Patents Issued in February 21, 2017
  • Patent number: 9574398
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus for closing off an opening above, below, or between electronic equipment in a rack. The rack includes a pair of equipment rails. The electronic equipment is mounted to the equipment rails. The apparatus includes a base, a roller shade, and a handle. The roller shade is rotatably connected to the base and includes a free end extending from the base when the roller shade is rotated. The handle is connected to the free end of the roller shade. The base is removably connected to the equipment rails at a first position. The handle is removably connected to the equipment rails at a second position spaced apart from the first position such that the free end of the roller shade is extended to close off the opening in the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: Gary L. Zernach, Nathan W. Pascarella, Darron J. Wright, Travis M. Samples, Joseph Allen Dukes, Mark A. Acklin, James N. Fleming, Samuel C. Ramey, Frank J. Graczyk, Alva B. Eaton
  • Patent number: 9574399
    Abstract: A maintenance/construction cart that facilitates wall and ceiling access while isolating the interior of the cart from the surrounding environment. The cart is configured such that its height can be easily adjusted by an operator to provide access to ceilings of different heights while maintaining the seal between the interior of the cart and the surrounding environment while structurally supporting a ladder leaning against a surface of the cart. In some embodiments, the cart includes an air filtration unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Abatement Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Blair Lawrence Harber, Lynette Raville Mathews, Adam Brian Hunninck, Leonard Gene Simmons
  • Patent number: 9574400
    Abstract: A ladder support device removably securable to the hitch receiver of a vehicle. The ladder support device comprises a frame having adjustable ground engaging legs. The frame includes a pivoting arm to be removably secured to the hitch of a vehicle to allow the frame to be positioned in a desired orientation relative to the vehicle. The frame includes a pair of brackets for receiving the feet of an extension ladder therein. Further, the frame comprises a pair of telescopic support arms that extend upward from the frame and that can be secured to a portion of the extension ladder so as to secure the ladder in an upright, angled orientation without having to rest the ladder against a support surface, such as the side of a building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Inventor: Raymond Cox
  • Patent number: 9574401
    Abstract: A rotary fluid drive has first and second bodies 20, 120. The second body 120 is rotatable relative to and inside of the first body 20 defining a working fluid space 40 there between. Gates 130 are supported by the first body 20 and lobes 124 are provide on the second body 120. Gate pockets 26 are formed in the first body 20 into which the gates swing when contacted by the lobes 124. The gates 130 and the gate pockets 26 are configured to form a debris chamber 27 there between capable of temporarily accommodating solid debris. Each gate 130 has a plurality of projections 136A with intervening gaps 136B. The gaps form a gate pocket flow path 141. Working fluid flows via each gate pocket flow path 141 into the working fluid space 40 when the associated gate 130 is maximally deflected into its associated gate pocket 26.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Inventors: Nicholas Ryan Marchand, Jeffery Ronald Clausen, Jonathan Ryan Prill
  • Patent number: 9574402
    Abstract: A spreader beam includes a first spreader beam section, where the first spreader beam section is pivotably coupled to the first substructure and a second spreader beam section, where the second spreader beam section is pivotably coupled to the second substructure. The first and second spreader beam sections are positioned to, in an extended position, selectively couple to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Nabors Drilling USA
    Inventor: Ryan Hause
  • Patent number: 9574403
    Abstract: A mobile drilling rig (1) includes a mast (3), a drilling head (5) for sliding in use along the mast (3), and at least one hoist (4). The drilling head (5) is supported by at least two hoisting wire cables (24). The mast (3) is telescopic and includes a main load carrying member (31), for extending the telescopic mast (3), at whose end a plurality of pulleys (26) are provided, on which the hoisting wire cables (24) slide. The main load carrying member (31) is adapted to bring the mast (3) from a closed operating configuration to an extended operating configuration and vice versa. The movement of the drilling head (5), when the mast (3) is in the extended operating configuration, takes place by the hoisting wire cables (24), which are pulled and released by the at least one hoist (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: DRILLMEC SPA
    Inventor: Stefano Ferrari
  • Patent number: 9574404
    Abstract: Well conduit system and methods using a first outer conduit wall and at least one second inner conduit wall positioned through a wellhead to define an annulus with radial loading surfaces extending across the annulus and radially between at least two of the conduit walls to form passageways through subterranean strata concentrically, wherein an inner pipe body of greater outer diameter is inserted into an outer pipe body of lesser inner diameter by elastically expanding the circumference of the outer pipe body and elastically compressing the circumference of the inner pipe body, using a hoop force exerted therebetween. Releasing the hoop force after insertion will release the elastic expansion and compression of the pipe bodies to abut the radial loading surfaces within the annulus for sharing elastic hoop stress resistance and thereby forming a greater effective wall thickness, capable of containing higher pressures than the conduit walls could otherwise bear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Inventor: Bruce A. Tunget
  • Patent number: 9574405
    Abstract: The invention provides an improved drill bit and a method for designing thereof. The drill bit includes a bit body, a journal depending from the bit body, and a disc rotatably mounted on the journal. The disc of the drill bit has PDC cutting elements disposed on it. Also provided is an improved cutting structure for the discs of the drill bit. The cutting structure includes a portion that is comprised from PDC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Peter Thomas Cariveau, Prabhakaran K. Centala, Zhehua Zhang
  • Patent number: 9574406
    Abstract: A completion system comprises tubular components coupled together to form a completion string. In-flow control devices are provided to permit selective fluid communication between an internal bore of the completion string and the annulus. A reaming tool is provided at a leading end of the completion string and the reaming tool is run into the borehole with the completion string. The reaming tool comprises a fluid-powered drive unit, a reaming body and a reaming nose. In use, the completion string is located in the borehole and fluid is directed to the reaming tool to facilitate reaming of the borehole. A second tubular in the form of a washpipe may extend through an internal bore of the completion string for providing fluid to the reaming tool. The reaming tool is operable at a fluid pressure below a pressure which would activate the in-flow control devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Deep Casing Tools, Ltd.
    Inventors: Lance S. Davis, Edward D. Scott, Mark W. Presslie
  • Patent number: 9574407
    Abstract: A drill bit assembly that includes a shank including a shank axis, first and second ends, a drill bit seat at the second end and a central flow bore extending axially from the first end. Additionally, the assembly includes a sleeve disposed about and translatable axially relative to the shank and a drill bit rotatably coupled to the sleeve. The drill bit includes a first bit face having a first cutting structure configured to engage an earthen formation, and a second bit face having a second cutting structure configured to engage the earthen formation. The drill bit is configured to rotate about the about the shank axis in a cutting direction, and to rotate about an axis of rotation being orthogonal to the shank axis to selectively expose the first or second cutting surface to the earthen formation. The seat is configured to receive the first or second bit face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: NATIONAL OILWELL DHT, L.P.
    Inventors: Kevin W. Clark, Chinedu I. Nduka
  • Patent number: 9574408
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in a wellbore is disclosed. The apparatus includes a string for deployment into the wellbore, the string including at least one packer and an expansion tool downhole of the packer. The expansion tool further includes: a release device and a lock device inside a movable housing; wherein the lock device prevents shifting of the release device until the lock device is moved to an unlock position by application of a first force to the lock device. The release device is movable to a release position by application of a second force after the lock device has been moved to the unlock position. The movable housing is capable of moving over the release device after the release device has been moved to the release position to absorb at least one of contraction and expansion of the expansion tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Travis E. Cochran, Aaron C. Hammer, Jason A. Allen, Robert S. O'Brien, Jai K. Koli
  • Patent number: 9574409
    Abstract: A downhole sub having a first tubular housing with a first internal shoulder, a second tubular housing with a second internal shoulder, and a stabilizer assembly to be disposed between the first and second internal shoulders. The first and second tubular housings are configured to be threaded together, and the stabilizer assembly is configured to engage the first and second internal shoulders. A method of coupling tubular housings in a downhole sub in which a first tubular housing and a second tubular housing are threadably coupled, where the first tubular housing includes a first shoulder and the second tubular housing includes a second shoulder. A sleeve is interlocked with and inside the second tubular housing such that the sleeve is disposed between the first and second shoulders and includes a third shoulder, where the first shoulder is torqued against the third shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Intelliserv, LLC
    Inventors: Michael A. Briscoe, Scott Dahlgren
  • Patent number: 9574410
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for rigging up intervention equipment (111) in a lifting arrangement (104) utilized on a floating vessel, and moving the intervention equipment between an inoperative and an operative position, wherein the method comprising: a) providing the lifting arrangement (104) with vertically extending guiding means (203) capable of transferring a load to the lifting arrangement; b) connecting a load transferring means (215) to the guiding means (203); c) connecting the intervention equipment (111) to a load carrying device (209) provided with displacement means (214) arranged in a manner allowing a load to be horizontally displaced while carried by the load carrying device; d) connecting the load carrying device (209) to the load transferring means (215); e) moving the intervention equipment from an inactive position to an operating position by moving the displacement means (214); and f) moving the intervention equipment from the operating position to the inactive position by moving the displ
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: WELLPARTNER AS
    Inventors: Haavar Soertveit, Harald Wahl Breivik, Kenneth Skinnes, Kjetil Samuelsen
  • Patent number: 9574411
    Abstract: A knee-joint mechanism for a folding gooseneck used in a coiled tubing unit, includes a main structure having a distal end pivotally attached thereto, the knee-joint mechanism including an articulated member attached between the main structure and the pivotally attached distal end of the gooseneck, the articulated member having a joint, and a cylinder attached between the main structure and the articulated member. The arm of the cylinder is extended to push the joint of the articulated member to an over-center position, thereby locking the articulated member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Premier Coil Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall Dean Behrens
  • Patent number: 9574412
    Abstract: An oilfield material reservoir is disclosed. The oilfield material reservoir has a body, the body having an upper end, a lower end, a sidewall extending between the upper and lower ends, the sidewall defining a recess within the body, an opening defined by the upper end, and a first orifice defined by the lower end. The oilfield material reservoir is also provided with a metering gate connected to the body at the lower end. The metering gate has a base having a second orifice aligned with the first orifice, and a knife gate connected to the base. The second orifice has a substantially trapezoidal shape. The knife gate is configured to slidably cover the second orifice. A method is also disclosed for controlling a discharge rate of oilfield material within the oilfield material reservoir by adjusting a metering open area of the second orifice according to mathematical modeling equations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hau Nguyen-Phuc Pham, Miguel Lopez, Laurent Coquilleau
  • Patent number: 9574413
    Abstract: A drill cuttings solidification system includes a cuttings tank for storage of a drill cuttings material, an additive tank for storage of a solidification material, and a solidification chamber. The cuttings tank and the additive tank are operatively connected to a portable unit. The cuttings tank includes a cuttings auger assembly for conveyance of the drill cuttings material to a cuttings outlet. The additive tank includes an additive auger assembly for conveyance of the solidification material to an additive outlet. The solidification chamber includes a housing enclosing the cuttings outlet and the additive outlet, and an impeller for mixing drill cuttings material transferred through the cuttings outlet and solidification material transferred through the additive outlet. The system further includes a discharge assembly extending from the solidification chamber to a discharge outlet. The discharge assembly is configured to rotate and vertically pivot a discharge conduit relative to the portable unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Inventor: Michael Charles Farquhar
  • Patent number: 9574414
    Abstract: A wellbore tool, a wellbore fluid treatment string and a method with an indexing mechanism including a crown ratchet sleeve. The indexing mechanism can be shifted through one or more inactive positions before finally shifting into an active condition. The indexing mechanism is particularly useful with a plug that lands in a seat to impart an axially directed force on the mechanism before passing through the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: PACKERS PLUS ENERGY SERVICES INC.
    Inventors: Serhiy Arabsky, James Fehr, Daniel Themig
  • Patent number: 9574415
    Abstract: A method of treating a formation includes, setting a treating plug within a structure, withdrawing a mandrel from the treating plug after having set the treating plug, maintaining the setting of the treating plug within the structure without a member extending longitudinally through the treating plug, pumping fluid against a plug seated at the treating plug, treating a formation upstream of the treating plug, and disintegrating at least a portion of the treating plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: YingQing Xu, Zhiyue Xu, Zhihui Zhang
  • Patent number: 9574416
    Abstract: Explosive cutter assemblies and methods include a liner having a single unitary body, and an explosive charge disposed within the liner. The explosive charge includes a continuous unitary body of explosive material having a first area disposed in association with an inner surface of the liner and a second area extending from the center of the assembly to the first area. A detonator can be used to ignite the second area of explosive material, causing propagation of a detonation to the first area, which in turn causes deformation of the liner and projection of the liner toward a target to form a cut. An adaptor sub having a detonator within can be inserted into the cutter assembly to secure the assembly together, position the detonator in association with the explosive material, and engage a conduit usable to raise and lower the cutter assembly and transmit a detonation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Wright's Well Control Services, LLC
    Inventors: David C. Wright, John J. Kenny, David Siggers
  • Patent number: 9574417
    Abstract: A bottom hole assembly for engaging and removing an object within a wellbore comprises a cutting tool at a lower end. Continued engagement of the cutting tool with the object is facilitated by an axial compression device disposed within the bottom hole assembly below the anchor of the bottom hole assembly. The axial compression device comprises a compressed position and an expanded or extended position. As the object is being cut or abraded, the axial compression device moves from the compressed position toward the expanded position so that a continued downward force is transferred to the object by the bottom hole assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Mary L. Laird, Robbie B. Colbert, David W. Coleman
  • Patent number: 9574418
    Abstract: A downhole tool member for hydrocarbon resource recovery, comprising a shaped body of a polyglycolic acid resin blended with an inorganic or organic short fiber reinforcement material, and having thickness reduction rate characteristics when held in water at 120° C., inclusive of: an initial thickness reduction rate (as an average for a holding period for 4 hours) which is at most 0.8 times that of a shaped body of the polyglycolic acid resin alone, and has a terminal thickness reduction rate (after the thickness decreases to 50% or less of an initial thickness) which is larger than 1.5 times the initial thickness reduction rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: KUREHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masayuki Okura, Hikaru Saijo, Katsumi Yoshida, Hiroyuki Sato
  • Patent number: 9574419
    Abstract: Methods for cementing a subterranean well comprise installing a casing string into a borehole, wherein the casing string comprises a metal having a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) lower than about 6×10?6/° C. A cement sheath is then placed between the exterior surface of the casing string and the formation wall. The low-CTE metal may reduce casing shrinkage when the well temperature falls during stimulation treatments, cyclic steam injection or when the well temperature reaches equilibrium at the top of a long casing string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Simon Gareth James
  • Patent number: 9574420
    Abstract: A system to control fluid flow through a fluid passage includes a valve that is fail-safe closed to selectively control fluid flow through the fluid passage, and a hydraulic actuator operatively coupled to the valve to open the valve when hydraulic pressure above a predetermined amount is received. The system further includes an inlet to provide hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic actuator and open the valve and an outlet to vent hydraulic pressure from the hydraulic actuator and close the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: OneSubsea IP UK Limited
    Inventors: Graham Hall, Robert Large, James Duncan Trinder
  • Patent number: 9574421
    Abstract: Systems and methods describe a frac sleeve with an expandable ball seat. More specifically, the systems and methods include an expandable ball seat within a frac sleeve configured to allow a single frac-ball to treat a plurality of zones associated with a plurality of frac sleeves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Vertice Oil Tools
    Inventor: Mohamed Ibrahim Saraya
  • Patent number: 9574422
    Abstract: A treatment system including a first tubular having at least one port therein. A valve member is disposed with the first tubular and operatively arranged to control fluid flow through the at least one port. A second tubular is disposed radially within the first tubular and terminates at an end opening into an interior passage of the first tubular for enabling a treatment media to be supplied through the second tubular into the first tubular, and through the at least one port when the at least one port is open. A seal assembly is disposed between the first and second tubulars for fluidly sealing an annulus formed between the first and second tubulars from the end of the second tubular. A tool is disposed with the second tubular for controlling operation of the valve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Mark Kendall Adam, Michael H. Johnson, Nicholas J. Clem, Jason A. Allen
  • Patent number: 9574423
    Abstract: A well tool for use with a subterranean well can include a flow passage extending longitudinally through the well tool, an internal chamber containing a dielectric fluid, and a flow path which alternates direction, and which provides pressure communication between the internal chamber and the flow passage. A method of controlling operation of a well tool can include actuating an actuator positioned in an internal chamber of the well tool, a dielectric fluid being disposed in the chamber, and the chamber being pressure balanced with a flow passage extending longitudinally through the well tool, and varying the actuating, based on measurements made by at least one sensor of the well tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jimmie R. Williamson, Jr., Bruce E. Scott
  • Patent number: 9574424
    Abstract: A method for pre-tensing sections of concentric tubulars in a wellbore. The method can include mechanically coupling an inside tubing pipe to an inside tubing string disposed in the wellbore. The method can also include mechanically coupling a second tubing to a second tubing string disposed in the wellbore. The method can further include suspending, by the first tubing, the first tubing, the first tubing string, the second tubing string, and the second tubing. The method can also include inserting, while suspending the first tubing, the first tubing string, the second tubing string, and the second tubing by the first tubing, a first slip into the first space between the first tubing and the second tubing. The method can further include inserting the first tubing, the first tubing string, the second tubing string, the second tubing, and the first slip further into the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: George Taylor Armistead, Alvaro Jose Arrazola
  • Patent number: 9574425
    Abstract: Systems and methods of downhole power generation are disclosed, which provide for the generation of electrical power in a downhole environment by the use of an electrical generator coupled to a hydraulic circuit that receives energy from a source in the downhole environment. The hydraulic circuit can receive energy from flowing drilling fluid and/or from kinetic energy of one or more portions of the drill string. A direct or indirect coupling can be used to transfer energy from the downhole environment to a pump in the hydraulic circuit, which can act as a hydraulic flow source, providing flow through a flow regulation device or control circuit. The hydraulic fluid under such control can then be used to turn a hydraulic motor, which is used to turn an electric generator for the generation of electricity for downhole tools such as logging tools, related telemetry, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Martin Winslow
  • Patent number: 9574426
    Abstract: An offshore well drilling system for drilling a subsea well is presented that includes a floating platform, a surface BOP stack, a riser, and a driveable environmental safe guard system. The safe guard system includes an upper wellhead connector, a lower wellhead connector, a blowout preventer with shearing blind rams, and a subsea pressure control system. The subsea pressure control system can be electric, hydraulic, acoustic, or ROV actuated. More importantly, the environmental safeguard system is moveable, and can be driven around using as ROV. The present invention provides swift disconnect and recovery for emergency situations. The subsea environmental safe guard system is also much lighter in weight than traditional subsea stacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: David E. Cain, Shian J. Chou, Vijay A. Cheruvu, William F. Puccio
  • Patent number: 9574427
    Abstract: An assembly to recover hydrocarbon gas from a seabed comprises one or more self-propelled drilling devices that include hydrocarbon sensors and a sublimation mechanism to induce sublimation of crystallized hydrates into hydrocarbon gases. As the drilling device moves through the wellbore, hydrocarbon deposits are detected and the sublimation mechanism induces sublimation of the deposits to release hydrocarbon gases up through the formation to the seabed. A bladder is positioned atop the wellbore to capture the release hydrocarbon gas and transfer it to a surface vessel for collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Johannes Dirksen
  • Patent number: 9574428
    Abstract: In one aspect, a wellbore system is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment includes a first wellbore capable of producing a fluid from a first formation, a second wellbore intersecting the first wellbore at a junction, wherein the second wellbore is an open hole and capable of producing a fluid from a second formation and a sand screen at the junction configured to inhibit particles larger than a selected size from flowing from the second wellbore and the junction into the first wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Mark E. Ramey, Jr., Bryan P. Pendleton, Joseph Sheehan
  • Patent number: 9574429
    Abstract: Air and ammonia gas are introduced into a subterranean formation during the in-situ combustion to increase the mobility of hydrocarbons in a subterranean formation and facilitate recovery of the hydrocarbons from the subterranean formation. The air supports in-situ combustion of a portion of the hydrocarbon within the subterranean formation to form water and establish a combustion front. The ammonia gas contacts the hydrocarbons ahead of the combustion front and reacts in-situ with naphthenic acid in the hydrocarbon to form a surfactant. The hydrocarbons, water and surfactant then form an oil-in-water emulsion that drains more freely through the formation. A production well, in fluid communication with the hydrocarbons ahead of the combustion front, may be used to remove the oil-in-water emulsion from the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Nalco Company
    Inventor: Paul R. Hart
  • Patent number: 9574430
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for delivering a substance containing hydrocarbons from a reservoir. The reservoir can be subjected to thermal energy in order to reduce the viscosity of the substance. The apparatus includes at least one conductor loop for inductively applying current as an electric/electromagnetic heater. A conductor of the conductor loop is surrounded in at least one section by a liquid-carrying conduit. The liquid-carrying conduit is perforated such that when a liquid is supplied the liquid penetrates into the reservoir from the liquid-carrying conduit via a perforation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Dirk Diehl, Norbert Huber, Andreas Koch, Michael Koolman, Muris Torlak, Bernd Wacker
  • Patent number: 9574431
    Abstract: A rotary shutter valve 500 is used for geothermal reservoir stimulation. The valve 500 includes a pressure chamber 520 for holding a working fluid (F) under pressure. A rotatable shutter 532 is turned with a powering device 544 to periodically align one or more windows 534 with one or more apertures 526 in a bulkhead 524. When aligned, the pressurized working fluid (F) flows through the bulkhead 524 and enters a pulse cavity 522, where it is discharged from the pulse cavity 522 as pressure waves 200. The pressure wave propagation 200 and eventual collapse of the bubbles 202 can be transmitted to a target rock surface 204 either in the form of a shock wave 206, or by micro jets 208, depending on the bubble-surface distance. Once cavitation at the rock face begins, fractures are initiated in the rock to create a network of micro-fissures for enhanced heat transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Jy-An John Wang, Hong Wang, Fei Ren, Thomas S. Cox
  • Patent number: 9574432
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of optimizing the rate of penetration of a hydraulically or pneumatically powered rotor and stator driven drill as it drills a wellbore into the earth, the method comprising: (a) measuring a first set of rotor and stator operating parameters including the weight applied to the drill bit, the speed of rotation of the rotor and rotor torque for a first period of time, (b) generating a first set of relationships from the first set of operating parameters to enable the rotor speed and rotor torque to be predicted over a range of operating parameter values, (c) determining the rate of penetration for the first period of time from measurements of weight applied to the bit and rotation speed of the bit, (d) determining whether any other combination of weight applied to bit and rotation speed of bit, provided by the relationships determined in step (b) are capable of providing a greater rate of penetration, and (e) adjusting at least one operating parameter to move the weight applied t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Maurice Ringer, Michael P. Barrett, Benjamin P. Jeffryes, Walter David Aldred, Ashley Johnson
  • Patent number: 9574433
    Abstract: A method and system determines the performance index of subterranean rock. A performance index is determined for subterranean rock of an area. The area includes a well. A time period is determined during producing the well. The performance index is also determined from data of the time period from the equation PI=(q/dd)*(cum./GPI). The term PI is the performance index, and the term q is the average daily rate of the well for the time period. The term dd is the average drawdown per day of the well for the time period, and the term cum. is the cumulative production of the well for the time period. The term GPI is the gross perforated interval of the well for the time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Petrohawk Properties, LP
    Inventor: Damon Bennett
  • Patent number: 9574434
    Abstract: A system for use in a wellbore, comprises a length of casing, a structure that is configured to deform with deformation of the casing, said structure being affixed to the length of casing at substantially the same radial position along the length of casing, and a sensing device that is configured to measure deformation of the structure, said device comprising a plurality of sensors that are distributed with respect to at least one of the length of said structure and the periphery of said structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: SHELL OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Michele Scott Albrecht, Jeremiah Glen Pearce, Frederick Henry Kreisler Rambow, David Ralph Stewart
  • Patent number: 9574435
    Abstract: A method for real-time data acquisition and presentation of force, position, load, pressures, and movement within a subterranean well pumping system, such as an oil well. Data is gathered using sensors attached to a surface level pump drive and wellhead system. Well structural data and well production data are combined therewith to generate a real-time display of down-hole well operation, including animated graphics of the pump operation, including pump movement, rod and tubing stretch, fluid movement, gas compression, system forces, and fluid pressures. Liquid levels are tested using an acoustic liquid level instrument, and incorporated to improve well performance analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Inventor: James N. McCoy
  • Patent number: 9574436
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system may include a substantially flat mounting plate having a first inset portion to receive a circuit board, and a second inset portion to receive an electronic component. A lower level of the second inset portion defines the first end of a post extending in a vertical direction away from the mounting plate to terminate in a second end, and the second end of the post is shaped to receive a fastener. The second end of the post may be used to secure a cap, and thus the electronic component, to the plate. Additional apparatus and systems, as well as methods, are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Sean Paul Knight
  • Patent number: 9574437
    Abstract: A method for measuring viscosity in a borehole includes: pumping downhole fluid through at least one tube disposed in a carrier configured to be disposed in a borehole in an earth formation; taking at least one differential pressure measurement of the fluid in the at least one tube via a pressure transducer; and estimating a viscosity of the fluid based on the differential pressure measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Ansgar Cartellieri, Stefan Sroka
  • Patent number: 9574438
    Abstract: A method and device to measure production contribution from a zone of a wellbore. The flow device include a first cylindrical portion having a first outer diameter and a second cylindrical portion having a second outer diameter smaller than the first outer diameter. The flow device includes a first pressure sensor configured to measure a first pressure at an exterior of the first portion and a second pressure sensor configured to measure a second pressure at an exterior of the second portion. The flow device is positioned adjacent a zone of a wellbore and the first and second pressures are measured. The fluid flow in the wellbore adjacent to the zone may be determined from the first and second pressures. The flow device diverts substantially all fluid flow in the wellbore around an exterior of the device. The device may include a sensor to measure the conductivity of wellbore fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Juan Carlos Flores
  • Patent number: 9574439
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling one or more downhole tools. A vibratory signal is produced by interaction between an actuation profile and a contact profile. In response to the vibratory signal, a controller actuates one or more downhole tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Basil J. Joseph, Keven O'Connor
  • Patent number: 9574440
    Abstract: A pulser driver assembly of a measurement-while-drilling tool that includes an improved flow switch is disclosed. The flow switch uses multiple accelerometers of different types that measure acceleration changes in a system. The accelerometer data is then filtered and processed by an onboard microcontroller. The filtered data is then passed to a fuzzy logic voting algorithm which systematically and robustly characterizes the signal, and identifies the flow state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: REME, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Abraham Erdos, Kenneth Miller, Brad Munoz, Joshua Carter, James Mathieson
  • Patent number: 9574441
    Abstract: A method for modulating a downhole telemetry signal uses a fluid pressure pulse generator that generates pressure pulses of multiple pulse heights in a drilling fluid. The method comprises: converting measurement data into a bitstream comprising symbols of a selected symbol set; encoding the bitstream into a pressure pulse telemetry signal using a modulation technique that includes amplitude shift keying, wherein each symbol of the selected symbol set is assigned a pressure pulse having a unique amplitude; and generating pressure pulses in the drilling fluid corresponding to the telemetry signal. Alternatively, the method can comprise a modulation technique that includes amplitude shift keying and phase shift keying and wherein each symbol of the selected symbol set is assigned a pressure pulse having a unique combination of amplitude and phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Evolution Engineering Inc.
    Inventors: Jili Liu, Mingdong Xu, David A. Switzer, Aaron W. Logan
  • Patent number: 9574442
    Abstract: A method for real-time data acquisition and presentation of force, position, load, pressures, and movement within a subterranean well pumping system, such as an oil well. Data is gathered using sensors attached to a surface level pump drive and wellhead system. Well structural data and well production data are combined therewith to generate a real-time display of down-hole well operation, including animated graphics of the pump operation, including pump movement, rod and tubing stretch, fluid movement, gas compression, system forces, and fluid pressures. Liquid levels are tested using an acoustic liquid level instrument, and incorporated to improve well performance analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Inventor: James N. McCoy
  • Patent number: 9574443
    Abstract: In some aspects, response data from an injection test of a subterranean region are accessed. An injection treatment is designed based on the response data. The response data are acquired during a series of injection periods and shut-in intervals of the injection test. Each of the injection periods is followed by a respective one of the shut-in intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold Grayson Walters, Ronald Glen Dusterhoft
  • Patent number: 9574444
    Abstract: Systems and methods for motion capture of a subject, suitable for use in an underground mining environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: TESMAN INC.
    Inventors: Roderick Mark Steele, Duncan Paul Steele, Christopher Keith Steele
  • Patent number: 9574445
    Abstract: An apparatus for bi-directionally mining a manganese nodule includes a traveling device to travel in a predetermined traveling direction, collecting devices installed at both ends of the traveling device, respectively, to collect the manganese nodule, and a control device to sense the traveling direction of the traveling device and to drive one of the collecting devices installed at both ends of the traveling device, which is placed in the sensed traveling direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Korea Instutite of Ocean Science & Technology
    Inventors: Tae-Kyeong Yeu, Sup Hong, Hyung-Woo Kim, Jong-Su Choi
  • Patent number: 9574446
    Abstract: A bladed expander for recovery of thermal energy from a working fluid, comprising a stator provided with an inlet port and an outlet port for the working fluid, a rotor housed within the stator, and a plurality of blades set between the rotor and the stator so as to delimit between them a plurality of compartments with variable volume that increases between the inlet port and the outlet port. The stator and the rotor are subjected to a heat exchange with a hot fluid so as to carry out a transformation of expansion during which the working fluid receives thermal energy from outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: ING ENEA MATTEI S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giulio Contaldi
  • Patent number: 9574447
    Abstract: A modification process and modified article are disclosed. The modification process includes locating an area in an article, removing the area by machining to form a machined region, inserting a modification material into the machined region, securing the modification material to the article, machining the modification material flush with a geometry of the article, and applying a coating over at least a portion of the article. Another modification process includes locating an area under a suction side leading edge tip shroud fillet of an airfoil, removing the area by machining to form a hole, inserting a modification material having improved material properties as compared to an original base material into the hole, securing the modification material in place, machining the modification material and the airfoil to form a new fillet contour, and applying a coating over at least a portion of the airfoil. Also disclosed is the modified article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher Edward Thompson, John David Ward, James Ryan Connor, Mark Lawrence Hunt, Blake Allen Fulton