USPTO Examiner WOOD DOUGLAS S - Art Unit 3679

Recent Applications

Detailed information about the 100 most recent patent applications.

Application NumberTitleFiling DateDisposal DateDispositionTime (months)Office ActionsRestrictionsInterviewAppeal
18780676MOBILE OFFSHORE CARBON CAPTURE AND SEQUESTRATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS USING FLOATING STRUCTUREJuly 2024April 2025Allow920NoNo
18767897Hydraulic Fracturing Fluid Delivering SystemJuly 2024June 2025Allow1110NoNo
18752322FLOAT VALVE PRODUCING TURBULENT FLOW FOR WET SHOE TRACKJune 2024March 2025Allow910NoNo
18680556LATCHING OF A SUBSEA COMPONENT TO A SUBSEA RECEPTACLE, ASSOCIATED SUBSEA SYSTEM AND METHODMay 2024February 2025Allow910NoNo
18670945NESTED LOCK SCREWMay 2024January 2025Allow810NoNo
18613365METHODS FOR PRODUCING A GEOTHERMAL WELLMarch 2024April 2025Allow1310YesNo
18609788System and Method for Orienting and Anchoring Downhole ToolsMarch 2024February 2025Allow1100NoNo
18442960SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO OPERATE HYDRAULIC FRACTURING UNITS USING AUTOMATIC FLOW RATE AND/OR PRESSURE CONTROLFebruary 2024December 2024Allow1010NoNo
18437823INJECTOR TILT-MOUNT LOCKFebruary 2024June 2025Allow1610NoNo
18423036Sea Floor Automatic Well InterventionJanuary 2024February 2025Allow1210YesNo
18579162SINGLE RUN PRELOADED CASING HANGER AND ANNULUS SEAL ASSEMBLY AND METHODS OF USE THEREOFJanuary 2024February 2025Allow1310NoNo
18578322NITROGEN-CARBON DIOXIDE MIXED GAS JETTING APPARATUS FOR HORIZONTAL WELL AND EXPLOITATION METHODJanuary 2024June 2025Allow1710NoNo
18403168UNDERWATER-WELLHEAD FEEDING TOOL ASSEMBLY AND USE METHOD THEREOFJanuary 2024March 2025Allow1400NoNo
18395531Reverse Helix AgitatorDecember 2023January 2025Allow1330NoNo
18538026SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PREVENTING HYDRATE FORMATION IN UNDERWATER EQUIPMENTDecember 2023August 2024Allow810YesNo
18530462ANNULAR FLOW LUBRICATOR METHOD AND APPARATUSDecember 2023November 2024Allow1110NoNo
18505891ANNULAR FLOW LUBRICATOR METHOD AND APPARATUSNovember 2023July 2024Allow820NoNo
18499695FLEXIBLE LINEAR ACCESSIBLE CONTROLS SUBSEANovember 2023March 2025Allow1620NoNo
18497590WELLHEAD FLOW BLOCK AND FLOW CONTROL MECHANISMSOctober 2023June 2024Allow810YesNo
18492244MULTILINE RISER BIG BORE CONNECTOROctober 2023November 2024Allow1220NoNo
18490389ADVANCED WELLTRACKER DEPLOYMENT CAPSULE FOR OIL AND GAS WELLSOctober 2023November 2024Allow1310NoNo
18489207SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VALVE GREASING IN A WELL TREEOctober 2023March 2025Allow1720NoNo
18483171GREASE-RETAINING FRAC VALVE SEAT INSERTOctober 2023June 2024Allow910NoNo
18480399PULL-IN SYSTEM AND METHOD OF KEELHAULING RIGID RISERS USING A DEFLECTOR DEVICE AND DOUBLE LAYER SUPPORT TUBEOctober 2023February 2025Allow1610NoNo
18477143MULTI-PURPOSE COMPENSATOR SYSTEMSeptember 2023November 2024Allow1320NoNo
18459761GROUND-LEVEL PLUG AND PERF BALL DROP TOOLSeptember 2023December 2024Allow1520NoNo
18238105Subsea Test Tree Fast Ball Actuation with Low Pressure Pump Through CapabilityAugust 2023February 2024Allow610YesNo
18366755EROSION CONTROL SYSTEMAugust 2023July 2024Abandon1210NoNo
18230811INTERVENTIONLESS METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR TESTING A LINER TOPAugust 2023April 2025Allow2110NoNo
18229080Subsea Wellhead Monitoring SystemAugust 2023February 2025Allow1910NoNo
18347941PRESSURE RELEASE SYSTEM FOR WELL INTERVENTIONJuly 2023February 2025Allow2010NoNo
18341904BIASED LUG CARTRIDGE, WEAR BUSHING WITH BIASED LUG CARTRIDGE, AND SYSTEM AND METHOD USING THE SAMEJune 2023October 2024Allow1510NoNo
18331907AUTOMATIC SMALL REPAIR OPERATION SYSTEM FOR OIL FIELDJune 2023May 2025Allow2310NoNo
18327600Partitioning High Pressure Pumps At A Well SiteJune 2023July 2024Abandon1310YesNo
18323609A SLEEVE FOR MULTI-STAGE WELLBORE STIMULATIONMay 2023March 2024Allow1010YesNo
18302581NESTED LOCK SCREWApril 2023March 2024Allow1120NoNo
18132455ROTATABLE IMAGING SENSOR IN A WELLBOREApril 2023April 2024Allow1210NoNo
18030857FLOAT VALVE PRODUCING TURBULENT FLOW FOR WET SHOE TRACKApril 2023May 2024Allow1410NoNo
18029498POLYVALENT RISER BALCONYMarch 2023September 2024Allow1710NoNo
18192885AUTONOMOUS TUBING CASING ANNULUS RELIEF SYSTEMMarch 2023December 2024Allow2010NoNo
18191279Adjustable Well Water Flow Valve DeviceMarch 2023February 2025Allow2330NoNo
18177910RIGLESS METHOD TO PARTIALLY LIFT OR RETRIEVE WELLBORE TUBING STRINGS FROM PLATFORM AND SUBSEA WELLSMarch 2023June 2024Abandon1510NoNo
18114300METHOD FOR DEEP-SEA EXTRACTION OF NATURAL GAS HYDRATES WITH RESERVOIR TOP CONTROL AND SAND PREVENTIONFebruary 2023January 2025Abandon2320NoNo
18168255OPERATION OF A RECIRCULATION CIRCUIT FOR A FLUID PUMP OF A HYDRAULIC FRACTURING SYSTEMFebruary 2023June 2024Allow1620YesNo
18020779FLAPPER VALVE FOR PERCUSSION DRILL TOOLSFebruary 2023July 2024Allow1720NoNo
18104633HANDS-FREE GOOSENECK AND HANDS-FREE GOOSENECK FLOW SPOOLFebruary 2023February 2025Allow2420NoNo
18103797CONTROLLING FLUID FLOWS IN A MULTI-WELLBORE WELL SYSTEM WITH A SURFACE CONTROLLED FORMATION ISOLATION VALVEJanuary 2023May 2025Allow2730YesNo
18162216ANNULUS ACTIVATED DRAIN VALVE, METHOD AND SYSTEMJanuary 2023October 2024Abandon2010NoNo
18161295GAS INJECTION OPERATIONAL SAFETY FOR SUBTERRANEAN WELLSJanuary 2023December 2024Allow2340NoNo
18160617FRANGIBLE DISK SUB, METHOD AND SYSTEMJanuary 2023March 2024Allow1340NoNo
18088993SYSTEMS FOR REDUCING FLUID HAMMER IN SUBSEA SYSTEMSDecember 2022November 2024Allow2310NoNo
18069764TOOL TRAP SYSTEMDecember 2022July 2023Allow710NoNo
17993375FUEL, COMMUNICATIONS, AND POWER CONNECTION SYSTEMS AND RELATED METHODSNovember 2022August 2024Allow2140NoNo
18056871IN-RISER TOOL OPERATION MONITORED AND VERIFIED THROUGH ROVNovember 2022May 2025Allow3040YesNo
17987428ANNULAR FLOW LUBRICATOR METHOD AND APPARATUSNovember 2022October 2023Allow1140NoNo
17997786BACK PRESSURE VALVE WITH LATCHING ENGAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHODNovember 2022July 2024Allow2010NoNo
17970845Fracturing Hot RockOctober 2022October 2024Allow2430NoNo
17996559STARTER ENGINE SYSTEM FOR A ROTARY LOCKOctober 2022January 2025Allow2710NoNo
17969617POWER SYSTEM AND METHODOctober 2022November 2024Allow2520NoNo
17966367FRAC ENABLED WEAR BUSHING FOR TUBING HEAD SPOOLOctober 2022May 2024Allow1940NoNo
17941064FRACTURE SYSTEM AND METHODSeptember 2022April 2024Allow1920NoNo
17939711FRACTURING METHOD WITH SYNERGISTIC EFFECTS OF ENERGY ENHANCEMENT, OIL DISPLACEMENT, HUFF AND PUFF, IMBIBITION, AND DISPLACEMENTSeptember 2022September 2023Allow1210NoNo
17900171ENGINEERED WEAK POINT FOR RISER SYSTEMSAugust 2022June 2023Allow1010NoNo
17820910ACCUMULATOR SYSTEMAugust 2022June 2023Allow1010NoNo
17797387DEVICE AND APPARATUSAugust 2022March 2024Allow2020NoNo
17811202MODULAR PERFORATION TOOLJuly 2022May 2023Allow1110YesNo
17809309ONSITE PROCESSING OF OVERSIZED PROPPANT DEBRIS TO PUMPABLE MATERIAL SIZEJune 2022September 2023Allow1410YesNo
17788059SEAL THAT EMBRACES THE ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS THAT CROSS THROUGH THE WELLHEAD AND DEVICE COMPRISING THE SAMEJune 2022October 2024Allow2830NoNo
17830825SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CREATING A FLUID COMMUNICATION PATH BETWEEN PRODUCTION WELLSJune 2022August 2023Allow1510NoNo
17750076SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USE OF DESULPHATED INJECTION WATER FROM OFFSHORE PLATFORMS FOR UTILIZATION IN INHIBITION SQUEEZESMay 2022October 2024Allow2910NoNo
17755071SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VALVE GREASING IN A WELL TREEApril 2022September 2023Allow1710NoNo
17716369SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO PREVENT EXPLOSIONS IN A TANK USING AUTOMATED GAS HARVESTING AND PURGE SAFETY DEVICESApril 2022May 2024Allow2500NoNo
17715251SLEEVE VALVES, SHIFTING TOOLS AND METHODS FOR WELLBORE COMPLETION OPERATIONS THEREWITHApril 2022December 2023Allow2020NoNo
17642653Pressure Control Apparatus InsertsMarch 2022September 2023Allow1810NoNo
17667063WELLBORE SLEEVE INJECTOR AND METHODFebruary 2022May 2023Allow1510NoNo
17549173ADAPTER TOOL FOR COUPLING A BEND STIFFENER WITH INTERFACE FOR BELL MOUTHS OF MODELS WITH BSN900E TYPE CONNECTION IN A DIVERLESS BELL MOUTH (BSDL) AND INTERCONNECTION METHODSDecember 2021March 2024Allow2720NoNo
17538859Hydraulic Fracturing Fluid Delivering SystemNovember 2021March 2024Allow2710NoNo
17508424Reverse Helix AgitatorOctober 2021January 2024Allow2720NoNo
17442768CROSSOVER FOR A FLOW PATH FOR A FLUID TO A SUBSEA DEVICESeptember 2021May 2023Abandon1910NoNo
17439709NETWORK OF SINGLE STRAIGHT-LINE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN FRAC TREESSeptember 2021November 2022Allow1420NoNo
17438979CHRISTMAS TREE ASSEMBLY WITH HIGH INTEGRITY PIPELINE PROTECTION SYSTEMSeptember 2021November 2022Abandon1410NoNo
17468077AUTOMATIC CHOKING HYDRAULIC SHOCK REDUCTION VALVESeptember 2021March 2024Allow3010NoNo
17459025RISER COLLET CONNECTOR SYSTEMS AND METHODSAugust 2021October 2023Allow2630NoNo
17409945JOINT RESTRAINT DEVICEAugust 2021August 2023Allow2430NoNo
17386817Method for producing extra force and reduced hydraulic supply for shearing pipeJuly 2021December 2023Abandon2920NoNo
17386833DRILLING RISER CONNECTORJuly 2021May 2023Allow2210NoNo
17386415Method for shearing pipe and providing a compression sealJuly 2021February 2023Abandon1910NoNo
17361915JOINT RESTRAINT DEVICEJune 2021October 2023Allow2730NoNo
17354226MANDRIL ASSEMBLY FOR CHEMICAL INJECTION IN OIL WELLSJune 2021June 2023Allow2310NoNo
17354766Multi Stage Chemical InjectionJune 2021July 2023Allow2510NoNo
17327864FRACTURING SYSTEM WITH FLUID CONDUIT HAVING COMMUNICATION LINEMay 2021October 2023Allow2820NoNo
17226679APPARATUSES AND METHODS FOR COUPLING ONE OR MORE AUXILIARY LINES TO A SUBSEA WELL CONTROL ASSEMBLYApril 2021March 2024Allow3520NoNo
17226484SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SENSING ENGAGEMENT IN HAZARDOUS RATED ENVIRONMENTSApril 2021August 2023Allow2820NoNo
17214296SENSING GATE VALVE POSITIONMarch 2021November 2024Abandon4430NoNo
17214238HIGH PRESSURE RISER CONNECTION TO WELLHEADMarch 2021November 2023Allow3150NoNo
17174059DOWNHOLE GAS-LIQUID SEPARATORFebruary 2021September 2022Allow1900NoNo
17248485SYSTEMS AND METHODS PROVIDING A CONFIGURABLE STAGED RATE INCREASE FUNCTION TO OPERATE HYDRAULIC FRACTURING UNITSJanuary 2021August 2023Allow3060NoNo
17248484SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO OPERATE HYDRAULIC FRACTURING UNITS USING AUTOMATIC FLOW RATE AND/OR PRESSURE CONTROLJanuary 2021August 2023Allow6060NoNo
17151295GUIDE FOR TOP DRIVE UNITJanuary 2021March 2023Allow2510NoNo
17135835EROSION CONTROL SYSTEMDecember 2020May 2023Allow2920NoNo

Appeals Overview

This analysis examines appeal outcomes and the strategic value of filing appeals for examiner WOOD, DOUGLAS S.

Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) Decisions

Total PTAB Decisions
5
Examiner Affirmed
2
(40.0%)
Examiner Reversed
3
(60.0%)
Reversal Percentile
83.8%
Higher than average

What This Means

With a 60.0% reversal rate, the PTAB has reversed the examiner's rejections more often than affirming them. This reversal rate is in the top 25% across the USPTO, indicating that appeals are more successful here than in most other areas.

Strategic Value of Filing an Appeal

Total Appeal Filings
15
Allowed After Appeal Filing
6
(40.0%)
Not Allowed After Appeal Filing
9
(60.0%)
Filing Benefit Percentile
64.6%
Higher than average

Understanding Appeal Filing Strategy

Filing a Notice of Appeal can sometimes lead to allowance even before the appeal is fully briefed or decided by the PTAB. This occurs when the examiner or their supervisor reconsiders the rejection during the mandatory appeal conference (MPEP § 1207.01) after the appeal is filed.

In this dataset, 40.0% of applications that filed an appeal were subsequently allowed. This appeal filing benefit rate is above the USPTO average, suggesting that filing an appeal can be an effective strategy for prompting reconsideration.

Strategic Recommendations

Appeals to PTAB show good success rates. If you have a strong case on the merits, consider fully prosecuting the appeal to a Board decision.

Filing a Notice of Appeal is strategically valuable. The act of filing often prompts favorable reconsideration during the mandatory appeal conference.

Examiner WOOD, DOUGLAS S - Prosecution Strategy Guide

Executive Summary

Examiner WOOD, DOUGLAS S works in Art Unit 3679 and has examined 324 patent applications in our dataset. With an allowance rate of 81.5%, this examiner has a below-average tendency to allow applications. Applications typically reach final disposition in approximately 27 months.

Allowance Patterns

Examiner WOOD, DOUGLAS S's allowance rate of 81.5% places them in the 46% percentile among all USPTO examiners. This examiner has a below-average tendency to allow applications.

Office Action Patterns

On average, applications examined by WOOD, DOUGLAS S receive 2.43 office actions before reaching final disposition. This places the examiner in the 83% percentile for office actions issued. This examiner issues more office actions than most examiners, which may indicate thorough examination or difficulty in reaching agreement with applicants.

Prosecution Timeline

The median time to disposition (half-life) for applications examined by WOOD, DOUGLAS S is 27 months. This places the examiner in the 59% percentile for prosecution speed. Prosecution timelines are slightly faster than average with this examiner.

Interview Effectiveness

Conducting an examiner interview provides a +8.0% benefit to allowance rate for applications examined by WOOD, DOUGLAS S. This interview benefit is in the 40% percentile among all examiners. Recommendation: Interviews provide a below-average benefit with this examiner.

Request for Continued Examination (RCE) Effectiveness

When applicants file an RCE with this examiner, 26.7% of applications are subsequently allowed. This success rate is in the 34% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Insight: RCEs show below-average effectiveness with this examiner. Carefully evaluate whether an RCE or continuation is the better strategy.

After-Final Amendment Practice

This examiner enters after-final amendments leading to allowance in 38.9% of cases where such amendments are filed. This entry rate is in the 52% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Recommendation: This examiner shows above-average receptiveness to after-final amendments. If your amendments clearly overcome the rejections and do not raise new issues, consider filing after-final amendments before resorting to an RCE.

Pre-Appeal Conference Effectiveness

When applicants request a pre-appeal conference (PAC) with this examiner, 100.0% result in withdrawal of the rejection or reopening of prosecution. This success rate is in the 74% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Recommendation: Pre-appeal conferences show above-average effectiveness with this examiner. If you have strong arguments, a PAC request may result in favorable reconsideration.

Appeal Withdrawal and Reconsideration

This examiner withdraws rejections or reopens prosecution in 68.8% of appeals filed. This is in the 49% percentile among all examiners. Of these withdrawals, 63.6% occur early in the appeal process (after Notice of Appeal but before Appeal Brief). Strategic Insight: This examiner shows below-average willingness to reconsider rejections during appeals. Be prepared to fully prosecute appeals if filed.

Petition Practice

When applicants file petitions regarding this examiner's actions, 51.4% are granted (fully or in part). This grant rate is in the 63% percentile among all examiners. Strategic Note: Petitions show above-average success regarding this examiner's actions. Petitionable matters include restriction requirements (MPEP § 1002.02(c)(2)) and various procedural issues.

Examiner Cooperation and Flexibility

Examiner's Amendments: This examiner makes examiner's amendments in 0.0% of allowed cases (in the 36% percentile). This examiner makes examiner's amendments less often than average. You may need to make most claim amendments yourself.

Quayle Actions: This examiner issues Ex Parte Quayle actions in 0.0% of allowed cases (in the 36% percentile). This examiner issues Quayle actions less often than average. Allowances may come directly without a separate action for formal matters.

Prosecution Strategy Recommendations

Based on the statistical analysis of this examiner's prosecution patterns, here are tailored strategic recommendations:

  • Expect multiple rounds of prosecution: This examiner issues more office actions than average. Address potential issues proactively in your initial response and consider requesting an interview early in prosecution.

Relevant MPEP Sections for Prosecution Strategy

  • MPEP § 713.10: Examiner interviews - available before Notice of Allowance or transfer to PTAB
  • MPEP § 714.12: After-final amendments - may be entered "under justifiable circumstances"
  • MPEP § 1002.02(c): Petitionable matters to Technology Center Director
  • MPEP § 1004: Actions requiring primary examiner signature (allowances, final rejections, examiner's answers)
  • MPEP § 1207.01: Appeal conferences - mandatory for all appeals
  • MPEP § 1214.07: Reopening prosecution after appeal

Important Disclaimer

Not Legal Advice: The information provided in this report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. You should consult with a qualified patent attorney or agent for advice specific to your situation.

No Guarantees: We do not provide any guarantees as to the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the statistics presented above. Patent prosecution statistics are derived from publicly available USPTO data and are subject to data quality limitations, processing errors, and changes in USPTO practices over time.

Limitation of Liability: Under no circumstances will IronCrow AI be liable for any outcome, decision, or action resulting from your reliance on the statistics, analysis, or recommendations presented in this report. Past prosecution patterns do not guarantee future results.

Use at Your Own Risk: While we strive to provide accurate and useful prosecution statistics, you should independently verify any information that is material to your prosecution strategy and use your professional judgment in all patent prosecution matters.