Patents by Inventor Nicholas S. Conner

Nicholas S. Conner 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: 12134945
    Abstract: A frangible disk sub including a housing, a break mechanism disposed in the housing a carrier movably disposed in the housing, a frangible disk supported by the carrier and movable with the carrier into contact with the break mechanism, and a release mechanism restraining movement of the carrier until a threshold load is exceeded. A method for rupturing a frangible disk including exceeding a threshold load with on the sub, releasing the release mechanism, moving the carrier and the frangible disk toward and into contact with the break mechanism, and rupturing the frangible disk with the break mechanism. A borehole system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string in the borehole, and a frangible disk sub disposed within or as a part of the string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2024
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Brandon Decuir, Donavan Brown, Nicholas S. Conner, Edward J. Kossa, Frank Maenza
  • Patent number: 12091924
    Abstract: A slip includes a slip body made up of a slip tail, a slip mid-section, and a slip head. A wicker segment is receivable in a recess of the slip head, the segment having a first condition where the segment is immovable relative to the head and a second condition where the segment is movable relative to the head. A method for retrieving a tool having slips, includes loading the slip in tension, releasing a wicker segment of the slip, allowing the segment to move from a first condition to a second condition and disengaging the segment from a radially outward structure. A borehole system includes a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string in the borehole, and a slip having a releasable wicker segment disposed within or as a part of the string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2024
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Andrew John Vissotski, Nicholas S. Conner, Robert Schramm, Jose Eduardo Barragan
  • Patent number: 12078027
    Abstract: A frangible disk arrangement including a frangible disk disposed in a groove of a housing, and a degradable material support disposed adjacent the disk. A method for managing a borehole operation including pressuring against the frangible disk arrangement, exceeding a pressure rating of the frangible disk, rupturing the frangible disk, and degrading the support. A borehole system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string in the borehole, and a frangible disk arrangement disposed within or as a part of the string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2024
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas S. Conner, Donavan Holland Brown
  • Publication number: 20240279994
    Abstract: A frangible disk sub including a housing, a break mechanism disposed in the housing a carrier movably disposed in the housing, a frangible disk supported by the carrier and movable with the carrier into contact with the break mechanism, and a release mechanism restraining movement of the carrier until a threshold load is exceeded. A method for rupturing a frangible disk including exceeding a threshold load with on the sub, releasing the release mechanism, moving the carrier and the frangible disk toward and into contact with the break mechanism, and rupturing the frangible disk with the break mechanism. A borehole system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string in the borehole, and a frangible disk sub disposed within or as a part of the string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2023
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Inventors: Brandon Decuir, Donavan Brown, Nicholas S. Conner, Edward J. Kossa, Frank Maenza
  • Publication number: 20240254859
    Abstract: A frangible disk arrangement including a frangible disk disposed in a groove of a housing, and a degradable material support disposed adjacent the disk. A method for managing a borehole operation including pressuring against the frangible disk arrangement, exceeding a pressure rating of the frangible disk, rupturing the frangible disk, and degrading the support. A borehole system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string in the borehole, and a frangible disk arrangement disposed within or as a part of the string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2023
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: Nicholas S. Conner, Donavan Holland Brown
  • Patent number: 11988067
    Abstract: A frangible disk sub includes a housing, a carrier movably disposed in the housing, and a frangible disk sealedly disposed in the carrier. The sub further includes a breaker concealed within a breaker housing and a breaker housing movement inhibitor. A method includes pressuring the disk to exceed a threshold pressure, moving the disk, carrier and breaker mechanism relative to the housing. The method further includes causing the breaker to contact the stop, exposing a hard point of the breaker, and driving the disk into the hard point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Brandon Decuir, Donavan Holland Brown, Nicholas S. Conner, Edward J. Kossa, Frank Maenza
  • Publication number: 20240141740
    Abstract: A slip includes a slip body made up of a slip tail, a slip mid-section, and a slip head. A wicker segment is receivable in a recess of the slip head, the segment having a first condition where the segment is immovable relative to the head and a second condition where the segment is movable relative to the head. A method for retrieving a tool having slips, includes loading the slip in tension, releasing a wicker segment of the slip, allowing the segment to move from a first condition to a second condition and disengaging the segment from a radially outward structure. A borehole system includes a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string in the borehole, and a slip having a releasable wicker segment disposed within or as a part of the string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2022
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Andrew John Vissotski, Nicholas S. Conner, Robert Schramm, Jose Eduardo Barragan
  • Patent number: 11808109
    Abstract: A frangible disk configuration including a housing, a sleeve in the housing, a releaser, releaseably retaining the sleeve in a fixed position relative to the housing and a frangible disk mounted in the housing in a position contactable by the sleeve after release by the releaser. A method for rupturing a frangible disk, including applying pressure to a configuration, causing release of the releaser at a threshold pressure on the applied pressure and sliding the sleeve into contact with the frangible disk. A borehole system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, and a frangible disk configuration, disposed in the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas S. Conner, Edward J. Kossa
  • Patent number: 10329868
    Abstract: An articulated debris barrier folds on itself to extend radially to span a surrounding annular gap when the tool associated with it is set. The debris barrier can be used with a packer or bridge plug. The set position of the packer or plug is locked and another lock holds the extended position of the debris barrier. The debris barrier lock can be a snap ring that extends into a groove brought into alignment with it during the setting. Alternatively the lock for the debris barrier can be a body lock ring. In either case, release and retrieval of the packer or plug involves undermining of the locking feature for the debris barrier so that the debris barrier can extend while retracting from the borehole wall so that the barrier and the associated packer or plug can be removed together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher J. Limb, Frank J. Maenza, Nicholas S. Conner, Robert J. Taylor, Gary L. Anderson
  • Patent number: 10087704
    Abstract: A packing element containment system includes a support member extending from a first end to a second end. One of the first and second ends includes a support ring engagement section. A support ring is carried by the support ring engagement section of the support member. The support ring is configured and disposed to shift relative to the support member converting an axial movement of one of the support ring and the support member to a radial expansion of the support ring to provide one of a support to an anti-extrusion ring and containment for a packing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas S. Conner, Gary L. Anderson, Frank J. Maenza, Adrian R. Castro
  • Patent number: 10077625
    Abstract: A mandrel and a packer outer assembly are formed to create spring compartments on opposed sides of a sealing element. The outer assembly is shear pinned to the mandrel to minimize spring travel during setting. Once set in the normal way the presence of the springs transfers load and sustained loads through the connected tubular string in either direction. A load coming from downhole and acting in an uphole direction first compresses the spring located uphole from the sealing assembly so that the loading goes behind the sealing assembly and into the upper spring and ultimately to the upper slips. The reverse happens when the force is coming from uphole of the sealing assembly and acting in a downhole direction. The springs can be a coil, a stack of Belleville washers, fluid pushed through an orifice, a resilient material or a contained compressible fluid, to name some examples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC
    Inventors: Frank J. Maenza, Nicholas S. Conner, Gary L. Anderson
  • Patent number: 10060213
    Abstract: A pressure actuated module associated with a subterranean tool is set with pressure in the well annulus supplemented by added pressure. The addition of pressure to the hydrostatic opens access to a setting piston that is referenced to a low pressure chamber. The piston strokes to a travel stop reducing the volume of the atmospheric chamber while setting the tool. After the tool is set the annulus is communicated to the low pressure reference chamber for the actuating piston to remove a residual net force on the setting piston after the set. One way to do this is to sequentially break multiple rupture discs at different pressures. Another is to have a degradable member in the atmospheric chamber. A piston is fixed in place during setting, and shifts with the application of additional pressure allowing pressure to pass through a port between the annulus and the atmospheric chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC
    Inventors: Frank J. Maenza, Nicholas S. Conner
  • Publication number: 20170247974
    Abstract: A mandrel and a packer outer assembly are formed to create spring compartments on opposed sides of a sealing element. The outer assembly is shear pinned to the mandrel to minimize spring travel during setting. Once set in the normal way the presence of the springs transfers load and sustained loads through the connected tubular string in either direction. A load coming from downhole and acting in an uphole direction first compresses the spring located uphole from the sealing assembly so that the loading goes behind the sealing assembly and into the upper spring and ultimately to the upper slips. The reverse happens when the force is coming from uphole of the sealing assembly and acting in a downhole direction. The springs can be a coil, a stack of Belleville washers, fluid pushed through an orifice, a resilient material or a contained compressible fluid, to name some examples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Frank J. Maenza, Nicholas S. Conner, Gary L. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20170107775
    Abstract: A pressure actuated module associated with a subterranean tool is set with pressure in the well annulus supplemented by added pressure. The addition of pressure to the hydrostatic opens access to a setting piston that is referenced to a low pressure chamber. The piston strokes to a travel stop reducing the volume of the atmospheric chamber while setting the tool. After the tool is set the annulus is communicated to the low pressure reference chamber for the actuating piston to remove a residual net force on the setting piston after the set. One way to do this is to sequentially break multiple rupture discs at different pressures. Another is to have a degradable member in the atmospheric chamber. A piston is fixed in place during setting, and shifts with the application of additional pressure allowing pressure to pass through a port between the annulus and the atmospheric chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Frank J. Maenza, NICHOLAS S. CONNER
  • Publication number: 20170058630
    Abstract: An articulated debris barrier folds on itself to extend radially to span a surrounding annular gap when the tool associated with it is set. The debris barrier can be used with a packer or bridge plug. The set position of the packer or plug is locked and another lock holds the extended position of the debris barrier. The debris barrier lock can be a snap ring that extends into a groove brought into alignment with it during the setting. Alternatively the lock for the debris barrier can be a body lock ring. In either case, release and retrieval of the packer or plug involves undermining of the locking feature for the debris barrier so that the debris barrier can extend while retracting from the borehole wall so that the barrier and the associated packer or plug can be removed together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Christopher J. Limb, Frank J. Maenza, Nicholas S. Conner, Robert J. Taylor, Gary L. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20160090813
    Abstract: A packing element containment system includes a support member extending from a first end to a second end. One of the first and second ends includes a support ring engagement section. A support ring is carried by the support ring engagement section of the support member. The support ring is configured and disposed to shift relative to the support member converting an axial movement of one of the support ring and the support member to a radial expansion of the support ring to provide one of a support to an anti-extrusion ring and containment for a packing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Nicholas S. Conner, Gary L. Anderson, Frank J. Maenza, Adrian R. Castro
  • Patent number: 8083001
    Abstract: A gage ring assembly to provide support to an anti-extrusion containment ring in a packer device including a compression ring and a plurality of interlocking arcuate segments which form a substantially unbroken support wall when in a set condition. A first set of segments each have a wedge-shaped body that is wider at a proximal axial end than it is at its distal axial end. A second set of segments preferably each have a wedge-shaped body wider at its distal axial end than it is at its proximal axial end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Nicholas S. Conner, Frank J. Maenza
  • Publication number: 20110048744
    Abstract: A gage ring assembly to provide support to an anti-extrusion containment ring in a packer device including a compression ring and a plurality of interlocking arcuate segments which form a substantially unbroken support wall when in a set condition. A first set of segments each have a wedge-shaped body that is wider at a proximal axial end than it is at its distal axial end. A second set of segments preferably each have a wedge-shaped body wider at its distal axial end than it is at its proximal axial end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Nicholas S. Conner, Frank J. Maenza
  • Publication number: 20090255690
    Abstract: Methods and devices for retaining a packer element in a set condition within a wellbore and for preventing or minimizing extrusion of the packer element after setting. A packer device includes a plurality of deformable packer elements which radially surround a packer mandrel. One or more of the packer elements is contained against axial extrusion using a packer containment system. The packer containment system includes a flexible metal backup ring, which partially encases the packer element by substantially covering at least one axial side and a portion of the exterior radial surface of the packer element. The packer containment system also includes a plurality of annular support rings, or “petal rings” which have petal-shaped radial protuberances with slots between them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Nicholas S. Conner, Gary L. Anderson
  • Patent number: 7493945
    Abstract: A packer device includes a central packer mandrel and a radially surrounding expansion mandrel. At least one slip mandrel carrying wickers surrounds the expansion mandrel and is secured in place upon the expansion mandrel by an annular retaining ring. The slip mandrel is secured to the retaining ring by screw connectors that pass through the slip mandrel and into retainer segments. The retaining ring is clamped between the slip mandrel and segments. Additionally, the packer device carries a fluid seal that is made up of a thermoplastic material with elastomeric energizing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: James C. Doane, Jason M. Harper, Nicholas S. Conner