Patents by Inventor Ronnie B. Beason

Ronnie B. Beason 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).

  • Publication number: 20240141747
    Abstract: Oil and gas operations according to which a wellhead is operably associated with a wellbore, a valve is operably coupled to the wellhead, opposite the wellbore, a frac line is operably coupled to the wellhead, and a zipper module is operably coupled to the frac line, opposite the wellhead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2024
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Ronnie B. Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon
  • Publication number: 20240141748
    Abstract: Oil and gas operations according to which a wellhead is operably associated with a wellbore, a valve is operably coupled to the wellhead, opposite the wellbore, a frac line is operably coupled to the wellhead, and a zipper module is operably coupled to the frac line, opposite the wellhead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2024
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Ronnie B. Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon
  • Patent number: 11959358
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for bleeding off a hydraulic fracturing manifold used in oil and gas extraction operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: DOWNING WELLHEAD EQUIPMENT, LLC
    Inventors: Ronnie B. Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon
  • Patent number: 11873945
    Abstract: System, apparatus, and method for delivering grease to process valve(s). The system generally includes a grease cylinder to which grease is delivered, a piston, an actuator, and a first process valve. The piston extends at least partially within the grease cylinder. The actuator strokes the piston within the grease cylinder to meter a first amount of the delivered grease to the first process valve. The actuator comprises a power cylinder within which the piston extends. The piston comprises a head portion slidably disposed in the power cylinder and dividing the power cylinder into first and second chambers. The head portion has a first cross-sectional area. The piston includes another portion contacting the grease in the grease cylinder and having a second cross-sectional area smaller than the first cross-sectional area. The actuator may also meter a second amount of the delivered grease to a second process valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: DOWNING WELLHEAD EQUIPMENT, LLC
    Inventors: Ronnie B. Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon
  • Patent number: 11867023
    Abstract: A system and methods according to which a controller communicates control signals to a first frac leg, which includes a wellhead operably associated with a first wellbore, a valve operably coupled to the wellhead, opposite the first wellbore, a frac line operably coupled to the wellhead, and a zipper module operably coupled to the frac line, opposite the wellhead. The first frac leg includes a first sub-controller that receives control signals from the controller. A grease system lubricates the first frac leg and the zipper module. The grease system includes a second sub-controller that receives control signals from the controller. A second frac leg is operably associated with a second wellbore. The second frac leg includes a third sub-controller that receives control signals from the controller. The first, second, and/or third sub-controllers may receive control signals from the controller via a communication bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: DOWNING WELLHEAD EQUIPMENT, LLC
    Inventors: Ronnie B. Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon
  • Patent number: 11788376
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus according to which a first valve is opened, or kept open, the first valve being part of a wellhead including a flow component above the first valve. The method may further include detecting a state of the first valve and, in response to detecting the state of the first valve, metering an amount of grease to the first valve. In addition, or instead, the method may further include opening, or keeping open, a second valve, the second valve being operably coupled to the wellhead and positioned above the flow component, and, after opening, or keeping open, each of the first and second valves, detecting whether the second valve is open or closed, in response to detecting that the second valve is open, preventing the first valve from being closed, and in response to detecting that the second valve is closed, allowing the first valve to be closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: DOWNING WELLHEAD EQUIPMENT, LLC
    Inventors: Ronnie B. Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon, Joel H. Young, Brian A. Baker, Austin C. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20230167709
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for bleeding off a hydraulic fracturing manifold used in oil and gas extraction operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2023
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Ronnie B. Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon
  • Publication number: 20230160278
    Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing plan executable by a hydraulic fracturing system to hydraulically fracture a plurality of oil and gas wells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2023
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Inventors: Jordan Kuehn, Austin Johnson, Ronnie B. Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon
  • Publication number: 20230065605
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus according to which a first valve is opened, or kept open, the first valve being part of a wellhead including a flow component above the first valve. The method may further include detecting a state of the first valve and, in response to detecting the state of the first valve, metering an amount of grease to the first valve. In addition, or instead, the method may further include opening, or keeping open, a second valve, the second valve being operably coupled to the wellhead and positioned above the flow component, and, after opening, or keeping open, each of the first and second valves, detecting whether the second valve is open or closed, in response to detecting that the second valve is open, preventing the first valve from being closed, and in response to detecting that the second valve is closed, allowing the first valve to be closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Ronnie B. Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon, Joel H. Young, Brian A. Baker, Austin C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11560770
    Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing plan executable by a hydraulic fracturing system to hydraulically fracture a plurality of oil and gas wells. In one or more embodiments, the execution of the hydraulic fracturing plan implements the following steps: communicating fluid to a first well via a manifold and a first valve, the first valve being associated with both the manifold and the first well; and, in response to determining that the fluid communicated via the manifold has satisfied one or more conditions: opening a second valve; communicating fluid to a second well via the second valve; and closing the first valve after opening the second valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: DOWNING WELLHEAD EQUIPMENT, LLC
    Inventors: Jordan Kuehn, Austin Johnson, Ronnie B. Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon
  • Publication number: 20220364435
    Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing plan executable by a hydraulic fracturing system to hydraulically fracture a plurality of oil and gas wells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Jordan Kuehn, Austin Johnson, Ronnie B. Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon
  • Patent number: 11480028
    Abstract: A system and methods according to which a controller communicates control signals to a first frac leg, which includes a wellhead operably associated with a first wellbore, a valve operably coupled to the wellhead, opposite the first wellbore, a frac line operably coupled to the wellhead, and a zipper module operably coupled to the frac line, opposite the wellhead. The first frac leg includes a first sub-controller that receives control signals from the controller. A grease system lubricates the first frac leg and the zipper module. The grease system includes a second sub-controller that receives control signals from the controller. A second frac leg is operably associated with a second wellbore. The second frac leg includes a third sub-controller that receives control signals from the controller. The first, second, and/or third sub-controllers may receive control signals from the controller via a communication bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: DOWNING WELLHEAD EQUIPMENT, LLC
    Inventors: Ronnie B. Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon
  • Patent number: 11480027
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus according to which a first valve is opened, or kept open, the first valve being part of a wellhead including a flow component above the first valve. The method may further include detecting a state of the first valve and, in response to detecting the state of the first valve, metering an amount of grease to the first valve. In addition, or instead, the method may further include opening, or keeping open, a second valve, the second valve being operably coupled to the wellhead and positioned above the flow component, and, after opening, or keeping open, each of the first and second valves, detecting whether the second valve is open or closed, in response to detecting that the second valve is open, preventing the first valve from being closed, and in response to detecting that the second valve is closed, allowing the first valve to be closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: DOWNING WELLHEAD EQUIPMENT, LLC
    Inventors: Ronnie B. Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon
  • Patent number: 11473399
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus according to which a first valve is opened, or kept open, the first valve being part of a wellhead including a flow component above the first valve. The method may further include detecting a state of the first valve and, in response to detecting the state of the first valve, metering an amount of grease to the first valve. In addition, or instead, the method may further include opening, or keeping open, a second valve, the second valve being operably coupled to the wellhead and positioned above the flow component, and, after opening, or keeping open, each of the first and second valves, detecting whether the second valve is open or closed, in response to detecting that the second valve is open, preventing the first valve from being closed, and in response to detecting that the second valve is closed, allowing the first valve to be closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: DOWNING WELLHEAD EQUIPMENT, LLC
    Inventors: Ronnie B. Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon
  • Patent number: 11401779
    Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing plan executable by a hydraulic fracturing system to hydraulically fracture a plurality of oil and gas wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: DOWNING WELLHEAD EQUIPMENT, LLC
    Inventors: Jordan Kuehn, Austin Johnson, Ronnie B. Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon
  • Patent number: 11242724
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods according to which a launcher defines a central passageway and is adapted to launch an object into the central passageway so that the object enters an oil and gas wellbore. The launcher includes a cylinder rotatable about an axis between first and second angular positions, the cylinder defining a chamber into which the object is loadable when the cylinder is in the first angular position, and from which the loaded object is launchable when the cylinder is in the second angular position. A lubricator is extendable through, and retractable from, the central passageway of the launcher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: DOWNING WELLHEAD EQUIPMENT, LLC
    Inventors: Joel H. Young, Ronnie B. Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon
  • Patent number: 11208856
    Abstract: A well stack connector has the following features. A drive ring is carried by a housing and is rotatable relative to the housing. A clamp is within the housing. The clamp is moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the clamp engages the first well device to the second well device. In the disengaged position, the clamp allows the first well device to become unrestrained from the second well device. A linkage is coupled to the drive ring, the housing and the clamp. The linkage is moveable, by rotation of the drive ring, between a first position supporting the clamp in the engaged position and a second position supporting the clamp in the disengaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Downing Wellhead Equipment, LLC
    Inventors: Joel H. Young, Ronnie B. Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon
  • Publication number: 20210355784
    Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing plan executable by a hydraulic fracturing system to hydraulically fracture a plurality of oil and gas wells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Jordan Kuehn, Austin Johnson, Ronnie B. Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon
  • Publication number: 20210332665
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus according to which a first valve is opened, or kept open, the first valve being part of a wellhead including a flow component above the first valve. The method may further include detecting a state of the first valve and, in response to detecting the state of the first valve, metering an amount of grease to the first valve. In addition, or instead, the method may further include opening, or keeping open, a second valve, the second valve being operably coupled to the wellhead and positioned above the flow component, and, after opening, or keeping open, each of the first and second valves, detecting whether the second valve is open or closed, in response to detecting that the second valve is open, preventing the first valve from being closed, and in response to detecting that the second valve is closed, allowing the first valve to be closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Ronnie B. Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon
  • Publication number: 20210324706
    Abstract: A system and methods according to which a controller communicates control signals to a first frac leg, which includes a wellhead operably associated with a first wellbore, a valve operably coupled to the wellhead, opposite the first wellbore, a frac line operably coupled to the wellhead, and a zipper module operably coupled to the frac line, opposite the wellhead. The first frac leg includes a first sub-controller that receives control signals from the controller. A grease system lubricates the first frac leg and the zipper module. The grease system includes a second sub-controller that receives control signals from the controller. A second frac leg is operably associated with a second wellbore. The second frac leg includes a third sub-controller that receives control signals from the controller. The first, second, and/or third sub-controllers may receive control signals from the controller via a communication bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Ronnie B. Beason, Nicholas J. Cannon