Patents by Inventor Zachary A. Williams

Zachary A. Williams 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: 10655411
    Abstract: Frangible components like shear pins, rupture disks, retainer rings, and shear rings of downhole tools (e.g., frac plugs, sliding sleeves, darts, packers, expansion joints, valves, and tool-conveyance coupling apparatuses) may be composed of a degradable material that degrades in a wellbore environment at a desired time during the performance of a subterranean formation operation. For example, a tool string may include a conveyance or top adapter sub threadably coupled to a first end of a stinger; a wellbore tool coupled to the stinger via a coupling at a second end opposing the first end of the stinger, wherein the coupling comprises a frangible, degradable shear pin and a frangible, degradable shear ring, wherein the frangible, degradable shear pin and the frangible, degradable shear ring independently comprise a degradable metal alloy selected from the group consisting of a magnesium alloy, an aluminum alloy, and any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Linley Fripp, Zachary William Walton, Matthew James Merron
  • Patent number: 10643415
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a system for delivering packages by a delivery person in a location with multiple recipients comprising a plurality of lockers, each locker having an interior space, a door, a locker identifier, and a locking portion associated with each door. A central control unit comprises a first input device configured to allow the delivery person to designate the number of lockers to be opened, a second input device adapted to read the package identifier and a locker identifier, and a controller configured to deactivate the locking portions on the designated lockers. Upon delivery, the controller deactivates the number of locking portions equal to the number of designated lockers, and at a location remote from the central control unit, the second input device reads a package and a locker identifier for a designated locker and transmits the package and locker information to the central control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Florence Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin A. Fee, Zachary A. Williams
  • Patent number: 10633947
    Abstract: Degradable downhole tools that include a doped aluminum alloy may degrade via a galvanic mechanism. More specifically, such a degradable downhole tool may comprise at least one component of the downhole tool made of a doped aluminum alloy that at least partially degrades by micro-galvanic corrosion in the presence of water having a salinity of greater than about 10 ppm, wherein the doped aluminum alloy comprises aluminum, 0.05% to about 25% dopant by weight of the doped aluminum alloy, less than 0.5% gallium by weight of the doped aluminum alloy, and less than 0.5% mercury by weight of the doped aluminum alloy, and wherein the dopant is selected from the group consisting of iron, copper, nickel, tin, chromium, silver, gold, palladium, carbon, and any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Linley Fripp, Zachary William Walton
  • Patent number: 10626695
    Abstract: A wellbore isolation device may include a mandrel; degradable slips disposed about the mandrel and composed of a degradable metal alloy selected from the group consisting of a magnesium alloy, an aluminum alloy, and any combination thereof; and at least one packer element disposed along the mandrel. The degradable slips may be formed of a degradable metal material. Optionally, the wellbore isolation device may further include degradable slip bands formed of a degradable metal material or a degradable polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Linley Fripp, Zachary William Walton
  • Patent number: 10605027
    Abstract: A downhole wellbore isolation tool includes an elastomeric sealing element for engaging a casing member or another tubular member in a wellbore. The isolation tool includes one or more expandable slips for gripping the tubular member and holding the isolation tool in place. The sealing element has an axial end in direct contact with an abutment surface of the expandable slip such that the slip limits, if not eliminates, unwanted extrusion of the sealing element, e.g., upon setting of the isolation tool. The expandable slips may be constructed of a plurality of slip elements, and the elastomeric sealing element may flow into gaps defined between the slip elements when the isolation tool is set. The slip segments and other components of the isolation tool may be constructed of a dissolvable material to facilitate removal of the isolation tool from the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Zachary William Walton, Michael Linley Fripp, Michael James Jurgensmeier, John C. Gano
  • Patent number: 10533392
    Abstract: A wellbore isolation device includes a wedge member that defines an outer surface and a barrel seal having a cylindrical body that provides an inner radial surface and an outer radial surface. The inner radial surface is engageable with the outer surface of the wedge member. The barrel seal further includes a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves defined through the body in an alternating configuration at opposing ends of the body. A raised lip protrudes radially from the outer radial surface and circuitously extends about a circumference of the body. A plurality of slip buttons is positioned in a corresponding plurality of holes defined in the outer radial surface of the body. At least one of the wedge member and the barrel seal is made of a degradable material that degrades when exposed to a wellbore environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary William Walton, Michael Linley Fripp, John Charles Gano, Zachary Ryan Murphree, David Allen Dockweiler
  • Patent number: 10526868
    Abstract: Downhole tools, methods, and systems of use thereof, the downhole tool comprising a wellbore isolation device that provides a plurality of components including one or more first components and one or more second components, wherein at least the first and second one or more components are made of a degradable metal material that degrades when exposed to a wellbore environment, and wherein the one or more first components is fabricated by a first fabrication method and the one or more second components is fabricated by a second fabrication method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary William Walton, Michael Linley Fripp
  • Patent number: 10472918
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a wellbore isolation device, a method to form the wellbore isolation device, and a downhole, device-tracking system. In one embodiment, the system includes a wellbore isolation device having a first identification tag and a dissolvable component. The first identification tag is operable to travel along a fluid flow path toward the surface of a well upon dissolution of the dissolvable component. The system also includes a detector disposed along the fluid flow path, where the detector is operable to detect the first identification tag when the first identification tag is proximate to the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Linley Fripp, John Todd Broome, Zachary William Walton
  • Publication number: 20190335351
    Abstract: The techniques described herein involve analysis of communication data included in trace file(s) of device(s) involved in a communication. These trace file(s) may each include data associated with multiple layers of a communication protocol stack of a respective device or data associated with a single such layer. The techniques may further involve one or more of determination of performance metrics associated with data at a specific layer of a specific device, correlation of the data between layers of a device, or correlation of data across multiple device(s) involved in the communication. The performance metrics or correlated data may then be analyzed based on thresholds or models to determine whether the performance metrics or correlated data exhibits a degraded quality of user experience. Also or instead, graphic or textual representations of the performance metrics or correlated data may be generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Jie Hui, Zachary William McPherson, Kranthi Sontineni, Peter P. Myron, Himesh Bagley, Jeffery A. Smith
  • Publication number: 20190323305
    Abstract: Methods and systems for depassivating completion tool batteries are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing a completion tool disposed within a wellbore penetrating at least a portion of a subterranean formation, wherein the completion tool is electrically coupled to an at least partially passivated lithium battery; depassivating the at least partially passivated lithium battery in the wellbore by discharging the lithium battery; and powering the completion tool with the at least partially depassivated lithium battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Linley Fripp, Zachary William Walton, Matthew James Merron
  • Publication number: 20190309622
    Abstract: Communication from a well surface location at a well site to a downhole tool positioned within a wellbore may be performed such that fluid flow is not restricted through the downhole tool. For example, a method may include: sending a signal from an uphole location to a downhole tool located in a wellbore, wherein the signal comprises at least one event selected from the group consisting of a magnetic wellbore projectile, an acoustic pulse, and a pressure change; taking measurements with a sensor coupled to the downhole tool, wherein the sensor is at least one selected from the group consisting of a magnetic sensor, an acoustic sensor, and a pressure sensor; identifying the signal based on at least one of the measurements greater than an adaptive threshold value; and actuating the downhole tool from a first configuration to a second configuration upon identification of the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: Zachary William Walton, Donald G. KYLE, Matthew James MERRON, Michael Liniey FRIPP
  • Publication number: 20190256376
    Abstract: A composite material for use in water treatment. The composite material includes a porous matrix including a resin capable of retaining a catalyst and magnetic material therein, and includes a density regulating portion disposed therein. The catalyst is capable of facilitating a chemical reaction involving a contaminants in the water. The magnetic material and density regulating portion can be used to separate the composite material from treated water. Systems and methods of use involving passive water treatment, continuous water treatment, solar light exposure, UV light exposure, and electrochemical cells, employing photochemical, electrochemical, and photoelectrochemical reactions are described. Methods of manufacture are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Timothy Michael Carter LESHUK, Zachary William YOUNG, Frank GU
  • Publication number: 20190249549
    Abstract: Methods and systems for using flow rate signals for wireless downhole communication are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: generating a first flow rate signal within a wellbore by altering the flow rate of a first fluid in the wellbore, wherein the first flow rate signal comprises at least two detectable characteristics; detecting the first flow rate signal at a first downhole tool disposed within the wellbore; and actuating the first downhole tool in response to detecting the first flow rate signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Fripp, Zachary William Walton, Matthew Merron, Thomas Frosell
  • Publication number: 20190249520
    Abstract: A completion section includes a base pipe defining a central flow passage, an injection port, and a production port. A fracturing assembly includes a frac sleeve positioned within the central flow passage adjacent the injection port, a sensor that detects a wireless signal, a first frac actuator actuatable in response to the wireless signal to move the frac sleeve and expose the injection port, and a second frac actuator actuatable based on the wireless signal to move the frac sleeve to occlude the injection port. A production assembly is axially offset from the fracturing assembly and includes a production sleeve positioned within the central flow passage adjacent the production port, a filtration device arranged about the base pipe, and a production actuator actuatable based on the wireless signal or an additional wireless signal to move the production sleeve to an open position where the production ports are exposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Matthew James MERRON, Zachary William WALTON, Michael Linley FRIPP
  • Patent number: 10370930
    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 aqueous-degradable sealing element comprising an aqueous-degradable elastomer comprising in the range of 0.05 to 1 parts by weight per hundred parts of the elastomer (phr) carbodiimide, wherein at least a portion of the aqueous-degradable sealing element hydrolytically degrades when exposed to an aqueous fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Linley Fripp, Zachary William Walton, Charles Timothy Smith
  • Publication number: 20190234179
    Abstract: A method includes positioning a completion assembly in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation and conveying a frac plug through the completion assembly. The completion assembly may provide a fracturing assembly. The method further includes detecting a wireless signal provided by the frac plug with a sensor included in the fracturing assembly, actuating a sliding sleeve of the fracturing assembly based on detection of the wireless signal and thereby moving the sliding sleeve to expose one or more flow ports, setting the frac plug in the wellbore downhole from the fracturing assembly, conveying a wellbore projectile through the completion assembly, receiving the wellbore projectile with the frac plug, and thereby sealing the wellbore at the frac plug, and injecting a fluid under pressure into the subterranean formation via the one or more flow ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Zachary William WALTON, Michael Linley FRIPP, Matthew James MERRON
  • Patent number: 10349297
    Abstract: The techniques described herein involve analysis of communication data included in trace file(s) of device(s) involved in a communication. These trace file(s) may each include data associated with multiple layers of a communication protocol stack of a respective device or data associated with a single such layer. The techniques may further involve one or more of determination of performance metrics associated with data at a specific layer of a specific device, correlation of the data between layers of a device, or correlation of data across multiple device(s) involved in the communication. The performance metrics or correlated data may then be analyzed based on thresholds or models to determine whether the performance metrics or correlated data exhibits a degraded quality of user experience. Also or instead, graphic or textual representations of the performance metrics or correlated data may be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Jie Hui, Zachary William McPherson, Kranthi Sontineni, Peter P. Myron, Himesh Bagley, Jeffery A. Smith
  • Publication number: 20190201955
    Abstract: Methods and Apparatus to increase the efficiency of roll-forming and leveling systems are described herein. An example strip material processing apparatus includes a first drive system to drive an exit workroll at an exit of the strip material processing apparatus, and a second drive system to drive an entry workroll at an entry of the strip material processing apparatus, where the strip material is to travel through the strip material processing apparatus from the entry to the exit. The example strip material processing apparatus also includes a controller to provide a first command reference to the first drive system to drive the exit workroll at the first command reference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Gregory S. Smith, Zachary Williams, Roger Downing
  • Publication number: 20190203534
    Abstract: A ladder landing support apparatus includes an angled base plate including a first portion and a second portion defining an angle with the first portion, and a ladder engaging part extending upwardly from a top side of the first portion, the ladder engaging part being engageable with feet of a ladder so as to substantially prevent slippage thereof in a direction parallel to the first portion, wherein the angled base plate is angled to engage a ledge such that the first portion is engageable with a top horizontal surface of the ledge and the second portion is engageable with a front vertical surface of the ledge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: William E. Bowling, Zachary William Evans
  • Patent number: 10316601
    Abstract: A wellbore isolation device comprising: one or more materials, wherein the one or more materials degrade after contact with a fluid; and a non-metallic coating, wherein the coating covers the one or more materials of the wellbore isolation device, and wherein the coating partially or wholly degrades after contact with a wellbore fluid. A method of removing the wellbore isolation device comprising: degrading the coating via contact with a wellbore fluid; and contacting the portion of the wellbore isolation device with a fluid, wherein the portion of the wellbore isolation device comprises one or more materials that degrade after contact with the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary William Walton, Michael Linley Fripp, Zachary Ryan Murphree, Jesse C. Porter