Patents by Inventor Robert E. Bender

Robert E. Bender 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: 10577903
    Abstract: A plunger assembly arranged to minimize uneven wear spots or areas thereon during the plunger assembly's horizontal and vertical travel within a hydrocarbon producing well conduit. The plunger assembly comprises an elongated central mandrel having an elongated central bore extending longitudinally therethrough for transmitting fluids from a well through the plunger assembly, the elongated central mandrel having a generally cylindrically shaped outer surface along portions thereof, and a plurality of arcuately shaped wear pads guidedly supported on the cylindrically shaped outer portions of the central mandrel An array of elongated helically presented protrusions and a corresponding array of elongated helically presented grooves in mating interdigitation are arranged between the outer portions of the mandrel and their radially adjacent wear pads, so as to provide an inducement of rotation to the plunger assembly about its longitudinal axis during the plunger assembly's travel through a well conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Wellmaster Corp
    Inventors: David A. Green, Robert E. Bender, Daniel J. Nelson
  • Patent number: 9869165
    Abstract: A plunger for extraction of hydrocarbon fluids from a gas well system wherein the plunger is arranged to move upwardly and downwardly in an arrangement of inner tubing within the gas well system. The plunger comprises an elongated housing sleeve having a longitudinally directed bore, an elongated central chamber within the longitudinally directed bore, the central chamber having a plug nestable seat at each end thereof; and a plug displacably arranged within the central chamber so as to seal the bore during travel of the plug in a first direction in the inner tubing, and to permit flow of fluid through the plunger as the plunger travels in a second direction in the inner tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Well Master Corp
    Inventors: Kevin W. Hightower, David A. Green, Neil W. Longfellow, Robert E. Bender
  • Publication number: 20170101856
    Abstract: A plunger assembly arranged to minimize uneven wear spots or areas thereon during the plunger assembly's horizontal and vertical travel within a hydrocarbon producing well conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: David A. Green, Robert E. Bender, Daniel J. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20160108710
    Abstract: A plunger for extraction of hydrocarbon fluids from a gas well system wherein the plunger is arranged to move upwardly and downwardly in an arrangement of inner tubing within the gas well system. The plunger comprises an elongated housing sleeve having a longitudinally directed bore, an elongated central chamber within the longitudinally directed bore, the central chamber having a plug nestable seat at each end thereof; and a plug displacably arranged within the central chamber so as to seal the bore during travel of the plug in a first direction in the inner tubing, and to permit flow of fluid through the plunger as the plunger travels in a second direction in the inner tubing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventors: Kevin W. Hightower, David A. Green, Neil W. Longfellow, Robert E. Bender
  • Patent number: 9121269
    Abstract: A plunger assembly arranged to minimize uneven wear spots thereon during the plunger assembly's horizontal and vertical travel within a hydrocarbon producing well conduit. The plunger assembly comprises an elongated central mandrel having a bore extending longitudinally therethrough for transmitting gaseous fluids from a well, through the plunger assembly, a pair of longitudinally spaced-apart sets of arcuately shaped wear pads guidably supported on outer portions of the elongated central mandrel, and at least one tangentially directed nozzle arranged to direct gaseous fluids from the bore of the elongated central mandrel against an inner side of at least one of the arcuately shaped wear pads arranged on the outer portions of the elongated central mandrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Well Master Corp
    Inventors: Neil W. Longfellow, David A. Green, Robert E. Bender
  • Publication number: 20140326451
    Abstract: A plunger assembly arranged to minimize uneven wear spots thereon during the plunger assembly's horizontal and vertical travel within a hydrocarbon producing well conduit. The plunger assembly comprises an elongated central mandrel having a bore extending longitudinally therethrough for transmitting gaseous fluids from a well, through the plunger assembly, a pair of longitudinally spaced-apart sets of arcuately shaped wear pads guidably supported on outer portions of the elongated central mandrel, and at least one tangentially directed nozzle arranged to direct gaseous fluids from the bore of the elongated central mandrel against an inner side of at least one of the arcuately shaped wear pads arranged on the outer portions of the elongated central mandrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Neil W. Longfellow, David A. Green, Robert E. Bender
  • Patent number: 8869902
    Abstract: A plunger system for maximizing the liquid lift potential of a plunger arranged for vertical travel in a conduit in a gas/oil production well. The plunger system comprises an elongated plunger body mandrel having an upper or first end and a second or lower end with a fluid transmitting bore extending longitudinally therethrough, from the second or lower end of the plunger body and into at least a central portion of the plunger body, a plurality of curvilinearly shaped, replaceable wear pads arranged in a controllably radially displaceable manner on the plunger body, and at least one fluid ejecting nozzle arranged extending through a side wall of the plunger body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Well Master Corp.
    Inventors: Jesse L. Smith, David A. Green, Robert E. Bender
  • Patent number: 8863837
    Abstract: A plunger lift control system for improving the output efficiency of an oil or gas well by a real-time reporting arrangement, the system comprising: a tubing string having an upper end and a lower end, the tubing string arranged within a well casing for receiving a plunger traveling therethrough, a plunger having a sound generating function therewith, so as to transmit a real-time lower-end location signal from the plunger to a signal sensor and processor arranged in communication with a system controller arranged at the upper end of the tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Well Master Corp
    Inventors: Robert E. Bender, David A. Green
  • Patent number: 8805575
    Abstract: A method for delivering fasteners to a remote installation tool is provided. The method includes delivering a first fastener of a first type to a remote installation tool in response to receiving a request for a fastener of the first type from an operator and staging a second fastener of the first type for delivery to the remote installation tool. The staging begins prior to receiving a request for another fastener of the first type from the operator. The staging includes retrieving the second fastener of the first type from a storage location and transferring the second fastener of the first type from the storage location to a staging location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Daniel David Bloch, Robert E. Bender
  • Patent number: 8607880
    Abstract: An elongated plunger arrangement for moving up and down in a tubing string and a plunger lift system for an oil well and a gas well, the plunger having an upper portion, an intermediate portion and a lower portion, all of the portions having an elongated longitudinally directed bore or cavity therewithin, the plunger also having a direction accelerating arrangement therewithin, the direction accelerating arrangement comprising an elongated acceleration inducing valve containing shift rod extending through the elongated bore, wherein the shift rod is longer than the elongated plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Well Master Corp
    Inventors: Jesse L. Smith, David A. Green, Robert E. Bender
  • Publication number: 20120273222
    Abstract: A plunger system for maximizing the liquid lift potential of a plunger arranged for vertical travel in a conduit in a gas/oil production well. The plunger system comprises an elongated plunger body mandrel having an upper or first end and a second or lower end with a fluid transmitting bore extending longitudinally therethrough, from the second or lower end of the plunger body and into at least a central portion of the plunger body, a plurality of curvilinearly shaped, replaceable wear pads arranged in a controllably radially displaceable manner on the plunger body, and at least one fluid ejecting nozzle arranged extending through a side wall of the plunger body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Well Master Corp
    Inventors: Jesse L. Smith, David A. Green, Robert E. Bender
  • Publication number: 20120193091
    Abstract: A plunger lift control system for improving the output efficiency of an oil or gas well by a real-time reporting arrangement, the system comprising: a tubing string having an upper end and a lower end, the tubing string arranged within a well casing for receiving a plunger traveling therethrough, a plunger having a sound generating function therewith, so as to transmit a real-time lower-end location signal from the plunger to a signal sensor and processor arranged in communication with a system controller arranged at the upper end of the tubing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Robert E. Bender, David A. Green
  • Patent number: 8162053
    Abstract: A elongated plunger assembly for pressurized, conduit-enclosed travel utilized in recovery of hydrocarbon deposits in a ground penetrating oil or gas well. The plunger comprises an elongated mandrel, a plurality of radially movable curvilinear wear pads circumferentially disposed adjacent each end of the elongated mandrel, a pad-edge retaining housing extending on at least one end of the elongated mandrel to enclosably retain the longitudinally distal end of a circumferential array of wear pads onto the mandrel, and a centrally disposed wear pad securement ring arrangement to permit release of a worn wear pad, replacement of the worn wear pad at an inner longitudinal edge thereof, thus to permit simple field-accessable removal and replacement of any particular “conduit-worn” “wear” pad from the mandrel of the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Well Master Corp.
    Inventors: David A. Green, Robert E. Bender
  • Publication number: 20120006845
    Abstract: Fastener clearing systems and methods for a fastener delivery system are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes an extractor tool having one or more vacuum generators in fluid communication with a catcher for retaining fasteners during transport. The vacuum generators are selectively activated to draw fasteners into the catcher. A backflow port is formed in the extractor tool and introduces pressurized air into the catcher to dislodge fasteners that adhere to the catcher after the vacuum generators have been deactivated. The backflow port may be formed in a fitting positioned between vacuum generators and securing the vacuum generators to one another. The vacuum generators and fitting may define a common fluid channel opening into a fastener seat adapted to receive a portion of a fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: Daniel D. Bloch, Robert E. Bender
  • Patent number: 8046898
    Abstract: Fastener clearing systems and methods for a fastener delivery system are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes an extractor tool having one or more vacuum generators in fluid communication with a catcher for retaining fasteners during transport. The vacuum generators are selectively activated to draw fasteners into the catcher. A backflow port is formed in the extractor tool and introduces pressurized air into the catcher to dislodge fasteners that adhere to the catcher after the vacuum generators have been deactivated. The backflow port may be formed in a fitting positioned between vacuum generators and securing the vacuum generators to one another. The vacuum generators and fitting may define a common fluid channel opening into a fastener seat adapted to receive a portion of a fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Daniel D. Bloch, Robert E. Bender
  • Publication number: 20110105011
    Abstract: An access door assembly for use in an air-handling unit provides a structural member that prevents over-compression of gaskets by the access door panel for improved gasket life and effectiveness and increases the thermal efficiency properties or the air-handling unit. The access door assembly has a “Z” shaped cross-section and includes a gasket channel and an anti-compression leg having a rim to prevent over compression of the gasket located in the gasket channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventors: Harold J. DUBENSKY, Mark D. MOYERS, Tim J. ROGGE, Todd CARLSON, Robert D. MYERS, Robert E. BENDER, Martin D. WEATHERD
  • Publication number: 20110073322
    Abstract: An elongated plunger arrangement for moving up and down in a tubing string and a plunger lift system for an oil well and a gas well, the plunger having an upper portion, an intermediate portion and a lower portion, all of the portions having an elongated longitudinally directed bore or cavity therewithin, the plunger also having a direction accelerating arrangement therewithin, the direction accelerating arrangement comprising an elongated acceleration inducing valve containing shift rod extending through the elongated bore, wherein the shift rod is longer than the elongated plunger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: Jesse L. Smith, David A. Green, Robert E. Bender
  • Patent number: 7891210
    Abstract: An HVAC&R system including a blower system having a vertical motor adjustment is provided. The HVAC&R system includes a cooling unit, a heating unit, an air conditioning unit, and a blower unit. The blower unit includes a blower assembly having a fan unit within a fan unit support frame. A motor attached to a height adjustable motor base is attached to a top surface of the fan unit support frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Harold J. Dubensky, Wayne Joseph Pierjok, Jyotindra S. Shah, Martin Dale Weatherd, Robert E. Bender, Bryan Burnworth
  • Patent number: 7793728
    Abstract: A plunger in a plunger lift system in an oil and gas well includes shaped grooves spaced along the plunger body, angled fins or below the grooves, an elongated interior cavity open at the bottom, and passages connecting the interior cavity to the grooves. The shape, sizing and spacing of the grooves improves plunger seal and decreases liquid loss during plunger lift. The flutes or fins spin the plunger to clean the tubing string and prevent the plunger from becoming stuck in the lubricator. The interior cavity lightens the plunger and, in combination with the passages, improves the seal created by the shaped grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Well Master Corp
    Inventor: Robert E. Bender
  • Patent number: 7748448
    Abstract: An oil and gas well production unit for the retrieval of oil and gas from a diminishing oil and gas production field. The unit comprises a well casing within the field attached to a lubricator assembly. A plunger is arranged for reciprocable travel within a tubing in the casing and the lubricator to assist in the production of oil and gas removal from the oil and gas well production unit. A plunger examination port is arranged within the lubricator assembly to permit determination of the amount of wear of the plunger without having to remove the plunger from the lubricator assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Well Master Corp
    Inventor: Robert E. Bender