Patents by Inventor Steve M. Cortez

Steve M. Cortez 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: 10060224
    Abstract: An annular space is made smaller with a hub on an inner member that supports a base ring from which extend bristles that are preferably wire whose proximity is close enough to retain debris from passing through while leaving sufficient fluid paths to allow fluid movement in opposed directions in response to relative axial movement of the components that define the annular space. In one application a running tool for a liner string that has a hanger/packer is contemplated. Movement of the running string after the hanger is set and the liner is released from the string keeps the barrier in the annular space while allowing movement of an initially inserted gel put there on assembly to migrate from the annular space through the debris barrier. The running tool can have a cap on the liner top that eventually is moved away as the running tool is picked up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC
    Inventors: Steve M. Cortez, Jack D. Farmer
  • Patent number: 9719321
    Abstract: A subterranean tool can drop multiple objects to landing locations in a tubular string. The tool can keep at least one ball out of the fluid stream until ready for release. A dart or wiper plug can be kept in the fluid stream with an open bypass until axial mandrel movement allows release of the plug or dart. The tool is rotationally locked at a lower location for run in and then can rotationally lock at an upper location upon release of the dart or ball shifting relative rotation capabilities to different members. Axial movement that releases the dart also aligns a ball with a decreasing depth groove so that relative part rotation can cam the ball against a leaf spring detent and into the mandrel flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Christopher R. Hern, Daniel C. Ewing, Matthew J. Krueger, Jason P. Lacombe, Travis J. Ansohn, Steve M. Cortez, Michael Ramon
  • Patent number: 9611722
    Abstract: A top down cementing tool operates with either mechanical manipulation or hydraulically. Rotation of the liner during cementing is enabled. A first bore is open for circulation during running in of the liner. In the hydraulic version, pressuring up on a dropped ball in the first bore opens cement packer setting ports and aligns crossover ports from the first bore to the annulus below the cementing packer and displaced fluid return ports to the annulus above the cementing packer. Pressuring up on a trailing wiper plug in the first bore opens the second bore so that pressuring on a seated ball in the second bore opens access to unsetting the cementing packer and launching the ball in the second bore for liner hanger setting and release of the running tool. The alternative embodiment gets the same result but with string manipulation for some of the realignments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Christopher R. Hern, Matthew J. Kruger, Daniel C. Ewing, Travis J. Ansohn, Jason P. Lacombe, Jarandon J. Adams, Michael Ramon, Steve M. Cortez
  • Publication number: 20160298428
    Abstract: An annular space is made smaller with a hub on an inner member that supports a base ring from which extend bristles that are preferably wire whose proximity is close enough to retain debris from passing through while leaving sufficient fluid paths to allow fluid movement in opposed directions in response to relative axial movement of the components that define the annular space. In one application a running tool for a liner string that has a hanger/packer is contemplated. Movement of the running string after the hanger is set and the liner is released from the string keeps the barrier in the annular space while allowing movement of an initially inserted gel put there on assembly to migrate from the annular space through the debris barrier. The running tool can have a cap on the liner top that eventually is moved away as the running tool is picked up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Steve M. Cortez, Jack D. Farmer
  • Patent number: 9453390
    Abstract: A subterranean tool can drop multiple objects to landing locations in a tubular string. The tool can keep at least one ball out of the fluid stream until ready for release. A dart or wiper plug can be kept in the fluid stream with an open bypass until axial mandrel movement allows release of the plug or dart. The tool is rotationally locked at a lower location for run in and then can rotationally lock at an upper location upon release of the dart or ball. Axial movement that releases the dart can continue until the ball aligns with a decreasing depth groove so that relative part rotation cams the ball against a leaf spring detent and into the mandrel flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Christopher R. Hern, Daniel C. Ewing, Matthew J. Krueger, Jason P. Lacombe, Travis J. Ansohn, Steve M. Cortez, Michael Ramon
  • Publication number: 20160138385
    Abstract: A sensing system provides real time information as to the location of a stand in a tubular string at a predetermined elevation such as where the rams are located. This allows a determination of whether the upsets are aligned with the ramps or whether the stand is aligned with the rams in a manner that the rams will close on the tubular between the end upsets. The surrounding pipe has circumferentially spaced transmitters and receivers to allow a determination of the outer dimension of the pipe and to transmit such information to the surface by conductors or other means. The position of a tubular in an open hole can also be determined by sending a signal from the tubular to the open hole and back to the tubular. Different signal regimes are contemplated as well as power supply options.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Steve M. Cortez
  • Publication number: 20150176367
    Abstract: A top down cementing tool operates with either mechanical manipulation or hydraulically. Rotation of the liner during cementing is enabled. A first bore is open for circulation during running in of the liner. In the hydraulic version, pressuring up on a dropped ball in the first bore opens cement packer setting ports and aligns crossover ports from the first bore to the annulus below the cementing packer and displaced fluid return ports to the annulus above the cementing packer. Pressuring up on a trailing wiper plug in the first bore opens the second bore so that pressuring on a seated ball in the second bore opens access to unsetting the cementing packer and launching the ball in the second bore for liner hanger setting and release of the running tool. The alternative embodiment gets the same result but with string manipulation for some of the realignments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Christopher R. Hern, Matthew J. Kruger, Daniel C. Ewing, Travis J. Ansohn, Jason P. Lacombe, Jarandon J. Adams, Michael Ramon, Steve M. Cortez
  • Publication number: 20150068731
    Abstract: A subterranean tool can drop multiple objects to landing locations in a tubular string. The tool can keep at least one ball out of the fluid stream until ready for release. A dart or wiper plug can be kept in the fluid stream with an open bypass until axial mandrel movement allows release of the plug or dart. The tool is rotationally locked at a lower location for run in and then can rotationally lock at an upper location upon release of the dart or ball. Axial movement that releases the dart can continue until the ball aligns with a decreasing depth groove so that relative part rotation cams the ball against a leaf spring detent and into the mandrel flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Christopher R. Hern, Daniel C. Ewing, Matthew J. Krueger, Jason P. Lacombe, Travis J. Ansohn, Steve M. Cortez, Michael Ramon
  • Publication number: 20150068727
    Abstract: A subterranean tool can drop multiple objects to landing locations in a tubular string. The tool can keep at least one ball out of the fluid stream until ready for release. A dart or wiper plug can be kept in the fluid stream with an open bypass until axial mandrel movement allows release of the plug or dart. The tool is rotationally locked at a lower location for run in and then can rotationally lock at an upper location upon release of the dart or ball shifting relative rotation capabilities to different members. Axial movement that releases the dart also aligns a ball with a decreasing depth groove so that relative part rotation can cam the ball against a leaf spring detent and into the mandrel flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Christopher R. Hern, Daniel C. Ewing, Matthew J. Krueger, Jason P. Lacombe, Travis J. Ansohn, Steve M. Cortez, Michael Ramon