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).
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Publication number: 20240255189Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2024Publication date: August 1, 2024Inventor: William W. Fleckenstein
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Patent number: 11959666Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 26, 2022Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Colorado School of MinesInventor: William W. Fleckenstein
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Publication number: 20230076219Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2022Publication date: March 9, 2023Inventor: William W. Fleckenstein
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Patent number: 10961791Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 13, 2019Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINESInventors: William W. Fleckenstein, Alfred W. Eustes, III
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Patent number: 10927625Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 10, 2019Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINESInventors: William W. Fleckenstein, Christopher Nordin Campbell, Sean H. Bell, Trevor Carson Antrim, Christian R. Peterson, Trevor Justin Thompson, Frederico Miguel Rosendo, Tyler Mattson
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Publication number: 20190345785Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2019Publication date: November 14, 2019Inventors: 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
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Publication number: 20190277096Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2019Publication date: September 12, 2019Applicant: COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINESInventors: William W. Fleckenstein, Alfred W. Eustes, III
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Patent number: 10287829Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 22, 2015Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINESInventors: William W. Fleckenstein, Alfred W. Eustes, III
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Patent number: 9624764Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 12, 2014Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Colorado School of MinesInventor: William W. Fleckenstein
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Publication number: 20160177637Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2015Publication date: June 23, 2016Inventors: William W. Fleckenstein, Alfred W. Eustes
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Publication number: 20140367094Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2014Publication date: December 18, 2014Applicant: COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINESInventor: William W. Fleckenstein