Patents by Inventor Michael D. Ezell

Michael D. Ezell 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: 11578554
    Abstract: A packer for wells can include a body having a tubular shape, a sealing element having an upward end and a downward end and disposed around the body. The packer also includes a first prop upward of the sealing element, and a second prop downward of the sealing element. The first prop is configured to wedge under the upward end of the sealing element and the second prop is configured to wedge under the downward end of the sealing element to push the sealing element outward at both the upward end and the downward end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Shane R. Burckhard, Michael D. Ezell
  • Publication number: 20210310328
    Abstract: A packer for wells can include a body having a tubular shape, a sealing element having an upward end and a downward end and disposed around the body. The packer also includes a first prop upward of the sealing element, and a second prop downward of the sealing element. The first prop is configured to wedge under the upward end of the sealing element and the second prop is configured to wedge under the downward end of the sealing element to push the sealing element outward at both the upward end and the downward end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Shane R. BURCKHARD, Michael D. EZELL
  • Patent number: 11066897
    Abstract: A packer for wells can include a body having a tubular shape, a sealing element having an upward end and a downward end and disposed around the body. The packer also includes a first prop upward of the sealing element, and a second prop downward of the sealing element. The first prop is configured to wedge under the upward end of the sealing element and the second prop is configured to wedge under the downward end of the sealing element to push the sealing element outward at both the upward end and the downward end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Shane R. Burckhard, Michael D. Ezell
  • Patent number: 10301902
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for an anti-preset and anti-reset mechanism for a retrievable packer are disclosed herein. These features may be used to prevent the packer from being actuated prematurely during deployment downhole and to prevent the packer from re-actuating during retrieval. An apparatus may include a mandrel, a slip assembly disposed about the mandrel, a collet member disposed about the mandrel and adjacent to the slip assembly, and a cover sleeve disposed about the mandrel and coupled to the collet member. A method for releasing a packer may include cutting a mandrel, sliding a cover sleeve and a collet member having a collet lug downhole with respect to the mandrel, applying force from the collet member to the slip assembly, disengaging the slip assembly from a well casing, and engaging an inner surface of the collet lug to a protrusion on the mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburotn Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Cynthia S. Tuckness, James W. Scott, Michael D. Ezell
  • Publication number: 20180347306
    Abstract: A packer for wells can include a body having a tubular shape, a sealing element having an upward end and a downward end and disposed around the body. The packer also includes a first prop upward of the sealing element, and a second prop downward of the sealing element. The first prop is configured to wedge under the upward end of the sealing element and the second prop is configured to wedge under the downward end of the sealing element to push the sealing element outward at both the upward end and the downward end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Shane R. Burckhard, Michael D. Ezell
  • Publication number: 20160356117
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for an anti-preset and anti-reset mechanism for a retrievable packer are disclosed herein. These features may be used to prevent the packer from being actuated prematurely during deployment downhole and to prevent the packer from re-actuating during retrieval. An apparatus may include a mandrel, a slip assembly disposed about the mandrel, a collet member disposed about the mandrel and adjacent to the slip assembly, and a cover sleeve disposed about the mandrel and coupled to the collet member. A method for releasing a packer may include cutting a mandrel, sliding a cover sleeve and a collet member having a collet lug downhole with respect to the mandrel, applying force from the collet member to the slip assembly, disengaging the slip assembly from a well casing, and engaging an inner surface of the collet lug to a protrusion on the mandrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Cynthia S. Tuckness, James W. Scott, Michael D. Ezell
  • Patent number: 8936101
    Abstract: A packer (80) for establishing sealing engagement with a surface disposed in a wellbore includes a packer mandrel (90) and a seal assembly (100, 102, 104) slidably disposed about the packer mandrel (90). The seal assembly (100, 102, 104) has a running position and a radially expanded sealing position. A piston (122) is slidably disposed about the packer mandrel (90) and operably associated with the seal assembly (100, 102, 104). A release assembly 145 is disposed about the packer mandrel (90) and is releasably coupled to the piston (122) such that actuation of the release assembly (145) decouples the release assembly (145) from the piston (122) allowing the piston (122) to shift longitudinally relative to the packer mandrel (90) to operate the seal assembly (100, 102, 104) from the running position to the radially expanded sealing position, thereby setting the packer (80).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jody Ray McGlothen, Michael D. Ezell, Roderick Brand Falconer, James W. Scott
  • Publication number: 20120160521
    Abstract: A packer (80) for establishing sealing engagement with a surface disposed in a wellbore includes a packer mandrel (90) and a seal assembly (100, 102, 104) slidably disposed about the packer mandrel (90). The seal assembly (100, 102, 104) has a running position and a radially expanded sealing position. A piston (122) is slidably disposed about the packer mandrel (90) and operably associated with the seal assembly (100, 102, 104). A release assembly 145 is disposed about the packer mandrel (90) and is releasably coupled to the piston (122) such that actuation of the release assembly (145) decouples the release assembly (145) from the piston (122) allowing the piston (122) to shift longitudinally relative to the packer mandrel (90) to operate the seal assembly (100, 102, 104) from the running position to the radially expanded sealing position, thereby setting the packer (80).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Jody Ray McGlothen, Michael D. Ezell, Roderick Brand Falconer, James W. Scott
  • Patent number: 7967077
    Abstract: A packer (80) for establishing sealing engagement with a surface disposed in a wellbore includes a packer mandrel (90) and a seal assembly (100, 102, 104) slidably disposed about the packer mandrel (90). The seal assembly (100, 102, 104) has a running position and a radially expanded sealing position. A piston (122) is slidably disposed about the packer mandrel (90) and operably associated with the seal assembly (100, 102, 104). A collet assembly 145 is disposed about the packer mandrel (90) and is releasably coupled to the piston (122) such that radially inwardly shifting at least portion of the collet assembly (145) decouples the collet assembly (145) from the piston (122) allowing the piston (122) to shift longitudinally relative to the packer mandrel (90) which operates the seal assembly (100, 102, 104) from the running position to the radially expanded sealing position, thereby setting the packer (80).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Ezell, Roderick B. Falconer, James Scott
  • Patent number: 7861791
    Abstract: A high circulation rate packer (50) for establishing a sealing and gripping engagement with a well casing (34) disposed in a wellbore (32). The packer (50) includes a packer mandrel (54), a seal assembly (72) slidably disposed about the packer mandrel (54) that has a running position and a radially expanded sealing position and a cover (74) that is slidably disposed relative to the packer mandrel (54). The cover (74) has a running position wherein the cover is disposed about the seal assembly (72) and a retracted position wherein the cover (74) is at least partially removed from about the seal assembly (72).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Marion D. Kilgore, Michael D. Ezell
  • Publication number: 20100012330
    Abstract: A packer (80) for establishing sealing engagement with a surface disposed in a wellbore includes a packer mandrel (90) and a seal assembly (100, 102, 104) slidably disposed about the packer mandrel (90). The seal assembly (100, 102, 104) has a running position and a radially expanded sealing position. A piston (122) is slidably disposed about the packer mandrel (90) and operably associated with the seal assembly (100, 102, 104). A collet assembly 145 is disposed about the packer mandrel (90) and is releasably coupled to the piston (122) such that radially inwardly shifting at least portion of the collet assembly (145) decouples the collet assembly (145) from the piston (122) allowing the piston (122) to shift longitudinally relative to the packer mandrel (90) which operates the seal assembly (100, 102, 104) from the running position to the radially expanded sealing position, thereby setting the packer (80).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael D. Ezell, Roderick B. Falconer, James Scott
  • Patent number: 6648335
    Abstract: A metal-to-metal seal assembly provides a dynamic seal between a piston and a cylinder. A first seal engages the inner diameter of the piston, while a second seal engages an outer diameter of the piston. The piston is disposed between an inner mandrel and an outer tubular member that form an annular space therebetween. The seal uses a hollow seal ring is provided having a “C”-shaped cross section and containing a coiled spring. The seals form an interference fit against the mandrel and tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventor: Michael D. Ezell