Pall Corporation

Oiltools International B.v.

Exxonmobil Research and Engineering Company

Weatherford/lamb, Inc.

Michael B Whitlock

Stephen A Geibel

Paul C Koehler

Christophe A Malbrel

Reza Hashemi

John D Miller

Kenneth M Williamson

Eric Bart Sirota

James William Gleeson

Mark F Hurwitz

Charles L Baker

Tanweer Ul Haq

Steven D Barboza

Min Chang

William L Murphy

David Mentzer

James A Bair

Dennis A Gaal

John E Gallagher, Jr

Son Ngoc Nguyen

Vijay Y Rajadhyaksha

Norman G Cathcart

Tore H Lindstrom

Hidenori Nakayama

Lara C Heberle

Ezekiel E Westfall

George C Jenkins

Lawrence J Noble

Steven Mills

Mark Hurwitz

Samantha M Brand

Nicholas R Cinquanti

Ahamad Y A Khan

Filter disk segments, methods of use, and filter devices including the filter disk segments are disclosed.

Filter disk segments

A filter element has a pleated composite and first and second end elements mounted to opposite first and second ends of the filter element. The pleated composite has a filter medium layer and a grooved mesh drainage layer pleated with the filter medium layer. The grooved mesh drainage layer has a plurality of strands and a plurality of grooves formed in the strands. The grooved mesh drainage layer directs fluid via the grooves to or from the filter medium layer and the filter medium layer removes one or more substances from fluid flowing through the filter medium layer.

Filter elements

The present invention is a process for removing waxy haze from and improving the filterability of base stocks including heavy mineral oil base stocks, gas-to-liquids (GTL) and hydrodewaxed or hydroisomerized waxy feed basestocks by filtering the waxy haze causing particles out of the base stock employing a filter characterized by a high surface area of pores accessible to the haze wax particles which have particles dimensions of no more than about 5 microns.

Method for haze mitigation and filterability improvement for base stocks

A filter for subterranean use includes a filter body containing a filter medium, and a restraining member disposed around the filter body. The inner periphery of the restraining member is sufficiently close to the outer periphery of the filter body to prevent the filter body from being damaged by radially outward forces encountered during operation of the filter within a well.

Filter for subterranean use

A filter capable of being used in subterranean environments includes a filter medium. An erosion barrier is disposed along a common flow path with the filter medium for preventing erosion by particles in a fluid being filtered.

A filter for subterranean environments includes an inner support member, a filter body containing a filter medium disposed around the inner support member, and at least one end connector connected to a lengthwise end of the filter body and sealed against the inner support member without being welded to the inner support member. The end connector may be restrained from movement relative to the inner support member in a lengthwise direction of the inner support member, without being welded to the inner support member, to resist axial forces acting on the filter during installation or operation in a well. Alternatively, the end connector may be capable of movement with respect to the inner support member in a lengthwise direction of the inner support member to enable the filter to undergo thermal expansion without damage to the filter body or other portions of the filter.

A damage-resistant filter for use in subterranean wells has at least one layer of a filter medium, such as a sintered supported porous membrane, coaxially disposed about a perforated support member. The filter may also include a drainage layer disposed between the inner support member and the filter medium, and a protective covering, such as a perforated cage, surrounding the filter medium. The filter is particularly suitable for removal of sand and other particulates from fluids produced in a well.

Method of repairing a damaged well

A filter for subterranean environments includes an inner support member capable of transporting a fluid in an axial direction thereof, a filter body disposed around the inner support member and including a filter medium, and one or more end connectors surrounding the inner support member and each connected to an end of the filter body. Each end connector has a structure such that it can be installed on an inner support member having lengthwise ends with an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the end connector. According to one form of the invention, an end connector comprises a plurality of arcuate sections which are combined to surround the inner support member and are immobilized with respect to each other. According to another form of the invention, an end connector comprises a split annulus having two circumferential ends. The annulus can be deformed between an expanded state in which the annulus can be fit over the inner support member and a closed state in which the annulus fits sufficiently closely around the inner support member to be sealed to it. According to another form of the invention, an end connector comprises concentric inner and outer sleeves.

A filter assembly is formed by fixing a porous layer to an end cap and sealing the end cap to a filter pack with a potting material. The potting material flows down, around and under the porous layer resulting in a robust mechanical seal upon curing.

Filter and end cap assembly including a porous layer for sealing with a

Filter for subterranean wells

A filter assembly and a method of making a filter assembly is described wherein a filter pack is seated in an end cap and contacted with a particulate material and a settling liquid of low viscosity to form a filter assemblage. The filter assemblage is sintered to form a strong, virtually impermeable bond therebetween.

Filter assembly and method of making a filter assembly

An in-line filter includes a filter element sandwiched between two gaskets. A sealing portion is disposed between the gaskets to forming a seal around a periphery of the filter element. The filter can be disposed inside a standard type of tubing connector, and a seal can be formed between the gaskets and opposing sealing surfaces of the tubing connector. The gaskets may directly contact the sealing surfaces of the tubing connector, or sealing members may be disposed between the gaskets and the sealing surfaces.

In-line filter for tubing

An in-line filter includes a hollow base having first and second wall portions formed between its ends and a filter element mounted on the base. During use, the base of the filter is disposed inside a standard tubing connector, and the wall portions are resiliently deformed by the tubing connector such that the surfaces of the wall portions are pressed into sealing contact with internal surfaces of the tubing connector. The filter element connected to the base is disposed inside the tubing connector and/or tubing to which the tubing connector is attached. According to another form of the invention, a filter element includes a hollow base having a radially outwardly extending flange. An annular sealing member is mounted on the flange, and a filter element is mounted on the base. During use, the base of the filter is disposed inside a standard tubing connector, and the sealing member is pressed into sealing contact with internal surfaces of the tubing connector and with the flange.

A method of making a filter assembly is described wherein a filter pack is seated in an end cap and contacted with a mixture comprising a binder and a particulate material including a low temperature component and a high temperature component. The filter pack, the end cap, and the particulate material are heat treated to form a strong, effective bond.

Method of making a filter assembly

Metal filter sheet is made by a method in which metal particulates are suspended in a fluid medium containing a stabilizing agent. The stable suspension is then filtered to leave a wet cake of the metal particulate which is then dried, compressed, and sintered to produce the metal filter sheet.

Growing community of inventors

Cortland, NY, United States of America

Michael B Whitlock