Patents by Inventor William Banning Vail
William Banning Vail 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: 10689927Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described to drill and complete wellbores. Such wellbores include extended reach horizontal wellbores, for example in shales, deep subsea extended reach wellbores, and multilateral wellbores. Specifically, the invention provides simple threaded subassemblies that are added to existing threaded tubular drilling and completion equipment which are used to dramatically increase the lateral reach using that existing on-site equipment. These subassemblies extract power from downward flowing clean mud, or other fluids, in an annulus to provide additional force or torque on tubular elements within the wellbore, while maintaining circulation, to extend the lateral reach of the drilling equipment and completion equipment. These added elements include combinations of The Leaky Seal™, a Cross-Over, The Force Sub™ and The Torque Sub™. The use of such additional simple elements allow lighter drilling equipment to be used to reach a given lateral distance, therefore reducing drilling costs.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2019Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.Inventors: William Banning Vail, III, Robert L. Dekle, Damir S. Skerl, James E. Chitwood
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Patent number: 10563459Abstract: A longer-lasting, lower cost, more powerful, all metal, mud motor than the presently available progressing cavity type mud motors for drilling boreholes into the earth. A mud motor apparatus possessing one single drive shaft that turns a rotary drill bit, which apparatus is attached to a drill pipe which provides high pressure mud to the mud motor, wherein the drive shaft receives at least a first portion of its rotational torque from any high pressure mud flowing through a first hydraulic chamber within the apparatus, and receives at least a second portion of its rotational torque from any high pressure mud flowing through a second hydraulic chamber within the apparatus. A typical mud motor apparatus possesses two or more hydraulic chambers, each having its own power stroke, and return stroke, which act together in a controlled fashion to provide continuous power to a rotary drill bit.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2017Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.Inventors: William Banning Vail, III, Tomislav Skerl, Damir S. Skerl
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Patent number: 10294723Abstract: A longer-lasting, lower cost, more powerful, all metal, mud motor than the presently available progressing cavity type mud motors for drilling boreholes into the earth. A mud motor apparatus possessing one single drive shaft that turns a rotary drill bit, which apparatus is attached to a drill pipe which provides high pressure mud to the mud motor, wherein the drive shaft receives at least a first portion of its rotational torque from any high pressure mud flowing through a first hydraulic chamber within the apparatus, and receives at least a second portion of its rotational torque from any high pressure mud flowing through a second hydraulic chamber within the apparatus. The mud motor apparatus possesses two hydraulic chambers, each having its own power stroke, and return stroke, and acting together in a controlled fashion, provide continuous power to a rotary drill bit.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2017Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.Inventor: William Banning Vail, III
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Publication number: 20190136652Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described to drill and complete wellbores. Such wellbores include extended reach horizontal wellbores, for example in shales, deep subsea extended reach wellbores, and multilateral wellbores. Specifically, the invention provides simple threaded subassemblies that are added to existing threaded tubular drilling and completion equipment which are used to dramatically increase the lateral reach using that existing on-site equipment. These subassemblies extract power from downward flowing clean mud, or other fluids, in an annulus to provide additional force or torque on tubular elements within the wellbore, while maintaining circulation, to extend the lateral reach of the drilling equipment and completion equipment. These added elements include combinations of The Leaky Seal™, a Cross-Over, The Force Sub™ and The Torque Sub™. The use of such additional simple elements allow lighter drilling equipment to be used to reach a given lateral distance, therefore reducing drilling costs.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2019Publication date: May 9, 2019Applicant: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.Inventors: William Banning Vail, III, ROBERT L. DEKLE, DAMIR S. SKERL, JAMES E. CHITWOOD
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Patent number: 10174572Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described to drill and complete wellbores. Such wellbores include extended reach horizontal wellbores, for example in shales, deep subsea extended reach wellbores, and multilateral wellbores. Specifically, the invention provides simple threaded subassemblies that are added to existing threaded tubular drilling and completion equipment which are used to dramatically increase the lateral reach using that existing on-site equipment. These subassemblies extract power from downward flowing clean mud, or other fluids, in an annulus to provide additional force or torque on tubular elements within the wellbore, while maintaining circulation, to extend the lateral reach of the drilling equipment and completion equipment. These added elements include combinations of The Leaky Seal™, a Cross-Over, The Force Sub™ and The Torque Sub™. The use of such additional simple elements allow lighter drilling equipment to be used to reach a given lateral distance, therefore reducing drilling costs.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2017Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.Inventors: William Banning Vail, III, Robert L. Dekle, Damir S. Skerl, James E. Chitwood
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Publication number: 20170356247Abstract: A longer-lasting, lower cost, more powerful, all metal, mud motor than the presently available progressing cavity type mud motors for drilling boreholes into the earth. A mud motor apparatus possessing one single drive shaft that turns a rotary drill bit, which apparatus is attached to a drill pipe which provides high pressure mud to the mud motor, wherein the drive shaft receives at least a first portion of its rotational torque from any high pressure mud flowing through a first hydraulic chamber within the apparatus, and receives at least a second portion of its rotational torque from any high pressure mud flowing through a second hydraulic chamber within the apparatus. The mud motor apparatus possesses two hydraulic chambers, each having its own power stroke, and return stroke, and acting together in a controlled fashion, provide continuous power to a rotary drill bit.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2017Publication date: December 14, 2017Applicant: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.Inventor: WILLIAM BANNING VAIL, III
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Patent number: 9803424Abstract: A longer-lasting, lower cost, more powerful, all metal, mud motor than the presently available progressing cavity type mud motors for drilling boreholes into the earth. A mud motor apparatus possessing one single drive shaft that turns a rotary drill bit, which apparatus is attached to a drill pipe which provides high pressure mud to the mud motor, wherein the drive shaft receives at least a first portion of its rotational torque from any high pressure mud flowing through a first hydraulic chamber within the apparatus, and receives at least a second portion of its rotational torque from any high pressure mud flowing through a second hydraulic chamber within the apparatus. A typical mud motor apparatus possesses two or more hydraulic chambers, each having its own power stroke, and return stroke, which act together in a controlled fashion to provide continuous power to a rotary drill bit.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2016Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.Inventors: William Banning Vail, III, Tomislav Skerl, Damir S. Skerl
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Publication number: 20170307672Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described to detect, measure, and determine the presence of unknown Groundloop currents flowing through unidentified circuit pathways within the wiring system distributed within a portion of a fuselage of an airplane substantially made from fiber-reinforced composite materials to avoid catastrophic failures of the electrical system within such an airplane.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2015Publication date: October 26, 2017Applicant: SMART DRILLING AND COMPLETION, INC.Inventors: WILLIAM BANNING VAIL, III, TOMISLAV SKERL, PAUL B. SCHWINBERG, STEVEN T. MOMII
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Patent number: 9745799Abstract: A longer-lasting, lower cost, more powerful, all metal, mud motor than the presently available progressing cavity type mud motors for drilling boreholes into the earth. A mud motor apparatus possessing one single drive shaft that turns a rotary drill bit, which apparatus is attached to a drill pipe which provides high pressure mud to the mud motor, wherein the drive shaft receives at least a first portion of its rotational torque from any high pressure mud flowing through a first hydraulic chamber within the apparatus, and receives at least a second portion of its rotational torque from any high pressure mud flowing through a second hydraulic chamber within the apparatus. The mud motor apparatus possesses two hydraulic chambers, each having its own power stroke, and return stroke, and acting together in a controlled fashion, provide continuous power to a rotary drill bit.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2015Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.Inventor: William Banning Vail, III
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Publication number: 20170175468Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described to drill and complete wellbores. Such wellbores include extended reach horizontal wellbores, for example in shales, deep subsea extended reach wellbores, and multilateral wellbores. Specifically, the invention provides simple threaded subassemblies that are added to existing threaded tubular drilling and completion equipment which are used to dramatically increase the lateral reach using that existing on-site equipment. These subassemblies extract power from downward flowing clean mud, or other fluids, in an annulus to provide additional force or torque on tubular elements within the wellbore, while maintaining circulation, to extend the lateral reach of the drilling equipment and completion equipment. These added elements include combinations of The Leaky Seal™, a Cross-Over, The Force Sub™ and The Torque Sub™. The use of such additional simple elements allow lighter drilling equipment to be used to reach a given lateral distance, therefore reducing drilling costs.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2017Publication date: June 22, 2017Applicant: SMART DRILLING AND COMPLETION, INC.Inventors: WILLIAM BANNING VAIL III, ROBERT L. DEKLE, DAMIR S. SKERL, JAMES E. CHITWOOD
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Publication number: 20170122033Abstract: A longer-lasting, lower cost, more powerful, all metal, mud motor than the presently available progressing cavity type mud motors for drilling boreholes into the earth. A mud motor apparatus possessing one single drive shaft that turns a rotary drill bit, which apparatus is attached to a drill pipe which provides high pressure mud to the mud motor, wherein the drive shaft receives at least a first portion of its rotational torque from any high pressure mud flowing through a first hydraulic chamber within the apparatus, and receives at least a second portion of its rotational torque from any high pressure mud flowing through a second hydraulic chamber within the apparatus. A typical mud motor apparatus possesses two or more hydraulic chambers, each having its own power stroke, and return stroke, which act together in a controlled fashion to provide continuous power to a rotary drill bit.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2017Publication date: May 4, 2017Applicant: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.Inventors: WILLIAM BANNING VAIL III, TOMISLAV SKERL, DAMIR S. SKERL
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Patent number: 9625361Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described to use real-time measurement systems to detect the onset of compression induced micro-fracturing of fiber-reinforced composite materials. Measurements are described to detect the onset of compression induced micro-fracturing of fiber-reinforced composite materials to prevent catastrophic failures of aircraft components containing such materials. Methods and apparatus are described to prevent fluids and gases from invading any compression induced microfractures by coating surfaces of fiber-reinforced materials to reduce the probability of failure of such fiber-reinforced materials.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2013Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.Inventor: William Banning Vail, III
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Patent number: 9611693Abstract: A longer-lasting, lower cost, more powerful, all metal, mud motor than the presently available progressing cavity type mud motors for drilling boreholes into the earth. A mud motor apparatus possessing one single drive shaft that turns a rotary drill bit, which apparatus is attached to a drill pipe which provides high pressure mud to the mud motor, wherein the drive shaft receives at least a first portion of its rotational torque from any high pressure mud flowing through a first hydraulic chamber within the apparatus, and receives at least a second portion of its rotational torque from any high pressure mud flowing through a second hydraulic chamber within the apparatus. The mud motor apparatus possesses two hydraulic chambers, each having its own power stroke, and return stroke, and acting together in a controlled fashion, provide continuous power to a rotary drill bit.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2016Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.Inventors: William Banning Vail, III, Tomislav Skerl, Damir S. Skerl
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Patent number: 9587435Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described to drill and complete wellbores. Such wellbores include extended reach horizontal wellbores, for example in shales, deep subsea extended reach wellbores, and multilateral wellbores. Specifically, the invention provides simple threaded subassemblies that are added to existing threaded tubular drilling and completion equipment which are used to dramatically increase the lateral reach using that existing on-site equipment. These subassemblies extract power from downward flowing clean mud, or other fluids, in an annulus to provide additional force or torque on tubular elements within the wellbore, while maintaining circulation, to extend the lateral reach of the drilling equipment and completion equipment. These added elements include combinations of The Leaky Seal™, a Cross-Over, The Force Sub™ and The Torque Sub™. The use of such additional simple elements allow lighter drilling equipment to be used to reach a given lateral distance, therefore reducing drilling costs.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2015Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.Inventors: William Banning Vail, III, Robert L. Dekle, Damir S. Skerl, James E. Chitwood
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Patent number: 9586699Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for repairing a damaged area of an airplane fuselage made from fiber-reinforced composite material. In one embodiment, an intelligent patch is provided comprising a first electronic communication device to communicate information from at least one sensor regarding the presence of compression induced microfractures within the patch.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2014Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.Inventors: William Banning Vail, III, Tomislav Skerl
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Publication number: 20160177627Abstract: A longer-lasting, lower cost, more powerful, all metal, mud motor than the presently available progressing cavity type mud motors for drilling boreholes into the earth. A mud motor apparatus possessing one single drive shaft that turns a rotary drill bit, which apparatus is attached to a drill pipe which provides high pressure mud to the mud motor, wherein the drive shaft receives at least a first portion of its rotational torque from any high pressure mud flowing through a first hydraulic chamber within the apparatus, and receives at least a second portion of its rotational torque from any high pressure mud flowing through a second hydraulic chamber within the apparatus. A typical mud motor apparatus possesses two or more hydraulic chambers, each having its own power stroke, and return stroke, which act together in a controlled fashion to provide continuous power to a rotary drill bit.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2016Publication date: June 23, 2016Applicant: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.Inventors: WILLIAM BANNING VAIL III, TOMISLAV SKERL, DAMIR S. SKERL
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Publication number: 20160160564Abstract: A longer-lasting, lower cost, more powerful, all metal, mud motor than the presently available progressing cavity type mud motors for drilling boreholes into the earth. A mud motor apparatus possessing one single drive shaft that turns a rotary drill bit, which apparatus is attached to a drill pipe which provides high pressure mud to the mud motor, wherein the drive shaft receives at least a first portion of its rotational torque from any high pressure mud flowing through a first hydraulic chamber within the apparatus, and receives at least a second portion of its rotational torque from any high pressure mud flowing through a second hydraulic chamber within the apparatus. The mud motor apparatus possesses two hydraulic chambers, each having its own power stroke, and return stroke, and acting together in a controlled fashion, provide continuous power to a rotary drill bit.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2016Publication date: June 9, 2016Applicant: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.Inventors: WILLIAM BANNING VAIL III, TOMISLAV SKERL, DAMIR S. SKERL
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Patent number: 9284780Abstract: A drilling apparatus comprised of a multiplicity of subassemblies for drilling an open-hole extension from within an existing cased borehole located in a geological formation for the production of oil and gas. In one embodiment, one subassembly includes a motor located within a cased section of the borehole that rotates a drill pipe segment attached to a rotary drill bit in the open-hole to drill the open-hole extension of the well. In another embodiment, a shroud encloses the motor located within the cased portion of the well that is used to control the mud flow to and from the bit in the open-hole during the drilling process.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2013Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.Inventors: James E. Chitwood, William Banning Vail, III, Damir S. Skerl, Robert L. Dekle, William G. Crossland
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Publication number: 20160053540Abstract: A drilling apparatus comprised of a multiplicity of subassemblies for drilling an open-hole extension from within an existing cased borehole located in a geological formation for the production of oil and gas. In one embodiment, one subassembly includes a motor located within a cased section of the borehole that rotates a drill pipe segment attached to a rotary drill bit in the open-hole to drill the open-hole extension of the well. In another embodiment, a shroud encloses the motor located within the cased portion of the well that is used to control the mud flow to and from the bit in the open-hole during the drilling process.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2013Publication date: February 25, 2016Applicant: SMART DRILLING AND COMPLETION, INC.Inventors: James E. Chitwood, William Banning Vail, III, Damir S. Skerl, Robert L. Dekle, William G. Crossland
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Publication number: 20150344156Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described to detect, measure, and determine the presence of unknown Groundloop currents flowing through unidentified circuit pathways within the wiring system distributed within a portion of a fuselage of an airplane substantially made from fiber-reinforced composite materials to avoid catastrophic failures of the electrical system within such an airplane.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2015Publication date: December 3, 2015Applicant: SMART DRILLING AND COMPLETION, INC.Inventors: WILLIAM BANNING VAIL, III, TOMISLAV SKERL, PAUL B. SCHWINBERG, STEVEN T. MOMII