Patents by Inventor Matthew Arran Willoughby

Matthew Arran Willoughby 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: 11795777
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for securing a component, such as a sealing element, to a tubular member, such as a mandrel, of a downhole tool. In at least one example, a retaining ring is used to secure the component to a mandrel. The retaining ring is secured to the mandrel with a plurality of discrete retention segments disposed within a channel at least partially defined by an internal groove on the retaining ring and an external groove on the mandrel. The retention segments are individually insertable into the channel through an access opening on the retaining ring. A compression spring may be provided in the channel to provide compressive engagement of the retention segments. Various closure configurations are also disclosed for closing the access opening once the retention segments have been inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan T. Humphrey, Richard Decena Ornelaz, Matthew Arran Willoughby
  • Patent number: 11634964
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus, as well as a method for establishing a seal between a mandrel and a borehole. The apparatus, in one aspect, includes a mandrel, and a packer, the packer including: a constrained portion coupled to the mandrel; and an unconstrained portion made of a swellable material and coupled to the constrained portion, wherein the unconstrained portion is free to move with respect to the mandrel. The apparatus, according to one aspect, further includes a spring positioned between the mandrel and the unconstrained portion and configured to urge the unconstrained portion away from the mandrel, the spring having a spring force less than a yield strength of the swellable material when the swellable material is in an unswelled condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Linley Fripp, Stephen Michael Greci, Christopher Michael Pelto, Matthew Arran Willoughby
  • Publication number: 20220205358
    Abstract: Systems and methods for wireless downhole telemetry are provided. The system includes a tubular located in a wellbore; a pressure controller located at or near a surface of the wellbore to send a digital command via a change in a pressure applied to the tubular; and a receiver disposed in the wellbore, wherein the receiver includes a mechanical pressure switch to detect the change in the pressure applied to the tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Gregory Thomas Werkheiser, Michael Linley Fripp, Matthew Arran Willoughby
  • Publication number: 20220018207
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for securing a component, such as a sealing element, to a tubular member, such as a mandrel, of a downhole tool. In at least one example, a retaining ring is used to secure the component to a mandrel. The retaining ring is secured to the mandrel with a plurality of discrete retention segments disposed within a channel at least partially defined by an internal groove on the retaining ring and an external groove on the mandrel. The retention segments are individually insertable into the channel through an access opening on the retaining ring. A compression spring may be provided in the channel to provide compressive engagement of the retention segments. Various closure configurations are also disclosed for closing the access opening once the retention segments have been inserted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan T. Humphrey, Richard Decena Ornelaz, Matthew Arran Willoughby
  • Publication number: 20210363852
    Abstract: A packer has a constrained portion coupled to a mandrel and an unconstrained portion made of a swellable material and coupled to the constrained portion. The unconstrained portion is free to move with respect to the mandrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Linley Fripp, Stephen Michael Greci, Christopher Michael Pelto, Matthew Arran Willoughby