Patents by Inventor William W. Fleckenstein

William W. Fleckenstein 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: 11959666
    Abstract: A system and method of harvesting geothermal energy in a subterranean formation includes providing an injection wellbore that extends into the subterranean formation, positioning a plurality of selectively opening sleeves in the injection wellbore spaced apart the subterranean formation, providing at least one producing wellbore that extends into the subterranean formation in a predetermined location proximate to the injection wellbore, and fracturing the subterranean formation in a plurality of locations proximate to the plurality of selectively opening sleeves to enhance a fluid pathway between the injection wellbore and the at least one producing wellbore. Fluid is injected down the injection wellbore at a first temperature, and the fluid is produced from the at least one producing wellbore at a second temperature higher than said first temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Colorado School of Mines
    Inventor: William W. Fleckenstein
  • Publication number: 20230076219
    Abstract: A system and method of harvesting geothermal energy in a subterranean formation includes providing an injection wellbore that extends into the subterranean formation, positioning a plurality of selectively opening sleeves in the injection wellbore spaced apart the subterranean formation, providing at least one producing wellbore that extends into the subterranean formation in a predetermined location proximate to the injection wellbore, and fracturing the subterranean formation in a plurality of locations proximate to the plurality of selectively opening sleeves to enhance a fluid pathway between the injection wellbore and the at least one producing wellbore. Fluid is injected down the injection wellbore at a first temperature, and the fluid is produced from the at least one producing wellbore at a second temperature higher than said first temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventor: William W. Fleckenstein
  • Patent number: 10961791
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are generally related to a method and apparatus for subterranean wellbores and in particular, to a method and apparatus for rotating a subsurface tubular string, such as a casing section, without rotation at the surface. More specifically, a casing section of a wellbore may be rotated to provide a cement seal with increased strength and reliability. In one embodiment, a downhole tool and rotation assembly is disclosed which imparts a torsional force to a predetermined casing section when a fluid is flowed through the downhole tool and rotation assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES
    Inventors: William W. Fleckenstein, Alfred W. Eustes, III
  • Patent number: 10927625
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are generally related to a method and apparatus for performing operations in subterranean wellbores. More specifically, the present disclosure provides a novel downhole tractor for use in a wellbore. The tractor includes a body and a plurality of wheels. The wheels are configured to convert rotation of the body into linear motion along the wellbore. In one embodiment, the tractor is hydraulically driven. Additionally, or alternatively, the tractor may be electrically driven. Optionally, rotation of a string of pipe interconnected to the tractor drives the tractor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES
    Inventors: William W. Fleckenstein, Christopher Nordin Campbell, Sean H. Bell, Trevor Carson Antrim, Christian R. Peterson, Trevor Justin Thompson, Frederico Miguel Rosendo, Tyler Mattson
  • Publication number: 20190345785
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are generally related to a method and apparatus for performing operations in subterranean wellbores. More specifically, the present disclosure provides a novel downhole tractor for use in a wellbore. The tractor includes a body and a plurality of wheels. The wheels are configured to convert rotation of the body into linear motion along the wellbore. In one embodiment, the tractor is hydraulically driven. Additionally, or alternatively, the tractor may be electrically driven. Optionally, rotation of a string of pipe interconnected to the tractor drives the tractor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: William W. Fleckenstein, Christopher Nordin Campbell, Sean H. Bell, Trevor Carson Antrim, Christian R. Peterson, Trevor Justin Thompson, Frederico Miguel Rosendo, Miller Kettle, John Kleckner, Henry York, Joshua Dakin, Tyler Mattson, Anthony Klecan, Jacob Hughes, Robert Brandenburg, Sean Barrett, Bradley Dethomas, Luke Haines, Blake Johnson, Spencer Jacobs
  • Publication number: 20190277096
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are generally related to a method and apparatus for subterranean wellbores and in particular, to a method and apparatus for rotating a subsurface tubular string, such as a casing section, without rotation at the surface. More specifically, a casing section of a wellbore may be rotated to provide a cement seal with increased strength and reliability. In one embodiment, a downhole tool and rotation assembly is disclosed which imparts a torsional force to a predetermined casing section when a fluid is flowed through the downhole tool and rotation assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Applicant: COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES
    Inventors: William W. Fleckenstein, Alfred W. Eustes, III
  • Patent number: 10287829
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are generally related to a method and apparatus for subterranean wellbores and in particular, to a method and apparatus for rotating a subsurface tubular string, such as a casing section, without rotation at the surface. More specifically, a casing section of a wellbore may be rotated to provide a cement seal with increased strength and reliability. In one embodiment, a downhole tool and rotation assembly is disclosed which imparts a torsional force to a predetermined casing section when a fluid is flowed through the downhole tool and rotation assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES
    Inventors: William W. Fleckenstein, Alfred W. Eustes, III
  • Patent number: 9624764
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for testing a wellbore, and to an apparatus and method to efficiently and effectively test the annular seal of a tubular string positioned within a wellbore. More specifically, the cement seal between a casing string and a wellbore is tested to assure there is no contamination of groundwater or between different geologic formations. An additional aspect of the present invention is to provide a testing assembly comprising a frangible body and a tool body, the tool body providing a passageway to the annular seal when the frangible body is drilled out. In one particular embodiment, the frangible body initially forms an encapsulated bore that aligns with the passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Colorado School of Mines
    Inventor: William W. Fleckenstein
  • Publication number: 20160177637
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are generally related to a method and apparatus for subterranean wellbores and in particular, to a method and apparatus for rotating a subsurface tubular string, such as a casing section, without rotation at the surface. More specifically, a casing section of a wellbore may be rotated to provide a cement seal with increased strength and reliability. In one embodiment, a downhole tool and rotation assembly is disclosed which imparts a torsional force to a predetermined casing section when a fluid is flowed through the downhole tool and rotation assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: William W. Fleckenstein, Alfred W. Eustes
  • Publication number: 20140367094
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for testing a wellbore, and to an apparatus and method to efficiently and effectively test the annular seal of a tubular string positioned within a wellbore. More specifically, the cement seal between a casing string and a wellbore is tested to assure there is no contamination of groundwater or between different geologic formations. An additional aspect of the present invention is to provide a testing assembly comprising a frangible body and a tool body, the tool body providing a passageway to the annular seal when the frangible body is drilled out. In one particular embodiment, the frangible body initially forms an encapsulated bore that aligns with the passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES
    Inventor: William W. Fleckenstein