Patents by Inventor Varadaraju Gandikota

Varadaraju Gandikota 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: 10557560
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a flow regulator with a main body dimensioned to be received within a flow passageway that includes an inlet and an outer surface, and an inner volume positioned within the main body and extending from the inlet along at least a partial length of the main body. Some embodiments includes two separate spiral structures positioned spiraled around the main body where one spiral extends further from the outer surface than the other. Some embodiments include a fluid flow space extending between the spirals. Based on a fluid pressure, the spirals can expand and contract to control the fluid flow space and affect downstream, fluid flow rate as a function of upstream fluid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: FLUIDMASTER, INC.
    Inventors: Varadaraju Gandikota, Venkat Mallela, Andres Quiroga, Adam Sampson
  • Publication number: 20180238464
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a flow regulator with a main body dimensioned to be received within a flow passageway that includes an inlet and an outer surface, and an inner volume positioned within the main body and extending from the inlet along at least a partial length of the main body. Some embodiments includes two separate spiral structures positioned spiraled around the main body where one spiral extends further from the outer surface than the other. Some embodiments include a fluid flow space extending between the spirals. Based on a fluid pressure, the spirals can expand and contract to control the fluid flow space and affect downstream, fluid flow rate as a function of upstream fluid pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Applicant: FLUIDMASTER, INC.
    Inventors: VARADARAJU GANDIKOTA, VENKAT MALLELA, ANDRES QUIROGA, ADAM SAMPSON
  • Patent number: 9903176
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus include tubing expanded to create a seal in an annulus surrounding the tubing. The tubing includes a sealing material selected to cause forming of undulations in a diameter of the tubing upon expansion of the tubing. Various factors of the sealing material such as deviations in its thickness influence sealing performance of the tubing with the sealing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Varadaraju Gandikota, Lev Ring
  • Patent number: 9850726
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for expanding an anchoring device in a borehole. In one aspect, an anchoring device is provided. The anchoring device includes an expandable tubular. The anchoring device further includes a plurality of bands disposed on an outer surface of the expandable tubular. Each band is attached to the tubular at a first connection point and a second connection point, wherein each band is configured to bow radially outward as the expandable tubular shortens in length in response to the expansion of the tubular. In a further aspect, a method of attaching an anchoring device in a borehole is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Varadaraju Gandikota, Larry A. Kendziora, Richard Lee Giroux
  • Patent number: 9551201
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus include an expandable packer having a tubing expanded to create a seal in an annulus surrounding the tubing. The tubing includes a non-uniform outer surface configured to cause formation of undulations in a diameter of the tubing upon expansion of the tubing. A plurality of expandable packers may be connected to a tubular string to isolate multiple zones in a wellbore. A production tubular equipped with multiple expandable packers may be installed in the tubular string. The expandable packers may also include non-uniform outer surfaces configured to form undulations upon expansion. The combination of tubular string and production tubular may be used in an enhanced oil recovery application such as injecting steam into a formation to enhance production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Lev Ring, Varadaraju Gandikota
  • Patent number: 9308566
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a swage assembly that is movable from a compliant configuration having a first shape to a substantially non-compliant configuration having a second shape. In one aspect, an expansion swage for expanding a wellbore tubular is provided. The expansion swage includes a body and a solid cone disposed on the body. The expansion swage further includes a deformable cone disposed on the body, wherein the solid cone is made from a first material and the deformable cone is made from a second material and wherein the deformable cone is movable relative to the body when the expansion swage is in a compliant configuration. In another aspect, a method of expanding a wellbore tubular is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Lev Ring, Varadaraju Gandikota, Mike A. Luke, David S. Li
  • Patent number: 9255467
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an expandable liner hanger capable of being expanded into a surrounding casing. In one aspect, an expandable tubular system is provided. The system includes an expandable tubular. The system further includes an expansion swage for expanding the expandable tubular, wherein the expansion swage is deformable from a compliant configuration to a smaller substantially non-compliant configuration. Additionally, the system includes a restriction member disposed on an exterior surface of the expandable tubular, wherein expansion of the expandable tubular in the location of the restriction member deforms the expansion swage from the compliant configuration to the smaller substantially non-compliant configuration. In another aspect, a method of expanding a liner hanger using a cone is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Gordon Thomson, Lev Ring, Varadaraju Gandikota, Paul Andrew Reinhardt, Mike A. Luke, David S. Li
  • Patent number: 9187988
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a cone system having a cone segment capable of deflecting in response to a restriction or obstruction encountered while expanding a tubular. In one aspect, an expansion cone system is provided. The expansion cone system includes a mandrel and two or more pockets disposed circumferentially around the mandrel. Each pocket is at least partially defined by a fin member. The expansion cone system further includes a cone segment coupled to each pocket. Additionally, the expansion cone system includes a biasing member disposed between the mandrel and the respective cone segment. In another aspect, a method of expanding a wellbore tubular is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Nader Elias Abedrabbo, Varadaraju Gandikota, Lev Ring
  • Patent number: 9169722
    Abstract: An expansion tool for use in a wellbore includes an expansion surface made up of a concave portion, a convex portion and a straight section therebetween. The straight section is formed according to a formula Y=(1.26)(X)?0.13, where X is the wall thickness of a tubular and Y is the length of the straight section. The concave portion and the convex portion have an arc length extending the concave portion to a trailing edge of the tool. The concave and convex portions are radius-shaped. The arrangement of the shapes and their relation to each other reduces relatively high and low contact pressures and lessens the effects of axial bending in a tubular or a connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Richard W. DeLange, Scott H. Osburn, Varadaraju Gandikota, Ghazi J. Hashem
  • Publication number: 20150159464
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus include tubing expanded to create a seal in an annulus surrounding the tubing. The tubing includes a sealing material selected to cause forming of undulations in a diameter of the tubing upon expansion of the tubing. Various factors of the sealing material such as deviations in its thickness influence sealing performance of the tubing with the sealing material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventors: Varadaraju GANDIKOTA, Lev RING
  • Patent number: 8967281
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus include tubing expanded to create a seal in an annulus surrounding the tubing. The tubing includes a sealing material selected to cause forming of undulations in a diameter of the tubing upon expansion of the tubing. Various factors of the sealing material such as deviations in its thickness influence sealing performance of the tubing with the sealing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Varadaraju Gandikota, Lev Ring
  • Patent number: 8875783
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an apparatus and method for expanding an expandable tubular assembly in a borehole. In one aspect, a system for expanding a tubular having an anchor portion in a borehole is provided. The system includes a running tool configured to position the tubular in the borehole. The running tool including a first expander configured to activate the anchor portion by expanding the tubular to a first diameter. The system further includes a second expander configured to expand the tubular to a second larger diameter, wherein the second expander is movable between a retracted position and an expanded position. In another aspect, a method of expanding a tubular having an anchor portion in a borehole is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Lee Giroux, Varadaraju Gandikota, Nader E. Abedrabbo, Larry A. Kendziora, Lev Ring
  • Patent number: 8800669
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for expanding a tubular below a restriction in a wellbore. An expandable tubular may comprise a first end having a first wall thickness, a second end having a second wall thickness, and a middle section disposed between the first and second ends and having a third wall thickness that is less than the first and second wall thicknesses. The first and second ends may include grooves. A method for expanding a tubular below a restriction in a wellbore may comprise running the tubular past the restriction, wherein the tubular comprises a first end and a second end, each end having a wall thickness greater than a wall thickness of a middle section disposed between the ends. The method may include expanding the tubular, wherein the first and second ends of the expanded tubular have outer diameters greater than the outer diameter of the middle section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Lev Ring, Varadaraju Gandikota
  • Publication number: 20140209326
    Abstract: An expansion tool for use in a wellbore includes an expansion surface made up of a concave portion, a convex portion and a straight section therebetween. The straight section is formed according to a formula Y=(1.26)(X)?0.13, where X is the wall thickness of a tubular and Y is the length of the straight section. The concave portion and the convex portion have an arc length extending the concave portion to a trailing edge of the tool. The concave and convex portions are radius-shaped. The arrangement of the shapes and their relation to each other reduces relatively high and low contact pressures and lessens the effects of axial bending in a tubular or a connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. DELANGE, Scott H. OSBURN, Varadaraju GANDIKOTA, Ghazi J. HASHEM
  • Publication number: 20140196914
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus include an expandable packer having a tubing expanded to create a seal in an annulus surrounding the tubing. The tubing includes a non-uniform outer surface configured to cause formation of undulations in a diameter of the tubing upon expansion of the tubing. A plurality of expandable packers may be connected to a tubular string to isolate multiple zones in a wellbore. A production tubular equipped with multiple expandable packers may be installed in the tubular string. The expandable packers may also include non-uniform outer surfaces configured to form undulations upon expansion. The combination of tubular string and production tubular may be used in an enhanced oil recovery application such as injecting steam into a formation to enhance production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: WEATHERFORD/LAMB, INC.
    Inventors: Lev RING, Varadaraju GANDIKOTA
  • Patent number: 8763687
    Abstract: Anti-extrusion devices, packer elements, and inflatable packers include shape memory polymer (SMP) materials to enhance the operation of a packer, a bridge plug, or other downhole isolation tool. Seal system use seals of various material including SMP materials as booster for the seal produced. Tool for flow shut-off and sliding sleeve applications use SMP materials to open or close off flow through a tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Ingram, Minh-Tuan Nguyen, Paul Wilson, Chris Johnson, Deborah L. Banta, Jacob Bramwell, Stone Fagley, Varadaraju A. Gandikota
  • Patent number: 8714243
    Abstract: An expansion tool for use in a wellbore includes an expansion surface made up of a concave portion, a convex portion and a straight section therebetween. The straight section is formed according to a formula Y=(1.26) (X)?0.13, where X is the wall thickness of a tubular and Y is the length of the straight section. The concave portion and the convex portion have an arc length extending the concave portion to a trailing edge of the tool. The concave and convex portions are radius-shaped. The arrangement of the shapes and their relation to each other reduces relatively high and low contact pressures and lessens the effects of axial bending in a tubular or a connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. DeLange, Scott H. Osburn, Varadaraju Gandikota, Ghazi J. Hashem
  • Publication number: 20140054049
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus include tubing expanded to create a seal in an annulus surrounding the tubing. The tubing includes a sealing material selected to cause forming of undulations in a diameter of the tubing upon expansion of the tubing. Various factors of the sealing material such as deviations in its thickness influence sealing performance of the tubing with the sealing material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventors: Varadaraju Gandikota, Lev Ring
  • Publication number: 20130319691
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an expandable liner hanger capable of being expanded into a surrounding casing. In one aspect, an expandable tubular system is provided. The system includes an expandable tubular. The system further includes an expansion swage for expanding the expandable tubular, wherein the expansion swage is deformable from a compliant configuration to a smaller substantially non-compliant configuration. Additionally, the system includes a restriction member disposed on an exterior surface of the expandable tubular, wherein expansion of the expandable tubular in the location of the restriction member deforms the expansion swage from the compliant configuration to the smaller substantially non-compliant configuration. In another aspect, a method of expanding a liner hanger using a cone is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: WEATHERFORD/LAMB, INC.
    Inventors: Gordon THOMSON, Lev RING, Varadaraju GANDIKOTA, Paul Andrew REINHARDT, Mike A. LUKE, David S. LI
  • Publication number: 20130319692
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a cone system having a cone segment capable of deflecting in response to a restriction or obstruction encountered while expanding a tubular. In one aspect, an expansion cone system is provided. The expansion cone system includes a mandrel and two or more pockets disposed circumferentially around the mandrel. Each pocket is at least partially defined by a fin member. The expansion cone system further includes a cone segment coupled to each pocket. Additionally, the expansion cone system includes a biasing member disposed between the mandrel and the respective cone segment. In another aspect, a method of expanding a wellbore tubular is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Nader Elias Abedrabbo, Varadaraju Gandikota, Lev Ring