Baker Hughes Corporation

Baker Hughes, a Ge Compnay, LLC

Larry J Urban

Steve Rosenblatt

Edward O'Malley

Ronnie D Russell

Frank J Maenza

James Smith

Christopher J Limb

A rotating ball valve assembly includes a rotatable ball element. The rotatable ball element includes a first side portion, a second side portion, and a central passage. One of the first and second side portions includes first and second outwardly projecting pin elements. A sliding sleeve assembly includes a sliding sleeve member having a first guide track with a first force reducing profile associated with the first outwardly projecting pin element and a second guide track having a second force reducing profile associated with the second outwardly projecting pin element. The sliding sleeve member is shiftable relative to the first and second tubular members to selectively pivot the rotatable ball element between an open orientation and a closed orientation.

Force multiplyer used to actuate a ball valve

A retrievable packer has its sealing system unloaded before the slip system is relaxed by separation of slip cones from slips that flank the seal assembly. The mandrel is cut so that the portion above the cut can be raised to take a cone up and away from collet heads which previously were trapped by the cone. The collet heads are disposed between opposed sloping surfaces so that the retraction of the cone from under the heads allows the residual rubber pressure to force the heads toward the mandrel into the space created by relative movement of the mandrel that took the wedge cone uphole. The heads are at ends of fingers having a radially inward bias to further assist retraction of the heads toward the mandrel. With the heads retracted the sealing element stretches out before slip cones are moved relative to the slips.

Seal pressure relaxation device prior to release of retrievable packer

A circulation sub is provided that has a ball seat and a circulation port that is closed when a ball is landed on the seat. An axial passage directs the pressure surge created with the landing of the ball on the seat to the port with the actuation piston for the tool. The surge in pressure operates the actuation piston to set the tool, which is preferably a packer. Raising the circulation rate through a constriction in a circulation sub breaks a shear device and allows the restriction to shift to cover a circulation port. The pressure surge that ensues continues through the restriction to the actuating piston for the tool to set the tool.

Setting subterranean tools with flow generated shock wave

A spring for use in downhole tools delivers a high force over a long deflection in a relatively uniform fashion. The spring is a tubular shape that is preferably metallic and is preferably plastically deformed into an undulating walled tube either before assembly into a downhole tool or downhole after assembly to the downhole tool. Alternatively the shape can be machined. Spacer rings are used inside and outside the tube as it is compressed to obtain the desired corrugated wall pattern and to prevent localized buckling that can cause wall failure. The spring can conduct pressurized fluids and be rotationally locked to transmit torque and to facilitate milling out. Some machining internally and/or externally can assist in forming the desired corrugated wall shape.

Growing community of inventors

Santa Fe, TX, United States of America

Larry J Urban