Patents by Inventor Thomas G. Whiteley
Thomas G. Whiteley 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: 9547831Abstract: A system for monitoring use of a tool. The system may include an RFID tag coupled to the tool. A collar may be removably coupled to the tool and configured to be de-coupled from the tool prior to the tool being used. An RFID reader may be coupled to the collar and configured to transmit a first alert signal when the RFID reader is out of transmission range from the RFID tag.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2011Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Inventors: Joshua E. Laase, Thomas G. Whiteley, James W. McGrath
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Publication number: 20150081621Abstract: A system for recording oil and gas inspection data comprising an inspection database server; a server-side vendor inspection database; at least one inspector client device; an inspector-side vendor inspection database; at least one customer client device; wherein at least one inspector inputs oil and gas inspection data to the inspection database server; wherein the inspection database server comprises computer instructions for instructing the inspection database server to provide at least one report; wherein the at least one inspector client device and the at least one customer client device are operable to access the oil and gas inspection data, the at least one report, or combinations thereof; and wherein the computer instructions instruct the inspection database server to formulate the at least one report for selected oil and gas inspection data and communicate the at least one report for viewing by at least one customer upon demand.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2014Publication date: March 19, 2015Applicant: PPI TECHNOLOGY SERVICESInventors: Thomas G. Whiteley, Lane Wimberly, Bryan Lane
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Publication number: 20110273296Abstract: A system for monitoring use of a tool. The system may include an RFID tag coupled to the tool. A collar may be removably coupled to the tool and configured to be de-coupled from the tool prior to the tool being used. An RFID reader may be coupled to the collar and configured to transmit a first alert signal when the RFID reader is out of transmission range from the RFID tag.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2011Publication date: November 10, 2011Applicant: PPI TECHNOLOGY SERVICES, LPInventors: Joshua E. Laase, Thomas G. Whiteley, James W. McGrath
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Patent number: 7917409Abstract: A method for monitoring shipments of a plurality of components and enabling assembly of the plurality of components. The method can include the steps of encoding a unique identifier and specification information on each component into a data storage of a GPS device; encoding assembly instructions for each component; attaching the GPS device to the component; actuating each GPS device to provide a longitude and latitude signal to a network; tracking the location of each component; shipping the components while tracking the location of the components until the components reach a designated location; and retrieving from each component assembly instructions, specification information, and inspection information. The method can include assembling the components using the assembly instructions at the designated location, and forming a record of each route used by each component.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2009Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: PPI Technology Services, LPInventors: Thomas G. Whiteley, James McGrath, Ben R. Sullivan
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Patent number: 7707076Abstract: A system for continuous asset verification for at least one piece of well equipment using at least one radio frequency identification tag comprising: at least one radio frequency identification tag for removably attaching to at least one piece of well equipment; a first processor for storing information about the well equipment and for communicating the information to the radio frequency identification tag; a transportable data storage device for receiving and storing from the first processor the information; a controller comprising a second processor adapted to engage with the transportable data storage device, thereby forming a smart controller, wherein the smart controller is adapted for scanning for radio frequency identification tag at least one predefined interval to detect the information; a third processor for communicating with the transportable data storage device and storing the information.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2007Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: PPI Technology Services, LPInventors: Thomas G. Whiteley, Wilson S. Wimberley, Bryan Lane
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Patent number: 7664685Abstract: A system for recording oil and gas inspection data comprising an inspection database server; a server-side vendor inspection database; at least one inspector client device; an inspector-side vendor inspection database; at least one customer client device; wherein at least one inspector inputs oil and gas inspection data to the inspection database server; wherein the inspection database server comprises computer instructions for instructing the inspection database server to provide at least one report; wherein the at least one inspector client device and the at least one customer client device are operable to access the oil and gas inspection data, the at least one report, or combinations thereof; and wherein the computer instructions instruct the inspection database server to formulate the at least one report for selected oil and gas inspection data and communicate the at least one report for viewing by at least one customer upon demand.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2007Date of Patent: February 16, 2010Assignee: PPI Technology Services, LPInventors: Thomas G. Whiteley, Wilson S. Wimberley, Bryan Lane
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Patent number: 7657468Abstract: A method for continuous asset verification using at least one radio frequency identification tag for at least one piece of well equipment comprising: writing information about the well equipment into a transportable data storage device; engaging the transportable data storage device with a controller forming a smart controller; encoding the information onto at least one radio frequency identification tag; removably attaching the radio frequency identification tag to the well equipment; transporting the well equipment with the smart controller to a site and scanning the well equipment with the smart controller during at least one predefined interval during transport; and writing the stored scanned radio frequency identification tag information from the transportable data storage device to data storage in communication with a third processor.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2007Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: PPI Technology Services, LPInventors: Thomas G. Whiteley, Wilson S. Wimberley, Bryan Lane
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Patent number: 7603296Abstract: Items of equipment and assemblies for use in drilling or completion of a well or in other well operations are monitored from the time they are assembled for shipment to a particular well site for a job through the time of delivery and installation at the well site. Radio frequency identifier devices (RFID's) are mounted with the items to electronically tag them as they are assembled for shipment. The items are assembled into containers which can be readily inventoried during transit to detect loss or pilferage. Detailed information about the individual items can be encoded into the RFID at the time of electronic tagging. If desired, the shipping containers can be provided with separate RFID's detailing the particular items within the container and the progress of the shipment monitored remotely by satellite or the like.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2002Date of Patent: October 13, 2009Assignee: PPI Technology Services, LPInventors: Thomas G. Whiteley, Ronald Duane Thomas, Ben R. Sullivan, Bruce Edward Davis, James P. Wakefield
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Publication number: 20040078306Abstract: Items of equipment and assemblies for use in drilling or completion of a well or in other well operations are monitored from the time they are assembled for shipment to a particular well site for a job through the time of delivery and installation at the well site. Radio frequency identifier devices (RFID's) are mounted with the items to electronically tag them as they are assembled for shipment. The items are assembled into containers which can be readily inventoried during transit to detect loss or pilferage. Detailed information about the individual items can be encoded into the RFID at the time of electronic tagging. If desired, the shipping containers can be provided with separate RFID's detailing the particular items within the container and the progress of the shipment monitored remotely by satellite or the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2002Publication date: April 22, 2004Inventors: Thomas G. Whiteley, Ronald Duane Thomas, Ben R. Sullivan, Bruce Edward Davis, James P. Wakefield
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Patent number: 5219025Abstract: A gravel packing assembly which may be utilized in a method to gravel pack a well through the tubing string. The gravel pack assembly includes a crossover assembly which facilitates the pumping of a gravel slurry into a wellbore, and the taking of the fluid return through the tubing string. A gravel pack screen will be coupled in the assembly beneath the crossover assembly to facilitate the conventional placement of the gravel pack. After the placement of gravel in the well, the crossover assembly may be removed from the well, leaving the screen in place with the gravel pack.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 1992Date of Patent: June 15, 1993Assignee: Otis Engineering CorporationInventors: David J. Berger, Thomas G. Whiteley
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Patent number: 5174379Abstract: A new gravel packing system is provided whereby a well may be perforated, gravel packed and placed on production with a single trip of the tool string into the well. The system will include a crossover assembly which has a closure mechanism operatively associated therewith. The closure mechanism may be operated to preclude downward fluid flow through the crossover tool, to establish at least a portion of a downward gravel pack slurry flow path, and to establish at least a part of a carrier fluid return flow path. At the conclusion of a gravel pack operation, the closure member may be either withdrawn from the assembly or expelled to the bottom of the wellbore, leaving the tool to be placed on production without tripping the tool string.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 1991Date of Patent: December 29, 1992Assignee: Otis Engineering CorporationInventors: Thomas G. Whiteley, Travis W. Cavender
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Patent number: 5107927Abstract: A positioning tool is combined with a completion tool, for example a sand screen, for positioning the completion tool substantially within the lower half of a horizontal well casing member, and for automatically orienting the working face of the completion tool with respect to a predetermined sidewall portion of the well casing member. The orienting tool includes an annular roll collar which supports the completion tool off of the bottom of the horizontal well casing member, and a pair of radially projecting orienting vanes which limit rolling movement by engaging the upper bore of the well casing member.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 1991Date of Patent: April 28, 1992Assignee: Otis Engineering CorporationInventors: Thomas G. Whiteley, John M. Jackson
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Patent number: 4969524Abstract: A well completion assembly is constructed to be run on a tubing string into a well. The well can be gravel packed and subsequently opened to production without removing the tubing string from the well. The well completion assembly includes a packer, and a screen located below the packer. A gravel packing and production control assembly is located between the packer and the screen for initially permitting flow of gravel packing slurry down the tubing string and into a lower well annulus surrounding the exterior of the screen, and for subsequently permitting production of well fluids through the screen into the interior thereof and up through the tubing string without tripping the tubing string out of the well.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 1989Date of Patent: November 13, 1990Assignee: Halliburton CompanyInventor: Thomas G. Whiteley
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Patent number: 4944348Abstract: Gravel packing systems are disclosed which permit sand fill to be reverse circulated out of a well without tripping the gravel packing system itself out of the well. The gravel packing system can be utilized with a sump packer. An outer seal assembly is constructed to be received in a bore of the sump packer. The seal assembly has a seal assembly bore therethrough which receives a lower end of a wash pipe. A wash pipe extension is partially received in the lower end of the seal assembly bore and extends downward below the seal assembly. The wash pipe extension is communicated with the wash pipe. A releasable retaining structure is operably associated with the wash pipe and the wash pipe extension and initially retains the wash pipe in the seal assembly bore. Subsequently, the wash pipe extension is released upon upward movement of the wash pipe. Methods of gravel packing are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 1989Date of Patent: July 31, 1990Assignee: Halliburton CompanyInventors: Thomas G. Whiteley, Travis W. Cavender
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Patent number: RE44793Abstract: A method for monitoring shipments of a plurality of components and enabling assembly of the plurality of components. The method can include the steps of encoding a unique identifier and specification information on each component into a data storage of a GPS device; encoding assembly instructions for each component; attaching the GPS device to the component; actuating each GPS device to provide a longitude and latitude signal to a network; tracking the location of each component; shipping the components while tracking the location of the components until the components reach a designated location; and retrieving from each component assembly instructions, specification information, and inspection information. The method can include assembling the components using the assembly instructions at the designated location, and forming a record of each route used by each component.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2011Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: PPI Technology Services, LPInventors: Thomas G. Whiteley, James McGrath, Ben R. Sullivan
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Patent number: RE46278Abstract: A method for monitoring shipments of a plurality of components and enabling assembly of the plurality of components. The method can include the steps of encoding a unique identifier and specification information on each component into a data storage of a GPS device; encoding assembly instructions for each component; attaching the GPS device to the component; actuating each GPS device to provide a longitude and latitude signal to a network; tracking the location of each component; shipping the components while tracking the location of the components until the components reach a designated location; and retrieving from each component assembly instructions, specification information, and inspection information. The method can include assembling the components using the assembly instructions at the designated location, and forming a record of each route used by each component.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2011Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: PPI Technology ServicesInventors: Thomas G. Whiteley, James McGrath, Ben R. Sullivan