Patents by Inventor Mike Frels

Mike Frels 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).

  • Method and apparatus for use with downhole tools having gas-filled cavities
    Patent number: 8403042
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use with gas-filled downhole tools are disclosed herein. A disclosed example method includes opening an isolation valve of a downhole tool, wherein the isolation valve is in fluid communication with first and second ports of the downhole tool, and wherein the first and second ports are in fluid communication with respective first and second ends of an interior cavity of the downhole tool; coupling a source of inert gas to the first port and flowing the inert gas into the interior cavity of the downhole tool to expel air from the interior cavity through the second port; closing the second port when the air is expelled from the interior cavity; and closing the isolation valve to seal the inert gas in the interior cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Taylor Green, Mike Frels
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USE WITH DOWNHOLE TOOLS HAVING GAS-FILLED CAVITIES
    Publication number: 20120012334
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use with gas-filled downhole tools are disclosed herein. A disclosed example method includes opening an isolation valve of a downhole tool, wherein the isolation valve is in fluid communication with first and second ports of the downhole tool, and wherein the first and second ports are in fluid communication with respective first and second ends of an interior cavity of the downhole tool; coupling a source of inert gas to the first port and flowing the inert gas into the interior cavity of the downhole tool to expel air from the interior cavity through the second port; closing the second port when the air is expelled from the interior cavity; and closing the isolation valve to seal the inert gas in the interior cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Taylor Green, Mike Frels