Patents by Inventor William J. Befeld

William J. Befeld 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: 8973651
    Abstract: A cutting tool that inserts into a tubular for cutting the tubular from within. The cutting tool includes a motor, a cutting head, permanent anchor between the motor and cutting head, an electronics portion, and a modular anchoring sub that can be between the motor and electronics portion or on the upper end of the cutting tool. The modular anchoring sub provides flexibility in where anchoring elements are positioned so that depending on the application, the modular anchoring sub can be positioned so that it provides its maximum anchoring force for stabilizing the cutting tool during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Karsten Fuhst, Sven Krueger, William J. Befeld
  • Patent number: 8528637
    Abstract: A method for determining depth in a wellbore uses inertial navigation in conjunction with a database having one or more measured parameters correlated with depth. The measured parameter may be the lengths of stands forming a drill string, prior survey data relating to a naturally occurring feature such as formation lithology, or data relating to a human made feature such as collars in a casing string. The downhole processor may use accelerometer measurements to calculate a measured depth of a BHA and access the database to retrieve a predicted depth that corresponds with one or more sensor measurements (e.g., motion indicating the addition of a stand to a drill string). Thereafter, if the downhole processor determines that the predicted depth is in agreement with the calculated depth, the processor stores the predicted depth and/or associates the predicted depth with directional surveys taken along the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Gary J. Cresswell, William J. Befeld, Robert Estes
  • Publication number: 20120318509
    Abstract: A cutting tool that inserts into a tubular for cutting the tubular from within. The cutting tool includes a motor, a cutting head, permanent anchor between the motor and cutting head, an electronics portion, and a modular anchoring sub that can be between the motor and electronics portion or on the upper end of the cutting tool. The modular anchoring sub provides flexibility in where anchoring elements are positioned so that depending on the application, the modular anchoring sub can be positioned so that it provides its maximum anchoring force for stabilizing the cutting tool during use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Karsten Fuhst, Sven Krueger, William J. Befeld
  • Publication number: 20120226443
    Abstract: Autonomous control of a wellbore tool is provided by programming a memory module of a processor with a database having data relating to a selected parameter of interest; conveying a sensor and the processor along the wellbore; and activating the wellbore tool if the processor determines that a measurement provided by the sensor correlates with the database data. The processor may correlate the sensor measurements with a predetermined pattern associated with the data, a preset value, and/or a preset range of values. Well tool activation may occur when the processor finds: a substantial match between a predetermined pattern and at least one measured value; a present value and at least one measured value, and/or a preset range of values and at least one measured range of values. Also, activating the well tool may occur only if a measurement from a second sensor meets a preset criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Gary J. Cresswell, William J. Befeld, Robert Estes
  • Patent number: 8122954
    Abstract: A method for determining depth in a wellbore uses inertial navigation in conjunction with a database having one or more measured parameters correlated with depth. The measured parameter may be the lengths of stands forming a drill string, prior survey data relating to a naturally occurring feature such as formation lithology, or data relating to a human made feature such as collars in a casing string. The downhole processor may use accelerometer measurements to calculate a measured depth of a BHA and access the database to retrieve a predicted depth that corresponds with one or more sensor measurements (e.g., motion indicating the addition of a stand to a drill string). Thereafter, if the downhole processor determines that the predicted depth is in agreement with the calculated depth, the processor stores the predicted depth and/or associates the predicted depth with directional surveys taken along the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert Estes, Jerry Cerkovnik, Gary J. Cresswell, William J. Befeld