Patents by Inventor Zlatko Salihbegovic
Zlatko Salihbegovic 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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Patent number: 11845120Abstract: Bellows are devices used to compensate linear, thermal, or angular movement/expansion. In oil and gas industry bellows are used in gas lift valves as a slidable seal between two gases. Gas lift valves are used in process of oil artificial lift from wells. Bellows having very thin walls are not well suited for pressures higher than approximately 200 PSI. To withstand much higher pressures bellows are being crimped, process that compresses the bellow to shorter length which increases bellow mechanical toughness. This patent application refers to bellow crimping method that uses initially balanced internal and external pressure to crimp bellow to desired length and maintain perfect bellow elements-convolution ? geometry using custom designed crimping device.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2020Date of Patent: December 19, 2023Inventor: Zlatko Salihbegovic
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Patent number: 11753128Abstract: An OSD-outboard stern drive boat propulsion system where single or multiple engines are positioned at boat stern inside boat outer envelope on customized-elevated subfloor and connected to outdrive unit that is attached to boat stern plate. Engine/s are positioned lower than typical outboard engine/s and higher than typical inboard engine/s. Engine compartment is covered by a customized hood and engines are easily accessible form boat floor like typical outboard engine configuration. Drive configuration is like typical sterndrive with engine/s crankshaft in horizontal position connected to outdrive via cardan joint allowing drive tilting up and down. The main purpose of using OSD would be use of one or two diesel or gasoline marine engines of existing design eliminating use of 2-6 large outboards for boats longer than 25 feet and outboard like access to engines for maintenance while using marine engines and providing much simpler boat/engine configuration.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2020Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Inventor: Zlatko Salihbegovic
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Patent number: 11686185Abstract: High pressure gas lift valve with dual edge welded bellow subassembly where two bellows are incorporated in sealed configuration filled with silicone oil. Bellows are of different sizes featuring equal volumetric oil displacement for the pre-set total compression/expansion which corresponds to equal stem travel. By design both bellows can be fully compressed solid preventing bellows overstressing allowing extremely high pressure to be applied to both bellows. Lower bellow effective area is larger for orifice area than upper bellow area. This eliminates differential pressure across the bellows during valve opening resulting in equalized internal/external bellow stresses. Both bellows work only in compression from free length to full compression. This results in bellow internal/external pressure and stress level equalization and long cycle life. Valve withstands high injection pressure for well integrity testing.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2020Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Inventor: Zlatko Salihbegovic
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Patent number: 11643910Abstract: A GLV-gas lift valve that employs TSMS-two simultaneous mechanical stops, first one when SEWB-single edge welded bellow 8 is fully compressed to solid by valve dome pressure 5 and second mechanical stop where adjustable sealing arrangement with compressible seal 25, threaded regulating nut 17 and threaded jam nut 18 are compressed against orifice 15, compressible seal 25 is fully compressed into groove 30, gap 26 is fully exhausted, dimension L reaches zero, and gap 31 is completely exhausted, providing second mechanical stop between TC ball 14 and orifice 15. Sealing arrangement can be TC-Tungsten carbide ball 14 butted against orifice 15, flat, conical or curved sealing surface containing said compressible seal, that is solidly compressed against SEWB or DEWB, thus providing second mechanical stop and sealing fluid flow through GLV. Compressing SEWB/DEWB to full solid protects bellow from high dome pressure 5 while “Fortress Seal™” per U.S. Pat. No.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2022Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Inventor: Zlatko Salihbegovic
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Publication number: 20220307354Abstract: A GLV-gas lift valve that employs TSMS-two simultaneous mechanical stops, first one when SEWB-single edge welded bellow 8 is fully compressed to solid by valve dome pressure 5 and second mechanical stop where adjustable sealing arrangement with compressible seal 25, threaded regulating nut 17 and threaded jam nut 18 are compressed against orifice 15, compressible seal 25 is fully compressed into groove 30, gap 26 is fully exhausted, dimension L reaches zero, and gap 31 is completely exhausted, providing second mechanical stop between TC ball 14 and orifice 15. Sealing arrangement can be TC-Tungsten carbide ball 14 butted against orifice 15, flat, conical or curved sealing surface containing said compressible seal, that is solidly compressed against SEWB or DEWB, thus providing second mechanical stop and sealing fluid flow through GLV. Compressing SEWB/DEWB to full solid protects bellow from high dome pressure 5 while “Fortress Seal™” per U.S. Pat. No.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2022Publication date: September 29, 2022Inventor: Zlatko Salihbegovic
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Patent number: 11242732Abstract: A GLV-gas lift valve that uses dual “Fortress™” seals on both sides of the bellow 19 to protect said bellow from both high dome pressure 3 acting against outside bellow surface and high injection pressure acting against bellow 19 internal surface. When valve is in closed position, after dome pressure 3 is applied, upper-dome side “Fortress™” seal is engaged and prevents high dome pressure reaching said bellow 19 external surface. When valve is in fully open position, when injection pressure 14 is applied, lower seal 10 is engaged and prevents access of high injection pressure into bellow acting against bellow internal surface. This principle allows much higher pressures to be applied in valve dome section and injection section by reducing differential pressure across the bellow 19. In addition, lower “Fortress™” seal allows very high injection pressure 14 more than 10 KSI to be applied without damage to bellow or gas lift valve components.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2021Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Inventor: Zlatko Salihbegovic
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Publication number: 20210340848Abstract: A GLV-gas lift valve that uses dual “fortress™” seals on both sides of the bellow 19 to protect said bellow from both high dome pressure 3 acting against outside bellow surface and high injection pressure acting against bellow 19 internal surface. When valve is in closed position, after dome pressure 3 is applied, upper-dome side “fortress™” seal is engaged and prevents high dome pressure reaching said bellow 19 external surface. When valve is in fully open position, when injection pressure 14 is applied, lower seal 10 is engaged and prevents access of high injection pressure into bellow acting against bellow internal surface. This principle allows much higher pressures to be applied in valve dome section and injection section by reducing differential pressure across the bellow 19. In addition, lower “fortress™” seal allows very high injection pressure 14 more than 10 KSI to be applied without damage to bellow or gas lift valve components.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2021Publication date: November 4, 2021Inventor: Zlatko Salihbegovic
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Publication number: 20210094664Abstract: A boat propulsion system, OSD-Outboard Stern Drive where single, or multiple marine engines are positioned at boat stern inside boat outer envelope on customized-elevated subfloor and connected to outdrive unit that is attached to boat stern plate. Engine/s are positioned lower than typical outboard engine/s and higher than typical inboard engine/s. Engine compartment is covered by a customized hood and engines are easily accessible from boat floor like typical outboard engine configuration. Drive configuration is like typical sterndrive with engine/s crankshaft in horizontal position that is connected to outdrive unit via cardan joint allowing drive tilting up and down. The main purpose of using OSD would be use of one or two Diesel or gasoline marine engines of existing design thus eliminating use of 2-6 large outboards for boats longer than 25 feet and outboard like access to engines for maintenance while using sturdier marine engines and providing much simpler boat/engine configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2020Publication date: April 1, 2021Inventor: Zlatko Salihbegovic
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Publication number: 20210086248Abstract: Bellows are devices used to compensate linear, thermal, or angular movement/expansion. In oil and gas industry bellows are used in gas lift valves as a slidable seal between two gases. Gas lift valves are used in process of oil artificial lift from wells. Bellows having very thin walls are not well suited for pressures higher than approximately 200 PSI. To withstand much higher pressures bellows are being crimped, process that compresses the bellow to shorter length which increases bellow mechanical toughness. This patent application refers to bellow crimping method that uses initially balanced internal and external pressure to crimp bellow to desired length and maintain perfect bellow elements-convolution ? geometry using custom designed crimping device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2020Publication date: March 25, 2021Inventor: Zlatko Salihbegovic
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Publication number: 20210054725Abstract: High pressure gas lift valve with dual edge welded bellow subassembly where two bellows are incorporated in sealed configuration filled with silicone oil. Bellows are of different sizes featuring equal volumetric oil displacement for the pre-set total compression/expansion which corresponds to equal stem travel. By design both bellows can be fully compressed solid preventing bellows overstressing allowing extremely high pressure to be applied to both bellows. Lower bellow effective area is larger for orifice area than upper bellow area. This eliminates differential pressure across the bellows during valve opening resulting in equalized internal/external bellow stresses. Both bellows work only in compression from free length to full compression. This results in bellow internal/external pressure and stress level equalization and long cycle life. Valve withstands high injection pressure for well integrity testing.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2020Publication date: February 25, 2021Inventor: Zlatko Salihbegovic
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Patent number: 10787889Abstract: For gas lift, gas lift valves install on a completion in a wellbore. The gas lift valve has a pressure-sensitive valve and a check valve configured to control communication in the valve. A piston is held closed with a first connection relative to the valve's outlet exposed to tubing pressure, while the check valve is held open in the valve with a second connection. Pressure testing can be performed on the integrity of the tubing and casing by increasing the tubing and annulus pressures while the piston stays closed. The gas lift valve is then actuated for operation by increasing the tubing or annulus pressure beyond a predetermined limit of the first connection to release the piston to move open relative to the outlet. The movement of the piston releases the hold of the second connection on the check valve so the check valve can function normally as a one-way valve.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2018Date of Patent: September 29, 2020Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Zlatko Salihbegovic, Stephen D. Long, Lance W. Racca, Brian M. Sternaman
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Publication number: 20200032627Abstract: For gas lift, gas lift valves install on a completion in a wellbore. The gas lift valve has a pressure-sensitive valve and a check valve configured to control communication in the valve. A piston is held closed with a first connection relative to the valve's outlet exposed to tubing pressure, while the check valve is held open in the valve with a second connection. Pressure testing can be performed on the integrity of the tubing and casing by increasing the tubing and annulus pressures while the piston stays closed. The gas lift valve is then actuated for operation by increasing the tubing or annulus pressure beyond a predetermined limit of the first connection to release the piston to move open relative to the outlet. The movement of the piston releases the hold of the second connection on the check valve so the check valve can function normally as a one-way valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2018Publication date: January 30, 2020Inventors: Zlatko Salihbegovic, Stephen D. Long, Lance W. Racca, Brian M. Sternaman
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Patent number: 10161232Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate gas lift valves for use in hydrocarbon wells for artificial lift operations. One embodiment of the present disclosure is a valve. The valve comprises a housing and a bellows disposed in the housing. A first side of the bellows is in fluid communication with an inlet of the housing, and a second side of the bellows faces a closed chamber in the housing. The valve further comprises a barrier assembly disposed in the closed chamber.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2015Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLCInventors: Zlatko Salihbegovic, Aaron Michael Henry Ranson
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Patent number: 9988886Abstract: A valve apparatus capable of withstanding high pressures and techniques for using this apparatus in various suitable applications are provided. The valve apparatus typically includes both an upper bellows comprising a standard, convoluted bellows and a lower bellows comprising an edge-welded bellows. The valve apparatus may also include a floating, constant volume fluid chamber that travels with the lower edge-welded bellows as the lower bellows compresses and expands in an effort to protect the lower bellows from very high internal volume fluid pressure.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2017Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventor: Zlatko Salihbegovic
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Publication number: 20170152733Abstract: A valve apparatus capable of withstanding high pressures and techniques for using this apparatus in various suitable applications are provided. The valve apparatus typically includes both an upper bellows comprising a standard, convoluted bellows and a lower bellows comprising an edge-welded bellows. The valve apparatus may also include a floating, constant volume fluid chamber that travels with the lower edge-welded bellows as the lower bellows compresses and expands in an effort to protect the lower bellows from very high internal volume fluid pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2017Publication date: June 1, 2017Inventor: Zlatko SALIHBEGOVIC
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Patent number: 9605521Abstract: A valve apparatus capable of withstanding high pressures and techniques for using this apparatus in various suitable applications are provided. The valve apparatus typically includes both an upper bellows comprising a standard, convoluted bellows and a lower bellows comprising an edge-welded bellows. The valve apparatus may also include a floating, constant volume fluid chamber that travels with the lower edge-welded bellows as the lower bellows compresses and expands in an effort to protect the lower bellows from very high internal volume fluid pressure.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2013Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventor: Zlatko Salihbegovic
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Patent number: 9593554Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an injection valve with improved pressure regulation and/or improved erosion resistance. One embodiment of the injection valve includes a first stem and a second stem forming a closure mechanism, and a seal member engaging the first stem. The seal between the seal member and the first stem provides a constant sealing surface and enables precise regulation to the opening pressure. The seal member is protected from high pressure differential flow and erosion damage because the seal member is not exposed to the fluid flow when the injection valve switches between an open and a closed positions.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2015Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventor: Zlatko Salihbegovic
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Publication number: 20160145983Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate gas lift valves for use in hydrocarbon wells for artificial lift operations. One embodiment of the present disclosure is a valve. The valve comprises a housing and a bellows disposed in the housing. A first side of the bellows is in fluid communication with an inlet of the housing, and a second side of the bellows faces a closed chamber in the housing. The valve further comprises a barrier assembly disposed in the closed chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2015Publication date: May 26, 2016Inventors: Zlatko SALIHBEGOVIC, Aaron Michael Henry RANSON
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Publication number: 20160053579Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an injection valve with improved pressure regulation and/or improved erosion resistance. One embodiment of the injection valve includes a first stem and a second stem forming a closure mechanism, and a seal member engaging the first stem. The seal between the seal member and the first stem provides a constant sealing surface and enables precise regulation to the opening pressure. The seal member is protected from high pressure differential flow and erosion damage because the seal member is not exposed to the fluid flow when the injection valve switches between an open and a closed positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2015Publication date: February 25, 2016Inventor: Zlatko SALIHBEGOVIC
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Patent number: 9010353Abstract: A gas lift apparatus has a gas lift valve that disposes in a mandrel. A housing of the valve has a chamber, and a seat disposes between the inlet and outlet. A piston movably disposed in the housing has one end exposed to the chamber. A distal end can selectively seal with the seat to close the valve. A first edge-welded bellows disposed on the piston separates the inlet and chamber pressures and can fully compress to a stacked height when the distal end of the piston seals with the seat. A dynamic seal can be achieved at closing by using a captive sliding seal between the piston's distal end and the seat. A second edge-welded bellows can also be disposed on the piston, and the two bellows can operate in tandem. Oil filing the interiors and the passage can move from one bellows to the other to transfer the pressure differential between the inlet and the chamber pressures. The second bellows fully compresses to a stacked height and stops opening of the valve.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2011Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventor: Zlatko Salihbegovic