Patents by Inventor Nick Tonti

Nick Tonti 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).

  • Publication number: 20240133265
    Abstract: A downhole tool includes a body defining a bore axially therethrough and a port in communication with the bore and extending radially through the body, an inner cap positioned in the port, the inner cap sealing the port, and an outer cap positioned in the port. The outer cap is spaced apart from the inner cap, and the outer cap seals the port, such that a chamber is defined between the inner and outer caps in the port. The inner cap is configured to move toward outer cap in response to a first pressure differential between bore and the chamber across the outer cap. The inner cap is configured to dislodge the outer cap from the port in response to the inner cap engaging the outer cap and a second pressure differential between the bore and an exterior of the downhole tool being reached across the inner cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Nick Tonti, Anthony Rushing
  • Patent number: 11965391
    Abstract: An assembly includes a cone having a tapered outer surface, a slips assembly positioned at least partially around the tapered outer surface of the cone, and a sealing ring positioned at least partially around the tapered outer surface of the cone. The slips assembly directly engages the sealing ring, such that the slips assembly is configured to transmit a setting force to the sealing ring, which moves the sealing ring on the tapered outer surface of the cone and expands the sealing ring radially outward. The assembly includes an anti-seal ring positioned adjacent to the sealing ring and around the cone. The anti-seal ring is driven along the tapered outer surface of the cone by engagement with the sealing ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: INNOVEX DOWNHOLE SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Nick Tonti, Carl Martin, Justin Kellner
  • Patent number: 11808105
    Abstract: A downhole tool includes a slips assembly, a cone positioned at least partially within the slips assembly, the cone being configured to move axially relative to the slips assembly such that the cone presses the slips assembly radially outward and into engagement with a surrounding tubular in which the downhole tool is deployed, and a seal ring positioned around the cone, the seal ring being configured to be pressed radially outward by engagement with the cone and into engagement with the surrounding tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: INNOVEX DOWNHOLE SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Nick Tonti, Jeffery Kitzman
  • Publication number: 20230349252
    Abstract: A downhole tool and method, of which the downhole tool includes a housing defining a charge chamber and a hydraulic chamber, the hydraulic chamber containing a hydraulic fluid, and a piston disposed in the hydraulic chamber. The piston prevents the hydraulic fluid from communicating with the charge chamber, and is in communication with the hydraulic fluid and the charge chamber. The tool also includes one or more charges disposed in the charge chamber. The one or more charges are configured to ignite and thereby expand a gas in the charge chamber. The tool further includes a fluid-metering device coupled to the housing. The fluid-metering device is configured to control a rate at which the hydraulic fluid is pressed out of the hydraulic chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Nick Tonti, Chris Cuffe, Mark Reddout
  • Publication number: 20230313635
    Abstract: A downhole tool includes a housing defining an axial bore. The downhole tool also includes a piston positioned at least partially within the housing. The piston is configured to actuate from a first piston position into a second piston position at least partially in response to a pressure differential. The downhole tool also includes a locking mechanism positioned at least partially within the housing. The locking mechanism is configured to actuate from a first locking mechanism position into a second locking mechanism position at least partially in response to the pressure differential while the piston is in the second piston position. The downhole tool also includes a disk positioned at least partially within the housing. The disk prevents fluid flow through the axial bore. The disk is configured to break at least partially in response to the pressure differential while the locking mechanism is in the second locking mechanism position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2022
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Brent Driller, Nick Tonti
  • Patent number: 11761279
    Abstract: An actuator for setting a downhole tool comprises a first propellant configured to be ignited by an igniter, and a second propellant configured to be ignited by combustion of the first propellant, the first propellant abutting the second propellant such that the first propellant covers an axial end of the second propellant. The first propellant is configured to combust more quickly than the second propellant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: INNOVEX DOWNHOLE SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Nick Tonti, Jeffery Kitzman
  • Patent number: 11572753
    Abstract: A downhole tool includes a main body, and a setting member configured to press the main body radially outwards so as to set the main body with the surrounding tubular, made at least partially from a dissolvable material configured to dissolve in a well fluid, and defining a bore therein. The tool also includes an acid pill positioned in the bore of the setting member. The acid pill contains an acid therein, and is made at least partially from a dissolvable material configured to dissolve in the well fluid such that the acid mixes with the well fluid upon the acid pill at least partially dissolving. The acid mixed in the well fluid increases a rate at which the dissolvable material of the setting member dissolves in the well fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: INNOVEX DOWNHOLE SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Nick Tonti
  • Publication number: 20220356773
    Abstract: An actuator for setting a downhole tool comprises a first propellant configured to be ignited by an igniter, and a second propellant configured to be ignited by combustion of the first propellant, the first propellant abutting the second propellant such that the first propellant covers an axial end of the second propellant. The first propellant is configured to combust more quickly than the second propellant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Nick Tonti, Jeffery Kitzman
  • Patent number: 11396787
    Abstract: A downhole tool system includes a downhole tool. The downhole tool includes a body having a bore formed axially-therethrough. An inner surface of the body defines an asymmetric shoulder. The downhole tool also includes an upper cone configured to be received within the bore of the body from an upper axial end of the body. The upper cone is configured to move within the body in a first direction from the upper axial end toward the shoulder in response to actuation by a setting assembly, which forces at least a portion of the body radially-outward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: INNOVEX DOWNHOLE SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Justin Kellner, Nick Tonti
  • Patent number: 11261683
    Abstract: A downhole tool includes a sleeve having a first end and a second end, a slip assembly coupled to the second end of the sleeve, a first cone positioned at least partially in the sleeve, proximal to the first end thereof, and a second cone positioned at least partially in the slip assembly. The first and second cones are configured to be moved toward one another from a run-in configuration to a set configuration. When actuating from the run-in configuration to the set configuration, the sleeve is forced radially outward by the first cone. When actuating from the run-in configuration to the set configuration, the slip assembly is forced radially outward by the second cone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: INNOVEX DOWNHOLE SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Justin Kellner, Nick Tonti, Carl Martin
  • Publication number: 20210332661
    Abstract: A downhole tool includes a slips assembly, a cone positioned at least partially within the slips assembly, the cone being configured to move axially relative to the slips assembly such that the cone presses the slips assembly radially outward and into engagement with a surrounding tubular in which the downhole tool is deployed, and a seal ring positioned around the cone, the seal ring being configured to be pressed radially outward by engagement with the cone and into engagement with the surrounding tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Nick Tonti, Jeffery Kitzman
  • Publication number: 20210301620
    Abstract: An assembly includes a cone having a tapered outer surface, a slips assembly positioned at least partially around the tapered outer surface of the cone, and a sealing ring positioned at least partially around the tapered outer surface of the cone. The slips assembly directly engages the sealing ring, such that the slips assembly is configured to transmit a setting force to the sealing ring, which moves the sealing ring on the tapered outer surface of the cone and expands the sealing ring radially outward. The assembly includes an anti-seal ring positioned adjacent to the sealing ring and around the cone. The anti-seal ring is driven along the tapered outer surface of the cone by engagement with the sealing ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Nick Tonti, Carl Martin, Justin Kellner
  • Publication number: 20210254421
    Abstract: A downhole tool includes a main body, and a setting member configured to press the main body radially outwards so as to set the main body with the surrounding tubular, made at least partially from a dissolvable material configured to dissolve in a well fluid, and defining a bore therein. The tool also includes an acid pill positioned in the bore of the setting member. The acid pill contains an acid therein, and is made at least partially from a dissolvable material configured to dissolve in the well fluid such that the acid mixes with the well fluid upon the acid pill at least partially dissolving. The acid mixed in the well fluid increases a rate at which the dissolvable material of the setting member dissolves in the well fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventor: Nick Tonti
  • Publication number: 20210215010
    Abstract: A downhole setting tool includes an upper cylinder, and a piston positioned in the upper cylinder. A charge chamber is defined on one side of the piston within the upper cylinder, and a first hydraulic chamber is defined on an opposite side of the piston and within the upper cylinder. The tool also includes a mandrel coupled to the upper cylinder. A flow port is defined in the mandrel, the flow port being in fluid communication with the first hydraulic chamber. The tool further includes a lower cylinder coupled to the mandrel, the mandrel and the lower cylinder defining a second hydraulic chamber within the lower cylinder, and the flow port being in fluid communication with the second hydraulic chamber. The lower cylinder is configured to move with respect to the mandrel when the setting tool is actuated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventor: Nick Tonti
  • Patent number: 11002105
    Abstract: A downhole tool includes an engaging member configured to increase in radial dimension from a run-in configuration to a set configuration, and to engage a surrounding tubular in the set configuration, and a plurality of buttons embedded in the engaging member. The plurality of buttons are positioned in radial alignment with or radially inward of an outer surface of the engaging member until at least a portion of the engaging member is increased in the radial dimension. The plurality of buttons are configured to extend radially outward of the outer surface of the engaging member and engage the surrounding tubular in when the radial dimension of the at least a portion of the engaging member is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: INNOVEX DOWNHOLE SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Nick Tonti
  • Patent number: 10989016
    Abstract: A downhole tool includes an expandable sleeve having an outer surface. The expandable sleeve is configured to expand radially outwards without fracturing apart. The tool also includes a plurality of button inserts positioned at least partially in the expandable sleeve and extending outward past the outer surface by a first distance, so as to engage a surrounding tubular when the expandable sleeve is expanded. The tool further includes a first band of grit material on the outer surface, adjacent to at least one row of the plurality of button inserts. The first band of grit material extends outward from the outer surface by at least the first distance, to shield the plurality of button inserts during run-in of the downhole tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: INNOVEX DOWNHOLE SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Nick Tonti, Justin Kellner, Carl Martin
  • Patent number: 10829995
    Abstract: A downhole tool and method for use, in which the tool includes a housing defining a first bore axially therethrough, and a valve shaft disposed in the first bore of the housing. The valve shaft defines a second bore extending axially therein and one or more openings extending radially from the second bore, the valve shaft being rotatable relative to the housing. The tool also includes a valve sleeve disposed in the housing and defining one or more openings extending radially therethrough. The valve shaft is rotatable relative to the valve sleeve, such that the one or more openings of the valve sleeve are periodically aligned and misaligned with the one or more openings of the valve sleeve as the valve shaft rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: INNOVEX DOWNHOLE SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Nick Tonti, Carl Martin, Justin Kellner
  • Publication number: 20200277831
    Abstract: A downhole tool includes a sleeve having a first end and a second end, a slip assembly coupled to the second end of the sleeve, a first cone positioned at least partially in the sleeve, proximal to the first end thereof, and a second cone positioned at least partially in the slip assembly. The first and second cones are configured to be moved toward one another from a run-in configuration to a set configuration. When actuating from the run-in configuration to the set configuration, the sleeve is forced radially outward by the first cone. When actuating from the run-in configuration to the set configuration, the slip assembly is forced radially outward by the second cone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Inventors: Justin Kellner, Nick Tonti, Carl Martin
  • Publication number: 20200256150
    Abstract: A downhole tool system includes a downhole tool. The downhole tool includes a body having a bore formed axially-therethrough. An inner surface of the body defines an asymmetric shoulder. The downhole tool also includes an upper cone configured to be received within the bore of the body from an upper axial end of the body. The upper cone is configured to move within the body in a first direction from the upper axial end toward the shoulder in response to actuation by a setting assembly, which forces at least a portion of the body radially-outward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Justin KELLNER, Nick TONTI
  • Patent number: D916937
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: INNOVEX DOWNHOLE SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Justin Kellner, Nick Tonti