Patents by Inventor William Sloane Muscroft
William Sloane Muscroft 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).
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Publication number: 20170058631Abstract: Devices and methods related to setting and testing a packer in a single trip are disclosed. Embodiments disclosed herein provide a tubing engagement element for applying longitudinal force to expand the packer element, such as by compressing an elastomeric element longitudinally to cause radial expansion. Further, upon application of longitudinal force, a second packer element, inside of the first, also sets, isolating the interior of the packer form the exterior. The isolation on the interior of the packer, or tubing attached thereto, permits formation of a pressure differential across the installed packer, facilitating a pressure test to ensure that the packers is adequately set.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2016Publication date: March 2, 2017Inventors: Bryan Fitzhugh, William Sloane Muscroft
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Patent number: 9567832Abstract: The present disclosure relates to downhole tools, including downhole valves, which actuate via a pressure differential created across a shifting element having one or more pressure surfaces isolated from fluid, and fluid pressure, flowing through the interior flowpath. Embodiment downhole tools of the present disclosure may actuate in response to, among other signals, fluid pressure in the interior flowpath of the tool and fluid pressure communicated to a pressure surface of the shifting sleeve from the exterior of the tool. Certain embodiments may also have an outlet connector whereby fluid pressure from the downhole tool may be communicated to its exterior, including to additional tools in the tubing strings via flowlines connecting the two tools.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2014Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: Peak Completion Technologies Inc.Inventors: Raymond Hofman, William Sloane Muscroft
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Patent number: 9500064Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for re-directing fluid flow from the interior of tubing placed in a well to the exterior of the tubing by use of selectively actuatable valves operable by engagement of a plug on a plug seat. The devices, systems, and methods disclosed may provide a flowback bypass for the flow of fluids around obstructions in the tubing when those obstructions occur at a predicted location within the tubing. The systems, devices and methods may also include a locking system operable by, among other things, plug and plug seat valves, and such locking system may be used to prevent opening of the flowback bypass until after a predetermined event has occurred.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2014Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: Peak Completion TechnologiesInventors: Raymond Hofman, William Sloane Muscroft, Bryan Fitzhugh
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Patent number: 9441440Abstract: A downhole tool comprising a nested sleeve moveable from a closed position to an open position following actuation of a fluid control device. The fluid control device may selectively permit fluid flow, and thus pressure communication, into the annular space to cause a differential pressure across the shifting sleeve, and thereby moving the shifting sleeve to an open position. A static plug seat is positioned in the tubing or casing upwell of the downhole tool. When the shifting sleeve is opened, fluid flow is established through the static plug seat, allowing a dissolvable or disintegrable ball or other plug to engage the plug seat, preventing fluid flow past the plug seat to the opened downhole tool, thereby permitting pressurization of the tubing or casing, such as for a pressure test. Disintegration of the ball allows fluid communication to be re-established with the downhole tool, permitting fluid to flow through the tubing for subsequent operations.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2014Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: Peak Completion Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Raymond Hofman, William Sloane Muscroft, Eric Fruge
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Publication number: 20160061001Abstract: Devices for controlling the flow of fluids past a location in a wellbore and methods for using such devices are disclosed. Embodiment devices are configured such that the throughbore is maximized because of the devices' thin cross sectional length. The devices disclosed may use balls, darts or other plugs to seal against a plug seat and prevent flow therethrough, external seals prevent flow therearound and gripping elements, such as slips, prevent movement of the device within the well. Relatively high pressure rating may be accomplished with such thin cross sections by keeping the length of mandrel wall exposed to such pressures short. Some embodiment devices may have a plug seat that is integral, at least in part, with a setting ring and/or have a setting ring that is of one piece with the mandrel.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2015Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventors: Bryan Fitzhugh, William Sloane Muscroft, Nathan Fitzhugh
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Patent number: 9243470Abstract: A downhole system and related method, which may be used in an injection well for permitting removal, repair and or replacement of equipment installed in the well without unloading the formation in which the well is placed. The system generally includes an annulus sealing device, such as a packer, at least one valve, such as a flapper valve, a latching assembly and a rigid elongate member. The rigid elongate member may be connected to the latching assembly and serves the valve to open and close, or be permitted to open and close. The latching assembly serves to disconnect, and subsequently reconnect, equipment from the annular sealing device. Such release is accompanied by closure of the at least one valve and reconnection by opening of the at least one valve. The latching assembly has seals to prevent fluid from flowing around the latching assembly when the valve is open.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2012Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: Peak Completion Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Bobby Ribble, William Sloane Muscroft
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Patent number: 9133684Abstract: A downhole tool comprising an inner sleeve with a plurality of sleeve ports and a housing positioned radially outwardly of the inner sleeve and having a plurality of housing ports, with the housing and inner sleeve partially defining a space radially therebetween. The space is occupied by a shifting sleeve. A fluid path extends between the interior flowpath of the tool and the space. A fluid control device, occupies at least portion of the fluid path, and may selectively permit fluid flow, and thus pressure communication, into the space to cause a differential pressure across the shifting sleeve. When a sufficient differential pressure is reached, the shifting sleeve is moved from a first position to a second position, which opens the communication paths through the housing and sleeve ports between the interior flowpath and exterior of the tool.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2012Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Inventors: Raymond Hofman, William Sloane Muscroft
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Patent number: 9121248Abstract: An apparatus, system and method relating to a valve assembly for use in a subterranean well for oil, gas, or other hydrocarbons. The valve assembly comprises an engaging element with a resilient portion having a first shape when a first pressure differential is applied across the engaging element in a direction and a second shape when a second pressure differential is applied across the element in the direction; a receiving element having sealing section; wherein the engaging element is engagable with the first receiving element to substantially prevent the flow of fluids through the sealing section a pressure differential is applied to the engaging element that is less than a first pressure differential; wherein the engaging element is extrudable through the first receiving element by applying a second pressure differential that is greater than the first pressure differential.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2012Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Inventors: Raymond Hofman, William Sloane Muscroft, Bryan Fitzhugh
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Publication number: 20150233208Abstract: A downhole tool comprising a nested sleeve preventing fluid communication between the interior of the tool and the exterior of the tool is provided. The downhole tool is actuated when fluid pressure is communicated from the interior of the tool to a first surface the nested sleeve, moving the nested sleeve such that it no longer prevents fluid communication from the interior to the exterior. Devices and methods for controlling the flow of fluid to the first surface of the nested sleeve are provided including fluid control devices such as burst disks, indexing sleeves and ratchet assemblies. In certain embodiments, the nested sleeve may be engaged with a slot system such that the nested sleeve moves along a path defined by such slot until the tool is actuated.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2015Publication date: August 20, 2015Inventors: William Sloane Muscroft, Russell L Morgan
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Publication number: 20150167428Abstract: A valve assembly, and related system and method, with a sleeve having an inner surface with a diameter, an outer surface, and a plurality of openings extending between the inner surface and the outer surface. A split ring having one or more segments and an expandable or collapsible body with a seating surface and an outer diameter extending from the body is at least partially within the inner surface of the sleeve. The split ring and sleeve may be placed in a variable diameter housing such that contact of the outer diameter with a smaller diameter section of the housing causes the split ring to close, whereas contact with an larger diameter of the housing allows the split ring to open. In certain embodiments, a spring element, which may be the split ring itself, applies force to move the split ring from an open to closed position. A spring may be positioned around a portion of the sleeve and in an annular space at least partially defined by an annular body and the second cylindrical outer surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2014Publication date: June 18, 2015Inventors: Raymond Hofman, William Sloane Muscroft
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Publication number: 20150129205Abstract: The present disclosure relates to downhole tools, including downhole valves, which actuate via a pressure differential created across a shifting element having one or more pressure surfaces isolated from fluid, and fluid pressure, flowing through the interior flowpath. Embodiment downhole tools of the present disclosure may actuate in response to, among other signals, fluid pressure in the interior flowpath of the tool and fluid pressure communicated to a pressure surface of the shifting sleeve from the exterior of the tool. Certain embodiments may also have an outlet connector whereby fluid pressure from the downhole tool may be communicated to its exterior, including to additional tools in the tubing strings via flowlines connecting the two tools. Isolation of the shifting element from the interior flowpath may be accomplished using a frangible, shiftable, degradable or other members which may be moved from a closed state to an open state in response to fluid conditions in the interior flowpath.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2014Publication date: May 14, 2015Inventors: Raymond Hofman, William Sloane Muscroft
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Publication number: 20150107819Abstract: A downhole tool comprising a first section having an internal sidewall defining at least a portion of a flowpath, and a ported outer sidewall and an explosive having at least a portion within said first section. An annular portion has at least one chamber having an end positioned adjacent to the explosive and an inlet providing a communication path to said flowpath. A detonator assembly is located within each chamber proximal to the explosive such that detonation of the assembly causes detonation of the explosive. A firing pin is propelled toward the detonation assembly by providing communication between the chamber and the flow path, causing a pressure differential between the pressure isolated ends of the firing pin.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2013Publication date: April 23, 2015Inventors: Raymond Hofman, William Sloane Muscroft, Steve Jackson
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Publication number: 20150068752Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for re-directing fluid flow from the interior of tubing placed in a well to the exterior of the tubing by use of selectively actuatable valves operable by engagement of a plug on a plug seat. The devices, systems, and methods disclosed may provide a flowback bypass for the flow of fluids around obstructions in the tubing when those obstructions occur at a predicted location within the tubing. The systems, devices and methods may also include a locking system operable by, among other things, plug and plug seat valves, and such locking system may be used to prevent opening of the flowback bypass until after a predetermined event has occurred.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Applicant: Peak Completion Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Raymond Hofman, William Sloane Muscroft, Bryan Fitzhugh
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Publication number: 20140318816Abstract: The described embodiments relate to a downhole tool that can capture a ball in a trap to prevent both upwell and downwell movement of the ball. Further, certain embodiments described herein may prevent fluid from flowing past a captured ball in either the upwell or downwell directions. Ball and seat valves incorporating such ball trap assemblies can be used to create a bi-directional plug which prevents fluid flow in either direction when the ball trap is engaged with an appropriately configured ball.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2014Publication date: October 30, 2014Applicant: PEAK COMPLETION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Raymond Hofman, William Sloane Muscroft, Frank Victor De Lucia
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Publication number: 20140251636Abstract: The present disclosure relates to downhole tools, including downhole valves, which actuate via a pressure differential created across a shifting element having one or more pressure surfaces isolated from fluid, and fluid pressure, flowing through the interior flowpath. Embodiment downhole tools of the present disclosure may actuate in response to, among other signals, fluid pressure in the interior flowpath of the tool and fluid pressure communicated to a pressure surface of the shifting sleeve from the exterior of the tool. Certain embodiments may also have an outlet connector whereby fluid pressure from the downhole tool may be communicated to its exterior, including to additional tools in the tubing strings via flowlines connecting the two tools.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2014Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: PEAK COMPLETION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Raymond Hofman, William Sloane Muscroft
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Publication number: 20140246207Abstract: A system and method comprising at least one ported sleeve assembly and a flapper assembly positioned downwell of the ported sleeve assembly. The system provides for the use of multiple ported sleeve assemblies for each stage of a hydrocarbon producing well that can be opened with a single element, and multiple stages, each have thFracturinge ability to be opened with a single element size.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2014Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: Peak Completion Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Raymond Hofman, William Sloane Muscroft, Stephen Jackson, Daniel J. Rojas
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Publication number: 20140158368Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for re-directing fluid flow from the interior of tubing placed in a well to the exterior of the tubing by use of selectively actuatable valves operable by engagement of a plug on a plug seat. The devices, systems, and methods disclosed may provide a flowback bypass for the flow of fluids around obstructions in the tubing when those obstructions occur at a predicted location within the tubing. The systems, devices and methods may also include a locking system operable by, among other things, plug and plug seat valves, and such locking system may be used to prevent opening of the flowback bypass until after a predetermined event has occurred.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2012Publication date: June 12, 2014Inventors: Raymond Hofman, William Sloane Muscroft, Bryan Fitzhugh
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Publication number: 20140116721Abstract: A downhole tool comprising a nested sleeve moveable from a closed position to an open position following actuation of a fluid control device. The fluid control device may selectively permit fluid flow, and thus pressure communication, into the annular space to cause a differential pressure across the shifting sleeve, and thereby moving the shifting sleeve to an open position. A static plug seat is positioned in the tubing or casing upwell of the downhole tool. When the shifting sleeve is opened, fluid flow is established through the static plug seat, allowing a dissolvable or disintegrable ball or other plug to engage the plug seat, preventing fluid flow past the plug seat to the opened downhole tool, thereby permitting pressurization of the tubing or casing, such as for a pressure test. Disintegration of the ball allows fluid communication to be re-established with the downhole tool, permitting fluid to flow through the tubing for subsequent operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2014Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: PEAK COMPLETION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Raymond Hofman, William Sloane Muscroft, Eric Fruge
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Patent number: D762737Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2014Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: Peak Completion Technologies, IncInventors: Bryan Fitzhugh, William Sloane Muscroft
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Patent number: D763324Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2014Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: PeakCompletion Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Bryan Fitzhugh, William Sloane Muscroft