Paul B Soderberg

US Patent:

20060196544, Sep 7, 2006

Filed:

Feb 23, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/360150

Inventors:

Paul Soderberg - Montgomery TX, US
Jeannette Sodergerg - Montgomery TX, US

International Classification:

F16K 43/00

US Classification:

137315180

Abstract:

A valve having a cartridge that fits within the valve housing and that may be replaced without removing the valve housing from adjoining equipment. The cartridge contains a wedge having curved surfaces and a driver to rotate the wedge from an open to a closed position. When the wedge rotates to the closed position a seal is formed on the convex surface of the wedge and a sealing assembly is moved to form a seal around the outlet of the valve housing.

US Patent:

46374710, Jan 20, 1987

Filed:

Apr 30, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/729110

Inventors:

Paul B. Soderberg - Houston TX

Assignee:

Soderberg Research & Development, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 3412

US Classification:

166373

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for providing a tubing drain valve suitable for use in a borehole. The present invention is particularly useful in connection with production strings employed in wells producing heavy, sand-bearing oils. The invention comprises a tubing drain valve operable independently of any action or condition on the interior of the pipe string. The tubing drain valve of the present invention is opened in response to the pulling of the pipe string from the borehole. A plurality of dogs carried by a sleeve biased to an initial position about a tubular member suitable for incorporation in a pipe string and including a valved passage through the side wall thereof are designed to engage the casing and temporarily prevent movement of the sleeve as the pipe string is being pulled from the borehole. Continued pulling of the string produces relative movement of the sleeve and tubular member along the longitudinal axis of the tubular member. The valve passage is opened only after relative movement through a predetermined distance.

US Patent:

45654964, Jan 21, 1986

Filed:

Dec 17, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/682888

Inventors:

Paul B. Soderberg - Houston TX

International Classification:

F04B 4708

US Classification:

417 46

Abstract:

A Method, System and Apparatus is disclosed for pumping liquid from a well such that vapor lock of the pump cannot occur due to gas or steam and such that the pump strokes only in response to the production rate of well liquid. The pump can be used for lifting heavy oils heated by steam floods or the like as well as for pumping liquids from conventional wells. Reduced pump wear, reduced energy requirements, reduced maintenance and the automatic adaption to changing well production rates are among the objects of this invention.

US Patent:

46450076, Feb 24, 1987

Filed:

Jun 8, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/618469

Inventors:

Paul B. Soderberg - Houston TX

Assignee:

Soderberg Research & Development, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 3410
E21B 3414

US Classification:

166374

Abstract:

The present invention discloses a tubing drain valve suitable for use in a borehole and a method for operating the disclosed valve. This device is particularly useful in a production pipe string where it provides a convenient apparatus and method for draining production fluid from the string in order to facilitate a variety of activities. More particularly, the present invention relates to a tubing drain valve actuated to its open position by a force developed across the working surfaces of a movable piston by the pressure in the interior of the production string and actuated to its closed position by a mechanical device. Preferably, the tubing drain valve of the present invention further comprises structure to bias the valve to its closed position and structure to bias the valve in its open position. The valve of the present invention is actuated by overcoming the appropriate biassing forces.

US Patent:

44900953, Dec 25, 1984

Filed:

Nov 19, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/308847

Inventors:

Paul B. Soderberg - Houston TX

International Classification:

F04B 4708

US Classification:

417 46

Abstract:

A method, system and apparatus is disclosed for pumping liquid from a well such that vapor lock of the pump cannot occur due to gas or steam and such that the pump strokes only in response to the production rate of well liquid. The pump can be used for lifting heavy oils heated by steam floods or the like as well as for pumping liquids from conventional wells. Reduced pump wear, reduced energy requirements, reduced maintenance and the automatic adaption to changing well production rates are among the objects of this invention.

US Patent:

53338340, Aug 2, 1994

Filed:

Mar 29, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/038535

Inventors:

Paul B. Soderberg - Montgomery TX

Assignee:

Soderberg Research & Development, Inc. - Montgomery TX

International Classification:

F16K 506

US Classification:

251 86

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to an improved driver for operatively connecting an actuator to a rotatable valve member disposed in the fluid path of a valve housing. The improved driver of the present invention comprises a drive shaft for connection at one end with an actuator and having a yoke connected to the other end of the drive shaft. The yoke preferably comprises two arms extending on opposite sides of the fluid path through the valve housing. Each arm includes a contact member, e. g. , a dog or set screw extending from the arm, for engaging and turning the rotatable valve member while not rigidly connecting the arm with the valve member. In a preferred embodiment, the arms of the yoke extend around the fluid path and are joined together with a trunnion to aid in centering the driver and rotatable valve member. The valve driver of the present invention may be used with ball, plug and hemi-wedge valves to achieve both the sealing advantage of a floating rotatable valve member and the centering advantage of a valve member rigidly connected to the actuator.

US Patent:

49629115, Oct 16, 1990

Filed:

Mar 27, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/500001

Inventors:

Paul B. Soderberg - Houston TX

Assignee:

Soderberg Research & Development, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

F16K 2500
F16K 118

US Classification:

251159

Abstract:

The present invention is directed to an improved valve comprising a valve housing, a fluid path therethrough, a seat disposed about the fluid path, a rotatable, curved wedge disposed in the fluid path, an actuator for rotating the wedge between its closed and opened positions and a fixed member for displacing the wedge longitudinally toward the seat as it is rotated between its opened and closed positions. Preferably, the seat is biased toward the hemi-wedge. The rotatable, curved wedge has a curved sealing surface for cooperation with the seat. The wedge includes a bore through its thinner end forming a part of the fluid flow path when opened while its thicker end blocks the fluid flow path in the closed position. The sides of the wedge are curved, one side providing a convex sealing surface and the other side providing a concave thrust surface. Rotation of the hemi-wedge from the opened to the closed position displaces the sealing surface thereof toward the seat while maintaining the same relative orientation between the sealing surface and the seat.

US Patent:

46811672, Jul 21, 1987

Filed:

May 17, 1985

Appl. No.:

6/735382

Inventors:

Paul B. Soderberg - Houston TX

Assignee:

Soderberg Research & Development, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 4300
E21B 3706
E21B 3410
E21B 3414

US Classification:

166371

Abstract:

The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for periodically and automatically introducing fluid into a producing well through a tubing drain valve in the production tubing. The apparatus and method of the present invention employ a tubing drain valve actuated to its open position by pressurizing the interior of the production string. The system further includes apparatus for introducing a fluid, e. g. , a paraffin solvent or formation treating chemical, into the production tubing and into the formation through the opened tubing drain valve. After completion of this operation, the tubing drain valve is closed and production resumed by a mechanical actuator, preferably an actuator carried by the sucker rods for operating the downhole pump. A control device, including optional monitoring devices, provides a system for introducing such fluids at periodic intervals. Although these intervals may be predetermined and constant, it is preferred that the system include timing and monitoring devices so that fluid introduction occurs at variable intervals determined by one or more production characteristics, e. g.