Patents by Inventor Michael J. Luton

Michael J. Luton 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: 8088717
    Abstract: A compressible object is described that may be utilized in drilling mud and with a drilling system to manage the density of the drilling mud. The compressible object includes a shell that encloses an interior region. The interior region of the shell is at least partially filled with a foam. The internal pressure of the compressible object may be greater than about 200 psi (pounds per square inch) at atmospheric pressure, greater than 500 psi at atmospheric pressure, greater than 1500 psi at atmospheric pressure or more preferably greater than 2000 psi at atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Richard S. Polizzotti, Dennis George Peiffer, Ramesh Gupta, Norman M. Pokutylowicz, Barbara Carstensen, Michael J. Luton, Paul Matthew Spiecker
  • Patent number: 8088716
    Abstract: A compressible object is described that may be utilized in drilling mud and with a drilling system to manage the density of the drilling mud. The compressible object includes a shell that encloses an interior region. Also, the compressible object has an internal pressure (i) greater than about 200 pounds per square inch at atmospheric pressure and (ii) selected for a predetermined external pressure, wherein external pressures that exceed the internal pressure reduce the volume of the compressible object and wherein the shell being designed to reduce localized strains of the compressible object during expansion and compression of the compressible object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Richard S. Polizzotti, Dennis George Peiffer, Ramesh Gupta, Norman M. Pokutylowicz, Barbara Carstensen, Michael J. Luton, Paul Matthew Spiecker
  • Patent number: 8076269
    Abstract: A compressible object is described that may be utilized in drilling mud and with a drilling system to manage the density of the drilling mud. The compressible object includes a shell that encloses an interior region. The shell experiences less strain when the external pressure is about equal to the internal pressure than when the external pressure is above or below a predetermined compression interval of the compressible object includes a shell that encloses an interior region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Richard S. Polizzotti, Dennis George Peiffer, Ramesh Gupta, Norman M. Pokutylowicz, Barbara Carstensen, Michael J. Luton, Paul Matthew Spiecker
  • Patent number: 7972555
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating compressible object are described. These compressible objects may be utilized in drilling mud and with a drilling system to manage the density of the drilling mud. The method includes selecting an architecture for a compressible object; selecting a wall material for the compressible object; and fabricating the compressible object, wherein the compressible object has a shell that encloses an interior region, and has an internal pressure (i) greater than about 200 pounds per square inch at atmospheric pressure and (ii) selected for a predetermined external pressure, wherein external pressures that exceed the internal pressure reduce the volume of the compressible object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Richard S. Polizzotti, Dennis George Peiffer, Ramesh Gupta, Norman M. Pokutylowicz, Barbara Carstensen, Michael J. Luton, Paul Matthew Spiecker
  • Publication number: 20090091053
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating compressible object are described. These compressible objects may be utilized in drilling mud and with a drilling system to manage the density of the drilling mud. The method includes selecting an architecture for a compressible object; selecting a wall material for the compressible object; and fabricating the compressible object, wherein the compressible object has a shell that encloses an interior region, and has an internal pressure (i) greater than about 200 pounds per square inch at atmospheric pressure and (ii) selected for a predetermined external pressure, wherein external pressures that exceed the internal pressure reduce the volume of the compressible object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventors: Richard S. Polizzotti, Dennis George Peiffer, Ramesh Gupta, Norman M. Pokutylowicz, Barbara Carstensen, Michael J. Luton, Paul Matthew Spiecker
  • Publication number: 20090090558
    Abstract: A compressible object is described that may be utilized in drilling mud and with a drilling system to manage the density of the drilling mud. The compressible object includes a shell that encloses an interior region. Also, the compressible object has an internal pressure (i) greater than about 200 pounds per square inch at atmospheric pressure and (ii) selected for a predetermined external pressure, wherein external pressures that exceed the internal pressure reduce the volume of the compressible object and wherein the shell being designed to reduce localized strains of the compressible object during expansion and compression of the compressible object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventors: Richard S. Polizzotti, Dennis George Peiffer, Ramesh Gupta, Norman M. Pokutylowicz, Barbara Carstensen, Michael J. Luton, Paul Matthew Spiecker
  • Publication number: 20090090559
    Abstract: A compressible object is described that may be utilized in drilling mud and with a drilling system to manage the density of the drilling mud. The compressible object includes a shell that encloses an interior region. The shell experiences less strain when the external pressure is about equal to the internal pressure than when the external pressure is above or below a predetermined compression interval of the compressible object includes a shell that encloses an interior region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventors: Richard S. Polizzotti, Dennis George Peiffer, Ramesh Gupta, Norman M. Pokutylowicz, Barbara Carstensen, Michael J. Luton, Paul Matthew Spiecker
  • Publication number: 20090084604
    Abstract: A compressible object is described that may be utilized in drilling mud and with a drilling system to manage the density of the drilling mud. The compressible object includes a shell that encloses an interior region. The interior region of the shell is at least partially filled with a foam. The internal pressure of the compressible object may be greater than about 200 psi (pounds per square inch) at atmospheric pressure, greater than 500 psi at atmospheric pressure, greater than 1500 psi at atmospheric pressure or more preferably greater than 2000 psi at atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Richard S. Polizzotti, Dennis George Peiffer, Ramesh Gupta, Norman M. Pokutylowicz, Barbara Carstensen, Michael J. Luton, Paul Matthew Spiecker
  • Patent number: 7048810
    Abstract: A method for processing a hot formed, high-tensile-strength steel having an ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of at least about 730 MPa (105 ksi) and excellent toughness to retain essentially all the strength and toughness is provided. This processing is needed for the fabrication of high strength fittings that are used in the construction of linepipe for transport of natural gas, crude oil, as well as other applications. Furthermore, the hot formed high strength steel may be weldable with a Pcm of less than or equal to 0.35.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Clifford W. Petersen, Jayoung Koo, Narasimha-Rao V. Bangaru, Michael J. Luton
  • Publication number: 20030098096
    Abstract: A method for processing a hot formed, high-tensile-strength steel having an ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of at least about 730 MPa (105 ksi) and excellent toughness to retain essentially all the strength and toughness is provided. This processing is needed for the fabrication of high strength fittings that are used in the construction of linepipe for transport of natural gas, crude oil, as well as other applications. Furthermore, the hot formed high strength steel may be weldable with a Pcm of less than or equal to 0.35.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Publication date: May 29, 2003
    Inventors: Clifford W. Petersen, Jayoung Koo, Narasimha-Rao V. Bangaru, Michael J. Luton
  • Patent number: 6264760
    Abstract: An ultra-high strength steel having excellent ultra-low temperature toughness, a tensile strength of at least about 930 MPa (135 ksi), and a microstructure comprising predominantly fine-grained lower bainite, fine-grained lath martensite, or mixtures thereof, transformed from substantially unrecrystallized austenite grains and comprising iron and specified weight percentages of the additives: carbon, silicon, manganese, copper, nickel, niobium, vanadium, molybdenum, chromium, titanium, aluminum, calcium, Rare Earth Metals, and magnesium, is prepared by heating a steel slab to a suitable temperature; reducing the slab to form plate in one or more hot rolling passes in a first temperature range in which austenite recrystallizes; further reducing said plate in one or more hot rolling passes in a second temperature range below said first temperature range and above the temperature at which austenite begins to transform to ferrite during cooling; quenching said plate to a suitable Quench Stop Temperature; and stop
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignees: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company, Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tamehiro, Hitoshi Asahi, Takuya Hara, Yoshio Terada, Michael J. Luton, Jayoung Koo, Narasimha-Rao V. Bangaru, Clifford W. Petersen
  • Patent number: 6248191
    Abstract: A method is provided for producing an ultra-high strength steel having a tensile strength of at least about 900 MPa (130 ksi), a toughness as measured by Charpy V-notch impact test at −40° C. (−40° F.) of at least about 120 joules (90 ft-lbs), and a microstructure comprising predominantly fine-grained lower bainite, fine-grained lath martensite, or mixtures thereof, transformed from substantially unrecrystallized austenite grains and comprising iron and specified weight percentages of the additives: carbon, silicon, manganese, copper, nickel, niobium, vanadium, molybdenum, chromium, titanium, aluminum, calcium, Rare Earth Metals, and magnesium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignees: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company, Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Luton, Jayoung Koo, Narasimha-Rao V. Bangaru, Clifford W. Petersen, Hiroshi Tamehiro, Hitoshi Asahi, Takuya Hara, Masaaki Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 6245290
    Abstract: A high-tensile-strength steel having excellent toughness throughout its thickness, excellent properties at welded joints, and a tensile strength (TS) of at least about 900 MPa (130 ksi), and a method for making such steel, are provided. Steels according to this invention preferably have the following composition based on % by weight: carbon (C): 0.02% to 0.1%; silicon (Si): not greater than 0.6%; manganese (Mn): 0.2% to 2.5%; nickel (Ni): 0.2% to 1.2%; niobium (Nb): 0.01% to 0.1%; titanium (Ti): 0.005% to 0.03%; aluminum (Al): not greater than 0.1%; nitrogen (N): 0.001% to 0.006%; copper (Cu): 0% to 0.6%; chromium (Cr): 0% to 0.8%; molybdenum (Mo): 0% to 0.6%; vanadium (V): 0% to 0.1%; boron (B): 0% to 0.0025%; and calcium (Ca): 0% to 0.006%. The value of Vs as defined by Vs=C+(Mn/5)+5P−(Ni/10)−(Mo/15)+(Cu/10) is 0.15 to 0.42. P and S among impurities are contained in an amount of not greater than 0.015% and not greater than 0.003%, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignees: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company, Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jayoung Koo, Narasimha-Rao V. Bangaru, Michael J. Luton, Clifford W. Petersen, Kazuki Fujiwara, Shuji Okaguchi, Masahiko Hamada, Yu-ichi Komizo
  • Patent number: 6228183
    Abstract: An ultra-high strength boron-containing steel having a tensile strength of at least about 900 MPa (130 ksi), a toughness as measured by Charpy V-notch impact test at −40° C. (−40° F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignees: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company, Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Narasimha-Rao V. Bangaru, Jayoung Koo, Michael J. Luton, Clifford W. Petersen, Hiroshi Tamehiro, Hitoshi Asahi, Takuya Hara, Yoshio Terada
  • Patent number: 6224689
    Abstract: An ultra-high strength essentially boron-free steel having a tensile strength of at least about 900 MPa (130 ksi), a toughness as measured by Charpy V-notch impact test at −40° C. (−40° F.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignees: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company, Nippon Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Jayoung Koo, Michael J. Luton, Narasimha-Rao V. Bangaru, Clifford W. Petersen, Hiroshi Tamehiro, Hitoshi Asahi, Takuya Hara, Yoshio Terada
  • Patent number: 5900075
    Abstract: High strength steel is produced by a first rolling of a steel composition, reheated above 1100.degree. C., above the austenite recrystallization, a second rolling below the austenite recrystallization temperature, water cooling from above AR.sub.3 to less than 400.degree. C. and followed by tempering below the Ac.sub.1 transformation point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Jayoung Koo, Michael J. Luton
  • Patent number: 5545269
    Abstract: High strength steel is produced by a first rolling of a steel composition, reheated above 1100.degree. C., above the austenite recrystallization, a second rolling below the austenite recrystallization temperature, water cooling from above Ar.sub.3 to less than 400.degree. C. and followed by tempering below the Ac.sub.1 transformation point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Jayoung Koo, Michael J. Luton
  • Patent number: 5545270
    Abstract: A high strength steel composition comprising ferrite and martensite/banite phases, the ferrite phase having primarily vanadium and mobium carbide or carbonitride precipitates, is prepared by a first rolling above the austenite recrystallization temperature; a second rolling below the anstenite recrystallization temperature; a third rolling between the Ar.sub.3 and Ar.sub.1 transformation points, and water cooling to below about 400.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Jayoung Koo, Michael J. Luton
  • Patent number: 5531842
    Abstract: A high strength steel composition comprising ferrite and martensite/bainite phases, the ferrite phase having primarily vanadium and niobium carbide or carbonitride precipitates, is prepared by a first rolling above the austenite recrystallization temperature, a second rolling below the austenite recrystallization temperature; cooling between the Ar.sub.3 transformation point and 500.degree. C.; and water cooling to below about 400.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Jayoung Koo, Michael J. Luton
  • Patent number: 4931068
    Abstract: A method for consolidating finely divided diamond particles to produce a substantially fully dense article having improved resistance to wear and cracking. Diamond particles are heated to an elevated temperature for compacting to form the fully dense article. The article is then held at an elevated temperature and time sufficient to rearrange and substantially reduce the dislocations in the article resulting during compacting to achieve a substantially strain-free state in the article. The article is then cooled to room temperature after which it may be given an improved leaching treatment to achieve superior thermal stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: Exxon Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: John P. Dismukes, Michael J. Luton, Joseph Vallone