Patents by Inventor Matthew J. MERRON

Matthew J. MERRON 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: 10538989
    Abstract: A high-pressure capable sealing apparatus and method for sealing against an interior surface of a cylindrical tubular member provides the ability to expand to a larger diameter from a given running diameter and to transition back to the original diameter. The sealing apparatus may include a ring assembly with a metallic ring characterized by a uniform axial cross-sectional profile having an outward-facing convexity and an inward-facing concavity. A plurality of slits may be radially formed through the ring about the outer surface to relieve stress within the ring during radial expansion. A circular resilient gasket may be at least partially coaxially disposed within the ring concavity. The ring assembly may be located between uphole and downhole shoulders, which may be selectively axially movable with respect to one another so as to selectively axially compress and radially expand the ring into sealing engagement with a tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Matthew J. Merron
  • Patent number: 10053939
    Abstract: A method of removing a wellbore isolation device comprising: causing or allowing at least a portion of the isolation device to undergo a phase transformation in the wellbore; and milling at least a portion of the isolation device that does not undergo the phase transformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Merron, Zachary W. Walton, John Todd Broome
  • Patent number: 9920620
    Abstract: A well tool can include a magnetic sensor having opposite sides, and a magnetic shield that conducts an undesired magnetic field from one side to the other side of the sensor. Another well tool can include a magnetic sensor in a housing, the sensor having opposite longitudinal sides relative to a housing longitudinal axis, and a magnetic shield interposed between the housing and each of the opposite longitudinal sides of the magnetic sensor. Another well tool can include at least two magnetic sensors, one magnetic sensor sensing a magnetic field oriented orthogonal to the housing longitudinal axis, and another magnetic sensor sensing a magnetic field oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a magnetic shield interposed between a housing and each of opposite longitudinal sides of the magnetic sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary R. Murphree, Michael L. Fripp, Zachary W. Walton, Matthew J. Merron
  • Publication number: 20180073323
    Abstract: A high-pressure capable sealing apparatus and method for sealing against an interior surface of a cylindrical tubular member provides the ability to expand to a larger diameter from a given running diameter and to transition back to the original diameter. The sealing apparatus may include a ring assembly with a metallic ring characterized by a uniform axial cross-sectional profile having an outward-facing convexity and an inward-facing concavity. A plurality of slits may be radially formed through the ring about the outer surface to relieve stress within the ring during radial expansion. A circular resilient gasket may be at least partially coaxially disposed within the ring concavity. The ring assembly may be located between uphole and downhole shoulders, which may be selectively axially movable with respect to one another so as to selectively axially compress and radially expand the ring into sealing engagement with a tubular member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventor: Matthew J. Merron
  • Publication number: 20170335645
    Abstract: A method of removing a wellbore isolation device comprising: causing or allowing at least a portion of the isolation device to undergo a phase transformation in the wellbore; and milling at least a portion of the isolation device that does not undergo the phase transformation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Matthew J. Merron, Zachary W. Walton, John Todd Broome
  • Patent number: 9506324
    Abstract: A system for use with a subterranean well can include a magnetic sensor, a magnetic device which propagates a magnetic field to the magnetic sensor, and a barrier positioned between the magnetic sensor and the magnetic device. The barrier can comprise a relatively low magnetic permeability material. A method of isolating a magnetic sensor from a magnetic device in a subterranean well can include separating the magnetic sensor from the magnetic device with a barrier interposed between the magnetic sensor and the magnetic device, the barrier comprising a relatively low magnetic permeability material. A well tool can include a housing having a flow passage formed through the housing, a magnetic sensor in the housing, and a barrier which separates the magnetic sensor from the flow passage, the barrier having a lower magnetic permeability as compared to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald G. Kyle, Matthew J. Merron, Michael L. Fripp
  • Publication number: 20160258280
    Abstract: A well tool can include a magnetic sensor having opposite sides, and a magnetic shield that conducts an undesired magnetic field from one side to the other side of the sensor. Another well tool can include a magnetic sensor in a housing, the sensor having opposite longitudinal sides relative to a housing longitudinal axis, and a magnetic shield interposed between the housing and each of the opposite longitudinal sides of the magnetic sensor. Another well tool can include at least two magnetic sensors, one magnetic sensor sensing a magnetic field oriented orthogonal to the housing longitudinal axis, and another magnetic sensor sensing a magnetic field oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a magnetic shield interposed between a housing and each of opposite longitudinal sides of the magnetic sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Zachary R. MURPHREE, Michael L. FRIPP, Zachary W. WALTON, Matthew J. MERRON
  • Publication number: 20130264051
    Abstract: A system for use with a subterranean well can include a magnetic sensor, a magnetic device which propagates a magnetic field to the magnetic sensor, and a barrier positioned between the magnetic sensor and the magnetic device. The barrier can comprise a relatively low magnetic permeability material. A method of isolating a magnetic sensor from a magnetic device in a subterranean well can include separating the magnetic sensor from the magnetic device with a barrier interposed between the magnetic sensor and the magnetic device, the barrier comprising a relatively low magnetic permeability material. A well tool can include a housing having a flow passage formed through the housing, a magnetic sensor in the housing, and a barrier which separates the magnetic sensor from the flow passage, the barrier having a lower magnetic permeability as compared to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Donald G. KYLE, Matthew J. MERRON, Michael L. FRIPP