Patents by Inventor Robert A. Bates

Robert A. Bates 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).

  • Method and multi-purpose apparatus for control of fluid in wellbore casing
    Patent number: 6571880
    Abstract: A downhole apparatus is described as having an upper mandrel shearably connected to a lower mandrel by a first set of shear pins. Each of the mandrels has an elastomeric cement plug formed around the mandrels. A sleeve is shearably connected within the lower mandrel. The operation of the apparatus, which includes a method for controlling the flow of fluid out of the end of a tubular string, involves dropping a first small diameter ball from the earth3 s surface. The ball is sized such that it travels through the upper mandrel and settles into the sleeve which is connected within the lower mandrel. By increasing pump pressure at the earth's surface, the lower mandrel is separated from the upper mandrel by shearing the first set of shear pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Frank's International, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Butterfield, Jr., Robert A. Bates, David F. Laurel, Samuel P. Hawkins, Burney J. Latiolais, Jr., Keith T. Lutgring