Patents by Inventor Wesley Neil Ludwig

Wesley Neil Ludwig 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: 9512698
    Abstract: A tool for providing modifiable structures in a wellbore using ferrofluids in a downhole system is provided. The downhole system can include a tool body, a source of ferrofluid, and a magnet. The magnet can magnetically couple with the ferrofluid from the source for arranging the ferrofluid adjacent for modifying a parameter of an object coupled with or in the tool body when the tool body is positioned in the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Burkay Donderici, Baris Guner, George David Goodman, Wesley Neil Ludwig
  • Patent number: 9441478
    Abstract: A well tool includes a housing, an electronic controller, and a drag assembly. The electronic controller is at least partially enclosed within the housing and adapted to determine a status of a downhole wellbore operation. The drag assembly is coupled to the electronic controller and, based on the determination of the electronic controller, adapted to engage with a downhole tubular to generate a drag force on the well tool during movement of the well tool through the tubular. The electronic controller is operable to selectively control the drag assembly to engage with the downhole tubular to generate a plurality of unique drag forces based on a status of the wellbore operation. The plurality of unique drag forces are generated in a substantially repeating pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Wesley Neil Ludwig, Tony Forbes Grattan
  • Publication number: 20160186561
    Abstract: A downhole formation fluid sampler. The sampler includes at least one sampling chamber having an internal fluid chamber, a fluid inlet operable to receive a formation fluid and a fluid outlet. An inflatable bag is disposed within the internal fluid chamber. The inflatable bag is operably associated with the fluid inlet. A fluid cushion is disposed within the internal fluid chamber exterior of the inflatable bag such that filling the inflatable bag with the formation fluid through the fluid inlet displaces the fluid cushion from the internal fluid chamber through the fluid outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventor: WESLEY Neil LUDWIG
  • Patent number: 9376908
    Abstract: A pipe conveyed extendable well logging assembly includes a deployment system for extending and retracting a well logging tool relative to the pipe while downhole. The logging tool may be releasably latched to the pipe, and may include position sensors for position feedback and depth correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Wesley Neil Ludwig, John Hudson Hales, Flint R. George, Ronald E. Cherry
  • Publication number: 20160047204
    Abstract: A tool for providing modifiable structures in a wellbore using ferrofluids in a downhole system is provided. The downhole system can include a tool body, a source of ferrofluid, and a magnet. The magnet can magnetically couple with the ferrofluid from the source for arranging the ferrofluid adjacent for modifying a parameter of an object coupled with or in the tool body when the tool body is positioned in the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Burkay Donderici, Baris Guner, George David Goodman, Wesley Neil Ludwig
  • Publication number: 20160040507
    Abstract: A tool for isolating objects in a wellbore using ferrofluids in a downhole system is provided. The downhole system can include a tool body, a source of ferrofluid, and a magnet. The magnet can magnetically couple with the ferrofluid from the source for arranging the ferrofluid adjacent to the tool body for isolating an object positioned in a wellbore from effects of fluids present in the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Burkay Donderici, Baris Guner, George David Goodman, Wesley Neil Ludwig
  • Publication number: 20160032688
    Abstract: A tool for influencing electrically conductive paths using ferrofluids in a downhole system is provided. The downhole system can include a tool body, a source of ferrofluid, and a magnet. The magnet can provide a magnetic field that influences an electrically conductive path within an annulus between the tool body and a wellbore formation by arranging the ferrofluid from the source in the annulus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Burkay Donderici, Baris Guner, George David Goodman, Wesley Neil Ludwig
  • Publication number: 20150275618
    Abstract: A through tubing bridge plug (200) for providing a gripping and sealing engagement with a casing string of a wellbore. The bridge plug (200) includes an actuation rod (208), an anchor assembly (212), a pair of compression assemblies, each including a support assembly (216, 242) and an anti extrusion assembly (220, 238) and a packing assembly (224) disposed about the actuation rod (208) between the compression assemblies. Responsive to longitudinal movement of the actuation rod (208), the anchor assembly (212) establishes the gripping engagement with the casing string, the compression assemblies are radially deployed such that the anti extrusion assemblies (220, 238) are supported by the support assemblies (216, 242) and the packing assembly (224) establishes the sealing engagement with the casing string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Jack Gammill Clemens, Wesley Neil Ludwig, James Dan Vick, John Patrick Rodgers, Edwin A. Eaton, Marco Serra
  • Publication number: 20150240626
    Abstract: A well tool includes a housing; an electronic controller at least partially enclosed within the housing and adapted to determine a status of a downhole wellbore operation; and a drag assembly coupled to the control assembly and, based on the determination of the electronic controller, adapted to engage with a downhole tubular to generate a drag force on the well tool during movement of the well tool through the tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: Wesley Neil Ludwig, Tony Forbes Grattan
  • Publication number: 20150167416
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes implementations of a well tractor. In an example implementation, a well tractor includes a housing; a roller coupled to the housing; an electric motor coupled to the roller; and a variable ratio transmission coupled between the motor and the roller, the variable ratio transmission operable to drive the roller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Wesley Neil Ludwig
  • Patent number: 9051812
    Abstract: A through tubing bridge plug (200) for providing a gripping and sealing engagement with a casing string of a wellbore. The bridge plug (200) includes an actuation rod (208), an anchor assembly (212), a pair of compression assemblies, each including a support assembly (216, 242) and an anti extrusion assembly (220, 238) and a packing assembly (224) disposed about the actuation rod (208) between the compression assemblies. Responsive to longitudinal movement of the actuation rod (208), the anchor assembly (212) establishes the gripping engagement with the casing string, the compression assemblies are radially deployed such that the anti extrusion assemblies (220, 238) are supported by the support assemblies (216, 242) and the packing assembly (224) establishes the sealing engagement with the casing string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Gammill Clemens, Wesley Neil Ludwig, James Dan Vick, Jr., John Patrick Rodgers, Edwin A. Eaton, Marco Serra
  • Patent number: 8791407
    Abstract: A downhole gamma ray density measurement system is described. The gamma ray density measurement system includes a pressure housing and a gamma ray source within the pressure housing. One or more detectors within the pressure housing detect gamma radiation. One or more low-attenuation inserts may be located in the pressure housing near the gamma ray source and/or one or more of the detectors. One or more high-attenuation inserts may be located in the pressure housing near the gamma ray source and/or one or more of the detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon Layne Moake, Daniel P. Kusmer, Wesley Neil Ludwig
  • Patent number: 8714270
    Abstract: An anchor assembly (400) for anchoring a downhole tool in a wellbore tubular. The anchor assembly (400) includes a plurality of slip arm assemblies each having first and second arms (412, 414) hingeably coupled together. The first and second arms (412, 414) each have teeth (418, 426) on one end. A first sleeve (402) is rotatably associated with each of the first arms (412) and a second sleeve (404) is rotatably associated with each of the second arms (414) such that the anchor assembly (400) has a running configuration in which the slip arm assemblies are substantially longitudinally oriented and an operating configuration in which the first and second arms (412, 414) of each slip arm assembly form an acute angle relative to one another such that the teeth (418, 426) of the first and second arms (412, 414) define the radially outermost portion of the anchor assembly (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Gammill Clemens, Wesley Neil Ludwig, John Patrick Rodgers, Edwin A. Eaton, Marco Serra
  • Patent number: 8555959
    Abstract: A compression assembly (500) for actuating packing elements of a through tubing bridge plug in a casing string of a wellbore. The compression assembly (500) includes a support assembly (502) and an anti extrusion assembly (504). The support assembly (502) has a running configuration in which link arm assemblies are substantially longitudinally oriented and an operating configuration in which short arms (514) are pivoted relative to long arms (520) of link arm assemblies such that the short arms (514) form a support platform. The anti extrusion assembly (504) is operably associated with the support assembly (502). The anti extrusion assembly (504) has a running configuration in which petals (536) are substantially perpendicular to a base member (534) and nested relative to one another and an operating configuration in which the petals (536) are radially outwardly disposed substantially filling gaps between the short arms (514).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Gammill Clemens, Wesley Neil Ludwig, John Patrick Rodgers, Edwin A. Eaton, Marco Serra
  • Patent number: 8555986
    Abstract: An actuation assembly (100, 300) for actuating a downhole tool (200) having a tool housing (202) and an actuation member (208). The actuation assembly (100, 300) includes a downhole power unit (100) and a stroke extender (300). A power unit housing (150) is operably associated with an extender housing (302). A moveable shaft (130) of the power unit (100) is operably associated with an extender mandrel (304). The extender housing (302) is operably associated with the tool housing (202) and the actuation member (208). The extender mandrel (304) is operably associated with the actuation member (208) such that oscillatory movement of the moveable shaft (130) relative to the power unit housing (150) causes oscillatory movement of the extender mandrel (304) relative to the extender housing (302) which causes progressive movement in one direction of the actuation member (208) relative to the tool housing (202), thereby actuating the downhole tool (200).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Gammill Clemens, Wesley Neil Ludwig, James Dan Vick, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120241172
    Abstract: A pipe conveyed extendable well logging assembly includes a deployment system for extending and retracting a well logging tool relative to the pipe while downhole. The logging tool may be releasably latched to the pipe, and may include position sensors for position feedback and depth correction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Service, Inc.
    Inventors: Wesley Neil Ludwig, John Hudson Hales, Flint R. George, Ronald E. Cherry
  • Publication number: 20110073329
    Abstract: A compression assembly (500) for actuating packing elements of a through tubing bridge plug in a casing string of a wellbore. The compression assembly (500) includes a support assembly (502) and an anti extrusion assembly (504). The support assembly (502) has a running configuration in which link arm assemblies are substantially longitudinally oriented and an operating configuration in which short arms (514) are pivoted relative to long arms (520) of link arm assemblies such that the short arms (514) form a support platform. The anti extrusion assembly (504) is operably associated with the support assembly (502). The anti extrusion assembly (504) has a running configuration in which petals (536) are substantially perpendicular to a base member (534) and nested relative to one another and an operating configuration in which the petals (536) are radially outwardly disposed substantially filling gaps between the short arms (514).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Jack Gammill Clemens, Wesley Neil Ludwig, John Patrick Rodgers, Edwin A. Eaton, Marco Serra
  • Publication number: 20110073328
    Abstract: An actuation assembly (100, 300) for actuating a downhole tool (200) having a tool housing (202) and an actuation member (208). The actuation assembly (100, 300) includes a downhole power unit (100) and a stroke extender (300). A power unit housing (150) is operably associated with an extender housing (302). A moveable shaft (130) of the power unit (100) is operably associated with an extender mandrel (304). The extender housing (302) is operably associated with the tool housing (202) and the actuation member (208). The extender mandrel (304) is operably associated with the actuation member (208) such that oscillatory movement of the moveable shaft (130) relative to the power unit housing (150) causes oscillatory movement of the extender mandrel (304) relative to the extender housing (302) which causes progressive movement in one direction of the actuation member (208) relative to the tool housing (202), thereby actuating the downhole tool (200).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Jack Gammill Clemens, Wesley Neil Ludwig, James Dan Vick, JR.
  • Publication number: 20110073310
    Abstract: A through tubing bridge plug (200) for providing a gripping and sealing engagement with a casing string of a wellbore. The bridge plug (200) includes an actuation rod (208), an anchor assembly (212), a pair of compression assemblies, each including a support assembly (216, 242) and an anti extrusion assembly (220, 238) and a packing assembly (224) disposed about the actuation rod (208) between the compression assemblies. Responsive to longitudinal movement of the actuation rod (208), the anchor assembly (212) establishes the gripping engagement with the casing string, the compression assemblies are radially deployed such that the anti extrusion assemblies (220, 238) are supported by the support assemblies (216, 242) and the packing assembly (224) establishes the sealing engagement with the casing string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Jack Gammill Clemens, Wesley Neil Ludwig, James Dan Vick, JR., John Patrick Rodgers, Edwin A. Eaton, Marco Serra
  • Publication number: 20110073326
    Abstract: An anchor assembly (400) for anchoring a downhole tool in a wellbore tubular. The anchor assembly (400) includes a plurality of slip arm assemblies each having first and second arms (412, 414) hingeably coupled together. The first and second arms (412, 414) each have teeth (418, 426) on one end. A first sleeve (402) is rotatably associated with each of the first arms (412) and a second sleeve (404) is rotatably associated with each of the second arms (414) such that the anchor assembly (400) has a running configuration in which the slip arm assemblies are substantially longitudinally oriented and an operating configuration in which the first and second arms (412, 414) of each slip arm assembly form an acute angle relative to one another such that the teeth (418, 426) of the first and second arms (412, 414) define the radially outermost portion of the anchor assembly (100).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Jack Gammill Clemens, Wesley Neil Ludwig, John Patrick Rodgers, Edwin A. Eaton, Marco Serra