Patents by Inventor Zach Walton

Zach Walton 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: 11286741
    Abstract: Downhole tools comprising a body, wherein at least a portion of the body is degradable when exposed to a wellbore environment; and at least one oil-degradable sealing element composed of an oil-degradable elastomer, wherein the oil-degradable sealing element degrades in the wellbore environment. The oil-degradable elastomer is selected from the group consisting of an oil-degradable natural rubber, an oil-degradable synthetic rubber, and any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Linley Fripp, Zachary Murphree, Zach Walton, Charles Timothy Smith
  • Patent number: 10975626
    Abstract: An erosive jet can propel degradable, abrasive grit conveyed in a carrier fluid to erode a downhole structure, such as a tubular (e.g., cutting through a tubular) or formation (e.g., perforation actions). The abrasive grit can be selected to degrade or dissolve in the wellbore fluid (e.g., in carrier fluid pumped into the wellbore or in fluid originating from the wellbore). The abrasive grit can provide increased cutting or erosion efficiency in the erosive jet during the cutting operation, then may degrade (e.g., dissolve) in the wellbore fluid to avoid certain complications, such as clogging or residue build-up in the wellbore formation or on downhole equipment. A degradation accelerator can be introduced (e.g., in carrier fluid) to accelerate degradation of the abrasive grit in the wellbore fluid. Degradation accelerators can be temperature-activated, pH-activated, or otherwise time-delayed so the abrasive grit remains sufficiently intact to perform the desired erosion operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Linley Fripp, Brady Lanclos, Zach Walton, John Charles Gano
  • Publication number: 20190017329
    Abstract: An erosive jet can propel degradable, abrasive grit conveyed in a carrier fluid to erode a downhole structure, such as a tubular (e.g., cutting through a tubular) or formation (e.g., perforation actions). The abrasive grit can be selected to degrade or dissolve in the wellbore fluid (e.g., in carrier fluid pumped into the wellbore or in fluid originating from the wellbore). The abrasive grit can provide increased cutting or erosion efficiency in the erosive jet during the cutting operation, then may degrade (e.g., dissolve) in the wellbore fluid to avoid certain complications, such as clogging or residue build-up in the wellbore formation or on downhole equipment. A degradation accelerator can be introduced (e.g., in carrier fluid) to accelerate degradation of the abrasive grit in the wellbore fluid. Degradation accelerators can be temperature-activated, pH-activated, or otherwise time-delayed so the abrasive grit remains sufficiently intact to perform the desired erosion operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Linley Fripp, Brady Lanclos, Zach Walton, John Charles Gano
  • Publication number: 20180238133
    Abstract: A sharp and erosion resistant degradable material used in a component in a downhole tool and a method of using said degradable material. More particularly, the sharp and erosion resistant degradable material includes dissolvable metal matrix composite which includes a dissolvable metal and a dispersed reinforcement material wherein the dissolvable metal is capable of dissolving via galvanic corrosion. The dissolvable metal may include at least one of aluminum alloy, magnesium alloy, zinc alloy, bismuth alloy, tin alloy, or any combination thereof. The dispersed reinforcement material may include a ceramic or a hardened metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Michael L. FRIPP, Zach WALTON, Thomas FROSELL
  • Publication number: 20160258240
    Abstract: Downhole tools comprising a body, wherein at least a portion of the body is degradable when exposed to a wellbore environment; and at least one oil-degradable sealing element composed of an oil-degradable elastomer, wherein the oil-degradable sealing element degrades in the wellbore environment. The oil-degradable elastomer is selected from the group consisting of an oil-degradable natural rubber, an oil-degradable synthetic rubber, and any combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Linley Fripp, Zachary Murphree, Zach Walton, Charles Timothy Smith