Patents by Inventor Thomas L. Dotson

Thomas L. Dotson 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).

  • Publication number: 20240102361
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a cleaning system for cleaning clean a tubing, casing, or components of an oil well. In some aspects the cleaning system includes a washing tool having a body configured for insertion into a component of an oil well. The body may include a proximal end and a distal end and define an inlet at the proximal end, a channel in fluid communication with the inlet, and an outlet in fluid communication with the channel. The outlet my extend circumferentially along a perimeter of the body. In some configurations, the washing tool may be configured to clean the component by ejecting fluid in a 360 degree range without movement of the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Earl H. DEARBORN, Thomas L. DOTSON, Stanley EVANS, John M. PIERCY
  • Patent number: 11938592
    Abstract: Embodiments of this disclosure provide a method and apparatus to inject an abrasive fluid mixture into a high-pressure fluid flow using a clear fluid pump. The high-pressure fluid flow may be used in abrasive jet perforating and hydraulic fracturing applications in oil and gas wells, and other oilfield related work that uses high pressure fluids containing abrasive material. The embodiments include inserting abrasive material downstream of a high-pressure pump, such that a pump without specialized capability for abrasives (e.g., a clear fluid pump) can be used instead of a specialized pump that can withstand abrasives (e.g., hydraulic fracturing pump, oilfield cementing pump).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: TD Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Earl H. Dearborn, Thomas L. Dotson, John M. Piercy
  • Publication number: 20230193733
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes an injection system for providing abrasive slurry output density in a system. In some aspects, the injection system can include a first vessel configured to receive a fluid from a high-pressure pump, a plurality of valves in selective communication with the first vessel, and a controller in communication with the plurality of valves. The controller can be configured to actuate the plurality of valves between a first state, in which a slurry is delivered to the first vessel and a second state in which the slurry is delivered from the first vessel. In some configurations, the controller may actuate the valves from the second state to the first state when an amount of slurry is less than a first threshold, and actuate the valves from the first state to the second state when the amount of slurry is greater than a second threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2022
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: TD Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Earl H. Dearborn, Thomas L. Dotson, John M. Piercy, Henry Wohltjen
  • Publication number: 20210069863
    Abstract: Embodiments of this disclosure provide a method and apparatus to inject an abrasive fluid mixture into a high-pressure fluid flow using a clear fluid pump. The high-pressure fluid flow may be used in abrasive jet perforating and hydraulic fracturing applications in oil and gas wells, and other oilfield related work that uses high pressure fluids containing abrasive material. The embodiments include inserting abrasive material downstream of a high-pressure pump, such that a pump without specialized capability for abrasives (e.g., a clear fluid pump) can be used instead of a specialized pump that can withstand abrasives (e.g., hydraulic fracturing pump, oilfield cementing pump).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Applicant: TD Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Earl H. Dearborn, Thomas L. Dotson, John M. Piercy
  • Patent number: 10174594
    Abstract: A system and method for jet perforating within a well are disclosed. A jet perforating tool configured to be lowered inside a production tubing string comprises a tool body with a passage, an inlet in the upper section, perforating jets in the lower section, and a stepped outer diameter configured to seat on a production tubing string restriction such as a seat nipple. The tool may be lowered into the production tubing string without the need to trip the production tubing string in and out of the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: TD Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Dotson, Lonnie S. Rhoads, James F. Farr
  • Publication number: 20180038207
    Abstract: A system and method for jet perforating within a well are disclosed. A jet perforating tool configured to be lowered inside a production tubing string comprises a tool body with a passage, an inlet in the upper section, perforating jets in the lower section, and a stepped outer diameter configured to seat on a production tubing string restriction such as a seat nipple. The tool may be lowered into the production tubing string without the need to trip the production tubing string in and out of the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: Thomas L. Dotson, Lonnie S. Rhoads, James. F. Farr
  • Patent number: 9822616
    Abstract: There is disclosed herein a method and apparatus for using rupture pins to selectively open jets on a jet perforating tool. Rupture pins inserted in jets within a jet perforating tool are configured to rupture at pre-designed thresholds, thereby opening the jet to begin a perforating job, or to circulate fluid through the tool. Also disclosed are systems and methods for holding the rupture pins within the tool prior to rupture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: TD TOOLS, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas L. Dotson
  • Patent number: 9822615
    Abstract: A system and method for jet perforating within a well are disclosed. A jet perforating tool configured to be lowered inside a production tubing string comprises a tool body with a passage, an inlet in the upper section, perforating jets in the lower section, and a stepped outer diameter configured to seat on a production tubing string restriction such as a seat nipple. The tool may be lowered into the production tubing string without the need to trip the production tubing string in and out of the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: TD TOOLS, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Dotson, Lonnie S. Rhoads, James F. Farr
  • Patent number: 9416610
    Abstract: An apparatus for performing abrasive jet perforating in a well comprises a generally cylindrically shaped tube with a side, an upper portion, and a lower portion; a plurality of smooth holes drilled into the side of the tube; abrasive jets mounted in at least some of the plurality of smooth holes; protective plates mounted in the side of the tube and surrounding the abrasive jets to hold the abrasive jets in place; wafers recessed into pockets on the protective plates and surrounding the abrasive jets to protect the abrasive jets from damage due to rebound of abrasive-carrying fluid slurry ejected by the abrasive jets; and fasteners securing the protective plates to the side of the tube and positioned away from the rebound of abrasive-carrying fluid slurry ejected by the abrasive jets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: TD TOOLS, INC.
    Inventor: Thomas L. Dotson
  • Patent number: 9353597
    Abstract: An apparatus for isolating fluid flow in a bottomhole tool assembly comprises a generally cylindrically shaped flow tube with a side, a top, and a bottom; an upper ball seat connected to the top of the flow tube; a lower ball seat connected to the bottom of the flow tube; a plurality of openings in the side of the flow tube; a tapered inner diameter in the upper ball seat, acting as a ball valve; a tapered inner diameter in the lower ball seat, acting as a ball valve, smaller than the tapered inner diameter in the upper ball seat; an upper sub attached to the bottomhole tool assembly; a lower sub attached to the bottomhole tool assembly; shear pins connecting the upper ball seat to the upper sub; and a limiting pin in the lower sub below the lower ball assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: TD TOOLS, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Dotson, Barrett Tucker
  • Patent number: 9291038
    Abstract: A system for injecting high pressure abrasive fluid into an abrasive jet tool in a wellbore comprises an abrasives hopper; a slurry tank connected to the abrasives hopper; a low pressure abrasive pump connected to the slurry tank; a first high pressure vessel connected to the low pressure pump through a first high pressure valve; a high pressure non-abrasive pump connected to the first high pressure vessel through a second high pressure valve; and an abrasive jet tool connected to the first high pressure vessel through a third high pressure valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: TD TOOLS, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Dotson, Henry Wohltjen
  • Publication number: 20150267514
    Abstract: There is disclosed herein a method and apparatus for using rupture pins to selectively open jets on a jet perforating tool. Rupture pins inserted in jets within a jet perforating tool are configured to rupture at pre-designed thresholds, thereby opening the jet to begin a perforating job, or to circulate fluid through the tool. Also disclosed are systems and methods for holding the rupture pins within the tool prior to rupture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventor: Thomas L. Dotson
  • Publication number: 20150083424
    Abstract: A system for injecting high pressure abrasive fluid into an abrasive jet tool in a wellbore comprises an abrasives hopper; a slurry tank connected to the abrasives hopper; a low pressure abrasive pump connected to the slurry tank; a first high pressure vessel connected to the low pressure pump through a first high pressure valve; a high pressure non-abrasive pump connected to the first high pressure vessel through a second high pressure valve; and an abrasive jet tool connected to the first high pressure vessel through a third high pressure valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas L. Dotson, Henry Wohltjen
  • Publication number: 20150075793
    Abstract: A system and method for jet perforating within a well are disclosed. A jet perforating tool configured to be lowered inside a production tubing string comprises a tool body with a passage, an inlet in the upper section, perforating jets in the lower section, and a stepped outer diameter configured to seat on a production tubing string restriction such as a seat nipple. The tool may be lowered into the production tubing string without the need to trip the production tubing string in and out of the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: TD TOOLS, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Dotson, Lonnie S. Rhoads, James. F. Farr
  • Patent number: 8925653
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for injecting high pressure abrasive fluid into an abrasive jet tool. The method and system comprise a slurry tank connected to an abrasive hopper and a low pressure abrasive pump for circulating abrasive slurry and transferring the slurry to a high pressure vessel. The method and system also contain a high pressure non-abrasive pump connected to a high pressure valve for pressurizing the high pressure vessel prior to injecting abrasive fluid into the abrasive jet tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: TD Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Dotson, Henry Wohltjen
  • Patent number: 8757262
    Abstract: An apparatus for abrasive jet cutting comprises an abrasive jet perforating tool coupled rotatably to a tubing string and a horizontal indexing tool coupled connectably to the perforating tool. A tubing swivel, an extension tool with protective sleeve, and an anchor may also be used. A method for abrasive jet cutting comprises determining well parameters for a well; assembling, according to the well parameters, the apparatus for abrasive jet perforating; and using the perforating tool to perforate tubular members in the well. A horizontal indexing tool is used to rotate the perforating tool and the perforating tool is used to cut tubular members in the well. An extension tool with a protective sleeve is used to protect the apparatus. A tubing swivel may be used to allow the perforating tool to rotate freely and an anchor may be used to prevent the perforating tool from moving vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: TD Tools, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas L. Dotson
  • Publication number: 20140102705
    Abstract: An apparatus for performing abrasive jet perforating in a well comprises a generally cylindrically shaped tube with a side, an upper portion, and a lower portion; a plurality of smooth holes drilled into the side of the tube; abrasive jets mounted in at least some of the plurality of smooth holes; protective plates mounted in the side of the tube and surrounding the abrasive jets to hold the abrasive jets in place; wafers recessed into pockets on the protective plates and surrounding the abrasive jets to protect the abrasive jets from damage due to rebound of abrasive-carrying fluid slurry ejected by the abrasive jets; and fasteners securing the protective plates to the side of the tube and positioned away from the rebound of abrasive-carrying fluid slurry ejected by the abrasive jets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: TD Tools, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas L. Dotson
  • Publication number: 20140069648
    Abstract: An apparatus for isolating fluid flow in a bottomhole tool assembly comprises a generally cylindrically shaped flow tube with a side, a top, and a bottom; an upper ball seat connected to the top of the flow tube; a lower ball seat connected to the bottom of the flow tube; a plurality of openings in the side of the flow tube; a tapered inner diameter in the upper ball seat, acting as a ball valve; a tapered inner diameter in the lower ball seat, acting as a ball valve, smaller than the tapered inner diameter in the upper ball seat; an upper sub attached to the bottomhole tool assembly; a lower sub attached to the bottomhole tool assembly; shear pins connecting the upper ball seat to the upper sub; and a limiting pin in the lower sub below the lower ball assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: TD Tolls, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Dotson, Barrett Tucker
  • Publication number: 20120217011
    Abstract: A system for injecting high pressure abrasive fluid into an abrasive jet tool in a wellbore comprises an abrasives hopper; a slurry tank connected to the abrasives hopper; a low pressure abrasive pump connected to the slurry tank; a first high pressure vessel connected to the low pressure pump through a first high pressure valve; a high pressure non-abrasive pump connected to the first high pressure vessel through a second high pressure valve; and an abrasive jet tool connected to the first high pressure vessel through a third high pressure valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: Thomas L. Dotson, Henry Wohltjen
  • Publication number: 20110146989
    Abstract: An apparatus for abrasive jet cutting comprises an abrasive jet perforating tool coupled rotatably to a tubing string and a horizontal indexing tool coupled connectably to the perforating tool. A tubing swivel, an extension tool with protective sleeve, and an anchor may also be used. A method for abrasive jet cutting comprises determining well parameters for a well; assembling, according to the well parameters, the apparatus for abrasive jet perforating; and using the perforating tool to perforate tubular members in the well. A horizontal indexing tool is used to rotate the perforating tool and the perforating tool is used to cut tubular members in the well. An extension tool with a protective sleeve is used to protect the apparatus. A tubing swivel may be used to allow the perforating tool to rotate freely and an anchor may be used to prevent the perforating tool from moving vertically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventor: Thomas L. Dotson