the body. The flapper valve is moved from the closed position to an open position in response to an upward movement of the upper tube member and the lower tube member. When the flapper valve pivots to the open position, the lower tube member moves adjacent to and forms a seal with the upper tube member, forming an unobstructed internal bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Ronald E. Pringle, Clay W. Milligan, Jr., Dennis M. Read
  • Patent number: 6257792
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a retaining ring for securing components along a shaft by transferring the compression load between the components, thereby preventing the adjacent components from separating. The retaining ring includes a pair of arcuate interlocking members having a first end, a second end, an inner wall and an outer wall. The outer wall includes a first surface and the inner wall includes a second surface thereby defining a thickness between the first surface and the second surface. The inner wall also includes a third surface thereby defining a thickness between the third surface and the first surface, wherein the thickness between the third surface and the first surface is less than the thickness between the second surface and the first surface. The inner wall also includes a fourth surface joining the second surface and the third surface to define a smooth transition therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Camco International Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis M. Read, Jr.