Patents by Inventor Robert Graham Jeffrey

Robert Graham Jeffrey 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: 9243495
    Abstract: A tool for use in initiating a hydraulic fracture in a bore hole comprises an elongate cylindrical bore hole packer structure (11) having an inner longitudinal passage (12), a mid-portion (13) provided with ports (14) extending outwardly from passage (12) to the exterior periphery of the packer structure (11) and expandable circumferential well portions (15A) surrounding the inner longitudinal passage (12) to each side of the mid-portion (13). In use of the tool the circumferential wall portions (15A) can be expanded by injection of hydraulic fracturing fluid into passage 12) and exit of the injected fluid through the ports (14) to produce a pressure difference between the inside of the packer structure and the outside of the packer structure as the fluid passes through the ports (14) such that the hydraulic fluid exiting the packer structure can initiate a fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: COMMONWEALTH SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH ORGANISATION
    Inventors: Robert Graham Jeffrey, Anthony Charles Coleman
  • Publication number: 20130140872
    Abstract: A tool for use in initiating a hydraulic fracture in a bore hole comprises an elongate cylindrical bore hole packer structure (11) having an inner longitudinal passage (12), a mid-portion (13) provided with ports (14) extending outwardly from passage (12) to the exterior periphery of the packer structure (11) and expandable circumferential well portions (15A) surrounding the inner longitudinal passage (12) to each side of the mid-portion (13). In use of the tool the circumferential wall portions (15A) can be expanded by injection of hydraulic fracturing fluid into passage 12) and exit of the injected fluid through the ports (14) to produce a pressure difference between the inside of the packer structure and the outside of the packer structure as the fluid passes through the ports (14) such that the hydraulic fluid exiting the packer structure can initiate a fracture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
    Inventors: Robert Graham Jeffrey, Anthony Charles Coleman
  • Patent number: 6123394
    Abstract: A method of mining that makes use of hydraulic fracturing. The method comprises fracturing an ore body hydraulically by introducing fluid rapidly into a bore or fissure in the ore body such that pressure in the bore or fissure builds up rapidly and it fractures the surrounding ore body. This enables the surrounding ore body to cave into a suitable space such as an undercut from which the ore can then be recovered. The method is particularly useful in block caving as a replacement for explosives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
    Inventor: Robert Graham Jeffrey