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).
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Patent number: 10557560Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 23, 2018Date of Patent: February 11, 2020Assignee: FLUIDMASTER, INC.Inventors: Varadaraju Gandikota, Venkat Mallela, Andres Quiroga, Adam Sampson
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Publication number: 20180238464Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2018Publication date: August 23, 2018Applicant: FLUIDMASTER, INC.Inventors: VARADARAJU GANDIKOTA, VENKAT MALLELA, ANDRES QUIROGA, ADAM SAMPSON
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Patent number: 9903176Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 13, 2015Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLCInventors: Varadaraju Gandikota, Lev Ring
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Patent number: 9850726Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 27, 2011Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLCInventors: Varadaraju Gandikota, Larry A. Kendziora, Richard Lee Giroux
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Patent number: 9551201Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 15, 2014Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Lev Ring, Varadaraju Gandikota
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Patent number: 9308566Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 19, 2012Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLCInventors: Lev Ring, Varadaraju Gandikota, Mike A. Luke, David S. Li
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Patent number: 9255467Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 17, 2013Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLCInventors: Gordon Thomson, Lev Ring, Varadaraju Gandikota, Paul Andrew Reinhardt, Mike A. Luke, David S. Li
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Patent number: 9187988Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 31, 2012Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLCInventors: Nader Elias Abedrabbo, Varadaraju Gandikota, Lev Ring
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Patent number: 9169722Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 27, 2014Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Richard W. DeLange, Scott H. Osburn, Varadaraju Gandikota, Ghazi J. Hashem
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Publication number: 20150159464Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2015Publication date: June 11, 2015Inventors: Varadaraju GANDIKOTA, Lev RING
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Patent number: 8967281Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 15, 2013Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Varadaraju Gandikota, Lev Ring
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Patent number: 8875783Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 27, 2011Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Richard Lee Giroux, Varadaraju Gandikota, Nader E. Abedrabbo, Larry A. Kendziora, Lev Ring
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Patent number: 8800669Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 20, 2012Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Lev Ring, Varadaraju Gandikota
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Publication number: 20140209326Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2014Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Richard W. DELANGE, Scott H. OSBURN, Varadaraju GANDIKOTA, Ghazi J. HASHEM
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Publication number: 20140196914Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2014Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: WEATHERFORD/LAMB, INC.Inventors: Lev RING, Varadaraju GANDIKOTA
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Patent number: 8763687Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 31, 2011Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Gary Ingram, Minh-Tuan Nguyen, Paul Wilson, Chris Johnson, Deborah L. Banta, Jacob Bramwell, Stone Fagley, Varadaraju A. Gandikota
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Patent number: 8714243Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 15, 2010Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventors: Richard W. DeLange, Scott H. Osburn, Varadaraju Gandikota, Ghazi J. Hashem
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Publication number: 20140054049Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2013Publication date: February 27, 2014Inventors: Varadaraju Gandikota, Lev Ring
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Publication number: 20130319691Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2013Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: WEATHERFORD/LAMB, INC.Inventors: Gordon THOMSON, Lev RING, Varadaraju GANDIKOTA, Paul Andrew REINHARDT, Mike A. LUKE, David S. LI
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Publication number: 20130319692Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Inventors: Nader Elias Abedrabbo, Varadaraju Gandikota, Lev Ring