Patents by Inventor Robert S. O'Brien

Robert S. O'Brien 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: 11959683
    Abstract: A modulating refrigeration system includes an evaporation unit and a condensing unit. The evaporation unit generates a first output airflow comprising a lower temperature, a lower relative humidity, or both than a first supply airflow and directs the first output airflow into a building. The condensing unit generates a second output airflow at a higher temperature than a second supply airflow and discharges the second output airflow to an unconditioned space. The evaporation unit comprises a first valve operable to direct a portion of refrigerant to a secondary evaporator and primary evaporator or to direct the entire flow of refrigerant to the primary evaporator and bypassing the secondary evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: THERMA-STOR LLC
    Inventors: Grant M. Lorang, Gustavo Daniel Olivera, Weizhong Yu, David Treleven, Todd R. DeMonte, Robert John Motiff, Timothy S. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 11215036
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in a wellbore for performing a treatment operation is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment may include an inner string that further includes a first tubular having a first communication link, and a service tool including a cross-over tool having a fluid flow passage therein for supplying a treatment fluid under pressure from an inside of the service tool to an outside of the service tool, and wherein the service tool includes a second communication link operatively coupled to the first communication link and wherein the second communication link runs across or through the fluid flow passage in the cross-over tool that is protected from direct flow of the fluid under pressure from the inside of the service tool to the outside of the service tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron C. Hammer, Robert S. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 10563765
    Abstract: An inverted seal including a disintegrable body, one or more inside dimension seals disposed in the body. A method for removing an inverted seal from a downhole environment including exposing the body of the inverted seal to a condition to which it is responsive, disintegrating a portion of the body. A method for deploying a conventional seal after an inverted seal in a borehole including positioning an inverted seal in a downhole location, utilizing the inverted seal for its intended purpose, removing at least a portion of a body of the inverted seal, running a conventional seal further downhole of the location of the inverted seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: David S. Bishop, Marc N. Samuelson, Christian F. Bayne, Jason A. Allen, Robert S. O'Brien, Michael S. Manera
  • Patent number: 10465461
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in a wellbore is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment includes a set down tool that includes a locating device configured to engage with an outer member at a selected location, a set down device configured to set down in a set down profile in the outer member when the set down device is activated, an alignment device for activating the set down device and a locking device that operates the alignment device to activate the set down device while maintaining the locating device engaged with the outer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Robert S. O'Brien, Jason A. Allen, Andrew James Cayson, Geoffrey York Powers
  • Patent number: 10378311
    Abstract: Ported sub openings are controlled by a sliding sleeve assembly. In one variation an external sleeve is pressure actuated with internal pressure to open the ports. After the treatment the ports are closed with a ball landed on an internal sleeve seat and pressure applied from above. In a different arrangement a single internal sleeve is provided that is responsive to tubing pressure to open after breaking a retaining member. After the downhole procedure a ball is landed on a seat on the sleeve and pressure is applied to close the ports with the shifted sleeve and ball moving in tandem. Multiple sliding sleeves can be sequentially operated with sliding sleeves held by retainers that break at sequentially higher pressure moving in an uphole direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Wara Bocangel Calderon, Robert S. O'Brien, James S. Sanchez, James T. Nickles
  • Patent number: 10370916
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in a wellbore. The apparatus includes a locating device having a locating collet configured to engage with a locating profile on a housing and disengage from the locating profile when a first pull load is applied to the locating collet, a delay device that prevents application of the first pull load on the locating collet when it is engaged with the locating profile until the delay device has been activated, and a locking device configured to prevent activation of the delay device until a second pull load less than the first is applied on the locking device for a selected period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Robert S. O'Brien, Jason A. Allen, Andrew James Cayson, Geoffrey York Powers
  • Patent number: 10344553
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in a wellbore is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment includes a housing including a first location having a first inside dimension and a second location having a second inside dimension that is larger than the first inside dimension, and a seal assembly placed with a sliding fit at the first location, wherein the seal assembly includes a seal body and an inverted seal along an inside of the seal body and wherein the seal assembly is movable from the first location to the second location and expandable into the second location when the seal assembly is positioned at the second location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Jason A. Allen, Robert S. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 10253594
    Abstract: A zone to be treated comprises a plurality of sliding sleeve valves. The sleeve defined opposed chambers charged with pressurized fluid on opposed sides of the sleeve. Valves responsive to a remote signal with no borehole intervention change the pressure balance on the sleeve to get it to open from a closed position and then close and then to reopen for production. One way this is done is by sequential pressure bleeding off from the opposed chambers. A zone having multiple such valves can be treated without need for dropping balls and subsequent milling out, which allows production to commence sooner with reduced restrictions to flow from the ball seats and without the debris associated from a milling operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: John K. Wakefield, Robert S. O'Brien, Alexander Kendall, Stephen A. Graham, Peter J. Clark
  • Patent number: 10233733
    Abstract: A cross over tool includes, a first tubular forming part of a structure having a channel formed radially through a wall thereof and having a passageway formed longitudinally through the wall. The tool includes a second tubular forming part of a tool string, the second tubular is positionable radially of the first tubular, and has a port through a wall thereof, the port is alignable with the channel. The crossover tool is configured such that while the a port is aligned with the a channel fluid can flow through an inside of the tool string radially through the a port and the a channel and back into the inside of the tool string and through the a passageway and through an annular space defined between the tool string and the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: James A. Smith, Robert S. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 10214993
    Abstract: A fracturing tool features spaced releasable packers with an outlet in between. The housing has relatively moving components for opening the frac port between the packers with weight set on the lower packer. Once the frac port is opened the upper packer is set and the pumping begins. The upper packer can be released so that tension can be pulled on the lower packer to close the frac port and open a through passage in the housing. In one embodiment the through passage can be located above the lower packer to a sand jet perforator to clean debris away from the lower packer if it is difficult to release the lower packer or to abrasively perforate through a tubular. The housing outlet can be below bottom packer to perform a treatment further downhole or to operate another tool. The straddle tool can be run in on coiled tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Zachary S. Silva, Christopher K. Elliott, James A. Smith, Adam M. McGuire, Robert S. O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20190024479
    Abstract: Ported sub openings are controlled by a sliding sleeve assembly. In one variation an external sleeve is pressure actuated with internal pressure to open the ports. After the treatment the ports are closed with a ball landed on an internal sleeve seat and pressure applied from above. In a different arrangement a single internal sleeve is provided that is responsive to tubing pressure to open after breaking a retaining member. After the downhole procedure a ball is landed on a seat on the sleeve and pressure is applied to close the ports with the shifted sleeve and ball moving in tandem. Multiple sliding sleeves can be sequentially operated with sliding sleeves held by retainers that break at sequentially higher pressure moving in an uphole direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Applicant: Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC
    Inventors: Wara Bocangel Calderon, Robert S. O'Brien, James S. Sanchez, James T. Nickles
  • Patent number: 10088047
    Abstract: A seal assembly includes a first tubular having a sealing surface, and a seal element run with the first tubular and displaced from the surface. The seal element initially having a radial dimension that forms a radially innermost or outermost sealing dimension of the first tubular for enabling the first tubular to be sealed with a second tubular radially disposed with the first tubular. A mechanism is triggerable by axial movement for reconfiguring the radial dimension of the seal element. The sealing surface of the first tubular operatively forming the radially innermost or outermost sealing dimension of the first tubular when the radial dimension of the seal element has been reconfigured for enabling the sealing surface of the first tubular to receive a second seal element. The seal element is axially compressed and released to change the radial dimension of the seal element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Jason A. Allen, Nicholas J. Clem, Robert S. O'Brien, Aaron C. Hammer
  • Patent number: 10036237
    Abstract: In one aspect, a device for use in a wellbore is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment includes a body having an outer surface and a bore therethrough, an element on the outer surface of the body that expands radially outward from the body, a movable sleeve on the outer surface of the body that expands the element when pushed against the element, and an attachment device connected to an inside surface of the movable sleeve and accessible from inside the body so that the attachment member may be moved from inside the body to move the sleeve to set the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Robert S. O'Brien, Emily A. Hanson
  • Publication number: 20180163507
    Abstract: A zone to be treated comprises a plurality of sliding sleeve valves. The sleeve defined opposed chambers charged with pressurized fluid on opposed sides of the sleeve. Valves responsive to a remote signal with no borehole intervention change the pressure balance on the sleeve to get it to open from a closed position and then close and then to reopen for production. One way this is done is by sequential pressure bleeding off from the opposed chambers. A zone having multiple such valves can be treated without need for dropping balls and subsequent milling out, which allows production to commence sooner with reduced restrictions to flow from the ball seats and without the debris associated from a milling operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: John K. Wakefield, Robert S. O'Brien, Alexander Kendall
  • Patent number: 9995130
    Abstract: In one aspect, a system includes a casing disposed in a wellbore in a formation, an installed tubular disposed within the casing and a treatment tubular disposed within the installed tubular, wherein no control line is provided in the treatment tubular, installed tubular or casing. The system also includes a communication line that is placed within the treatment tubular after the treatment tubular is positioned in the wellbore, wherein the communication line has a sensor to be placed proximate an area of interest within the treatment tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: Robert S. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 9957786
    Abstract: A method of deploying a multi-zone completion assembly in a wellbore is disclosed. The method includes: placing an outer assembly below a surface location, wherein the outer assembly includes an activation device. The method further includes placing an inner assembly in the outer assembly, the inner assembly including a lower opening tool spaced from an upper opening tool. The method further includes activating the lower opening tool using the activation device The method further includes activating the upper opening tool independent of the lower opening tool using the activation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Jason A. Allen, Aaron C. Hammer, Robert S. O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20180100370
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in a wellbore is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment includes a housing including a first location having a first inside dimension and a second location having a second inside dimension that is larger than the first inside dimension, and a seal assembly placed with a sliding fit at the first location, wherein the seal assembly includes a seal body and an inverted seal along an inside of the seal body and wherein the seal assembly is movable from the first location to the second location and expandable into the second location when the seal assembly is positioned at the second location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jason A. Allen, Robert S. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 9926772
    Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for selectively treating a plurality of zones around wellbore is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment includes an outer string for placement in the wellbore, the outer string including a packer above a flow port corresponding to each zone, wherein each packer is configured to be set independently and the flow port is configured to supply a treatment fluid to its corresponding zone when such flow port is open, an activation device coupled to each packer, wherein each such activation device is configured to be independently activated to set its corresponding isolation packer, and an inner string for placement in the outer string, the inner string including a frac port for supplying a fluid under pressure to each flow port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Jason A. Allen, Aaron C. Hammer, Robert S. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 9879501
    Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for use in a wellbore is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment contains an outer assembly that includes an isolation packer corresponding to each of a plurality of zones along the wellbore, wherein each isolation packer is configured to be set in the wellbore, a release module associated with each isolation packer to release its associated isolation packer after such isolation packer has been set in the wellbore, and a disconnect module below each isolation packer that is armed using a first force and activated using a second force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron C. Hammer, Jason A. Allen, Robert S. O'Brien, Travis E. Cochran, Jai K. Koli
  • Patent number: 9828837
    Abstract: In one aspect, a flow control device is disclosed that in one embodiment may include a sand screen that includes adjacent wraps of a longitudinal member, wherein the longitudinal member has a width, a first axial side and a second axial side, the longitudinal member further including spaced apart standoffs along the first axial side and spaced apart channels that provide fluid paths from the second axial side to the first axial side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Baker Hughes
    Inventor: Robert S. O'Brien