Patents by Inventor William David Henderson

William David Henderson 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: 11542795
    Abstract: Isolation plugs may be installed in a wellbore flow control device to temporarily close a flow path therethrough. The isolation plugs may be installed in threaded openings often provided to for access to nozzles or other flow restrictors in the flow control devices. The isolation plugs may initially be locked in a closed configuration while being run in hole and may be unlocked in response to the application of a predetermined activation pressure. Once unlocked, the isolation plug may not immediately move to an open configuration but may continue holding pressure to permit circulation and washdown operations to be conducted. The activation pressure may be reduced to a second predetermined threshold to lock the isolation plug in the open configuration wherein flow is permitted through the flow control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Weiqi Yin, William David Henderson, Stephen Michael Greci
  • Publication number: 20210324715
    Abstract: Isolation plugs may be installed in a wellbore flow control device to temporarily close a flow path therethrough. The isolation plugs may be installed in threaded openings often provided to for access to nozzles or other flow restrictors in the flow control devices. The isolation plugs may initially be locked in a closed configuration while being run in hole and may be unlocked in response to the application of a predetermined activation pressure. Once unlocked, the isolation plug may not immediately move to an open configuration but may continue holding pressure to permit circulation and washdown operations to be conducted. The activation pressure may be reduced to a second predetermined threshold to lock the isolation plug in the open configuration wherein flow is permitted through the flow control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Weiqi Yin, William David Henderson, Stephen Michael Greci
  • Patent number: 11066909
    Abstract: Isolation plugs may be installed in a wellbore flow control device to temporarily close a flow path therethrough. The isolation plugs may be installed in threaded openings often provided to for access to nozzles or other flow restrictors in the flow control devices. The isolation plugs may initially be locked in a closed configuration while being run in hole and may be unlocked in response to the application of a predetermined activation pressure. Once unlocked, the isolation plug may not immediately move to an open configuration but may continue holding pressure to permit circulation and washdown operations to be conducted. The activation pressure may be reduced to a second predetermined threshold to lock the isolation plug in the open configuration wherein flow is permitted through the flow control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Weiqi Yin, William David Henderson, Stephen Michael Greci
  • Patent number: 11041359
    Abstract: A method and apparatus according to which a flow control device includes a housing and a flapper valve. The housing defines an internal passage in which the flapper valve extends. The flapper valve includes a seat and a flapper pivotably coupled to the seat. The seat includes an internal passage and an external surface. The internal passage of the seat extends along a longitudinal central axis that is offset from a longitudinal central axis along which the external surface of the seat extends and a longitudinal central axis along which the internal passage of the housing extends. This offset allows an internal annular recess of the housing to accommodate the flapper pivoting away from the longitudinal central axis of the internal passage of the seat by a distance of equal to or greater than a radius of the internal passage of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: William David Henderson
  • Publication number: 20210156235
    Abstract: Isolation plugs may be installed in a wellbore flow control device to temporarily close a flow path therethrough. The isolation plugs may he installed in threaded openings often provided to for access to nozzles or other flow restrictors in the flow control devices. The isolation plugs may initially be locked in a closed configuration while being run in hole and may be unlocked in response to the application of a predetermined activation pressure. Once unlocked, the isolation plug may not immediately move to an open configuration but may continue holding pressure to permit circulation and washdown operations to be conducted. The activation pressure may be reduced to a second predetermined threshold to lock the isolation plug in the open configuration wherein flow is permitted through the flow control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Weiqi Yin, William David Henderson, Stephen Michael Greci
  • Patent number: 10570687
    Abstract: A reclosable multi-zone isolation tool including a piston assembly with a lock out feature. The tool has an outer and inner tubular having an annular flow path defined there between, and a central flow path defined by the inner tubular. The annular flow path is in fluid communication with the first zone, while the central flow path is in fluid communication with the second zone. A sleeve is positioned in the annular flow path and axially moveable between an open and closed position. A mandrel is positioned within the inner tubular and coupled to the sleeve to actuate the sleeve between the open and closed position. A pressure responsive piston assembly is coupled to the mandrel in order to actuate the sleeve to the open position. Once in the open position, the piston assembly is “locked out,” thereby allowing the mandrel and sleeve to move relative to the piston between the open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Jason Earl Davis, William David Henderson
  • Patent number: 10519750
    Abstract: A reclosable multi-zone isolation tool including a mandrel assembly with a pull-force lock feature. The tool includes an outer and inner tubular having an annular flow path defined there between, and a central flow path defined by the inner tubular. The annular flow path is in fluid communication with the first zone, while the central flow path is in fluid communication with the second zone. A sleeve is positioned in the annular flow path and moveable between an open and closed position. A mandrel assembly is slidingly positioned within the inner tubular and coupled to the sleeve to actuate the sleeve between the open and closed position only when a push force is applied. If a pull force is applied, the mandrel assembly “locks out,” thereby preventing movement of the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Jason Earl Davis, William David Henderson
  • Publication number: 20190345792
    Abstract: A method and apparatus according to which a flow control device includes a housing and a flapper valve. The housing defines an internal passage in which the flapper valve extends. The flapper valve includes a seat and a flapper pivotably coupled to the seat. The seat includes an internal passage and an external surface. The internal passage of the seat extends along a longitudinal central axis that is offset from a longitudinal central axis along which the external surface of the seat extends and a longitudinal central axis along which the internal passage of the housing extends. This offset allows an internal annular recess of the housing to accommodate the flapper pivoting away from the longitudinal central axis of the internal passage of the seat by a distance of equal to or greater than a radius of the internal passage of the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventor: William David Henderson
  • Patent number: 10408005
    Abstract: A setting tool for setting a packer in a wellbore includes a housing defining a hydraulic chamber, a piston disposed in the chamber, a pump coupled to the chamber via a flowline, and a setting sleeve directly or indirectly coupled to the piston. The pump may be used to pump pressurized fluid into the hydraulic chamber for pushing the piston in a direction, and the setting sleeve may be used to apply a compressive force to a packer element of the packer in response to the piston being pushed in that direction. The setting tool may include a sensor used to collect a measurement relating to a force on the workstring, in addition to a controller designed to receive a signal from the sensor and to provide a control signal to the pump based on the sensor signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: William Mark Richards, Colby Munro Ross, Thomas Owen Roane, William David Henderson
  • Publication number: 20190203558
    Abstract: A method of retaining a packing element including utilizing a back-up ring assembly in contact with at least one packing element, the assembly comprising: at least one wedge shaped spiral ring comprising: at least one outer circumferential face configured to contact a wellbore casing or liner; at least one conical, inner circumferential face configured to contact a portion of a retainer with a conical face; and an axial end face configured to contact the at least one packing element. A back-up ring assembly including at least one wedge shaped spiral ring comprising: at least one outer circumferential face configured to contact a wellbore casing or liner; at least one conical, inner circumferential face configured to contact a portion of a retainer with a conical face; and an axial end face configured to contact a packing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: William Mark Richards, William David Henderson
  • Publication number: 20180371858
    Abstract: A reclosable multi-zone isolation tool including a piston assembly with a lock out feature. The tool has an outer and inner tubular having an annular flow path defined there between, and a central flow path defined by the inner tubular. The annular flow path is in fluid communication with the first zone, while the central flow path is in fluid communication with the second zone. A sleeve is positioned in the annular flow path and axially moveable between an open and closed position. A mandrel is positioned within the inner tubular and coupled to the sleeve to actuate the sleeve between the open and closed position. A pressure responsive piston assembly is coupled to the mandrel in order to actuate the sleeve to the open position. Once in the open position, the piston assembly is “locked out,” thereby allowing the mandrel and sleeve to move relative to the piston between the open and closed positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Earl DAVIS, William David HENDERSON
  • Publication number: 20180363417
    Abstract: A reclosable multi-zone isolation tool including a mandrel assembly with a pull-force lock feature. The tool includes an outer and inner tubular having an annular flow path defined there between, and a central flow path defined by the inner tubular. The annular flow path is in fluid communication with the first zone, while the central flow path is in fluid communication with the second zone. A sleeve is positioned in the annular flow path and moveable between an open and closed position. A mandrel assembly is slidingly positioned within the inner tubular and coupled to the sleeve to actuate the sleeve between the open and closed position only when a push force is applied. If a pull force is applied, the mandrel assembly “locks out,” thereby preventing movement of the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Jason Earl Davis, William David Henderson
  • Patent number: 10113387
    Abstract: Certain aspects are directed to a testable isolation packer that sets and provides the ability to test upper and lower packer elements. In one aspect, the testable isolation packer includes at least two packer elements, a packer element setting system, a bypass system, and a testing subassembly. The testing subassembly generally includes a moveable element with an outer port and a sealing element, an inner mandrel with an inner port, and a shear mechanism to cause travel of the moveable element close the bypass system and to open the testing subassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: William David Henderson, Timothy Edward Harms, William Mark Richards
  • Publication number: 20180128074
    Abstract: Certain aspects are directed to a testable isolation packer that sets and provides the ability to test upper and lower packer elements. In one aspect, the testable isolation packer includes at least two packer elements, a packer element setting system, a bypass system, and a testing subassembly. The testing subassembly generally includes a moveable element with an outer port and a sealing element, an inner mandrel with an inner port, and a shear mechanism to cause travel of the moveable element close the bypass system and to open the testing subassembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: William David Henderson, Timothy Edward Harms, William Mark Richards
  • Patent number: 9920587
    Abstract: Certain aspects are directed to a testable isolation packer that sets and provides the ability to test upper and lower packer elements. In one aspect, the testable isolation packer includes at least two packer elements, a packer element setting system, a bypass system, and a testing subassembly. The testing subassembly generally includes a moveable element with an outer port and a sealing element, an inner mandrel with an inner port, and a shear mechanism to cause travel of the moveable element close the bypass system and to open the testing subassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: William David Henderson, Timothy Edward Harms, William Mark Richards
  • Patent number: 9714553
    Abstract: A well packer includes an expandable member carried on a mandrel, the mandrel including a groove formed on at least a portion of an outer radial surface of the mandrel; a back-up assembly carried on the mandrel adjacent the expandable member; and a fold back assembly carried on the mandrel adjacent the back-up assembly, the fold back assembly including a snap ring carried on the mandrel and adapted to move into the groove and adjust the expandable member into an expanded position in substantially sealing contact with a tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Robert Delzell, William Mark Richards, William David Henderson, Bryon Mullen
  • Publication number: 20170081938
    Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a setting tool for setting a packer in a wellbore includes a housing defining a hydraulic chamber, a piston disposed in the chamber, a pump coupled to the chamber via a flowline, and a setting sleeve directly or indirectly coupled to the piston. The pump may be used to pump pressurized fluid into the hydraulic chamber for pushing the piston in a direction, and the setting sleeve may be used to apply a compressive force to a packer element of the packer in response to the piston being pushed in that direction. In some embodiments, the setting tool may include a sensor used to collect a measurement relating to a force on the workstring, in addition to a controller designed to receive a signal from the sensor and to provide a control signal to the pump based on the sensor signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: William Mark Richards, Colby Munro Ross, Thomas Owen Roane, William David Henderson
  • Patent number: 9416616
    Abstract: A well tool includes: a well packer; a hydraulic sub-assembly coupled to the well packer; an anti-preset assembly coupled to the hydraulic sub-assembly; a slip assembly coupled to the anti-preset assembly; and a fold-back assembly coupled between the well packer and the hydraulic sub-assembly. The well packer includes an expandable member that rides on a mandrel extending at least a portion of the well tool. The fold-back assembly includes a bias member carried on the mandrel and adapted to engage a profile formed on the mandrel based on a setting stroke that adjusts the expandable member into an expanded position in substantially sealing contact with a tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Robert Delzell, William Mark Richards, William David Henderson, Bryon Mullen
  • Publication number: 20160230497
    Abstract: A well packer includes an expandable member carried on a mandrel, the mandrel including a groove formed on at least a portion of an outer radial surface of the mandrel; a back-up assembly carried on the mandrel adjacent the expandable member; and a fold back assembly carried on the mandrel adjacent the back-up assembly, the fold back assembly including a snap ring carried on the mandrel and adapted to move into the groove and adjust the expandable member into an expanded position in substantially sealing contact with a tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher Robert Delzell, William Mark Richards, William David Henderson, Bryon Mullen
  • Patent number: 9297232
    Abstract: An apparatus for isolating a first zone from a second zone in a subterranean wellbore. The apparatus includes an outer tubular and an inner tubular disposed within the outer tubular forming an annular flow path therebetween that is in fluid communication with the first zone. The inner tubular defines a central flow path that is in fluid communication with the second zone. A sleeve having at least one seal is positioned in the annular flow path and is axially movable relative to the inner and outer tubulars between a closed position wherein the seal engages the inner tubular and an open position wherein the seal engages the outer tubular. A mandrel is slidably disposed within the inner tubular and is coupled to the sleeve. The mandrel is operable to shift the sleeve between the open position and the closed position responsive to changes in pressure within the central flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Wayne Scott, William David Henderson, Douglas Allen Schafer