Patents by Inventor Ralph H. Echols
Ralph H. Echols 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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Publication number: 20030056959Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for movably securing a radially expandable sand-control screen jacket assembly to a base pipe. The screen jacket assembly is connected to the base pipe with a longitudinally moveable, sand-controlling joint. In use, the joint slides maintain a sand-controlling seal after radial expansion of the sand-control screen jacket assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2002Publication date: March 27, 2003Inventors: Ana M. Castano-Mears, Ralph H. Echols, Perry Carter Shy
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Patent number: 6530431Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for movably securing a radially expandable sand-control screen jacket assembly to a base pipe. The screen jacket assembly is connected to the base pipe with a longitudinally moveable, sand-controlling joint. In use, the joint slides maintain a sand-controlling seal after radial expansion of the sand-control screen jacket assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2000Date of Patent: March 11, 2003Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Ana M. CastaƱo-Mears, Ralph H. Echols, Perry Carter Shy
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Publication number: 20030000875Abstract: A well screen is provided which includes a line extending therethrough. In a described embodiment, the line may be a hydraulic line, an electric line, a fiber optic line, or another type of line, and the line may be embedded in a sidewall material of the well screen. The well screen may be wrapped about a reel as a part of a coiled tubing string, and the well screen may be expandable when deployed in a wellbore. In another embodiment, the line may be positioned between a filter media and an outer shroud of the well screen.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2002Publication date: January 2, 2003Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Ralph H. Echols, Henry L. Restarick, Michael Feechan
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Publication number: 20020178582Abstract: An expandable well screen has a desirable thin-wall construction together with a simplified fabrication method. In fabricating the screen, a flexible sheet of metal mesh filter media is diffusion bonded to an inner side of a perforated metal sheet which is then deformed to a tubular shape to form a filter structure having an outer perforated tubular shroud interiorly lined with the filter media. The tubular filter structure is telescoped onto a perforated base pipe and has its opposite ends sealingly secured thereto to complete the expandable well screen.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2002Publication date: December 5, 2002Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Ralph H. Echols, Anthony D. Simone, Sam A. Hopkins
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Patent number: 6457518Abstract: An expandable well screen provides increased collapse, torsional and tensile strength. In a described embodiment, an expandable well screen includes a generally tubular base pipe and an external filtering media. The well screen is configured to have sufficient torsional and tensile strength for conveyance and positioning in a wellbore, while also having sufficient strength to prevent collapse when the screen is radially expanded.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2000Date of Patent: October 1, 2002Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Ana M. Castano-Mears, John C. Gano, Ralph H. Echols
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Publication number: 20020129935Abstract: An expandable well screen provides increased collapse, torsional and tensile strength. In a described embodiment, an expandable well screen includes a generally tubular base pipe and an external filtering media. The well screen is configured to have sufficient torsional and tensile strength for conveyance and positioning in a wellbore, while also having sufficient strength to prevent collapse when the screen is radially expanded.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2002Publication date: September 19, 2002Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Ana M. Castano-Mears, John C. Gano, Ralph H. Echols
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Publication number: 20020104217Abstract: An expandable well screen has a desirable thin-wall construction together with a simplified fabrication method. In fabricating the screen, a flexible sheet of metal mesh filter media is diffusion bonded to an inner side of a perforated metal sheet which is then deformed to a tubular shape to form a filter structure having an outer perforated tubular shroud interiorly lined with the filter media. The tubular filter structure is telescoped onto a perforated base pipe and has its opposite ends sealingly secured thereto to complete the expandable well screen.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2002Publication date: August 8, 2002Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Ralph H. Echols, Anthony D. Simone, Sam A. Hopkins
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Publication number: 20020100169Abstract: An expandable well screen has a desirable thin-wall construction together with a simplified fabrication method. In fabricating the screen, a flexible sheet of metal mesh filter media is diffusion bonded to an inner side of a perforated metal sheet which is then deformed to a tubular shape to form a filter structure having an outer perforated tubular shroud interiorly lined with the filter media. The tubular filter structure is telescoped onto a perforated base pipe and has its opposite ends sealingly secured thereto to complete the expandable well screen.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2002Publication date: August 1, 2002Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Ralph H. Echols, Anthony D. Simone, Sam A. Hopkins
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Publication number: 20020092653Abstract: Initially, a set of locking lugs lock an inner mandrel is locked in position with respect to an outer mandrel. Unlocking the travel joint is accomplished by applying a constant vertical or downward force on the tubing string. That vertical force is transmitted through the tubing string to the outer mandrel, which causes hydraulic pressure with a hydraulic chamber to increase. When the hydraulic pressure exceeds a pressure threshold, a pressure sensitive valve opens, and the hydraulic fluid gradually flows into a reserve hydraulic chamber, allowing the outer mandrel to move with respect to the inner mandrel. A viscosity independent flow restrictor limits the transfer of hydraulic fluid to a preset flow rate. After sufficient hydraulic fluid has been received into the reserve chamber, the outer mandrel aligns with the locking lugs, which then move from the locked position to the unlocked position. The travel joint then releases, allowing the outer mandrel to telescope inward and outward.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2001Publication date: July 18, 2002Inventors: Gordon K. Scott, Phillip T. Thomas, Ralph H. Echols
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Publication number: 20020088744Abstract: A well screen is provided which includes a line extending therethrough. In a described embodiment, the line may be a hydraulic line, an electric line, a fiber optic line, or another type of line, and the line may be embedded in a sidewall material of the well screen. The well screen may be wrapped about a reel as a part of a coiled tubing string, and the well screen may be expandable when deployed in a wellbore. In another embodiment, the line may be positioned between a filter media and an outer shroud of the well screen.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2001Publication date: July 11, 2002Inventors: Ralph H. Echols, Henry L. Restarick, Michael Feechan
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Patent number: 6415509Abstract: An expandable well screen has a desirable thin-wall construction together with a simplified fabrication method. In fabricating the screen, a flexible sheet of metal mesh filter media is diffusion bonded to an inner side of a perforated metal sheet which is then deformed to a tubular shape to form a filter structure having an outer perforated tubular shroud interiorly lined with the filter media. The tubular filter structure is telescoped onto a perforated base pipe and has its opposite ends sealingly secured thereto to complete the expandable well screen.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2000Date of Patent: July 9, 2002Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Ralph H. Echols, Anthony D. Simone, Sam A. Hopkins
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Patent number: 6367552Abstract: Initially, a set of locking lugs lock an inner mandrel is locked in position with respect to an outer mandrel. Unlocking the travel joint is accomplished by applying a constant vertical or downward force on the tubing string. That vertical force is transmitted through the tubing string to the outer mandrel, which causes hydraulic pressure with a hydraulic chamber to increase. When the hydraulic pressure exceeds a pressure threshold, a pressure sensitive valve opens, and the hydraulic fluid gradually flows into a reserve hydraulic chamber, allowing the outer mandrel to move with respect to the inner mandrel. A viscosity independent flow restrictor limits the transfer of hydraulic fluid to a preset flow rate. After sufficient hydraulic fluid has been received into the reserve chamber, the outer mandrel aligns with the locking lugs, which then move from the locked position to the unlocked position. The travel joint then releases, allowing the outer mandrel to telescope inward and outward.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1999Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Gordon K. Scott, Philip T. Thomas, Ralph H. Echols, II
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Patent number: 6202742Abstract: The present invention provides a gravel pack assembly for use in a wellbore having a packer positioned therein with a minimum inside diameter and a primary packing seal. In one embodiment, the gravel pack assembly comprises a pack-off conduit that is coupable to the packer. The pack-off conduit has a maximum outer diameter that is sufficient to prevent the pack-off conduit from traversing the minimum inside diameter of the packer. The gravel pack assembly further includes a seal positioned about an inside diameter of the pack-off conduit. The seal is engageable with an outer surface of a tool that is passable through the pack-off conduit to inhibit fluid flow between the seal and the tool, uphole from the primary packing seal. The primary packer seal is typically near the uphole end of the packer and is the seal that isolates the downhole zones from the pressure exerted by the fluid uphole from the primary packer seal.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 1998Date of Patent: March 20, 2001Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventor: Ralph H. Echols
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Patent number: 6155342Abstract: A proppant containment apparatus and associated method of using the apparatus permit continued delivery of a proppant slurry to a subterranean wellbore after failure of a crossover portion of the apparatus during a fracturing operation, eliminating the need to stop the fracturing operation and remove and replace expensive items of equipment after such crossover failure. In a preferred embodiment, the proppant containment apparatus has a tubular crossover member with an internal flow passage, circulation port, and side wall outlet openings, first and second coaxial tubular structures, the first tubular structure being perforated, a tubular screen positioned between the first and second tubular structures, a ball, and a ball seat having a spaced series of grooves formed thereon.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 1998Date of Patent: December 5, 2000Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Dean S. Oneal, Ralph H. Echols
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Patent number: 6125932Abstract: A tortuous path sand control screen (40) for reducing the velocity of particles (66) traveling therethrough is disclosed. The tortuous path sand control screen (40) comprises a base pipe (42) and a screen wire (48) wrapped therearound having turns (50, 52, 54) which extend along at least a portion of the length of the base pipe (42) forming gaps between adjacent turns (50, 52). The screen wire has a profile (62, 64) that reduces the velocity of the particles (66) traveling through the gaps, thereby minimizing erosion of the tortuous path sand control screen (40).Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 1998Date of Patent: October 3, 2000Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Syed Hamid, Ralph H. Echols
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Patent number: 6109356Abstract: A well tool is disclosed, which includes features that enhance the reliability and safety of wellsite operations. In one disclosed embodiment, a pressure relief device is incorporated in a well completion tool. The pressure relief device is in fluid communication with fluid delivery and return flowpaths of the tool. When a predetermined differential fluid pressure is experienced, the pressure relief device opens and permits fluid flow between the fluid delivery and return flowpaths. Associated methods of protecting well tools are disclosed as well.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1998Date of Patent: August 29, 2000Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Ralph H. Echols, Ronnie D. Finley
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Patent number: 6059033Abstract: Apparatus for completing a subterranean well and associated methods provide economical and efficient well completions. In one described embodiment, a well completion apparatus includes a packer which is settable by application of a compressive axial force thereto. The packer sealingly engages a wellbore of the well when set therein, but does not anchor to the wellbore. The apparatus further includes a screen and an attachment device. The attachment device permits the apparatus to be attached to another packer previously set and anchored within the wellbore.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 1999Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Colby M. Ross, Ralph H. Echols
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Patent number: 6056061Abstract: Apparatus for completing a subterranean well and associated methods provide economical and efficient well completions. In one described embodiment, a well completion apparatus includes a packer which is settable by application of a compressive axial force thereto. The packer sealingly engages a wellbore of the well when set therein, but does not anchor to the wellbore. The apparatus further includes a screen and an attachment device. The attachment device permits the apparatus to be attached to another packer previously set and anchored within the wellbore.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 1999Date of Patent: May 2, 2000Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Colby M. Ross, Ralph H. Echols
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Patent number: 6056052Abstract: A packer for use in subterranean wellbores provides efficient utilization of its cross-sectional area with mechanisms therein for anchoring, sealing, and torquing through the packer. In a preferred embodiment, a retrievable packer has a tubular mandrel, rubbers disposed on the mandrel, upper and lower compression members axially straddling the rubbers, a barrel-type casing slip, upper and lower wedges axially straddling the casing slip, a release mechanism, and a series of threaded load-distributing components which help to prevent collapse of the mandrel.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 1999Date of Patent: May 2, 2000Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Bryon D. Mullen, Ralph H. Echols, Marion D. Kilgore
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Patent number: 6053246Abstract: A formation fracturing and gravel packing tool and associated methods provide high flow rates and volumes of slurry delivery in a relatively small bore well. In a described embodiment, a formation fracturing tool has a telescoping travel joint and a washpipe within an assembly including a packer, a circulating sleeve and a screen. The packer is set in the well, the travel joint is extended, the travel joint is locked in its extended configuration, a slurry is flowed through the circulating sleeve, the extended travel joint is latched onto the washpipe, and the travel joint and washpipe are retrieved to the earth's surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 1997Date of Patent: April 25, 2000Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Ralph H. Echols, Philip T. Thomas