Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Wuensche

Thomas J. Wuensche 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: 11506029
    Abstract: A shaped charge for use in a well perforating tool includes a jet blocker disposed in an apex of a parabolic or cone-shaped liner. The jet blocker limits the velocity and/or length of a jet that forms upon discharging an explosive in the shaped charge. The jet blocker may include an inert cast-cure type of material such as an epoxy or a flowable plastic that can be readily inserted into an existing shaped charge to fill an external concavity in the liner to any desired height. The height and material selected for the jet blocker determines the degree to which the penetration achieved by the shaped charge is limited, and thus, determines which targeted annulus in the wellbore may be penetrated in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Wuensche, Kevin Harive, Thomas E. Burky
  • Publication number: 20210381348
    Abstract: A shaped charge for use in a well perforating tool includes a jet blocker disposed in an apex of a parabolic or cone-shaped liner. The jet blocker limits the velocity and/or length of a jet that forms upon discharging an explosive in the shaped charge. The jet blocker may include an inert cast-cure type of material such as an epoxy or a flowable plastic that can be readily inserted into an existing shaped charge to fill an external concavity in the liner to any desired height. The height and material selected for the jet blocker determines the degree to which the penetration achieved by the shaped charge is limited, and thus, determines which targeted annulus in the wellbore may be penetrated in operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas J. Wuensche, Kevin Harive, Thomas E. Burky
  • Patent number: 8291826
    Abstract: A detonator assembly is provided. The detonator assembly comprises a deflagration to detonation transition body, a first thermally stable secondary explosive contained by the body, and a bulkhead coupled to the deflagration to detonation transition body. The bulkhead contains pressure within the body associated with firing the detonator assembly at least until a transition from a deflagration operation mode of the detonator assembly to a detonation operation mode of the detonator assembly has occurred. A second thermally stable secondary explosive may alternatively be included in the deflagration to detonation transition body, either separated from the first thermally stable secondary explosive or mixed with the first thermally stable secondary explosive. The detonator assembly comprises effectively no primary explosive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Wuensche, James Barker, Gayle Moritz
  • Patent number: 8286555
    Abstract: A detonator assembly is provided. The detonator assembly comprises a deflagration to detonation transition body, a first thermally stable secondary explosive contained by the body, and a bulkhead coupled to the deflagration to detonation transition body. The bulkhead contains pressure within the body associated with firing the detonator assembly at least until a transition from a deflagration operation mode of the detonator assembly to a detonation operation mode of the detonator assembly has occurred. A second thermally stable secondary explosive may alternatively be included in the deflagration to detonation transition body, either separated from the first thermally stable secondary explosive or mixed with the first thermally stable secondary explosive. The detonator assembly comprises effectively no primary explosive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Wuensche, James Barker, Gayle Moritz
  • Publication number: 20120118191
    Abstract: A detonator assembly is provided. The detonator assembly comprises a deflagration to detonation transition body, a first thermally stable secondary explosive contained by the body, and a bulkhead coupled to the deflagration to detonation transition body. The bulkhead contains pressure within the body associated with firing the detonator assembly at least until a transition from a deflagration operation mode of the detonator assembly to a detonation operation mode of the detonator assembly has occurred. A second thermally stable secondary explosive may alternatively be included in the deflagration to detonation transition body, either separated from the first thermally stable secondary explosive or mixed with the first thermally stable secondary explosive. The detonator assembly comprises effectively no primary explosive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Wuensche, James Barker, Gayle Moritz
  • Publication number: 20120118447
    Abstract: A detonator assembly is provided. The detonator assembly comprises a deflagration to detonation transition body, a first thermally stable secondary explosive contained by the body, and a bulkhead coupled to the deflagration to detonation transition body. The bulkhead contains pressure within the body associated with firing the detonator assembly at least until a transition from a deflagration operation mode of the detonator assembly to a detonation operation mode of the detonator assembly has occurred. A second thermally stable secondary explosive may alternatively be included in the deflagration to detonation transition body, either separated from the first thermally stable secondary explosive or mixed with the first thermally stable secondary explosive. The detonator assembly comprises effectively no primary explosive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Wuensche, James Barker, Gayle Moritz
  • Patent number: 8161880
    Abstract: A detonator assembly is provided. The detonator assembly comprises a deflagration to detonation transition body, a first thermally stable secondary explosive contained by the body, and a bulkhead coupled to the deflagration to detonation transition body. The bulkhead contains pressure within the body associated with firing the detonator assembly at least until a transition from a deflagration operation mode of the detonator assembly to a detonation operation mode of the detonator assembly has occurred. A second thermally stable secondary explosive may alternatively be included in the deflagration to detonation transition body, either separated from the first thermally stable secondary explosive or mixed with the first thermally stable secondary explosive. The detonator assembly comprises effectively no primary explosive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Wuensche, James Barker, Gayle Moritz
  • Publication number: 20110146517
    Abstract: A detonator assembly is provided. The detonator assembly comprises a deflagration to detonation transition body, a first thermally stable secondary explosive contained by the body, and a bulkhead coupled to the deflagration to detonation transition body. The bulkhead contains pressure within the body associated with firing the detonator assembly at least until a transition from a deflagration operation mode of the detonator assembly to a detonation operation mode of the detonator assembly has occurred. A second thermally stable secondary explosive may alternatively be included in the deflagration to detonation transition body, either separated from the first thermally stable secondary explosive or mixed with the first thermally stable secondary explosive. The detonator assembly comprises effectively no primary explosive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Wuensche, James Barker, Gayle Moritz
  • Patent number: 7416076
    Abstract: A system and method for a packaging system for the shipment of high explosive components is described. One or more explosive devices are positioned in a tubing assembly having opposed ends and a thick wall of relatively low-density fibrous material, e.g. rolled paper tube. An impact absorbing element is positioned at each end of the tube. The impact absorbing element may include an end cap positioned within each end of the tube, and a cushion formed of partial tubes and an end cap. The complete assembly is sized to fit and be held in position by a standard shipping container. Multiple perforating charges in a tubing assembly may face opposite sides of a charge divider. Shaped charges may have their concave openings filled with a jet interrupter, e.g. sand. Circular charges may include heat releasable fasteners, e.g. nylon screws, which allow the charges to separate in case of fire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Barton, Antony F. Grattan, Thomas J. Wuensche
  • Patent number: 7104326
    Abstract: A system and method for making and using a multi-point initiation explosive device that produces an enhanced pressure wave for severing tubing, pipe or casing in an oil or gas well. At least two opposed initiators initiate a column of explosive material from opposite ends, thereby generating opposing pressure waves propagating toward a midpoint between the initial initiators. A shaped-charge assembly with a liner located at the midpoint initiates immediately prior to the arrival of the opposing pressure waves and forms a fast moving jet to pre-score the target pipe prior to the arrival of the pressure pulse propagating from the initial detonations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Antony F. Grattan, Michael L. Patterson, James M. Barker, Thomas J. Wuensche