Patents by Inventor Michael T. Sommers
Michael T. Sommers 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).
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Patent number: 9121251Abstract: A valve for use in fracing through cement casing in a well allows for flow of cement down the well during the cementing process and in the open position allows for fracing fluid to be directed through the cement casing for fracturing the formation adjacent the valve. The valve is constructed so as to reduce the likelihood of the valve to jam as a result of cement or other foreign material.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2012Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: TEAM OIL TOOLS, LPInventors: Michael T. Sommers, Stephen L. Jackson
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Patent number: 8915300Abstract: A valve includes: a housing; a mandrel disposed in the housing; a rupture disk disposed in a passageway of the mandrel; a sliding sleeve disposed between the housing and the mandrel; and a ball seat disposed in the mandrel. A method for actuating a valve includes: flowing a fluid through the valve; dropping a ball; seating the ball in the ball seat and blocking fluid flow through the mandrel; flowing fluid through the passageway to the sliding sleeve; moving the sliding sleeve axially within the valve; and exiting fluid through the openings of the housing and mandrel. A valve includes: a housing having an opening; a mandrel disposed in the housing; a sliding sleeve disposed between the housing and the mandrel; and a ball seat disposed in the mandrel blocking fluid communication between the mandrel and the passageway.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2011Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Team Oil Tools, LPInventors: Michael T Sommers, Stephen L Jackson
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Patent number: 8616285Abstract: The present invention is to an internal sleeve slidably received within a tubular housing. The sleeve and outer housing have windows that selectively align. Movement of the sleeve within the housing is controlled by a ball passing through the interior of the sleeve to activate a ratchet that allows the sleeve to move a set amount under the influence of a spring. A split seat at a lower end of the housing traps after a set number of balls have passed through the housing. A number of similar tools can be used to provide openings at various points that include coordinated ratchet steps so that only one tool at a time opens for fracturing or other purposes. A reverse flow causes a ball to impinge upon the next higher ball seat and thereby opening the seat to provide a full bore flow passage through the tool.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2010Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Team Oil Tools LPInventors: Donald W. Tinker, Michael T. Sommers
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Publication number: 20130056220Abstract: A valve includes: a housing; a mandrel disposed in the housing; a rupture disk disposed in a passageway of the mandrel; a sliding sleeve disposed between the housing and the mandrel; and a ball seat disposed in the mandrel. A method for actuating a valve includes: flowing a fluid through the valve; dropping a ball; seating the ball in the ball seat and blocking fluid flow through the mandrel; flowing fluid through the passageway to the sliding sleeve; moving the sliding sleeve axially within the valve; and exiting fluid through the openings of the housing and mandrel. A valve includes: a housing having an opening; a mandrel disposed in the housing; a sliding sleeve disposed between the housing and the mandrel; and a ball seat disposed in the mandrel blocking fluid communication between the mandrel and the passageway.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2011Publication date: March 7, 2013Applicant: TEAM OIL TOOLS LPInventors: Michael T. Sommers, Stephen L. Jackson
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Publication number: 20130056206Abstract: A valve for use in fracing through cement casing in a well allows for flow of cement down the well during the cementing process and in the open position allows for fracing fluid to be directed through the cement casing for fracturing the formation adjacent the valve. The valve is constructed so as to reduce the likelihood of the valve to jam as a result of cement or other foreign material.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2012Publication date: March 7, 2013Applicant: TEAM OIL TOOLS, LPInventors: Stephen L. Jackson, Michael T. Sommers
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Publication number: 20130008668Abstract: A downhole window tool includes an internal sleeve slidably received within an outer housing. The sleeve and outer housing may have windows that selectively align or the sleeve may move out of alignment with the window to allow fluid passage through a window. Sleeve movement within the housing is controlled by inserting a dart or plug in the interior of the sleeve to allow pressure to act on the plug or dart to move the sleeve a set amount to open the lateral window. A shear pin or other device may be used to control the amount of force necessary to open the window and further ensure unintended opening of the lateral window. The use of the removable dart or plug both prevents unintentional forces from opening the window and increases the amount of throughput through the sleeve as compared to when valve structure is installed within the tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2011Publication date: January 10, 2013Inventors: Donald W. Tinker, Michael T. Sommers
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Patent number: 8267178Abstract: A valve for use in fracing through cement casing in a well allows for flow of cement down the well during the cementing process and in the open position allows for fracing fluid to be directed through the cement casing for fracturing the formation adjacent the valve. The valve is constructed so as to reduce the likelihood of the valve to jam as a result of cement or other foreign material.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2011Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: Team Oil Tools, LPInventors: Michael T. Sommers, Stephen L. Jackson
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Publication number: 20110203851Abstract: A central slant hub tool is provided which is capable of receiving tubing or a tool such as a drill from the surface and directing the tube or tool laterally outward using an exit line slant surface or directing the tube or tool downward to an area below the tool. In this way, the tool acts as a hub to communicate with both lateral branches and lower zones of the main casing. Fracture window tools may be installed in the lateral and lower branches to selectively open the bores for drilling, testing and/or production or may be sealed by a bridge plug or the like when not in use.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2010Publication date: August 25, 2011Inventors: Donald W. Tinker, Michael T. Sommers
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Publication number: 20110203800Abstract: The present invention is to an internal sleeve slidably received within a tubular housing. The sleeve and outer housing have windows that selectively align. Movement of the sleeve within the housing is controlled by a ball passing through the interior of the sleeve to activate a ratchet that allows the sleeve to move a set amount under the influence of a spring. A split seat at a lower end of the housing traps after a set number of balls have passed through the housing. A number of similar tools can be used to provide openings at various points that include coordinated ratchet steps so that only one tool at a time opens for fracturing or other purposes.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2010Publication date: August 25, 2011Inventors: Donald W. Tinker, Michael T. Sommers
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Publication number: 20110186304Abstract: The present invention is to a tool for testing various zones in a well without having to remove the drill string containing the tool(s) from the well. Each of the individual fracture test tool has an internal passage that can be blocked by a ball bearing to close off the passage. Increased fluid pressure on the internal passage causes a valve body defining the passage to move to open windows in the tool. A collet reset tool is insertable through the passage to pull the valve body back into the run in position to close the windows without requiring the tools be raised to the surface to reset the fracture test tools.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2010Publication date: August 4, 2011Inventors: Donald W. Tinker, Michael T. Sommers
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Patent number: 7591305Abstract: The present invention provides a tool capable of being set and released. A novel arrangement of a push sleeve in the spring body eliminates several shear pins while an internal J slot formed directly on the mandrel significantly reduces the size of the lower drag body and thus the length of the tool. An internal pathway between the inner mandrel and the mandrel body selectively provide increase flow through the packer tool to facilitate running in of the tool.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2005Date of Patent: September 22, 2009Assignee: Tejas Complete Solutions, LPInventors: Robert L. Brookey, Michael T. Sommers
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Patent number: 7082991Abstract: In order to prevent premature separation of the slip and slip spring and to simplify production of the slip casing, a self-centering spring engageable with a packer tool slip is modified according to the present invention. A groove located at a lower center of the slip below the pocket of the slip cooperates with the spring to retain the spring against the slip and is centered within the pocket without requiring partitions or further welding of lugs to retain the springs.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2003Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: Team Oil ToolsInventors: Michael T. Sommers, Robert L. Brookey
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Publication number: 20030196794Abstract: In order to prevent premature separation of the slip and slip spring and to simplify production of the slip casing, a self-centering spring engageable with a packer tool slip is modified according to the present invention. A groove located at a lower center of the slip below the pocket of the slip cooperates with the spring to retain the spring against the slip and is centered within the pocket without requiring partitions or further welding of lugs to retain the springs.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2003Publication date: October 23, 2003Inventors: Michael T. Sommers, Robert L. Brookey