Patents by Inventor William R. Welch

William R. Welch 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: 5996697
    Abstract: A plug is provided which is specially adapted for statically setting a plug portion within an internal profile formed in a wellhead. In an illustrated preferred embodiment, the plug portion is set by application of fluid pressure to a running tool portion. When set in the profile, the plug portion is secured statically relative to the profile, thereby permitting advantageous utilization of a metal-to-metal seal on the plug portion. The plug portion includes features which maintain its set configuration in the profile. The running tool portion includes multiple pistons which enhance operation of the running tool portion. A disclosed verification tool provides an indication that the plug portion has been properly set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Vick, Rennie L. Dickson, William R. Welch, Jayson A. Byrd
  • Patent number: 5988277
    Abstract: A plug is provided which is specially adapted for statically setting a plug portion within an internal profile formed in a wellhead. In an illustrated preferred embodiment, the plug portion is set by application of fluid pressure to a running tool portion. When set in. the profile, the plug portion is secured statically relative to the profile, thereby permitting advantageous utilization of a metal-to-metal seal on the plug portion. The plug portion includes features which maintain its set configuration in the profile. The running tool portion includes multiple pistons which enhance operation of the running tool portion. A disclosed verification tool provides an indication that the plug portion has been properly set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Vick, Jr., Rennie L. Dickson, William R. Welch, Jayson A. Byrd
  • Patent number: 5957201
    Abstract: A plug is provided which is specially adapted for statically setting a plug portion within an internal profile formed in a wellhead. In an illustrated preferred embodiment, the plug portion is set by application of fluid pressure to a running tool portion. When set in the profile, the plug portion is secured statically relative to the profile, thereby permitting advantageous utilization of a metal-to-metal seal on the plug portion. The plug portion includes features which maintain its set configuration in the profile. The running tool portion includes multiple pistons which enhance operation of the running tool portion. A disclosed verification tool provides an indication that the plug portion has been properly set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Vick, Jr., Rennie L. Dickson, William R. Welch, Jayson A. Byrd
  • Patent number: 5875851
    Abstract: A plug is provided which is specially adapted for statically setting a plug portion within an internal profile formed in a wellhead. In an illustrated preferred embodiment, the plug portion is set by application of fluid pressure to a running tool portion. When set in the profile, the plug portion is secured statically relative to the profile, thereby permitting advantageous utilization of a metal-to-metal seal on the plug portion. The plug portion includes features which maintain its set configuration in the profile. The running tool portion includes multiple pistons which enhance operation of the running tool portion. A disclosed verification tool provides an indication that the plug portion has been properly set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James D. Vick, Jr., Rennie L. Dickson, William R. Welch, Jayson A. Byrd
  • Patent number: 5794699
    Abstract: Assemblies and methods are provided for selectively opening and closing a side port in a flow conductor for a well. In general, the sliding side door assembly includes a housing and a door subassembly. The housing has a generally tubular shape defining a fluid conducting interior and central axis. A side port is formed in the housing, and a ball seat is positioned in the housing adjacent the side port. The door subassembly is operatively engaged with the housing adjacent the side port and includes a translating sleeve positioned within the housing and a ball sealing member adapted to engage the ball seat of the housing. A ball port is formed through the ball sealing member. A cooperatively engaged helical track and follower member are provided for translating a driving movement along the central axis through the translating sleeve to a rotational movement of the ball sealing member about the central axis. Driving movements acting on the door subassembly can be provided by a standard shifting tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Hammett, Bhanubhai H. Patel, William R. Welch, Ronald K. Churchman
  • Patent number: 5735350
    Abstract: Improved methods and systems for creating a multilateral well and improved multilateral well structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Longbottom, Don C. Cox, John C. Gano, William R. Welch, Pat M. White, Richard Charles Jacquier, Tommie Austin Freeman, Harold Wayne Nivens, Paul David Holbrook, David H. Mills
  • Patent number: 5564503
    Abstract: Improved methods and systems for creating a multilateral well and improved multilateral well structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: James R. Longbottom, Don C. Cox, John C. Gano, William R. Welch, Pat M. White
  • Patent number: 5390742
    Abstract: A longitudinally spaced series of tubular nipple structures are installed in a well flow conductor operatively extended through a subterranean well bore. Each nipple structure has a thinned-wall, increased interior diameter longitudinal section through which a plurality of fluid flow openings laterally extend, and an interior side surface annular tool locator recess, with each such recess having a profile different than those of all of the other tool locator recesses. The thinned-wall longitudinal sections of the nipples facilitate the formation of the flow openings therein. To seal off the flow openings in any selected one of these longitudinal nipple sections, a radially expandable tubular metal patch is supported on a setting tool which is lowered into the well flow conductor. A locator member complementarily and lockably receivable by the locator recess of the selected nipple is also supported on the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Christopher A. Dines, Clark E. Robison, Perry C. Shy, William R. Welch
  • Patent number: 5375659
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus which can be installed for opening and closing fluid flow production from a formation penetrated by a cased well borehole and connected therewith through perforations. The production tubing string is installed with a moveable sleeve having a closed and open position. The moveable sleeve defines a controllable pathway into the production tubing string. In conjunction with that, there is an internal receptacle formed in the production tubing string to enable landing of a sonde there at. The sonde connects firmly at the receptacle. Similarly, the moveable sleeve in the production tubing string has a receptacle it in which enables unique landing of a latching mechanism, the latching mechanism extending along the axis of the production tubing string at the urging of a motor in said sonde. The motor operates an elongate extendible member to move the sleeve from the closed to the open position and back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1994
    Assignee: Halliburton Logging Services Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory N. Gilbert, Martin L. Tomek, William B. King, Jerry R. Bennett, Perry C. Shy, William R. Welch
  • Patent number: 5355953
    Abstract: A subsurface well flow control system includes a series of movable sleeve type flow control devices installed in a well flow conductor at various fluid-containing fracture zones, and a shifter tool movable through the conductor and operable to selectively shift any selected number of the sleeve portions of the flow control devices, in either direction between their open and closed positions, without removing the tool from the conductor. Radially retractable anchor and shifter key sets are carried in side wall openings of the tool body, and are respectively configured to be lockingly engaged with interior side surface groove sets on the body and movable sleeve portions of any of the flow control devices. The key sets are spring-biased radially outwardly toward extended positions, and an electromechanical drive system disposed within the tool body is operative to radially retract the key sets, and to axially drive the shifter key set toward or away from the anchor key set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Perry C. Shy, William R. Welch
  • Patent number: 5309988
    Abstract: A subsurface well flow control system includes a series of movable sleeve type flow control devices installed in a well flow conductor at various fluid-containing fracture zones, and a shifter tool movable through the conductor and operable to selectively shift any selected number of the sleeve portions of the flow control devices, in either direction between their open and closed positions, without removing the tool from the conductor. Radially retractable anchor and shifter key sets are carried in side wall openings of the tool body, and are respectively configured to be lockingly engaged with interior side surface groove sets on the body and movable sleeve portions of any of the flow control devices. The key sets are spring-biased radially outwardly toward extended positions, and an electromechanical drive system disposed within the tool body is operative to radially retract the key sets, and to axially drive the shifter key set toward or away from the anchor key set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventors: Perry C. Shy, William R. Welch
  • Patent number: 4997038
    Abstract: A well tool locking assembly comprising a lock mandrel having locking keys adapted to releasably engage a locking annulus within a well bore, and a latch assembly adapted to maintain the lock mandrel in a desired positional relation to the locking annulus until such time as the locking keys engage the locking annulus; the latch assembly further comprising at least one rotatably mounted, outwardly biased pawl adapted to engage the locking annulus, and a shear pin disposed below the pawl, the pawl being adapted to rotate downwardly into contact with the shear pin whenever the pawl is forced into contact with the upper portion of the locking annulus, the shear pin being further adapted to shear whenever the force exerted on it by the pawl exceeds a predetermined maximum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Assignee: Otis Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: William R. Welch
  • Patent number: 4962813
    Abstract: A well tool locking system adapted for releasably locking a lock mandrel and surface-controlled subsurface safety valve in a staggered well bore is disclosed. The subject locking system comprises a collapsible, slidably engaged no-go ring and locating dogs that are operatively coupled to a locking sleeve to pre-prop locking keys in the annular recesses of a landing nipple prior to applying control line pressure to the safety valve. The subject locking system is designed to lock in the direction of flow, does not require the use of shear pins, and will not release from the running tool until the safety valve is activated and the lock mandrel locking keys are fully engaged with the landing nipple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignee: Otis Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: William R. Welch
  • Patent number: 4896721
    Abstract: An improved locator shifter tool useful in a string of well operating tools. When the tool string is lowered into compatible internal profiled grooving in a well conduit, profiled keys on the locator shifter tool move outwardly into the profiled grooving, stopping downward movement of the shifting tool and tool string. A downward force on the tool string will now operate the locator shifter tool to lock connected in the profiled grooving in the conduit. To disconnect the locator shifter from the profiled grooving, an upward force on the tool string will operate the locator shifter tool to cam the keys inwardly from the conduit grooving, disconnecting the locator shifter and tool string for raising through the conduit back to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Assignee: Otis Engineering Corporation
    Inventor: William R. Welch
  • Patent number: 4562631
    Abstract: An adjustment tool and means for adjusting the axial position of a tractor wheel and hub with respect to an axle including a cross beam with two perpendicularly extending arms being adjustably positionable on the cross beam. The arms extend to abut against the wheel and have rod members extending from those ends which are insertable through auxiliary apertures in the wheel. A center rod is mounted on the cross beam, is adjustable perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the cross beam, and is alignable with the axle of the tractor. The hub and wheel can be moved outwardly along the tractor axle by securing the rods on the end of the arms to the wheel and then adjusting the center rod down against the tractor axle causing the secured rods and arms to pull the wheel and hub along the axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1986
    Inventor: William R. Welch
  • Patent number: 4441558
    Abstract: A well system in which a dual annular type valve with wall flow ports, operable by ambient pressures, is utilized as part of the well tool string to provide an unrestricted flow path for production through and prevent excess back pressure on the producing formation. The valve has outside seals and internal valves above and below the wall ports controlling flow therethrough. Higher pressure outside the valve will open the biased closed lower sleeve valve to production flow through the wall ports into the flow path through the well production tubing. If pressure in the flow path through increases, both valves close preventing flow out through the wall ports. Increasing flow path pressure to a predetermined value shears lower valve seat positioning pins to open wall flow ports to high volume flow pumped into the formation to kill the well and to two-way flow afterward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1984
    Assignee: Otis Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: William R. Welch, Thomas J. Heard
  • Patent number: 4436152
    Abstract: An improved shifting tool connectable in a well tool string and useful to engage and position a slidable sleeve in a sliding sleeve device in a well flow conductor. The selectively profiled shifting tool keys provide better fit with and more contact area between keys and slidable sleeves. When the engaged slidable sleeve cannot be moved up and the shifting tool is not automatically disengaged, emergency disengagement means may be utilized by applying upward force to the shifting tool sufficient to shear pins and cause all keys to be cammed inwardly at both ends to completely disengage for removal of the shifting tool from the sliding sleeve device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1984
    Assignee: Otis Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: Ernest P. Fisher, Jr., William R. Welch
  • Patent number: 4432416
    Abstract: A side pocket mandrel designed primarily for controlling the flow of production fluid into a tubing string includes a sliding sleeve valve in the side wall receptacle for alternatively closing and opening the entry port into the receptacle. The sleeve valve is latched in its port-closing position, but is designed to enable removal from the receptacle bore for servicing; and a pulling tool is provided for removing the sleeve valve from the receptacle when desired. The sleeve is shifted to its port-opening position when a standing flow control valve is placed in the receptacle; and the standing valve has a large valve chamber and side entry and exit ports for the production fluid to provide for maximum flow. The standing valve provides a check valve into the producing zone, the valve closure member being a modified ball consisting of a cylindrical body with spherical ends and coacting with a spherical valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1984
    Assignee: Otis Engineering Corporation
    Inventors: William R. Welch, Ernest P. Fisher, John H. Yonker
  • Patent number: H480
    Abstract: An improved glass sheet bending mold (10) disclosed comprises a stainless steel base (12) for receiving the heated glass sheet to be bent. An electrically deposited metal carbide coating (16) is deposited on the stainless steel base (12). A boron nitride covering (18) covers the metal carbide coating (16) to provide a forming surface (14) that is harder than the base (12) and is wetted less by the heated glass sheet than is the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1988
    Inventor: William R. Welch