Patents by Inventor Thomas M. Redlinger

Thomas M. Redlinger 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: 7823665
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for milling an item in a wellbore. The method and apparatus including providing a milling tool having one or more blades which are geometrically configured to resist deflection by distributing cutting forces in multiple directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Sullivan, Thomas M. Redlinger, Hubert E. Halford, Thomas F. Bailey
  • Publication number: 20100089583
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to extendable cutting tools for use in a wellbore. In one embodiment, a tool for use in a wellbore includes a tubular body having a bore therethrough, an opening through a wall thereof, and a connector at each longitudinal end thereof; and an arm. The arm is pivotally connected to a first piston and rotationally coupled to the body, is disposed in the opening in a retracted position, and is movable to an extended position where an outer surface of the arm extends outward past an outer surface of the body. The tool further includes the first piston. The first piston is disposed in the body bore, has a bore therethrough, and is operable to move the arm from the retracted position to the extended position in response to fluid pressure in the piston bore exceeding fluid pressure in the opening. The tool further includes a lock operable to retain the first piston in the retracted position; and a second piston operably coupled to the lock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: WEI JAKE XU, Albert C. Odell, II, Simon J. Harrall, Thomas M. Redlinger, Christopher M. Vreeland, Andrew Antoine, David J. Brunnert, Tommy L. Laird, Michael J. Moody, Frederick T. Tilton
  • Patent number: 7681642
    Abstract: A method for logging a downhole formation in a wellbore. The method comprises drilling a wellbore with a drill bit coupled to a disconnect device. The disconnect device is then actuated to detach the drill bit from a portion of a conveyance. A logging operation is then performed between two portions of the disconnect device. The disconnect device may then be reattached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Bell, Larry E. Whitney, Keith Fitzgerald, Thomas M. Redlinger
  • Publication number: 20090266544
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to signal operated tools for milling, drilling, and/or fishing operations. In one embodiment, a mud motor for use in a wellbore includes: a stator; a rotor, the stator and rotor operable to rotate the rotor in response to fluid pumped between the rotor and the stator; and a lock. The lock is operable to: rotationally couple the rotor to the stator in a locked position, receive an instruction signal from the surface, release the rotor in an unlocked position, and actuate from the locked position to the unlocked position in response to receiving the instruction signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas M. Redlinger, Thomas Koithan, Christopher M. Vreeland, Wesley Don Heiskell, Andrew Antoine, Scott McIntire
  • Publication number: 20090194285
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method of jarring with an overpull generator. In one aspect, a method of dislodging an object stuck in a wellbore is provided. The method includes the step of running an assembly into the wellbore on a conveyance member and attaching the assembly to the object, wherein the assembly comprises an overpull generator and a delay force release device. The method also includes the step of generating an overpull force in the wellbore by selectively activating the overpull generator. Additionally, the method includes the step of applying an impact force to the object by activating the delay force release device and releasing the generated overpull force, thereby dislodging the object stuck in the wellbore. In a further aspect, an assembly for dislodging an object stuck in a wellbore is provided. In yet a further aspect, an overpull generator for use in generating an overpull force in a wellbore is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas M. Redlinger, Christopher M. Vreeland
  • Patent number: 7487835
    Abstract: A method is provided that allows the operator to re-enter a primary wellbore from a lateral wellbore after the lateral wellbore has been completed. The method generally comprises the steps of locating a cutting device such as a milling bit adjacent a tubular such as a liner within a wellbore, rotating the milling bit while maintaining an axial position of the milling bit relative to the liner to initiate an opening, and rotating and axially advancing the milling bit to complete the opening. In addition, a bottom hole assembly that facilitates re-entry into the primary wellbore from a lateral wellbore is provided. The bottom hole assembly generally includes a drill collar or other heavy pipe structure, and a mill. The mill has a body and cutting structures. The cutting structures apply lateral force against a surrounding pipe to form an initial lip through the wall of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Thurman B. Carter, Jr., Robert E. Robertson, Hubert E. Halford, Thomas M. Redlinger
  • Publication number: 20080245532
    Abstract: A method of removing a restriction in a tubular located in a well includes providing a drilling assembly with a drill bit and a reamer, the reamer having a cutting structure for removing the restriction; drilling through a lower portion of the tubular; expanding the reamer at a location below the restriction; and urging the reamer back toward the restriction to remove the restriction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Bill Rhinehart, Thomas M. Redlinger, Thurman B. Carter, Wei Xu, Hubert E. Halford, Martin Stulberg
  • Publication number: 20080185148
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a whipstock assembly for use in forming a lateral borehole from a parent wellbore. The whipstock assembly comprises a body and a deflection member above the body. The deflection member includes a concave portion for deflecting a milling bit during a milling operation. Disposed on a perforation plate portion of the concave portion is a raised surface feature. The raised surface supports a milling bit above the perforation plate portion during a milling operation. This, in turn, substantially prevents frictional contact between the milling bits and the perforation plate portion during a milling operation. The present invention also provides a novel method for manufacturing a whipstock in which a cavity portion is formed behind the perforation plate by milling out the backside of the deflection member and then joining a second back cover member to the whipstock body to complete the assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventors: Thurman B. Carter, Thomas M. Redlinger, David J. Brunnert
  • Publication number: 20080169107
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for stabilizing a downhole tool during a downhole operation is described herein. The method and apparatus include a stabilizer having a stabilization member adapted to move between a retracted position and an extended position in order to engage a surface in a wellbore. The stabilizer also includes a plurality of actuators adapted to move the stabilization members from the retracted position to the extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas M. Redlinger, Christopher M. Vreeland, Jerry W. Fisher, Thurman B. Carter, Thomas F. Bailey
  • Patent number: 7353867
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a whipstock assembly (100) for use in forming a lateral borehole from a parent wellbore. The whipstock assembly comprises a body (122) and a deflection member 120) above the body. The deflection member includes a concave portion (111) for deflecting a milling bit during a milling operation. Disposed on a perforation plate (110) portion of the concave portion is a raised surface feature (116). The raised surface supports a milling bit above the perforation plate portion during a milling operation. This, in turn, substantially prevents frictional contact between the milling bits and the perforation plate portion during a milling operation. The present invention also provides a novel method for manufacturing a whipstock in which a cavity portion is formed behind the perforation plate by milling out the backside of the deflection member and then joining a second back cover member to the whipstock body to complete the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb. Inc.
    Inventors: Thurman B. Carter, Thomas M. Redlinger, David J. Brunnert
  • Publication number: 20080035377
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for milling an item in a wellbore. The method and apparatus including providing a milling tool having one or more blades which are geometrically configured to resist deflection by distributing cutting forces in multiple directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Michael Sullivan, Thomas M. Redlinger, Hubert E. Halford, Thomas F. Bailey