Patents by Inventor Robert Dirocco

Robert Dirocco 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: 10808479
    Abstract: A setting tool for setting a ball actuated device includes a ball carrying assembly. The ball carrying assembly includes a ball, an outer housing including an axis extending therethrough, and an inner housing positionable within the outer housing and configured to move axially along the axis with respect to the outer housing. The inner housing includes a recess formed therein to receive the ball therein, and the inner housing is releasably coupled to the ball actuated device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: FORUM US, INC.
    Inventor: Robert DiRocco
  • Patent number: 10808491
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to plug apparatus and methods, and components thereof, for oil and gas wellbores. In one implementation, a plug for oil and gas wellbores includes a mandrel, and a gauge ring disposed around the mandrel. The plug also includes a guide shoe disposed around the mandrel. The plug also includes a first cone, a second cone, and a seal element between the first cone and the second cone. The seal element includes an edge that faces the second cone. The seal element is movable between a preset position and a set position, and the movement of the seal element between the preset position and the set position folds the edge of the seal element in a direction from a second end of the seal element towards a first end of the seal element and underneath an outer portion of the seal element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: FORUM US, INC.
    Inventor: Robert Dirocco
  • Patent number: 10648275
    Abstract: A frac plug that is energized by a ball member, the frac plug comprising an upper mandrel having a tapered outer surface, a seal member coupled to the upper mandrel, and a lower mandrel coupled to the upper mandrel. A button ring having one or more buttons is disposed about the upper mandrel. The lower mandrel is movable relative to the upper mandrel to move the button ring along the tapered outer surface and force the buttons into gripping contact with a surrounding wellbore. The seal member is movable into sealing contact with the surrounding wellbore by the ball member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: FORUM US, INC.
    Inventor: Robert Dirocco
  • Patent number: 10626697
    Abstract: A frac plug for use in a wellbore includes an upper mandrel with an axis extending therethrough and a lower mandrel that moves axially along the axis and towards the upper mandrel. The frac plug further includes a sealing element and a grip ring that move radially outward from the axis and into engagement with the wellbore. The grip ring includes a first gripping element positioned at a first rake angle with respect to the axis to prevent upward movement of the grip ring with respect to the wellbore when in gripping engagement with the wellbore, and a second gripping element positioned at a second rake angle with respect to the axis that is different from the first rake angle to prevent downward movement of the grip ring with respect to the wellbore when in gripping engagement with the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: FORUM US, INC.
    Inventor: Robert Dirocco
  • Publication number: 20200072008
    Abstract: A setting tool for setting a ball actuated device includes a ball carrying assembly. The ball carrying assembly includes a ball, an outer housing including an axis extending therethrough, and an inner housing positionable within the outer housing and configured to move axially along the axis with respect to the outer housing. The inner housing includes a recess formed therein to receive the ball therein, and the inner housing is releasably coupled to the ball actuated device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventor: Robert DIROCCO
  • Publication number: 20200072020
    Abstract: A frac plug for use in a wellbore includes an upper mandrel with an axis extending therethrough and a lower mandrel that moves axially along the axis and towards the upper mandrel. The frac plug further includes a sealing element and a grip ring that move radially outward from the axis and into engagement with the wellbore. The grip ring includes a first gripping element positioned at a first rake angle with respect to the axis to prevent upward movement of the grip ring with respect to the wellbore when in gripping engagement with the wellbore, and a second gripping element positioned at a second rake angle with respect to the axis that is different from the first rake angle to prevent downward movement of the grip ring with respect to the wellbore when in gripping engagement with the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventor: Robert DIROCCO
  • Patent number: 10428616
    Abstract: A frac plug having a mandrel body, a cap coupled to an upper end of the mandrel body and an outer housing coupled to a lower end of the mandrel body. A guide shoe is coupled to the outer housing. A single slip assembly is positioned between the cap and the guide shoe and surrounds the mandrel body. A sealing element is positioned between the cap and the single slip assembly and surrounds the mandrel body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: FORUM US, INC.
    Inventor: Robert Dirocco
  • Publication number: 20190203557
    Abstract: A frac plug that is energized by a ball member, the frac plug comprising an upper mandrel having a tapered outer surface, a seal member coupled to the upper mandrel, and a lower mandrel coupled to the upper mandrel. A button ring having one or more buttons is disposed about the upper mandrel. The lower mandrel is movable relative to the upper mandrel to move the button ring along the tapered outer surface and force the buttons into gripping contact with a surrounding wellbore. The seal member is movable into sealing contact with the surrounding wellbore by the ball member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventor: Robert DIROCCO
  • Publication number: 20190162044
    Abstract: A frac plug having a mandrel body, a cap coupled to an upper end of the mandrel body and an outer housing coupled to a lower end of the mandrel body. A guide shoe is coupled to the outer housing. A single slip assembly is positioned between the cap and the guide shoe and surrounds the mandrel body. A sealing element is positioned between the cap and the single slip assembly and surrounds the mandrel body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventor: Robert DIROCCO
  • Publication number: 20160047188
    Abstract: A molded slip assembly comprises a shear ring coupled to a plurality of slip segments to form a unitary solid ring and a plurality of drillable bases. A drillable base is molded to an inner surface of each of the plurality of slip segments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventor: Robert Dirocco