Patents by Inventor Robert L. Thurman

Robert L. Thurman 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: 9850742
    Abstract: Disclosed is reclosable sleeve assembly including a housing defining one or more flow ports that provide fluid communication between a wellbore annulus and an interior of the housing, an outer sleeve arranged within the housing and movable between a closed position, where the outer sleeve occludes the one or more flow ports, and an open position, where the one or more flow ports are exposed, and an inner sleeve concentrically arranged within the outer sleeve and defining a plurality of flow slots, the inner sleeve being movable between an open position and a closed position where, when in the open position, the plurality of flow slots are axially aligned with the one or more flow ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Beck, Tom Swan, Robert L. Thurman, Ellen Thurman
  • Publication number: 20110042099
    Abstract: A downhole pressure barrier (100) operatively positionable in a subterranean well. The downhole pressure barrier (100) includes a housing (102) having a flow passage (122) formed therethrough. A plug member (124) that is positioned within the flow passage (122) selectively prevents flow through the flow passage (122) and allows flow through the flow passage (122) responsive to contact with an activating agent. At least one retainer assembly (130) supports the plug member (124) within the housing (102). The retainer assembly (130) selectively prevents communication between the activating agent and the plug member (124). An activating assembly including a combustible agent (164) that is positioned between the retainer assembly (130) and the plug member (124) is operable to create a communication path through the retainer assembly (130) upon combustion of the combustible agent (164) to allow communication between the activating agent and the plug member (124).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Jimmie R. Williamson, JR., Robert L. Thurman
  • Patent number: 7367397
    Abstract: A downhole impact generator (60) is adapted to be moved to a target location within a wellbore (68) for transmitting a jarring force to a well tool (72) positioned in the wellbore (68). The downhole impact generator (60) includes a downhole power unit (62) having a moveable shaft (66) and a jarring tool (64). The jarring tool (64) is operably engageable with the well tool (72) and is operably coupled with the moveable shaft (66) of the downhole power unit (62) such that when the jarring tool (64) is operably engaged with the well tool (72), linear movement of the moveable shaft (66) energizes the jarring tool (64) such that a jarring force can be transmitted by the jarring tool (64) to the well tool (72).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack G. Clemens, Jerry C. Foster, Robert L. Thurman
  • Patent number: 6953094
    Abstract: A subterranean well completion has a tubular structure in which a remote controlled robot is permanently disposed. The robot is self-propelled, programmable, receives instructions from and communicates data to the surface, and is adapted to receive power from a downhole source and perform a variety of well tasks such as, for example, positioning valves and other well tools and sensing the values of predetermined downhole parameters and relaying the sensed information to the surface. The robot, which is operable without physical intervention through the tubular structure to the robot, propels itself to a location in the tubular structure at which a desired well task is to be performed, performs the task and then parks itself in the tubular structure until another well task is to be performed by the robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Colby Munro Ross, Robert L. Thurman, Syed Hamid, Clifford David Wohleb, Jr., Ronald W. McGregor
  • Patent number: 6848507
    Abstract: An expandable wirefinder (60) for locating a wire downhole comprises a sleeve (62) and a dual collet assembly (72). The dual collet assembly (72) has first and second collet members (78, 82) each having plurality of collet fingers (80, 84). The dual collet assembly (72) is slidable relative to the sleeve (62) to operate between running and finding positions. In the running position, the first collet member (78) is partially disposed within the sleeve (62) with its collet fingers (80) inwardly radially biased by the sleeve (62) and the second collet member (82) is disposed within the first collet member (78) with its collet fingers inwardly (84) radially biased by the sleeve (62). In the finding position, the collet fingers (80) of the first collet member (78) radially expand to form gaps therebetween and the collet fingers (84) of the second collet member (82) radially expand into the gaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Malliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffry W. Huggins, Robert L. Thurman
  • Publication number: 20040031604
    Abstract: An expandable wirefinder (60) for locating a wire downhole comprises a sleeve (62) and a dual collet assembly (72). The dual collet assembly (72) has first and second collet members (78, 82) each having plurality of collet fingers (80, 84). The dual collet assembly (72) is slidable relative to the sleeve (62) to operate between running and finding positions. In the running position, the first collet member (78) is partially disposed within the sleeve (62) with its collet fingers (80) inwardly radially biased by the sleeve (62) and the second collet member (82) is disposed within the first collet member (78) with its collet fingers inwardly (84) radially biased by the sleeve (62). In the finding position, the collet fingers (80) of the first collet member (78) radially expand to form gaps therebetween and the collet fingers (84) of the second collet member (82) radially expand into the gaps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: Jeffry W. Huggins, Robert L. Thurman
  • Patent number: 4730677
    Abstract: A system and method for servicing subsea wells with a flexible riser. The flexible riser can be modified for use either with wireline or through the flow line tools. The flexible riser eliminates the requirement for motion or heave compensating equipment associated with rigid marine riser systems. The flexible riser, lower riser package and associated surface support equipment can be used to obtain vertical access to a subsea well without the need to use a drill ship or semisubmersible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1988
    Assignee: Otis Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph L. Pearce, Phillip S. Sizer, John C. Gano, John H. Yonker, Robert L. Thurman, James F. O'Sullivan, Jr., Dayton M. Simpson, Richard A. Roberts, Anthony J. Healey, Urie G. Nooteboom
  • Patent number: 4502542
    Abstract: Disclosed is a well system, particularly adapted to pumpdown operation in which lowering an easily retrievable tool string, including an improved standing valve, into an improved foot valve opens the foot valve for production flow. The standing valve prevents flow into the producing formation when the foot valve is open. Lifting the tool string from the foot valve closes the foot valve to protect the producing formation when the tool string is retrieved. Means are provided retaining the foot valve in open or closed positions. Provisions are made for pumping into the formation around both the standing valve and foot valve when closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1985
    Assignee: Otis Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Robert L. Thurman, Jimmie R. Williamson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4494608
    Abstract: A well system for injection into a selected formation in each tubing string in a multiple formation dual string well completed for through flow line/pumpdown operation, utilizing a string of tools which may be pumped down tubing to open selected tubing sleeve valves between packers. Each tool string includes a pressure openable injection valve which seals across the open sleeve valve and is opened for formation injection flow at preselected pressures by application of tubing pressure at the surface. One type of injection valve closes to flow through when pressure opened for injection flow. The other injection valve is closed to injection flow on insertion of a closing prong having a through flow passage. Both injection valves and their respective tool strings may be individually retrieved closing sleeve valves in each tubing and the formations to injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Assignee: Otis Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Charles R. Williams, John H. Yonker, Robert L. Thurman