Patents by Inventor Richard R. Watson

Richard R. Watson 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: 6973936
    Abstract: A fluid injection system controls the distribution of fluid from a supply line to a selected well at an adjustable rate. A fluid barrier divides a cylinder into first and second chambers. A multi-position valve comprises a first position for passing fluid from the supply line into the first chamber to displace fluid from the second chamber back through the valve to an injection point, and a second position for passing fluid from the supply line to the second chamber to displace fluid from the first chamber back through the valve to the injection point. A control system in communication with a position sensor times displacement of the fluid barrier to selected positions, and selectively adjusts a variable valve opening to adjust flow rate, switch between the first and second positions, and periodically increase the valve opening for cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Inventor: Richard R. Watson
  • Patent number: 6745838
    Abstract: The chemical injection system (10) is provided for controlling the distribution of chemical fluid from a supply conduit (12) into an individual petroleum well at an adjustable rate. The system includes a remotely operated two position control valve (14) connected to the supply conduit, and cylinder (30) having a cylinder bore (31) with first input-output port (34), and a second input-output port (36). The fluid barrier (50, 150, 250, 251) is provided within the cylinder bore, such that chemical fluid flows from the supply conduit through the control valve to one end of the cylinder bore and forces the barrier to displace a fixed volume of fluid. Each operation of the directional control valve reverses travel direction of the barrier within the cylinder bore and injects another fixed quantity of fluid into the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Richard R. Watson
  • Publication number: 20040000762
    Abstract: A dirty fluid valve for sealing high differential fluid pressures in a drilling environment and methods for using such a valve is disclosed. One embodiment of the valve includes a seal cartridge having several openings for directing a fluid path through the cartridge, a spring connected at one end of the seal cartridge and extending through the fluid path, and a seal member connected to the other end of the spring. The seal is actuatable between an open position and a closed position so that it covers one of the openings in the seal cartridge when it is in the closed position, thereby sealing off the fluid flow through the seal cartridge fluid path. The spring provides a pre-loading force to the seal member so that the seal member always has sufficient contact with the surfaces surrounding the opening that the seal covers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard R. Watson, Preston N. Weintraub
  • Patent number: 6651696
    Abstract: A relief valve with two outlet ports increases the flow capacity of the valve when open. In an alternative embodiment, a relief valve with two outlet ports also has at least two springs stacked vertically. Alternative seal assemblies can be used with the aforementioned dual outlet port valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Gilmore Valve Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rodney C. Hope, Richard R. Watson, F. Harold Hollister
  • Patent number: 6571822
    Abstract: A relief valve having blow down values of 5% or lower is disclosed. The low blow down values are the result of reducing friction within the relief valve. The relief valve includes a movable plunger. Clearance is provided whereby the plunger does not experience significant friction as it moves into sealing contact with the seal assembly. An energized seal assembly forms a tight seal against the plunger while creating little friction, as the seal is elastomeric and the point of contact is minimized. The relief valve further includes an outlet port, which is adjustable 360° about the relief valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Gilmore Valve Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Neugebauer, Richard R. Watson
  • Patent number: 6568418
    Abstract: The precision regulator connects to a high pressure fluid source and regulates the pressure to a downstream apparatus. If an overpressure occurs, it can be vented to atmosphere. An elongate control stem engages a supply seal assembly and a vent seal assembly and moves axially and past these seal assemblies to achieve regulation and venting. The set point of the regulator can be adjusted by rotation of an adjustment knob that adjusts the position of the elongate control stem relative to the supply seal assembly and the vent seal assembly. Regulation is achieved primarily by use of a sensor piston which transfers fluid pressure from a regulated port to the sensor piston which is opposed by a spring. Both the supply seal assembly and the vent seal assembly rely upon an o-ring and a seal ring to achieve a seal with the outside circumference of the control stem. The o-ring is compressed and distorted, thus exerting forces against the seal ring to achieve a better seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Gilmore Valve Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rodney C. Hope, Thomas W. Neugebauer, Richard R. Watson
  • Publication number: 20030056955
    Abstract: The chemical injection system (10) is provided for controlling the distribution of chemical fluid from a supply conduit (12) into an individual petroleum well at an adjustable rate. The system includes a remotely operated two position control valve (14) connected to the supply conduit, and cylinder (30) having a cylinder bore (31) with first input-output port (34), and a second input-output port (36). The fluid barrier (50, 150, 250, 251) is provided within the cylinder bore, such that chemical fluid flows from the supply conduit through the control valve to one end of the cylinder bore and forces the barrier to displace a fixed volume of fluid. Each operation of the directional control valve reverses travel direction of the barrier within the cylinder bore and injects another fixed quantity of fluid into the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventor: Richard R. Watson
  • Publication number: 20030051756
    Abstract: A relief valve with two outlet ports increases the flow capacity of the valve when open. In an alternative embodiment, a relief valve with two outlet ports also has at least two springs stacked vertically. Alternative seal assemblies can be used with the aforementioned dual outlet port valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Rodney C. Hope, Richard R. Watson, F. Harold Hollister
  • Publication number: 20030047223
    Abstract: A spool valve may be used in a subsea system with a single upstream pilot valve to control the spool valve. The spool valve opens and closes a main valve in response to fluid signals from the pilot valve. The main valve is connected to a source of pressurized supply fluid, which is selectively directed to a downstream apparatus. The spool valve and the main valve can be produced in an integrated design with a single body. In an alternative embodiment, the spool valve and main valve are separate with separate bodies. The spool valve may also be used in non-subsea systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventor: Richard R. Watson
  • Patent number: 6527010
    Abstract: A spool valve may be used in a subsea system with a single upstream pilot valve to control the spool valve. The spool valve opens and closes a main valve in response to fluid signals from the pilot valve. The main valve is connected to a source of pressurized supply fluid, which is selectively directed to a downstream apparatus. The spool valve and the main valve can be produced in an integrated design with a single body. In an alternative embodiment, the spool valve and main valve are separate with separate bodies. The spool valve may also be used in non-subsea systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Gilmore Valve Co.
    Inventor: Richard R. Watson
  • Publication number: 20030029504
    Abstract: A relief valve having blow down values of 5% or lower is disclosed. The low blow down values are the result of reducing friction within the relief valve. The relief valve includes a movable plunger. Clearance is provided whereby the plunger does not experience significant friction as it moves into sealing contact with the seal assembly. An energized seal assembly forms a tight seal against the plunger while creating little friction, as the seal is elastomeric and the point of contact is minimized. The relief valve further includes an outlet port, which is adjustable 360° about the relief valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas W. Neugebauer, Richard R. Watson
  • Patent number: 6497251
    Abstract: A hydraulic latching spool valve has at movable piston and valve cage defining two seats. In the valve cage, a moveable piston is operable to move the valve into open and closed positions. A spring positioned in a pilot close chamber urges the piston to close. A pulse of fluid pressure at a pilot open chamber causes the piston to open. A latching chamber is formed on the interior of the piston, the latching chamber being exposed to supply pressure when the piston is in the open position. Accordingly, in the open position, supply fluid in the latching chamber generates sufficient latching force to overcome opposing forces generated by the sprig. The supply pressure holds the piston in the open position until a pulse of fluid pressure is applied to the pilot close chamber, thereby causing the valve to close.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Gilmore Valve Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Richard R. Watson
  • Patent number: 6318400
    Abstract: The hydraulic shuttle valve has two coaxial supply ports and a transverse function port to direct fluid coming from alternative control sources to a blow out preventor (BOP). The valve includes a moveable shuttle with opposing tapered metal sealing surfaces to alternatively engage opposing coaxial metal valve seats. The shuttle moves back and forth into alternative sealing engagement depending on which supply port has the highest fluid pressure. As the shuttle moves from engagement with one metal seat to engagement with another, there is low or no interflow from one supply port to the other, thus maximizing the amount of fluid directed to the function port. An obtuse metal point is formed on each metal valve seat which comes into contact with a respective outward tapered sealing surface on the shuttle. Repeated movement of the shuttle to and fro displaces a portion of the metal point into a recessed chamfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Gilmore Valve Company
    Inventors: Rodney C. Hope, Richard R. Watson, F. Harold Hollister
  • Patent number: 5901749
    Abstract: A high pressure poppet valve having a valve body defining inlet, outlet and vent passages, and with a valve cage in sealed relation within the valve body which defines an internal seat projection having spaced circular seat shoulders. A seal carrier, which may be a pilot pressure responsive piston, supports spaced seal glands each having a seal assembly composed of an elastomeric seal ring which is captured within a gland seal recess by a relatively hard, extrusion resistant seal ring defining a circular sealing corner. A spacer spool is interposed between the seal assemblies and maintains the seal assemblies within the respective gland seal recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: Gilmore Valve Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard R. Watson
  • Patent number: 5771931
    Abstract: A reciprocating sleeve type valve mechanism having a valve housing within which is located a cage element. A piston, movably positioned within the valve housing, accomplishes linear opening movement of a cylindrical seal sleeve with respect to spaced polymer seals within the housing. Closing movement of the seal sleeve is accomplished by a return spring. Sealing between the cage element and a wear resistant external ceramic liner of the seal sleeve is accomplished by a seal assembly having a centrally located elastomer seal ring with polymer backup wiper rings positioned on opposite sides thereof. The seal assembly provides a bearing and guiding function to stabilize the seal sleeve during its opening and closing movement and to wipe particulate from the sealing surface of the seal sleeve as well as to maintain efficient sealing with the seal sleeve as the valve is opened and closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Gilmore Valve Company
    Inventor: Richard R. Watson
  • Patent number: 4856557
    Abstract: A high pressure, low friction slide valve incorporates a valve body defining parallel spaced internal sealing surfaces and inlet, vent and function ports communicating with an internal valve chamber. A seal carrier is movable within the valve chamber and supports a seal cylinder for rockable motion therein. The seal cylinder has sealing contact with one of the sealing surfaces while a seal rod projecting from a transverse passage of the seal cylinder has sealing contact with the opposite sealing surface. Within the seal rod is positioned a packing member which is of a configuration establishing sealing within the seal cylinder only at a location immediately adjacent the inner end of the seal rod, thus permitting the seal cylinder and seal rod to have low friction metal-to-metal sealing engagement with the parallel sealing surfaces without necessitating the provision of close tolerance seals or O-rings and thus permitting efficient high pressure sealing and low friction movement of the valve mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: Gilmore Valve Company
    Inventor: Richard R. Watson
  • Patent number: 4793590
    Abstract: A piloted check valve includes a closure that is pressure balanced to relieve pressure on non-metallic seat when valve is closed against high pressure differential. The closure includes a disc having a stem moving in a sealed chamber communicating through the stem and disc with the interior of the valve seat opening. The chamber is provided by a cylindrical wall received in a socket in the valve body. The closure disc has a lip engaging the seat, the lip I.D. being about equal to that of the seat opening and the valve stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Assignee: Gilmore Valve Company
    Inventor: Richard R. Watson
  • Patent number: 4493335
    Abstract: A shear valve includes vent, supply and regulated ports, with the latter two including coaxial connection means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1985
    Assignee: Gilmore Valve Company
    Inventor: Richard R. Watson
  • Patent number: 4456028
    Abstract: A valve comprises a hollow body having an inlet and an outlet, a seat ring in the outlet provides a face adapted to engage a gate, a closure mounted for movement relative to the seat ring and including a carrier having a passage therethrough in which are slidably disposed a lipped gate disc adapted to engage the seat face and block the outlet when the valve is in closed position, a pressure spring pressing the gate disc against the seat face when the valve is in closed position, and a ball transferring the reaction of the spring to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1984
    Assignee: Gilmore Valve Company
    Inventor: Richard R. Watson