ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 16 -- United States Patent no. 12,305,491, issued on May 20, was assigned to ODFJELL TECHNOLOGY INVEST LTD (Aberdeen, Great Britain).

"Downhole tool" was invented by Bruce McGarian (Aberdeen, Great Britain).

According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A downhole tool, comprising: an inner body, having first and second connections in a drill string to convey fluid from immediately upper to immediately lower components. The inner body defines a flow bore which communicates between the first and second connections. An outer body disposed around at least part of the inner body is axially movable with respect to the inner body, in a direction which is parallel or substantially parallel with...