Patents by Inventor Michael Burl Vinzant

Michael Burl Vinzant 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).

  • Publication number: 20100307758
    Abstract: A valve system for use in a subterranean well, the valve having multiple closure devices, or a closure device and a device for protecting the closure device. A valve system includes a valve with a closure assembly. The closure assembly has a closure device and a protective device which alters fluid flow through a flow passage of the valve prior to closure of the closure device to thereby protect the closure device. A safety valve system includes a safety valve with a closure assembly having at least two closure devices arranged in series for controlling flow through a flow passage of the safety valve. Another safety valve system includes a safety valve assembly including multiple safety valves arranged in parallel. One portion of fluid from a fluid source flows through one of the safety valves, while another portion of fluid from the fluid source flows through another safety valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: James D. VICK, Jr., Michael Burl VINZANT, James M. WILLIAMS
  • Patent number: 6302210
    Abstract: A subsurface safety valve has a tubular valve housing, a valve closure member movable between an open and a closed position, an axially shiftable flow tube for opening the valve closure member. Hydraulic pressure from the control line is used to move a piston, which in turn moves an axially shiftable opening prong through the closure member. A balance line, or second hydraulic line is also used to make the valve well insensitive. An isolation valve is placed in the flow path of the second hydraulic line. The isolation valve prevents gas migration into the balance line. It also provides volume control for the fluid displaced when the piston is moved by pressure from the control line. Further, the valve can be closed by the application of sufficient pressure through the second hydraulic line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Wesley Crow, Michael Burl Vinzant, Michael Wade Meaders, Gerald L. LeBoeuf