Patents by Inventor Shane W. Pfaff

Shane W. Pfaff 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: 10724332
    Abstract: A subsurface safety valve system for a wellbore is described. The system can include a tubular housing disposed within the wellbore having a cavity running in a longitudinal direction therethrough. The system can also include an electromagnetic device configured to receive electric power to create a magnetic field, and a flapper operative to open and close the cavity in response to the electric power received by the electromagnetic device. The flapper may open in response to the electric power exceeding a first electric power value and remain open in response to the electric power exceeding a second electric power value which is lower than the first electric power value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Henschel, Jr., Samuel E. Herod, Paul R. Boriack, Shane W. Pfaff, Thomas G. Hill, Jr., Jason C. Mailand
  • Patent number: 10378312
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid in an injection well includes a main valve assembly having a valve and a retrievable nozzle selective lock assembly (RNSLA). The RNSLA is operable when positioned within the valve body to open the valve when fluid is pumped into the well and closes the valve when fluid flow is terminated. The RNSLA includes a replaceable orifice nozzle so that orifices of different dimensions may be used in conjunction with the valve assembly. In an alternate embodiment, the RNSLA includes a variable output nozzle assembly to maintain the valve in a protected open position without chattering over a wide range of flow rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Tejas Research & Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Hill, Jr., Robert C. Henschel, Rory L. Hodge, Shane W. Pfaff
  • Publication number: 20190203564
    Abstract: A subsurface safety valve system for a wellbore is described. The system can include a tubular housing disposed within the wellbore having a cavity running in a longitudinal direction therethrough. The system can also include an electromagnetic device configured to receive electric power to create a magnetic field, and a flapper operative to open and close the cavity in response to the electric power received by the electromagnetic device. The flapper may open in response to the electric power exceeding a first electric power value and remain open in response to the electric power exceeding a second electric power value which is lower than the first electric power value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Applicant: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Robert C. Henschel, JR., Samuel E. Herod, Paul R. Boriack, Shane W. Pfaff, Thomas G. Hill, JR., Jason C. Mailand
  • Publication number: 20180313189
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid in an injection well includes a main valve assembly having a valve and a retrievable nozzle selective lock assembly (RNSLA). The RNSLA is operable when positioned within the valve body to open the valve when fluid is pumped into the well and closes the valve when fluid flow is terminated. The RNSLA includes a replaceable orifice nozzle so that orifices of different dimensions may be used in conjunction with the valve assembly. In an alternate embodiment, the RNSLA includes a variable output nozzle assembly to maintain the valve in a protected open position without chattering over a wide range of flow rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Applicant: Tejas Research & Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Hill, JR., Robert C. Henschel, Rory L. Hodge, Shane W. Pfaff
  • Patent number: 10030476
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid in an injection well includes a main valve assembly having a valve and a retrievable nozzle selective lock assembly (RNSLA). The RNSLA is operable when positioned within the valve body to open the valve when fluid is pumped into the well and closes the valve when fluid flow is terminated. The RNSLA includes a replaceable orifice nozzle so that orifices of different dimensions may be used in conjunction with the valve assembly. In an alternate embodiment, the RNSLA includes a variable output nozzle assembly to maintain the valve in a protected open position without chattering over a wide range of flow rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Tejas Research & Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Hill, Robert C. Henschel, Rory L. Hodge, Shane W. Pfaff
  • Publication number: 20180010423
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid in an injection well includes a main valve assembly having a valve and a retrievable nozzle selective lock assembly (RNSLA). The RNSLA is operable when positioned within the valve body to open the valve when fluid is pumped into the well and closes the valve when fluid flow is terminated. The RNSLA includes a replaceable orifice nozzle so that orifices of different dimensions may be used in conjunction with the valve assembly. In an alternate embodiment, the RNSLA includes a variable output nozzle assembly to maintain the valve in a protected open position without chattering over a wide range of flow rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Applicant: Tejas Research & Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Hill, Robert C. Henschel, Rory L. Hodge, Shane W. Pfaff
  • Patent number: 9334709
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid in an injection well includes a main valve assembly having a valve and a retrievable nozzle selective lock assembly (RNSLA). The RNSLA is operable when positioned within the valve body to open the valve when fluid is pumped into the well and closes the valve when fluid flow is terminated. The RNSLA includes a replaceable orifice nozzle so that orifices of different dimensions may be used in conjunction with the valve assembly. In an alternate embodiment, the RNSLA includes a variable output nozzle assembly to maintain the valve in a protected open position without chattering over a wide range of flow rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Tejas Research & Engineering, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas G. Hill, Jr., Robert C. Henschel, Rory L. Hodge, Shane W. Pfaff
  • Publication number: 20150204163
    Abstract: A valve to act as a barrier to fluid movement in a tubular is provided. A flapper in the valve may be opened by application of a selected pressure differential across the flapper. The flapper opens to allow a cylinder to shift and cover the open flapper. A method of placing a tubular string within a well using the valve as an isolation valve to form gas filled chambers for floating the tubular string into the well is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas G. Hill, Robert C. Henschel, JR., Shane W. Pfaff