Patents Issued in February 16, 2016
  • Patent number: 9260904
    Abstract: A valuable-storage box includes a hollow housing embedded within a wall having a plurality of sidewalls and an open face in communication with an interior storage chamber. A cover plate securable over the open face includes at least one simulated toggle switch on the front surface that resembles a conventional, operable light switch. Accordingly, when valuables are placed within the storage chamber and the cover plate is fastened, the storage box deceptively resembles an operable light switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Edwardo Gutierrez
  • Patent number: 9260905
    Abstract: A kit, door and method of installing an adjustable horizontal adapter bar for a storm, security, screen or other door to a building involves adjustment of a bar for a bottom or a top edge of a door to get a better fit than a standard door. Adjustable bars may comprise multiple telescoping parts, adjustable width vertical bars and fasteners for coupling the adjustable bar to a door. A kit may further comprise a threshold plate and a bug sweep for further resisting entry of bugs small animals and debris to create a better seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Unique Home Designs, Inc.
    Inventor: John Brogan
  • Patent number: 9260906
    Abstract: A spacer for a multiple-pane insulating glazing unit, at least having a composite composed of a glass-fiber-reinforced, polymeric main body having two pane contact surfaces, which extend parallel to one another, an adhesive surface, a glazing interior surface, and an insulation film on the adhesive surface or the adhesive surface and the connecting surfaces, where the insulation film has at least one polymeric film having a thickness of 10 ?m to 100 ?m, at least one polymeric layer having a thickness of 5 ?m to 80 ?m and also a metal layer having a thickness of 10 nm to 1500 nm or a ceramic layer having a thickness of 10 nm to 1500 nm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventor: Walter Schreiber
  • Patent number: 9260907
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a window spacer has an outer elongate strip with a first surface and a second surface. The window spacer also has first and second inner elongate strips that each has a first surface and a second surface. The inner elongate strips are arranged so that each of the first surfaces of the inner elongate strips is spaced from the second surface of the outer elongate strip. The inner elongate strips are also spaced from each other to form an elongate intermediate pane gap. Support legs extend between the outer elongate strip and the two inner elongate strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Guardian IG, LLC
    Inventors: Raimo T. Nieminen, Richard Ahnen, Paul Terpstra, David Rapp, Eric B. Rapp
  • Patent number: 9260908
    Abstract: A touch-control integrated cabinet includes a temperature control cabinet, a decoration cabinet and an integral cabinet door. One side of the temperature control cabinet has a temperature control cabinet opening. One side of the decoration cabinet has a decoration cabinet opening. The temperature control cabinet opening corresponds in position to the decoration cabinet opening. The cabinet door is pivotally connected to both the temperature control cabinet opening and the decoration cabinet opening to seal the temperature control cabinet opening and the decoration cabinet opening. A touch-control device is provided on the cabinet door for controlling the internal temperature of the temperature control cabinet. The traditional temperature control cabinet door and the decoration cabinet door are combined into an integrated cabinet door. The user can touch and operate the buttons on the surface of the cabinet door to control the internal temperature of the temperature control cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: DONG GUAN SONG WEI ELECTRIC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wei Lin Lu
  • Patent number: 9260909
    Abstract: A cover unit includes a cover element for a chamber of a chassis, rotatably supported at one end of the opening and a lock mechanism to lock the cover element in the chassis. The lock mechanism includes a lock element movable in parallel between a lock position and a release position, and having a latch portion to protrude from the cover element at the lock position, an elastic element to press the lock element to the lock position, a hole to receive the latch portion protruding from the cover element and restrict a movement of the latch portion, a receive element to hold the lock element in the release position against the elastic element, and a protrusion to press the receive element when the cover element is pressed onto the opening. The receive element releases the lock element from the release position, when pressed in the orthogonal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Ryohta Kaga
  • Patent number: 9260910
    Abstract: A free standing barrier includes two panels that slide parallel to each other. Each of the panels includes a lower outer corner portion on which is mounted a foot. The feet, in combination with each other, hold the barrier upright and make the barrier free standing. One foot engages one sliding panel and the other foot engages the other sliding panel. Each of the feet includes an outward extension that works as a stop against, for example, a doorjamb, to prevent the barrier from being pushed, such as by a dog, through the opening that the barrier is intended to close off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Carlson Pet Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Flannery, Porter R. Million
  • Patent number: 9260911
    Abstract: A door panel for an overhead roll-up door assembly having a first face, a second face, a top edge, and a bottom edge. The door panel is constructed by butt jointing at least two sub-panels together in a horizontal direction such that neither sub-panel overlaps the other and applying at least one strip of seaming material over each horizontal butt joint, the seaming material being adhered over each butt joint on at least the first face of the door panel. The door panel further includes at least one strip of seaming material adhered vertically along at least one face of the door panel extending from approximately the top edge of the door panel to approximately the bottom edge of the door panel, and being configured such that a top face of the vertical seaming material is substantially co-planar with a top face of the horizontal seaming material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: RYTEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher Gontarski, Brian Norbert Drifka
  • Patent number: 9260912
    Abstract: A cord-winding device for a Venetian blind includes: a first reel; a driving unit including a driving wheel and a spring-winding wheel; and a brake unit including a driven gear, a driving member, a ratchet wheel sleeved on the driving member, a plurality of friction members disposed between the driving member and the ratchet wheel, and at least pawl biased to engage the ratchet wheel. When the driven gear is driven by the first reel to rotate in a direction, rotation of the ratchet wheel is stopped by the pawl so that the driving member drives the friction members to rotate, and when the driven gear is driven by the driving wheel to rotate in an opposite direction, the driving member drives rotation of the friction members and, thus, the ratchet wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Taicang Kingfu Plastic Manufacture Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Szu-Chang Huang
  • Patent number: 9260913
    Abstract: A vertical blind assembly module includes a head rail unit with opposite sides and a unit axis extending between the sides, a housing and an axle pivotally connecting the housing to the head rail unit so that the housing can pivot about a pivot axis that is perpendicular to the unit axis. A slat is coiled in the housing so enabling the slat to be extended from the housing a selected distance and retracted into the housing. A foot rail unit is pivotally connected to the projecting end of the slat, the pivotal connection being collinear to the pivot axis. By turning the axle relative to the head rail unit about the pivot axis when the slat is extended, the slat can be turned between a closed position wherein the slat is parallel to the unit axis and an open position wherein the slat is perpendicular to the unit axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Jason T. Birkestrand
  • Patent number: 9260914
    Abstract: A covering for an architectural opening is provided. The covering may include an accumulator roller, a shade attached to the accumulator roller, and a shade actuation system. The shade may be wrappable about the roller. The shade may include two laterally-separable sheets interconnected by a plurality of vertically-spaced vanes. The shade actuation system may be selectively engageable with a confronting face of one of the two laterally-separable sheets. Engagement of the shade actuation system and the one of the two laterally-separable sheets may restrict movement of the one of the two laterally-separable sheets relative to the other of the two laterally-separable sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas Inc.
    Inventors: William S. Certain, Kenneth M. Faller, Galen B. Rhodes, Max W. Schroeder, Kent A. Smith, Stephen P. Smith, Stephen M. Winters
  • Patent number: 9260915
    Abstract: This actuator device (1) is for actuating a release member for a motor and gearbox unit for applying rotary drive to a tube for winding a closure or solar protection screen. The release member is controlled by means of a cable. The device comprises a tensioner mechanism (20, 30) for tensioning the cable (11) in an actuation direction (Fa, Fa?), at least one locking means for locking the tensioner mechanism, and at least one unlocking means (41a) for unlocking the tensioner mechanism. The unlocking means are actuatable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the actuation direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: SIMU
    Inventor: Jerome Tyrode
  • Patent number: 9260916
    Abstract: A ladder for a fire truck includes a plurality of telescoping ladder-frame sections, each formed of a pair of spaced side rails having a C-shaped cross section for slidably receiving a corresponding side rail on an adjacent section. Positioned between each of the side rails are a plurality of motorized platforms that are deployable to provide a series of horizontal stairs for ascending the ladder. The platforms may also be inverted until they are parallel with the side rails to form a slide on which a fire victim may easily descend to safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Tabatha T Brotherton
  • Patent number: 9260917
    Abstract: A telescopic loft ladder has two stiles with sections that are telescopically collapsible within each other, rungs having lateral ends each connected to respective sections the stiles, retractable pins in the ends of the rungs for engaging holes in the stile sections to retain them in an extended position, and levers on the rungs that automatically operate when two rungs contact one another to disengage pins of the upper of the contacting rungs from the holes to permit collapse of the next higher rung. Each uppermost stile section is rotatable relative to the section connected to the uppermost rung of the ladder and has circumferentially and axially offset pin receiving holes. At least one resilient element biases the next to uppermost rung away from the uppermost rung to ensure that the locking pin of the uppermost rung engages a hole in the uppermost stile section as the ladder is lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: TELETOWER.COM LIMITED
    Inventor: Richard Weston
  • Patent number: 9260918
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for solution mining of evaporite minerals, such as trona, comprising drilling an access well and at least two lateral boreholes; injecting a fluid; circulating the fluid through the lateral boreholes with a controlled fluid flow; and collecting a pregnant solution. Also disclosed are methods of solution mining that include injecting an aqueous solution into an underground trona cavity at a temperature sufficient to maintain at least a portion of the solution in the cavity in the Wegscheiderite solid phase region; removing aqueous solution from the cavity; and recovering alkaline values from the removed aqueous solution. Also disclosed are methods of solution mining that include injecting an aqueous solution into an underground trona cavity; removing aqueous solution from the cavity, wherein the temperature of the removed aqueous solution is at about the TWA point temperature; and recovering alkaline values from the removed aqueous solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Sesqui Mining LLC.
    Inventors: Roger L. Day, James A. Herickhoff
  • Patent number: 9260919
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning a wellhead or BOP stack with a mast assembly comprising a sensor which provides an initial alignment between a mast and a wellhead or BOP stack. A mast assembly is transported to a well site by a rig carrier and positions the mast assembly adjacent a wellhead, or BOP stack. The mast assembly is raised to an upright position whereby a rear portion of the mast extends over the wellhead. In one embodiment, at least one sensor is mounted to a top drive and/or crown located within the mast assembly. The top drive has a predetermined path of movement and the sensor aligns itself with the wellhead. In another embodiment, at least one sensor is mounted to the wellhead and aligns itself with a laser alignment target fastened to a crown and/or top drive of the mast. In yet another embodiment, at least one sensor is located on a lower portion of the mast assembly to align the mast with the wellhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: SUPERIOR ENERGY SERVICES—NORTH AMERICA SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Mark Flusche
  • Patent number: 9260920
    Abstract: The present subject matter provides a multipurpose cantilever skidding frame having a first frame structure, a second frame structure and two connection beams integrally forming a rigid structure to provide longitudinal and lateral movement for an exemplary cantilever. The present subject matter also provides a drilling rig that enables a cantilever to be moved in both longitudinal and transverse directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignees: Offshore Technology Development, Keppel Offshore & Marine Technology Centre
    Inventors: Foo Kok Seng, Matthew Quah Chin Kau, Michael John Perry, Shan Xiao Yu
  • Patent number: 9260921
    Abstract: Systems and methods for multi-lateral wellbore construction and stimulation from cased parent wellbores. Methods and apparatus are provided to facilitate the creation of casing exit openings in the casing of parent wellbores. Methods and systems are provided for azimuthally and longitudinally aligning drilling assemblies through openings in a parent wellbore casing are provided to allow for drilling multiple lateral wellbores extending outwardly from a parent wellbore. A method of stimulating one or more subterranean zones intersected by multiple lateral wellbores extending outwardly from one or more parent wellbores includes the steps of: simultaneously injecting a stimulation fluid into the lateral wellbores; and stimulating the zones intersected by the lateral wellbores in response to the stimulation fluid injecting step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen A. Graham, Philip W. Woodard, Robert F. Shelley, Jim B. Surjaatmadja
  • Patent number: 9260922
    Abstract: An earth boring drill bit having an alternate path to allow cuttings to be ejected or evacuated from the drill bit and up the bore hole is disclosed. The evacuation hole of the present disclosure allows larger sized cuttings to evacuate from the bit without having to be continually ground by rolling cone cutters until the cuttings are small enough to follow a path around the edge of the shirttail of the bit and up the borehole. A cuttings restrictor is disposed at the inlet of the evacuation hole. The cuttings restrictor ensures that only cuttings that are sized to move completely through the evacuation hole and exit the drill bit are allowed to enter the evacuation hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Varel International, Ind., L.P.
    Inventors: Amnach Kongamnach, David Michel Harrington
  • Patent number: 9260923
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a superabrasive compact is disclosed in which a heat-absorbing material having a phase-transition temperature lower than a peak operating temperature of a superabrasive table of the superabrasive compact is positioned in the superabrasive compact. In some embodiments, the heat-absorbing material positioned between the substrate and the superabrasive table. In another embodiment, a rotary drill bit is also disclosed including a bit body and at least one cutting element including a substrate and a superabrasive table bonded to the substrate. At least one heat-absorbing material is positioned within the bit body at least proximate to the at least one cutting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: US SYNTHETIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Bertagnolli, Jason Wiggins, Shawn C. Scott
  • Patent number: 9260924
    Abstract: A downhole submersible pumping system includes an adapter for use in connecting a first component to a second component within the downhole pumping system. The adapter preferably includes an upstream section configured for connection to the first component and a downstream section configured for connection to the second component. The adapter further includes an articulating joint that permits the angular movement of the first component with respect to the second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventors: Charles Collins, Aaron Noakes
  • Patent number: 9260925
    Abstract: Threaded couplings and methods for use in drilling with casing can include first and second male members having exterior threads engaged with interior threads of a female member. Exterior shoulders of the male members can abut interior shoulders of the female member to facilitate placement of the male members such that pin noses thereof are positioned at the center of the female member, where abutment between the pin noses of the male members can form a seal. The shoulders can be provided with negative angles to prevent disengagement. Tapered surfaces can be provided on the male members, to contact tapered surfaces on the female member to form metal-to-metal seals for enhancing the integrity of the connection, a straight thread configuration can be used to maximize the thickness of the coupling, and bearing journals or guides can be used to facilitate engagement of the threads and retention of the engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Houston International Specialty, Inc.
    Inventors: Warren Harold Schulte, Aubrey Coy Reece
  • Patent number: 9260926
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the sealing apparatus includes a mandrel having at least two portions, a first portion having a seal ring disposed on an exterior surface and a second portion without a seal ring disposed on an exterior surface. In one embodiment, the seal ring is disposed around the first portion. In another embodiment, the burst and collapse integrity of the first portion is substantially the same as the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: George Givens, Rocky A. Turley
  • Patent number: 9260927
    Abstract: A system compensates for heave induced pressure fluctuations on a floating rig when a drill string or tubular is lifted off bottom and suspended on the rig, such as when tubular connections are made during MPD, tripping, or when a kick is circulated out during conventional drilling. The system also compensates for heave induced pressure fluctuations on a floating rig when a riser telescoping joint located below a RCD is moving while drilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Don M. Hannegan, Thomas F. Bailey, Simon J. Harrall
  • Patent number: 9260928
    Abstract: A drill rig 10 has a drill tower 12, rotation head 14 and drill table 16. The rotation head 14 is supported on and linearly traversable along drill tower 12. A drill rig traverse system 20 provides pull back and pull down force to the rotation head 14 enabling the rotation head 14 to traverse along drill tower 12 and controlling contact force between a drill bit and toe of a hole being drilled. The system 20 is formed as a combination of a hydraulic ram traverse system 22 providing both pull back and pull down force; and a winch pull back system 24 providing pull back only. Both hydraulic ram traverse system 22 and winch pull back system 24 can traverse the rotation head for the full length of the tower 12 when simultaneously applying pull back to the rotation head 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Strada Design Limited
    Inventor: Warren Strange
  • Patent number: 9260929
    Abstract: A mobile rig for use in lowering a string comprising joints of a conduit into a well is provided with a rig transporter comprising a motorized unit, a mast assembly, a pivotal connection on the mast assembly with respect to the rig transporter. At least one hydraulic arm is pivotally mounted to the rig transporter and the mast assembly operable to move the mast to an upright position and for lowering the mast to a substantially horizontal position for transportation. In one embodiment, a top drive is mounted in the mast which is raised and lowered with the mast whereby the top drive is transported in the mast in the substantially horizontal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: SUPERIOR ENERGY SERVICES—NORTH AMERICA SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Flusche Mark
  • Patent number: 9260930
    Abstract: A wellbore system suitable for conducting pressure testing of wellbore equipment. The system comprises a casing and a pressure testing valve incorporated within the casing. The pressure testing valve further comprises a sleeve positioned within a housing and transitional from a first to a second position, and from the second to a third position. When the sleeve is in the first and second positions, the sleeve blocks a route of fluid communication via one or more housing ports. When the sleeve is in the third position the sleeve does not block fluid communication. The pressure testing valve is configured such that the sleeve transitions from the first position to the second position when a force in the direction of the second position is applied to the sleeve. When in the second position, a reduction of the force in the direction of the second position to the sleeve causes the sleeve to transition to the third position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Smith, Kendall L. Pacey
  • Patent number: 9260931
    Abstract: A breakaway connection for a subsea riser, the connection including a tubular stabbing member having a central axis, an upper end, a radially outer cylindrical surface, a radially inner surface, and an annular recess in the outer cylindrical surface. The breakaway connection also includes a tubular female member having a central axis, a lower end, a radially outer surface, a radially inner surface defining a receptacle extending axially from the lower end, and a plurality of circumferentially-spaced threaded holes extending radially from the radially outer surface to the receptacle, wherein the stabbing member is disposed in the receptacle and coaxially aligned with the female member. The breakaway connection further includes a plurality of shear pins, wherein each shear pin is threadably disposed in one threaded hole, and wherein each shear pin has a radially inner end seated in the annular recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventor: Jason P. Curtiss, III
  • Patent number: 9260932
    Abstract: The techniques herein relate to a ram assembly for a blowout preventer for receiving a tubular of a wellbore. The ram assembly includes a ram block for engagement with the tubular, a ram shaft for selectively extending and retracting the ram block, and a ram connector for operatively connecting the ram shaft to the ram block. The ram block has at least one block groove. The ram shaft has a ram head with at least one shaft groove. The ram connector includes at least one shear connector correspondingly disposable in the block groove and the shaft groove whereby the ram shaft is releasably securable to the ram block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: James William Weir, Eric Trevor Ensley
  • Patent number: 9260933
    Abstract: A modular ball drop made up of two or more identical ball drop modules that are vertically stacked in a desired number. Each ball drop module can drop one or more frac balls into a fluid stream being pumped into a well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Oil States Energy Services, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Danny Lee Artherholt, Bob McGuire, Mickey Claxton
  • Patent number: 9260934
    Abstract: A rotating control device can include a housing assembly, a body and a clamp device which releasably secures the housing assembly to the body. The clamp device can include a piston which radially displaces a clamp section. A well system can include a rotating control device which includes at least one seal which seals off an annulus between a body of the rotating control device and a tubular string which extends longitudinally through the rotating control device. The rotating control device can also include a piston which displaces longitudinally and selectively clamps and unclamps a housing assembly to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig W. Godfrey, Peter Antonenko, Neal G. Skinner, Fredrick D. Curtis, Derrick W. Lewis
  • Patent number: 9260935
    Abstract: Degradable balls for downhole use may include an incompliant degradable polymer and a compliant filler material, the incompliant degradable polymer having an elastic modulus of about 2 GPa or greater, and the compliant filler material having an elastic modulus of less than about 2 GPa. Such degradable balls may be useful in sealing segments of a wellbore and actuating wellbore tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary Ryan Murphree, Michael Linley Fripp, Zachary William Walton, Feng Liang, Dwight Fulton
  • Patent number: 9260936
    Abstract: A bridge plug or packer assembly includes a mandrel. At least one sealing element is provided on the mandrel. A pair of backup rings is provided on the mandrel on respective sides of the at least one sealing element. Each of the pair of backup rings has a single spiraled ring groove. A pair of pressure-applying elements is provided on the mandrel on respective sides of the pair of backup rings, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Inventor: Christopher A. Branton
  • Patent number: 9260937
    Abstract: A flow rate control valve and a method for injecting a fluid into an underground formation are provided. In accordance with the method, the fluid is transported in at least one injection pipe. The injection pipe has a main portion including a single tube. The flow rate control valve has at least ten fluid transport tubes that are arranged in parallel. A ratio of the cross-section of the main portion over the sum of the cross-sections of the fluid transport tubes is less than or equal to 5. A flow rate of the fluid circulating in the injection pipe is adjusted by distributing the fluid through all or only some of the fluid transport tubes. The fluid from the injection pipe is then injected into the underground formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: TOTAL S.A.
    Inventors: Guy Chauveteau, Stéphane Jouenne
  • Patent number: 9260938
    Abstract: A bypass assembly for use in a downhole tool comprises a chamber, a first fluid port in fluid communication with the chamber, a second fluid port in fluid communication with the chamber, a flow restrictor disposed in a first flow path between the first fluid port and the second fluid port, a piston moveable in a first direction by the application of a first fluid pressure, a biasing member, and a restraining member disposed adjacent to the piston. The biasing member biases the piston to move in a second direction opposite the first direction, and the restraining member is actuated by movement of the piston in the first direction in response to a predetermined fluid pressure. Movement of the piston in the second direction to a predetermined position configures the bypass assembly to divert fluid flow around the flow restrictor along a second flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Luke William Holderman, David Smart
  • Patent number: 9260939
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for mechanically reclosing a hydraulically actuated sliding side door of a sleeve assembly. One sleeve assembly includes a housing defining one or more flow ports, a sliding sleeve arranged within the housing and movable between a closed position and an open position and back to the closed position, wherein, when in the closed position, the outer sleeve occludes the one or more flow ports, and, when in the open position, the one or more flow ports are exposed. A piston is movably arranged within a piston bore defined in the housing, and a locking mechanism is arranged within the piston bore and configured to engage the piston with the sliding sleeve, thereby allowing the piston to move the sliding sleeve to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Evan Beck, Jeffrey Wythe Huggins, Joseph Steven Grieco, Frank Kalb
  • Patent number: 9260940
    Abstract: A wellbore servicing system and method are disclosed. The wellbore servicing system includes a casing string and a pressure testing valve. The pressure testing valve includes a housing, a sliding sleeve, and a deactivatable locking assembly. The housing includes ports and an axial flowbore. The sliding sleeve is positioned within the housing and is transitional between first, second, and third positions. When the sliding sleeve is in the first and second positions, the sliding sleeve blocks fluid communication via the ports. When the sliding sleeve is in the third position, it does not block such fluid communication. Application of a fluid pressure transitions the sliding sleeve from the first to the second position, and a reduction in fluid pressure transitions the sliding sleeve from the second to the third position. When activated, the locking assembly inhibits movement of the sliding sleeve toward the third position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Todd Howell, Kendall Lee Pacey
  • Patent number: 9260941
    Abstract: A cleaning tool (1) for use in cleaning ferrous material from a wellbore has a magnetic cleaning functionality by provision of magnets (5) in an Halbach array on a downhole tool component of a workstring. The Halbach array may be an Halbach cylinder positioned on a mandrel wherein the magnetic field is external to the cylinder with substantially zero magnetic field within the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: M-I Drilling Fluids UK Limited
    Inventor: James Linklater
  • Patent number: 9260942
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring and/or operating a rig site system are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, a method for monitoring a rig site system may include obtaining sensor data at a rig site and transmitting pre-processed sensor data pertaining to the sensor data from the rig site over a network link to a monitoring site. The method may also include demodulating the pre-processed sensor data at the monitoring site to produce demodulated data. The method may also include analyzing the demodulated data at the monitoring site. The sensor data may comprise at least one of surface sensor data, MWD sensor data, or LWD sensor data, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Remi Hutin, Han Yu, Xueyuan Tang, Carlos E. Estevez, Christopher P. Reed
  • Patent number: 9260943
    Abstract: A technique facilitates evaluation of a tool, such as a drill tool. The technique comprises collecting tool data via a sensor on a given tool during use of that tool in a given operation, e.g. drilling operation. Additional data related to the tool is accumulated from a plurality of sources external to the tool. For example, data may be collected from both downhole sources and surface sources. Upon completion of the operation, the tool data is transmitted to the surface for processing on a processor system in combination with the data cumulated from sources external to the tool. The processing may be performed in real time as the tool data is received from downhole to enable a comprehensive diagnosis of tool health prior to retrieval of the tool to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Staffan Kari Eriksson, Jan Stefan Morley, Eimund Liland
  • Patent number: 9260944
    Abstract: A system for connecting flow interface equipment to a subsea manifold is disclosed. The system relates particularly to an apparatus adapted to inject fluids into a well having a flow bore. The system includes a connection apparatus adapted to land a conduit means on a subsea manifold and to connect a conduit means of the connection apparatus to a choke body of the manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: ONESUBSEA IP UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Ian Donald, John Reid, Alan Crawford, Paul W. White
  • Patent number: 9260945
    Abstract: A wellbore system includes an upper deflector arranged within a main bore of a wellbore and defines first and second channels. A lower deflector is arranged within the main bore and spaced from the upper deflector by a predetermined distance and defines a first conduit exhibiting a predetermined diameter and communicating with a lower portion of the main bore and a second conduit that communicates with a lateral bore. A bullnose assembly includes a body and a bullnose tip arranged at a distal end of the body, the bullnose assembly being actuatable between a default configuration and an actuated configuration. The upper and lower deflectors direct the bullnose assembly into one of the lateral bore and the lower portion of the main bore based on a length and a diameter of the bullnose tip as compared to the predetermined distance and the predetermined diameter, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Borisa Lajesic, Matthew Bradley Stokes
  • Patent number: 9260946
    Abstract: The embodiments describe a power cell for deepwater application including an power cell housing, a capacitor bank, an electronic module, and input/output connectors, wherein the power cell housing is essentially made of an insulating material. The embodiments further describe a power cell system including a number of power cells, a frame for supporting the power cells, and electric connections, in particular, a busbar arrangement for connecting to the power cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Boerge Sneisen
  • Patent number: 9260947
    Abstract: A method of performing a simulation of a subsurface hydrocarbon reservoir. The reservoir is approximated by a reservoir model having a plurality of cells. Each cell has an equation set representing a reservoir property. An initial guess is provided to a solution for a system of equations formed using the equation set for each of the cells. An iterative root-finding method and the initial guess are used to solve for a solution to the system of equations. When the number of non-converged cells is greater than a predetermined amount, neighboring converged cells are added to the non-converged cells. Parts of the method are repeated, substituting the solved solution for the initial guess and the equation sets corresponding to the non-converged cells for the first system of equations, until substantially all equation sets satisfy the convergence criterion. The solved solution is outputted as a simulation of the subsurface reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Pengbo Lu, Bret L. Beckner
  • Patent number: 9260948
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods for performing multi-level reservoir history matching. At least some illustrative embodiments include a method that includes generating a first history-matched model using at least one updated model parameter derived from one or more existing model parameters, generating a set of second history-matched models by applying a probabilistic inversion to the first history-matched model, and deriving a set of third history-matched models from the set of second history-matched models. The method further includes generating dynamic simulation realization sets using each of the set of third history-matched models, ranking each of the set of third history-matched models based at least in part on the dynamic simulation realization sets, and presenting a production forecast to a user based on the highest ranked third history-matched models.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: LANDMARK GRAPHICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marko Maucec, Gustavo Carvajal, Seyed M. Mirzadeh, Ajay Pratap Singh, Hasnain A. Khan, Luigi A. Saputelli
  • Patent number: 9260949
    Abstract: A subsea production system for conducting hydrocarbon recovery operations in a marine environment, including a trussed tower having a first end including a base residing proximate the seabed and a second end having a landing deck configured to receive and releasably attach to a floating drilling unit. The system also includes one or more hydrocarbon fluids storage cells. The storage cells reside at the seabed proximate the base of the trussed frame. The system further includes subsea production operational equipment that resides within the trussed frame near the water surface and is in fluid communication with the hydrocarbon fluids storage cells. A method for installing such components is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Carl R. Brinkmann, Dmitri G. Matskevitch
  • Patent number: 9260950
    Abstract: A gravel packing assembly gravel packs a horizontal borehole. Operators wash down the borehole using an inner string in a first position by flowing fluid from the inner string through the apparatus' toe. Operators then gravel pack by moving the inner string to one or more flow ports between a screen and the toe. Slurry flows into the borehole from the flow ports, and returns from the borehole flow through the screen. The gravel in the slurry can pack the borehole in an alpha-beta wave from toe to heel. In another condition, operators can move the inner string to a second flow port so slurry can flow into the borehole through a shunt extending from the second flow port. When gravel packing is done, operators move the inner string to a port collar in a liner of the assembly to cement the liner in the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Weatherford Technologies Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: John P. Broussard, Christopher Hall, Ronald van Petegem, Alvaro J. Arrazola
  • Patent number: 9260951
    Abstract: A method can include applying a magnetic field to a well screen, thereby varying sizes of pores via which fluid flows through the well screen. A well screen can include a magnetic shape memory material having a dimension which changes in response to application of a magnetic field. Restriction to flow through the well screen can vary in response to the change in dimension of the magnetic shape memory material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Dagenais, Michael L. Fripp
  • Patent number: 9260952
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for autonomously controlling fluid flow in a tubular in a wellbore. A fluid is flowed through an inlet passageway into a biasing mechanism. A fluid flow distribution is established across the biasing mechanism. The fluid flow distribution is altered in response to a change in the fluid characteristic over time. In response, fluid flow through a downstream sticky switch assembly is altered, thereby altering fluid flow patterns in a downstream vortex assembly. The method “selects” based on a fluid characteristic, such as viscosity, density, velocity, flow rate, etc. The biasing mechanism can take various forms such as a widening passageway, contour elements along the biasing mechanism, or a curved section of the biasing mechanism passageway. The biasing mechanism can include hollows formed in the passageway wall, obstructions extending from the passageway wall, fluid diodes, Tesla fluid diodes, a chicane, or abrupt changes in passageway cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L Fripp, Jason D. Dykstra
  • Patent number: 9260953
    Abstract: A shunt tube assembly comprises a plurality of shunt tubes, a jumper tube, and a coupling member configured to provide fluid communication between the jumper tube and the plurality of shunt tubes. The coupling member can comprise a first end and a second end. The coupling member may be configured to provide a sealing engagement between the coupling member and the jumper tube at the first end, and the coupling member may be configured to provide a sealing engagement between the coupling member and the plurality of jumper tubes at the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Scott Cunningham, Brandon Thomas Least, Stephen Michael Greci, Jean Marc Lopez, Jan Veit