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).

  • Patent number: 11845120
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Inventor: Zlatko Salihbegovic
  • Patent number: 11753128
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Inventor: Zlatko Salihbegovic
  • Patent number: 11686185
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Inventor: Zlatko Salihbegovic
  • Patent number: 11643910
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Inventor: Zlatko Salihbegovic
  • Publication number: 20220307354
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventor: Zlatko Salihbegovic
  • Patent number: 11242732
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Inventor: Zlatko Salihbegovic
  • Publication number: 20210340848
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventor: Zlatko Salihbegovic
  • Publication number: 20210094664
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventor: Zlatko Salihbegovic
  • Publication number: 20210086248
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventor: Zlatko Salihbegovic
  • Publication number: 20210054725
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventor: Zlatko Salihbegovic
  • Patent number: 10787889
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Zlatko Salihbegovic, Stephen D. Long, Lance W. Racca, Brian M. Sternaman
  • Publication number: 20200032627
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2018
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Zlatko Salihbegovic, Stephen D. Long, Lance W. Racca, Brian M. Sternaman
  • Patent number: 10161232
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Zlatko Salihbegovic, Aaron Michael Henry Ranson
  • Patent number: 9988886
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Zlatko Salihbegovic
  • Publication number: 20170152733
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Inventor: Zlatko SALIHBEGOVIC
  • Patent number: 9605521
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Zlatko Salihbegovic
  • Patent number: 9593554
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Zlatko Salihbegovic
  • Publication number: 20160145983
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Zlatko SALIHBEGOVIC, Aaron Michael Henry RANSON
  • Publication number: 20160053579
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventor: Zlatko SALIHBEGOVIC
  • Patent number: 9010353
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Zlatko Salihbegovic