Patents by Inventor Roger L. Schultz
Roger L. Schultz 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).
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Patent number: 11851611Abstract: A flow conveyed plugging device for use in a well, the device can include a body, and one or more lines extending outwardly from the body, each of the lines having a lateral dimension that is substantially smaller than a size of the body. A method of plugging an opening in a well can include deploying at least one flow conveyed plugging device into the well, the flow conveyed plugging device including a body and, extending outwardly from the body, at least one of the group consisting of: a) one or more fibers and b) one or more lines, the flow conveyed plugging device being conveyed by flow in the well into sealing engagement with the opening. Another flow conveyed plugging device can include a body, and fibers extending outwardly from the body. The flow conveyed plugging device degrades and thereby permits flow through an opening in the well.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2022Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: THRU TUBING SOLUTIONS, INC.Inventors: Roger L Schultz, Brock W. Watson, Andrew M. Ferguson, Gary P. Funkhouser
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Patent number: 11834919Abstract: A method of deploying a plug in a subterranean well can include positioning a tool string in the well, the tool string including a plug release tool and a well tool, then releasing the plug from the plug release tool, and then operating the well tool in response to the releasing the plug. A plug release tool for use in a subterranean well can include an outer housing, and an insert secured in the outer housing, the insert including multiple longitudinally extending flow passages formed through the insert.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2021Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: THRU TUBING SOLUTIONS, INC.Inventors: Roger L. Schultz, Timothy Manke, Andrew M. Ferguson
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Patent number: 11761295Abstract: A system for use with a subterranean well can include a deployment apparatus configured to deploy one or more plugging devices into a fluid flow. The plugging devices are conveyed into the well by the fluid flow. The deployment apparatus can include multiple queues, different numbers of the plugging devices being contained in respective different ones of the queues. A method of deploying plugging devices can include connecting multiple queues of the plugging devices to a conduit, and deploying the plugging devices from a selected combination of the queues into the conduit. In another system, each of the plugging devices may include a body, and lines or fibers extending outwardly from the body.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2019Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: THRU TUBING SOLUTIONS, INC.Inventors: Brock W. Watson, Gary P. Funkhouser, Roger L. Schultz, Gregory A. Kliewer
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Patent number: 11753901Abstract: A fluid pulse generator can include a fluid motor including a rotor that rotates in response to fluid flow, a variable flow restrictor positioned upstream of the fluid motor and including a restrictor member rotatable relative to a ported member and longitudinally displaceable relative to the rotor. Another fluid pulse generator can include a flex joint or a constant velocity joint connected between the restrictor member and the rotor. In another fluid pulse generator, the variable flow restrictor can include a valve and a fluidic restrictor element, the valve being operable in response to rotation of the rotor, the fluidic restrictor element being configured to generate fluid pulses in response to the fluid flow through a flow path, and the valve being configured to control the fluid flow through another flow path connected in parallel with the first flow path.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: THRU TUBING SOLUTIONS, INC.Inventors: Roger L. Schultz, Andrew M. Ferguson, Timothy Manke, Brett A. Fears
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Publication number: 20230258047Abstract: A method of deploying a plug in a subterranean well can include positioning a tool string in the well, the tool string including a plug release tool and a well tool, then releasing the plug from the plug release tool, and then operating the well tool in response to the releasing the plug. A plug release tool for use in a subterranean well can include an outer housing, and an insert secured in the outer housing, the insert including multiple longitudinally extending flow passages formed through the insert.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2023Publication date: August 17, 2023Inventors: Roger L. SCHULTZ, Timothy MANKE, Andrew M. FERGUSON
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Patent number: 11668147Abstract: A method can include directing fluid flow longitudinally through a well tool connected in a tubular string downstream of a longitudinally compressed circulating valve assembly, thereby causing the well tool to operate, and longitudinally elongating the circulating valve assembly while the fluid flow is ceased, and then increasing the fluid flow, thereby causing the fluid flow after the elongating to pass outwardly through a housing of the circulating valve assembly to an external annulus. Another method can include directing a fluid flow through a well tool connected in a tubular string downstream of a circulating valve assembly, thereby causing the well tool to operate, and decreasing then increasing a flow rate of the fluid flow, thereby causing the fluid flow to pass outwardly through a housing assembly of the circulating valve assembly to an external annulus. Circulating valve assemblies are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2020Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: THRU TUBING SOLUTIONS, INC.Inventors: Brock W. Watson, Roger L. Schultz, James C. Tucker
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Publication number: 20230127815Abstract: A downhole well tool assembly can include a perforator and a selectively openable and closable perforation plug discharge port. A method of perforating and treating multiple formation zones of a well in a single trip of a downhole well tool assembly into the well can include positioning the downhole well tool assembly at a zone, closing a perforation plug discharge port of the downhole well tool assembly, perforating the zone, treating the zone, opening the perforation plug discharge port, deploying perforation plugs into the well via the perforation plug discharge port, plugging perforations in the zone with the perforation plugs, positioning the downhole well tool assembly at a subsequent zone, closing the perforation plug discharge port, perforating the subsequent zone, and treating the subsequent zone.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 26, 2022Publication date: April 27, 2023Inventors: Andrew M. FERGUSON, Brock W. WATSON, Roger L. SCHULTZ
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Publication number: 20230115830Abstract: An electrical power generation system for use with an electrical power generator can include a battery bank adapted to be charged by electrical power generated by the electrical power generator, and a nitrogen extraction system adapted to be powered by the electrical power generated by the electrical power generator. An electrical power generation method for use with an electrical power generator can include storing electrical power generated by the electrical power generator in a battery bank located at a battery bank site, extracting nitrogen at the battery bank site, and liquifying the nitrogen at the battery bank site.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2022Publication date: April 13, 2023Inventors: Andrew M. FERGUSON, Dustin LOCKLEAR, Roger L. SCHULTZ
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Publication number: 20230101951Abstract: A rotary actuator assembly can include a fluid motor with a rotor that displaces with hypocyclic precessional motion within a stator in response to fluid flow through the fluid motor, and a gear reducer section including an input gear that is fixed relative to the rotor and displaces with the hypocyclic precessional motion relative to an output gear. Another rotary actuator assembly can include a fluid motor with a rotor having a central longitudinal axis that rotates about a central longitudinal axis of a stator, and a gear reducer section including an input gear that rotates with the rotor and displaces relative to an output gear, and the input gear having the same central longitudinal axis as the rotor. A well system can include at least two fluid motors, and fluid flow through one fluid motor causes rotation of the other fluid motor in the well.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2022Publication date: March 30, 2023Inventors: Roger L. SCHULTZ, Brock W. WATSON, Brett FEARS
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Patent number: 11566498Abstract: A downhole well tool assembly can include a perforator and a selectively openable and closable perforation plug discharge port. A method of perforating and treating multiple formation zones of a well in a single trip of a downhole well tool assembly into the well can include positioning the downhole well tool assembly at a zone, closing a perforation plug discharge port of the downhole well tool assembly, perforating the zone, treating the zone, opening the perforation plug discharge port, deploying perforation plugs into the well via the perforation plug discharge port, plugging perforations in the zone with the perforation plugs, positioning the downhole well tool assembly at a subsequent zone, closing the perforation plug discharge port, perforating the subsequent zone, and treating the subsequent zone.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2018Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Andrew M. Ferguson, Brock W. Watson, Roger L. Schultz
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Patent number: 11560756Abstract: A rotary actuator assembly can include a fluid motor with a rotor that displaces with hypocyclic precessional motion within a stator in response to fluid flow through the fluid motor, and a gear reducer section including an input gear that is fixed relative to the rotor and displaces with the hypocyclic precessional motion relative to an output gear. Another rotary actuator assembly can include a fluid motor with a rotor having a central longitudinal axis that rotates about a central longitudinal axis of a stator, and a gear reducer section including an input gear that rotates with the rotor and displaces relative to an output gear, and the input gear having the same central longitudinal axis as the rotor. A well system can include at least two fluid motors, and fluid flow through one fluid motor causes rotation of the other fluid motor in the well.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2019Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: THRU TUBING SOLUTIONS, INCInventors: Roger L. Schultz, Brock W. Watson, Brett Fears
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Patent number: 11530588Abstract: A casing string is augmented with one or more variable flow resistance devices or “vibrating tools” to facilitate advancement of the casing and distribution of the cement in the annulus once the casing is properly positioned. Vibrating tools in the form of plugs can be pumped down and landed inside the casing string. The method includes vibrating the casing string while advancing the casing down the wellbore or while the cement is pumped into the annulus, or both. After the cementing operation is completed, the devices may be drilled out or retrieved with fishing tools to reopen the casing string for further operations. One or more wipers may be provided on the plugs, but the section housing the flow path may be free of wipers to allow the size and flow capacity of the flow path to be optimized.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2020Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Roger L. Schultz, Timothy W. Manke, Andrew M. Ferguson
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Patent number: 11525307Abstract: A fluid pulse generator can include a fluid motor and a bypass flow path in fluid communication with an inlet and an outlet, and a flow control device configured to permit flow through the bypass flow path in response to a predetermined pressure differential applied across the flow control device. A method of generating fluid pulses can include flowing a fluid through a fluid pulse generator, thereby generating fluid pulses, and then applying a predetermined pressure differential from an inlet to an outlet of the fluid pulse generator, thereby permitting flow of the fluid through the fluid pulse generator without generating the fluid pulses. A fluid pulse generation system can include a fluid pulse generator with a fluid motor, a variable flow restrictor, and a bypass flow path. A predetermined pressure differential applied across the fluid motor permits the flow of the fluid through the bypass flow path.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2021Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.Inventor: Roger L. Schultz
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Publication number: 20220348819Abstract: A flow conveyed plugging device for use in a well, the device can include a body, and one or more lines extending outwardly from the body, each of the lines having a lateral dimension that is substantially smaller than a size of the body. A method of plugging an opening in a well can include deploying at least one flow conveyed plugging device into the well, the flow conveyed plugging device including a body and, extending outwardly from the body, at least one of the group consisting of: a) one or more fibers and b) one or more lines, the flow conveyed plugging device being conveyed by flow in the well into sealing engagement with the opening. Another flow conveyed plugging device can include a body, and fibers extending outwardly from the body. The flow conveyed plugging device degrades and thereby permits flow through an opening in the well.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2022Publication date: November 3, 2022Inventors: Roger L. SCHULTZ, Brock W. WATSON, Andrew M. FERGUSON, Gary P. FUNKHOUSER
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Patent number: 11466532Abstract: A method of dislodging a tubular string or well equipment connected to the tubular string can include connecting a dislodging tool in the tubular string, so that a flow passage of the dislodging tool extends through the tubular string, deploying a plug into the dislodging tool, applying a pressure differential across the plug, thereby displacing the plug through a seat of the dislodging tool, and dislodging the tubular string or the component in response to the displacing. A dislodging system can include a dislodging tool connected as part of a tubular string, the dislodging tool including a flow passage and a seat configured to sealingly engage a plug deployed into the tubular string, and at least one of a jarring force, load, impact, shock wave, elastic strain release and pressure pulse being generated in the tubular string in response to displacement of the plug through the seat.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2020Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Brock W. Watson, Roger L. Schultz, Gregory A. Kliewer
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Patent number: 11434693Abstract: A rotary actuator assembly can include a fluid motor with a rotor that displaces with hypocyclic precessional motion within a stator in response to fluid flow through the fluid motor, and a gear reducer section including an input gear that is fixed relative to the rotor and displaces with the hypocyclic precessional motion relative to an output gear. Another rotary actuator assembly can include a fluid motor with a rotor having a central longitudinal axis that rotates about a central longitudinal axis of a stator, and a gear reducer section including an input gear that rotates with the rotor and displaces relative to an output gear, and the input gear having the same central longitudinal axis as the rotor. A well system can include at least two fluid motors, and fluid flow through one fluid motor causes rotation of the other fluid motor in the well.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2019Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Roger L. Schultz, Brock W. Watson, Brett Fears
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Patent number: 11427751Abstract: A flow conveyed plugging device for use in a well, the device can include a body, and one or more lines extending outwardly from the body, each of the lines having a lateral dimension that is substantially smaller than a size of the body. A method of plugging an opening in a well can include deploying at least one flow conveyed plugging device into the well, the flow conveyed plugging device including a body and, extending outwardly from the body, at least one of the group consisting of: a) one or more fibers and b) one or more lines, the flow conveyed plugging device being conveyed by flow in the well into sealing engagement with the opening. Another flow conveyed plugging device can include a body, and fibers extending outwardly from the body. The flow conveyed plugging device degrades and thereby permits flow through an opening in the well.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2019Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Roger L. Schultz, Brock W. Watson, Andrew M. Ferguson, Gary P. Funkhouser
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Publication number: 20220220819Abstract: A method of deploying a plug in a subterranean well can include positioning a tool string in the well, the tool string including a plug release tool and a well tool, then releasing the plug from the plug release tool, and then operating the well tool in response to the releasing the plug. A plug release tool for use in a subterranean well can include an outer housing, and an insert secured in the outer housing, the insert including multiple longitudinally extending flow passages formed through the insert.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2021Publication date: July 14, 2022Inventors: Roger L. SCHULTZ, Timothy MANKE, Andrew M. FERGUSON
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Publication number: 20220220842Abstract: A compression indication tool can include a flow passage and a valve that in a closed configuration prevents fluid communication between the flow passage and an exterior of the tool, and in an open configuration permits fluid communication between the flow passage and the exterior of the tool. The valve is opened in response to application of a predetermined longitudinal compressive load to the compression indication tool. A method can include connecting a compression indication tool in a tool string, the tool including a valve that prevents fluid communication between an interior flow passage and an exterior of the tool, deploying the tool string into the well, and applying a predetermined longitudinal compressive load to the tool string, thereby opening the valve to permit fluid communication between the interior flow passage and the exterior of the tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2021Publication date: July 14, 2022Inventors: Brock W. WATSON, Roger L. SCHULTZ, Brett A. FEARS, Timothy MANKE
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Patent number: 11332983Abstract: A downhole disconnect tool can include outer housing sections connected to each other with threads, and an inner sleeve received in at least one of the outer housing sections, whereby the inner sleeve limits relative rotation between the outer housing sections in a connect position, and permits relative rotation between the outer housing sections in a disconnect position. A method of disconnecting portions of a tubular string can include connecting a downhole disconnect tool between the tubular string portions, deploying a plug into the tubular string, thereby engaging the plug with an inner sleeve in the downhole disconnect tool, applying a differential pressure across the plug, thereby displacing the inner sleeve relative to outer housing sections of the downhole disconnect tool, and then unthreading the outer housing sections from each other in the well.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2020Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Roger L. Schultz, Timothy Manke, Brett A. Fears