Patents by Inventor Stephen D. Hill
Stephen D. Hill 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: 9284815Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for gravel packing a wellbore. The system includes a service tool extending through a packer that isolates a proximal annulus of the wellbore from a distal annulus thereof. The service tool defines an inner bore and a conduit, with the conduit being in fluid communication with the proximal annulus and the distal annulus. The system also includes a flow restrictor disposed in the conduit. The flow restrictor is configured to induce a first pressure drop in fluid flowing through the conduit in a first direction and to induce a second pressure drop in fluid flowing through the conduit in a second direction, with the second pressure drop being greater than the first pressure drop.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2012Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Ashish Sharma, Stephen D. Hill, Bryan Stamm
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Patent number: 9133673Abstract: A tractor assembly is provided for downhole advancement in a well. The assembly comprises an uphole tractor and a downhole tractor. Each tractor in turn comprises uphole and downhole housings to accommodate uphole and downhole anchors with the anchors configured for interchangeably engaging a wall of the well. Additionally, a hydraulically driven piston is disposed through each of the housings of each tractor for actuation of the engaging.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2009Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Stephen D. Hill, Cecilia Prieto
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Publication number: 20090218105Abstract: A tractor assembly for downhole hydrocarbon applications employing multiple tractors simultaneously. The assembly is hydraulically driven and may provide a substantial increase in the total load accommodated via downhole tractoring. Thus, coiled tubing operations may be run at extensive well depths. Additionally, the load accommodated by the assembly may be hydraulically balanced among the multiple tractors of the assembly through a variety of techniques. In this manner, the total accommodated load may be improved and wear on the uphole tractor of the assembly reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2009Publication date: September 3, 2009Inventors: Stephen D. Hill, Cecilia Prieto
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Patent number: 7543648Abstract: A system and method is provided for filtering in a wellbore during various well related operations while limiting the potential for plugging. A well screen is used for filtering particulates from a fluid at a wellbore location. To remove accumulated material and avoid plugging, the well screen may be flexed via pressure differentials created across the well screen. The flexing of the well screen breaks free the accumulated materials, thereby avoiding premature job failure.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2006Date of Patent: June 9, 2009Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Stephen D. Hill, Lawrence J. Leising, Frank Espinosa
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Publication number: 20080105437Abstract: A system and method is provided for filtering in a wellbore during various well related operations while limiting the potential for plugging. A well screen is used for filtering particulates from a fluid at a wellbore location. To remove accumulated material and avoid plugging, the well screen may be flexed via pressure differentials created across the well screen. The flexing of the well screen breaks free the accumulated materials, thereby avoiding premature job failure.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2006Publication date: May 8, 2008Inventors: Stephen D. Hill, Lawrence J. Leising, Frank Espinosa
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Publication number: 20080066963Abstract: A large scale hydraulically driven downhole reciprocating tractor to display substantially continuous advancement. The tractor may be configured to pull coiled tubing downhole in a continuous manner so as to substantially avoid static frictional resistance to the pulling. As a result, the tractor and coiled tubing may achieve up to about twice the depth into the well otherwise attainable. Additionally, the tractor may include a fail safe mechanism whereby a plurality of pilot operated valves are employed to ensure that immobilization of at least one anchor of the tractor is present at all times during downhole advancement to thereby avoid the undesired effects of coiled tubing spring-back.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2007Publication date: March 20, 2008Inventors: Todor Sheiretov, Cecilia Prieto, Gokturk Tune, Stephen D. Hill
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Patent number: 7308941Abstract: Apparatus and methods for measuring solids in wellbore that include a bottom hole assembly having a sensor to measuring a characteristic indicative of solids in the wellbore. The measurement may be used to measure solids or solids suspended in fluid flow. The invention is useful for use in wellbore cleanouts. A computer model may be used and updated based on the measured characteristic. The input of measured characteristic and the updating of the computer model may be performed in real time whilst the wellbore cleanout operation is ongoing.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2004Date of Patent: December 18, 2007Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Radovan Rolovic, Stephen D. Hill, Frank Espinosa, John R. Lovell
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Patent number: 7090020Abstract: A flow responsive dump valve mechanism for a straddle packer tool and has a valve controlled flow passage from which underflushed fluid, typically well treatment slurry, in a conveyance and fluid supplying tubing string can be dumped into a well casing. The dump valve mechanism incorporates a ratcheting power piston, an indexing mechanism and high and low load energy storage systems to accomplish open, closed and intermediate dump valve positions. The intermediate position increases the functionality of the tool by preventing accidental closure either due to the free fall of fluid through the coiled tubing or during flushing of the tool and permits the flow rate to be increased for thorough cleaning of the straddle tool and coiled tubing. For energy storage, a light compression spring provides power to cycle the indexing mechanism. Heavier load disc springs (Bellville Washers) are used to provide power for the ratcheting power piston to open the valve.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2003Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp.Inventors: Stephen D. Hill, Robert Bucher, L. Michael McKee, Mark C. Oettli, Michael G. Gay
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Patent number: 6929600Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus which is used in conjunction with an endotracheal tube to provide visual information during intubation. The visual information is used by a medical practitioner in order to successfully insert and position the endotracheal tube into the trachea of a patient who is being intubated.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2002Date of Patent: August 16, 2005Inventor: Stephen D. Hill
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Patent number: 6840328Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method useful for discouraging the extrusion of at least one deformable member of a device into a space adjacent to the deformable member when the device is disposed within a borehole and the deformable member extends from the device to the borehole wall involves at least one expandable member disposed upon the device. The expandable member is expandable into the annulus to reduce the width thereof and retractable therefrom to allow movement of the device within and out of the borehole and redeployment of the expandable member. The apparatus, system, and method are particularly suited for limiting the extrusion of packer elements.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2002Date of Patent: January 11, 2005Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: L. Michael McKee, David M. Eslinger, Stephen D. Hill
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Patent number: 6776239Abstract: A tubing conveyed multi-position well treating tool having a tubular housing and a tubular inner member which are relatively positionable at “Set”, “Treat”, “Dump” and “Release” positions actuated by a mechanical indexing mechanism. The indexing mechanism is loaded by a spring, such as a compressed gas spring or mechanical spring, which urges the tubular housing away from the tubing connection of the inner tubular member, thus requiring no set-down forces for tool actuation or indexing. The treating tool is anchored within the well casing by hydraulic pressure actuated buttons, thus eliminating the typical requirement for anchoring actuation by set-down forces. The treating tool is sealed within the casing by pressure energized packers which are activated by the hydraulic pressure of fluid supplied from the tubing. The tool provides a bypass passage to allow communication of the zones above and below the tool while isolating the straddled interval to be treated.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: David M. Eslinger, Stephen D. Hill, Randolph J. Sheffield, Howard L. McGill, James M. Costley
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Publication number: 20040084190Abstract: A flow responsive dump valve mechanism for a straddle packer tool and has a valve controlled flow passage from which underflushed fluid, typically well treatment slurry, in a conveyance and fluid supplying tubing string can be dumped into a well casing. The dump valve mechanism incorporates a ratcheting power piston, an indexing mechanism and high and low load energy storage systems to accomplish open, closed and intermediate dump valve positions. The intermediate position increases the functionality of the tool by preventing accidental closure either due to the free fall of fluid through the coiled tubing or during flushing of the tool and permits the flow rate to be increased for thorough cleaning of the straddle tool and coiled tubing. For energy storage, a light compression spring provides power to cycle the indexing mechanism. Heavier load disc springs (Bellville Washers) are used to provide power for the ratcheting power piston to open the valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2003Publication date: May 6, 2004Inventors: Stephen D. Hill, Robert Bucher, L. Michael McKee, Mark C. Oettli, Michael G. Gay
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Publication number: 20040007366Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method useful for discouraging the extrusion of at least one deformable member of a device into a space adjacent to the deformable member when the device is disposed within a borehole and the deformable member extends from the device to the borehole wall involves at least one expandable member disposed upon the device. The expandable member is expandable into the annulus to reduce the width thereof and retractable therefrom to allow movement of the device within and out of the borehole and redeployment of the expandable member. The apparatus, system, and method are particularly suited for limiting the extrusion of packer elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2002Publication date: January 15, 2004Inventors: L. Michael McKee, David M. Eslinger, Stephen D. Hill
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Publication number: 20030078476Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus which is used in conjunction with an endotracheal tube to provide visual information during intubation. The visual information is used by a medical practitioner in order to successfully insert and position the endotracheal tube into the trachea of a patient who is being intubated.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2002Publication date: April 24, 2003Inventor: Stephen D. Hill
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Publication number: 20020125005Abstract: A tubing conveyed multi-position well treating tool having a tubular housing and a tubular inner member which are relatively positionable at “Set”, “Treat”, “Dump” and “Release” positions actuated by a mechanical indexing mechanism. The indexing mechanism is loaded by a spring, such as a compressed gas spring or mechanical spring, which urges the tubular housing away from the tubing connection of the inner tubular member, thus requiring no set-down forces for tool actuation or indexing. The treating tool is anchored within the well casing by hydraulic pressure actuated buttons, thus eliminating the typical requirement for anchoring actuation by set-down forces. The treating tool is sealed within the casing by pressure energized packers which are activated by the hydraulic pressure of fluid supplied from the tubing. The tool provides a bypass passage to allow communication of the zones above and below the tool while isolating the straddled interval to be treated.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2002Publication date: September 12, 2002Inventors: David M. Eslinger, Stephen D. Hill, Randolph J. Sheffield, Howard L. McGill, James M. Costley
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Patent number: 6425443Abstract: A disconnect for facilitating release of a tool at a downhole, wellbore location. The disconnect utilizes an upper portion and a lower portion connected at least in part by a shear member. The disconnect uses a plurality of pressure areas to selectively expose the lower portion to balanced, counteracting axial forces. The pressure areas allow release or disconnection of the upper portion from the lower portion upon application of a predetermined tensile load without subjecting the tubing to an undesirably high tensile load.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2000Date of Patent: July 30, 2002Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Stephen D. Hill, James M. Costley, David M. Eslinger, Mark C. Oettli, Randolph J. Sheffield