Patents by Inventor Richard Murray Whiddon
Richard Murray Whiddon 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: 20230193700Abstract: One illustrative method disclosed herein includes positioning a first tubular adjacent a second tubular, wherein one of the first and second tubulars includes a plurality of radially deflectable fingers formed in an end thereof, mating the first and second tubulars into mated engagement with one another, wherein, during the mating of the first and second tubulars, the radially deflectable fingers deflect in a radial direction, and expanding the first and second tubulars by forcing an expansion mandrel through the mated first and second tubulars such that the expanded first and second tubulars have an expanded inside diameter that is greater than an initial inside diameter of the first and second tubulars.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2023Publication date: June 22, 2023Applicant: Oil States Industries, Inc.Inventors: Richard Murray Whiddon, Gary Michael Thigpen
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Publication number: 20230193699Abstract: One illustrative method disclosed herein includes positioning a first tubular adjacent a second tubular, wherein one of the first and second tubulars includes a plurality of radially deflectable fingers formed in an end thereof, mating the first and second tubulars into mated engagement with one another, wherein, during the mating of the first and second tubulars, the radially deflectable fingers deflect in a radial direction, and expanding the first and second tubulars by forcing an expansion mandrel through the mated first and second tubulars such that the expanded first and second tubulars have an expanded inside diameter that is greater than an initial inside diameter of the first and second tubulars.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2023Publication date: June 22, 2023Applicant: Oil States Industries, Inc.Inventors: Richard Murray Whiddon, Gary Michael Thigpen
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Publication number: 20200332604Abstract: One illustrative method disclosed herein includes positioning a first tubular adjacent a second tubular, wherein one of the first and second tubulars includes a plurality of radially deflectable fingers formed in an end thereof, mating the first and second tubulars into mated engagement with one another, wherein, during the mating of the first and second tubulars, the radially deflectable fingers deflect in a radial direction, and expanding the first and second tubulars by forcing an expansion mandrel through the mated first and second tubulars such that the expanded first and second tubulars have an expanded inside diameter that is greater than an initial inside diameter of the first and second tubulars.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2020Publication date: October 22, 2020Inventors: Richard Murray Whiddon, Gary Michael Thigpen
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Publication number: 20200277833Abstract: One illustrative method for top to bottom expansion of tubulars within a wellbore comprises positioning the tubular, with an expansion mandrel positioned therein, within the well and expanding the tubular by forcing the expansion mandrel through the tubular in a down-hole direction of the well while forcing well fluid displaced by the expansion of the tubular into the formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2020Publication date: September 3, 2020Inventors: Richard Murray Whiddon, Gary Michael Thigpen
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Patent number: 10161193Abstract: A plug for use in a downhole tool collar allows a seal between the inside and outside of the collar. The plug provides an electromagnetically transparent window through which the signals from the measurement device may propagate to or from the surrounding formation. The plug assembly includes an inner retainer, an outer retainer, and a plug. The inner retainer may be inserted into the inside of a slot formed in the collar. The inner retainer may have a concave inner surface to match the cylindrical inner surface of the collar. Likewise, the outer collar may be inserted into the outside of the slot, and may have a convex outer surface to match the cylindrical outer surface of the collar. The plug may fit into slots in the inner and outer retainers and be held in place within the slot.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2015Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: SCIENTIFIC DRILLING INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventor: Richard Murray Whiddon
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Publication number: 20150315901Abstract: A plug for use in a downhole tool collar allows a seal between the inside and outside of the collar. The plug provides an electromagnetically transparent window through which the signals from the measurement device may propagate to or from the surrounding formation. The plug assembly includes an inner retainer, an outer retainer, and a plug. The inner retainer may be inserted into the inside of a slot formed in the collar. The inner retainer may have a concave inner surface to match the cylindrical inner surface of the collar. Likewise, the outer collar may be inserted into the outside of the slot, and may have a convex outer surface to match the cylindrical outer surface of the collar. The plug may fit into slots in the inner and outer retainers and be held in place within the slot.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2015Publication date: November 5, 2015Inventor: Richard Murray Whiddon
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Patent number: 9163468Abstract: A system including a housing having an upper end in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid and a lower end releasably coupled to an expandable tubular. A piston is disposed within and sealingly engaged with the housing. An expansion cone is coupled to the piston and is operable to radially expand the expandable tubular as it moves longitudinally therethrough. A pressure chamber is disposed within the housing and defined by the piston and the expansion cone. A first pressure relief port is disposed within the housing and is operable to allow fluid communication between the pressure chamber and an annulus external to the housing. A second pressure relief port is disposed within the expansion cone and is operable to allow fluid communication between the pressure chamber and a portion of the expandable tubular below the expansion cone.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2011Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: Enventure Global Technology, LLCInventor: Richard Murray Whiddon
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Patent number: 8657001Abstract: An apparatus comprises a support member operable to be disposed within a tubular member that includes a threaded connection with a pin member. The tubular member is coupled to an expansion device that is operable to radially expand the tubular member and a pin catcher that is operable to engage the pin member as the expansion device and pin catcher move axially through the tubular member.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2011Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Enventure Global Technology, L.L.C.Inventor: Richard Murray Whiddon
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Publication number: 20130206426Abstract: A system comprising a housing having an upper end in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid and a lower end releasably coupled to an expandable tubular. A piston is disposed within and sealingly engaged with the housing. An expansion cone is coupled to the piston and is operable to radially expand the expandable tubular as it moves longitudinally therethrough. A pressure chamber is disposed within the housing and defined by the piston and the expansion cone. A first pressure relief port is disposed within the housing and is operable to allow fluid communication between the pressure chamber and an annulus external to the housing. A second pressure relief port is disposed within the expansion cone and is operable to allow fluid communication between the pressure chamber and a portion of the expandable tubular below the expansion cone.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2011Publication date: August 15, 2013Applicant: ENVENTURE GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY, LLCInventor: Richard Murray Whiddon
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Publication number: 20130000924Abstract: A system comprises a tubular releasably coupled to a launcher. An expansion assembly is sealingly engaged with the tubular so that the expansion assembly is moved longitudinally through the tubular by applying a pressurized fluid to the launcher. The expansion assembly radially expands the tubular as it moves longitudinally therethrough. A valve is coupled to the expansion assembly and opens when fluid pressure within an unexpanded portion of the tubular exceeds fluid pressure within the launcher. An extending member is coupled to the expansion assembly and to the launcher. The extending member restricts longitudinal movement of the expansion assembly relative to the launcher once the tubular is radially expanded.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2011Publication date: January 3, 2013Applicant: ENVENTURE GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY, L.L.C.Inventor: Richard Murray Whiddon
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Publication number: 20120273231Abstract: An apparatus comprises a support member operable to be disposed within a tubular member that includes a threaded connection with a pin member. The tubular member is coupled to an expansion device that is operable to radially expand the tubular member and a pin catcher that is operable to engage the pin member as the expansion device and pin catcher move axially through the tubular member.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2011Publication date: November 1, 2012Applicant: ENVENTURE GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY, L.L.C.Inventor: Richard Murray Whiddon
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Patent number: 8251137Abstract: A geometrically optimized expansion cone for radially expanding a tubular member. In some embodiments, the expansion cone includes an annular body having an outer surface. The outer surface includes a linear surface having a constant diameter, a curvilinear surface extending from the linear surface, a recessed surface having a diameter less than the diameter of the curvilinear surface, and a chamfer between the recessed surface and the curvilinear surface. The diameter of the linear surface is substantially equal to an inner diameter of the tubular member after expansion, while the chamfer has a maximum diameter less than an inner diameter of the tubular member prior to expansion. The curvilinear surface has a diameter defined by a radius of curvature which is tangent to the chamfer at the maximum diameter and tangent to the linear surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2009Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Enventure Global Technology, LLCInventors: Richard Murray Whiddon, Terry Dale Jones
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Patent number: 8225877Abstract: A downhole releasable tubing connection includes a joint between two tubing strings, wherein one of the two tubing strings is radially expanded and plastically deformed by an expansion device. When the expansion device is moved adjacent to the joint, a mechanism in the joint reacts to the radially outward forces of the expansion device and releasably expands, separates, breaks, or otherwise provides a release between the two tubing strings. One tubing string and the expansion device can then be removed to the surface of the well bore while the expanded tubing remains installed in the well bore.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2009Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Enventure Global Technology, L.L.C.Inventor: Richard Murray Whiddon
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Publication number: 20120097391Abstract: A system comprising a housing having an upper end in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid and a lower end releasably coupled to an expandable tubular. A piston is disposed within and sealingly engaged with the housing. An expansion cone is coupled to the piston and is operable to radially expand the expandable tubular as it moves longitudinally therethrough. A pressure chamber is disposed within the housing and defined by the piston and the expansion cone. A first pressure relief port is disposed within the housing and is operable to allow fluid communication between the pressure chamber and an annulus external to the housing. A second pressure relief port is disposed within the expansion cone and is operable to allow fluid communication between the pressure chamber and a portion of the expandable tubular below the expansion cone.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2010Publication date: April 26, 2012Applicant: ENVENTURE GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY, L.L.C.Inventor: Richard Murray Whiddon
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Publication number: 20110094753Abstract: A downhole releasable tubing connection includes a joint between two tubing strings, wherein one of the two tubing strings is radially expanded and plastically deformed by an expansion device. When the expansion device is moved adjacent to the joint, a mechanism in the joint reacts to the radially outward forces of the expansion device and releasably expands, separates, breaks, or otherwise provides a release between the two tubing strings. One tubing string and the expansion device can then be removed to the surface of the well bore while the expanded tubing remains installed in the well bore.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2009Publication date: April 28, 2011Applicant: Enventure Global Technology, L.L.C.Inventor: Richard Murray Whiddon
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Publication number: 20100044030Abstract: A geometrically optimized expansion cone for radially expanding a tubular member. In some embodiments, the expansion cone includes an annular body having an outer surface. The outer surface includes a linear surface having a constant diameter, a curvilinear surface extending from the linear surface, a recessed surface having a diameter less than the diameter of the curvilinear surface, and a chamfer between the recessed surface and the curvilinear surface. The diameter of the linear surface is substantially equal to an inner diameter of the tubular member after expansion, while the chamfer has a maximum diameter less than an inner diameter of the tubular member prior to expansion. The curvilinear surface has a diameter defined by a radius of curvature which is tangent to the chamfer at the maximum diameter and tangent to the linear surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2009Publication date: February 25, 2010Applicant: ENVENTURE GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY, LLCInventors: Richard Murray Whiddon, Terry Dale Jones