Gail M Nelson

US Patent:

8401831, Mar 19, 2013

Filed:

Jul 24, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/179516

Inventors:

Wei Tang - Katy TX, US
Gordon Whipple - Spring TX, US
Sujian J. Huang - Beijing, CN
Navish Makkar - Houston TX, US
Tommy Laird - Cypress TX, US
Gail Nelson - Tomball TX, US

Assignee:

Smith International, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

G06G 7/48

US Classification:

703 7

Abstract:

A method for designing a secondary cutting structure for use in a bottom hole assembly, the method including defining initial design parameters for the secondary cutting structure and analyzing forces acting on the secondary cutting structure. Additionally, the method includes modifying at least one design element of the secondary cutting structure and simulating an effect of the modifying on both the secondary cutting structure and a primary cutting structure to determine if an improved condition is met. Also, a method for designing a drilling tool assembly, the method including defining initial drilling tool assembly design parameters including a primary cutting structure and a secondary cutting structure, and simulating a dynamic response of the drilling tool assembly. Additionally, the method includes adjusting at least one design element of the secondary cutting structure based on the dynamic response of the drilling tool assembly, determining if the adjusted design element improved a condition of the drilling, and repeating the simulating and adjusting until the condition is optimized.

US Patent:

20090114448, May 7, 2009

Filed:

Nov 1, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/933954

Inventors:

Tommy Laird - Cypress TX, US
Gail R. Nelson - Tomball TX, US
David William Rodman - Aberdeen, GB

Assignee:

SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC. - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 7/28

US Classification:

175 61, 175265

Abstract:

An expandable downhole tool for use in a drilling assembly positioned within a wellbore includes a tool body having an axial flowbore extending therethrough and a moveable arm. The moveable arm includes a roller structure including cutters and rotatably mounted on the moveable arm. The moveable arm is configured to move outwardly in response to actuation of the expandable downhole tool.

US Patent:

20100018779, Jan 28, 2010

Filed:

Jul 24, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/179469

Inventors:

Navish Makkar - Houston TX, US
Wei Tang - Katy TX, US
Gordon Whipple - Spring TX, US
Tommy Laird - Cypress TX, US
Gail Nelson - Tomball TX, US

Assignee:

SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC. - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 10/00

US Classification:

175382, 175401

Abstract:

A secondary cutting structure for sure in a drilling assembly, the secondary cutting structure including a tubular body and a block, extendable from the tubular body, the block including a first arrangement of cutting elements disposed on a first blade and a second arrangement of cutting elements disposed on a second blade, wherein the second arrangement is a modified redundant arrangement. Also, a secondary cutting structure for use in a drilling assembly, the secondary cutting structure including a leading blade disposed on a first block and a trailing blade disposed on the first block adjacent the leading blade. Additionally, the secondary cutting structure includes a unique blade disposed on a second block, wherein a gage portion of at least one of the blades has a length between 30% and 45% of a total blade length.

US Patent:

20130262048, Oct 3, 2013

Filed:

Mar 18, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/846486

Inventors:

Gordon Whipple - Spring TX, US
Sujian J. Huang - Beijing, CN
Navish Makkar - Houston TX, US
Tommy Laird - Cypress TX, US
Gail Nelson - Tomball TX, US

International Classification:

G06F 17/50

US Classification:

703 1

Abstract:

A method for designing a secondary cutting structure for use in a bottom hole assembly, the method including defining initial design parameters for the secondary cutting structure and analyzing forces acting on the secondary cutting structure. Additionally, the method includes modifying at least one design element of the secondary cutting structure and simulating an effect of the modifying on both the secondary cutting structure and a primary cutting structure to determine if an improved condition is met. Also, a method for designing a drilling tool assembly, the method including defining initial drilling tool assembly design parameters including a primary cutting structure and a secondary cutting structure, and simulating a dynamic response of the drilling tool assembly. Additionally, the method includes adjusting at least one design element of the secondary cutting structure based on the dynamic response of the drilling tool assembly, determining if the adjusted design element improved a condition of the drilling, and repeating the simulating and adjusting until the condition is optimized.