Patents by Inventor Neal G. Skinner

Neal G. Skinner 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: 8573066
    Abstract: A fluidic oscillator can include a fluid switch, at least two fluid paths from the fluid switch, and a sensor which measures a frequency of fluctuations in flow through the fluidic oscillator. A method of measuring a flow rate of a fluid can include flowing the fluid through a fluidic oscillator, a majority of the fluid flowing alternately via at least two fluid paths from a fluid switch of the fluidic oscillator, and a sensor detecting a frequency of the flow alternating between the fluid paths. Another fluidic oscillator can include a fluid input, at least two fluid paths from the fluid input to respective fluid outputs, whereby a majority of fluid which flows through the fluidic oscillator flows alternately via the fluid paths, and a sensor which detects pressure fluctuations due to the flow alternating between the fluid paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger L. Schultz, Robert L. Pipkin, Travis W. Cavender, Neal G. Skinner
  • Patent number: 8573325
    Abstract: A method of drilling a wellbore can include drilling the wellbore with a continuous tubing drill string, and sensing at least one parameter with an optical waveguide in the drill string. A well system can include a continuous tubing drill string, and an optical waveguide in the drill string. The optical waveguide may sense at least one parameter distributed along the drill string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Maida, Jr., Neal G. Skinner
  • Patent number: 8550721
    Abstract: A fiber optic splice housing and integral dry mate connector system. In a described embodiment, a fiber optic connection system includes optical fiber sections in respective conduit sections. Each of the conduit sections is received in the housing assembly. An optical connection between the optical fiber sections is positioned within the housing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: WellDynamics, B.V.
    Inventors: Paul D. Ringgenberg, Neal G. Skinner, John L. Maida, Jr., David O. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8550722
    Abstract: A fiber optic splice housing and integral dry mate connector system. In a described embodiment, a fiber optic connection system includes optical fiber sections in respective conduit sections. Each of the conduit sections is received in the housing assembly. An optical connection between the optical fiber sections is positioned within the housing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: WellDynamics, B.V.
    Inventors: Paul D. Ringgenberg, Neal G. Skinner, John L. Maida, Jr., David O. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8523454
    Abstract: A fiber optic splice housing and integral dry mate connector system. In a described embodiment, a fiber optic connection system includes optical fiber sections in respective conduit sections. Each of the conduit sections is received in the housing assembly. An optical connection between the optical fiber sections is positioned within the housing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Ringgenberg, Neal G. Skinner, John L. Maida, Jr., David O. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8511907
    Abstract: A fiber optic splice housing and integral dry mate connector system. In a described embodiment, a fiber optic connection system includes optical fiber sections in respective conduit sections. Each of the conduit sections is received in the housing assembly. An optical connection between the optical fiber sections is positioned within the housing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: WellDynamics, B.V.
    Inventors: Paul D. Ringgenberg, Neal G. Skinner, John L. Maida, Jr., David O. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20130192640
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, the disclosure provides a system for removal of deleterious chemicals from a fiber optic line. The system may a fiber optic line having two ends, an outer tube, an optical fiber, and an inner volume, a fluid operable to move through the inner volume, the fluid operable to remove at least one deleterious chemical other than hydrogen from the fiber optic line, and a fluid controller connected to at least one end of the fiber optic line and operable to control movement of the fluid through the inner volume. According to another embodiment, the disclosure provides a method of removing a deleterious chemical from a fiber optic line. According to a third embodiment, the disclosure provides a method of removing a deleterious chemical from a fiber optic line by introducing a vacuum in an inner volume of a sealed fiber optic line in a static or cyclical manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: Neal G. Skinner, John L. Maida, JR., Etienne M. Samson, David P. Sharp, Kari-Mikko Jaaskelainen, Michel LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 8464794
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices related to downhole wellbore operations, such as drilling and completing wells in an earth formation, include a laser device. A first portion of a subterranean formation can be characterized, the first portion being at a first location. A first orientation of an aperture can be selected based on the characteristics of the first portion of the subterranean formation. A laser beam can be used to create the aperture having the first orientation. A second portion of the subterranean formation can be characterized, the second portion being at a second location different from the first location. A second orientation, different from the first orientation, can be selected based on the characteristics of the second portion of the subterranean formation. The laser beam can be moved to the second location and can be used to form the aperture having the second orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger L. Schultz, Loyd E. East, Harold G. Walters, Billy W. McDaniel, Mohamed Y. Soliman, Neal G. Skinner
  • Publication number: 20130141733
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising an encoded pressure signal propagating in a fluid flowing in a conduit. An optical fiber measurement element has a reflector on one end and is disposed around at least a portion of the conduit. A light source injects a second optical signal and a third optical signal propagating in first and second optical fibers, respectively. A delay section is disposed in the second optical fiber. The second optical signal and the third optical signal are directed into the optical fiber measurement element and are reflected back from the reflective end such that at least a portion of the reflected second and third optical signals propagate through the second and first optical fibers respectively to an optical detector. The optical detector senses an interference between the reflected optical signals and outputs a first signal related thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2013
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald L Spross, Paul F Rodney, Neal G Skinner, James H Dudley, John L Maida, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8448720
    Abstract: A method of drilling a wellbore can include drilling the wellbore with a continuous tubing drill string, and sensing at least one parameter with an optical waveguide in the drill string. A well system can include a continuous tubing drill string, and an optical waveguide in the drill string. The optical waveguide may sense at least one parameter distributed along the drill string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Maida, Jr., Neal G. Skinner
  • Patent number: 8397836
    Abstract: A method of maintaining a desired downhole pressure during a drilling operation can include measuring a parameter with a sensor, communicating actual parameter values from the sensor to a predictive device, training the predictive device to output predicted parameter values in response to input of the actual parameter values, and outputting the predicted parameter values from the predictive device when the predictive device ceases receiving the actual parameter values. A well drilling system can include a predictive device which outputs predicted parameter values in response to input of actual parameter values to the predictive device. The predictive device continues to output the predicted parameter values, even when the predictive device fails to receive valid actual parameter values. Another well drilling system includes a data validator which communicates valid actual parameter values to the predictive device, but does not communicate invalid actual parameter values to the predictive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles M. Pool, Nancy Davis, Frank Urias, Neal G. Skinner
  • Publication number: 20130042699
    Abstract: A fluidic oscillator can include a fluid switch, at least two fluid paths from the fluid switch, and a sensor which measures a frequency of fluctuations in flow through the fluidic oscillator. A method of measuring a flow rate of a fluid can include flowing the fluid through a fluidic oscillator, a majority of the fluid flowing alternately via at least two fluid paths from a fluid switch of the fluidic oscillator, and a sensor detecting a frequency of the flow alternating between the fluid paths. Another fluidic oscillator can include a fluid input, at least two fluid paths from the fluid input to respective fluid outputs, whereby a majority of fluid which flows through the fluidic oscillator flows alternately via the fluid paths, and a sensor which detects pressure fluctuations due to the flow alternating between the fluid paths.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Roger L. SCHULTZ, Robert L. PIPKIN, Travis W. CAVENDER, Neal G. SKINNER
  • Publication number: 20130008659
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices related to downhole wellbore operations such as drilling and completing wells in an earth formation include a laser device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Roger L. Schultz, Loyd E. East, Harold G. Walters, Billy W. McDaniel, Mohamed Y. Soliman, Neal G. Skinner
  • Publication number: 20130008658
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices related to downhole wellbore operations such as drilling and completing wells in an earth formation include a laser device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Roger L. Schultz, Loyd E. East, Harold G. Walters, Billy W. McDaniel, Mohamed Y. Soliman, Neal G. Skinner
  • Publication number: 20130008657
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices related to downhole wellbore operations such as drilling and completing wells in an earth formation include a laser device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Roger L. Schultz, Loyd E. East, Harold G. Walters, Billy W. McDaniel, Mohamed Y. Soliman, Neal G. Skinner
  • Publication number: 20130008656
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices related to downhole wellbore operations such as drilling and completing wells in an earth formation include a laser device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Roger L. Schultz, Loyd E. East, Harold G. Walters, Billy W. McDaniel, Mohamed Y. Soliman, Neal G. Skinner
  • Publication number: 20130000906
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices related to downhole wellbore operations such as drilling and completing wells in an earth formation include a laser device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger L. Schultz, Loyd E. East, Harold G. Walters, Billy Wilson McDaniel, Mohamed Y. Soliman, Neal G. Skinner
  • Publication number: 20130000922
    Abstract: A well tool actuator can include a series of chambers which, when opened in succession, cause the well tool to be alternately actuated. A method of operating a well tool actuator can include manipulating an object in a wellbore; a sensor of the actuator detecting the object manipulation; and the actuator actuating in response to the sensor detecting the object manipulation. A drilling isolation valve can comprise an actuator including a series of chambers which, when opened in succession, cause the isolation valve to be alternately opened and closed. A method of operating a drilling isolation valve can include manipulating an object in a wellbore, a sensor of the drilling isolation valve detecting the object manipulation, and the drilling isolation valve operating between open and closed configurations in response to the sensor detecting the object manipulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Neal G. SKINNER, Michael L. FRIPP
  • Publication number: 20120305314
    Abstract: A method of drilling a wellbore can include drilling the wellbore with a continuous tubing drill string, and sensing at least one parameter with an optical waveguide in the drill string. A well system can include a continuous tubing drill string, and an optical waveguide in the drill string. The optical waveguide may sense at least one parameter distributed along the drill string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: John L. MAIDA, JR., Neal G. SKINNER
  • Publication number: 20120277918
    Abstract: A method of maintaining a desired downhole pressure during a drilling operation can include measuring a parameter with a sensor, communicating actual parameter values from the sensor to a predictive device, training the predictive device to output predicted parameter values in response to input of the actual parameter values, and outputting the predicted parameter values from the predictive device when the predictive device ceases receiving the actual parameter values. A well drilling system can include a predictive device which outputs predicted parameter values in response to input of actual parameter values to the predictive device. The predictive device continues to output the predicted parameter values, even when the predictive device fails to receive valid actual parameter values. Another well drilling system includes a data validator which communicates valid actual parameter values to the predictive device, but does not communicate invalid actual parameter values to the predictive device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Charles M. POOL, Nancy DAVIS, Frank URIAS, Neal G. SKINNER