Patents Assigned to Scientific Drilling International, Inc.
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Patent number: 10837273Abstract: A system includes a surface coil positioned at a known surface position, the surface coil including at least one loop of a conductor. The system also includes a coil controller coupled to the surface coil and adapted to inject a current into the surface coil such that the surface coil generates an electromagnetic field. In addition, the system includes a sensor package positioned within a wellbore adapted to detect the electromagnetic field and determine the position of the wellbore relative to the surface coil.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2016Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: SCIENTIFIC DRILLING INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Clinton Moss, Douglas Ridgway, Troy Martin
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Patent number: 10731456Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a ranging and proximity detection system that includes a radiation source, the radiation source positioned within a first wellbore and a radiation detector positioned within a second wellbore.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2017Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: SCIENTIFIC DRILLING INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Benjamin C. Hawkinson, Brian D. Gleason
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Patent number: 10591636Abstract: A method may include providing a drill string positioned in a wellbore including a measurement tool. The method may include taking a measurement with the measurement tool at a first location; coupling a pipe stand including a first selected number of tubular segments to the drill string, the first selected number being two or more; lowering or advancing the drill string into the wellbore the length of the pipe stand; taking a measurement with the measurement tool at a second location; raising the drill string the length of a tubular segment; removing a second selected number of tubular segments from the drill string; taking a measurement with the measurement tool at a third location; raising the drill string the length of the first selected number of tubular segments; removing the first selected number of tubular segments; and taking a measurement with the measurement tool at a fourth location.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2017Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: SCIENTIFIC DRILLING INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Marc Willerth, Benjamin C. Hawkinson, Brian D. Gleason
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Patent number: 10550686Abstract: A gimbal sensor platform positionable in a tool body includes an inner gimbal and an outer gimbal. The inner gimbal is rotatably coupled to the outer gimbal, and the outer gimbal is rotatably coupled to the tool body. The inner and outer gimbals may each be rotated by an angular positioning device. A gyro or other sensor may be coupled to the inner gimbal. The gyro or other sensor may be reoriented by rotating the outer gimbal, the inner gimbal, or both.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2018Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: SCIENTIFIC DRILLING INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Brett Van Steenwyk, Tim Whitacre
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Patent number: 10539009Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an antenna for transfer of information along a drill string. The antenna has an antenna coil having a long side and short side. The antenna coil is adapted to be affixed to the drill string such that the long side of the antenna coil is along the longitudinal axis of the drill string, and the short side is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the drill string.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2012Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: SCIENTIFIC DRILLING INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Stephan Graf, Matthew A. White
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Patent number: 10494916Abstract: A method may include drilling a section of a first wellbore and casing a section of a first wellbore. The method may include lowering a downhole receiving system into the first wellbore to a first wellbore depth and drilling at least one section of a second wellbore. In addition, the method may include positioning an EM telemetry system in the at least one section of the second wellbore and transmitting an EM telemetry signal from the EM telemetry system. The method may include receiving the EM telemetry signal with the downhole receiving system.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2017Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: SCIENTIFIC DRILLING INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Matthew A. White, Brian Gleason, Stephen D. Morrow, Peter Smidth, Larry J. Schoennauer, Douglas Ridgway
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Patent number: 10473814Abstract: A downhole assembly includes a drill collar, the drill collar having an outer wall and an insert, the insert positioned within drill collar. The insert has a bore therethrough. The downhole assembly further includes at least one sensor within the insert, wherein the sensor is a gamma ray detector.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2017Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: SCIENTIFIC DRILLING INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventor: Medhat Mickael
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Patent number: 10466385Abstract: A signal method may include obtaining a first set of signal measurements, processing the first set of signal measurements into a phase reference obtaining a second set of signal measurements, the second set of signal measurements varying as a function of the phase reference, detecting an item of interest using the second set of signal measurements and the phase reference, and using the item of interest.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2017Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: SCIENTIFIC DRILLING INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Peter Smidth, Timothy Whitacre
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Patent number: 10422198Abstract: A method for determining the direction and/or range from a drilling well to a target well may include positioning a magnetic source in the target well and a magnetic sensor in the drilling well. The method may include activating the magnetic source in the target well and moving one or both of the magnetic source and magnetic sensors until a location in which the magnetic sensor is not saturated is identified. The method may include determining the direction and/or range to the target well at that location.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2017Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: SCIENTIFIC DRILLING INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Douglas Ridgway, Clinton Moss
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Patent number: 10365194Abstract: A method for measuring two-phase mixture quality in a fluid may include providing a densitometer with a densitometer body, a resonator tine, a drive transducer, and a pickup transducer. The method may also include exposing the resonator tine to the fluid and oscillating the resonator tine with the drive transducer. In addition, the method may include measuring the oscillation of the resonator tine with the pickup transducer, and determining a density of the fluid based on the measured oscillation of the resonator tine. The method may also include determining a two-phase mixture quality based on the determined density.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2016Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: SCIENTIFIC DRILLING INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Robert Peter Kerr, Brian Gleason, Robert Moore, Adam Olzick, Bill Denzel
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Patent number: 10349151Abstract: A method may include providing one or more telemetry transmission systems, the one or more transmission systems comprising one or more receivers and one or more transmitters. The method may also include transmitting a first synchronization sequence from the one or more telemetry transmission systems, the first synchronization sequence transmitted in a first channel, and the first synchronization sequence being at least a portion of a first telemetry signal. In addition, the method may include transmitting a second synchronization sequence the one or more telemetry transmission systems, the second synchronization sequence transmitted in a second channel, and the second synchronization sequence being at least a portion of a second telemetry signal. The first and second synchronization sequences may be transmitted simultaneously or at a predetermined time difference.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2017Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: SCIENTIFIC DRILLING INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Matthew White, Timothy Whitacre, Brian Gleason, Mohamed Youssef
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Patent number: 10316599Abstract: A landing nose adapted to deploy a sensor package within a tubular string may include one or more fins. The fins may be positioned to extend radially outwardly from the body of the landing nose and extend beyond the end of the landing nose body. The landing nose may be adapted to seat against a landing ring positioned within the tubular string. The fins may be adapted to, when the landing nose is seated, allow fluid to flow between the fins and through a central aperture of the landing ring. The fins may also be adapted to reduce the opportunity for the landing nose and sensor package to catch on any protrusions or features of the tubular string. In operation, the landing nose and sensor package may be run through the tubular string from the surface until the landing nose contacts the landing ring. The sensor package may then survey the wellbore as the tubular string is tripped-out from the wellbore.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2015Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: SCIENTIFIC DRILLING INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Nathan Thomas Paszek, Benjamin Curtis Hawkinson
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Patent number: 10301933Abstract: A method for transmitting data from a MWD system at the BHA of a drill string may include transmitting the data in a MWD signal from the MWD system. The MWD signal may be modulated at a position closer to the surface onto a mud pulse modulated signal. The mud pulse modulated signal may be generated by a downhole friction reducing device. The downhole friction reducing device may include a mud motor. The mud motor may create pressure pulses based on its speed of rotation. The downhole friction reducing device may include a modulating valve. The modulating valve may be electromechanically or mechanically operated. The modulated signal may be detected at the surface by a receiver using one or more pressure or flow sensors. The receiver may use one or more harmonics of the modulated signal to receive the data.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2018Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: SCIENTIFIC DRILLING INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Matthew A. White, Tim Whitacre, Brett Van Steenwyk, Mohamed Youssef
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Patent number: 10287872Abstract: A steering tool may include a tool body, gimbal body rotatably coupled to the tool body, and an angular positioning device to rotate the gimbal body relative to the tool body. One or more sensors may be coupled to the gimbal body. The sensors may be one or more gyros, accelerometers, and magnetometers. A gyro may be aligned with the axis of rotation of the gimbal body and may be used to detect rotation of the gimbal body. The detected rotation may be used to stabilize the gimbal body by using the angular positioning device. A gimbal toolface angle relative to a reference frame may be determined based on readings of one or more of the sensors. The gimbal body may be rotated to align with a reference position by the angular positioning device and rotated to one or more other gimbal toolface angles, at which sensor readings may be taken.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2015Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: SCIENTIFIC DRILLING INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Brett Van Steenwyk, Benjamin C. Hawkinson, Brian D. Gleason, Timothy P. Whitacre, Matthew A. White
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Patent number: 10253820Abstract: A joint for a BHA includes an inner driven rod, an outer drive coupling, and a thrust plate. The inner driven rod includes at least one lobe extending radially therefrom. The outer drive coupling includes a keyway formed therein corresponding to and adapted to receive each lobe. A thrust plate is positioned between at least one side of each lobe and the corresponding keyway. The thrust plate may allow for the reduction of point or line stress loading on the lobe and keyway.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2016Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: SCIENTIFIC DRILLING INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Mark Chustz, Jon Meier
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Patent number: 10161193Abstract: A plug for use in a downhole tool collar allows a seal between the inside and outside of the collar. The plug provides an electromagnetically transparent window through which the signals from the measurement device may propagate to or from the surrounding formation. The plug assembly includes an inner retainer, an outer retainer, and a plug. The inner retainer may be inserted into the inside of a slot formed in the collar. The inner retainer may have a concave inner surface to match the cylindrical inner surface of the collar. Likewise, the outer collar may be inserted into the outside of the slot, and may have a convex outer surface to match the cylindrical outer surface of the collar. The plug may fit into slots in the inner and outer retainers and be held in place within the slot.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2015Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: SCIENTIFIC DRILLING INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventor: Richard Murray Whiddon
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Patent number: 10070205Abstract: A method may include providing one or more telemetry transmission systems, the one or more transmission systems comprising one or more receivers and one or more transmitters. The method may also include transmitting a first synchronization sequence from the one or more telemetry transmission systems, the first synchronization sequence transmitted in a first channel, and the first synchronization sequence being at least a portion of a first telemetry signal. In addition, the method may include transmitting a second synchronization sequence the one or more telemetry transmission systems, the second synchronization sequence transmitted in a second channel, and the second synchronization sequence being at least a portion of a second telemetry signal. The first and second synchronization sequences may be transmitted simultaneously or at a predetermined time difference.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2017Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: SCIENTIFIC DRILLING INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Matthew White, Timothy Whitacre, Brian Gleason, Mohamed Youssef
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Patent number: 10070204Abstract: A method may include providing one or more telemetry transmission systems, the one or more transmission systems comprising one or more receivers and one or more transmitters. The method may also include transmitting a first synchronization sequence from the one or more telemetry transmission systems, the first synchronization sequence transmitted in a first channel, and the first synchronization sequence being at least a portion of a first telemetry signal. In addition, the method may include transmitting a second synchronization sequence the one or more telemetry transmission systems, the second synchronization sequence transmitted in a second channel, and the second synchronization sequence being at least a portion of a second telemetry signal. The first and second synchronization sequences may be transmitted simultaneously or at a predetermined time difference.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2017Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: SCIENTIFIC DRILLING INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventors: Matthew White, Timothy Whitacre, Brian Gleason, Mohamed Youssef
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Patent number: 10066480Abstract: A method of interpreting a signal transmitted through a drilling fluid disposed within a telemetry channel of a wellbore that includes defining a finite number of distinct message signals for representing conditions within the wellbore. The method also includes transmitting one of the message signals through the telemetry channel, and receiving a distorted signal that includes the message signal as distorted by transmission through the telemetry channel. A channel impulse response is estimated and applied to at least one of the message signals to generate at least one predicted signal. A comparison is made between the predicted signal and the distorted signal, and an estimation is made as to which of the finite number of message signals is included in the distorted signal based on the comparison.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2014Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: Scientific Drilling International, Inc.Inventors: Tim Whitacre, Matthew A. White, Brett Vansteenwyk
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Patent number: 10047600Abstract: A method for calculating orientation changes within a borehole using a gyro sensor to detect angular deflection rates in an attitude reference interval as a MWD system is moved from a first to a second location within the borehole. A compass shot may be taken at one or more of the first and second locations using a magnetometer and accelerometer or gyro sensor and accelerometer. Tieback and/or overlap processing may be applied to increase the accuracy of measured orientation within the borehole. Additionally, tieback and/or overlap processing may be applied to adjust sensor model parameters in response to discrepancies between calculated and measured locations. Iterated calculations of orientation change between subsequent intervals may allow MWD orientation to be computed for an entire drilling operation using only a single compass shot.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2016Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: SCIENTIFIC DRILLING INTERNATIONAL, INC.Inventor: Brett VanSteenwyk