Michael Ray Reese

US Patent:

8061405, Nov 22, 2011

Filed:

Jan 31, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/017806

Inventors:

Michael R. Reese - Houston TX, US
Gilles Gallego - Ibos, FR
Scott Buteaud - Spring TX, US
Alan K. Harrell - New Waverly TX, US
Steven W. Drews - Cypress TX, US

Assignee:

Varel Europe S.A.S.

International Classification:

B22D 19/00
B22D 19/02

US Classification:

164112, 164 98

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for manufacturing a down hole tool that reduces manufacturing costs and enhances the tool's performance. A belted mold assembly includes a casting assembly, a belt assembly, and a mid-belt. The belted mold assembly is used to fabricate a casting that allows for a larger diameter blank to be used which displaces the more expensive casting material and for using a smaller outer diameter thin-walled mold. The casting assembly is disposed within the belt assembly and the mid-belt is loaded in the volume created between the casting assembly's outer surface and the belt assembly's inner surface. The mid-belt provides a bracing for the casting assembly during the casting process. Optionally, a cap can be disposed on top of the blank for preventing metallurgical bonds from forming between the binder material and the upper portion of the blank. This allows for the excess binder material to remain high in purity so that it can be reprocessed.

US Patent:

8061408, Nov 22, 2011

Filed:

Oct 13, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/578111

Inventors:

Michael R. Reese - Houston TX, US
Gilles Gallego - Ibos, FR
Scott Buteaud - Spring TX, US
Alan K. Harrell - New Waverly TX, US
Steven W. Drews - Cypress TX, US

Assignee:

Varel Europe S.A.S.

International Classification:

B22D 19/00
B22D 19/02
B22C 9/00

US Classification:

164332, 164334, 164349

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for manufacturing a down hole tool that reduces manufacturing costs and enhances the tool's performance. A belted mold assembly includes a casting assembly, a belt assembly, and a mid-belt. The belted mold assembly is used to fabricate a casting that allows for a larger diameter blank to be used which displaces the more expensive casting material and for using a smaller outer diameter thin-walled mold. The casting assembly is disposed within the belt assembly and the mid-belt is loaded in the volume created between the casting assembly's outer surface and the belt assembly's inner surface. The mid-belt provides a bracing for the casting assembly during the casting process. Optionally, a cap can be disposed on top of the blank for preventing metallurgical bonds from forming between the binder material and the upper portion of the blank. This allows for the excess binder material to remain high in purity so that it can be reprocessed.

US Patent:

8079402, Dec 20, 2011

Filed:

May 10, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/104790

Inventors:

Michael R. Reese - Houston TX, US
Gilles Gallego - Ibos, FR
Scott Buteaud - Spring TX, US
Alan K. Harrell - New Waverly TX, US
Steven W. Drews - Cypress TX, US

Assignee:

Varel Europe S.A.S. - Pau

International Classification:

B22D 19/00
B22D 19/02
B22C 9/00

US Classification:

164332, 164334, 164349

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for manufacturing a down hole tool that reduces manufacturing costs and enhances the tool's performance. A belted mold assembly includes a casting assembly, a belt assembly, and a mid-belt. The belted mold assembly is used to fabricate a casting that allows for a larger diameter blank to be used which displaces the more expensive casting material and for using a smaller outer diameter thin-walled mold. The casting assembly is disposed within the belt assembly and the mid-belt is loaded in the volume created between the casting assembly's outer surface and the belt assembly's inner surface. The mid-belt provides a bracing for the casting assembly during the casting process. Optionally, a cap can be disposed on top of the blank for preventing metallurgical bonds from forming between the binder material and the upper portion of the blank. This allows for the excess binder material to remain high in purity so that it can be reprocessed.

US Patent:

8251122, Aug 28, 2012

Filed:

Nov 16, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/947090

Inventors:

Gilles Gallego - Ibos, FR
Anthony Salliou - Pau, FR
Scott Buteaud - Spring TX, US
Michael R. Reese - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

Varel Europe S.A.S. - Pau

International Classification:

B22D 19/04
B22C 9/00

US Classification:

164 9, 164332

Abstract:

A down hole tool casting assembly, a gauge ring, and a method for preparing the gauge ring for use within the assembly. The gauge ring includes a bit diameter mold and one or more junk slot displacements extending inwardly from the interior surface of the bit diameter mold. The junk slot displacement includes a first end, a second end, and a junk slot displacement face extending from the first end to the second end. At least one groove is formed within the interior surface of the gauge ring, which alleviates stresses formed within the casting during the casting process. According to some embodiments, at least one groove is formed within the junk slot displacement face. According to some embodiments, at least one groove is formed within the interior surface of the bit diameter mold. Optionally, a pressure absorbing material is inserted into one or more grooves.

US Patent:

8252226, Aug 28, 2012

Filed:

Sep 9, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/555947

Inventors:

Michael R. Reese - Houston TX, US
Kelly O. Malone - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

Varel International Ind., L.P. - Carrollton TX

International Classification:

C22C 1/05
C21D 9/00
C21D 9/22
C21D 7/04
B05D 1/12

US Classification:

419 18, 427367, 427350, 427445, 72 53

Abstract:

A high-energy treated cutter comprising a substrate having a top surface, an outer region, and an inner core and a wear resistant layer coupled to the top surface. The high-energy treatment alters the substrate's physical properties so that the inner core provides greater toughness and the outer region provides greater hardness, and greater abrasion resistance. The layer is protected prior to commencement of the treatment. In one embodiment, a cover is positioned to surround the layer and then the cutter undergoes treatment, wherein the cutter is subjected to impact forces with other cutters. In another embodiment, the cutter is positioned within a recess formed in a tray table, thereby providing protection to the layer. The cutter is secured in place via vacuum, glue, or weight. A spray nozzle applies shot material directed to the substrate of the cutter, thereby applying the impact forces to alter the substrate's properties.

US Patent:

8327944, Dec 11, 2012

Filed:

May 27, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/789416

Inventors:

William W. King - Houston TX, US
Michael R. Reese - Houston TX, US
Steven W. Drews - Cypress TX, US

Assignee:

Varel International, Ind., L.P. - Carrollton TX

International Classification:

E21B 7/08

US Classification:

166378, 1661175, 175 75

Abstract:

An assembly is provided to attach a whipstock to a mill/drill bit. The assembly includes an upper collar adapted for installation around a shank of the mill/drill bit. At least one connecting member is mounted at a first end to the upper collar. The connecting member extends downwardly from the upper collar and is adapted to fit within a junkslot of the mill/drill bit to which the upper collar is attached. A whipstock attachment structure is mounted to a second end of the at least one connecting member.

US Patent:

8365846, Feb 5, 2013

Filed:

Mar 2, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/716251

Inventors:

Alfazazi Dourfaye - Paris, FR
Michael R. Reese - Houston TX, US
William W. King - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

Varel International, Ind., L.P. - Carrollton TX

International Classification:

E21B 10/00
E21B 10/36

US Classification:

175433, 1754202, 175425, 175426, 175434

Abstract:

A front face of a diamond table mounted to a substrate is processed to introduce a material which comingles with or semi-alloys with or partially displaces interstitial catalyst binder in a thermal channel to a desired depth. The material is selected to be less thermally expandable than the catalyst binder and/or more thermally conductive than the catalyst binder and/or having a lower heat capacity than the catalyst binder.

US Patent:

8434346, May 7, 2013

Filed:

Nov 1, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/916776

Inventors:

Michael R. Reese - Houston TX, US
Federico Bellin - Pau, FR
Alfazazi Dourfaye - Paris, FR
Gary M. Thigpen - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

Varel Europe S.A.S. - Pau

International Classification:

G01N 3/56

US Classification:

73 7

Abstract:

A target cylinder and a method for testing a superhard component thereon. The target cylinder includes a first end, a second end, and a sidewall extending from the first end to the second end. At least one of the second end and the sidewall is an exposed portion that makes contact with the superhard component to determine at least one property of the superhard component. The exposed portion comprises at least one synthetic material having at least one of a compressive strength raging from about 12 kpsi to about 30 kpsi, an abrasiveness ranging from about 1 Cerchars to about 6 Cerchars, and an iron content ranging from about 5 percent to about 10 percent. Optionally, the exposed portion further comprises a second material interveningly positioned between or within the synthetic material in a predetermined and repeatable pattern.