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).

  • Patent number: 10689927
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.
    Inventors: William Banning Vail, III, Robert L. Dekle, Damir S. Skerl, James E. Chitwood
  • Patent number: 10563459
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.
    Inventors: William Banning Vail, III, Tomislav Skerl, Damir S. Skerl
  • Patent number: 10294723
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.
    Inventor: William Banning Vail, III
  • Publication number: 20190136652
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Applicant: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.
    Inventors: William Banning Vail, III, ROBERT L. DEKLE, DAMIR S. SKERL, JAMES E. CHITWOOD
  • Patent number: 10174572
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.
    Inventors: William Banning Vail, III, Robert L. Dekle, Damir S. Skerl, James E. Chitwood
  • Publication number: 20170356247
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Applicant: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.
    Inventor: WILLIAM BANNING VAIL, III
  • Patent number: 9803424
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.
    Inventors: William Banning Vail, III, Tomislav Skerl, Damir S. Skerl
  • Publication number: 20170307672
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Applicant: SMART DRILLING AND COMPLETION, INC.
    Inventors: WILLIAM BANNING VAIL, III, TOMISLAV SKERL, PAUL B. SCHWINBERG, STEVEN T. MOMII
  • Patent number: 9745799
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.
    Inventor: William Banning Vail, III
  • Publication number: 20170175468
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: SMART DRILLING AND COMPLETION, INC.
    Inventors: WILLIAM BANNING VAIL III, ROBERT L. DEKLE, DAMIR S. SKERL, JAMES E. CHITWOOD
  • Publication number: 20170122033
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.
    Inventors: WILLIAM BANNING VAIL III, TOMISLAV SKERL, DAMIR S. SKERL
  • Patent number: 9625361
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.
    Inventor: William Banning Vail, III
  • Patent number: 9611693
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.
    Inventors: William Banning Vail, III, Tomislav Skerl, Damir S. Skerl
  • Patent number: 9587435
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.
    Inventors: William Banning Vail, III, Robert L. Dekle, Damir S. Skerl, James E. Chitwood
  • Patent number: 9586699
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.
    Inventors: William Banning Vail, III, Tomislav Skerl
  • Publication number: 20160177627
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.
    Inventors: WILLIAM BANNING VAIL III, TOMISLAV SKERL, DAMIR S. SKERL
  • Publication number: 20160160564
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Applicant: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.
    Inventors: WILLIAM BANNING VAIL III, TOMISLAV SKERL, DAMIR S. SKERL
  • Patent number: 9284780
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Chitwood, William Banning Vail, III, Damir S. Skerl, Robert L. Dekle, William G. Crossland
  • Publication number: 20160053540
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: SMART DRILLING AND COMPLETION, INC.
    Inventors: James E. Chitwood, William Banning Vail, III, Damir S. Skerl, Robert L. Dekle, William G. Crossland
  • Publication number: 20150344156
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: SMART DRILLING AND COMPLETION, INC.
    Inventors: WILLIAM BANNING VAIL, III, TOMISLAV SKERL, PAUL B. SCHWINBERG, STEVEN T. MOMII