Patents by Inventor Sean K. Berzas

Sean K. Berzas 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: 8201642
    Abstract: Drilling assemblies include a drill bit and a reamer apparatus in which the drill bit is configured to rotate in rotational direction about a longitudinal axis of a drill string and the reamer apparatus is configured to rotate in an opposite rotational direction about the longitudinal axis. Methods of forming a drilling assembly include configuring a drill bit to drill a subterranean formation when rotating in a counter-clockwise direction and configuring a reamer apparatus to ream a wellbore within the subterranean formation when rotating in a clockwise direction. Methods of drilling wellbores in subterranean formations include rotating a drill bit in a first rotational direction about a longitudinal axis of a drill string to drill a wellbore and rotating a reamer apparatus in an opposite rotational direction about the longitudinal axis of the drill string to ream the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven R. Radford, Matthew J. Meiners, Sean K. Berzas
  • Publication number: 20100181112
    Abstract: Drilling assemblies include a drill bit and a reamer apparatus in which the drill bit is configured to rotate in rotational direction about a longitudinal axis of a drill string and the reamer apparatus is configured to rotate in an opposite rotational direction about the longitudinal axis. Methods of forming a drilling assembly include configuring a drill bit to drill a subterranean formation when rotating in a counter-clockwise direction and configuring a reamer apparatus to ream a wellbore within the subterranean formation when rotating in a clockwise direction. Methods of drilling wellbores in subterranean formations include rotating a drill bit in a first rotational direction about a longitudinal axis of a drill string to drill a wellbore and rotating a reamer apparatus in an opposite rotational direction about the longitudinal axis of the drill string to ream the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Steven R. Radford, Matthew J. Meiners, Sean K. Berzas
  • Patent number: 6397958
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for reaming or enlarging a borehole with the ability to drill cement, cement float equipment, and debris out of a casing without substantial damage to the casing interior or the reaming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Christopher S. Charles, William Gregory Presley, Sean K. Berzas, Douglas J. Bobrosky, Mark W. Dykstra, Mark E. Morris, David M. Schnell, L. Allen Sinor
  • Patent number: 6354387
    Abstract: A tri-cone earth-boring bit has nozzles oriented for improved cone cleaning, bottom cleaning and cuttings evacuation. Each of the nozzles is oriented to discharge across a trailing side of a cone at a point considerably inboard of the borehole wall. Each nozzle has an outlet located radially outward from the bit axis a distance that is at least equal to a distance from a top dead center of the heel row of each of the cones to the bit axis. Also, each of the nozzles is oriented to discharge drilling fluid along a line that contacts the borehole bottom at a distance that is no greater than a distance from a bottom dead center of an outermost of the inner rows of the cone to the bit axis. A portion of the drilling fluid discharged from each nozzle will pass by more than one of the rows of the cones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Thomas M. Harris, Leroy W. Ledgerwood, III, Brian C. Wiesner, Sean K. Berzas, Brian A. Baker
  • Patent number: 6328117
    Abstract: A chip breaker for use in a fixed-cutter, rotary-type drill bit used in drilling subterranean formations is disclosed. The chip breaker includes a knife-like protrusion positioned proximate a cutting element and adjacent or in a fluid course defined by the drill bit body. As formation chips, shavings, or cuttings are generated during drilling, the chips move over the protrusion and are split or scribed by the protrusion. Drilling fluid breaks the split or scribed chips away from the surface of the fluid course adjacent the cutting element and transports them through the junk slots. Additionally, chip splitters may be positioned on ramped surfaces that further lift the formation chips away from the surface of the fluid course.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Sean K. Berzas, Ralf Duerholt, Rudolf C. O. Pessier, Danny E. Scott
  • Patent number: 6079507
    Abstract: This invention discloses a drilling structure having a body defining at least one primary channel and at least one secondary channel therein to initiate and maintain recirculation of an amount of drilling fluid back through the secondary channel to maintain positive, independent flow of drilling fluid through each primary channel of the drilling structure. The recirculation of drilling fluid is encouraged by providing a recirculation passageway in fluid communication with the primary channel defined by a portion of the body of the drilling structure that separates positively flowing drilling mud from drilling mud that is being recirculated. The recirculation action of the fluid in the recirculating loop may be fed and brought about by entrainment of the fluid with jetted fluid from an adjacent nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Trujillo, Sean K. Berzas, Craig H. Cooley, Wayne R. Hansen
  • Patent number: 5836404
    Abstract: This invention discloses a drilling structure having a body defining at least one primary channel and at least one secondary channel therein to initiate and maintain recirculation of an amount of drilling fluid back through the secondary channel to maintain positive, independent flow of drilling fluid through each primary channel of the drilling structure. The recirculation of drilling fluid is encouraged by providing a recirculation passageway in fluid communication with the primary channel defined by a portion of the body of the drilling structure that separates positively flowing drilling mud from drilling mud that is being recirculated. The recirculation action of the fluid in the recirculating loop may be fed and brought about by entrainment of the fluid with jetted fluid from an adjacent nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: William R. Trujillo, Sean K. Berzas, Craig H. Cooley, Wayne R. Hansen
  • Patent number: 5794725
    Abstract: This invention discloses a drilling structure having body a defining at least one primary channel and at least one secondary channel therein to initiate and maintain recirculation of an amount of drilling fluid back through the secondary channel to maintain positive, independent flow of drilling fluid through each primary channel of the drilling structure. The recirculation of drilling fluid is encouraged by providing a recirculation passageway in fluid communication with the primary channel defined by a portion of the body of the drilling structure that separates positively flowing drilling mud from drilling mud that is being recirculated. The recirculation action of the fluid in the recirculating loop may be fed and brought about by entrainment of the fluid with jetted fluid from an adjacent nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: William R. Trujillo, Sean K. Berzas, Craig H. Cooley, Wayne R. Hansen