Patents Examined by Kristyn Hall
  • Polycrystalline diamond tubular protection
    Patent number: 11225842
    Abstract: A tubular engagement interface for interfacing the coupling of two movably engaged tubulars is disclosed. The tubular engagement interface includes a body. The body includes a body engagement surface. A polycrystalline diamond element is coupled with the body, and includes a diamond engagement surface. The tubular engagement interface may be coupled with an inner wall of a first tubular, such that the body engagement surface, the diamond engagement surface, or combinations thereof are engaged with an opposing engagement surface of an outer wall of a second tubular. Alternatively, the tubular engagement interface may be coupled with the outer wall of the second tubular, such that the body engagement surface, the diamond engagement surface, or combinations thereof are engaged with an opposing engagement surface of the inner wall of the first tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: XR Downhole, LLC
    Inventors: Michael R. Reese, David P. Miess, Gregory Prevost
  • System and method of tracking flat surfaces of a component of a drilling machine
    Patent number: 11220872
    Abstract: A drilling machine includes a mast, a rotary head movably coupled to the mast, a drill string component having a pair of opposed flat surfaces, and a securing structure including engagement surfaces shaped to engage the opposed flat surfaces and secure the drill string component from rotating. The drilling machine also includes a controller configured to track a rotational location of the flat surfaces of the drill string component during rotation of the drill string component. The controller is further configured to receive tracking information from a sensor associated with the rotary head and control the rotary head to align the opposed flat surfaces for engagement by the securing structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLC
    Inventors: Timo Diekmann, Ross L. Hoult, Carl J. Moberg, Rex Glover, Hyppolite Kuissi, Samuel C. Taylor, Ahsan Shahid
  • Downhole tool actuators and indexing mechanisms
    Patent number: 11215019
    Abstract: A downhole tool control apparatus includes a control assembly, a stroking assembly, and a pocket sleeve positioned in an outer sub. The control assembly and stroking assembly are independently slidable axially within the outer sub. The control assembly and stroking assembly slide depending on the flow rate of fluid through the downhole tool actuator. The stroking assembly includes a spline barrel having a spline projection positioned within a spline pocket formed in the pocket sleeve. The pocket sleeve and control assembly include one or more ratchet teeth positioned in the pocket sleeve such that as the flow rate is changed between a high and a low flow rate, the spline projection engages the ratchet teeth until an actuated cycle is completed, allowing the downhole tool actuator to move to an actuation position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: TURBO DRILL INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Mark Adam
  • Downhole shock sensor
    Patent number: 11215042
    Abstract: A shock sensor, comprising: a housing, wherein the housing is cylindrical, wherein the housing comprises: a first end; a second end; a central bore that traverses a length of the housing; and an internal cavity; a coil, wherein the coil is disposed about the central bore; at least two magnets, wherein the at least two magnets are disposed about the central bore; a spring, wherein the spring is a compression spring, wherein the spring is disposed within the housing, wherein the spring comprises a first end and a second end; and a metallic member, wherein the metallic member is disposed at the second end of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Simon Whye Kwong Wai, Kuo Hwi Roy Tan, Nikhil Manmadhan Kartha
  • Radial drilling link transmission and flex shaft protective cover
    Patent number: 11203901
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing a radial drilling operation using a shaft are disclosed. The shaft can be flexible and can be made of a series of links, each of which can have a hexagonal or other suitable shape to impart a torque along the linkage. A cable system can be run through the middle of the links and can be resiliently tensioned to permit a different degree of flexure according to the amount of tension in the cable and resilient member. Accordingly, the shaft can be rigid, selectively permitted to flex, or can be brought back to a straight or at least a less-bent position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Donald Cardon, Bill DuBose, Mark Callister Oettli, Alexander Rudnik, Harold Steve Bissonnette
  • Systems, methods, and apparatuses for identifying groundwater during rock drill cutting
    Patent number: 11199062
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus can identify groundwater as a drilling machine drills a drill hole. Presence or not of groundwater can be continuously monitored as the drilling machine drills the drill hole using one or more groundwater or moisture sensors to detect moisture or water content of cuttings from the drill hole. Such data from the sensor(s) can be processed to determine the presence or not of groundwater and associate the determination with the corresponding location within the drill hole. A mapping or logging of the drill hole can be generated with the location or locations where the presence of groundwater is identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLC
    Inventors: James Peterson, Ryan Howell
  • Thermally deformable annular packers
    Patent number: 11199067
    Abstract: The present invention provides a thermally deformable annular packer with pressure relief means for use in oil and gas wells. The annular packer is formed from a stack of component parts, said parts comprising one or more eutectic alloy based ring sections sandwiched between two end sections. At least one of the annular packer component parts has one or more enclosed voids that are configured to become exposed when the packer is subjected to a predetermined pressure or temperature. The exposure of the enclosed voids serves to increase the effective volume within the sealed region formed by the annular packer in the annulus between two coaxial well casing/tubing. The increase in the effective volume serves to reduce the pressure within the sealed region thus preventing a build-up of pressure that might otherwise have damaged the well casing/tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: BiSN Tec Ltd
    Inventors: Paul Carragher, Sylvain Bedouet
  • Slider compensated flexible shaft drilling system
    Patent number: 11193332
    Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein include a drilling system that includes a deflecting device having an internal passage extending therethrough, and a flexible drilling assembly configured to extend through the internal passage of the deflecting device, and to create a perforation lateral tunnel in a wellbore. The flexible drilling assembly includes a flexible drive shaft configured to rotate relative to the internal passage of the deflecting device. The flexible drilling assembly also includes a cutting bit disposed at a first axial end of the flexible drilling assembly. The flexible drilling assembly further includes a slider tube disposed at a second axial end of the flexible drilling assembly. In addition, the flexible drilling assembly includes a slider radially disposed within the slider tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Henk Jelsma, Bill DuBose
  • Downhole tool
    Patent number: 11193345
    Abstract: A downhole tool, for removing sections of metal tubing, said downhole tool comprising at least one conductive element being arranged to corrode a section of metal tubing using an electrolytic process, said conductive element being made of electric conductive material, an apparatus to establish a connection to the metal tubing, and a source of electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: INNOVATION ENERGY AS
    Inventors: Carlos J. Delgado, Pal Viggo Hemmingsen, Bjarne Bugten, Marcus Fathi, Astrid Bjørgum, Nils-Inge Nilsen
  • Ground drilling device and method for drilling in soil
    Patent number: 11187046
    Abstract: A ground drilling device for drilling in soil by means of a drill string, wherein the ground drilling device comprises a drilling carriage and a sled movable in translation on the drilling carriage, and on the sled there is arranged a holder a) for the screwed connection of a rod section to the drill string, or b) for the screwed detachment of a rod section from the drill string, wherein the holder can move in translation relative to the sled in order to compensate for a change in the position of the holder caused by the screwing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: TRACTO-TECHNIK GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Rene Schrinner, Stefan Hermes
  • Downhole drilling tool with a polycrystalline diamond bearing
    Patent number: 11187040
    Abstract: A downhole tool for use in a downhole drill string is provided. The downhole tool includes a rotor movably coupled within a stator, and a drive shaft movably coupled within a bearing housing. The drive shaft has a first end coupled with the rotor and a second end coupled with a drill bit. Bearing assemblies interfaces engagement between the drive shaft and the bearing housing, including polycrystalline diamond elements, each with an engagement surface, and an opposing engagement surface of a non-superhard metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: XR Downhole, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Prevost, Michael Williams, Edward C. Spatz, Michael R. Reese, William W. King, David P. Miess
  • Automated drilling-fluid additive system and method
    Patent number: 11187050
    Abstract: An automated drilling-fluid additive system and method for on-site real-time analysis and additive treatment of drilling fluid to be directly injected into a well without additional storage or handling. The drilling fluid includes returned drilling fluid intended to be re-used, which has a variety of viscosity and other qualities resulting from its various preceding use. The target drilling fluid will have a variety of viscosity and other qualities depending upon and changing with various phases of drilling operations and various conditions encountered. The drilling fluid is analyzed in real time as it flows into the automated drilling-fluid additive system, and various additives are added to and thoroughly blended with the drilling fluid as needed to achieve the desired result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Inventor: Kyle Collins
  • Retrievable pump systems for wells and methods of use
    Patent number: 11180978
    Abstract: A wellbore pumping system for pumping fluid, the system with a retrievable reciprocating pump selectively disposable in inner tubing (which may be e.g. production tubing or coiled tubing) movable to and from a landing structure of a bottom hole assembly (“BHA”), the BHA connected to another tubular which is an outer tubular, such as production tubing or casing, which encompasses the inner tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Cormorant Engineering, LLC
    Inventor: David Joseph Bolt
  • Interlock for a drill rig and method for operating a drill rig
    Patent number: 11180964
    Abstract: An interlock between a drawworks and a segment hoist includes a sensor for sensing a position of the segment hoist. An interlock signal is generated by the sensor for sensing the position of the segment hoist and is reflective of the position of the segment hoist. A lock operably connected to the drawworks receives the interlock signal and disables operation of the drawworks if the interlock signal meets a predetermined criterion. A method for operating a drill rig includes operating a drawworks to raise and lower a drill string and operating a segment hoist. The method further includes sensing a position of the segment hoist, generating an interlock signal that reflects the position of the segment hoist, and disabling the drawworks if the interlock signal meets a predetermined criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Inventors: Barry J. Nield, George A. Nield
  • Intermittent pressure switch for pneumatic valves
    Patent number: 11168539
    Abstract: Disclosed is an intermittent pressure switch for pneumatic valves to control pressure relief valves in oil and gas producing operations by directing the valve to open and close based on pressure parameters (pre)set by the user. This enables oil and gas wells to produce based on formation pressure buildup. The inventive switch consists of a box containing a pressure switch programmable from 0 to 5,000 psi, a 3-port solenoid valve, 24 volt battery system, solar panel, solar control charger, pressure gauge, circuit wiring, and pressure fittings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Inventors: Jeff S Tucker, James C Cowan
  • Single-set anti-extrusion ring with 3-dimensionally curved mating ring segment faces
    Patent number: 11168535
    Abstract: A single-set anti-extrusion ring has a plurality of ring segments with a mating face on each end. Each mating face has a 3-dimensionally curved topology and the first mating face is a mirror image of the second mating face so the ring segments fit together to form and anti-extrusion ring without gaps in an unexpanded condition, and no straight path through the anti-extrusion ring in an expanded condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: EXACTA-FRAC ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventor: Ahmed Mohamed Saeed
  • Tool catcher system
    Patent number: 11162318
    Abstract: A tool catcher system that includes a housing. The housing defines a bore that receives a tool. The tool catcher system includes a plurality of ring segments that move radially inward and radially outward to selectively couple to and uncouple from the tool. A spring plate supports the plurality of ring segments. An actuator plate couples to the spring plate. A plurality of shafts couple the actuator plate to the spring plate. An actuator system moves the actuator plate and the spring plate in a first direction to release the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Ian McDaniel, Jesse Garcia, Jeffrey Lambert, Nathaniel Pettibone, Ross Stevenson, Kody Carrillo
  • Detachable sensor with fiber optics for cement plug
    Patent number: 11156076
    Abstract: A sensor module can be used to make measurements during a single trip into and out of a wellbore in connection with a cement operation. The sensor module can include a detachment mechanism to detachably couple to a cement dart. The sensor module can also include a sensor to make measurements in a run-in-hole configuration prior to detaching from the cement dart and in a come-out-of-hole configuration subsequent to detaching from the cement dart in a wellbore. The sensor module can also include a transceiver to transmit the measurements to a processing device via a communication medium and to receive commands from the processing device via the communication medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Lee Stokely, John Laureto Maida, Krishna M. Ravi
  • Methods and systems for degrading downhole tools containing magnesium
    Patent number: 11156050
    Abstract: A downhole tool comprising magnesium is placed in a well bore in a subterranean formation for performance of a downhole operation. After performance of the downhole operation, rather than mechanically retrieving or removing the tool, at least a portion of the magnesium in the downhole tool is dissolved by contacting the downhole tool with an aqueous ammonium chloride solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Paramount Design LLC
    Inventors: Brad Todd, Loren Swor
  • Advisory system for stick-slip mitigation in drilling systems
    Patent number: 11156075
    Abstract: The disclosure addresses mitigating stick-slip in drilling systems. In one example, a method of operating a drill string is disclosed for stick-slip mitigation. The method can include: 1) monitoring operation of a drill string, wherein the drill string is rotated via a top drive that is controlled by a speed controller, and (2) changing the value of at least one speed controller parameter of the speed controller in response to torsional oscillations of the drill string during the operation, wherein the value is based on a stability model for the drill string. A stick-slip mitigation advisor for drilling systems is also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Ganesh Ramakrishnan