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: 7013997
    Abstract: The steel drill string attached to a drilling bit during typical rotary drilling operations used to drill oil and gas wells is used for a second purpose as the casing that is cemented in place during typical oil and gas well completions. Methods of operation are described that provide for the efficient installation of a cemented steel cased well wherein the drill string and the drill bit are cemented into place during one single drilling pass down into the earth. Methods of operation are described wherein at least one geophysical parameter is measured with a geophysical parameter sensing member located within the drill string. A one-way cement valve is installed near the drill bit of the drill string that allows the cement to set up efficiently under ambient hydrostatic conditions while the drill string and drill bit are cemented into place during one single drilling pass into the earth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: William Banning Vail, III
  • Patent number: 6987386
    Abstract: Geological formation resistivity is determined. Circuitry is located within the borehole casing that is adjacent to the geological formation. The circuitry can measure one or more voltages across two or more voltage measurement electrodes associated with the borehole casing. The measured voltages are used by a processor to determine the resistivity of the geological formation. A common mode signal can also be reduced using the circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Western Atlas International, Inc.
    Inventor: William Banning Vail, III
  • Patent number: 6962217
    Abstract: A long lasting rotary drill bit for drilling a hole into variable hardness geological formations that has a self-actuating mechanism responsive to the hardness of the geological formation to minimize the time necessary to drill a borehole. A long lasting rotary drill bit for drilling a hole into variable hardness geological formations that has a mechanism controllable from the surface of the earth to change the mechanical configuration of the bit to minimize the time necessary to drill a borehole. A monolithic long lasting rotary drill bit for drilling a hole into a geological formation having hardened rods composed of hard material such as tungsten carbide that are cast into a relatively soft steel matrix material to make a rotary drill bit that compensates for wear on the bottom of the drill bit and that also compensates for lateral wear of the drill bit using passive, self-actuating mechanisms, triggered by bit wear to drill relatively constant diameter holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.
    Inventor: William Banning Vail, III
  • Patent number: 6896653
    Abstract: The Personal Pelvic Viewer™ abbreviated PPV™ is a hand-held instrument which a woman may place by herself into her own vagina to conveniently view and record video images of the interior of her vagina and cervix on a remote monitor, such as a television, computer display, or computer monitor. The PPV possesses a sealed video camera and may obtain its battery power through a short cable to a remote transceiver unit which also provides a wireless communication link to a base station transceiver which in turn provides the video information to be displayed on the television, computer display, etc. The PPV provides a convenient instrument that allows a lone female to observe the interior of her own vagina in total privacy for medical reasons, to determine her own fertility, and to observe her sexual response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Science for Medical Advocates, Inc.
    Inventors: William Banning Vail, III, Marilyn L. Vail
  • Patent number: 6868906
    Abstract: A closed-loop system is used to perform a variety of well services. The well services include well completion services, production and maintenance services, and enhanced recovery services. A closed-loop system to complete an oil and gas well is an automated system under computer control that executes a sequence of programmed steps, but those steps depend in part upon information obtained from at least one downhole sensor that is communicated to the surface to optimize and/or change the steps executed by the computer to complete the well. A tractor conveyor with a Retrieval Sub is a tractor deployer that may be used to deploy completion devices and other devices within the wellbore to perform well services. The tractor deployer may be operated from a wireline, or from an umbilical. The umbilical may be made from composite materials and it may be a neutrally buoyant in any well fluids present. The umbilical provides power and data communications downhole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: William Banning Vail, III, James E. Chitwood
  • Patent number: 6857486
    Abstract: The method of providing in excess of 60 kilowatts of electrical power to the electrical motor of a subterranean electric drilling machine through a substantially neutrally buoyant composite umbilical containing electrical conductors to reduce the frictional drag on the neutrally buoyant umbilical. Drilling and casing subterranean monobore wells are contemplated to distances of 20 miles from a wellsite. For drilling applications, the umbilical possesses a drilling fluid conduit. The umbilical also possesses high speed data communications such as a fiber optic cable or a coaxial cable that is used in the feedback control of the downhole electric drilling motor. Such umbilicals are also useful to provide power to remotely operated vehicles for subsea well servicing applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Chitwood, William Banning Vail, III, William G. Crossland, Damir S. Skerl, Robert L. Dekle
  • Publication number: 20040244982
    Abstract: A flowline is described for producing hydrocarbons from a subsea well that is comprised of a substantially neutrally buoyant tubular composite umbilical. The flowline may possess electrical heating apparatus within the tubular walls of the tubular composite umbilical to prevent waxes and hydrates from forming within the flowline and blocking the flowline. The electrical heating apparatus is comprised of at least one electrical conductor disposed within the tubular walls of the composite umbilical that conducts electrical current that is used to heat the tubular composite umbilical. The tubular composite umbilical that contains any produced hydrocarbons is substantially neutrally buoyant in the sea water adjacent to the subsea well. Positively neutrally buoyant tubular composite umbilical flowlines are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: James E. Chitwood, William Banning Vail, Damir S. Skerl, Robert L. Dekle, William G. Crossland
  • Publication number: 20040140128
    Abstract: The steel drill string attached to a drilling bit during typical rotary drilling operations used to drill oil and gas wells is used for a second purpose as the casing that is cemented in place during typical oil and gas well completions. Methods of operation are described that provide for the efficient installation of a cemented steel cased well wherein the drill string and the drill bit are cemented into place during one single drilling pass down into the earth. Apparatus is described having a portion of a drilling assembly that is selectively removable from the wellbore without removing the casing. A one-way cement valve is installed near the drill bit of the drill string that allows the cement to set up efficiently under ambient hydrostatic conditions while the drill string and drill bit are cemented into place during one single drilling pass into the earth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: William Banning Vail
  • Publication number: 20040134662
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for installing electrically heated composite umbilicals within subsea flowlines containing produced hydrocarbons as immersion heaters to prevent waxes and hydrates from forming within the subsea flowlines that could block the flowlines. The electrically heated composite umbilicals may be installed, or retrofitted, into existing subsea flowlines. Such retrofitted electrically heated composite umbilicals provide an alternative for previously installed, but failed, permanent heating systems. A hydraulic pump installed on the distant end of an electrically heated composite umbilical also provides artificial lift for the produced hydrocarbons. Other electrically heated umbilicals used as immersion heaters are described. Such immersion heater systems may be removed from the well, repaired, and retrofitted into flowlines without removing the flowlines. Near neutrally buoyant electrically heated umbilicals are described which may be installed great distances into flowlines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: James E. Chitwood, William Banning Vail, Damir S. Skerl, Robert L. Dekle, William G. Crossland
  • Publication number: 20040129456
    Abstract: The steel drill string attached to a drilling bit during typical rotary drilling operations used to drill oil and gas wells is used for a second purpose as the casing that is cemented in place during typical oil and gas well completions. Methods of operation are described that provide for the efficient installation of a cemented steel cased well wherein the drill string and the drill bit are cemented into place during one single drilling pass down into the earth. Different physically alterable bonding materials may be substituted for cement. A one-way cement valve is installed near the drill bit of the drill string that allows the cement to set up efficiently under ambient hydrostatic conditions while the drill string and drill bit are cemented into place during one single drilling pass into the earth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: William Banning Vail
  • Publication number: 20040123984
    Abstract: The steel drill string attached to a drilling bit during typical rotary drilling operations used to drill oil and gas wells is used for a second purpose as the casing that is cemented in place during typical oil and gas well completions. Methods of operation are described that provide for the efficient installation of a cemented steel cased well wherein the drill string and the drill bit are cemented into place during one single drilling pass down into the earth. Methods of operation are described wherein at least one geophysical parameter is measured with a geophysical parameter sensing member located within the drill string. A one-way cement valve is installed near the drill bit of the drill string that allows the cement to set up efficiently under ambient hydrostatic conditions while the drill string and drill bit are cemented into place during one single drilling pass into the earth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: William Banning Vail
  • Publication number: 20040124015
    Abstract: The steel drill string attached to a drilling bit during typical rotary drilling operations used to drill oil and gas wells is used for a second purpose as the casing that is cemented in place during typical oil and gas well completions. Methods of operation are described that provide for the efficient installation a cemented steel cased well wherein the drill string and the drill bit are cemented into place during one single drilling pass down into the earth. The normal mud passages or watercourses present in the rotary drill bit are used for the second independent purpose of passing cement into the annulus between the casing and the well while cementing the drill string into place during one single pass into the earth. A one-way cement valve is installed near the drill bit of the drill string that allows the cement to set up efficiently under ambiently hydrostatic conditions while the drill string and drill bit are cemented into place during one single drilling pass into the earth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: William Banning Vail, James E. Chitwood
  • Publication number: 20040118613
    Abstract: The steel drill string attached to a drilling bit during typical rotary drilling operations used to drill oil and gas wells is used for a second purpose as the casing that is cemented in place during typical oil and gas well completions. Methods of operation are described that provide for the efficient installation of a cemented steel cased well wherein the drill string and the drill bit are cemented into place during one single drilling pass down into the earth. Methods are provided to selectively cause a drilling trajectory to change during drilling with casing. A one-way cement valve is installed near the drill bit of the drill string that allows the cement to set up efficiently under ambient hydrostatic conditions while the drill string and drill bit are cemented into place during one single drilling pass into the earth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: William Banning Vail
  • Publication number: 20040112646
    Abstract: The steel drill string attached to a drilling bit during typical rotary drilling operations used to drill oil and gas wells is used for a second purpose as the casing that is cemented in place during typical oil and gas well completions. Methods of operation are described that provide for the efficient installation a cemented steel cased well wherein the drill string and the drill bit are cemented into place during one single drilling pass down into the earth. The normal mud passages or watercourses present in the rotary drill bit are used for the second independent purpose of passing cement into the annulus between the casing and the well while cementing the drill string into place during one single pass into the earth. A one-way cement valve is installed near the drill bit of the drill string that allows the cement to set up efficiently under ambiently hydrostatic conditions while the drill string and drill bit are cemented into place during one single drilling pass into the earth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: William Banning Vail, James E. Chitwood
  • Publication number: 20040108142
    Abstract: The steel drill string attached to a drilling bit during typical rotary drilling operations used to drill oil and gas wells is used for a second purpose as the casing that is cemented in place during typical oil and gas well completions. Methods of operation are described that provide for the efficient installation of a cemented steel cased well wherein the drill string and the drill bit are cemented into place during one single drilling pass down into the earth. A stabilizer is attached to the drill string that is used to centralize the drill string in the well during cementing operations. A one-way cement valve is installed near the drill bit of the drill string that allows the cement to set up efficiently under ambient hydrostatic conditions while the drill string and drill bit are cemented into place during one single drilling pass into the earth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: William Banning Vail
  • Publication number: 20040009245
    Abstract: Concentrated vapors from botanical essential oils are inhaled to prevent, treat and cure infections of the respiratory pathogens causing Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (“SARS”). These vapors are inhaled as a practical method to reduce the risks of infection by the pathogens causing SARS in crowded public places. These vapors are also inhaled as a practical method to reduce the risks of infection by unknown, and unpredictable, respiratory pathogens that may be present in public places. The essential oils have antiseptic properties, are safe to inhale, and include, but are not limited to, the essential oils from Eucalyptus globulus, Melaleuca alternifolia, Eucalyptus citriodora, and Eucalyptus radiata. Convenient hand-held inhaler apparatus are provided for the inhalation of concentrated vapors from the antiseptic essential oils and other substances. The antiseptic essential oils have selected antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: William Banning Vail, Marilyn L. Vail
  • Patent number: 6577144
    Abstract: A cased well in the earth is electrically energized with A.C. current. Voltages are measured from three voltage measurement electrodes in electrical contact with the interior of the casing while the casing is electrically energized. In a measurement mode, A.C. current is conducted from a first current carrying electrode within the cased well to a remote second current carrying electrode located on the surface of the earth. In a calibration mode, current is passed from the first current carrying electrode to a third current carrying electrode located vertically at a different position within the cased well, where the three voltage measurement electrodes are located vertically in between the first and third current carrying electrodes. Voltages along the casing and resistances along the casing are measured to determine wall thickness and the location of any casing collars present so as to electrically inspect the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Western Atlas International, Inc.
    Inventors: William Banning Vail, III, Steven Thomas Momii
  • Patent number: 6547017
    Abstract: A long lasting rotary drill bit for drilling a hole into variable hardness geological formations that has a self-actuating mechanism responsive to the hardness of the geological formation to minimize the time necessary to drill a borehole. A long lasting rotary drill bit for drilling a hole into variable hardness geological formations that has a mechanism controllable from the surface of the earth to change the mechanical configuration of the bit to minimize the time necessary to drill a borehole. A monolithic long lasting rotary drill bit for drilling a hole into a geological formation having hardened rods composed of hard material such as tungsten carbide that are cast into a relatively soft steel matrix material to make a rotary drill bit that compensates for wear on the bottom of the drill bit and that also compensates for lateral wear of the drill bit using passive, self-actuating mechanisms, triggered by bit wear to drill relatively constant diameter holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Smart Drilling and Completion, Inc.
    Inventor: William Banning Vail, III
  • Publication number: 20030034177
    Abstract: The method of providing in excess of 60 kilowatts of electrical power to the electrical motor of a subterranean electric drilling machine through a substantially neutrally buoyant composite umbilical containing electrical conductors to reduce the frictional drag on the neutrally buoyant umbilical. Drilling and casing subterranean monobore wells are contemplated to distances of 20 miles from a wellsite. For drilling applications, the umbilical possesses a drilling fluid conduit. The umbilical also possesses high speed data communications such as a fiber optic cable or a coaxial cable that is used in the feedback control of the downhole electric drilling motor. Such umbilicals are also useful to provide power to remotely operated vehicles for subsea well servicing applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: James E. Chitwood, William Banning Vail, William G. Crossland, Damir S. Skerl, Robert L. Dekle
  • Publication number: 20020183510
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to synthesize primordial life from inanimate chemicals. Apparatus to synthesize organic substances that include means of applying an electric field to gaseous mixtures containing template particulate matter and the initial chemical reactants. Methods to synthesize organic substances that include the step of applying an electric field to gaseous mixtures containing template particulate matter and the initial chemical reactants. The organic substances synthesized include DNA and DNA-like molecular structures, polymers, and proteins. Coating these synthesized reaction products with lipids and lipid-like materials is a step in the method to synthesize primordial life from inanimate materials. The above synthesis methods in a laboratory are theorized to be related to natural processes that resulted in the creation of primordial life in the early atmosphere of Earth. The theory of the origin of primordial life in the Earth's early atmosphere is derived from an earlier U.S.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2000
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventor: William Banning Vail