Patents by Inventor Robert C. Henschel
Robert C. Henschel 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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Patent number: 10724332Abstract: A subsurface safety valve system for a wellbore is described. The system can include a tubular housing disposed within the wellbore having a cavity running in a longitudinal direction therethrough. The system can also include an electromagnetic device configured to receive electric power to create a magnetic field, and a flapper operative to open and close the cavity in response to the electric power received by the electromagnetic device. The flapper may open in response to the electric power exceeding a first electric power value and remain open in response to the electric power exceeding a second electric power value which is lower than the first electric power value.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2017Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Robert C. Henschel, Jr., Samuel E. Herod, Paul R. Boriack, Shane W. Pfaff, Thomas G. Hill, Jr., Jason C. Mailand
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Patent number: 10378312Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid in an injection well includes a main valve assembly having a valve and a retrievable nozzle selective lock assembly (RNSLA). The RNSLA is operable when positioned within the valve body to open the valve when fluid is pumped into the well and closes the valve when fluid flow is terminated. The RNSLA includes a replaceable orifice nozzle so that orifices of different dimensions may be used in conjunction with the valve assembly. In an alternate embodiment, the RNSLA includes a variable output nozzle assembly to maintain the valve in a protected open position without chattering over a wide range of flow rates.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2018Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: Tejas Research & Engineering, LLCInventors: Thomas G. Hill, Jr., Robert C. Henschel, Rory L. Hodge, Shane W. Pfaff
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Publication number: 20190203564Abstract: A subsurface safety valve system for a wellbore is described. The system can include a tubular housing disposed within the wellbore having a cavity running in a longitudinal direction therethrough. The system can also include an electromagnetic device configured to receive electric power to create a magnetic field, and a flapper operative to open and close the cavity in response to the electric power received by the electromagnetic device. The flapper may open in response to the electric power exceeding a first electric power value and remain open in response to the electric power exceeding a second electric power value which is lower than the first electric power value.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2017Publication date: July 4, 2019Applicant: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.Inventors: Robert C. Henschel, JR., Samuel E. Herod, Paul R. Boriack, Shane W. Pfaff, Thomas G. Hill, JR., Jason C. Mailand
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Publication number: 20180313189Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid in an injection well includes a main valve assembly having a valve and a retrievable nozzle selective lock assembly (RNSLA). The RNSLA is operable when positioned within the valve body to open the valve when fluid is pumped into the well and closes the valve when fluid flow is terminated. The RNSLA includes a replaceable orifice nozzle so that orifices of different dimensions may be used in conjunction with the valve assembly. In an alternate embodiment, the RNSLA includes a variable output nozzle assembly to maintain the valve in a protected open position without chattering over a wide range of flow rates.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2018Publication date: November 1, 2018Applicant: Tejas Research & Engineering, LLCInventors: Thomas G. Hill, JR., Robert C. Henschel, Rory L. Hodge, Shane W. Pfaff
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Patent number: 10100611Abstract: A subsurface safety valve is operable to close a fluid flow path by virtue of an axially movable flow sleeve. The valve includes a recockable actuator and a latch mechanism so that the valve can be moved to a closed position without overcoming the pressure head and frictional forces currently encountered in conventional safety valves. The latch mechanism includes one or more micro pistons.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2016Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: Tejas Research & Engineering, LLCInventors: Thomas G. Hill, Jr., Robert C. Henschel
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Patent number: 10030476Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid in an injection well includes a main valve assembly having a valve and a retrievable nozzle selective lock assembly (RNSLA). The RNSLA is operable when positioned within the valve body to open the valve when fluid is pumped into the well and closes the valve when fluid flow is terminated. The RNSLA includes a replaceable orifice nozzle so that orifices of different dimensions may be used in conjunction with the valve assembly. In an alternate embodiment, the RNSLA includes a variable output nozzle assembly to maintain the valve in a protected open position without chattering over a wide range of flow rates.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2017Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: Tejas Research & Engineering, LLCInventors: Thomas G. Hill, Robert C. Henschel, Rory L. Hodge, Shane W. Pfaff
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Publication number: 20180010423Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid in an injection well includes a main valve assembly having a valve and a retrievable nozzle selective lock assembly (RNSLA). The RNSLA is operable when positioned within the valve body to open the valve when fluid is pumped into the well and closes the valve when fluid flow is terminated. The RNSLA includes a replaceable orifice nozzle so that orifices of different dimensions may be used in conjunction with the valve assembly. In an alternate embodiment, the RNSLA includes a variable output nozzle assembly to maintain the valve in a protected open position without chattering over a wide range of flow rates.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2017Publication date: January 11, 2018Applicant: Tejas Research & Engineering, LLCInventors: Thomas G. Hill, Robert C. Henschel, Rory L. Hodge, Shane W. Pfaff
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Patent number: 9771777Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid in an injection well includes a main valve assembly having a valve and a retrievable nozzle selective lock assembly (RNSLA). The RNSLA is operable when positioned within the valve body to open the valve when fluid is pumped into the well and closes the valve when fluid flow is terminated. The RNSLA includes a replaceable orifice nozzle so that orifices of different dimensions may be used in conjunction with the valve assembly. In an alternate embodiment, the RNSLA includes a variable output nozzle assembly to maintain the valve in a protected open position without chattering over a wide range of flow rates.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2016Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: Tejas Research & Engineering, LLCInventors: Thomas G. Hill, Jr., Robert C. Henschel
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Patent number: 9638006Abstract: A safety system for a well having a cable deployed electronic submersible pump includes a barrier valve having a control line for opening and closing the valve, a first flapper safety valve assembly, and a second flapper safety valve assembly. The second flapper safety valve allows the cable for the pump to pass through the second flapper safety valve when the valve is in a closed position. An integral flapper safety valve assembly incorporates the first and second flapper safety valves.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2013Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: Tejas Research & Engineering, LLCInventors: Robert C. Henschel, Thomas G. Hill
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Patent number: 9624755Abstract: A wireline retrievable injection valve for an oil or gas well has an internal valve that is initially moved to open a flapper safety valve and also opens to allow fluid flow through the valve. The internal valve includes a sleeve that opens the flapper safety valve and shields the flapper safety valve from fluid. In this manner the flapper valve is protected from being caused to “flutter” or “chatter” due to pressure variations in the fluid flow, thereby damaging the seat.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2015Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Tejas Research & Engineering, LLCInventors: Thomas G. Hill, Jr., Robert C. Henschel
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Publication number: 20160356121Abstract: A subsurface safety valve is operable to close a fluid flow path by virtue of an axially movable flow sleeve. The valve includes a recockable actuator and a latch mechanism so that the valve can be moved to a closed position without overcoming the pressure head and frictional forces currently encountered in conventional safety valves. The latch mechanism includes one or more micro pistons.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2016Publication date: December 8, 2016Applicant: Tejas Research and Engineering, LLCInventors: Thomas G. Hill, JR., Robert C. Henschel
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Patent number: 9441456Abstract: A subsurface safety valve is operable to close a fluid flow path by virtue of an axially movable flow sleeve. The valve includes a recockable actuator and a latch mechanism so that the valve can be moved to a closed position without overcoming the pressure head and frictional forces currently encountered in conventional safety valves. The latch mechanism includes one or more micro pistons.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2013Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: Tejas Research + Engineering, LLCInventors: Thomas G. Hill, Jr., Robert C. Henschel
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Publication number: 20160230506Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid in an injection well includes a main valve assembly having a valve and a retrievable nozzle selective lock assembly (RNSLA). The RNSLA is operable when positioned within the valve body to open the valve when fluid is pumped into the well and closes the valve when fluid flow is terminated. The RNSLA includes a replaceable orifice nozzle so that orifices of different dimensions may be used in conjunction with the valve assembly. In an alternate embodiment, the RNSLA includes a variable output nozzle assembly to maintain the valve in a protected open position without chattering over a wide range of flow rates.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2016Publication date: August 11, 2016Applicant: Tejas Research and Engineering, LLCInventors: Thomas G. Hill, JR., Robert C. Henschel
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Patent number: 9334709Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid in an injection well includes a main valve assembly having a valve and a retrievable nozzle selective lock assembly (RNSLA). The RNSLA is operable when positioned within the valve body to open the valve when fluid is pumped into the well and closes the valve when fluid flow is terminated. The RNSLA includes a replaceable orifice nozzle so that orifices of different dimensions may be used in conjunction with the valve assembly. In an alternate embodiment, the RNSLA includes a variable output nozzle assembly to maintain the valve in a protected open position without chattering over a wide range of flow rates.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2012Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: Tejas Research & Engineering, LLCInventors: Thomas G. Hill, Jr., Robert C. Henschel, Rory L. Hodge, Shane W. Pfaff
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Publication number: 20160069156Abstract: A wireline retrievable injection valve for an oil or gas well has an internal valve that is initially moved to open a flapper safety valve and also opens to allow fluid flow through the valve. The internal valve includes a sleeve that opens the flapper safety valve and shields the flapper safety valve from fluid. In this manner the flapper valve is protected from being caused to “flutter” or “chatter” due to pressure variations in the fluid flow, thereby damaging the seat.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2015Publication date: March 10, 2016Applicant: Tejas Research and Engineering, LLCInventors: Thomas G. Hill, JR., Robert C. Henschel
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Patent number: 9217312Abstract: A wireline retrievable injection valve for an oil or gas well has an internal valve that is initially moved to open a flapper safety valve and also opens to allow fluid flow through the valve. The internal valve includes a sleeve that opens the flapper safety valve and shields the flapper safety valve from fluid. In this manner the flapper valve is protected from being caused to “flutter” or “chatter” due to pressure variations in the fluid flow, thereby damaging the seat.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2013Date of Patent: December 22, 2015Assignee: Tejas Research and Engineering, LLCInventors: Thomas G. Hill, Jr., Robert C. Henschel
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Patent number: 9103184Abstract: A valve and valve assembly are provided to allow opening of flow channels through the wall of a tubular by increasing and then decreasing pressure in the tubular. Slidable seals having different areas are used to apply an axial force to a shuttle in the valve in response to differential pressure across the valve when in the closed position. The axial force shears a pin, releasing the shuttle. A decrease of pressure in the tubular can allow the valve to open in response to a spring force. Multiple valves may be placed along a tubular string and the valves may be opened all at substantially the same time or at time intervals determined by pressures applied inside the tubular.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2013Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: Tejas Research & Engineering, LLCInventors: Thomas G. Hill, Jr., Robert C. Henschel
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Publication number: 20150204163Abstract: A valve to act as a barrier to fluid movement in a tubular is provided. A flapper in the valve may be opened by application of a selected pressure differential across the flapper. The flapper opens to allow a cylinder to shift and cover the open flapper. A method of placing a tubular string within a well using the valve as an isolation valve to form gas filled chambers for floating the tubular string into the well is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2015Publication date: July 23, 2015Inventors: Thomas G. Hill, Robert C. Henschel, JR., Shane W. Pfaff
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Patent number: 8960298Abstract: A subsurface safety valve is operable to close a fluid flow path by virtue of an axially movable flow sleeve. The valve includes a recockable linear actuator and a latch mechanism so that the valve can be moved from an open to a closed position as a result of axial movement of the flow sleeve without overcoming the pressure head and frictional forces currently encountered in conventional safety valves.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2013Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Tejas Research and Engineering, LLCInventors: Thomas G. Hill, Jr., Robert C. Henschel
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Publication number: 20140251613Abstract: A valve and valve assembly are provided to allow opening of flow channels through the wall of a tubular by increasing and then decreasing pressure in the tubular. Slidable seals having different areas are used to apply an axial force to a shuttle in the valve in response to differential pressure across the valve when in the closed position. The axial force shears a pin, releasing the shuttle. A decrease of pressure in the tubular can allow the valve to open in response to a spring force. Multiple valves may be placed along a tubular string and the valves may be opened all at substantially the same time or at time intervals determined by pressures applied inside the tubular.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2013Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: TEJAS RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING, LLCInventors: Thomas G. Hill, JR., Robert C. Henschel