Patents by Inventor Thomas MacDougall

Thomas MacDougall 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: 11066903
    Abstract: A downhole tool string for conveying within a wellbore, including an engagement device for engaging a downhole feature located within the wellbore, a first actuator for applying a substantially non-vibrating force to the engagement device while the engagement device is engaged with the downhole feature, and a second actuator for applying a vibrating force to the engagement device while the engagement device is engaged with the downhole feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas MacDougall, Mark Milkovisch, Todor Sheiretov
  • Publication number: 20200173258
    Abstract: A downhole tool string for conveying within a wellbore, including an engagement device for engaging a downhole feature located within the wellbore, a first actuator for applying a substantially non-vibrating force to the engagement device while the engagement device is engaged with the downhole feature, and a second actuator for applying a vibrating force to the engagement device while the engagement device is engaged with the downhole feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Thomas MacDougall, Mark Milkovisch, Todor Sheiretov
  • Patent number: 10544657
    Abstract: A downhole tool string for conveying within a wellbore, including an engagement device for engaging a downhole feature located within the wellbore, a first actuator for applying a substantially non-vibrating force to the engagement device while the engagement device is engaged with the downhole feature, and a second actuator for applying a vibrating force to the engagement device while the engagement device is engaged with the downhole feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas MacDougall, Mark Milkovisch, Todor Sheiretov
  • Publication number: 20170370189
    Abstract: A downhole tool string for conveying within a wellbore, including an engagement device for engaging a downhole feature located within the wellbore, a first actuator for applying a substantially non-vibrating force to the engagement device while the engagement device is engaged with the downhole feature, and a second actuator for applying a vibrating force to the engagement device while the engagement device is engaged with the downhole feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas MacDougall, Mark Milkovisch, Todor Sheiretov
  • Patent number: 9342493
    Abstract: An example method includes receiving a first input indicating user activity at a first position in a document in a document editing application. The document editing application is navigable among different partial views of the document. The document editing application displays a frame element that indicates a position of a presently displayed partial view of the document is with reference to an entirety of the document. The method further includes displaying, in response to the first input indicating user activity, a first marker, in or proximate to the frame element, indicating where the first position of user activity is located with reference to the entirety of the document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. MacDougall, Mohammed Mostafa
  • Publication number: 20130205203
    Abstract: An example method includes receiving a first input indicating user activity at a first position in a document in a document editing application. The document editing application is navigable among different partial views of the document. The document editing application displays a frame element that indicates a position of a presently displayed partial view of the document is with reference to an entirety of the document. The method further includes displaying, in response to the first input indicating user activity, a first marker, in or proximate to the frame element, indicating where the first position of user activity is located with reference to the entirety of the document.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas A. MacDougall, Mohammed Mostafa
  • Patent number: 7635029
    Abstract: An apparatus that is usable with a well includes an power converter and a controller. The power converter translates electrical power into hydraulic power downhole in the well to generate a first hydraulic signal to cause a downhole tool to transition to a first state and a second hydraulic signal to cause the tool to transition to a different second state. The controller responds to stimuli that are communicated from the surface of the well to cause the actuator to generate one of the first and second hydraulic signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas MacDougall, Donald Ross
  • Publication number: 20070261861
    Abstract: An apparatus that is usable with a well includes an power converter and a controller. The power converter translates electrical power into hydraulic power downhole in the well to generate a first hydraulic signal to cause a downhole tool to transition to a first state and a second hydraulic signal to cause the tool to transition to a different second state. The controller responds to stimuli that are communicated from the surface of the well to cause the actuator to generate one of the first and second hydraulic signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas MacDougall, Donald Ross
  • Publication number: 20070163774
    Abstract: A technique is provided to control flow in a well. A well completion comprises one or more flow control valve systems coupled by an electric line and a hydraulic line. Each flow control valve system comprises a flow control valve responsive to hydraulic input via the hydraulic line and an electro-mechanical device. The electro-mechanical device is responsive to inputs via the electric line and is used to control hydraulic input to the corresponding flow control valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Pierre Hosatte, Thomas MacDougall, Stephane Hiron, Michael Bertoja
  • Publication number: 20070137869
    Abstract: A subsurface safety valve comprises a tubular body adapted for placement within a wellbore and defining a fluid passageway. A valve closure member, such as a flapper valve, is carried by the tubular body and movable through a closure path between positions opening and closing the fluid passageway. An actuator, such as a biasing spring, urges the valve closure member to its closing position. A flow tube is axially-movable within the tubular body between a first position preventing the actuator from urging the valve closure member to its closing position and a second position permitting the actuator to urge the valve closure member to its closing position. A latch assembly is provided for preventing movement of the valve closure member from its opening position to its closing position until the flow tube has been urged clear of the closure path. Aspects of the safety valve are employed by a related method and system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas MacDougall, Dwayne May
  • Publication number: 20070131434
    Abstract: A system for use in a well includes plural flow control devices to control fluid flow in respective zones of the well, where each of at least some of the flow control devices includes a membrane having a permeable material to provide a flow restriction. The membranes of the at least some flow control devices have different permeabilities to provide corresponding different flow restrictions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas MacDougall, Nihat Ovutmen, Mark Fraker, Qing Yao, Donald Ross
  • Publication number: 20070044963
    Abstract: A technique is provided to control flow in subterranean applications, such as hydrocarbon fluid production applications. The technique utilizes an aggregate formed, at least in part, of particles that swell in the presence of a specific substance or substances. The aggregate is deployed as a slurry or in other forms to desired subterranean locations. Once located, the aggregate allows the flow of hydrocarbon fluids but swells upon contact with the specific substance or substances to limit inflow of undesirable fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Thomas MacDougall
  • Publication number: 20060249291
    Abstract: A gas inflow control system is used in a well. A downhole tool is combined with an automatic valve that is automatically actuatable to a flow position in the presence of a well liquid flowing into the downhole tool. In the presence of gas flow into the valve, the valve automatically transitions toward or to a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Thomas MacDougall
  • Publication number: 20060162935
    Abstract: The present invention provides for the operation of a downhole flow control device using a snorkel tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Publication date: July 27, 2006
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Thomas MacDougall
  • Publication number: 20060086498
    Abstract: A system that is usable with a subterranean well includes a winding, a member and a circuit. The winding is located downhole in the well, and the member moves relative to the winding in response to vibration occurring in the well to cause a signal to be generated on the winding. The circuit is coupled to the winding to respond to the signal to provide power to operate a component located downhole in the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rodney Wetzel, Stephane Hiron, Anthony Veneruso, Dinesh Patel, Thomas MacDougall, Joe Walter
  • Publication number: 20060076146
    Abstract: A system that is usable with a subterranean well includes a first tubular member that is adapted to receive a flow of a first fluid. The system includes a second tubular member that is located in the flow and is substantially flexible to be moved by the flow to establish a pressure on a second fluid located inside the tubular member. A mechanism of the system uses this pressure to actuate a downhole tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2004
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anthony Veneruso, Thomas MacDougall
  • Publication number: 20050199401
    Abstract: The invention is a sealing system, such as a packer, that is used in a wellbore to seal against an exterior surface, such as a casing or open wellbore. The sealing system includes a swellable material that swells from an unexpanded state to an expanded state thereby creating a seal when the swellable material comes into contact with a triggering fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Publication date: September 15, 2005
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dinesh Patel, Y. Hilsman, Herve Ohmer, Stephane Hiron, Philippe Gambier, Jonathan Whitehead, Randolph Sheffield, Rodney Wetzel, John Whitsitt, Thomas MacDougall, Nitin Vaidya, James Hendrickson, John Edwards, Donald Ross, Rashmi Bhavsar
  • Patent number: 6766854
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a well-bore sensor apparatus and method. The apparatus includes a downhole tool carrying at least one sensor plug for deployment into the sidewall of a well-bore. The apparatus may also be used in conjunction with a surface control unit and a communication link for operatively coupling the sensor plug to the surface control unit. The sensor plug is capable of collecting well-bore data, such as pressure or temperature, and communicating the data uphole via a communication link, such as the downhole tool or an antenna. The downhole data may then be analyzed and control commands sent in response thereto. The sensor plug and/or the downhole tool may be made to respond to such control commands. In some embodiments, multiple surface control units for corresponding wells may be networked for decision making and control across multiple well-bores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Reinhart Ciglenec, Jacques Tabanou, Thomas MacDougall, Kenneth Havlinek, Arthur Liberman, Ian Bryant, Troy Fields
  • Publication number: 20020195247
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a well-bore sensor apparatus and method. The apparatus includes a downhole tool carrying at least one sensor plug for deployment into the sidewall of a well-bore. The apparatus may also be used in conjunction with a surface control unit and a communication link for operatively coupling the sensor plug to the surface control unit. The sensor plug is capable of collecting well-bore data, such as pressure or temperature, and communicating the data uphole via a communication link, such as the downhole tool or an antenna. The downhole data may then be analyzed and control commands sent in response thereto. The sensor plug and/or the downhole tool may be made to respond to such control commands. In some embodiments, multiple surface control units for corresponding wells may be networked for decision making and control across multiple well-bores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Publication date: December 26, 2002
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Reinhart Ciglenec, Jacques Tabanou, Thomas MacDougall, Kenneth Havlinek, Arthur Liberman, Ian Bryant, Troy Fields